Patents by Inventor Timothy M. Russell

Timothy M. Russell 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: 9328436
    Abstract: Energy absorbing fabrics that are generally flat and that have a controllable and significant elongation distance. The fabrics are comprised of elongation yarns, such as partially oriented yarns (POY), and binder yarns, where the elongation yarns and the binder yarns have various weave-in percentages depending on the desired amount of elongation. In certain embodiments, because they are generally flat, the energy absorbing fabrics are suitable for use in retractors. Also provided are processes of manufacturing generally flat, energy absorbing fabrics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: YKK Corporation of America
    Inventor: Timothy M. Russell
  • Patent number: 8851567
    Abstract: Disclosed are tie down cord assemblies and methods of assembling same. According to some aspects, the tie down cord assembly includes a webbing having a tunnel portion and a flat portion, with the tunnel portion configured to receive a slotted cord and the flat portion configured to attach to fabric. The slotted cord weaves in and out of the tunnel portion and is configured to interact with a seat frame or other suitable structure to secure the fabric to a seat frame. The tie down cord assembly is configured to be universal so that it can be used with seat frames having different dimensions and/or configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: YKK Corporation
    Inventors: Thanh Phat Nguyen, Timothy M. Russell, Larry W. Thompson, John E. Jennings, Brian Micheal Lang, Terry Louis Brown
  • Publication number: 20140273697
    Abstract: Energy absorbing fabrics that are generally flat and that have a controllable and significant elongation distance. The fabrics are comprised of elongation yarns, such as partially oriented yarns (POY), and binder yarns, where the elongation yarns and the binder yarns have various weave-in percentages depending on the desired amount of elongation. In certain embodiments, because they are generally flat, the energy absorbing fabrics are suitable for use in retractors. Also provided are processes of manufacturing generally flat, energy absorbing fabrics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: YKK CORPORATION OF AMERICA
    Inventor: TIMOTHY M. RUSSELL
  • Patent number: 8567559
    Abstract: Fabric structures having elongation yarns and ground yarns that form a sheath are provided, with the structure having two connection segments and at least one expansion segment in between the connection segments. Heat treatment of the one or more expansion segments shrinks the length of the elongation yarns during manufacture. A tensile load applied to the fabric structure stretches the elongation yarns and unfolds the gathered sheath. The elongation yarns absorb energy as the fabric structure elongates. In some embodiments, the fabric structure has more than one expansion segment so that the deployment force of the structure is not constant. In some embodiments, the fabric structure includes a band in some portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: YKK Corporation of America
    Inventor: Timothy M. Russell
  • Publication number: 20130239377
    Abstract: Energy absorbing webbings that are generally flat and that have a controllable elongation distance are provided. The webbings are comprised of elongation yarns, such as partially oriented yarns (POY), and ground yarns. In certain embodiments, because they are generally flat, the energy absorbing webbings are suitable for use in retractors. Also provided are processes of manufacturing generally flat, energy absorbing webbings. In certain embodiments, the webbings are subjected to heat using first and second set of rollers with various feed ratios.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: YKK CORPORATION OF AMERICA
    Inventor: TIMOTHY M. RUSSELL
  • Publication number: 20130127216
    Abstract: Disclosed are tie down cord assemblies and methods of assembling same. According to some aspects, the tie down cord assembly includes a webbing having a tunnel portion and a flat portion, with the tunnel portion configured to receive a slotted cord and the flat portion configured to attach to fabric. The slotted cord weaves in and out of the tunnel portion and is configured to interact with a seat frame or other suitable structure to secure the fabric to a seat frame. The tie down cord assembly is configured to be universal so that it can be used with seat frames having different dimensions and/or configurations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventors: Thanh Phat Nguyen, Timothy M. Russell, Larry W. Thompson, John E. Jennings, Brian Micheal Lang, Terry Louis Brown
  • Patent number: 8387749
    Abstract: Fabric structures having two connection segments and an expansion segment between the two connection segments are provided. The fabric structure includes ground yarns that form a sheath, binder yarns, elongation yarns surrounded by the sheath, and lateral yarns. In the expansion segment, at least some of the lateral yarns are interwoven with the elongation yarns to connect the elongation yarns laterally with the sheath. Heat treatment of the expansion segment shrinks the length of the elongation yarns during manufacture. The sheath does not substantially shrink from the heat treatment relative to the elongation yarns and gathers together in an accordion-like arrangement. A tensile load applied to the fabric structure stretches the elongation yarns and unfolds the gathered sheath. The high strength sheath supports the tensile load when completely unfolded, while the elongation yarns absorbs energy as the fabric structure stretches or elongates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: YKK Corporation of America
    Inventors: Timothy M. Russell, John E. Jennings
  • Patent number: 8387750
    Abstract: Fabric structures having two connection segments and an expansion segment between the two connection segments are provided. The fabric structure includes ground yarns that form a sheath, binder yarns, elongation yarns surrounded by the sheath, and lateral yarns. In the expansion segment, at least some of the lateral yarns are interwoven with the elongation yarns to connect the elongation yarns laterally with the sheath. Heat treatment of the expansion segment shrinks the length of the elongation yarns during manufacture. The sheath does not substantially shrink from the heat treatment relative to the elongation yarns and gathers together in an accordion-like arrangement. A tensile load applied to the fabric structure stretches the elongation yarns and unfolds the gathered sheath. The high strength sheath supports the tensile load when completely unfolded, while the elongation yarns absorbs energy as the fabric structure stretches or elongates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: YKK Corporation of America
    Inventors: Timothy M. Russell, John E. Jennings
  • Patent number: 8316988
    Abstract: Fabric structures having elongation yarns and ground yarns that form a sheath are provided, with the structure having two connection segments and at least one expansion segment in between the connection segments. Heat treatment of the one or more expansion segments shrinks the length of the elongation yarns during manufacture. A tensile load applied to the fabric structure stretches the elongation yarns and unfolds the gathered sheath. The elongation yarns absorb energy as the fabric structure elongates. In some embodiments, the fabric structure has more than one expansion segment so that the deployment force of the structure is not constant. In some embodiments, the fabric structure includes a band in some portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: YKK Corporation of America
    Inventor: Timothy M. Russell
  • Publication number: 20120111439
    Abstract: Fabric structures having two connection segments and an expansion segment between the two connection segments are provided. The fabric structure includes ground yarns that form a sheath, binder yarns, elongation yarns surrounded by the sheath, and lateral yarns. In the expansion segment, at least some of the lateral yarns are interwoven with the elongation yarns to connect the elongation yarns laterally with the sheath. Heat treatment of the expansion segment shrinks the length of the elongation yarns during manufacture. The sheath does not substantially shrink from the heat treatment relative to the elongation yarns and gathers together in an accordion-like arrangement. A tensile load applied to the fabric structure stretches the elongation yarns and unfolds the gathered sheath. The high strength sheath supports the tensile load when completely unfolded, while the elongation yarns absorbs energy as the fabric structure stretches or elongates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: YKK CORPORATION OF AMERICA
    Inventors: Timothy M. Russell, John E. Jennings
  • Patent number: 8163362
    Abstract: A multilayer hose cover for a hose, such as a high-pressure hose, is disclosed. In some embodiments, the hose cover comprises at least three layers that are interwoven together using weft yarn. In these embodiments, the hose cover includes an outer sheath, a middle sheath, and an inner sheath interwoven together by weft yarn in such a way that the layers reinforce one another and are configured to contain the energy associated with a hose burst.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: YKK Corporation of America
    Inventor: Timothy M. Russell
  • Patent number: 8137779
    Abstract: A hose cover for a high pressure hose is disclosed. The hose cover includes an outer sheath and an inner sheath disposed within the outer sheath. The inner and outer sheaths have a woven construction, each have a plurality of warp threads, and a weft thread that is interwoven between the warp threads. The weft thread is woven between the warp threads of the inner and outer sheaths in a pattern such that weft thread is shared between the inner and outer sheath and the inner and outer sheaths are interwoven together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: YKK Corporation of America
    Inventor: Timothy M. Russell
  • Publication number: 20120037262
    Abstract: Energy absorbing webbings that are generally flat and that have a controllable elongation distance are provided. The webbings are comprised of elongation yarns, such as partially oriented yarns (POY), and ground yarns. In certain embodiments, because they are generally flat, the energy absorbing webbings are suitable for use in retractors. Also provided are processes of manufacturing generally flat, energy absorbing webbings. In certain embodiments, the webbings are subjected to heat using first and second set of rollers with various feed ratios.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: YKK Corporation of America
    Inventor: Timothy M. Russell
  • Publication number: 20120040579
    Abstract: Fabric structures having elongation yarns and ground yarns that form a sheath are provided, with the structure having two connection segments and at least one expansion segment in between the connection segments. Heat treatment of the one or more expansion segments shrinks the length of the elongation yarns during manufacture. A tensile load applied to the fabric structure stretches the elongation yarns and unfolds the gathered sheath. The elongation yarns absorb energy as the fabric structure elongates. In some embodiments, the fabric structure has more than one expansion segment so that the deployment force of the structure is not constant. In some embodiments, the fabric structure includes a band in some portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: YKK Corporation of America
    Inventor: Timothy M. Russell
  • Publication number: 20100203268
    Abstract: A multilayer hose cover for a hose, such as a high-pressure hose, is disclosed. In some embodiments, the hose cover comprises at least three layers that are interwoven together using weft yarn. In these embodiments, the hose cover includes an outer sheath, a middle sheath, and an inner sheath interwoven together by weft yarn in such a way that the layers reinforce one another and are configured to contain the energy associated with a hose burst.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2010
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventor: Timothy M. Russell
  • Patent number: 7726350
    Abstract: A tear-away energy absorbing webbing (10) is a one-piece webbing. The tear-away energy absorbing webbing (10) has a top layer load-bearing web (12) and a bottom layer load-bearing web (24). An energy absorbing portion (38) of the webbing has binder yarns (36) interlaced with the top and bottom layer load-bearing webs (12, 14). A sufficiently high load force applied to the webbing breaks the binder yarns (36) and tears apart the top and bottom layer load-bearing webs (12, 14). The energy absorbing portion (38) absorbs energy as it tears apart. The top and bottom layer load-bearing webs (12, 14) support the load force when the shock absorbing portion is torn apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: YKK Corporation of America
    Inventors: John E. Jennings, Timothy M. Russell
  • Publication number: 20090220716
    Abstract: A hose cover for a high pressure hose is disclosed. The hose cover includes an outer sheath and an inner sheath disposed within the outer sheath. The inner and outer sheaths have a woven construction, each have a plurality of warp threads, and a weft thread that it interwoven between the warp threads. The weft thread is woven between the warp threads of the inner and outer sheaths in a pattern such that weft thread is shared between the inner and outer sheath and the inner and outer sheaths are interwoven together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 29, 2008
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: YKK CORPORATION OF AMERICA
    Inventor: Timothy M. Russell
  • Publication number: 20090114307
    Abstract: A tear-away energy absorbing webbing (10) is a one-piece webbing. The tear-away energy absorbing webbing (10) has a top layer load-bearing web (12) and a bottom layer load-bearing web (24). An energy absorbing portion (38) of the webbing has binder yarns (36) interlaced with the top and bottom layer load-bearing webs (12, 14). A sufficiently high load force applied to the webbing breaks the binder yarns (36) and tears apart the top and bottom layer load-bearing webs (12, 14). The energy absorbing portion (38) absorbs energy as it tears apart. The top and bottom layer load-bearing webs (12, 14) support the load force when the shock absorbing portion is torn apart.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Publication date: May 7, 2009
    Applicant: YKK Corporation of America
    Inventors: John E. Jennings, Timothy M. Russell
  • Publication number: 20090023352
    Abstract: Fabric structures having two connection segments and an expansion segment between the two connection segments are provided. The fabric structure includes ground yarns that form a sheath, binder yarns, elongation yarns surrounded by the sheath, and lateral yarns. In the expansion segment, at least some of the lateral yarns are interwoven with the elongation yarns to connect the elongation yarns laterally with the sheath. Heat treatment of the expansion segment shrinks the length of the elongation yarns during manufacture. The sheath does not substantially shrink from the heat treatment relative to the elongation yarns and gathers together in an accordion-like arrangement. A tensile load applied to the fabric structure stretches the elongation yarns and unfolds the gathered sheath. The high strength sheath supports the tensile load when completely unfolded, while the elongation yarns absorbs energy as the fabric structure stretches or elongates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventors: Timothy M. Russell, John E. Jennigs
  • Patent number: RE45673
    Abstract: A hose cover for a high pressure hose is disclosed. The hose cover includes an outer sheath and an inner sheath disposed within the outer sheath. The inner and outer sheaths have a woven construction, each have a plurality of warp threads, and a weft thread that is interwoven between the warp threads. The weft thread is woven between the warp threads of the inner and outer sheaths in a pattern such that weft thread is shared between the inner and outer sheath and the inner and outer sheaths are interwoven together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: YKK Corporation of America
    Inventor: Timothy M. Russell