Patents by Inventor Ralph Tree

Ralph Tree 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).

  • Dual chamber airbag cushion
    Patent number: 7946613
    Abstract: An airbag cushion has two chambers to permit the front chamber to inflate less rapidly than the back chamber for cushioning the head of an occupant in a vehicle with less force than the chest of an occupant is cushioned by the back chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry D. Rose, Jeffrey D. Williams, Brad Smith, Greg Waters, Mark Enders, John Newkirk, Patrick Jamison, Kent Potter, Shankar Balaskandan, Changsoo Choi, Ralph Tree
  • Airbag cushion folding methods
    Patent number: 7942442
    Abstract: The methods for folding an airbag cushion into a housing provide for a predetermined deployment trajectory. The airbag cushion is defined by an upper panel and a lower panel. A first portion of the airbag cushion is tucked into a second portion of the airbag cushion such that the upper and lower panels of the first portion are positioned in between the upper and lower panels of the second portion. The tucked portion is folded in towards the housing. First and second halves of the tucked airbag cushion are folded in towards the housing. Finally, the folded first and second halves of the airbag cushion are folded into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry D. Rose, Marc P. Russell, Jeffrey D. Williams, Ralph Tree
  • Dual chamber airbag cushions with a safety vent in the front chamber
    Patent number: 7938445
    Abstract: An airbag cushion has two chambers to permit the front chamber to inflate less rapidly than the back chamber for cushioning the head of an occupant in a vehicle with less force than the chest of an occupant is cushioned by the back chamber. The front chamber has at least one safety vent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Brad Smith, Jeffrey D. Williams, Larry Rose, Greg Waters, Mark Enders, John Newkirk, Patrick Jamison, Kent Potter, Shankar Balaskandan, Changsoo Choi, Ralph Tree
  • Airbag cushion folding methods
    Patent number: 7845682
    Abstract: Methods are provided for folding an airbag cushion into a housing. In one implementation of the inventive method, an airbag cushion defined by an upper panel and a lower panel is provided. A first portion of the airbag cushion is tucked into a second portion of the airbag cushion such that the upper and lower panels of the first portion are positioned in between the upper and lower panels of the second portion. The tucked portion is folded in towards the housing. First and second halves of the tucked airbag cushion are folded in towards the housing. Finally, the folded first and second halves of the airbag cushion are folded into the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Lachat, Anna Libby, Howard Lusk, Jesse Benny, Joseph Bator, Larry Rose, Marc P. Russell, Jeffrey D Williams, Ralph Tree
  • DUAL CHAMBER AIRBAG CUSHIONS WITH A SAFETY VENT IN THE FRONT CHAMBER
    Publication number: 20100225095
    Abstract: An airbag cushion has two chambers to permit the front chamber to inflate less rapidly than the back chamber for cushioning the head of an occupant in a vehicle with less force than the chest of an occupant is cushioned by the back chamber. The front chamber has at least one safety vent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: Brad Smith, Jeffrey D. Williams, Larry Rose, Greg Waters, Mark Enders, John Newkirk, Patrick Jamison, Kent Potter, Shankar Balaskandan, Changsoo Choi, Ralph Tree
  • DUAL CHAMBER AIRBAG CUSHION
    Publication number: 20100225094
    Abstract: An airbag cushion has two chambers to permit the front chamber to inflate less rapidly than the back chamber for cushioning the head of an occupant in a vehicle with less force than the chest of an occupant is cushioned by the back chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: Larry Rose, Jeffrey D. Williams, Brad Smith, Greg Waters, Mark Enders, John Newkirk, Patrick Jamison, Kent Potter, Balaskandan Shankar, Changsoo Choi, Ralph Tree
  • AIRBAG CUSHION FOLDING METHODS
    Publication number: 20090108574
    Abstract: Methods are provided for folding an airbag cushion into a housing. In one implementation of the inventive method, an airbag cushion defined by an upper panel and a lower panel is provided. A first portion of the airbag cushion is tucked into a second portion of the airbag cushion such that the upper and lower panels of the first portion are positioned in between the upper and lower panels of the second portion. The tucked portion is folded in towards the housing. First and second halves of the tucked airbag cushion are folded in towards the housing. Finally, the folded first and second halves of the airbag cushion are folded into the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2009
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: Michael Lachat, Anna Libby, Howard Lusk, Jesse Benny, Joseph Bator, Larry Rose, Marc Russell, JD Williams, Ralph Tree
  • AIRBAG CUSHION FOLDING METHODS
    Publication number: 20090102173
    Abstract: The methods for folding an airbag cushion into a housing provide for a predetermined deployment trajectory. The airbag cushion is defined by an upper panel and a lower panel. A first portion of the airbag cushion is tucked into a second portion of the airbag cushion such that the upper and lower panels of the first portion are positioned in between the upper and lower panels of the second portion. The tucked portion is folded in towards the housing. First and second halves of the tucked airbag cushion are folded in towards the housing. Finally, the folded first and second halves of the airbag cushion are folded into the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: Larry D. Rose, Marc P. Russell, Jeffrey D. Williams, Ralph Tree