Patents by Inventor Manfred Zerbe

Manfred Zerbe 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: 6672612
    Abstract: An airbag for a motor vehicle, with at least one inflatable region which is capable of being inflated by means of a gas generator and in the inflated state forms a lateral curtain for protecting a vehicle occupant. When inflated the airbag is clamped between two points on the vehicle body which are separated from each other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The airbag has a separation region, which may be an opening, that is bridged by a tautening element which is capable of being inflated together with the inflatable region. When the airbag inflates the opening deforms reducing the length of the opening in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
    Inventors: Frank Sauer, Manfred Zerbe, Markus Gottschalk
  • Patent number: 6612612
    Abstract: A protective device for a motor vehicle comprising an airbag with an inflatable section for protecting an occupant in the passenger compartment. The inflatable section of the airbag is formed by two woven fabric plies that are joined to one another along a peripheral edge. The airbag forms a curtain next to a window pane so that one woven fabric ply faces the window pane and the other woven fabric ply faces the passenger compartment. The woven fabric plies are additionally joined to one another at points inside of the edge. The protective device also includes a gas generator for inflating the airbag by introducing a gas stream into the inflatable section. The points on which the woven fabric plies are additionally joined to one another, are arranged and configured so that a portion of the introduced gas stream is guided in a helical pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
    Inventor: Manfred Zerbe
  • Patent number: 6568701
    Abstract: A platelet, that is fixed on a base plate, has particularly narrow three-dimensional sections and is chiefly intended to be used as a cover cap for driver air bag modules. The platelet exhibits at least one protrusion on its back side. The protrusion serves as an indicator for the power direction in which to solder the platelet to the base plate. The configuration of the platelet provides the advantage that even filigree platelets with enhanced three-dimensional effects can be soldered securely on the base plate, thus avoiding overheating of and damage to the platelet. The secure connection ensures that the platelet does not come off from the cover cap of an air bag in case of a crash and hit the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: Takata-Petri AG
    Inventors: Harald Burdack, Manfred Zerbe
  • Publication number: 20030090094
    Abstract: A protective device for a motor vehicle comprising an airbag with an inflatable section for protecting an occupant in the passenger compartment. The inflatable section of the airbag is formed by two woven fabric plies that are joined to one another along a peripheral edge. The airbag forms a curtain next to a window pane so that one woven fabric ply faces the window pane and the other woven fabric ply faces the passenger compartment. The woven fabric plies are additionally joined to one another at points inside of the edge. The protective device also includes a gas generator for inflating the airbag by introducing a gas stream into the inflatable section. The points on which the woven fabric plies are additionally joined to one another, are arranged and configured so that a portion of the introduced gas stream is guided in a helical pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Applicant: TAKATA-PETRI AG
    Inventor: Manfred Zerbe
  • Publication number: 20020027342
    Abstract: An airbag for a motor vehicle, with at least one inflatable region which is capable of being inflated by means of a gas generator and in the inflated state forms a lateral curtain for protecting a vehicle occupant. When inflated the airbag is clamped between two points on the vehicle body which are separated from each other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The airbag has a separation region, which may be an opening, that is bridged by a tautening element which is capable of being inflated together with the inflatable region. When the airbag inflates the opening deforms reducing the length of the opening in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Inventors: Frank Sauer, Manfred Zerbe, Markus Gottschalk
  • Patent number: 5887892
    Abstract: An airbag module cover an airbag module housing. The cover has two electrically conducting foils which are spaced apart opposite each other between a front panel and a back panel. The distance between the foils is guaranteed by nonconducting spacers which are disposed between the foils. A stop member is connected to the back panel. A gas diffuser is disposed inside the airbag module housing. A space is defined between the diffuser and the stop member. A layer of a folded airbag penetrates the space. When pressed, the cover deflects causing the stop member to travel through the space contacting the folded airbag and stopping against the diffuser. A resulting pressure causes the foils to make contact and activate the horn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 30, 1999
    Assignee: Petri AG
    Inventors: Harald Burdack, Manfred Zerbe