Patents by Inventor Jeffrey D. Williams

Jeffrey D. Williams 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).

  • Publication number: 20120280477
    Abstract: The airbag cushion has a passive venting system that remains open or transitions to a closed position depending on the impact of the airbag with an occupant and the position of the occupant. The venting system self closes upon deployment when an occupant is not out of position but remains open when an occupant is out of position. The venting system self closes due to cushion membrane tension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: Larry D. Young, Jeffrey D. Williams, John C. Newkirk
  • Patent number: 8226118
    Abstract: The airbag cushion has a passive venting system that remains open or transitions to a closed position depending on the impact of the airbag with an occupant and the position of the occupant. The venting system self closes upon deployment when an occupant is not out of position but remains open when an occupant is out of position. The venting system self closes due to cushion membrane tension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry D. Rose, Jeffrey D. Williams, John C. Newkirk
  • Publication number: 20120169033
    Abstract: Seat belt systems and inflatable airbags can be used to mitigate the potential for injury to an occupant's neck. The seat belt systems provide for moderating the seat belt loads acting on the occupant to allow an improved synchronization of the occupant torso and head rebound timing, which in turn limits head and torso differential loading (frontal whiplash) and therefore occupant neck loads and neck, based on the position of the occupant, loads on the seatbelt, or a predetermined time in the crash event. Airbags are also provided with a sloped impact face. Additionally, airbags are also provided with a relatively flat top portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: Paul Edward Heasman, Bin Wang, Patrick Dee Jamison, Jeffrey D. Williams
  • Publication number: 20120169031
    Abstract: Airbag cushions are provided that mitigate the potential for injury to an occupant's neck via a sloped face, a particular cushion height, and/or a relatively flat top portion. These airbag cushions can be used with seat belt systems that moderates the seat belt loads acting on the occupant to allow an improved synchronization of the occupant torso and head rebound timing, which in turn limits head and torso differential loading (frontal whiplash) and therefore occupant neck loads and neck, based on the position of the occupant, loads on the seatbelt, or a predetermined time in the crash event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Williams, Patrick Dee Jamison, Akihiro Yamada
  • Patent number: 8191925
    Abstract: An inflatable airbag cushion assembly with a release device, at least one vehicle sensor, at least one vent strap, and at lest one dynamic vent. The vent strap, release device, and dynamic vent operate together such that the vent can adopt at least two configurations, with one of the configurations venting less inflation gas than the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Williams
  • Patent number: 7946613
    Abstract: An airbag cushion has two chambers to permit the front chamber to inflate less rapidly than the back chamber for cushioning the head of an occupant in a vehicle with less force than the chest of an occupant is cushioned by the back chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry D. Rose, Jeffrey D. Williams, Brad Smith, Greg Waters, Mark Enders, John Newkirk, Patrick Jamison, Kent Potter, Shankar Balaskandan, Changsoo Choi, Ralph Tree
  • Patent number: 7942442
    Abstract: The methods for folding an airbag cushion into a housing provide for a predetermined deployment trajectory. The airbag cushion is defined by an upper panel and a lower panel. A first portion of the airbag cushion is tucked into a second portion of the airbag cushion such that the upper and lower panels of the first portion are positioned in between the upper and lower panels of the second portion. The tucked portion is folded in towards the housing. First and second halves of the tucked airbag cushion are folded in towards the housing. Finally, the folded first and second halves of the airbag cushion are folded into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry D. Rose, Marc P. Russell, Jeffrey D. Williams, Ralph Tree
  • Patent number: 7938445
    Abstract: An airbag cushion has two chambers to permit the front chamber to inflate less rapidly than the back chamber for cushioning the head of an occupant in a vehicle with less force than the chest of an occupant is cushioned by the back chamber. The front chamber has at least one safety vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad Smith, Jeffrey D. Williams, Larry Rose, Greg Waters, Mark Enders, John Newkirk, Patrick Jamison, Kent Potter, Shankar Balaskandan, Changsoo Choi, Ralph Tree
  • Patent number: 7938444
    Abstract: An inflatable airbag cushion assembly with a release device and a release device mounting bracket. The release device is in electronic communication with at least one sensor in a vehicle and is configured to release one or more active vent tethers or airbag restraining tethers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Williams, Larry Rose
  • Patent number: 7926844
    Abstract: Embodiments herein include inflatable cushion airbag assemblies and methods for folding, rolling, and packing an airbag cushion within a housing such that the cushion deploys with predetermined characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Williams, Cheong (Aaron) Chook Ching
  • Publication number: 20110062693
    Abstract: Lateral and longitudinal internal tethers can be used to restrict an inflatable airbag to a predetermined shape when inflated. A longitudinal tether extends from a rear portion or throat portion of the airbag to a front face. The portion of the front face that cushions an occupant can have a concave or planar shape, depending on the lengths of the lateral and/or longitudinal tethers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Williams
  • Publication number: 20110031725
    Abstract: The airbag cushion has a passive venting system that remains open or transitions to a closed position depending on the impact of the airbag with an occupant and the position of the occupant. The venting system self closes upon deployment when an occupant is not out of position but remains open when an occupant is out of position. The venting system self closes due to cushion membrane tension.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Applicant: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry D. Rose, Jeffrey D. Williams, John C. Newkirk
  • Patent number: 7845682
    Abstract: Methods are provided for folding an airbag cushion into a housing. In one implementation of the inventive method, an airbag cushion defined by an upper panel and a lower panel is provided. A first portion of the airbag cushion is tucked into a second portion of the airbag cushion such that the upper and lower panels of the first portion are positioned in between the upper and lower panels of the second portion. The tucked portion is folded in towards the housing. First and second halves of the tucked airbag cushion are folded in towards the housing. Finally, the folded first and second halves of the airbag cushion are folded into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Lachat, Anna Libby, Howard Lusk, Jesse Benny, Joseph Bator, Larry Rose, Marc P. Russell, Jeffrey D Williams, Ralph Tree
  • Publication number: 20100225095
    Abstract: An airbag cushion has two chambers to permit the front chamber to inflate less rapidly than the back chamber for cushioning the head of an occupant in a vehicle with less force than the chest of an occupant is cushioned by the back chamber. The front chamber has at least one safety vent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: Brad Smith, Jeffrey D. Williams, Larry Rose, Greg Waters, Mark Enders, John Newkirk, Patrick Jamison, Kent Potter, Shankar Balaskandan, Changsoo Choi, Ralph Tree
  • Publication number: 20100225094
    Abstract: An airbag cushion has two chambers to permit the front chamber to inflate less rapidly than the back chamber for cushioning the head of an occupant in a vehicle with less force than the chest of an occupant is cushioned by the back chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: Larry Rose, Jeffrey D. Williams, Brad Smith, Greg Waters, Mark Enders, John Newkirk, Patrick Jamison, Kent Potter, Balaskandan Shankar, Changsoo Choi, Ralph Tree
  • Patent number: 7770917
    Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of apparatus, methods, and systems for inflatable curtain venting. In one embodiment, an inflatable curtain airbag is tested using a 50th-percentile dummy. The inflatable curtain airbag comprises a vent opening positioned such that during the crash test, the head of the 50th-percentile dummy strikes the airbag at the location of the vent such that the exit of inflation gas through the vent is at least partially blocked. The same inflatable curtain airbag may then be used in a test involving a 5th-percentile dummy, in which case the head of the 5th-percentile dummy would not strike the airbag so as to block the vent, thereby allowing for venting of the airbag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: David Henderson, Kurt Petersen, Jeffrey D. Williams
  • Patent number: 7722080
    Abstract: An airbag cushion is disclosed for use in automotive protective systems. The airbag cushion includes at least one closeable flap vent for re-directing gas out of the cushion when an obstruction is encountered. The airbag cushion also includes a tether for controlling the closeable flap vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry D. Rose, Jeffrey D. Williams
  • Publication number: 20100090445
    Abstract: An inflatable airbag cushion assembly with a release device and a release device mounting bracket. The release device is in electronic communication with at least one sensor in a vehicle and is configured to release one or more active vent tethers or airbag restraining tethers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Williams, Larry Rose
  • Patent number: 7614654
    Abstract: An airbag cushion is disclosed for use in automotive protective systems. The airbag cushion includes a diffuser for re-directing gas out of the cushion via cinch tubes when an obstruction is encountered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey D. Williams
  • Patent number: 7614653
    Abstract: An airbag cushion is disclosed for use in automotive protective systems. The airbag cushion includes at least one closeable vent for re-directing gas out of the cushion when an obstruction is encountered. The airbag cushion includes a fold for maintaining the cord in a slack condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry D. Rose, Jeffrey D. Williams