Patents by Inventor John N. Clark, III

John N. Clark, III 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).

  • Inflatable curtain with slidable tether
    Patent number: 6464250
    Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) inflatable away from the vehicle roof (18) into a position between the side structure (16) of the vehicle and a vehicle occupant. The protection device (14), when inflated, has an upper edge (50) positioned adjacent the roof (18) and a lower edge (52) spaced from the roof. The protection device (14) also includes a guide (72, 74) and a flexible elongated member (70, 80) that extends through the guide and is slidable through the guide when the protection device is inflated. The member (70, 80) has two leg portions (110, 112) extending from the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) to the protection device (14) when the protection device is inflated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Ernst M. Faigle, Charles E. Steffens, Jr., John N. Clark, III