Patents by Inventor Joan Rayford

Joan Rayford 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).

  • Vehicle occupant protection apparatus
    Patent number: 6000717
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) encloses a movable vehicle seat (12) and an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) which is inflatable into engagement with an occupant of the seat (12). An electric motor (42) is operatively connected to the seat (12) to move the seat (12) when the motor (42) is actuated. A first actuating means (50) actuates the motor (42) in response to input from the occupant so as to move the seat (12) to a position selected by the occupant. A second actuating means (92) actuates the motor (42) in response to crash conditions so as to move the seat (12) with reference to the crash conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventor: Joan Rayford