Patents by Inventor Michael A. Schorle

Michael A. Schorle 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: 8661936
    Abstract: A steering wheel assembly includes an armature having spokes over which a spoke ends of a steering wheel are molded. A back cover connects to the armature and the steering wheel. A trim plate snap-fits directly to the spoke ends of the steering wheel and to the back cover, without connecting directly to the armature. Because the trim plates are directly connected to the same two components with which the trim plates must provide proper fit and finish, proper fit and finish is ensured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter L. Vigeant, Michael A. Schorle, Michael J. Olesko
  • Patent number: 8454050
    Abstract: An example airbag housing assembly includes a base and an end cap. The end cap is positioned at a lateral end of the base. The end cap is configured to be fastened directly to a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael A. Schorle, Peter L. Vigeant, Bryan H. Stover
  • Patent number: 8029017
    Abstract: An example airbag inflator manifold assembly includes a cap portion establishing a plurality of apertures that are operative to communicate flow from an inflator to an airbag interior. A baffle portion redirects at least some of the flow from the plurality of apertures. A mounting face extends radially from the cap portion and is securable to a flange extending radially from the inflator to hold the cap portion and the baffle portion relative to the inflator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael A. Schorle, Peter L. Vigeant, David L. Geyer
  • Publication number: 20110227318
    Abstract: An example airbag housing assembly includes a base and an end cap. The end cap is positioned at a lateral end of the base. The end cap is configured to be fastened directly to a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Inventors: Michael A. Schorle, Peter L. Vigeant, Bryan H. Stover
  • Publication number: 20100181747
    Abstract: An example airbag inflator manifold assembly includes a cap portion establishing a plurality of apertures that are operative to communicate flow from an inflator to an airbag interior. A baffle portion redirects at least some of the flow from the plurality of apertures. A mounting face extends radially from the cap portion and is securable to a flange extending radially from the inflator to hold the cap portion and the baffle portion relative to the inflator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventors: Michael A. Schorle, Peter L. Vigeant, David L. Geyer
  • Publication number: 20070193399
    Abstract: A steering wheel assembly includes an armature having spokes over which a spoke ends of a steering wheel are molded. A back cover connects to the armature and the steering wheel. A trim plate snap-fits directly to the spoke ends of the steering wheel and to the back cover, without connecting directly to the armature. Because the trim plates are directly connected to the same two components with which the trim plates must provide proper fit and finish, proper fit and finish is ensured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2006
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Inventors: Peter Vigeant, Michael Schorle, Michael Olesko
  • Patent number: 7255365
    Abstract: An air bag module including a canister and a cover coupled to said canister. One of the cover and canister has a projection and the other of the cover and canister has an opening. The projection is disposed in the opening and engages the other of the cover and canister to restrict movement of the cover relative to the canister and create a frictional force acting to resist movement of the cover relative to the canister.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: David L. Geyer, Ronald J. Misetich, Darrell A. Kellogg, Michael A. Schorle, Peter L. Vigeant
  • Patent number: 7059631
    Abstract: A steering wheel subassembly with an armature and a clip. The clip has a first leg disposed in a first slot of the armature, a bend extending from the first leg, and a second leg extending from the bend. The second leg is disposed in a second slot on the armature and the clip is movable between a rest and displaced position. The clip partially obstructs a hole in the armature configured to receive a connecting part such as a pin. The clip legs exert a preload on armature engagement surfaces. The invention is further directed to a method for coupling the clip to the steering wheel armature as well as a steering wheel assembly having the steering wheel subassembly described above. The invention is still further directed to a configuration of a mounting bracket with an airbag subassembly adapted to be coupled to the steering wheel subassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael A. Schorle, Peter L. Vigeant, Joseph J. Mannino, Bryan H. Stover
  • Publication number: 20050082794
    Abstract: An air bag module including a canister and a cover coupled to said canister. One of the cover and canister has a projection and the other of the cover and canister has an opening. The projection is disposed in the opening and engages the other of the cover and canister to restrict movement of the cover relative to the canister and create a frictional force acting to resist movement of the cover relative to the canister.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Publication date: April 21, 2005
    Inventors: David Geyer, Ronald Misetich, Darrell Kellogg, Michael Schorle, Peter Vigeant
  • Publication number: 20040217580
    Abstract: A steering wheel subassembly with an armature and a clip. The clip has a first leg disposed in a first slot of the armature, a bend extending from the first leg, and a second leg extending from the bend. The second leg is disposed in a second slot on the armature and the clip is movable between a rest and displaced position. The clip partially obstructs a hole in the armature configured to receive a connecting part such as a pin. The clip legs exert a preload on armature engagement surfaces. The invention is further directed to a method for coupling the clip to the steering wheel armature as well as a steering wheel assembly having the steering wheel subassembly described above. The invention is still further directed to a configuration of a mounting bracket with an airbag subassembly adapted to be coupled to the steering wheel subassembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Michael A. Schorle, Peter L. Vigeant, Joseph J. Mannino, Bryan H. Stover