Patents by Inventor Lawrence R. Langbeen
Lawrence R. Langbeen 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: 7407183Abstract: An air bag module (20) having a base plate (30) and a toroidal air bag (80) is disclosed. The toroidal air bag (80) defines a pocket (120). The toroidal air bag (80) is coupled to the base plate (30). A control module (40) having a base plate portion (82) and a generally cylindrical portion (86) is coupled to the base and located within the toroidal air bag (80). The control module (40) has a control module cover (90) coupled to said generally cylindrical portion (86) disposed within said pocket (120).Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2005Date of Patent: August 5, 2008Assignee: Key Safety Systems, IncInventors: Brian C. Ford, Lawrence R. Langbeen, Mohannad F. Murad, Hossam Almasri, Randal Gosk, John M. Burdock
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Patent number: 6994372Abstract: A steering wheel assembly having a fastenerless air bag module assembly is disclosed. This assembly employs a housing with a projection and a steering wheel armature configured to receive the projection. The cover is retained between the housing and the steering wheel armature. Furthermore, the present invention provides a steering wheel cover with a tear seam that permits the air bag to deploy more efficiently with less damage to the occupants.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2002Date of Patent: February 7, 2006Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.Inventors: Brian C. Ford, Lawrence R. Langbeen
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Patent number: 6863301Abstract: An air bag module (20) having a base plate (30) and a toroidal air bag (80) is disclosed. The toroidal air bag (80) defines a pocket (120). The toroidal air bag (80) is coupled to the base plate (30). A control module (40) having a base plate portion (82) and a generally cylindrical portion (86) is coupled to the base and located within the toroidal air bag (80). The control module (40) has a control module cover (90) coupled to said generally cylindrical portion (86) disposed within said pocket (120).Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2002Date of Patent: March 8, 2005Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.Inventors: Brian C. Ford, Lawrence R. Langbeen, Mohannad F. Murad, Hossam Almasri, Randal Gosk, John M. Burdock
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Patent number: 6846005Abstract: An air bag module comprises an air bag inflator and an air bag inflatable by the air bag inflator. The air bag has a hole to receive the air bag inflator and at least one tab attached to the air bag near the hole to assist in the insertion of the air bag inflator into air bag. The air bag has a heat shield near the air bag inflator.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2002Date of Patent: January 25, 2005Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.Inventors: Brian Ford, Mary Grondin, Lawrence R. Langbeen
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Publication number: 20040108699Abstract: An air bag module comprises an air bag inflator and an air bag inflatable by the air bag inflator. The air bag has a hole to receive the air bag inflator and at least one tab attached to the air bag near the hole to assist in the insertion of the air bag inflator into air bag. The air bag has a heat shield near the air bag inflator.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2002Publication date: June 10, 2004Inventors: Brian Ford, Mary Grondin, Lawrence R. Langbeen
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Publication number: 20040053764Abstract: The folding apparatus includes a ram apparatus movable through the tube and adapted to hold and move a ram plate and air bag through the tube. When moved in one direction, the ram apparatus moves the air bag into the cover. The folding apparatus further contains a movable piston which functions as an interior cushion support and is passed through a hole in the air bag module cover. The folding apparatus additionally includes a holding fixture for orienting the cover so that its internal cavity is in alignment with and adjacent to the tube such that the housing and air bag can be rammed into the cover internal cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2002Publication date: March 18, 2004Applicant: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.Inventors: Brian C. Ford, Lawrence R. Langbeen
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Publication number: 20040021303Abstract: A steering wheel assembly having a fastenerless air bag module assembly is disclosed. This assembly employs a housing with a projection and a steering wheel armature configured to receive the projection. The cover is retained between the housing and the steering wheel armature. Furthermore, the present invention provides a steering wheel cover with a tear seam that permits the air bag to deploy more efficiently with less damage to the occupants.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2002Publication date: February 5, 2004Applicant: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.Inventors: Brian C. Ford, Lawrence R. Langbeen
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Patent number: 6669226Abstract: An air bag system comprising: a housing/inflator assembly and an air bag assembly operatively linked to the housing/inflator assembly to receive inflation gas to inflate an air bag of the air bag assembly, the housing/inflator assembly comprising: a plurality of inflators, each inflator including at least one exit port near a first end thereof, each inflator having a respective opposite second end, the housing/inflator assembly further including: a housing for mounting the inflators relative to one another with the at least one exit port of one of the inflator's positioned adjacent the second end of a second of the inflator's and with the second end of the first inflator adjacent the exit port of the second inflator.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2002Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.Inventors: Todd D. Fowler, Brian C. Ford, Lawrence R. Langbeen
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Patent number: 6648366Abstract: An air bag module assembly comprising: an inflator (250) having at least one exit port (270) with a thin layer of burst material (272) blocking the at least one exit port (270), the burst material bursting forth from the exit port during an initial moment of activation of the inflator. The module including an air bag assembly comprising an inflatable first bag (20) and an inflatable second bag (70), the second bag located within the first bag, the second bag including an opening (40b) to receive the inflator (250) wherein prior to activation, opposed portions of the second bag, radially outboard of the inflator, are formed into respective flaps, which are overlaid and positioned on a top of the inflator to provide a tortuous path through which any particles can flow prior to entering into a main portion of the air bag.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2002Date of Patent: November 18, 2003Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.Inventors: Michael R. Dillon, Damon N. Hewin, Lawrence R. Langbeen, Brian C. Ford
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Publication number: 20030173760Abstract: An air bag module assembly comprising: an inflator (250) having at least one exit port (270) with a thin layer of burst material (272) blocking the at least one exit port (270), the burst material bursting forth from the exit port during an initial moment of activation of the inflator. The module including an air bag assembly (20) comprising an inflatable first bag (290) and an inflatable second bag (70), the second bag located within the first bag, the second bag including an opening (40b) to receive an inflator (250) wherein prior to activation, opposed portions of the second bag, radially outboard of the inflator, are formed into respective flaps, which are overlaid and positioned on a top of the inflator to provide a tortuous path through which any particles can flow prior to entering into an main portion of the air bag.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2002Publication date: September 18, 2003Applicant: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.Inventors: Michael R. Dillon, Damon N. Hewin, Lawrence R. Langbeen, Brian C. Ford
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Publication number: 20030141703Abstract: An air bag system comprising: a housing/inflator assembly and an air bag assembly operatively linked to the housing/inflator assembly to receive inflation gas to inflate an air bag of the air bag assembly, the housing/inflator assembly comprising: a plurality of inflators, each inflator including at least one exit port near a first end thereof, each inflator having a respective opposite second end, the housing/inflator assembly further including: a housing means for mounting the inflators relative to one another with the at least one exit port of one of the inflators positioned adjacent the second end of a second of the inflators and with the second end of the first inflator adjacent the exit port of the second inflator.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2002Publication date: July 31, 2003Applicant: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.Inventors: Todd D. Fowler, Brian C. Ford, Lawrence R. Langbeen
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Patent number: 6561538Abstract: An air bag module comprising an air bag, the air bag including: a face panel having a first central opening therein; a rear panel having a second central opening therein, that portion of the rear panel about the second central opening forming a neck portion; a tubular insert having an open end secured to the face panel about the first central opening, the tubular insert including a closed end opposite the open end, the tubular insert extending into the air bag.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2001Date of Patent: May 13, 2003Assignee: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.Inventors: Brian C. Ford, Lawrence R. Langbeen
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Publication number: 20030047922Abstract: An air bag module (20) having a base plate (30) and a toroidal air bag (80) is disclosed. The toroidal air bag (80) defines a pocket (120). The toroidal air bag (80) is coupled to the base plate (30). A control module (40) having a base plate portion (82) and a generally cylindrical portion (86) is coupled to the base and located within the toroidal air bag (80). The control module (40) has a control module cover (90) coupled to said generally cylindrical portion (86) disposed within said pocket (120).Type: ApplicationFiled: October 25, 2002Publication date: March 13, 2003Applicant: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.Inventors: Brian C. Ford, Lawrence R. Langbeen, Mohannad F. Murad, Hossam Almasri, Randal Gosk, John M. Burdock
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Publication number: 20020130493Abstract: An air bag module comprising an air bag, the air bag including: a face panel having a first central opening therein; a rear panel having a second central opening therein, that portion of the rear panel about the second central opening forming a neck portion; a tubular insert having an open end secured to the face panel about the first central opening, the tubular insert including a closed end opposite the open end, the tubular insert extending into the air bag.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2001Publication date: September 19, 2002Applicant: Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.Inventors: Brian C. Ford, Lawrence R. Langbeen