Patents by Inventor Kazuyoshi Nishijima

Kazuyoshi Nishijima 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).

  • Patent number: 7770915
    Abstract: A cover body of a vehicle air bag apparatus, including a covering portion which is formed integrally with an interior panel body and which has a door portion defined by a tear seam formed in a back of the interior panel body, and, a backing portion joined to a back of the covering portion. The covering portion is made of polyolefin resin having a flexual elastic modulus of from 1500 to 3500 MPa, a tensile strength of from 17 to 40 MPa, an Izod impact strength of from 3.0 to 15.0 kJ/m2, and an elongation of 400% or less. The backing portion is made of thermoplastic olefin which is softer and has a greater elongation. The backing portion includes a reinforcing portion at a back of the door portion, a surrounding base at the back of the covering portion, and a hinge portion joining the reinforcing portion and the surrounding base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Nihon Plast Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Nishijima, Shuji Yamada, Masami Tonooka, Satoshi Kitazawa, Takahiro Suwama, Sadayuki Kawakami, Hiroshi Yakushiji, Ryuji Hori, Masatoshi Ishigaki
  • Publication number: 20070205586
    Abstract: A cover body of a vehicle air bag apparatus, including a covering portion which is formed integrally with an interior panel body and which has a door portion defined by a tear seam formed in a back of the interior panel body, and, a backing portion joined to a back of the covering portion. The covering portion is made of polyolefin resin having a flexual elastic modulus of from 1500 to 3500 MPa, a tensile strength of from 17 to 40 MPa, an Izod impact strength of from 3.0 to 15.0 kJ/m2, and an elongation of 400% or less. The backing portion is made of thermoplastic olefin which is softer and has a greater elongation. The backing portion includes a reinforcing portion at a back of the door portion, a surrounding base at the back of the covering portion, and a hinge portion joining the reinforcing portion and the surrounding base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2007
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: NIHON PLAST CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi NISHIJIMA, Shuji YAMADA, Masami TONOOKA, Satoshi KITAZAWA, Takahiro SUWAMA, Sadayuki KAWAKAMI, Hiroshi YAKUSHIJI, Ryuji HORI, Masatoshi ISHIGAKI
  • Patent number: 7229095
    Abstract: A cover body of a vehicle air bag apparatus, being comprised of a covering portion which is formed integrally with an interior panel body and which has a door portion defined by a tear seam formed in a back of the interior panel body, and, a backing portion joined to a back of the covering portion. The covering portion is made of polyolefin resin having a flexual elastic modulus of from 1500 to 3500 MPa, a tensile strength of from 17 to 40 MPa, an Izod impact strength of from 3.0 to 15.0 kJ/m2, and an elongation of 400% or less. The backing portion is made of thermoplastic olefin which is softer and has a greater elongation. The backing portion is comprised of a reinforcing portion at a back of the door portion, a surrounding base at the back of the covering portion, and a hinge portion joining the reinforcing portion and the surrounding base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Nihon Plast Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Nishijima, Shuji Yamada, Masami Tonooka, Satoshi Kitazawa, Takahiro Suwama, Sadayuki Kawakami, Hiroshi Yakushiji, Ryuji Hori, Masatoshi Ishigaki
  • Publication number: 20060249931
    Abstract: A cover body of a vehicle air bag apparatus, being comprised of a covering portion which is formed integrally with an interior panel body and which has a door portion defined by a tear seam formed in a back of the interior panel body, and, a backing portion joined to a back of the covering portion. The covering portion is made of polyolefin resin having a flexual elastic modulus of from 1500 to 3500 MPa, a tensile strength of from 17 to 40 MPa, an Izod impact strength of from 3.0 to 15.0 kJ/m2, and an elongation of 400% or less. The backing portion is made of thermoplastic olefin which is softer and has a greater elongation. The backing portion is comprised of a reinforcing portion at a back of the door portion, a surrounding base at the back of the covering portion, and a hinge portion joining the reinforcing portion and the surrounding base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Nishijima, Shuji Yamada, Masami Tonooka, Satoshi Kitazawa, Takahiro Suwama, Sadayuki Kawakami, Hiroshi Yakushiji, Ryuji Hori, Masatoshi Ishigaki
  • Patent number: 7125044
    Abstract: An air bag is unfolded on a planar surface and is inflated with air. The air bag is loosely sandwiched between the upper and lower blades that are arranged in a radial configuration. Movable blocks progress toward the center to fold the upper and lower panels of the air bag against the central part of the air bag. The resulting central folded part of the air bag has a wave-like configuration, and the upper and lower panels are separated from each other. The ear-like portions of the air bag are wound around the central folded part of the air bag that is folded in a wave-like configuration. Then, the central part of the air bag is pressed downward to complete the folding process. Gas can be supplied smoothly from the inlet port to the periphery when the air bag is reinflated. The method for folding the air bag is simple, and the air bag can be inflated quickly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Nihon Plast Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Nishijima, Tetsuji Endo, Kazuhiro Kaneko, Toshiyuki Sugiyama, Mikio Ochiai, Yoshinori Goto, Masaki Ueno, Masahito Ishizuka
  • Patent number: 7093849
    Abstract: A cover body of a vehicle air bag apparatus, being comprised of a covering portion which is formed integrally with an interior panel body and which has a door portion defined by a tear seam formed in a back of the interior panel body, and, a backing portion joined to a back of the covering portion. The covering portion is made of polyolefin resin having a flexual elastic modulus of from 1500 to 3500 MPa, a tensile strength of from 17 to 40 MPa, an Izod impact strength of from 3.0 to 15.0 kJ/m2, and an elongation of 400% or less. The backing portion is made of thermoplastic olefin which is softer and has a greater elongation. The backing portion is comprised of a reinforcing portion at a back of the door portion, a surrounding base at the back of the covering portion, and a hinge portion joining the reinforcing portion and the surrounding base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Nihon Plast Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Nishijima, Shuji Yamada, Masami Tonooka, Satoshi Kitazawa, Takahiro Suwama, Sadayuki Kawakami, Hiroshi Yakushiji, Ryuji Hori, Masatoshi Ishigaki
  • Patent number: 6994664
    Abstract: An air bag is unfolded on a planar surface and is inflated with air. The air bag is loosely sandwiched between the upper and lower blades that are arranged in a radial configuration. Movable blocks progress toward the center to fold the upper and lower panels of the air bag against the central part of the air bag. The resulting central folded part of the air bag has a wave-like configuration, and the upper and lower panels are separated from each other. The ear-like portions of the air bag are wound around the central folded part of the air bag that is folded in a wave-like configuration. Then, the central part of the air bag is pressed downward to complete the folding process. Gas can be supplied smoothly from the inlet port to the periphery when the air bag is reinflated. The method for folding the air bag is simple, and the air bag can be inflated quickly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Nihon Plast Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Nishijima, Tetsuji Endo, Kazuhiro Kaneko, Toshiyuki Sugiyama, Mikio Ochiai, Yoshinori Goto, Masaki Ueno, Masahito Ishizuka
  • Publication number: 20050209080
    Abstract: An air bag is unfolded on a planar surface and is inflated with air. The air bag is loosely sandwiched between the upper and lower blades that are arranged in a radial configuration. Movable blocks progress toward the center to fold the upper and lower panels of the air bag against the central part of the air bag. The resulting central folded part of the air bag has a wave-like configuration, and the upper and lower panels are separated from each other. The ear-like portions of the air bag are wound around the central folded part of the air bag that is folded in a wave-like configuration. Then, the central part of the air bag is pressed downward to complete the folding process. Gas can be supplied smoothly from the inlet port to the periphery when the air bag is reinflated. The method for folding the air bag is simple, and the air bag can be inflated quickly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2005
    Publication date: September 22, 2005
    Applicant: NIHON PLAST CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Nishijima, Tetsuji Endo, Kazuhiro Kaneko, Toshiyuki Sugiyama, Mikio Ochiai, Yoshinori Goto, Masaki Ueno, Masahito Ishizuka
  • Publication number: 20040056455
    Abstract: A cover body of a vehicle air bag apparatus, being comprised of a covering portion which is formed integrally with an interior panel body and which has a door portion defined by a tear seam formed in a back of the interior panel body, and, a backing portion joined to a back of the covering portion. The covering portion is made of polyolefin resin having a flexual elastic modulus of from 1500 to 3500 MPa, a tensile strength of from 17 to 40 MPa, an Izod impact strength of from 3.0 to 15.0 kJ/m2, and an elongation of 400% or less. The backing portion is made of thermoplastic olefin which is softer and has a greater elongation. The backing portion is comprised of a reinforcing portion at a back of the door portion, a surrounding base at the back of the covering portion, and a hinge portion joining the reinforcing portion and the surrounding base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Applicant: NIHON PLAST CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Nishijima, Shuji Yamada, Masami Tonooka, Satoshi Kitazawa, Takahiro Suwama, Sadayuki Kawakami, Hiroshi Yakushiji, Ryuji Hori, Masatoshi Ishigaki
  • Patent number: 6622590
    Abstract: A core bar includes upper and lower half shells, each having a boss portion including a boss-edge coupling part for coupling the shells along the edges, a shaft fixing part placed substantially in the center of the boss portion and mounted to a steering shaft, and a weak part placed between the boss-edge coupling part and the shaft fixing part and wherein the shells face each other without being coupled; and a rim portion including a rim-edge coupling part for coupling the shells along the edges and a rim hollow part defined between the shells. A spoke portion is interposed between the boss and the rim portions, and includes a spoke-edge coupling part for coupling the shells along the edges and a spoke hollow part defined between the shells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Nihon Plast Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Sugiyama, Kazuhiro Kaneko, Mikio Ochiai, Kazuyoshi Nishijima, Kevin Dominic Delaney
  • Publication number: 20030171200
    Abstract: An air bag is unfolded on a planar surface and is inflated with air. The air bag is loosely sandwiched between the upper and lower blades that are arranged in a radial configuration. Movable blocks progress toward the center to fold the upper and lower panels of the air bag against the central part of the air bag. The resulting central folded part of the air bag has a wave-like configuration, and the upper and lower panels are separated from each other. The ear-like portions of the air bag are wound around the central folded part of the air bag that is folded in a wave-like configuration. Then, the central part of the air bag is pressed downward to complete the folding process. Gas can be supplied smoothly from the inlet port to the periphery when the air bag is reinflated. The method for folding the air bag is simple, and the air bag can be inflated quickly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2003
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Nishijima, Tetsuji Endo, Kazuhiro Kaneko, Toshiyuki Sugiyama, Mikio Ochiai, Yoshinori Goto, Masaki Ueno, Masahito Ishizuka
  • Patent number: 6595548
    Abstract: A pouch-shaped air bag (12) is spread out in a circle. Then, the portion of the air bag (12) located outside the inflator (16) is folded into a wave-like pattern from four directions so that four side portions (61) are formed along the inflator (16). Next, each one of the four excess portions (62), which are continuously formed between each two adjacent side portions (61) and protrude outward, is placed along the outer face of each side portion (61). Thus, the air bag (12) can be easily folded compactly that can be smoothly unfolded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: Nihon Plast Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Kamano, Kazuyoshi Nishijima, Kazuhiro Kaneko, Naoki Yamamoto, Naoki Horikawa, Keiji Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 6575054
    Abstract: A core bar for a steering wheel includes an upper shell and a lower shell coupled to the upper shell. Each half shell includes a boss core-bar portion coupled to a steering shaft, a rim core-bar portion, and a spoke core-bar portion interposed between the two. An insertion is received in a hollow defined by the upper and lower shells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Nihon Plast Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Sugiyama, Kazuhiro Kaneko, Mikio Ochiai, Kazuyoshi Nishijima, Kevin Dominic Delaney
  • Publication number: 20030057691
    Abstract: The invention provides an air bag apparatus of a vehicle which can securely protect a passenger (including a child) in a much closed state by an inexpensive means. Since a rear end (a patch portion (19)) of a tether belt (20) is positioned between a vertical surface (A) passing through a rear end (21) of an instrument panel (1) and a vertical surface (B) passing through a center (S) of a head portion of the passenger, in an initial expanding state of an air bag (4), a rearward development of the air bag (4) is restricted just before a passenger (M) due to a tension of the tether belt (20) even in the case that the passenger (M) is much close to the instrument panel (1), whereby no excessive impact is applied to the passenger (M).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2001
    Publication date: March 27, 2003
    Inventors: Katsuhiro Tokita, Tetsuji Endo, Masami Tonooka, Kazuyoshi Nishijima
  • Patent number: 6520901
    Abstract: An air bag body (1) is expanded by charging an air therein after being expanded in a flat surface shape. Next, by gently gripping the air bag body (1) by upper and lower blades (26, 25) radially arranged in a radial direction of the air bag body (1), a height in a radial direction of the air bag body (1) is linearly restricted along the upper and lower blades (26, 25). Next, a plurality of movable blocks (24) are forward moved toward a center of the air bag body (1), and upper and lower panels (12, 11) of the air bag body (1) are accumulated. At this time, the upper and lower panels (12, 11) of the air bag body (1) are folded in a state of being apart from each other so as to form a wave shape. Next, the air bag body (1) is rotated, a portion left in a tab shape is wound around a periphery, and a center protruding portion of the air bag body (1) is pressed from an upper side, whereby a front surface deploying portion (35) is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: Nihon Plast Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Nishijima, Tetsuji Endo, Kazuhiro Kaneko, Toshiyuki Sugiyama, Yoshinori Goto, Masaki Ueno, Masahito Ishizuka, Mikio Ochiai
  • Patent number: 6505855
    Abstract: An air bag body (1) is expanded by charging air therein after being expanded in a flat surface shape. Next, by gently gripping the air bag body (1) by upper and lower blades (26, 25) radially arranged in a radial direction of the air bag body (1), height in a radial direction of the air bag body (1) is linearly restricted along the upper and lower blades (26, 25). Next, a plurality of movable blocks (24) are forward moved toward a center of the air bag body (1), and upper and lower panels (12, 11) of the air bag body (1) are accumulated. At this time, the upper and lower panels (12, 11) of the air bag body (1) are folded in a state of being apart from each other so as to form a wave shape. Next, the air bag body (1) is rotated, a portion left in a tab shape is wound around a periphery, and a center protruding portion of the air bag body (1) is pressed from an upper side, whereby a front surface deploying portion (35) is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Nihon Plast Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Nishijima, Tetsuji Endo, Kazuhiro Kaneko, Toshiyuki Sugiyama, Yoshinori Goto, Masaki Ueno, Masahito Ishizuka, Mikio Ochiai
  • Patent number: 6485403
    Abstract: A pouch-shaped air bag (12) is spread out in a circle. Then, the portion of the air bag (12) located outside the inflator (16) is folded into a wave-like pattern from four directions so that four side portions (61) are formed along the inflator (16). Next, each one of the four excess portions (62), which are continuously formed between each two adjacent side portions (61) and protrude outward, is placed along the outer face of each side portion (61). Thus, the air bag (12) can be easily folded compactly that can be smoothly unfolded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Nihon Plast Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Kamano, Kazuyoshi Nishijima, Kazuhiro Kaneko, Naoki Yamamoto, Naoki Horikawa, Kumiko Mochizuki, Yoshitaka Mochizuki, Harumi Mochizuki, Naoko Mochizuki
  • Publication number: 20020163172
    Abstract: A pouch-shaped air bag (12) is spread out in a circle. Then, the portion of the air bag (12) located outside the inflator (16) is folded into a wave-like pattern from four directions so that four side portions (61) are formed along the inflator (16). Next, each one of the four excess portions (62), which are continuously formed between each two adjacent side portions (61) and protrude outward, is placed along the outer face of each side portion (61). Thus, the air bag (12) can be easily folded compactly that can be smoothly unfolded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2001
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: Kumiko Mochizuki, Yoshitaka Mochizuki, Harumi Mochizuki, Naoko Mochizuki, Yoshifumi Kamano, Kazuyoshi Nishijima, Kazuhiro Kaneko, Naoki Yamamoto, Naoki Horikawa, Keiji Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 6471244
    Abstract: An airbag includes first and second base cloths and a middle base cloth arranged therebetween for defining first and second compartments in the airbag. Gas communicating ports are arranged in the vicinity of the outer periphery of the middle base cloth to ensure gas communication between the two compartments. Four ring-shaped fixing portions are arranged around a gas introduction port to connect the second and middle base cloths, one of which has an exhaust port formed inside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Nihon Plast Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Nishijima, Tetsuji Endo, Kazuhiro Kaneko
  • Patent number: 6471239
    Abstract: An air bag device mounted on a steering wheel comprises a holding unit connected to a boss portion of the steering wheel. An inflater is held by the holding unit. The inflater includes a gas ejection portion. First and second fabrics have peripheral portions sewed together to constitute a bag structure. A gas inlet opening is formed in the first fabric. The gas inlet opening has the gas ejection portion of the inflater passed therethrough, so that the gas inlet opening is exposed to the interior of the bag structure. A third fabric is smaller in size than the first and second fabrics. The third fabric is installed in the bag structure in a manner to cover over the gas ejection portion of the inflater. A plurality of sewed points are provided by which the first and third fabrics are sewed together. A plurality of gas flow passages are provided between the first and third fabrics. Each gas flow passage is defined between neighboring two of the sewed points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Nihon Plast Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyoshi Nishijima, Kazuhiro Kaneko, Tsuyoshi Watanabe