Patents by Inventor Steven R. Zofchak

Steven R. 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: 7658408
    Abstract: A cushion wrap is secured to a front panel portion of the airbag. Opposite ends of the cushion wrap are secured to the bracket, such that one portion of the cushion wrap tethers one portion of the airbag to the bracket, while another portion of the cushion wrap tethers another portion of the airbag to the bracket. Weakened portions are formed in at least one portion of the cushion wrap such that the cushion wrap restrains one portion of the airbag less than it restrains the other. This provides the ability to control the direction of the deployment of the airbag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Steven R. Zofchak, Dennis Ames Burton
  • Patent number: 7556282
    Abstract: A steering wheel assembly includes a bracket and a spring. At least one arm of the spring is inserted through a first aperture and a second aperture. The arm extends across a hole for receiving a connection pin of an airbag module. The spring retains itself on the bracket without the need for separate fasteners. In the disclosed embodiment, the spring is U-shaped and includes two such arms, each extending through one of a pair of first apertures and one of a pair of second apertures, each arm extending across one of a pair of holes for receiving a connection pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Peter L. Vigeant, Jesse A. Sheldon, Steven R. Zofchak, Michael J. Olesko, Bryan H. Stover
  • Publication number: 20080030008
    Abstract: A cushion wrap is secured to a front panel portion of the airbag. Opposite ends of the cushion wrap are secured to the bracket, such that one portion of the cushion wrap tethers one portion of the airbag to the bracket, while another portion of the cushion wrap tethers another portion of the airbag to the bracket. Weakened portions are formed in at least one portion of the cushion wrap such that the cushion wrap restrains one portion of the airbag less than it restrains the other. This provides the ability to control the direction of the deployment of the airbag.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2006
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventors: Steven R. Zofchak, Dennis Ames Burton