Patents by Inventor John C. Hofer

John C. Hofer 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).

  • Dual pressure side impact air bag
    Patent number: 5586782
    Abstract: An air bag for protecting the side and head of an occupant during a side impact collision including: a first side panel (42a) joined to a second panel (42b) and having a neck portion (52) for receipt of inflation gas for a cooperating inflator (30). The air bag characterized in that its upper portion is pressurized to a greater level than a lower portion. A corresponding upper portion of each panel may be coated or alternatively the air bag may include a separator (46) or seam (46,66) to divert a predetermined amount of inflation gas into one of the other chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Zimmerman, II, John C. Hofer, Douglas E. Medvedik, Eric D. Veggian, Michael J. Lachat
  • Side impact soft pack air bag module
    Patent number: 5547214
    Abstract: A side impact occupant system including the combination of: a vehicle seat (16) having a cushioned resilient portion (18) in a seat back (14) thereof, an air bag module (10) comprising a compliant air bag retained to a channel by a soft, resilient exterior package shell (70) directly adjacent to and facing an interior part of the resilient cushioned portion of the seat, wherein the resiliency of the cushioned seat portion is not markedly changed by the adjacent resilient shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: AlliedSignal Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Zimmerman, II, John C. Hofer