Patents by Inventor Keith D. Childress

Keith D. Childress 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: 5071193
    Abstract: The ends of a cable are attached to the seat belt buckle so that a loop of cable projects from the buckle. A mounting bracket comprised of a stamped metal strap is folded into a U-shape and receives the loop of cable. The ends of the metal strap are attached to the vehicle body. A sleeve of ductile metal is swaged over the cable and interposed between the cable and the bracket. The sleeve has a length greater than the width of the bracket so that the sleeve extends beyond the bracket somewhat to prevent the cable from contact with the bracket. The ductile sleeve yields when a load is imposed upon the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1991
    Assignee: Saturn Corporation
    Inventors: Keith D. Childress, Thomas J. Corbett, Ronald Dickson, Michele A. Smith
  • Patent number: 4893874
    Abstract: According to the invention an improved latch plate assembly for a continuous loop single retractor seat belt system includes a housing having a base wall with flanges slotted to slidably mount a lock bar. The housing is oriented with the flanges facing toward the occupant torso and the belt being routed through the space between the base wall and the sliding bar so that when the belt is stored in the generally vertically extending position between the upper and lower anchors, the belt extends in a minimally convoluted path through the latch plate thereby permitting gravity induced sliding movement of the latch plate along the belt toward the lower end of the belt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1990
    Assignee: Saturn Corporation
    Inventors: Keith D. Childress, Thomas J. Corbett, Michele A. Smith
  • Patent number: 4742435
    Abstract: A support arrangement for a vehicle headlamp assembly that includes a stanchion that supports the lamp body through two pivotal connections and facilitates the installation of the lamp body a support panel located at the front end of a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Paul D. Van Duyn, Keith D. Childress