Patents by Inventor Thomas J. Klena, II

Thomas J. Klena, II 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: 8193460
    Abstract: A horn switch (40) for a vehicle steering wheel (20) includes a frame (50) for mounting to the steering wheel (20). The frame (50) includes a horn switch housing (56). A plunger (80) is associated with the switch housing (56). The plunger (80) is movable relative to the switch housing (56) between a non-actuating position and an actuating position. An actuatable cable (150) has a portion positioned in the switch housing (56). The actuating cable (150) includes first and second conductors (156, 158) for electrical connection to a circuit that when closed actuates a vehicle horn (30). The actuatable cable (150) has an expanded condition in which the first and second conductors (156, 158) are insulated from each other when the plunger (80) is in the non-actuating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: William P. Braun, Thomas J. Klena, II, Joseph J. Zwolinski, Gabriel Anaya
  • Publication number: 20110259141
    Abstract: A horn switch (40) for a vehicle steering wheel (20) includes a frame (50) for mounting to the steering wheel (20). The frame (50) includes a horn switch housing (56). A plunger (80) is associated with the switch housing (56). The plunger (80) is movable relative to the switch housing (56) between a non-actuating position and an actuating position. An actuatable cable (150) has a portion positioned in the switch housing (56). The actuating cable (150) includes first and second conductors (156, 158) for electrical connection to a circuit that when closed actuates a vehicle horn (30). The actuatable cable (150) has an expanded condition in which the first and second conductors (156, 158) are insulated from each other when the plunger (80) is in the non-actuating position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: William P. Braun, Thomas J. Klena, II, Joseph J. Zwolinski, Gabriel Anaya
  • Patent number: 5257815
    Abstract: A vehicle air bag assembly includes an air bag container with a special orientation device for orienting and supporting an inflator in the container. The air bag container includes a pair of spaced-apart sidewalls. One of the pair of sidewalls has an opening which is dimensioned to receive an inflator. The orientation device comprises an orientation ring coupled to the one of the sidewalls and located at least partially within the opening in the one of the sidewalls. The inflator is loaded into the container through an opening in the orientation ring. The orientation ring has an internal configuration which (i) requires the inflator to be in an initial orientation as the inflator is loaded into the container, and (ii) engages a portion of the inflator to center and support the inflator in a predetermined final orientation when the inflator is coupled to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1993
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Theodore J. Bachelder, Thomas J. Klena, II, Steven W. Maurer, Ronald R. Modlin, James T. Puckett, John E. Stepnick, Jeffrey C. Synor, John P. Wallner
  • Patent number: 5186492
    Abstract: A vehicle air bag module comprises a container, a folded air bag disposed substantially inside the container, and an inflator coupled to the container. The container comprises a reaction device and a cover fastened to the reaction device. A retainer frame is located outside the container. A segment of the air bag material is disposed between the cover and the reaction device, and is connected to the retainer frame. The segment of the air bag is captured between the cover and the reaction device as the cover and reaction device are fastened together. Thus, the same structure which fastens the cover to the reaction device also fastens the air bag to the container. Since the retainer is disposed outside of the container, the volume of the container is relatively small, and the module is relatively compact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Assignee: TRW Vehicle Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric W. Wright, Mark T. Lecznar, Thomas J. Klena, II