Patents by Inventor Terry Wheelwright

Terry Wheelwright 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: 9469258
    Abstract: A wire retention feature for an airbag module is provided where the airbag module has an inflator, a wire harness, and at least one of a cover, a wrapper, and a cushion. The wire retention feature has a tab extending from at least one of the cover, the wrapper, and the cushion, and a fastener securely attached to the wire harness. The fastener is securely connectable to the tab such that a pulling force being applied to the wire harness is distributed among the fastener, the tab, and at least one of the cover, the wrapper, and the cushion without negatively affecting the transmission of electrical signals through the wire harness to the inflator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Incorporated
    Inventors: Roger Rickenbach, Terry Wheelwright, Megan Donahue, Don Parker, Andrew Holiday
  • Publication number: 20050248132
    Abstract: An inflatable side airbag apparatus having a thorax cushion and an independently inflatable overlapping high pressure pelvic cushion is disclosed. The airbag system provides for rapid deployment of the pelvic cushion. The thorax cushion inflates adjacent to and provides impact protection for an occupant's thorax and pelvis in a lateral collision. The pelvic cushion inflates between the thorax cushion and the side structure of the vehicle and provides impact protection for the occupant's pelvis. The airbag system also includes an inflator having a gas guide that is in fluid communication with both cushions, and inflates the pelvic cushion to a higher pressure than the thorax cushion. The thorax cushion further includes a diffuser hood for diverting inflation gas toward the pelvic region of the cushion, thereby rapidly positioning the pelvic cushion in its intended deployment position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2004
    Publication date: November 10, 2005
    Inventor: Terry Wheelwright
  • Publication number: 20050110244
    Abstract: An inflatable fabric cushion is disclosed that can maintain a high internal pressure while having an exposed inflator squib. The inflatable cushion has a precision opening sized to be commensurate with a diameter of the inflator squib. The precision opening tightly circumscribes the inflator to limit leakage of inflation gas when the squib projects out of the opening. The cushion also has a throat through which the inflator may be inserted into the cushion. After the inflator is inserted into the cushion, the throat is sealed closed by wrapping the throat around the inflator housing and being cinched when the airbag assembly is mounted on a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Publication date: May 26, 2005
    Inventors: Terry Wheelwright, James Nelson