Patents by Inventor Jefferson E. Howell

Jefferson E. Howell 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).

  • Energy absorbing torsion bar seat belt retractor with sharp onset property
    Patent number: 6309023
    Abstract: An energy absorbing seat belt retractor (20) comprising: a frame (22); a torsion bar (70, 70′) having a first and a second side, rotationally supported relative to the frame. The torsion bar of the type which is pre-torqued to create a permanent deformation therein or having an annular cross section to reduce a transition zone between the torsion bar's elastic and plastic deformation regions. The retractor also includes a locking device (200) adapted to be activated during a vehicle accident and operative on the first side (76) of the torsion bar to stop the torsion bar from rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2001
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jefferson E. Howell, Simon X. He
  • Energy absorbing torsion bar seat belt retractor with sharp onset property
    Publication number: 20010000908
    Abstract: An energy absorbing seat belt retractor (20) comprising: a frame (22); a torsion bar (70,70′) having a first and a second side, rotationally supported relative to the frame. The torsion bar of the type which is pre-torqued to create a permanent deformation therein or having an annular cross section to reduce a transition zone between the torsion bar's elastic and plastic deformation regions. The retractor also includes a locking device (200) adapted to be activated during a vehicle accident and operative on the first side (76) of the torsion bar to stop the torsion bar from rotating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2000
    Publication date: May 10, 2001
    Inventors: Jefferson E. Howell, Simon X. He
  • Energy absorbing torsion bar seat belt retractor with sharp onset property
    Patent number: 6158816
    Abstract: An energy absorbing seat belt retractor (20) comprising: a frame (22); a torsion bar (70,70') having a first and a second side, rotationally supported relative to the frame. The torsion bar of the type which is pre-torqued to create a permanent deformation therein or having an annular cross section to reduce a transition zone between the torsion bar's elastic and plastic deformation regions. The retractor also includes a locking device (200) adapted to be activated during a vehicle accident and operative on the first side (76) of the torsion bar to stop the torsion bar from rotating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jefferson E. Howell, Simon X. He