Patents by Inventor Frank Heitplatz

Frank Heitplatz 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: 10882487
    Abstract: A vehicle including an instrument panel, a front seat rotatable between a forward-facing position and a rearward-facing position, and an airbag inflatable between the instrument panel and the front seat. The vehicle includes a controller including a processor and a memory storing processor-executable instructions wherein the processor is programmed to identify that the front seat is rearward-facing, inflate an airbag in response to a sensed frontal impact, and open an external vent in the airbag during inflation in response to identification that the front seat is rearward-facing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: John Q. White, Jerry R. Brown, Frank Heitplatz
  • Publication number: 20200269800
    Abstract: A vehicle including an instrument panel, a front seat rotatable between a forward-facing position and a rearward-facing position, and an airbag inflatable between the instrument panel and the front seat. The vehicle includes a controller including a processor and a memory storing processor-executable instructions wherein the processor is programmed to identify that the front seat is rearward-facing, inflate an airbag in response to a sensed frontal impact, and open an external vent in the airbag during inflation in response to identification that the front seat is rearward-facing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2019
    Publication date: August 27, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Q. White, Jerry R. Brown, Frank Heitplatz
  • Patent number: 7604252
    Abstract: The invention relates to a driver's knee airbag (1), in particular for a motor vehicle, with a gas generator (2), a plurality of chambers (5, 6, 7) and catch straps (3, 4). So that it deploys better and provides better protection for a vehicle occupant, in particular the driver, in the event of a crash, it comprises a first catch strap (3) dividing the airbag essentially horizontally, and two catch straps (4) extending essentially vertically from the first catch strap (3). The space between the steering column and the knees of the driver is therefore rapidly filled by the airbag in the event of a crash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Frank Heitplatz, Johannes A. Varcus
  • Publication number: 20070200321
    Abstract: The invention relates to a driver's knee airbag (1), in particular for a motor vehicle, with a gas generator (2), a plurality of chambers (5, 6, 7) and catch straps (3, 4). So that it deploys better and provides better protection for a vehicle occupant, in particular the driver, in the event of a crash, it comprises a first catch strap (3) dividing the airbag essentially horizontally, and two catch straps (4) extending essentially vertically from the first catch strap (3). The space between the steering column and the knees of the driver is therefore rapidly filled by the airbag in the event of a crash.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2007
    Publication date: August 30, 2007
    Inventors: Frank Heitplatz, Johannes A. Varcus