Patents by Inventor Ed Clancy

Ed Clancy has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Airbag with bag mounted sensor
    Patent number: 6869101
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant position sensor is mounted on the front of an airbag which is deployed toward a vehicle occupant. The sensor comprises a capacitance sensor constructed by rendering portions of the airbag which face the vehicle occupant conductive. The airbag on which the sensor is placed is also constructed to allow venting of the airbag before it is fully deployed. The distance between the sensor and the vehicle occupant is continually determined with respect to the sensor. The output of the capacitive sensor is processed by a control system and is used to predict the interaction between the airbag and the vehicle passenger and to cause the airbag to be vented if that interaction is predicted to be more harmful than beneficial to the vehicle occupant. A system which prevents airbag venting once the airbag is inflated or nearly inflated can also be employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig White, John Burdock, Ed Clancy
  • Airbag with bag mounted sensor
    Patent number: 6796578
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant position sensor is mounted on the front of an airbag which is deployed toward a vehicle occupant. The sensor comprises a capacitance sensor constructed by rendering portions of the airbag which face the vehicle occupant conductive. The airbag on which the sensor is placed is also constructed to allow venting of the airbag before it is fully deployed. The distance between the sensor and the vehicle occupant is continually determined with respect to the sensor. The output of the capacitive sensor is processed by a control system and is used to predict the interaction between the airbag and the vehicle passenger and to cause the airbag to be vented if that interaction is predicted to be more harmful than beneficial to the vehicle occupant. A system which prevents airbag venting once the airbag is inflated or nearly inflated can also be employed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig White, John Burdock, Ed Clancy
  • Airbag with bag mounted sensor
    Publication number: 20040178613
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant position sensor is mounted on the front of an airbag which is deployed toward a vehicle occupant. The sensor comprises a capacitance sensor constructed by rendering portions of the airbag which face the vehicle occupant conductive. The airbag on which the sensor is placed is also constructed to allow venting of the airbag before it is fully deployed. The distance between the sensor and the vehicle occupant is continually determined with respect to the sensor. The output of the capacitive sensor is processed by a control system and is used to predict the interaction between the airbag and the vehicle passenger and to cause the airbag to be vented if that interaction is predicted to be more harmful than beneficial to the vehicle occupant. A system which prevents airbag venting once the airbag is inflated or nearly inflated can also be employed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventors: Craig White, John Burdock, Ed Clancy
  • Airbag with bag mounted sensor
    Publication number: 20040090053
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant position sensor is mounted on the front of an airbag which is deployed toward a vehicle occupant. The sensor comprises a capacitance sensor constructed by rendering portions of the airbag which face the vehicle occupant conductive. The airbag on which the sensor is placed is also constructed to allow venting of the airbag before it is fully deployed. The distance between the sensor and the vehicle occupant is continually determined with respect to the sensor. The output of the capacitive sensor is processed by a control system and is used to predict the interaction between the airbag and the vehicle passenger and to cause the airbag to be vented if that interaction is predicted to be more harmful than beneficial to the vehicle occupant. A system which prevents airbag venting once the airbag is inflated or nearly inflated can also be employed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventors: Craig White, John Burdock, Ed Clancy