Patents by Inventor Peter L. Vigeant

Peter L. Vigeant 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: 10899304
    Abstract: An airbag assembly includes an airbag cover having a first panel portion. The first panel portion has first lower edge and a plurality of clips formed at the first lower edge. The clips each have a thickness greater than the first panel portion. A case has a plurality of openings configured to receive the clips of the airbag cover. The openings in the case may each be an elongated slot including a wide portion and a contiguous narrow portion that is narrower than the thickness of the clip. Each slot is configured such that the clip can be inserted through the wide portion and then slid to the narrow portion to retain the airbag cover to the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael Thomas Rhodes, Sara Anne Schumer, Peter L. Vigeant, Bradley S. Honermann
  • Publication number: 20190351861
    Abstract: An airbag assembly includes an airbag cover having a first panel portion. The first panel portion has first lower edge and a plurality of clips formed at the first lower edge. The clips each have a thickness greater than the first panel portion. A case has a plurality of openings configured to receive the clips of the airbag cover. The openings in the case may each be an elongated slot including a wide portion and a contiguous narrow portion that is narrower than the thickness of the clip. Each slot is configured such that the clip can be inserted through the wide portion and then slid to the narrow portion to retain the airbag cover to the case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Michael Thomas Rhodes, Sara Anne Schumer, Peter L. Vigeant, Bradley S. Honermann
  • Publication number: 20140062067
    Abstract: An example airbag cover includes an airbag cover having a front portion spaced from separation lines. The separation lines are configured to separate during expansion of an airbag. Another example airbag cover includes a front portion having an outwardly facing surface and an inwardly facing surface. A plurality of separation ribs extending away from the inwardly facing surface, the separation ribs include separation lines spaced from the inwardly facing surface. At least one hinge extends away from the inwardly facing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Adam P. Hardin, Peter L. Vigeant, Lionel K. Cureau, Tood Huber
  • 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: 8651524
    Abstract: An example trajectory control envelope includes a trajectory control envelope configured to receive an airbag and to control deployment of the airbag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Adam Hardin, Peter L. Vigeant
  • Patent number: 8641082
    Abstract: An exemplary airbag case includes a floor that is configured to receive an airbag module, a wall extending away from the floor, and a plurality of reinforcement features each extending without interruption from the floor to the wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2014
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter L. Vigeant, Adam D. Hardin, April Hamilton, Lionel K. Cureau
  • Publication number: 20140008899
    Abstract: An exemplary airbag case includes a floor that is configured to receive an airbag module, a wall extending away from the floor, and a plurality of reinforcement features each extending without interruption from the floor to the wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Peter L. Vigeant, Adam D. Hardin, April Hamilton, Lionel K. Cureau
  • Publication number: 20130140799
    Abstract: An example trajectory control envelope includes a trajectory control envelope configured to receive an airbag and to control deployment of the airbag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Inventors: Adam Hardin, Peter L. Vigeant
  • 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: 8434785
    Abstract: An example airbag arrangement includes an example airbag moveable between an expansion-constrained position and an expanded position. The airbag includes a contact face. A tether has a first end connected to the contact face and a second end anchoring the tether. The tether holds the contact face of the airbag in a substantially vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter L. Vigeant, Robert A. Parks, David L. Geyer
  • Patent number: 8419056
    Abstract: An example airbag assembly an airbag, a duct having an duct opening for venting gas outside the airbag, and a flap moveable from a first position to a second position. The duct is configured to direct more gas outside the airbag when the flap is in the first position than when the flap is in the second position. A tether is configured to move the flap from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert A. Parks, David L. Geyer, Peter L. Vigeant, Joseph Mannino
  • Publication number: 20120274054
    Abstract: An example airbag assembly an airbag, a duct having an duct opening for venting gas outside the airbag, and a flap moveable from a first position to a second position. The duct is configured to direct more gas outside the airbag when the flap is in the first position than when the flap is in the second position. A tether is configured to move the flap from the first position to the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: Robert A. Parks, David L. Geyer, Peter L. Vigeant, Joseph Mannino
  • Patent number: 8251398
    Abstract: An exemplary airbag assembly includes an airbag and a duct having an duct opening for venting gas. The duct has a first position and a second position. The duct is configured to direct less gas out of the airbag when in the second position than when in the first position. A tether kinks about the duct to move the duct from the first position to the second position. The inflating causes the tether to kink about the duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert A. Parks, David L. Geyer, Peter L. Vigeant, Joseph Mannino
  • Patent number: 8172263
    Abstract: An example airbag arrangement includes an airbag moveable between an expansion-constrained position and an expanded position. The airbag includes a contact face. A tether has a first tether end connected adjacent an upper portion of the contact face and a second tether end anchoring the tether. The tether holds the contact face in a substantially vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter L. Vigeant, Robert A. Parks, David L. Geyer, Tanja Kryzaniwskyj
  • Publication number: 20120032429
    Abstract: An exemplary airbag assembly includes an airbag and a duct having an duct opening for venting gas. The duct has a first position and a second position. The duct is configured to direct less gas out of the airbag when in the second position than when in the first position. A tether kinks about the duct to move the duct from the first position to the second position. The inflating causes the tether to kink about the duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Robert A. Parks, David L. Geyer, Peter L. Vigeant, Joseph Mannino
  • Patent number: 8061734
    Abstract: An example airbag assembly includes an airbag having an airbag opening and a duct adjacent the airbag opening. A tether is configured to move the duct between a first position and a second position. The duct communicates a first flow from the duct through the airbag opening in the first position. The duct communicates a second flow from the duct through the airbag opening in the second position. The first flow is greater than the second flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert A. Parks, David L. Geyer, Peter L. Vigeant, Joseph Mannino
  • 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: 20110121549
    Abstract: An example airbag assembly includes an airbag having an airbag opening and a duct adjacent the airbag opening. A tether is configured to move the duct between a first position and a second position. The duct communicates a first flow from the duct through the airbag opening in the first position. The duct communicates a second flow from the duct through the airbag opening in the second position. The first flow is greater than the second flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2011
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Inventors: Robert A. Parks, David L. Geyer, Peter L. Vigeant, Joseph Mannino
  • Patent number: 7946620
    Abstract: An airbag includes end panels sewn onto opposite ends of the airbag. The end panels include side tabs and a center tab. The side tabs hook onto a retainer. The center tab is sewn to the airbag adjacent the opening in the retainer to pull the airbag against the concave inner surface of the retainer, thereby eliminating bunching and folding of airbag material at the interface of the retainer and inflator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter L. Vigeant, David Laird Geyer, Robert Andrew Parks