Patents by Inventor Steffen Rothweiler

Steffen Rothweiler 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: 7926841
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection device has a large-area, inflatable gas bag which includes a gas bag wall having an impact surface for the occupant and which has a non-inflatable portion. The non-inflatable portion is provided with at least one elongated opening which can expand and therefore permits a movement of the impact surface upon impact of the occupant and prevents the latter from slipping off from the gas bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Heigl, Steffen Rothweiler, Marco Stix, Steffen Wanner
  • Publication number: 20090184502
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection device has a large-area, inflatable gas bag which includes a gas bag wall having an impact surface for the occupant and which has a non-inflatable portion. The non-inflatable portion is provided with at least one elongated opening which can expand and therefore permits a movement of the impact surface upon impact of the occupant and prevents the latter from slipping off from the gas bag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventors: Juergen Heigl, Steffen Rothweiler, Marco Stix, Steffen Wanner
  • Patent number: 7530598
    Abstract: A gas bag module, in particular a side gas bag module, for a vehicle occupant protection system, has a gas bag, a gas generator, a housing of which has several outflow openings which are disposed such that the gas generator is in principle thrust-neutral. Further provided is a closure element which, in a standard case of release of the gas bag module, prevents gas from flowing out, at least in one direction, and in the case of fire is at least in sections thermally weakened or destroyed, such that the gas generator blows out gas thrust-neutrally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: TRW Automotive GmbH
    Inventors: Anton Fischer, Juergen Heigl, Steffen Rothweiler, Jochen Weiss
  • Publication number: 20060261582
    Abstract: A gas bag module, in particular a side gas bag module, for a vehicle occupant protection system, has a gas bag, a gas generator, a housing of which has several outflow openings which are disposed such that the gas generator is in principle thrust-neutral. Further provided is a closure element which, in a standard case of release of the gas bag module, prevents gas from flowing out, at least in one direction, and in the case of fire is at least in sections thermally weakened or destroyed, such that the gas generator blows out gas thrust-neutrally.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Publication date: November 23, 2006
    Inventors: Anton Fischer, Juergen Heigl, Steffen Rothweiler, Jochen Weiss
  • Patent number: 6634671
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection system comprises an inflatable gas bag, a tensioning band which is tensioned in the case of inflation of the gas bag so that the tensioning band has a tension, and a device which at the end of a predetermined period of time after inflation of the gas bag reduces the tension of the tensioning band.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jürgen Heigl, Steffen Rothweiler
  • Patent number: 6520522
    Abstract: A side impact protection device comprising an inflatable gas bag which in an inflated state at least partially covers at least one side window of a vehicle. At least one emergency opening device is provided on the gas bag, by means of which the gas bag can be vented. The invention further relates to a side impact protection device comprising an inflatable gas bag and a tensioning band by means of which the gas bag is fastened to the vehicle. A separation device is provided by which the fastening, via the tensioning band, of the gas bag to the vehicle can be released.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2003
    Assignee: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Steffen Rothweiler, Lothar Zink
  • Publication number: 20020084633
    Abstract: A vehicle occupant protection system comprises an inflatable gas bag, a tensioning band which is tensioned in the case of inflation of the gas bag so that the tensioning band has a tension, and a device which at the end of a predetermined period of time after inflation of the gas bag reduces the tension of the tensioning band.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2001
    Publication date: July 4, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jurgen Heigl, Steffen Rothweiler
  • Publication number: 20010017458
    Abstract: The invention relates to a side impact protection device comprising an inflatable gas bag which in an inflated state at least partially covers at least one side window of a vehicle. At least one emergency opening device is provided on the gas bag, by means of which the gas bag can be vented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2001
    Publication date: August 30, 2001
    Applicant: TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH & Co, KG
    Inventors: Steffen Rothweiler, Lothar Zink