Patents by Inventor Stefan Hepp

Stefan Hepp 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: 10239482
    Abstract: A method for folding an airbag includes folding the airbag into an elongate state at least partially by roll-folding. The method also includes inserting a gas generator and/or an airbag-retaining metal sheet into the airbag. The gas generator and/or the airbag-retaining metal sheet is/are located in the central third of the airbag folded in elongate shape so that two end portions of the airbag project from the gas generator and/or from the airbag-retaining metal sheet. The method also includes guiding the airbag end portions around the outer circumference of the gas generator and/or of the airbag-retaining metal sheet in opposite directions toward each other up to a folding zone in which the end portions of the airbag at least almost contact each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Hepp, Steffen Rothmeier
  • Publication number: 20180229686
    Abstract: A method for folding an airbag includes folding the airbag into an elongate state at least partially by roll-folding. The method also includes inserting a gas generator and/or an airbag-retaining metal sheet into the airbag. The gas generator and/or the airbag-retaining metal sheet is/are located in the central third of the airbag folded in elongate shape so that two end portions of the airbag project from the gas generator and/or from the airbag-retaining metal sheet. The method also includes guiding the airbag end portions around the outer circumference of the gas generator and/or of the airbag-retaining metal sheet in opposite directions toward each other up to a folding zone in which the end portions of the airbag at least almost contact each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Stefan Hepp, Steffen Rothmeier
  • Patent number: 9981628
    Abstract: A method for folding an airbag (10) provides that the airbag (10) is first folded in a zigzag manner, that a gas generator (14) and/or an airbag-retaining metal sheet is/are placed in the airbag (10), whereupon end portions of the airbag extend around the outer circumference of the gas generator (14) and/or of the airbag-retaining metal sheet toward each other in opposite directions up to a folding zone (26) from where the end portions are folded over outwards and are laid down in the opposite direction. Also disclosed is a corresponding airbag module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Hepp
  • Publication number: 20170197577
    Abstract: A method for folding an airbag (10) provides that the airbag (10) is first folded in a zigzag manner, that a gas generator (14) and/or an airbag-retaining metal sheet is/are placed In the airbag (10), whereupon end portions of the airbag extend around the outer circumference of the gas generator (14) and/or of the airbag-retaining metal sheet toward each other in opposite directions up to a folding zone (26) from where the end portions are folded over outwards and are laid down in the opposite direction. Also disclosed is a corresponding airbag module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Publication date: July 13, 2017
    Inventor: Stefan Hepp
  • Patent number: 9333933
    Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag package (1) for an occupant restraint system of an automotive vehicle comprising a folded airbag (2) and clearances formed between the material of the airbag, wherein the airbag package (1) has a real package volume Vreal composed of the airbag volume VSack of the airbag (2) and the clearance volume Vfrei of the clearances. The invention excels by the fact that the ratio Vreal/VSack between the package volume Vreal and the airbag volume VSack is at most 3.2. The invention further relates to an occupant restraint system comprising such airbag package and to a method of manufacturing an airbag package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Kunkel, Klaus Freudenberger, Dieter Rumpf, Stefan Sapountzis, Stefan Hepp, Stefan Bachmann, Timm Herold
  • Publication number: 20150130167
    Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag package (1) for an occupant restraint system of an automotive vehicle comprising a folded airbag (2) and clearances formed between the material of the airbag, wherein the airbag package (1) has a real package volume Vreal composed of the airbag volume VSack of the airbag (2) and the clearance volume Vfrei of the clearances. The invention excels by the fact that the ratio Vreal/VSack between the package volume Vreal and the airbag volume VSack is at most 3.2. The invention further relates to an occupant restraint system comprising such airbag package and to a method of manufacturing an airbag package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Michael Kunkel, Klaus Freudenberger, Dieter Rumpf, Stefan Sapountzis, Stefan Hepp, Stefan Bachmann, Timm Herold
  • Publication number: 20070085315
    Abstract: A gas bag module for a vehicle occupant restraint system includes a mounting (10) which has an outlet opening (18) closed by a cover (16). The gas bag module further comprises a gas bag (14) accommodated in the mounting (10), which unfolds from a folded state out of the outlet opening (18) when the gas bag module (12) is activated. In the folded state the gas bag (14) is folded in a mushroom-like manner. A non-folded section (20) of the gas bag (14) is delimited by a constriction (22) and lies directly opposite the cover (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2006
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Inventors: Stefan Hepp, Manfred Berninger