Patents by Inventor Günter Zähle

Günter Zähle 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: 7717460
    Abstract: The disclosed airbag for a motor vehicle for supporting the knees of a vehicle occupant in the event of a crash, comprises an inflatable portion, a first fastening region for fastening the airbag to a motor vehicle part, at least one second, detachable fastening region for fastening the airbag to the same or different motor vehicle part, and a connection located between the second, detachable fastening region and the inflatable portion. The second, detachable fastening region is configured to detach from the inflatable portion if a force exceeding a predetermined value acts on the connection between the second, detachable fastening region and the inflatable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
    Inventors: Dirk Franke, Lutz Eichner, Günter Zähle, Andreas Terlunen
  • Patent number: 7246820
    Abstract: An annular airbag is disclosed, of the type where the center piece (12) of the steering wheel cover (11) (mostly embodied as the emblem of the vehicle producer) remains in place during the unfolding process. In order to prevent a vehicle occupant impacting the hole arising above the center piece with an inflated airbag, the tubular region (17) of the airbag above the center piece is embodied such that the cross-sectional area thereof in the inflated state reduces in the direction of the upper plate of the airbag from the center piece (12). The above is achieved, for example, by means of a special forming of the tubular region, by provision of pockets (21) and/or folds (31), the use of special materials, a special fixing of the airbag to the airbag module (9), or the fitting of tension straps (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
    Inventors: Thomas Marotzke, Sven Ortmann, Gerhard Lutter, Günter Zähle, Detlef Crohn