Patents by Inventor Shuji Kusaka

Shuji Kusaka 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: 6586948
    Abstract: A device is provided for measuring the weight of a vehicle seat and the weight of a person sitting on the vehicle seat. The device is equipped with a load sensor for converting at least a part of the seat weight to an electric signal, and a deviation/deflection absorbing mechanism which has a pin bracket and a pin and is provided between the seat and the load sensor. The deviation amount that can be absorbed by this absorbing mechanism is a fixed value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2003
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Aoki, Shuji Kusaka
  • Patent number: 6571647
    Abstract: In order to provide a seat weight measuring apparatus in which the performance of load sensors is not spoiled due to dimensional error or deformation of a vehicle body or a seat and provides higher precision measurement, a seat weight measuring apparatus is provided for measuring a seat weight including the weight of a passenger sitting thereon and comprises load sensors for converting at least parts of the seat weight into electric signals and a dislocation/deflection absorbing mechanism (pin brackets and pins) arranged between a seat and the load sensors. Each load sensor comprises a cantilever-type sensor plate which is deformable when subjected to load, and a plurality of strain gauges attached to one surface (strain measuring surface) of the sensor plate. The load sensor is so structured that one of the strain gauges is subjected to tensile strain while the other one of the strain gauges is subjected to the compressive strain when the sensor plate is subjected to the applied load and is thus deformed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Aoki, Shuji Kusaka
  • Patent number: 6342683
    Abstract: A seat weight measuring apparatus and supporting structure that can be installed in a vehicle without changing the height of the existing seat frame. This is done by shifting the centerline of the sensor unit from the centerline of the seat frame to take advantage of a space for the insertion of the sensor on the side of the frame. Accordingly, the seat height does not need to be raised by the thickness of the sensor unit as required in the conventional seat weight measuring apparatus. Depending on where space is available underneath the seat, the sensor units may also be positioned perpendicular to the seat rail, in an “X” shape, a “Y” shape, or a “T” shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi Aoki, Shuji Kusaka
  • Patent number: 6227566
    Abstract: An airbag device is formed of a retainer, an outer bag having a gas inlet, an inner bag located in the outer bag, a module cover fixed to the retainer for covering the outer bag, and an inflator attached around the opening of the retainer. A periphery of the gas inlet is disposed around an opening of the retainer. The inflator includes a toroidal main body having a front side portion with a gas outlet and a rear side portion, a first flange extending from an outer periphery of the main body and fixed to the retainer, a second flange extending from an inner periphery of the main body to which the inner bag is fixed, and an air vent hole for providing a communication between the front side portion and the rear side portion. The gas from the inflator is supplied between the inner and outer bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Shuji Kusaka, Tadayuki Ato
  • Patent number: 6213496
    Abstract: An airbag device is formed of a retainer having a center opening, an air bag, and at least one inflater fixed to the retainer. The air bag includes an outer bag having an outer bag opening, and an inner bag arranged inside the outer bag and having an inner bag opening. The peripheries of the outer and inner bag openings are directly or indirectly fixed to the retainer so that the inner bag communicates with an outside through the outer bag opening and the center opening. The inflater has a main body containing a gas generating agent therein and faces a space between the outer and inner bags to directly supply gas to the space when the inflater is actuated. When the gas is supplied to the space between the outer and inner bags, air is inspired into the inner bag through the center opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshihiko Minami, Yoshiyuki Nakano, Shuji Kusaka, Norihiko Kitagishi, Tadayuki Ato
  • Patent number: 6203062
    Abstract: In folding an air bag, the air bag is folded in a first direction and a counter first direction to form a loosing portion in a center area of the air bag at a side opposite to the occupant. Then, the air bag is folded in a second direction and a counter second direction perpendicular to the first and counter first directions, and the air bag is folded in the first direction and the counter first direction. The air bag can smoothly deploy upon actuation of an air bag device, and can securely and sufficiently restrain an occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Takata Corporation
    Inventors: Shuji Kusaka, Tadayuki Ato