Patents by Inventor Ronald A. Shields

Ronald A. Shields 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).

  • Publication number: 20230373633
    Abstract: An electronic module assembly (EMA) for use in controlling one or more personal restraint systems. A programmed processor within the EMA is configured to determine when a personal restraint system associated with each seat in a vehicle should be deployed. In addition, the programmed processor is configured to perform a diagnostic self-test to determine if the EMA and the personal restraint systems are operational. In one embodiment, results of the diagnostic self-test routine are displayed on a display included on the electronic module assembly. In an alternative embodiment, the results of the diagnostic self-test routine are transmitted via a wireless transceiver to a remote device. The remote device can include a wireless interrogator or can be a remote computer system such as a cabin management computer system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Inventors: Ronald A. Shields, Peter Anthony Settles, Willard F. Hagan, Giuseppe Gullotto
  • Patent number: 11628937
    Abstract: An electronic module assembly (EMA) for use in controlling one or more personal restraint systems. A programmed processor within the EMA is configured to determine when a personal restraint system associated with each seat in a vehicle should be deployed. In addition, the programmed processor is configured to perform a diagnostic self-test to determine if the EMA and the personal restraint systems are operational. In one embodiment, results of the diagnostic self-test routine are displayed on a display included on the electronic module assembly. In an alternative embodiment, the results of the diagnostic self-test routine are transmitted via a wireless transceiver to a remote device. The remote device can include a wireless interrogator or can be a remote computer system such as a cabin management computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: AmSafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Shields, Peter Anthony Settles, Willard F. Hagan, Giuseppe Gullotto
  • Publication number: 20200055603
    Abstract: An electronic module assembly (EMA) for use in controlling one or more personal restraint systems. A programmed processor within the EMA is configured to determine when a personal restraint system associated with each seat in a vehicle should be deployed. In addition, the programmed processor is configured to perform a diagnostic self-test to determine if the EMA and the personal restraint systems are operational. In one embodiment, results of the diagnostic self-test routine are displayed on a display included on the electronic module assembly. In an alternative embodiment, the results of the diagnostic self-test routine are transmitted via a wireless transceiver to a remote device. The remote device can include a wireless interrogator or can be a remote computer system such as a cabin management computer system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Inventors: Ronald A. Shields, Peter Anthony Settles, Willard F. Hagan, Giuseppe Gullotto
  • Patent number: 10364034
    Abstract: An electronic module assembly (EMA) for use in controlling one or more personal restraint systems. A programmed processor within the EMA is configured to determine when a personal restraint system associated with each seat in a vehicle should be deployed. In addition, the programmed processor is configured to perform a diagnostic self-test to determine if the EMA and the personal restraint systems are operational. In one embodiment, results of the diagnostic self-test routine are displayed on a display included on the electronic module assembly. In an alternative embodiment, the results of the diagnostic self-test routine are transmitted via a wireless transceiver to a remote device. The remote device can include a wireless interrogator or can be a remote computer system such as a cabin management computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Assignee: AmSafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Shields, Peter Anthony Settles, Willard F. Hagan, Giuseppe Gullotto
  • Patent number: 9925950
    Abstract: Active airbag vent systems and associated systems and methods are described herein. An airbag system having an active vent configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology can include, for example, a first inflator operably coupled to a first hose for inflating an airbag in response to a rapid deceleration event. The airbag system can further include a second inflator operably coupled to a second hose configured to release a vent or seam on the airbag to rapidly deflate the airbag after initial deployment of the airbag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: AmSafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Trenton Dirk Moeller, Daniel Nick Foubert, Todd Joseph Humbert, Peter Anthony Settles, Ronald A. Shields
  • Publication number: 20160297396
    Abstract: Active airbag vent systems and associated systems and methods are described herein. An airbag system having an active vent configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology can include, for example, a first inflator operably coupled to a first hose for inflating an airbag in response to a rapid deceleration event. The airbag system can further include a second inflator operably coupled to a second hose configured to release a vent or seam on the airbag to rapidly deflate the airbag after initial deployment of the airbag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Trenton Dirk Moeller, Daniel Nick Foubert, Todd Joseph Humbert, Peter Anthony Settles, Ronald A. Shields
  • Publication number: 20160133069
    Abstract: A system for testing a number of electronic module assemblies (EMAs) that control one or more personal restraint systems. A programmed processor with a computer system transmits signals that instruct the EMAs to perform a diagnostic self-test. The results of the self-test are received by the computer system and stored in a computer readable memory. In one embodiment, the computer system is a cabin management computer system for use on an aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Publication date: May 12, 2016
    Inventors: Ronald A. Shields, Peter Anthony Settles
  • Publication number: 20160096625
    Abstract: An electronic module assembly (EMA) for use in controlling one or more personal restraint systems. A programmed processor within the EMA is configured to determine when a personal restraint system associated with each seat in a vehicle should be deployed. In addition, the programmed processor is configured to perform a diagnostic self-test to determine if the EMA and the personal restraint systems are operational. In one embodiment, results of the diagnostic self-test routine are displayed on a display included on the electronic module assembly. In an alternative embodiment, the results of the diagnostic self-test routine are transmitted via a wireless transceiver to a remote device. The remote device can include a wireless interrogator or can be a remote computer system such as a cabin management computer system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2015
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Inventors: Ronald A. Shields, Peter Anthony Settles, Willard F. Hagan, Giuseppe Gullotto
  • Patent number: 9176202
    Abstract: Electronics module assemblies (“EMAs”) for inflatable personal restraints and associated systems are described herein. An EMA configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology can include, for example, a housing having a body portion, cover portion that attaches to the body portion to form an enclosure, and protrusion extending outwardly from the cover portion. The protrusion can have an outer boundary at which the protrusion projects away from the cover portion. The EMA can further include a crash sensor within the enclosure in an area defined by the outer boundary of the protrusion. The protrusion can form an envelope of space around the crash sensor that defines a minimum distance an external object with a magnetic field can come to the crash sensor without activating it. The EMA can optionally include a magnetic field configured to disable the crash sensor upon the detection of an external magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: AmSafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Andre Baca, Ronald A. Shields, Willard F. Hagan
  • Patent number: 9156558
    Abstract: An electronic module assembly (EMA) for use in controlling one or more personal restraint systems. A programmed processor within the EMA is configured to determine when a personal restraint system associated with each seat in a vehicle should be deployed. In addition, the programmed processor is configured to perform a diagnostic self-test to determine if the EMA and the personal restraint systems are operational. In one embodiment, results of the diagnostic self-test routine are displayed on a display included on the electronic module assembly. In an alternative embodiment, the results of the diagnostic self-test routine are transmitted via a wireless transceiver to a remote device. The remote device can include a wireless interrogator or can be a remote computer system such as a cabin management computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: AmSafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Shields, Peter A. Settles, Willard F. Hagan, Giuseppe Gullotto
  • Patent number: 9153080
    Abstract: A system for testing a number of electronic module assemblies (EMAs) that control one or more personal restraint systems. A programmed processor with a computer system transmits signals that instruct the EMAs to perform a diagnostic self-test. The results of the self-test are received by the computer system and stored in a computer readable memory. In one embodiment, the computer system is a cabin management computer system for use on an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: AmSafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Shields, Peter Anthony Settles
  • Publication number: 20150199856
    Abstract: A system for testing a number of electronic module assemblies (EMAs) that control one or more personal restraint systems. A programmed processor with a computer system transmits signals that instruct the EMAs to perform a diagnostic self-test. The results of the self-test are received by the computer system and stored in a computer readable memory. In one embodiment, the computer system is a cabin management computer system for use on an aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventors: Ronald A. Shields, Peter Anthony Settles
  • Patent number: 8914188
    Abstract: A system for testing a number of electronic module assemblies (EMAs) that control one or more personal restraint systems. A programmed processor with a computer system transmits signals that instruct the EMAs to perform a diagnostic self-test. The results of the self-test are received by the computer system and stored in a computer readable memory. In one embodiment, the computer system is a cabin management computer system for use on an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: AmSafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Anthony Settles, Ronald A. Shields
  • Patent number: 8818759
    Abstract: A system for testing a number of electronic module assemblies (EMAs) that control one or more personal restraint systems. A programmed processor with a computer system transmits signals that instruct the EMAs to perform a diagnostic self-test. The results of the self-test are received by the computer system and stored in a computer readable memory. In one embodiment, the computer system is a cabin management computer system for use on an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: AmSafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Shields, Peter A. Settles
  • Patent number: 8556293
    Abstract: Buckle connectors and airbag assemblies for inflatable personal restraints, and associated methods of use and manufacture are described herein. In one embodiment, an inflatable personal restraint system for use in an aircraft includes a web configured to restrain an occupant in a seat, a connector attached to a distal end portion of the web, and an airbag carried by the web. The restraint system further includes an airbag cover at least partially enclosing the airbag and engaging a portion of the connector. The connector can include a tongue portion configured to be releasably engaged with a corresponding buckle to secure the web around a portion of the occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: AmSafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Andre Baca, Ronald A. Shields
  • Publication number: 20130187646
    Abstract: Electronics module assemblies (“EMAs”) for inflatable personal restraints and associated systems are described herein. An EMA configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology can include, for example, a housing having a body portion, cover portion that attaches to the body portion to form an enclosure, and protrusion extending outwardly from the cover portion. The protrusion can have an outer boundary at which the protrusion projects away from the cover portion. The EMA can further include a crash sensor within the enclosure in an area defined by the outer boundary of the protrusion. The protrusion can form an envelope of space around the crash sensor that defines a minimum distance an external object with a magnetic field can come to the crash sensor without activating it. The EMA can optionally include a magnetic field configured to disable the crash sensor upon the detection of an external magnetic field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: AmSafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Andre Baca, Ronald A. Shields, Willard F. Hagan
  • Patent number: 8403361
    Abstract: Systems for indicating the status of a seatbelt buckle prior to a protective response are disclosed herein. An airbag activation system configured in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosure includes a normally closed magnetically operated reed switch. The reed switch is attached to a connector carried on one portion of a seatbelt, and a magnet is attached to a buckle carried on another portion of the seatbelt. Coupling the connector to the buckle causes the magnetic field of the magnet to move the reed switch from the normally closed position to an open position, thereby enabling the activation system to inflate the airbag in the event of an accident.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: AmSafe, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald A. Shields
  • Publication number: 20120292893
    Abstract: Buckle connectors and airbag assemblies for inflatable personal restraints, and associated methods of use and manufacture are described herein. In one embodiment, an inflatable personal restraint system for use in an aircraft includes a web configured to restrain an occupant in a seat, a connector attached to a distal end portion of the web, and an airbag carried by the web. The restraint system further includes an airbag cover at least partially enclosing the airbag and engaging a portion of the connector. The connector can include a tongue portion configured to be releasably engaged with a corresponding buckle to secure the web around a portion of the occupant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: AmSafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Andre Baca, Ronald A. Shields
  • Publication number: 20120259586
    Abstract: A system for testing a number of electronic module assemblies (EMAs) that control one or more personal restraint systems. A programmed processor with a computer system transmits signals that instruct the EMAs to perform a diagnostic self-test. The results of the self-test are received by the computer system and stored in a computer readable memory. In one embodiment, the computer system is a cabin management computer system for use on an aircraft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: October 11, 2012
    Applicant: AmSafe, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Shields, Peter A. Settles
  • Patent number: D688156
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: AmSafe, Inc.
    Inventors: André Baca, Ronald A. Shields, Greg Vargas