Patents by Inventor Thomas E. Funk

Thomas E. Funk 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: 6979021
    Abstract: An integral initiator assembly and an inflator device including the integral initiator assembly. The integral initiator assembly including a body having a first end including an opening. An initiator canister including a reactive charge and a conductive pin is joined to the body in discharge alignment with the first end opening by an injection-molded material. At least two gas exit holes are included in the body and positioned radially relative to a longitudinal axis of the initiator canister. The gas exit holes in gas flow communication with a gas flow space between an inside surface of the body and the initiator canister to allow inflation gas to exit the integral initiator assembly. A rupturable disk seals the opening of the first end. The integral initiator assembly is attached to the body at the first end over the sealed opening and filled with inflation gas to form an inflator device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony M. Young, Thomas E. Funk