Patents by Inventor Roger H. Garrell

Roger H. Garrell 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: 6550810
    Abstract: A seat belt retractor (12) comprises a frame (40), a seat belt webbing spool (42) rotatably mounted in the frame (40), and an actuator (70) for locking the seat belt webbing spool (42) against rotation in at least one direction (B) in the frame (40). The actuator (70) is mounted to the frame (40). An accelerometer (82) provides an electrical output signal indicative of vehicle deceleration. The accelerometer (82) is mounted on the frame (40). A controller (84) monitors the electrical output signal and causes the actuator (70) to lock the seat belt webbing spool (42) against rotation in the at least one direction (B) upon the occurrence of a predetermined amount of vehicle deceleration. The controller (84) is mounted on the frame (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Barney J. Bauer, Roger H. Garrell
  • Patent number: 6302346
    Abstract: An energy management device (10) for seat belt webbing (18) for restraining a vehicle occupant includes a base (40) for attachment to the vehicle. The device (10) also includes a plastically deformable torsion bar (60) having a first portion (66) fixed relative to the base (40) and a second portion (72) rotatable relative to the first portion and the base. The torsion bar (60) twists upon rotation of the second portion (72) relative to the first portion (66). A spool (80) is supported on the base (40) and is fixed for rotation with the second portion (72) of the torsion bar (60) relative to the first portion (66) of the torsion bar. The spool (80) has an outer peripheral surface (90). A flexible member (100) is wound on the outer peripheral surface (90) of the spool (80). The flexible member (100) has a first end portion (104) connected with the spool (80) and a second end portion (110) extending from the spool (80) for connection with the seat belt webbing (14) of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Louis R. Brown, Roger H. Garrell
  • Patent number: 5755235
    Abstract: A prisoner restraint system (14) restrains kicking movement of a seated prisoner's legs by restraining movement of the prisoner's feet (94, 96) upward from positions resting on a vehicle floor (44), and by restraining forward movement of the prisoner's feet (94, 96). The prisoner restraint system (14) includes seat belt webbing (82, 86), a seat belt buckle (84), and a seat belt locking tongue (80). The prisoner restraint system (14) has an engaged condition in which the tongue (80) is interlocked with the buckle (84) to secure the webbing (82, 86) across the prisoner's lower legs (90, 92).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Kiran R. Magiawala, Roger H. Garrell