Patents by Inventor Makoto Higano

Makoto Higano 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: 8562016
    Abstract: In at least one embodiment of the present invention, an airbag capable of maintaining a stable attachment to a vehicle for a long period and a method of manufacturing the airbag are provided. The curtain airbag device comprises an airbag body accommodated to a window upper edge of a vehicle for expanding and inflating toward inside of the vehicle in a compressed state when it is deployed. A plurality of strip-shaped coupling members are coupled with the airbag body. A plurality of brackets are coupled with the airbag body for fixing the airbag body to the vehicle. Each bracket has a coupling hole through which each strip-shaped coupling member is inserted and a fixing hole into which a tightening member is inserted. The airbag body is coupled with the brackets by the strip-shaped coupling members as well as the airbag body is fixed to the vehicle through the brackets by the tightening members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Makoto Higano, Takayoshi Saegusa
  • Publication number: 20110215556
    Abstract: To provide a structure of an airbag capable of maintaining an attaching stability of the airbag for a long period and a method of manufacturing the airbag. Further, an object is to provide a structure of a curtain airbag device capable of easily coupling an airbag body with brackets without requiring special equipment when they are coupled with each other and a method of manufacturing the curtain airbag device. The curtain airbag device of the invention has a bag body accommodated to a window upper edge of a vehicle for expanding and inflating toward inside of the vehicle in a compressed state when it is operated, a plurality of strip-shaped coupling members coupled with the bag body, and a plurality of brackets coupled with the bag body for fixing the bag body to the vehicle. Each bracket has a coupling hole through which each strip-shaped coupling member is inserted and a fixing hole into which a predetermined tightening member is inserted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 8, 2011
    Applicant: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Makoto Higano, Takayoshi Saegusa
  • Patent number: 7922192
    Abstract: The present invention provides a side curtain air bag facilitating the control of tension with the air bag. The side curtain air bag includes chambers expanded by gas supplied from a gas generator, and expands and develops into a curtain shape along a side part of a vehicle so as to protect vehicle occupants. The side curtain air bag includes primary chambers which expand to form the side curtain air bag, and a secondary chamber which expands after the primary chambers to apply additional tension across the expanded side curtain air bag. The secondary chamber includes an opening communicating with the primary chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Masataka Fukuda, Takayuki Makioka, Makoto Higano
  • Publication number: 20100133795
    Abstract: The present invention provides a side curtain air bag facilitating the control of tension with the air bag. The side curtain air bag includes chambers expanded by gas supplied from a gas generator, and expands and develops into a curtain shape along a side part of a vehicle so as to protect vehicle occupants. The side curtain air bag includes primary chambers which expand to form the side curtain air bag, and a secondary chamber which expands after the primary chambers to apply additional tension across the expanded side curtain air bag. The secondary chamber includes an opening communicating with the primary chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Masataka FUKUDA, Takayuki MAKIOKA, Makoto HIGANO
  • Patent number: 7712768
    Abstract: The present invention provides a side curtain air bag facilitating the control of tension with the airbag. The side curtain air bag includes chambers expanded by gas supplied from a gas generator, and expands and develops into a curtain shape along a side part of a vehicle so as to protect vehicle occupants. The side curtain air bag includes primary chambers which expand to form the side curtain air bag, and a secondary chamber which expands after the primary chambers to apply additional tension across the expanded side curtain air bag. The secondary chamber includes an opening communicating with the primary chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Masataka Fukuda, Takayuki Makioka, Makoto Higano
  • Patent number: 7597348
    Abstract: An airbag is formed from fabric layers joined at a seam, and gas generator inflates the airbag by means of gas expelled from the gas generator's insertion end which has been inserted into the airbag. A gas guide is formed in the airbag in order to direct gas from the gas generator into the airbag and includes a pouch-shaped gas guide member in which are formed gas injection nozzles and an attachment orifice. The insertion end of the gas generator is inserted into the attachment orifice with the gas injection nozzles facing an interior of the airbag. A convex-shaped seam is included where the fabric layers are joined, and is disposed in opposition to the gas guide member. The gas guide member comes into contact with the convex-shaped seam as a result of the pressure of the flow of gas from the gas generator through the gas guide member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Masataka Fukuda, Yuichiro Yoshida, Makoto Higano, Mitsuo Nogami, Taro Shimizu
  • Patent number: 7581751
    Abstract: An air bag device comprising an air bag that is disposed between an under-window panel and a lining that covers a cabin interior side thereof and deploys upward along an inside surface of the window; and an impact absorption member that interposes between the air bag and the lining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2009
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Fumiharu Ochiai, Fumitoshi Yasuhara, Yusuke Nishida, Satoshi Kobayashi, Makoto Higano
  • Publication number: 20070257475
    Abstract: An airbag is formed from fabric layers joined at a seam, and gas generator inflates the airbag by means of gas expelled from the gas generator's insertion end which has been inserted into the airbag. A gas guide is formed in the airbag in order to direct gas from the gas generator into the airbag and includes a pouch-shaped gas guide member in which are formed gas injection nozzles and an attachment orifice. The insertion end of the gas generator is inserted into the attachment orifice with the gas injection nozzles facing an interior of the airbag. A convex-shaped seam is included where the fabric layers are joined, and is disposed in opposition to the gas guide member. The gas guide member comes into contact with the convex-shaped seam as a result of the pressure of the flow of gas from the gas generator through the gas guide member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2004
    Publication date: November 8, 2007
    Inventors: Masataka Fukuda, Yuichiro Yoshida, Makoto Higano, Mitsuo Nogami, Taro Shimizu
  • Publication number: 20070164543
    Abstract: The present invention provides a side curtain air bag facilitating the control of tension with the airbag. The side curtain air bag includes chambers expanded by gas supplied from a gas generator, and expands and develops into a curtain shape along a side part of a vehicle so as to protect vehicle occupants. The side curtain air bag includes primary chambers which expand to form the side curtain air bag, and a secondary chamber which expands after the primary chambers to apply additional tension across the expanded side curtain air bag. The secondary chamber includes an opening communicating with the primary chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2004
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Inventors: Masataka Fukuda, Takayuki Makioka, Makoto Higano
  • Publication number: 20070029765
    Abstract: An air bag device comprising an air bag that is disposed between an under-window panel and a lining that covers a cabin interior side thereof and deploys upward along an inside surface of the window; and an impact absorption member that interposes between the air bag and the lining.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2006
    Publication date: February 8, 2007
    Applicants: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Fumiharu Ochiai, Fumitoshi Yasuhara, Yusuke Nishida, Satoshi Kobayashi, Makoto Higano