Patents by Inventor Kevin L. Ruedisueli

Kevin L. Ruedisueli 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: 9004525
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) helps to protect an occupant (13) of a vehicle (12) that has a roof (18), a side structure (16), and a trim piece (310) overlying the side structure (16). The apparatus (10) includes an inflatable curtain (14) that is inflatable away from the vehicle roof (18) to a position adjacent the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12). A deployment ramp (200) includes a mounting member (202) that helps to support the inflatable curtain (14) in a stored condition. A deployment member (220) helps to direct the inflatable curtain (14) to deploy inboard of the trim piece (310). A co-extruded joint interconnects the mounting member (202) and the deployment member (220).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Ruedisueli, Darin K. Hill, Jennifer J. Kowalak
  • Patent number: 8596673
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) and a window opening (28) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) inflatable to a deployed condition in which the protection device is positioned between the side structure (16) and the vehicle occupant and covers at least a portion of the window opening (28). The protection device (14) when in the deployed condition has a first edge portion (70) connected to an adjacent portion of the vehicle and an opposite second edge portion (76) that is free from connections to vehicle portions adjacent the second edge portion. At least one tether (100) has a first end connected to the vehicle proximate to the first end portion (70) of the protection device (14) and an opposite second end connected to the second edge portion (76) of the protection device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Ruedisueli, Jay D. Blackson, Masood A. Mohammad
  • Publication number: 20120193897
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) and a window opening (28) includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) inflatable to a deployed condition in which the protection device is positioned between the side structure (16) and the vehicle occupant and covers at least a portion of the window opening (28). The protection device (14) when in the deployed condition has a first edge portion (70) connected to an adjacent portion of the vehicle and an opposite second edge portion (76) that is free from connections to vehicle portions adjacent the second edge portion. At least one tether (100) has a first end connected to the vehicle proximate to the first end portion (70) of the protection device (14) and an opposite second end connected to the second edge portion (76) of the protection device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventors: KEVIN L. RUEDISUELI, JAY D. BLACKSON, MASOOD A. MOHAMMAD
  • Publication number: 20100327563
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) helps to protect an occupant (13) of a vehicle (12) that has a roof (18), a side structure (16), and a trim piece (310) overlying the side structure (16). The apparatus (10) includes an inflatable curtain (14) that is inflatable away from the vehicle roof (18) to a position adjacent the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12). A deployment ramp (200) includes a mounting member (202) that helps to support the inflatable curtain (14) in a stored condition. A deployment member (220) helps to direct the inflatable curtain (14) to deploy inboard of the trim piece (310). A co-extruded joint interconnects the mounting member (202) and the deployment member (220).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Inventors: Kevin L. Ruedisueli, Darin K. Hill, Jennifer J. Kowalak
  • Patent number: 7850202
    Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (28) of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) and a roof (18). The apparatus (10) includes an inflatable occupant protection device (14) that is inflatable away from the vehicle roof (18) to a position between the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and the vehicle occupant (28). The apparatus (10) further includes a fill tube (22) for delivering inflation fluid to the protection device (14). The protection device (14) includes an opening (104) through which the fill tube (22) extends and a portion (106) adjacent the opening that forms a friction fit around the fill tube (22). The friction fit forms an effective seal for preventing inflation fluid leakage through the opening (104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin J. Boxey, Kevin L. Ruedisueli
  • Publication number: 20080211211
    Abstract: Apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant (28) of a vehicle (12) that has a side structure (16) and a roof (18). The apparatus (10) includes an inflatable occupant protection device (14) that is inflatable away from the vehicle roof (18) to a position between the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and the vehicle occupant (28). The apparatus (10) further includes a fill tube (22) for delivering inflation fluid to the protection device (14). The protection device (14) includes an opening (104) through which the fill tube (22) extends and a portion (106) adjacent the opening that forms a friction fit around the fill tube (22). The friction fit forms an effective seal for preventing inflation fluid leakage through the opening (104).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Publication date: September 4, 2008
    Inventors: Kevin J. Boxey, Kevin L. Ruedisueli