Patents by Inventor Paul M. Van Rooyen

Paul M. Van Rooyen 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).

  • System and method for disengaging a locking retractor to permit extraction of a seatbelt from the retractor, and for generating a message indicating that a locking mechanism in the retractor is engaged
    Patent number: 10569737
    Abstract: A system according to the present disclosure includes a pawl actuator control module. The pawl actuator control module controls a pawl actuator of a seatbelt retractor to disengage a pawl of the seatbelt retractor from a control disc of the seatbelt retractor. The pawl actuator control module disengages the pawl of the retractor from the control disc when at least one of: a tongue of the seatbelt is disengaged from a seatbelt buckle; a button on the buckle is pressed; a manual disengagement button is pressed; an occupant is present in the seat; and a user provides an instruction to disengage the pawl via a user interface device. The seatbelt retractor allows a seatbelt to be extracted from the seatbelt retractor when the pawl is disengaged from the control disc and prevents the seatbelt from being extracted from the seatbelt retractor when the pawl is engaged with the control disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Julie A. Kleinert, Paul M. Van Rooyen, Fred W. Huntzicker, Sean T. Coughlin, Tricia E. Morrow, Antonio Antonucci
  • SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISENGAGING A LOCKING RETRACTOR TO PERMIT EXTRACTION OF A SEATBELT FROM THE RETRACTOR, AND FOR GENERATING A MESSAGE INDICATING THAT A LOCKING MECHANISM IN THE RETRACTOR IS ENGAGED
    Publication number: 20190106082
    Abstract: A system according to the present disclosure includes a pawl actuator control module. The pawl actuator control module controls a pawl actuator of a seatbelt retractor to disengage a pawl of the seatbelt retractor from a control disc of the seatbelt retractor. The pawl actuator control module disengages the pawl of the retractor from the control disc when at least one of: a tongue of the seatbelt is disengaged from a seatbelt buckle; a button on the buckle is pressed; a manual disengagement button is pressed; an occupant is present in the seat; and a user provides an instruction to disengage the pawl via a user interface device. The seatbelt retractor allows a seatbelt to be extracted from the seatbelt retractor when the pawl is disengaged from the control disc and prevents the seatbelt from being extracted from the seatbelt retractor when the pawl is engaged with the control disc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventors: Julie A. KLEINERT, Paul M. Van Rooyen, Fred W. Huntzicker, Sean T. Coughlin, Tricia E. Morrow, Antonio Antonucci
  • Seat belt latch plate and method of making same
    Patent number: 6837519
    Abstract: An improved latch plate for a seat belt attached to a vehicle C-pillar. The latch plate is produced from a plated metal stamping that has a portion over molded with a hard polypropylene coating. This portion has a slot for pass through of the seat belt webbing that allows free travel of the latch plate in order for the seat occupant to fasten and wear the belt. A surround of soft Santoprene® 221-55 is over molded over the polypropylene coating for sound reduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2005
    Assignees: General Motors Corporation, U.S. Farathane Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Moskalik, Paul M. Van Rooyen, Gary J. Griffin
  • Seat belt latch plate and method of making same
    Publication number: 20030234530
    Abstract: An improved latch plate for a seat belt attached to a vehicle C-pillar. The latch plate is produced from a plated metal stamping that has a portion over molded with a hard polypropylene coating. This portion has a slot for pass through of the seat belt webbing that allows free travel of the latch plate in order for the seat occupant to fasten and wear the belt. A surround of soft Santoprene® 221-55 is over molded over the polypropylene coating for sound reduction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Michael P. Moskalik, Paul M. Van Rooyen, Gary J. Griffin