Inflatable Passenger Restraint Or Confinement (e.g., Air Bag) Or Attachment Patents (Class 280/728.1)
  • Patent number: 10479315
    Abstract: An airbag (1) including two opposing side walls (3) a lower wall (4) and an upper wall (5) forming an inflation opening (2) and a front wall (6). The airbag (1) is formed by sections of a one-part cut fabric (7). The upper wall (5) or the lower wall (4) is formed by two sections (8) of the cut fabric (7) along a connection (9), wherein the cut fabric (7) is folded and only the upper wall (5) or only the lower wall (4) is formed from two sections (8) and from the inflation opening (2) one connection (9) of the one-part cut fabric (7) extends toward the front wall (6). The one-part cut-fabric (7) forms a fitting section (10) for a gas generator. In a flatly extended state the fitting section (1) is adjacent to the two sections (8) forming lower wall (4) or the upper wall (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventor: Ralf Zauritz
  • Patent number: 10471921
    Abstract: An airbag unit for a motor vehicle safety device includes an inflatable airbag formed of flexible material and provided in a rolled and/or folded package. The inflatable airbag is held under compression by a cover extending around at least part of the package. The cover is formed of a molded pulp material and is configured to impart a predetermined stable shape to the unit. A method of packaging an airbag in such a manner is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Karin Ydrén, Dan Persson, Nathalie Ducrocq
  • Patent number: 10464518
    Abstract: A seat includes a seatback having an exterior panel. The seat includes a first member and a second member each being inflatable to an inflated position and defining an inflation chamber, the inflation chambers spaced from each other. The exterior panel extends between and is secured to the first member and the second member external to the inflation chambers in the inflated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Deepak Patel, Zhibing Deng, Brian Robert Spahn
  • Patent number: 10442388
    Abstract: A method for folding a knee airbag apparatus may include: folding an upper portion of an airbag cushion part a plurality of times; stacking a main folding part and a pair of side folding parts by folding both side portions of the airbag cushion part folded the plurality of times toward the center; and stacking a cover folding part over the pair of side folding parts by folding a lower portion of the airbag cushion part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: I Seul Kang
  • Patent number: 10421425
    Abstract: An occupant protection device for a vehicle, including an airbag system which, for protecting an occupant, includes at least one first airbag whose expansion movement in the vehicle longitudinal direction extends toward the occupant and in the vehicle vertical direction extends from bottom to top, and a second airbag whose expansion movement in the vehicle longitudinal direction extends toward the occupant and in the vehicle vertical direction extends from top to bottom, at least one sensor system that detects collision-relevant and/or occupant-relevant information, and an evaluation and control unit that evaluates the collision-relevant and/or occupant-relevant information and controls the airbag system as a function of the evaluation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Johannes Ludwig Foltin
  • Patent number: 10392115
    Abstract: Tubular bodies for use in frames for seats of vehicles such as aircraft are described. A tube can include a sidewall that has a variable thickness along the length of the tube. The variable thickness of the sidewalls can result in the tube having a variable inner diameter along the length of the tube. The tube may also include a variable outer diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: C&D Zodiac, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary Tien Le, Aram Aris Krikorian
  • Patent number: 10384634
    Abstract: Side airbag cushions, side airbag assemblies and related methods for stowing a side airbag cushion in a cover to provide, upon deployment, improved timing of pelvis coverage for an associated vehicle passenger are provided. The side airbag cushion desirably includes a first rolled portion and a second accordion folded portion and, wherein, upon deployment, the accordion folded portion provides improved timing allowing for better pelvis coverage for the associated vehicle passenger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: Derek John Wiscombe, Charles Paul Dinsdale, Don Larry Parker, Terry Alan Wheelwright, Andrew Lawrence Holiday, Christine Elizabeth Devey
  • Patent number: 10377338
    Abstract: A device at least for moving a mass includes a hollow cylindrical airbag fluidically coupled to a gas generator. The airbag is arranged fixedly with one end on an object and a traction element is fixed in the region of an opposite end. The mass to be moved is arranged on the traction element. When the airbag unfolds traction is exerted on the traction element in such a way that the mass is able to be moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: DAIMLER AG
    Inventor: Till Heinrich
  • Patent number: 10369957
    Abstract: A side airbag for enhancing protection of a shoulder area of a vehicle occupant having an airbag (10) which deploys beside an occupant toward the vehicle front, and an inflator (20). Before deploying, the airbag (10) is in a state having: an overlapping part (12) formed by overlapping a portion near an end part by accordion-folding or rolling; a folded-back part (14) on an inner side of the overlapping part (12) in a vehicle width direction and extended toward the front of the vehicle and folded back toward the rear of the vehicle; and a bent part (16) formed by bending a portion of the folded-back part (14), protruding from the overlapping part (12) toward the front of the vehicle toward an outer side in the vehicle width direction and covering at least part of the overlapping part (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Naoki Hatakeyama, Keita Eguchi, Yuto Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 10351090
    Abstract: An airbag has an occupant protection portion at a rear face when inflation is completed. The occupant protection portion includes a frontal collision restriction face and an oblique collision restriction face which protrudes rearward from the frontal collision restriction face on the left or right sides of the frontal collision restriction face. A restriction recessed portion for allowing a head of an occupant to enter and to be restricted is formed between the frontal collision restriction face and the oblique collision restriction face. A slip portion having excellent sliding properties compared to those of other regions of the frontal collision restriction face is disposed in a region from a surface side of the frontal collision restriction face to a surface side of an inner wall portion in the restriction recessed portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Ikuo Yamada
  • Patent number: 10336281
    Abstract: There is provided a side curtain airbag apparatus. The side curtain airbag apparatus includes a bag that is inflated and unfolded, a piece of fixing hardware that is fixed to an edge portion of the bag and includes a temporary fixing claw capable of being locked to a locking portion of a vehicle body panel, and a protector that includes a lower contact portion in contact with a lower surface of a bent portion of the vehicle body panel and surrounds the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kei Takahashi, Daiei Tonoka
  • Patent number: 10315731
    Abstract: A signal buoy (1) for retrieval of submerged objects, the signal buoy line's cross section has an aspect ratio greater than two and two tenths to one and preferably greater than four to one. In some aspect the signal buoy line includes conductors so as to permit communicating with submerged objects. In other aspects, the present disclosure teaches a combination of a signal buoy and a buoyant fiber mooring rope storage structure for storing submerged in a body of water and above a seabed or other bottom of the body of water a fiber mooring rope for future retrieval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Hampidjan, hf
    Inventor: Hjortur Erlendsson
  • Patent number: 10308210
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of folding an airbag (10), especially a driver airbag module, comprising a front airbag layer (11) which is connected at feast in portions to a rear airbag layer (12), the method comprising the following steps of: a) flatly spreading the airbag (10) onto a support surface (15) so that the front airbag layer (11) comes to rest on the rear airbag layer (12), b) folding, especially zigzag folding, at least in portions each of an upper airbag portion (20) and a lower airbag portion (21) in the direction of a transverse axis (Q) of the airbag (10), c) furling each of a left-hand lateral airbag portion (30) and a right-hand lateral airbag portion (31) in the direction of a longitudinal axis (L) of the airbag (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: DELPHI METAL ESPANA S.A.
    Inventors: Angel Collazo Gomez, Ramon Bana Castro
  • Patent number: 10293779
    Abstract: An airbag has an inflatable airbag cushion having panels of material joined to create the inflatable airbag cushion including a neck portion for receiving inflation gas at an inflation inlet and a generally opposed front face portion. An externally attached guide panel of material is externally affixed to the airbag cushion at a first end at least halfway toward the opposed front face portion relative to the neck portion or affixed at the front face portion and a second end is connected at the neck portion of the airbag cushion or in close proximity to the airbag cushion near the inflation inlet. The externally attached guide panel is only attached at the first and second ends and upon inflation of the airbag cushion the externally attached guide panel tightens between the first and second ends directing the airbag deployment towards a seat-belted occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Key Safety Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Heather Mallinger, William Siewert, Mouaying Vang, Daniel Clyne
  • Patent number: 10298823
    Abstract: A camera assembly for a vehicle vision system includes a housing having a first housing portion and a second housing portion, with a circuit element disposed within the first housing portion. The second housing portion has a connector portion configured for connecting to a vehicle wiring when the camera assembly is installed at a vehicle. A coaxial connector is disposed at the connector portion of the second housing portion. The coaxial connector includes a plurality of electrical coaxial connector elements. Each of the electrical coaxial connector elements has (i) a first end that is configured for electrically connecting to circuitry of the circuit element within the first housing portion and (ii) a second end that is configured for electrically connecting to the vehicle wiring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Stefan Sauer, Jens Steigerwald, Nazar F. Bally, Marc Sigle, Achim Newiger
  • Patent number: 10259390
    Abstract: Systems and method are provided for a towing vehicle towing a trailer having at least one imaging device. A method includes: receiving, from a first imaging device coupled to the trailer, a first image stream having a plurality of first images; receiving, from a second imaging device coupled to the vehicle, a second image stream having a plurality of second images; determining, at least one common feature between a first image of the first images and a second image of the second images; determining a first distance from the first imaging device to the at least one common feature and a second distance from the second imaging device to the at least one common feature; and determining, a position of the first imaging device relative to the vehicle based on the first distance, the second distance and a known position and pose of the second imaging device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Wende Zhang, Jinsong Wang, Esther Anderson
  • Patent number: 10259419
    Abstract: A gas bag arrangement with a gas bag and a filling mechanism arranged in an opening of the gas bag for filling the gas bag with gas is provided. It is provided that the filling mechanism is elastically held in the opening by a holding mechanism arranged in the region of the opening, wherein the holding mechanism has elastic properties due to which it exerts holding forces on the filling mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Germany GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Weyrich, Mirko Korth
  • Patent number: 10253172
    Abstract: There is provided a thermoplastic elastomer composition for an air bag cover obtained by dynamically heat-treating, in the presence of a cross-linking agent, and the following components (A1), (B) and (C), wherein component (A1): a propylene-based resin, component (B): an ethylene-?-olefin-nonconjugated diene copolymer rubber, and component (C): a mineral oil-based softener, which is excellent in appearance and mechanical strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: SUMITOMO CHEMICAL COMPANY, LIMITED
    Inventor: Kousuke Ohtani
  • Patent number: 10252691
    Abstract: A number of variations may include a product comprising an airbag cushion protector constructed and arranged to be place in an airbag chute and so that a first portion of the airbag cushion protector covers the edges of an airbag door during deployment of an airbag cushion and so that the first portion of the protector is interposed between the edges of the airbag door and the airbag cushion throughout deployment of the airbag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: William J. Barnes
  • Patent number: 10239620
    Abstract: An airplane seat device includes at least one airplane seat, and at least one console arranged, viewed in a flight direction, in front of the airplane seat, and at least one airbag element which is configured to protect in a crash event a passenger sitting in the airplane seat from crashing onto the console. At least one airbag element features, in a fully deployed state, at least in a head-impact zone, a thickness which is smaller than a thickness in at least one shoulder-impact zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: RECARO Aircraft Seating GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Florian Strobl, Simon Weisenberger, Mohammed Daher, Juergen Kammerer
  • Patent number: 10239420
    Abstract: A system and method for positioning a seat arrangement in a vehicle includes moving the seat arrangement forward by a first amount when a certain criteria are met. The criteria may include at least one criterion related to occupancy of a seat directly behind the seat arrangement and at least one criterion related to a likelihood of an impact into the vehicle from behind the seat arrangement. The method may also include not moving the seat arrangement forward by the first amount when at least one of the criteria is not met.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Arjun Yetukuri, Mladen Humer, Karl Henn, Jasmine Pizana, Curtis Hudson
  • Patent number: 10239482
    Abstract: A method for folding an airbag includes folding the airbag into an elongate state at least partially by roll-folding. The method also includes inserting a gas generator and/or an airbag-retaining metal sheet into the airbag. The gas generator and/or the airbag-retaining metal sheet is/are located in the central third of the airbag folded in elongate shape so that two end portions of the airbag project from the gas generator and/or from the airbag-retaining metal sheet. The method also includes guiding the airbag end portions around the outer circumference of the gas generator and/or of the airbag-retaining metal sheet in opposite directions toward each other up to a folding zone in which the end portions of the airbag at least almost contact each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: TRW AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Hepp, Steffen Rothmeier
  • Patent number: 10189430
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes a seat back, and an airbag that deploys in the seat back. The airbag deploys in the seat back in such a way that, after having deployed, the airbag elastically supports an upper body of an occupant and elastically receives an impact force applied to a back surface of the seat back. After having deployed, the airbag has such a shape that a deployment amount, in a front-back direction, of the airbag near a side of the seat back is greater than that near a center of the seat back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: SUBARU CORPORATION
    Inventor: Isamu Nagasawa
  • Patent number: 10173628
    Abstract: Provided is an airbag and an airbag apparatus that are easy to manufacture and in which the amount of gas to be released from the inside of the airbag when a passenger in proximity is restrained can be increased. An airbag includes a first panel member provided on an instrument-panel side, and a second panel member provided on a passenger side. The first panel member includes a deploying part that is deployable into a tapered cylindrical shape whose diameter increases toward the distal side thereof. The second panel member has on the proximal side thereof a fitting port whose diameter is smaller than the maximum diameter of the deploying part. In a state where the airbag has been inflated, the fitting port is anchored to the deploying part. If a passenger in proximity is restrained, gas is releasable from a clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: JOYSON SAFETY SYSTEMS JAPAN K. K.
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Abe, Yasuhito Miyata, Shinji Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 10173630
    Abstract: Provided is an airbag device that is to be mounted in a vehicle, and includes: an inflator configured to generate a gas; an airbag configured to be inflated with the gas generated by the inflator; a holding member housing the airbag in a folded state and being provided with an opening which allows inflation and deployment of the airbag therethrough; and a flap configured to restrict inflation and deployment of the airbag through the opening, the airbag including a roll folded portion being roll-folded and disposed on an occupant side, and two flip folded portions each being accordion-folded or tucked inside and disposed on a vehicle front side, the flap including a first restricting portion covering the roll folded portion and being held between the roll folded portion and the holding member, and a second restricting portion being secured to the airbag between the two flip folded portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2019
    Assignee: ASHIMORI INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yuta Minami, Daijiro Katayama, Satoshi Yamashita
  • Patent number: 10150442
    Abstract: In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a motor vehicle airbag occupant restraint system fastener includes a metal clip, a first thermoplastic connector, a second thermoplastic connector, and a thermoplastic tether. The thermoplastic tether extends between the first and second thermoplastic connectors. Opposing ends of the thermoplastic tether are seamlessly integrated into the first and second thermoplastic connectors, respectively. The first and second thermoplastic connectors are formed of a first material and the thermoplastic tether is formed of a second material that is different from the first.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Newfrey LLC
    Inventors: Steven Michael Benedetti, Grant Gerbasi Garrett
  • Patent number: 10144459
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a sightseeing-touring vehicle with theater that has open plan architecture with wide openings (windows) that surround the sightseeing-touring occupants. The open-space architecture provides optimal views of surrounding sights, including a view of a large video display while maintaining all the creature comforts of a conventional vehicle for patrons inside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Inventor: Kamrouz Farhadi
  • Patent number: 10099647
    Abstract: An instrument-panel assembly in a vehicle includes an instrument panel extending along a longitudinal axis and an airbag supported by the instrument panel. The airbag is inflatable from an undeployed position to a deployed position. In two embodiments, the airbag includes a side extending in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis and a tether attached to the side, and the side has a fold when the airbag is in the deployed position. Alternatively, in a third embodiment, the airbag in the deployed position has a tapered shape from a vertical perspective relative to the instrument panel at the instrument panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Stephen O'Connor, Jacob Wookeun Lee
  • Patent number: 10071704
    Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and a method for folding a driver airbag which are capable of folding an airbag so that the airbag has a shape corresponding to a shape of an accommodating space in an airbag housing. To this end, an upper plate of the apparatus for folding the driver airbag according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of stair sections that is spaced apart from a lower plate at different vertical distances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Oh Koang Kwon, Jung Geun Choi
  • Patent number: 10017143
    Abstract: A side panel arrangement for a vehicle having a cladding arrangement including a first cladding element covering at least one pillar section made from a flexible and/or bendable material, and an airbag module with an inflatable airbag. The airbag module is arranged so as to be concealed behind the first cladding element. A first end side of the first cladding element is configured to border a door opening and to be fastened to the vehicle pillar. The first end side is releasable from the vehicle pillar 4 to create an outlet for the inflating airbag when the airbag module activated, or wherein the outlet for the inflating airbag is created in a base material of the first cladding element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Jenny, Lars Willke
  • Patent number: 10000155
    Abstract: A method and a device are for detecting and reproducing a lateral and/or rear surrounding area of a vehicle with a trailer, so that the driver can monitor the surrounding area. The surrounding area is detected by at least one image capturing device which produces image data of the surrounding area. The image data is reproduced by at least one image reproducing device arranged in a field of vision of the vehicle driver. A characteristic of the reproduced image section is adapted dependent on an alignment of the trailer relative to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Application Solutions (Electronics and Vision) Ltd.
    Inventor: Joerg Schrepfer
  • Patent number: 9981628
    Abstract: A method for folding an airbag (10) provides that the airbag (10) is first folded in a zigzag manner, that a gas generator (14) and/or an airbag-retaining metal sheet is/are placed in the airbag (10), whereupon end portions of the airbag extend around the outer circumference of the gas generator (14) and/or of the airbag-retaining metal sheet toward each other in opposite directions up to a folding zone (26) from where the end portions are folded over outwards and are laid down in the opposite direction. Also disclosed is a corresponding airbag module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: TRW Automotive Safety Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Hepp
  • Patent number: 9970133
    Abstract: Provided are a woven fabric having excellent lightweightness and water resistance and a garment using the woven fabric. The woven fabric has an areal weight of 100 g/m2 or less and a cover factor of 1,800 or more. One of the warp and weft of the woven fabric contains a false-twist crimped yarn, and the other contains a non-crimped yarn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: TEIJIN FRONTIER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Akio Ukuma, Kenji Iwashita
  • Patent number: 9911050
    Abstract: A driver active safety control system for a vehicle includes a plurality of image capture sensors, a video display screen, a central driver active safety control module and at least one non-imaging sensor. The control module at least includes an image processor, a vision core and a fusion core. The image processor processes image data captured by and received from at least a forward viewing image capture sensor for at least one of (i) automatic headlamp control, (ii) lane departure warning and (iii) traffic sign recognition. The vision core is operable to manipulate image data captured by and received at least from rearward and sideward viewing image capture sensors to form video images for displaying on the video display screen. The fusion core is operable to process inputs received to enhance control by the control module of a driver assistance system of the equipped vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Magna Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Niall R. Lynam, Axel Nix
  • Patent number: 9902110
    Abstract: Embodiments disclose a trim part comprising an airbag system for the interior of a motor vehicle. The trim part comprises a carrier, on which an airbag module is disposed. A joint is formed at least in sections between the carrier and the airbag module. A primary connecting element, which includes an adhesive, is disposed within the joint so that the primary connecting element is non-detachably connected both to the carrier and the airbag module. The trim part further comprises at least one secondary connecting element for temporarily fixing the airbag module to the carrier before the non-detachable connection between the carrier and the airbag module is created by the primary connecting element. Embodiments further disclose a method for the production of the trim part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Lisa Draexlmaier GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Magunia, Nina Pogadl, Marcus Lanzinger, Josef Seebauer
  • Patent number: 9845564
    Abstract: Various embodiments of apparatuses and methods relating to appliances are provided. In one embodiment, an appliance having a housing, one or more moveable components inside the housing, a drive assembly, and a dampening portion is provided. The housing includes, for example, at least one side wall and the dampening member is disposed at least partially between the drive assembly and the at least one side wall. The dampening portion includes, for example, a resilient material having at least one surface extending at least partially along the side wall and the drive assembly. The dampening member is configured to limit movement of the drive assembly during shipping and handling to prevent damage to the appliance. The dampening member stays with the appliance after shipping and handling to enhance performance of the appliance, protect the moveable component, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Owens Corning Intellectual Capital, LLC
    Inventors: Jason K. Maderic, Weigang Qi, Anthony L. Rockwell, Andrew J. Siwicki
  • Patent number: 9821749
    Abstract: A lateral partition of a side airbag apparatus extends in a front-rear direction to divide the interior of an airbag into an upper inflation chamber and a lower inflation chamber. A vertical partition extends vertically and includes a communication portion. The vertical partition divides the upper inflation chamber into an upper-rear inflation chamber, to which inflation gas from a gas generator is supplied, and an upper-front inflation chamber, to which the inflation gas is supplied via the communication portion. An inner tube regulates the flow of the inflation gas to direct to the upper-rear inflation chamber and the lower inflation chamber. The rear ends of two first fabric portions of the vertical partition are joined to the upper parts of the front ends of two second fabric portions of the inner tube by a first vertical joint portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masashi Hotta, Takashi Ilda, Yuji Sato, Norio Mizuno, Yuta Okayama
  • Patent number: 9820519
    Abstract: An automatic 3D garment construction is provided using steps for: providing a plurality of panels of a garment so as to be processed in an information processing device, wherein each of the plurality of panels comprises seam lines; positioning the plurality of panels at corresponding locations around a virtual body provided in the information processing device; finding matching seam lines for the plurality of panels and creating seams; and producing the garment in which the plurality of panels are positioned, seamed, and draped on the virtual body. The step for positioning may comprise a step for panel tagging, a step for seam line tagging, and a step for panel packing, in which related panels are grouped and packed, such that relative positions are fixed among the packed panels, and the packed panels move as a group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: PHYSAN, INC.
    Inventors: Ilhoe Jung, Hyeong-Seok Ko
  • Patent number: 9815427
    Abstract: Systems for providing for an external vehicle airbag to mitigate the negative effects of vehicle rollover are described. In an exemplary implementation, one or more airbags are disposed inside the roof rails attached to a vehicle roof. In the event of a vehicle rollover, the airbags will deploy and extend downward along the sides of the vehicle. The airbags may be held in desirable deployed position by one or more elastic tethers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Saeed David Barbat, Mohammed Omar Faruque, Iskander Farooq, Dean M. Jaradi
  • Patent number: 9809190
    Abstract: A method of packaging an air-bag includes providing an air-bag having a base. A first part of the air-bag is folded at least partly towards the base of the air-bag and additionally folded such that the first part of the air-bag incorporates at least one Z-fold. The first part of the air-bag and a second part of the air-bag are at least partly rolled towards the base of the air-bag to package the air-bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Jan Mazanek, Tetsuya Matsushita
  • Patent number: 9790624
    Abstract: The present invention provides a coating fabric for airbags where an elastomer is coated to at least one side of textile constituted from synthetic fiber filament, which is characterized in that the coating weight of the resin is as small as 10 to 20 g/m2 and an average resin thickness of the head top in the textile surface is 4.0 ?m to 12.0 ?m in both directions of warp and weft and that the average value of burning speed measured according to FMVSS 302 is not more than 60 mm/min in both directions of warp and weft and the maximum value thereof is not more than 1.2-fold to the average value in both directions of warp and weft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Toyobo Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsutomu Akechi, Mamoru Kitamura
  • Patent number: 9783149
    Abstract: A side airbag device having a plurality of chambers. The side airbag 100 includes: an inflator 110; a rear chamber 114 which deploys at a side part 108 of a seat back 106 and a middle restraining part 122 that protrudes toward the front of a vehicle and a main part 120 at a rear side. A sectioning wall 124 which constitutes a front edge and an upper edge of the rear chamber 114. A front chamber 116 inflates into areas toward the front of the vehicle and the upper part of the vehicle from the sectioning wall 124. An upper opening 126 is formed on the sectioning wall 124 in a rear part of the upper edge of the rear chamber 114. A lower opening 128 is formed on the sectioning wall 124 in a lower part of the front edge of the rear chamber 114.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Taguchi, Yutaka Nakajima, Hideho Fukuda, Mitsuo Nogami, Yuto Kobayashi, Makoto Fuma
  • Patent number: 9751491
    Abstract: A side airbag device includes an inflator and an airbag. The airbag includes a deployable bag and a separator that separates the bag into a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber includes a support inflation portion and a protection inflation portion. The support inflation portion is deployable in such a shape that it gradually broadens from its lower end portion toward its upper end portion along a seat-side portion. The protection inflation portion is deployable at one end side of the support inflation portion. The inflator is disposed to supply a gas into the support inflation portion. The separator includes at least one gas distribution hole in a portion thereof that separates the support inflation portion of the first chamber and the second chamber from each other. The second chamber is provided below the first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignees: Mazda Motor Corporation, Ashimori Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuichi Sugimura, Taei Shibahara, Shinji Okada, Masato Hoshino, Hidetaka Azuma, Kou Sasaki, Yoshitaka Okagami
  • Patent number: 9718960
    Abstract: A method for making a polyamide composition, in particular for molding, prepared by mixing a polyamide material, a powder made from airbag scraps, and optionally reinforcing fillers is described. Also described, is a method for recycling used airbags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: RHODIA OPERATIONS
    Inventor: Charlotte Basire
  • Patent number: 9707868
    Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a child car seat comprising an active protection system and a system for triggering the active protection system when needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Dorel Juvenile Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Francois Renaudin, Nicolas Garnier
  • Patent number: 9676360
    Abstract: A safety module for a motor vehicle includes at least one inflatable cushion with a first fixation interface and at least one actuating device. The at least one actuating device includes an igniter and an igniter support. The igniter has a plastic overmolding forming a second fixation interface. The igniter support has a third fixation interface designed to receive and fix the second fixation interface. The at least one actuating device retains the first fixation interface by sandwiching it between at least one part of the second fixation interface and at least one part of the third fixation interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Marcus Weber, Raimund Nebel, Johann Biberger, Martin Haas, Roland Peiz
  • Patent number: 9648410
    Abstract: A headphone earbud may include a sensor to determine characteristics of an environment around the headphone earbud. The sensor may be integrated with the headphone earbud to measure a distance from the headphone earbud to a user's ear drum. This distance may be used to control an audio output of the headphone earbud, such as through an adaptive noise cancellation (ANC) algorithm. Control over the audio output may be performed by an audio integrated circuit (IC) integrated within the headphone earbud or within a mobile device coupled to the headphone earbud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: CIRRUS LOGIC, INC.
    Inventors: Robert George Kratsas, Roy Scott Kaller
  • Patent number: 9610916
    Abstract: An airbag of a head-protecting airbag device includes a bag body and a connecting member. The bag body includes a general inflatable portion and a terminal inflatable portion adjoining the general inflatable portion and located at a terminal region in a front and rear direction of the bag body. The connecting member is disposed over an outboard side of the terminal inflatable portion and includes at the leading end a mounting portion to be secured to a periphery of a vehicle window. The root end of the connecting member is jointed to a closed portion of the bag body at least by two jointing points disposed away from each other in an up and down direction. The jointing points are generally equally distant from the mounting portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Koji Kawamura, Yuji Sato, Masaaki Okuhara, Masashi Hotta, Takuya Hiraiwa, Takashi Iida
  • Patent number: 9599457
    Abstract: A non-destructive method of measuring tear lines formed in a surface of a resilient automotive trim panel configured for overlaying an inflatable safety device includes the steps of periodically selecting a trim panel for testing from a flow of in-process trim panels, mounting the selected trim panel to a mounting jig configured to support a region of the selected trim panel adjacent a tear line and to temporarily splay said selected trim panel to expose opposed edges forming at least a portion of the tear line, scanning a 3D image of the opposed edges, storing said 3D image as data in an associated processor, and removing the selected trim panel from the mounting jig. The mounting jig includes a base forming upwardly facing longitudinally elongated converging guide surfaces intersecting at a common apex, and a cover member forming downwardly facing longitudinally elongated converging support surfaces intersecting at a common apex.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jing Cong Chen, Karl B. Ziegler, Chi Wai Wong
  • Patent number: RE46533
    Abstract: Inflatable airbag for a vehicle which is deployed in the event of an accident involving the vehicle to provide protection for an occupant of the vehicle includes a plurality of ribbons coupled together to define an enclosed, fluid-retaining space and a layer of film laminated on at least one of an outer side of the woven ribbons and an inner side of the ribbons. The ribbons may be made from polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester or polyamide and the layers of film may be made from polyethylene, polyurethane, polyester or polyamide. The ribbons and layers of film may be made of the same or different materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Automotive Technologies International, Inc.
    Inventors: David S Breed, Wendell C Johnson, Ryan H Breed, Vittorio Castelli