Patents by Inventor William Estep

William Estep 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: 5879024
    Abstract: The air bag deployment inhibitor circuit is a fail-safe type of circuit inserted between the power source and the squib which actuates the air bag inflator. The circuit has a normally closed seat adjustment limit switch and a seat belt switch normally open when the seat belt is properly buckled. The seat belt switch is in series with the coil of a relay. Both the seat adjustment limit switch and the contacts of the relay are in series between the power source and the squib, so that if either the seat adjustment switch is open, or the seat belt is unbuckled, opening the relay contacts, the air bag is deactivated and will not deploy. The circuit may include either one indicator light or LED to show the air bag is enabled, or a separate indicator for each switch to indicate the reason why the air bag is not enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Inventor: William Estep