Patents by Inventor Laura Adelle Hawthorn
Laura Adelle Hawthorn 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: 7134691Abstract: An automotive air bag assembly including a tethering element providing shape definition across the air bag. The tethering element may be seamed to itself or to other tethering elements by an attachment seam to reduce the effective operative length of the tethering element and to move the axis of rotation for the air bag rearward. The attachment seam is adapted to separate upon development of adequate pressures within the air bag.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2002Date of Patent: November 14, 2006Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Stephanie L Dunkle, Sonya Ann Lyons, Laura Adelle Hawthorn
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Patent number: 6932385Abstract: An air bag safety system for cushioning restraint of a vehicle occupant during an impact event. The safety system includes a variable depth inflatable air bag cushion inflated by a gas emitting inflator within an inflator housing. A cover element of substantially pliable material is located in adjustable relation to a vent opening across a wall of the housing. The cover element is selectively displaceable relative to the vent opening in response to the inflation depth of the air bag cushion so as to adjust venting characteristics across the housing.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2003Date of Patent: August 23, 2005Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Laura Adelle Hawthorn, Stephanie L Dunkle, Mark Thomas Winters, Ryan Todd Pinsenschaum
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Patent number: 6832778Abstract: An air bag safety system for cushioning restraint of a vehicle occupant during an impact event. The safety system includes a variable depth inflatable air bag cushion having at least one vent opening. A cover element of substantially pliable material is located in overlying relation to the vent opening. The cover element is selectively displaceable relative to the vent opening in response to the inflation depth of the air bag cushion so as to adjust venting characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2002Date of Patent: December 21, 2004Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ryan Todd Pinsenschaum, Stephanie L Dunkle, Mark Thomas Winters, Laura Adelle Hawthorn, Keith C Heard
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Patent number: 6736426Abstract: An air bag assembly including an inflatable air bag cushion operatively attached to one or more profile restricting tether elements having an operative length which may be adjusted to provide desired inflation and impact response characteristics. The tether elements may be of actuated or self adjusting operative length to provide desired tension characteristics for various impact conditions.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2001Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Mark Thomas Winters, Stephanie L Dunkle, Ryan Todd Pinsenschaum, Laura Adelle Hawthorn
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Publication number: 20040012180Abstract: An air bag safety system for cushioning restraint of a vehicle occupant during an impact event. The safety system includes a variable depth inflatable air bag cushion inflated by a gas emitting inflator within an inflator housing. A cover element of substantially pliable material is located in adjustable relation to a vent opening across a wall of the housing. The cover element is selectively displaceable relative to the vent opening in response to the inflation depth of the air bag cushion so as to adjust venting characteristics across the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2003Publication date: January 22, 2004Inventors: Laura Adelle Hawthorn, Stephanie L. Dunkle, Mark Thomas Winters, Ryan Todd Pinsenschaum
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Publication number: 20040012179Abstract: An air bag safety system for cushioning restraint of a vehicle occupant during an impact event. The safety system includes a variable depth inflatable air bag cushion having at least one vent opening. A cover element of substantially pliable material is located in overlying relation to the vent opening. The cover element is selectively displaceable relative to the vent opening in response to the inflation depth of the air bag cushion so as to adjust venting characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2002Publication date: January 22, 2004Inventors: Ryan Todd Pinsenschaum, Stephanie L. Dunkle, Mark Thomas Winters, Laura Adelle Hawthorn, Keith C. Heard
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Publication number: 20030197358Abstract: An air bag module for an automotive vehicle. The module includes a housing having a bottom wall and side walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall to define a depressed profile storage bin between the side walls. A gas emitting inflator is stored at a location within the housing between the side walls. An inflatable air bag cushion in fluid communication with the inflator is stored in folded relation at least partially within the housing such that a first portion of the air bag cushion is positioned at least partially across the housing between the side walls in elevated relation to the inflator and a second portion of the air bag cushion is stored in folded relation within the depressed profile storage bin in substantially side by side adjacent relation to the inflator. A method for assembly of the air bag module is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2002Publication date: October 23, 2003Inventors: Laura Adelle Hawthorn, Ryan Todd Pinsenschaum, Stephanie L. Dunkle, Ann L. Kneisly
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Patent number: 6626455Abstract: This present invention provides a deformable air bag module for use in an instrument panel or door panel of a vehicle. The air bag module has a deformable housing with an inflator and an air bag cushion being disposed within the deformable housing. The module housing has a neck portion defining an opening formed at a first side, wherein the first side is coupled to the instrument panel. The instrument panel includes first and second instrument panel sections and the module housing is disposed about the first and second instrument panel sections so that deployment of the air bag cushion causes deformation of the module housing resulting in the first and second instrument panel sections separating and deployment of the air bag cushion therebetween. When a tear seam is used to define the first and second instrument panel sections, the present invention permits the tear seam to be formed thicker in size and more durable.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2001Date of Patent: September 30, 2003Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: James Lloyd Webber, Jeffrey Alan Shepherd, Mark Thomas Winters, Laura Adelle Hawthorn
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Patent number: 6592146Abstract: An air bag assembly for cushioning restraint of an occupant in a vehicle during an impact event. The air bag assembly includes an inflator activatable to discharge inflation gas upon the occurrence of predetermined vehicle conditions and an air bag cushion including an interior surface in fluid communication with the inflator such that upon discharge of inflation gas from the inflator the air bag cushion is inflated to a deployed state. At least one profile restraining tether element is operatively connected to the air bag cushion such that the profile restraining tether element restrains the expansion of the air bag cushion upon introduction of the inflation gas to the air bag cushion.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2002Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ryan Todd Pinsenschaum, Laura Adelle Hawthorn, Stephanie L Dunkle, Mark Thomas Winters, Shawn Gregory Ryan, Gary R Greib
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Patent number: 6499765Abstract: An air bag cushion folded for storage within a vehicle to achieve a predefined folded surface geometry corresponding to a desired storage location for the folded air bag cushion. A portion of the air bag cushion extending along a first lateral boundary edge for deployment inboard of the passenger seating location is folded in a construction inwardly to establish a first lateral edge of the predefined folded surface geometry. A portion of the air bag cushion disposed along the opposing lateral boundary edge is folded inwardly along a second internal lateral boundary line corresponding to a second lateral edge of the predefined folded surface geometry. The top and bottom edges are folded inwardly to finalize the desired geometry. The folding arrangement is such that upon encountering an obstacle during the initial stage of deployment the air bag is deployed in a lateral direction to the side of and around the occupant to be protected.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2001Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Laura Adelle Hawthorn, Jingoo Kim, Ryan Todd Pinsenschaum, Stephanie L Dunkle
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Publication number: 20020175511Abstract: An automotive air bag assembly including a tethering element providing shape definition across the air bag. The tethering element may be seamed to itself or to other tethering elements by an attachment seam to reduce the effective operative length of the tethering element and to move the axis of rotation for the air bag rearward. The attachment seam is adapted to separate upon development of adequate pressures within the air bag.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2002Publication date: November 28, 2002Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.Inventors: Stephanie L. Dunkle, Sonya Ann Lyons, Laura Adelle Hawthorn
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Patent number: 6454300Abstract: A release mechanism of efficient construction and operation is provided to hold profile restraining air bag tethers in a shortened operative condition under a first set of predetermined conditions and to extend such tethers under a second set of predetermined conditions. The extension of the restraining tethers may be carried out in conjunction with the delivery of an increased volume of inflating gas to the air bag cushion utilizing a gas emitting inflator in conjunction with a dynamic variable inflation device to effect delivery of a proper volume of inflation gas while releasing the tethers from a restrained length condition.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2002Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Stephanie L Dunkle, Mark Thomas Winters, Laura Adelle Hawthorn, Ryan Todd Pinsenschaum, Patrick W. Schatz, Ann L. Kneisly, Shawn Gregory Ryan
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Publication number: 20020130495Abstract: An air bag module for protection of an occupant within a vehicle during an impact event. The module includes an inflator for generating an inflation gas, an air bag cushion stored in fluid communication with the inflator such that upon generation of the inflation gas the air bag cushion is deployable substantially to the side of the vehicle occupant between the vehicle occupant and the adjacent interior portions of the vehicle. The air bag module further includes a biasing element of flexible character such as a woven or non woven textile which is folded and stored in overlying relation to the air bag cushion. The biasing element is expelled from its stored position upon deployment of the air bag cushion such that the biasing element is disposed between the occupant and the air bag cushion in leading relation to the air bag cushion along the path of deployment of the air bag cushion between the occupant and adjacent interior portions of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2001Publication date: September 19, 2002Inventors: John Anthony Lotspih, Laura Adelle Hawthorn, Mark Thomas Winters
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Publication number: 20020130492Abstract: This present invention provides a deformable air bag module for use in an instrument panel or door panel of a vehicle. The air bag module has a deformable housing with an inflator and an air bag cushion being disposed within the deformable housing. The module housing has a neck portion defining an opening formed at a first side, wherein the first side is coupled to the instrument panel. The instrument panel includes first and second instrument panel sections and the module housing is disposed about the first and second instrument panel sections so that deployment of the air bag cushion causes deformation of the module housing resulting in the first and second instrument panel sections separating and deployment of the air bag cushion therebetween. When a tear seam is used to define the first and second instrument panel sections, the present invention permits the tear seam to be formed thicker in size and more durable.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2001Publication date: September 19, 2002Inventors: James Lloyd Webber, Jeffrey Alan Shepherd, Mark Thomas Winters, Laura Adelle Hawthorn
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Publication number: 20020117840Abstract: A release mechanism of efficient construction and operation is provided to hold profile restraining air bag tethers in a shortened operative condition under a first set of predetermined conditions and to extend such tethers under a second set of predetermined conditions. The extension of the restraining tethers may be carried out in conjunction with the delivery of an increased volume of inflating gas to the air bag cushion utilizing a gas emitting inflator in conjunction with a dynamic variable inflation device to effect delivery of a proper volume of inflation gas while releasing the tethers from a restrained length condition.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2002Publication date: August 29, 2002Inventors: Stephanie L. Dunkle, Mark Thomas Winters, Laura Adelle Hawthorn, Ryan Todd Pinsenschaum, Patrick W. Schatz, Ann L. Kneisly, Shawn Gregory Ryan
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Publication number: 20020096871Abstract: An air bag assembly for cushioning restraint of an occupant in a vehicle during an impact event. The air bag assembly includes an inflator activatable to discharge inflation gas upon the occurrence of predetermined vehicle conditions and an air bag cushion including an interior surface in fluid communication with the inflator such that upon discharge of inflation gas from the inflator the air bag cushion is inflated to a deployed state. At least one profile restraining tether element is operatively connected to the air bag cushion such that the profile restraining tether element restrains the expansion of the air bag cushion upon introduction of the inflation gas to the air bag cushion.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2002Publication date: July 25, 2002Inventors: Ryan Todd Pinsenschaum, Laura Adelle Hawthorn, Stephanie L. Dunkle, Mark Thomas Winters, Shawn Gregory Ryan, Gary R. Greib
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Patent number: 6422597Abstract: An air bag assembly for cushioning restraint of an occupant in a vehicle during an impact event. The air bag assembly includes an inflator activatable to discharge inflation gas upon the occurrence of predetermined vehicle conditions and an air bag cushion including an interior surface in fluid communication with the inflator such that upon discharge of inflation gas from the inflator the air bag cushion is inflated to a deployed state. At least one profile restraining tether element is operatively connected to the air bag cushion such that the profile restraining tether element restrains the expansion of the air bag cushion upon introduction of the inflation gas to the air bag cushion.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2000Date of Patent: July 23, 2002Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Ryan Todd Pinsenschaum, Laura Adelle Hawthorn, Stephanie L Dunkle, Mark Thomas Winters, Shawn Gregory Ryan, Gary R Greib
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Publication number: 20020070541Abstract: An air bag cushion folded for storage within a vehicle to achieve a predefined folded surface geometry corresponding to a desired storage location for the folded air bag cushion. A portion of the air bag cushion extending along a first lateral boundary edge for deployment inboard of the passenger seating location is folded in a construction inwardly to establish a first lateral edge of the predefined folded surface geometry. A portion of the air bag cushion disposed along the opposing lateral boundary edge is folded inwardly along a second internal lateral boundary line corresponding to a second lateral edge of the predefined folded surface geometry. The top and bottom edges are folded inwardly to finalize the desired geometry. The folding arrangement is such that upon encountering an obstacle during the initial stage of deployment the air bag is deployed in a lateral direction to the side of and around the occupant to be protected.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 18, 2001Publication date: June 13, 2002Inventors: Laura Adelle Hawthorn, Jingoo Kim, Ryan Todd Pinsenschaum, Stephanie L. Dunkle
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Publication number: 20020036400Abstract: An air bag assembly including an inflatable air bag cushion operatively attached to one or more profile restricting tether elements having an operative length which may be adjusted to provide desired inflation and impact response characteristics. The tether elements may be of actuated or self adjusting operative length to provide desired tension characteristics for various impact conditions.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2001Publication date: March 28, 2002Inventors: Mark Thomas Winters, Stephanie L. Dunkle, Ryan Todd Pinsenschaum, Laura Adelle Hawthorn