Patents by Inventor John-Oliver Derrick
John-Oliver Derrick 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).
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Patent number: 10857884Abstract: A visual display unit configured to mount on a steering wheel assembly has a screen display, preferably a touch screen display. The screen display is mounted over an airbag module of the steering wheel assembly. A hinged structure holds the screen display to the steering wheel assembly. The hinged structure is configured to be pivotally attached to a center portion of the steering wheel assembly and non-obstructively movable upon deployment of an airbag. The visual display unit can be a computer or video monitor for occupant viewing while traveling in an autonomous vehicle. The visual display unit includes driver alerts activated by the autonomous vehicle. The visual display unit preferably includes vehicle instrumentation gauges, satellite navigation system, speed, temperature and other data displays.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2018Date of Patent: December 8, 2020Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.Inventors: John-Oliver Derrick, John Musiol, Brandon Marriott
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Publication number: 20200171947Abstract: A visual display unit configured to mount on a steering wheel assembly has a screen display, preferably a touch screen display. The screen display is mounted over an airbag module of the steering wheel assembly. A hinged structure holds the screen display to the steering wheel assembly. The hinged structure is configured to be pivotally attached to a center portion of the steering wheel assembly and non-obstructively movable upon deployment of an airbag. The visual display unit can be a computer or video monitor for occupant viewing while traveling in an autonomous vehicle. The visual display unit includes driver alerts activated by the autonomous vehicle. The visual display unit preferably includes vehicle instrumentation gauges, satellite navigation system, speed, temperature and other data displays.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 3, 2018Publication date: June 4, 2020Inventors: John-Oliver Derrick, John Musiol, Brandon Marriott
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Publication number: 20070013176Abstract: A gas bag module for a vehicle occupant restraint device has a gas generator for inflating a gas bag, at least one discharge opening which is formed in a rigid component of the gas bag module and through which gas generated by the gas generator can be discharged, and a slide element that is adjustable between a closed position in which it at least largely closes the discharge opening, and an open position in which it exposes the discharge opening. A control member for the slide element is provided, the control member having a pressure surface that can be subjected to the pressure of the gas generated by the gas generator so that, when a specific pressure is present, the control member effectuates a change in the position of the slide element.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2006Publication date: January 18, 2007Inventors: Holger Staudt, John-Oliver Derrick
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Patent number: 6889436Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a steering wheel that comprises a closed annular steering wheel rim and spokes, and further comprises a steering wheel skeleton as well as a sheathing therefore, the sheathing being one of a foam covering and a leather covering that surrounds the steering wheel skeleton. The method comprises the following steps: a) the one-piece steering wheel skeleton is produced, it having, in order to form the steering wheel rim, a closed annular portion the cross-section of which has an open hollow profile; b) a body that serves as a spacer is placed in the open hollow profile in order to almost completely fill the hollow profile, and; c) the steering wheel skeleton is provided with the sheathing at least in an area of the steering wheel rim. The invention further relates to a steering wheel produced by such method.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2002Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventor: John-Oliver Derrick
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Publication number: 20050044711Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a steering wheel that comprises a closed annular steering wheel rim and spokes, and further comprises a steering wheel skeleton as well as a sheathing therefore, the sheathing being one of a foam covering and a leather covering that surrounds the steering wheel skeleton. The method comprises the following steps: a) the one-piece steering wheel skeleton is produced, it having, in order to form the steering wheel rim, a closed annular portion the cross-section of which has an open hollow profile; b) a body that serves as a spacer is placed in the open hollow profile in order to almost completely fill the hollow profile, and; c) the steering wheel skeleton is provided with the sheathing at least in an area of the steering wheel rim. The invention further relates to a steering wheel produced by such method.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 13, 2004Publication date: March 3, 2005Inventor: John-Oliver Derrick
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Patent number: 6793237Abstract: An assembly unit comprises an airbag module, a vehicle part, in particular a steering wheel, and a removable latching connection for attaching the airbag module to the vehicle part. The latching device has a journal provided with a recess and a locking element that can be moved crosswise, preferably perpendicular, to a longitudinal axis of the journal. The locking element is radially displaced towards the longitudinal axis of the journal when it latches in place in the recess. In the locked position, the locking element is prestressed towards a release position so as to move out of the recess.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2002Date of Patent: September 21, 2004Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbHInventors: John-Oliver Derrick, Volker Schuhmacher
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Patent number: 6786504Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag restraining device comprising a gas bag module which has a gas bag with a front wall upon which an occupant to be restrained can impact in a case of restraint. The front wall has a depression which is produced in that a center portion of the front wall is attached to the module and is prevented from moving when the gas bag is inflated. The gas bag restraining device further comprises a module cover closing a ring-shaped outlet opening of the gas bag module. The module cover has a central hole which is covered by a cap which is stationary during opening of said gas bag module. The module cover has an edge defining the central hole and opens, preferably tears, towards outside starting from the edge. A holding connection is provided between the edge and the cap which is released when said gas bag module is opened.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2001Date of Patent: September 7, 2004Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Christian Lorenz, Udo Bieber, John-Oliver Derrick
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Publication number: 20040100078Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle steering wheel, comprising a skeleton, a gas bag module which is axially movably coupled with the skeleton in such a way that by pressing against the gas bag module a contact is closed for actuating a horn, and a resilient return element for the gas bag module. The gas bag module comprises a gas bag with an opening edge defining an inflation opening as well as comprises a flange clamping the opening edge on an inside of the gas bag for fastening the gas bag. Bearing pins are provided which directly engage the flange and which are attached to one of the skeleton and a part stationarily mounted directly to the skeleton.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2003Publication date: May 27, 2004Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Dominik Schutz, John-Oliver Derrick
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Patent number: 6739620Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle steering device comprising a steering wheel which has a gas bag module with a gas bag and a covering cap on a front side. The covering cap closes an outlet opening for the gas bag up to its unfolding. At least one of a display- and operating device is arrange in the covering cap. The outlet opening runs around at least one of the display- and operating device.Type: GrantFiled: March 21, 2002Date of Patent: May 25, 2004Assignee: TRW Automative Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventor: John-Oliver Derrick
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Patent number: 6682092Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle steering wheel, including comprising a skeleton, a gas bag module which is axially movably coupled with the skeleton in such a way that by pressing against the gas bag module a contact is closed for actuating a horn, and a resilient return element for the gas bag module. The gas bag module includes a gas bag with an opening edge defining an inflation opening as well as includes a flange clamping the opening edge on an inside of the gas bag for fastening the gas bag. Bearing pins are provided which directly engage the flange and which are attached to one of the skeleton and a part stationarily mounted directly to the skeleton.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2001Date of Patent: January 27, 2004Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Dominik Schütz, John-Oliver Derrick
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Patent number: 6588794Abstract: A method for manufacturing a cover cap for a gas bag restraint module, which cover cap tears open for deployment of a gas bag, contains the step of treating the cap at least region-wise physically and/or chemically such that its material in a treated region has a lower strength than in an untreated state. The treated region is a predetermined tear-open region for allowing the gas bag to unfold. A cover cap made of plastic for a gas bag restraint module has a predetermined tear region. The cap has a higher brittleness at said tear region than in a remainder of said cap.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2000Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventors: John-Oliver Derrick, Udo Bieber, Ralph Neupert
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Publication number: 20030110882Abstract: A vehicle steering wheel has a skeleton that is made by using a metal foam, preferably on the basis of aluminum, magnesium and their alloys. The density of the metal foam lies between 0.3 and 1.0 g/cm3. The modulus of elasticity of the skeleton lies in the range from 2 to 14 GPa.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2002Publication date: June 19, 2003Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventor: John-Oliver Derrick
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Publication number: 20030075905Abstract: An assembly unit comprises an airbag module, a vehicle part, in particular a steering wheel, and a removable latching connection for attaching the airbag module to the vehicle part. The latching device has a journal provided with a recess and a locking element that can be moved crosswise, preferably perpendicular, to a longitudinal axis of the journal. The locking element is radially displaced towards the longitudinal axis of the journal when it latches in place in the recess. In the locked position, the locking element is prestressed towards a release position so as to move out of the recess.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2002Publication date: April 24, 2003Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventors: John-Oliver Derrick, Volker Schuhmacher
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Patent number: 6550803Abstract: A gas bag covering for a vehicle occupant restraint system comprises a plurality of tear lines of which all are oriented towards one point.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2000Date of Patent: April 22, 2003Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventor: John-Oliver Derrick
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Patent number: 6530592Abstract: A gas bag module cover assembly, comprising a cover with a front side externally visible in an installed state of the cover and a rear side and comprising at least one emblem designed as a separate part and visible on the front side. The emblem is designed such that it can be mounted from the rear side, the cover having at least one opening through which a section of the emblem protrudes. The section is visible on the front side, and the emblem has a rear holding projection protruding laterally with respect to the opening and being attached to the cover. The invention further relates to a gas bag module equipped with such a module cover assembly.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2001Date of Patent: March 11, 2003Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventors: John-Oliver Derrick, Ralph Heindl
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Publication number: 20020170379Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing a steering wheel that comprises a closed annular steering wheel rim and spokes, and further comprises a steering wheel skeleton as well as a sheathing therefore, the sheathing being one of a foam covering and a leather covering that surrounds the steering wheel skeleton. The method comprises the following steps: a) the one-piece steering wheel skeleton is produced, it having, in order to form the steering wheel rim, a closed annular portion the cross-section of which has an open hollow profile; b) a body that serves as a spacer is placed in the open hollow profile in order to almost completely fill the hollow profile, and; c) the steering wheel skeleton is provided with the sheathing at least in an area of the steering wheel rim. The invention further relates to a steering wheel produced by such method.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2002Publication date: November 21, 2002Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventor: John-Oliver Derrick
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Patent number: 6464248Abstract: A gas bag cover for a vehicle occupant restraint system has an inner side facing a gas bag to be covered and a wall thickness. The gas bag cover comprises at least one burst line being grooved into the cover from the inner side up to a predefined remaining wall thickness. The burst line comprises an initial point at which the remaining wall thickness has its minimum. The gas bag cover further comprises reinforcement ribs formed on the inner side of the cover, extending along a line which is tangent to the initial point of the burst line.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2001Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventor: John-Oliver Derrick
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Publication number: 20020135163Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle steering device comprising a steering wheel which has a gas bag module with a gas bag and a covering cap on a front side. The covering cap closes an outlet opening for the gas bag up to its unfolding. At least one of a display- and operating device is arrange in the covering cap. The outlet opening runs around at least one of the display- and operating device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 21, 2002Publication date: September 26, 2002Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventor: John-Oliver Derrick
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Patent number: 6426473Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle steering wheel, with a switch movably mounted on the steering wheel. The steering wheel comprises a bearing for the switch, the bearing having a guide piece and a bearing piece that encloses the guide piece. The guide piece has a free end with a cone widening outwards towards the free end and transversely to a direction of movement of the switch. The free end forms an end stop in a non-actuated switch position and rests against the bearing piece.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2000Date of Patent: July 30, 2002Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventors: John-Oliver Derrick, Ralph Frisch
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Publication number: 20020084631Abstract: The invention relates to a gas bag restraining device comprising a gas bag module which has a gas bag with a front wall upon which an occupant to be restrained can impact in a case of restraint. The front wall has a depression which is produced in that a center portion of the front wall is attached to the module and is prevented from moving when the gas bag is inflated. The gas bag restraining device further comprises a module cover closing a ring-shaped outlet opening of the gas bag module. The module cover has a central hole which is covered by a cap which is stationary during opening of said gas bag module. The module cover has an edge defining the central hole and opens, preferably tears, towards outside starting from the edge. A holding connection is provided between the edge and the cap which is released when said gas bag module is opened.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 26, 2001Publication date: July 4, 2002Applicant: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Christian Lorenz, Udo Bieber, John-Oliver Derrick