Patents by Inventor John N. Clark

John N. Clark 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).

  • Air bag module with locking member for locking the position of a vent member
    Patent number: 7364192
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection apparatus (10) includes an inflatable occupant protection device (12) and a support member (40) having a vent opening (50) through which inflation fluid may flow. The apparatus (10) also includes a mechanism (58) for controlling a flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening (50). Inflation fluid pressure within the inflatable occupant protection device (12) tends to move the mechanism (58) for increasing a flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening (50). The mechanism (58) is responsive to inflation of the inflatable occupant protection device (12) beyond a predetermined distance for restricting the flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening (50). The apparatus (10) further includes a locking member (96) for blocking the mechanism (58) from increasing the flow of inflation fluid through the vent opening (50) after the inflatable occupant protection device (12) has inflated beyond the predetermined distance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Braun, Kurt F. Fischer, Charles E. Steffens, Jr., Alex G. Meduvsky, John N. Clark, Joseph J. Zwolinski, Matthew C. Frank