Patents by Inventor Nathaniel Lee GERLACH

Nathaniel Lee GERLACH 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: 11572030
    Abstract: An inflator assembly arranged in an airbag system for use in a vehicle includes an elongated inflator with at least one mounting stud for mounting the inflator assembly in the vehicle and a gas deflector having a back plate and a front cover with at least one opening to diffuse gas generated from the inflator. The front cover is slid on the back plate along a longitudinal axis of the inflator such that the front cover is slidably engaged with the back plate to enclose a portion of the inflator. Further, the front cover and the back plate are securely engaged with each other by a crimp process to prevent opening or deforming of the gas deflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: David Walker Parkinson, Matt Cox, Louis A. Mueller, Nathaniel Lee Gerlach, Terry Alan Wheelwright
  • Patent number: 11292423
    Abstract: A side inflatable airbag assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. Inflatable airbag assemblies may provide protection for an occupant in a vehicle collision event. In a side collision event, or other event producing lateral movement of the occupant relative to the vehicle, the disclosed inflatable airbag assembly may receive and support the occupant during ride-down so as to prevent or minimize injury resulting from impact with a vehicle sidewall. An inflatable airbag cushion of the inflatable airbag assembly comprises a valve with an aperture and a vent flap that has a strong connection and a weak connection to the inflatable airbag cushion. The disclosed airbag may differentially support the occupant by providing varied degrees of support for the shoulder, pelvis, and torso, which may be particularly beneficial to an elderly occupant whose bones may be more susceptible to some injury types and modes as a result of age-incident health issues.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventor: Nathaniel Lee Gerlach
  • Patent number: 11279317
    Abstract: A gas generator including a diffuser for diffusing inflation gases generated by an inflator of the gas generator. The gas generator includes at least a first mounting stud. The diffuser has a cylindrical sidewall axially extending between first and second axial ends and circumferentially extending between first and second axially extending sides. A gap is defined between the first and second axially extending sides. The cylindrical sidewall includes a plurality of holes radially extend therethrough and includes a slot having a closed end and an open end. The diffuser circumferentially surrounds a portion of the cylindrical housing of the inflator with the first mounting stud disposed in the slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Louis A. Mueller, Nathaniel Lee Gerlach
  • Publication number: 20210354652
    Abstract: A side inflatable airbag assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. Inflatable airbag assemblies may provide protection for an occupant in a vehicle collision event. In a side collision event, or other event producing lateral movement of the occupant relative to the vehicle, the disclosed inflatable airbag assembly may receive and support the occupant during ride-down so as to prevent or minimize injury resulting from impact with a vehicle sidewall. An inflatable airbag cushion of the inflatable airbag assembly comprises a valve with an aperture and a vent flap that has a strong connection and a weak connection to the inflatable airbag cushion. The disclosed airbag may differentially support the occupant by providing varied degrees of support for the shoulder, pelvis, and torso, which may be particularly beneficial to an elderly occupant whose bones may be more susceptible to some injury types and modes as a result of age-incident health issues.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2020
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Inventor: Nathaniel Lee Gerlach
  • Publication number: 20210170984
    Abstract: A gas generator including a diffuser for diffusing inflation gases generated by an inflator of the gas generator. The gas generator includes at least a first mounting stud. The diffuser has a cylindrical sidewall axially extending between first and second axial ends and circumferentially extending between first and second axially extending sides. A gap is defined between the first and second axially extending sides. The cylindrical sidewall includes a plurality of holes radially extend therethrough and includes a slot having a closed end and an open end. The diffuser circumferentially surrounds a portion of the cylindrical housing of the inflator with the first mounting stud disposed in the slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: Louis A. MUELLER, Nathaniel Lee GERLACH