Patents by Inventor Gary A. Card

Gary A. Card 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: 9505368
    Abstract: A fastener for mounting an airbag to a vehicle includes a first fastening element and a second fastening element. The first and second fastening elements are configured to be positioned on opposite sides of an airbag panel. The first fastening element includes a protrusion configured to be positioned within an opening located in the second fastening element. The fastener has a locked condition in which the first and second fastening elements are locked together. A wall of the second fastening element forming the opening includes a recess configured to receive the protrusion when the fastener is in the locked condition. The second fastening element is configured to be rotated relative to the first fastening element in order to change the condition of the fastener to locked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey William Morrell, Gary A. Card, Kristin Stephani Harma, Thomas W. Messner
  • Publication number: 20160250989
    Abstract: A fastener for mounting an airbag to a vehicle includes a first fastening element and a second fastening element. The first and second fastening elements are configured to be positioned on opposite sides of an airbag panel. The first fastening element includes a protrusion configured to be positioned within an opening located in the second fastening element. The fastener has a locked condition in which the first and second fastening elements are locked together. A wall of the second fastening element forming the opening includes a recess configured to receive the protrusion when the fastener is in the locked condition. The second fastening element is configured to be rotated relative to the first fastening element in order to change the condition of the fastener to locked.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Applicant: TK HOLDINGS INC
    Inventors: Jeffrey William MORRELL, Gary A. CARD, Kristin Stephani HARMA, Thomas W. MESSNER
  • Patent number: 7946611
    Abstract: An airbag module for protecting the knees of an occupant located in an occupant compartment of a vehicle, the airbag module configured to be mounted behind an instrument panel of the vehicle and including a housing; and an airbag configured to be filled with an inflation gas. The housing may surround the airbag. The housing may include two connected portions. The housing may also be configured so that when the airbag is inflated and deploys the two portions of the housing disconnect and the first housing portion bends downward into a position where the first portion forms a ramp to guide the airbag from a stored position into the occupant compartment. The airbag module may also include a mounting mechanism configured to mount the housing to the instrument panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Spencer W. Chavez, Gary A. Card, John P. Ruterbusch
  • Publication number: 20100244410
    Abstract: An airbag module for protecting the knees of an occupant located in an occupant compartment of a vehicle, the airbag module configured to be mounted behind an instrument panel of the vehicle and including a housing; and an airbag configured to be filled with an inflation gas. The housing may surround the airbag. The housing may include two connected portions. The housing may also be configured so that when the airbag is inflated and deploys the two portions of the housing disconnect and the first housing portion bends downward into a position where the first portion forms a ramp to guide the airbag from a stored position into the occupant compartment. The airbag module may also include a mounting mechanism configured to mount the housing to the instrument panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventors: Spencer W. Chavez, Gary A. Card, John P. Ruterbusch
  • Patent number: 7073817
    Abstract: An airbag module assembly 10 comprises a module housing 12 closed by an airbag module door assembly 15. A panel 16 forms an airbag module door 16? for release of an airbag 14 upon activation of the airbag module assembly 10. Attachment members 28, 30 are connected to opposing peripheral edges 20 and 22 of the panel 16. In another aspect, a tear seam 46 may be incorporated on an attachment member 30 adjacent the peripheral edge 22 of the door 16?, rather than on the panel 16. In yet another aspect, slots 48 within the attachment member 30 with upwardly angled surfaces 48.1 adjacent the edge 22 interface with corresponding arms 50 protruding from the edge 52 of the instrument panel 18, which provides enhanced leverage for a smooth tear along the attachment member 30 and a smooth deployment of the airbag 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: TK Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis R. Rogers, Gary A. Card, Jonathan McDonnell
  • Publication number: 20040188986
    Abstract: An airbag module assembly 10 contains a module housing 12 closed by an airbag module door assembly 15. A panel 16 forms an airbag module door for release of an airbag 14 upon activation of module assembly 10. Attachment members 28 and 30 are connected to opposing peripheral edges 20 and 22 of the panel 16. In another aspect, a tear seam 46 may be incorporated on an attachment member 30 adjacent the peripheral edge 22 of the door 16, rather than on the panel 16. By providing upwardly angled slots 48 within the attachment member 30 and adjacent the edge 22, that converge toward the edge 42 and interface with corresponding instrument panel arms 52 protruding from the vehicle structure 18. The combination therefore provides enhanced leverage for a smooth tear along the attachment member 30 and a smooth deployment of the airbag 14. The tear seam 46 need not therefore be conventionally formed within the panel 16.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Dennis R. Rogers, Gary A. Card, Jonathan McDonnell
  • Patent number: 6588510
    Abstract: A coil tubing hanger system and a method of installing such system is provided. The coil tubing hanger system comprises a body having an axial opening there through. A slip bowl having a base and housing a slip that can be retained in a first position spaced apart from bowl base and a second position proximate the bowl base is fitted within the opening. The slip has inner teeth. Tubing is fitted within the slip and through the bowl while the slip is retained in the first position. The slip is then allowed to drop to the second position such that the slip teeth bite onto the outer surface of the tubing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: Duhn Oil Tool, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary A. Card, Robert K. Meek
  • Publication number: 20030051884
    Abstract: A coil tubing hanger system and a method of installing such system is provided. The coil tubing hanger system comprises a body having an axial opening there through. A slip bowl having a base and housing a slip that can be retained in a first position spaced apart from bowl base and a second position proximate the bowl base is fitted within the opening. The slip has inner teeth. Tubing is fitted within the slip and through the bowl while the slip is retained in the first position. The slip is then allowed to drop to the second position such that the slip teeth bite onto the outer surface of the tubing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2001
    Publication date: March 20, 2003
    Inventors: Gary A. Card, Robert K. Meek