Patents by Inventor Scott D. Thomas

Scott D. Thomas 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: 9937834
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seatback having a seatback body and a door pivotally coupled to the seatback body. The seatback defines an internal compartment and an opening leading to the internal compartment. The seatback defines a first seatback edge and a second seatback edge opposite the first seatback edge. The door can rotate relative to the seatback body about an axis, which extends from the first seatback edge to the second seatback edge. The door can move relative to the seatback between an open position and a closed position, and covers the opening leading to the internal compartment when disposed in the closed position. The internal compartment is accessible through the opening when the door is in the open position. The seat assembly further includes a seat base below the seatback. The first seatback edge is closer to the seat base than the second seatback edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Scott D. Thomas, Thomas A. Gillette
  • Patent number: 9841042
    Abstract: A clamp for internally coupling and decoupling two components can include a base fittable within an interior of at least one of two components to be coupled together. The clamp can also include an engagement member movably supported about the base. The engagement member can interface with and engage interior portions of the two components when in a coupled position separated from the interior portions of the two components when in a decoupled position. The clamp can further include a wedge movably supported about the base to facilitate movement of the engagement member between the coupled and the decoupled positions. In addition, the clamp can include a secure and release mechanism operable with the base and the wedge to alternately secure the wedge to maintain the engagement member in the coupled position and release the wedge to facilitate movement of the engagement member to the decoupled position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Matthew Glenn Murphy, Scott D. Thomas, Erick W. Elkins
  • Patent number: 9834171
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a product comprising an airbag mounted in a fender region laterally adjacent a hood and forward of a vehicle side door which provides a means for deployment through a discrete door to provide protection to a pedestrian from impacting the frontal area of a vehicle structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Scott D. Thomas
  • Patent number: 9776719
    Abstract: A container is used to launch a small aircraft, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), from a host aircraft. The container protects the UAV from stresses during the initial ejection from a launcher that is part of the host aircraft. The initial stresses may be due to turbulence in the vicinity of the host aircraft, high airspeed, and/or tumbling that may result from the ejection from the host aircraft moving at a high airspeed. The container may deploy a drag device, such as a drogue chute, to slow the container down and reorient the container, prior to deployment of the UAV from the container. During the time between ejection from the host aircraft and deployment from the container, the UAV may be powered up and acquire data, such as global positioning system (GPS) data, to allow the UAV a “hot start” enabling immediate mission commencement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Erick W. Elkins, Matthew Glenn Murphy, Scott D. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20170158158
    Abstract: A number of variations may include an airbag comprising a first inflatable chamber having at least one gas passage which extends to a second inflatable chamber, wherein the second inflatable chamber is constructed and arranged so that it is at least partially adjacent the first inflatable chamber when the airbag is in an inflated condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventor: SCOTT D. THOMAS
  • Patent number: 9623836
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a product comprising: a pretensioner that moves from a first position to a second position, several with a with guide loop assembly comprising: a guide loop; a pretensioner, wherein the pretensioner is attached to the guide loop; and wherein the pretensioner moves a guide loop from a first position to a second position upon deployment. A number of variations may also include a slot in the pretensioner body through which motion is communicated to a seatbelt anchor or guide loop to move it from a first position to a second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Peter P. Kujawa, George J. Strnad, Matt R. Gohlke, Scott D. Thomas
  • Patent number: 9592788
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a product comprising an airbag cushion constructed and arranged to provide an occupant with at least one of head, shoulder, or torso coverage, wherein the airbag cushion comprises an upper chamber and a lower chamber, and wherein the lower chamber is constructed and arranged to overlap at least a portion of a center console in a vehicle when the airbag cushion is in a deployed condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2017
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Wiik, Scott D. Thomas
  • Patent number: 9511739
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a product comprising an airbag which propels a moving member that releases a hood hinge mechanism upon deployment and which deploys a cushion to provide pedestrian protection from at least one of a rearward region of the hood, a lower windshield, an A-pillar, an outboard region of a hood, or a fender.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Scott D. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20160264029
    Abstract: A seat assembly includes a seatback having a seatback body and a door pivotally coupled to the seatback body. The seatback defines an internal compartment and an opening leading to the internal compartment. The seatback defines a first seatback edge and a second seatback edge opposite the first seatback edge. The door can rotate relative to the seatback body about an axis, which extends from the first seatback edge to the second seatback edge. The door can move relative to the seatback between an open position and a closed position, and covers the opening leading to the internal compartment when disposed in the closed position. The internal compartment is accessible through the opening when the door is in the open position. The seat assembly further includes a seat base below the seatback. The first seatback edge is closer to the seat base than the second seatback edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Scott D. Thomas, Thomas A. Gillette
  • Patent number: 9428135
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a front center airbag system comprising: a first airbag mounted on an inboard side of a first front seat and a second airbag mounted on an inboard side of a second front seat, wherein the first airbag and the second airbag are constructed and arranged so that in a deployment condition the first airbag and the second airbag fill a space between and partially forward of the first front seat and the second front seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2016
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, TK Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Scott D. Thomas, Richard Wiik
  • Publication number: 20160229369
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a front center airbag system comprising: a first airbag mounted on an inboard side of a first front seat and a second airbag mounted on an inboard side of a second front seat, wherein the first airbag and the second airbag are constructed and arranged so that in a deployment condition the first airbag and the second airbag fill a space between and partially forward of the first front seat and the second front seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Inventors: SCOTT D. THOMAS, RICHARD WIIK
  • Publication number: 20160200278
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a product comprising an airbag cushion constructed and arranged to provide an occupant with at least one of head, shoulder, or torso coverage, wherein the airbag cushion comprises an upper chamber and a lower chamber, and wherein the lower chamber is constructed and arranged to overlap at least a portion of a center console in a vehicle when the airbag cushion is in a deployed condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Inventors: RICHARD WIIK, SCOTT D. THOMAS
  • Publication number: 20160121846
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a product comprising: a pretensioner that moves from a first position to a second position, several with a with guide loop assembly comprising: a guide loop; a pretensioner, wherein the pretensioner is attached to the guide loop; and wherein the pretensioner moves a guide loop from a first position to a second position upon deployment. A number of variations may also include a slot in the pretensioner body through which motion is communicated to a seatbelt anchor or guide loop to move it from a first position to a second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2014
    Publication date: May 5, 2016
    Inventors: Peter P. Kujawa, George J. Strnad, Matt R. Gohlke, Scott D. Thomas
  • Patent number: 9283926
    Abstract: A buckle presenter for moving a seat belt buckle with a vehicle seat of a vehicle is provided. The vehicle seat has a seat frame connected to a seat adjustment mechanism that moves the vehicle seat. The buckle presenter includes an anchor strap and a buckle strap. The anchor strap is anchored with respect to the vehicle seat such that it is substantially restricted from moving when the vehicle seat is being adjusted vertically. The buckle is attachable to the buckle strap, which is connectable to the vehicle seat such that it moves with the vehicle seat when it is being adjusted vertically. The buckle strap is configured to move along the anchor strap. When a load is applied to the seat belt buckle, the buckle strap and the anchor strap are configured to interlock such that the buckle strap is substantially restricted from moving vertically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Scott D. Thomas, George J. Strnad, Steven G. Corrion
  • Publication number: 20150266578
    Abstract: A container is used to launch a small aircraft, such as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), from a host aircraft. The container protects the UAV from stresses during the initial ejection from a launcher that is part of the host aircraft. The initial stresses may be due to turbulence in the vicinity of the host aircraft, high airspeed, and/or tumbling that may result from the ejection from the host aircraft moving at a high airspeed. The container may deploy a drag device, such as a drogue chute, to slow the container down and reorient the container, prior to deployment of the UAV from the container. During the time between ejection from the host aircraft and deployment from the container, the UAV may be powered up and acquire data, such as global positioning system (GPS) data, to allow the UAV a “hot start” enabling immediate mission commencement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2013
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Erick W. Elkins, Matthew Glenn Murphy, Scott D. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20150260210
    Abstract: A clamp for internally coupling and decoupling two components. The clamp can include a base fittable within an interior of at least one of two components to be coupled together. The clamp can also include an engagement member movably supported about the base. The engagement member can interface with and engage interior portions of the two components when in a coupled position separated from the interior portions of the two components when in a decoupled position. The clamp can further include a wedge movably supported about the base to facilitate movement of the engagement member between the coupled and the decoupled positions. In addition, the clamp can include a secure and release mechanism operable with the base and the wedge to alternately secure the wedge to maintain the engagement member in the coupled position and release the wedge to facilitate movement of the engagement member to the decoupled position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Applicant: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Matthew Glenn Murphy, Scott D. Thomas, Erick W. Elkins
  • Patent number: 9114776
    Abstract: A vehicle and an airbag assembly are disclosed. A bladder includes a first expandable region defining a first maximum width between first and second sides of the first expandable region along a first axis when in a deployed position and a second expandable region defining a second maximum width between first and second sides of the second expandable region along the first axis when in the deployed position. A tether faces the second side of the first expandable region. The tether is attached to the bladder such that the first side of the second expandable region and the second side of the first expandable region partially overlap each other in the deployed position to cause the first expandable region to deploy outwardly in front of the second expandable region to define a total width along the first axis greater than one of the first and second maximum widths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Scott D. Thomas, Howard C. Weiss, Kenneth M. Zawisa
  • Patent number: 8924086
    Abstract: An airbag is mounted in a vehicle seating system having both the airbag and a pivoting armrest on the same side of the occupant seating position. The armrest pivots between a vertical stored position and a horizontal armrest position. The deployment of the airbag is controlled by deployment logic including: sensing the position of the pivoting armrest to determine the vertical position or the horizontal position; sensing vehicle conditions indicative of a need to deploy the airbag mounted on the seat back; and not deploying the airbag mounted on the seat back if the armrest is in the vertical stored position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Scott D. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20140332303
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a product comprising an airbag which propels a moving member that releases a hood hinge mechanism upon deployment and which deploys a cushion to provide pedestrian protection from at least one of a rearward region of the hood, a lower windshield, an A-pillar, an outboard region of a hood, or a fender.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Scott D. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20140332302
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a product comprising an airbag mounted in a fender region laterally adjacent a hood and forward of a vehicle side door which deploys from the fender region when activated to protect a pedestrian from impacting at least a portion of the frontal area of a vehicle structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Scott D. Thomas