Patents by Inventor James E. Palm

James E. Palm 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: 7523957
    Abstract: The present invention affords a headrest airbag for reducing or preventing whiplash and/or head injuries related to vehicle collisions. The headrest airbag is comprised of a trim material that encloses a headrest member, a receiving means for receiving an exchangeable gas bag module and an exchangeable gas bag module at least partially inserted into the receiving means. The exchangeable gas bag module is comprised of an inflatable gas bag and a gas generator for inflating the gas bag. The gas bag maintains its location within the receiving means of the headrest airbag whether it is inflated or not. The inflated gas bag reduces the distance that a head of a driver or passenger is thrown in a rearward direction before coming into contact with a headrest, and reduces the force of such an impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Palm
  • Publication number: 20080073886
    Abstract: The present invention affords a headrest airbag for reducing or preventing whiplash and/or head injuries related to vehicle collisions. The headrest airbag is comprised of a trim material that encloses a headrest member, a receiving means for receiving an exchangeable gas bag module and an exchangeable gas bag module at least partially inserted into the receiving means. The exchangeable gas bag module is comprised of an inflatable gas bag and a gas generator for inflating the gas bag. The gas bag maintains its location within the receiving means of the headrest airbag whether it is inflated or not. The inflated gas bag reduces the distance that a head of a driver or passenger is thrown in a rearward direction before coming into contact with a headrest, and reduces the force of such an impact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: Toyota Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventor: James E. Palm