Patents by Inventor Ellen M. Ballman

Ellen M. Ballman 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).

  • Patent number: 6386579
    Abstract: A steering wheel is produced from injection molding of a foamed thermoplastic elastomer. The thermoplastic foam material can produce desirable characteristics for both the rim and the airbag cover. The rim of the steering wheel has good wear characteristics and a targeted compressibility or “feel” while the airbag cover has the sought-after strength across a large temperature range and exhibits very little compliance. The thermoplastic foam material is also beneficial because it has a non-olefinic foam carrier, such as polyvinyl acetate, which does not degrade the adhesive used to attach a cushion and/or a outside wrap to the steering wheel rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas V. Reidy, Ellen M. Ballman, J. Curtis Hofer, Roy Deutschmann