Patents by Inventor Steve Zofchak

Steve Zofchak 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: 7100939
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a modular headliner assembly (220) for a vehicle (12) having a side structure (16) and a roof (18). The headliner assembly (220) includes a headliner (170), an inflatable curtain (14), a fill tube (22), and a support device (40) that clamps around the fill tube to connect the tube and the curtain to the support device. A grab handle (150) has a portion extendable through the headliner (170) and into the support device (40) to connect the grab handle and the support device to the headliner. The apparatus (10) also includes a first connector (122) for connecting the support device (40) to the vehicle (12) to initially connect the headliner assembly (220) to the vehicle. The apparatus (10) further includes a second connector (180) extendable through the support device (40) and the grab handle (150) to fixedly connect the headliner assembly (220) to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: TRW Automotive U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Thomas E. Blake, III, Gary G. Gordon, Steve Zofchak
  • Patent number: 6736421
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) having a side structure (16) and a roof (18) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) is inflatable away from the vehicle roof (18) into a position between the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and the vehicle occupant. A fill tube (22) has a portion located in the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The apparatus (10) also includes at least one support device (40) that has a portion (42) that clamps around a portion of the fill tube (22). The apparatus (10) further includes a grab handle (150) that has at least one portion (156) adapted to interconnect with the support device (40). A fastener (180) is extendable through the support device (40) to connect the grab handle (150), support device (40), fill tube (22) and inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) to the vehicle (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Blake, III, Gary G. Gordon, Steve Zofchak
  • Publication number: 20040012173
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) includes a modular headliner assembly (220) for a vehicle (12) having a side structure (16) and a roof (18). The headliner assembly (220) includes a headliner (170), an inflatable curtain (14), a fill tube (22), and a support device (40) that clamps around the fill tube to connect the tube and the curtain to the support device. A grab handle (150) has a portion extendable through the headliner (170) and into the support device (40) to connect the grab handle and the support device to the headliner. The apparatus (10) also includes a first connector (122) for connecting the support device (40) to the vehicle (12) to initially connect the headliner assembly (220) to the vehicle. The apparatus (10) further includes a second connector (180) extendable through the support device (40) and the grab handle (150) to fixedly connect the headliner assembly (220) to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Applicant: TRE Automative U.S. LLC
    Inventors: Thomas E. Blake, Gary G. Gordon, Steve Zofchak
  • Publication number: 20020130494
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) having a side structure (16) and a roof (18) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) is inflatable away from the vehicle roof (18) into a position between the side structure (16) of the vehicle (12) and the vehicle occupant. A fill tube (22) has a portion located in the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14). The apparatus (10) also includes at least one support device (40) that has a portion (42) that clamps around a portion of the fill tube (22). The apparatus (10) further includes a grab handle (150) that has at least one portion (156) adapted to interconnect with the support device (40). A fastener (180) is extendable through the support device (40) to connect the grab handle (150), support device (40), fill tube (22) and inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) to the vehicle (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2001
    Publication date: September 19, 2002
    Applicant: TRW Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas E. Blake, Gary G. Gordon, Steve Zofchak