Patents by Inventor S. Mark Bunker

S. Mark Bunker 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: 5667241
    Abstract: An airbag module and mounting. An inflator is received within the cushion, such that the cushion wraps around the back side of the inflator. The inflator includes an extending fastener, and possibly an extending tab. The inflator, or the tab, is partially retained by a receiving structure on the seat. The fastener extends through another section of the seat, such that securing the fastener secures the entire inflator. Additionally, since the cushion surrounds the inflator, the cushion is also secured. To maintain the cushion in the folded condition, a frangible wrap extends around the cushion and inflator. Upon inflation, the frangible wrap, and the seat covering, are torn by the expanding cushion to permit further expansion. This arrangement eliminates the need for a protective housing for the inflator and cushion. Other mounting arrangements are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Morton International, Inc.
    Inventors: S. Mark Bunker, Daniel G. Minert, David J. Green, Davin G. Saderholm, J. Kirk Storey
  • Patent number: 5611563
    Abstract: An airbag inflator assembly including an airbag inflator and an inflator attachment having a sleeve. The inflator includes an elongated sidewall and an end having a flange stop extending outwardly from the sidewall. The sleeve receives and supports the sidewall of the inflator with the flange stop butting against the sleeve. The sleeve has an inwardly extending resilient tab that faces away from the flange stop and engages a gas exhaust port defined by the sidewall to retain the inflator within the sleeve. At least one stud extends transversely to and outwardly from the sleeve for mounting the inflator attachment and inflator within an airbag module. The inflator attachment further includes at least two spaced-apart pairs of diametrically opposed ribs protruding inwardly from the sleeve and grippingly engaging the sidewall of the inflator. The sleeve also defines gas exhaust outlets, which on different versions of the sleeve may vary to accommodate different types of inflators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Assignee: Morton International, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent K. Olson, J. Kirk Storey, David J. Green, Davin G. Saderholm, S. Mark Bunker, Daniel G. Minert
  • Patent number: 5566973
    Abstract: The reaction canister of an airbag module assembly is extruded to include a semicircular floor, first and second sidewalls, and first and second end plates closing the ends of the canister, with the floor extending uniformly between the sidewalls, and a bottom edge of each sidewall defining a channel along its length. A cylindrical inflator chamber is suspended beneath the floor of the canister by opposed parallel wings which are integral with the inflator chamber and are insertable into and slide in the channels to a position wherein the walls of the channel are staked to the wings. A plenum chamber is formed between the curved wall of the inflator chamber and the floor of the reaction canister. The plenum chamber separates gas exit vent holes of the inflator chamber from gas inlet passages or vent holes in the canister floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: Morton International, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Green, Donald R. Lauritzen, S. Mark Bunker, Larry D. Rose
  • Patent number: 5542702
    Abstract: A pressurized gas inflator suited for side impact airbags comprises an elongated cylindrical bottle having a closed end and an open end defining an outlet opening. A diaphragm is sealed across the open end of the bottle to form a chamber containing pressurized gas. A cup-shaped diffuser also has an open end secured to the open end of the bottle with the periphery of the diaphragm therebetween. A squib is mounted in the diffuser for rupturing the diaphragm. An enhanced squib with 300-400 milligrams of ZPP is used in one disclosed inflator and an augmented directional initiator is used in another disclosed inflator. The enhanced squib and augmented directional initiator provide heating to offset adiabatic cooling of the gas. The diffuser defines outlet ports for delivering the inflation gas. The cylindrical bottle has a mounting flange on its closed end, and the mounting flange may be an end cap with a radially extending flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1996
    Assignee: Morton International, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Green, S. Mark Bunker, Walter A. Moore, L. John Pierotti, J. Kirk Storey, Brent K. Olson