Patents by Inventor Steven J. Ahlquist

Steven J. Ahlquist 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).

  • Snap together mounting of an air bag module and a vehicle steering wheel
    Patent number: 6783150
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) comprises a support plate (24) having a front surface (34) that is at least partially defined by first and second outer edge portions (26 and 28). Resilient locking members (166 and 182) extend laterally outwardly of the first and second outer edge portions (26 and 28). An air bag module (14) has a base plate portion (110) that is mountable on the support plate (24). The base plate portion (110) includes structure (126 and 134) for deflecting the locking members (166 and 182) laterally inwardly toward the first and second outer edge portions (26 and 28) during movement of the base plate portion (110) toward the front surface (34) of the support plate (24). The locking members (166 and 182) snap laterally outwardly over the structure (126 and 134) of the base plate portion (110) to lock the air bag module (14) on the support plate (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Ahlquist
  • SNAP TOGETHER MOUNTING OF AN AIR BAG MODULE AND A VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL
    Publication number: 20040061317
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) comprises a support plate (24) having a front surface (34) that is at least partially defined by first and second outer edge portions (26 and 28). Resilient locking members (166 and 182) extend laterally outwardly of the first and second outer edge portions (26 and 28). An air bag module (14) has a base plate portion (110) that is mountable on the support plate (24). The base plate portion (110) includes structure (126 and 134) for deflecting the locking members (166 and 182) laterally inwardly toward the first and second outer edge portions (26 and 28) during movement of the base plate portion (110) toward the front surface (34) of the support plate (24). The locking members (166 and 182) snap laterally outwardly over the structure (126 and 134) of the base plate portion (110) to lock the air bag module (14) on the support plate (24).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventor: Steven J. Ahlquist