With Specific Mounting Feature Patents (Class 280/728.2)
  • Patent number: 12017600
    Abstract: An airbag having a first cushion for protecting the side of the head of an occupant and a second cushion connected to the lower side thereof, the airbag device includes: an airbag for protecting the occupant seated in the seat of a vehicle, and an inflator that injects gas supplied to the airbag, the airbag in the expansion completed state where expansion and deployment are complete includes: the first cushion that covers at least the side of the head of the occupant, and a second cushion connected to the rear section of the first cushion at a height near the shoulder of the occupant which extends downward from this connecting point, and in the expansion completed state, the notched section is formed extending from the front towards the rear in between the first cushion and the second cushion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Yoshiki Ito, Yutaka Nakajima
  • Patent number: 11945394
    Abstract: A curtain airbag is configured to include a sub chamber to simplify a structure of the curtain airbag and to improve deployment performance of an airbag cushion. The curtain airbag includes a main chamber of the airbag cushion fixed to an upper end inside a vehicle body and configured to be deployed downward, the sub chamber of the airbag cushion configured to be deployed from an upper portion of a pillar trim located inside the vehicle body and to allow the main chamber to move toward a central region of a vehicle, and a cushion cover configured to cover the main chamber and the sub chamber while being folded, wherein the sub chamber is folded with an upper end thereof located higher than a folding center of the main chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Geon Woong Moon
  • Patent number: 11904970
    Abstract: The configuration of an airbag module according to the present invention includes an airbag cushion, an inflator equipped in this airbag cushion, and housing for stowing this airbag cushion, wherein the housing has a convex polygonal shape in cross-section and has an opening on the upper side, and when the airbag cushion expands and deploys, a first pair of mutually opposed side surfaces expand separating from each other, the airbag module further comprises a cover covering the opening and side surfaces of the housing, and of the cover, the upper surface portion that covers the opening of the housing is formed with a first weak portion that extends in the longitudinal direction of the upper surface portion, is weaker than the area surrounding thereof, and is cleaved by the separation of the first pair of side surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: AUTOLIV DEVELOPMENT AB
    Inventors: Masaru Habu, Sho Murakami
  • Patent number: 11873050
    Abstract: A saddle riding-type vehicle includes a retainer that is provided behind a head pipe; an inflator; and an airbag that is housed in the retainer, inflates by gas discharged by the inflator, and is deployed in front of an occupant. The airbag includes a proximal end portion that is positioned in the retainer when the airbag is deployed and an outward deployment portion that extends from the proximal end portion and is deployed to the outside of the retainer when the airbag is deployed. A tab is provided on the proximal end portion, and the tab is fixed to the retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Sato, Yutaka Aikyo, Ryota Ishigaki, Masaru Habu, Makoto Fuma
  • Patent number: 11772591
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for removably mounting an airbag module on a steering wheel having a retaining portion of a resilient ring for forming elements for holding hooks on the other of the airbag module or the steering wheel in zones of interaction with the hooks, a mounting portion of the resilient ring forming a mounting rotation axis to ensure the rotation of the resilient ring, the resilient ring further including a locking portion, wherein the other of the airbag module or the steering wheel includes a first stop which is arranged to block the movement of the locking portion of the resilient ring in a first direction perpendicular to the mounting rotation axis (Y).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Olivier Bertrand, Remi Baillivet, Hugues Doursoux, Thierry Jacqmarcq
  • Patent number: 11766980
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for removably mounting an airbag module on a steering wheel, the mounting device comprises a mounting portion of a resilient ring for forming, in a locking position of the ring, an element for holding at least one hook on the other of the module or the steering wheel, the resilient ring having an unlocking position in which the mounting portion of the ring is no longer in the zone of interaction with the at least one hook, the device further comprises an element for releasing the ring, connected to one of the module or the steering wheel and arranged so as to move the ring during a movement for extracting the module such that the ring is placed back from the locking position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Jonathan Pinaud, Laurent Groleau, Alexander Feicht
  • Patent number: 11745689
    Abstract: Decorative emblem assemblies and related airbag modules and methods. In some embodiments, a decorative emblem may be coupled to a plate having a plurality of holes formed therein. A plurality of non-threaded fasteners may extend from the decorative emblem, wherein each of the plurality of non-threaded fasteners is configured to extend through a hole of the plurality of holes formed in the plate. The assembly may further comprise a clip configured to engage each of the plurality of non-threaded fasteners to secure the emblem assembly to an airbag cover and compress the plate between the decorative emblem and the airbag cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Kutchey, Geoff Mills, Debra Preston
  • Patent number: 11718259
    Abstract: A side airbag apparatus is employed in a vehicle seat that includes a seat back and a seat belt guide. The seat back includes an accommodation portion in a lateral portion. The seat belt guide is attached to the lateral portion at a location above the accommodation portion. The side airbag apparatus includes a gas generator, an airbag, and a pressure receiving member. The gas generator and the airbag are installed in the accommodation portion. The pressure receiving member is arranged rearward of the airbag, and includes a main body and an upper restricting portion. The main body includes a pressure receiving surface, which extends along an axis of the gas generator. The upper restricting portion is located above and adjacent to the main body and includes an upper restricting surface located forward of an imaginary upward extension of the pressure receiving surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignees: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD., TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shohei Ota, Koji Shibayama, Masanori Fukuoka, Tomoya Takeuchi
  • Patent number: 11702024
    Abstract: To improve workability when attaching an airbag module disposed in a side portion of a vehicle seat from a seat back side. A vehicle seat (S) includes: a side frame (13) which constitutes a side portion of a seat back frame (10); a bracket (20) which includes an attachment portion (21) attached to a side surface of the side frame (13) on a seat inner side and a back protrusion portion (22) protruding backward from the attachment portion (21); and an airbag module (30) which includes a retainer (34) fixed to the back protrusion portion (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takuro Yamada, Atsushi Yamabe
  • Patent number: 11685332
    Abstract: An airbag system for a vehicle body includes an inflator and an airbag wherein the inflator is mounted on the vehicle body. The airbag includes a plurality of mounting portions, an inflatable main portion and a supplemental portion integral to the inflatable main portion at an upper edge of the inflatable main portion. The inflatable main portion includes an outboard interface side and an inboard engagement side while the supplemental portion includes an outboard vehicle side and an inboard interface side which is disposed adjacent to a portion of the outboard interface side of the inflatable main portion. The inflatable main portion is configured to deploy inboard of a vehicle window while the supplemental portion is configured to deploy between an upper region of the inflatable main portion and an upper vehicle rail thereby urging an upper region of the inflatable main portion toward an inboard direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: ZF Passive Safety Systems US Inc.
    Inventors: Young Kim, Jason Bare
  • Patent number: 11673528
    Abstract: Airbag inflator system including a housing defining a flow passage leading into an interior of an airbag). A gas generator is arranged in connection with the housing. An activation system provides a signal to the gas generator to cause generation of gas. An aspirator is arranged between the reverse flow valve and the outlet end region and includes an inlet portion alongside the reverse flow valve and an aspiration portion partly separated from the inlet portion to define at least one opening in flow communication with the gas generator. The aspirator is preferably configured to generate gas flow in accordance with the Prandtl-Meyer effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Automotive Technologies International, Inc.
    Inventors: David S Breed, Gennadii A Voropaiev, Nina F Yurchenko, Yuriy A Paramonov, Andriy I Koshil
  • Patent number: 11667256
    Abstract: The invention relates to an airbag module (10) for a vehicle steering wheel (6), comprising a module base (12) for fixed mounting on the vehicle steering wheel (6), which module base has a base opening (14), and a vibration absorber ring (16) for fastening a gas generator (18) to the module base (12) such that said gas generator can vibrate. The vibration absorber ring (16) has a ring axis (A) and a mounting flange (20) for the gas generator (18). The vibration absorber ring (16) has a resilient absorber wall (22), starting from the mounting flange (20), which absorber wall extends in an axial direction toward the module base (12) and extends around the ring axis (A) in the circumferential direction. The vibration absorber ring (16) has a plurality of resilient absorber feet (24) for fastening to the module base (12), which absorber feet extend in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY GERMANY GMBH
    Inventor: Stefan Bachmann
  • Patent number: 11643042
    Abstract: There is provided a vehicle crash pad coupled to a passenger airbag door having a passenger airbag installed in a passenger seat direction, the vehicle crash pad including a base forming a frame, a scrim coupled to an inside of the base of the passenger airbag door in an insert-injection method, a skin disposed above the base portion and having a surface exposed to an outside, a foam disposed between the base and the skin, and X shaped incision grooves formed in a rear surface of the base in an area of the passenger airbag door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Min Kyeong Lee
  • Patent number: 11634099
    Abstract: A breakable portion breaks, as a break start point portion, a portion in a vicinity of a center of a tip end side of a door portion away from a hinge portion on a rotation center side of the door portion when the door portion is opened. A breakable coupling portion in an area of the start point portion is disposed such that a width dimension between the breakable openings which are adjacent to each other in a plan view on a tip end portion away from the hinge portion is smaller than a width dimension on a base portion close to the hinge portion of the door portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hiroki Takai
  • Patent number: 11597343
    Abstract: A vehicle airbag system includes an airbag module, a seat detector, and an electronic controller. The airbag module has an airbag that is configured to be movably mounted to a vehicle roof structure. The seat detector detects a position of a vehicle seat. The electronic controller is in communication with the airbag module and the seat detector. The controller controls the airbag module to inflate the airbag in a predetermined direction based on detected position of the vehicle seat by the seat detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Jessica Buice, Jeffrey Clark, Daniel Hoisington, Daniel Lin
  • Patent number: 11597345
    Abstract: A driver airbag apparatus for a vehicle is proposed. The driver airbag apparatus includes: the driver airbag apparatus being located at a rear of a steering wheel having an obstacle and configured to be deployed forward of the steering wheel while avoiding the obstacle, an airbag cushion configured to be deployed forward of the steering wheel via a gap between the obstacle and the steering wheel when gas is supplied thereinto; a gas injector located below the airbag cushion and configured to inject the gas into the airbag cushion via a gas outlet; and a diffuser configured to be deployed in the airbag cushion, and covering a part or all of the gas outlet from above the gas outlet and being open at a front portion thereof so as to guide the gas injected via the gas outlet to flow in front of an occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seok Hoon Ko, Min June Song
  • Patent number: 11590919
    Abstract: An airbag module for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes a curtain airbag and a mounting bracket. The curtain airbag includes a mounting tab configured to receive a fastener for connecting the curtain airbag to the vehicle. The mounting bracket is configured to cooperate with the mounting tab to facilitate the connection of the curtain airbag to the vehicle via the fastener. The mounting bracket includes a generally planar body portion and a fastening structure that extends transversely from the body portion. The mounting tab includes overlying layers of material that help define a pocket configured to receive the mounting bracket. The mounting tab includes a first fastener opening configured to receive the fastening structure so that the fastening structure extends through the first fastener opening with the body portion positioned in the pocket. The fastening structure is configured for installation in the vehicle structure to initially support the airbag module in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: ZF PASSIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS US INC.
    Inventors: Richard Patton, Dylan Moran, Avadhoot Paranjpe
  • Patent number: 11590918
    Abstract: A side airbag device capable of preventing interference between a harness and an airbag is provided between a vehicle body and a seat. The side airbag device includes an airbag module including an inflatable airbag and an inflator supplying a gas into the airbag, a base member including an airbag storage portion having a concave shape and storing the airbag module and is attached between a vehicle body door and the seat, and a retainer member holding the airbag storage portion from the rear side of the vehicle body. The base member includes a first through hole through which a harness of the inflator is inserted and a flange which is formed in the periphery of the first through hole. The retainer member includes a second through hole through which the harness of the inflator is inserted and which is provided at a position facing the first through hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hirooki Negishi, Masayuki Miyazaki, Naoya Nishimoto, Kazuaki Mima
  • Patent number: 11584328
    Abstract: An assembly includes an airbag, a trim panel, and an airbag container having a sidewall defining a cavity receiving the airbag. The airbag container has an opening through which the airbag is deployable. A flexible membrane cover extends over the opening. A spacer portion is coupled to the membrane cover. The spacer portion is configured to extend proud of the sidewall. The spacer portion resides within a gap between the trim panel and the airbag container and touches the trim panel to resist deflection of the trim panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Michal Swiniarski, Tim Scott
  • Patent number: 11560111
    Abstract: An all thermoplastic olefin (TPO) airbag system for an automotive vehicle including a TPO airbag module housing coupled with a TPO airbag cover or chute, the system being particularly suitable as a front airbag system, and method of making the same. The airbag module housing may couple with the chute through a plurality of projections and windows, or through bolts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: MCPP Innovation LLC
    Inventors: Mark Sherman, Steve Cummings, Tim Mccollum, Steve Gregory
  • Patent number: 11554744
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cover cap (10) for an airbag module (12), especially for a driver airbag module, comprising a front panel (14) including an outer face (16) as well as an opposed inner face (18) which in the assembled state of the airbag module (12) faces a folded airbag (20), and an emblem (22) which is arranged and fastened at the inside of the front panel (14), wherein in the area of the emblem (22) the front panel (14) has an emblem opening (24) through which the emblem (22) is visible from the outer face (16) of the front panel (14), wherein the front panel (14) includes a tear line (26) along which the cover cap (10) tears upon activation of the assembled airbag module (12), and wherein the tear line (26) opens into the emblem opening (24) at an edge point (28) of the emblem opening (24). Furthermore, the invention also includes an airbag module (12) comprising said cover cap (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: DALPHI METAL ESPANA S.A.
    Inventors: Andreas Joachim Maria Jonietz, Luis Barandela Iglesias, Victor Jose Gonzalez Horta, Pedro Pereiro Coto
  • Patent number: 11554742
    Abstract: A head portion protection airbag device includes: an airbag, formed into a folded body being folded such that a lower edge side in an unfolded state approaches an upper edge side, wrapped with an unfoldment preventing tape material and attached to the upper edge side of the window, assembled with a twisting restriction member, which is configured to prevent twisting of the folded body, on an upper edge side of the airbag, and attached to the upper edge side of the window as a bag attachment body. A plurality of attachment piece portions, which are attached to a body side of the vehicle, are arranged side by side on the upper edge side of the airbag. The bag attachment body is wrapped with the tape material in a state where the twisting restriction member is assembled to the upper edge side of the airbag in the folded body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Ichimura, Hiroki Imaeda, Junpei Hamamoto, Makoto Yamanaka, Hiroshi Kato
  • Patent number: 11548466
    Abstract: In an assembly (20) of an elongate inflator (10) which has an outer housing (14) with outflow openings (18) spread along the circumference (U) and defining an outflow area (16) and an outflow direction, and of a clamp-type diffusor (22) enclosing the outflow area (16), the diffusor (22) includes a central receiving opening (24) into which the outer housing (14) protrudes so that the diffusor (22) circumferentially encloses an axial portion of the outer housing (14) which comprises the outflow area (16). At the inner side of the diffusor (22) delimiting the receiving opening (24) at least one bearing surface (34) and at least one gas guiding surface (30) are provided, wherein the bearing surface (34) bears directly against the outer housing (14) of the inflator (10) and the gas guiding surface (30) is radially spaced apart from the outer housing (14) while forming at least one collecting chamber (30) into which gas flowing out of the outflow area (16) is flowing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Robert Disam, Anton Fischer
  • Patent number: 11541838
    Abstract: A flexible wrapping of an airbag (16) of a vehicle occupant restraint system (10) comprises a holding compartment for a folded airbag package (14) formed by a holding bag (104) and an airbag package fixation (124), an inflator fixation (114) formed by projecting retaining tabs (112) as well as at least one fixing portion (130) for fixing an airbag module (12) to a vehicle. For inserting the airbag package (14) into the wrapping (20) an intermediate cover made of a coherent piece of fabric is used into which the airbag package (14) is wrapped along with the inflator (18). The subassembly consisting of the intermediate cover, the airbag package (14) and the inflator (18) is inserted into the wrapping (20). Subsequently, the intermediate cover is removed from between the wrapping (20) and the airbag package (14) again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: DALPHI METAL ESPANA S.A.
    Inventors: Antonio Navarro Arranz, Ramon Ramos Agustin
  • Patent number: 11524650
    Abstract: A head portion protection airbag device includes: an airbag, formed into a folded body being folded such that a lower edge side in an unfolded state approaches an upper edge side, wrapped with an unfoldment preventing tape material and attached to the upper edge side of the window, assembled with a twisting restriction member, which is configured to prevent twisting of the folded body, on an upper edge side of the airbag, and attached to the upper edge side of the window as a bag attachment body. A plurality of attachment piece portions, which are attached to a body side of the vehicle, are arranged side by side on the upper edge side of the airbag. The bag attachment body is wrapped with the tape material in a state where the twisting restriction member is assembled to the upper edge side of the airbag in the folded body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Ichimura, Hiroki Imaeda, Junpei Hamamoto, Makoto Yamanaka, Hiroshi Kato
  • Patent number: 11524649
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes: a seat cushion in which a front panel extends between front parts of right and left side frames and a front rod extends between the front parts of the right and left side frames at a position rearward of the front panel in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle; a cushion airbag device mounted in a front part of the seat cushion and configured to inflate and deploy a cushion airbag when a frontal collision of the vehicle occurs; and a bag support fixed to the front rod, the cushion airbag being fixed to the bag support at a position rearward of the front rod in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignees: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYOTA BOSHOKU KABUSHIKI KAISHA, TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mitsuyoshi Ohno, Hiroyuki Tomita, Satoshi Nonoyama, Takashi Iida, Shigemi Mase, Yusuke Kojima, Masashi Hotta
  • Patent number: 11518334
    Abstract: Various implementations include a steering assembly including a hub assembly and airbag module. The hub assembly includes one or more hub assembly attachment tabs each defining a fastener opening. The airbag module includes one or more airbag module attachment tabs each defining a fastener opening. One of the hub assembly or the airbag module includes one or more temporary fasteners, and each of the temporary fasteners is couplable to a portion of the other of the hub assembly or the airbag module. One of the hub assembly or the airbag module includes one or more alignment portions structured to align each fastener opening in the hub assembly attachment tabs with a respective fastener opening in one of the airbag module attachment tabs when the temporary fasteners of the hub assembly or the airbag module are coupled to the portion of the other of the hub assembly or the airbag module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition LLC
    Inventors: Justin Mills, Doug Osterfeld
  • Patent number: 11511696
    Abstract: Provided is a driver airbag device for a vehicle deploying to the front of a steering wheel while avoiding an obstacle in the rear of the steering wheel on which the obstacle is positioned at a center portion, the driver airbag device comprising an airbag cushion deploying to the front of the steering wheel by passing between the obstacle and the steering wheel when gas is injected inside; a gas injection device positioned under the airbag cushion to inject gas into the airbag cushion through a gas outlet; and a diffuser positioned inside the airbag cushion and configured to partially or entirely cover the gas outlet from above to deploy by the gas injected through the gas outlet and induce the gas to flow to an opening opened toward the front of the steering wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Min June Song, Seok Hoon Ko
  • Patent number: 11498481
    Abstract: A steering assembly and a system for actuating a vehicle horn uses a grounding signal transmitted from the steering assembly to an electronic control unit in communication with an electronically actuated horn. The steering assembly includes a base plate connected to a hub in the steering assembly. At least one horn grounding switch is coupled to the base plate and has a ground contact generating an output from the horn grounding switch. The ground contact is movable between a normally closed position connected to the vehicle electrical ground that corresponds to the off status of the vehicle horn and an open position disconnected from the vehicle electrical ground that corresponds to the on status of the vehicle horn. A biasing force directs the ground contact to a normally closed position in electrical communication with the vehicle electrical ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Joyson Safety Systems Acquisition LLC
    Inventor: Doug Osterfeld
  • Patent number: 11485311
    Abstract: A side airbag device with a base member for an inflator to be easily fixed thereto, and a method for manufacturing same is provided. The side airbag device includes: an airbag; an inflator configured to supply the airbag with gas; a base member configured to accommodate the airbag and the inflator, and to be fixed to a vehicle body; an outer covering member configured to cover at least a front side of the base member to form a front-facing interior surface; and a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket includes an inflator fixing portion to which the inflator is fixed and a base member fixing portion which is located in a position different from a position of the inflator fixing portion and fixed to the base member. The base member includes, at a left or right side portion thereof, a bracket fixing portion to which the mounting bracket is fixed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi Yamabe, Daisuke Kuriyama
  • Patent number: 11465577
    Abstract: The invention relates to a spring element (10) for fastening an airbag module (12) to a vehicle steering wheel (14), having a first spring section (16) which extends from a tool access point (P) via a first bearing point (18) as far as a first free spring end (20), and a second spring section (22) which extends from the tool access point (P) via a second bearing point (24) as far as a second free spring end (26), wherein the tool access point (P) is spaced apart from a connecting section (28) between the two free spring ends (20, 26), wherein the tool access point (P) is spaced apart from a connecting section (28) between the two free spring ends (20, 26) and is displaceable in an actuating direction (x) toward the connecting section (28), and wherein the spring sections (16, 22) are shaped such that the free spring ends (20, 26) move toward each other or away from each other during a displacement of the tool access point (P) in the actuating direction (x) if the first bearing point (18) and the second bearin
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY GERMANY GMBH
    Inventor: Stefan Bachmann
  • Patent number: 11465580
    Abstract: Airbag cushion wrapper and related airbag assemblies, along with related assembly/manufacturing methods. In some embodiments, the airbag cushion assembly may comprise an airbag cushion and an inflator comprising an inflator wire. A wrapper may extend about the airbag cushion, which wrapper may comprise a first section wrapped about the airbag cushion in a first direction and a second section coupled with the first section, the second section being wrapped about the airbag cushion in a second direction opposite the first direction and such that the first section extends at least partially within the second section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Devin Steve Silverwood, Naoki Morita
  • Patent number: 11447091
    Abstract: A vehicle air bag device can include an air bag retainer that has at least one clip located adjacent an opening at an outer periphery of the air bag retainer. An air bag chute can be located adjacent the air bag retainer and configured to guide the air bag along a deployment axis during deployment from the air bag retainer. The air bag chute can include a wall including a clip aperture opening located therein. The at least one clip can have an upper surface facing an upper surface of the clip aperture opening, and the upper surface of the at least one clip can be at an acute angle with respect to the deployment axis. The acute angle upper surface can extend from an interior of the air bag chute through the clip aperture and to an exterior of the air bag chute.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jimmie A. Ruffner, II
  • Patent number: 11447090
    Abstract: A knee protection airbag device is provided with an airbag, an inflator, an airbag cover, and an attachment base to be connected to a vehicle body side member. The airbag cover includes a door portion that allows forming of a protrusion-permitting opening when pushed by the airbag that inflates, a door disposition wall portion that covers a lower portion of the airbag in a folded state, and connecting wall portions that extend upward from front and rear edges of the door disposition wall portion and that are connected to the attachment base. The airbag cover defines an accommodating recess capable of accommodating the airbag that is formed by bending a portion of the recessed grooves for bending that are formed by performing press working on a sheet member made of a non-woven fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Minoru Ono, Tetsuya Ogata, Naoki Hotta, Yuta Okayama, Yoshihiko Hishiki
  • Patent number: 11440485
    Abstract: It comprises: —a clip holder (4) entirely integral with the trim element (1), comprising: —a proximal portion (5) connected to the trim element (1), and—a distal portion (6) on which is fitted a clip (8) that is shaped so as to secure to a body element (2), the proximal portion (5) and the distal portion (6) being joined by a breakable region (9) that is designed to break in the event of deployment of an airbag (3), and the distal portion (6) being able to move between a rest position in which the breakable region (9) joins the distal portion (6) to the proximal portion (5) and a deployment position in which the distal portion (6) is no longer joined to the proximal portion (5) by virtue of the breakable region (9) breaking, and—a retention element (11) that is designed to retain the distal portion (6) on the trim element (1) when the distal portion (6) is in the deployment position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: NOVARES FRANCE
    Inventors: Eric Dubuisson, Sébastien Rebillon
  • Patent number: 11433845
    Abstract: An airbag assembly for a motor vehicle includes an inflatable airbag and a reinforcing wrapper. The inflatable airbag has a longitudinally extending axis and is rolled about a rotation axis in the stowed condition. The reinforcing wrapper is coupled to the inflatable airbag proximate a first longitudinally extending side of the inflatable airbag, rolled about the rotation axis and wrapped entirely around at least a first portion of the inflatable airbag. The inflatable airbag and the reinforcing wrapper cooperative to define a monotonously rolled portion of the airbag assembly. In certain applications, the reinforcing wrapper is secured to a tab used to hang the inflatable airbag in the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: AUTOLIV ASP, INC.
    Inventors: John Erik Terbu, Allen Murry Chambers
  • Patent number: 11414039
    Abstract: In a side airbag device, a base member in which an airbag and an inflator are accommodated is fixed to a vehicle body. An outer covering member covers at least a front side of the base member to form a front-facing interior surface. The base member comprises: an inner portion located laterally farther inward within the vehicle body relative to the airbag; an outer portion located laterally farther outward within the vehicle body relative to the airbag; a rear portion located farther rearward relative to the airbag with respect to a front-rear direction of the seat, the rear portion connecting the inner portion and the outer portion; and a bridging portion made of a metal rod, and located apart from and farther frontward relative to the rear portion, the bridging portion connecting the inner portion and the outer portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignees: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., TS TECH CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daisuke Kuriyama, Atsushi Yamabe, Kei Takahashi, Koji Ikeda, Hiroyuki Ito, Shinsuke Odai
  • Patent number: 11414038
    Abstract: A steering wheel includes a steering wheel body and a base. The base carrying an inflator and an airbag package, such that the base, the inflator and the airbag package form a first sub-assembly. The base is connected to the steering wheel body at least indirectly via at least one elastic element, such that the sub-assembly can move relative to the steering wheel body in at least one direction so that the whole sub-assembly serves as a vibration damping mass. The steering wheel also includes a cover element with a roof extending over the airbag package, and at least one horn sensor generating a signal when a pressing force exceeding a predefined value is applied to the roof. The cover element is not rigidly connected to the base, such that the sub-assembly can move relative to the steering wheel body under deformation of the elastic element while the cover element does not move relative to the steering wheel body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Knut Schmeier, Tomasz Skoneczny, Dominik Zelmanski, Felix Pollatschek, Klaus Massanetz, Marcus Weber, Holger Zang, Sven Hoffmann, Thomas Reiter, Wolfram Engelhardt, Alexander Feicht, Michael Gruhne
  • Patent number: 11383665
    Abstract: Airbag module coupling interfaces, assemblies, and related methods. Some embodiments may comprise one or more springs each defining a perimeter comprising at least three sides, wherein a first side of which may extend opposite a second side and may be at least partially angled towards the second side at an acute angle. A third side of the spring may connect the first and second sides. A spring mounting structure may be provided and may comprise a guiding interface for coupling the spring to the steering wheel. An opening in the guiding interface may be configured to receive a coupling prong, which may be configured to engage the third side of the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Autoliv ASP, Inc.
    Inventors: Uma Poojar, Shivanand Hallur, Terry Allen Sella, Srirama C. Gollu
  • Patent number: 11377065
    Abstract: Provided are an airbag, an airbag assembly, and a folding method for an airbag. The airbag has a first end, a second end, and a third end, wherein the third end is formed by folding the airbag between the first end and the second end, the second end and the third end are free ends of the airbag, and the first end is used for fixing the airbag to a mounting position. When in a stored state, the airbag has a first rolled portion and a second rolled portion, the second end is located in the first rolled portion, the third end is located in the second rolled portion, the second end is located outside of the second rolled portion, and the third end is located outside of the first rolled portion. The airbag can be stored in a mounting space in a vehicle more efficiently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Autoliv Development AB
    Inventors: Shuangyang Wang, Liang Wang, Jin Zhang
  • Patent number: 11370367
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame. The vehicle is an open-frame vehicle. The frame includes an A-pillar, a B-pillar, and a roof siderail. The roof siderail extends between the A-pillar and the B-pillar. An A-pillar trim member is coupled to the A-pillar and includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion defines an aperture that receives the second portion. A B-pillar trim member is coupled to the B-pillar. A roof siderail trim member is coupled to the roof siderail and extends between the A-pillar trim member and the B-pillar trim member. An inflatable member is positioned between the frame and at least two of the A-pillar trim member, the B-pillar trim member, and the roof siderail trim member when the inflatable member is in a deflated state. An inflated state of the inflatable member separates the second portion of the A-pillar trim member from the aperture of the A-pillar trim member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Kirk Robert Goleniak, John Rudolph, Eric Axel Smitterberg, Chuck R. Reese, Srivardhan Tallapragada, Jay Douglas Blackson
  • Patent number: 11370377
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle steering wheel (10) having a steering wheel axis (A) about which the vehicle steering wheel (10) can be rotated in the installed state, a steering wheel carcass (12) which has a hub section (14) in the region of the steering wheel axis (A), and a separate latching peg (18) for latching with an airbag module (20), which extends in the axial direction (22) and can be mounted on the steering wheel carcass (12), wherein the hub section (14) of the steering wheel carcass (12) has a rigid carcass hook (24) for latching with the airbag module (20), which extends in the axial direction (22), wherein the latching peg (18) adjoins the carcass hook (24) and partially surrounds same in the circumferential direction. The invention also relates to a steering wheel assembly having a vehicle steering wheel (10) of this kind.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: ZF AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY GERMANY GMBH
    Inventors: Dominik Schütz, Stefan Bachmann
  • Patent number: 11370380
    Abstract: An assembly for a vehicle includes an airbag inflator. The assembly includes a curtain airbag including a main lobe and an inflatable flap. The main lobe and the inflatable flap are each inflatable by the airbag inflator to an inflated position. The main lobe includes an inboard panel and an outboard panel. The inflatable flap is at the inboard panel in the inflated position. The inflatable flap, in the inflated position, is at the inboard panel and abutting the inflator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph E. Abramczyk, Zhibing Deng, Deepak Patel, Lavanya Vemuri
  • Patent number: 11370379
    Abstract: A mounting element (1) for vehicle-side assembly of an airbag module (100) is suggested with at least one mounting plate (3) adapted to be mounted on the vehicle side which in its plate plane (E) can be non-rotatably coupled to an airbag (2), wherein the mounting plate (3) includes an extension (4) through which the mounting element (1) can be fixed, perpendicularly to the plate plane (E), non-rotatably to the airbag (2) or to a retaining element (9) maintaining the latter in its folded state. Furthermore, an airbag module (100) is suggested with an airbag (2), an inflator for providing inflating gas for the airbag (2) and at least one mounting element (1) according to the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: DALPHI METAL ESPANA S.A.
    Inventors: Maria del Pilar Abelenda Alcalde, Jose Manuel Arean Bujan, Pedro Jose Santin Navarro, Philippe Shneeweiss
  • Patent number: 11364829
    Abstract: A seatback assembly includes a front carrier module having a mounting portion with an inverted U-shaped outer perimeter edge. A plurality of doors includes individual doors that are hingedly coupled to the outer perimeter edge of the front carrier module. Each door of the plurality of doors is operable between open and closed positions. An airbag carrier module includes an inverted U-shaped raceway with an open front portion. The airbag carrier module is operably coupled to the front carrier module, such that the doors of the front carrier module selectively open and close the open front portion of the raceway of the airbag carrier module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: S. M. Akbar Berry, Johnathan Andrew Line, Alan George Dry, Marcos Silva Kondrad, Benjamin Yilma
  • Patent number: 11351952
    Abstract: The invention relates to a releasable retaining device (10) for a tether (16) of an airbag, comprising a retainer (12), a slit (14) for receiving the tether (16), a blocking member (18) made from metal which is displaceable between a blocking position in which it maintains the tether (16) blocked in the slit (14) and a release position in which the tether (16) is released, and comprising a pyrotechnical igniter (20) coupled to the blocking member (18) such that, upon activation of the igniter (20), the blocking member is displaced from the blocking position to the release position. Moreover, a housing (32) including a retaining device (10) for an airbag is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignees: ZF AUTOMOTIVE GERMANY, ZF AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS POLAND SP.ZO.O
    Inventors: Jens Debler, Maciej Sadowski
  • Patent number: 11345302
    Abstract: In one aspect, an apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes a curtain airbag having a stored condition in which the curtain airbag is deflated, flattened, and rolled and/or folded. A wrap includes an integral woven portion of the curtain airbag formed from a fabric extension of an upper edge of the curtain airbag. The wrap has a first end portion where the wrap merges with the upper edge of the curtain airbag, and an opposite, free second end portion. The wrap is configured to wrap about a circumference of the rolled and/or folded curtain airbag. The second end portion is configured to connect to the first end portion of the wrap to secure the wrap on the curtain airbag and package the curtain airbag in the stored condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: ZF PASSIVE SAFETY SYSTEMS US INC.
    Inventor: Dylan Moran
  • Patent number: 11325552
    Abstract: A vehicle seat includes an airbag device, an attachment bracket with which the airbag device is fixed to the side frame member of a seat back, a cushion pad covering a front side and a lateral side of the back frame, and a side panel attached to the side frame member. The attachment bracket includes an airbag fixing portion that protrudes laterally from the side frame member. The airbag device is disposed on a front side of the airbag fixing portion and is fixed to the airbag fixing portion with bolts that penetrate the airbag fixing portion from the front side of the airbag fixing portion to a rear side of the airbag fixing portion. The side panel covers a lateral side and the rear side of the airbag fixing portion and constructs an external shape of the side surface of the seatback together with the cushion pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: TACHI-S CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Satoyuki Saitou, Takayuki Yoshika
  • Patent number: 11313399
    Abstract: An improved slot fastener is provided, which may be toollessly installed, adjusted or repositioned, and uninstalled. The slot fastener includes a body having a surface, a head extending from the surface of the body, and a pair of clips, each clip being disposed at opposing lateral sides of the head. Each clip includes a flange that project laterally outward from the opposing lateral sides of the head, and a handle that projects outwardly from opposing lateral sides of the body. The clips are adapted to pivot laterally relative to the head in response to movement of the handle to alternate the slot fastener between an engaged configuration and a disengaged configuration. Methods of installing the slot into a channel of a component and adjusting the slot fastener along the channel, and an assembly including the slot fastener installed within the channel of the component, are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: A. RAYMOND ET CIE
    Inventor: Lara Rubio Pérez
  • Patent number: 11305719
    Abstract: A curtain airbag device may include: an inflator configured to generate operating gas; a bracket part installed in a shape to abut on a side surface of the inflator, and having one side installed so as to be inclined in a direction away from the inflator; a cushion part inserted into a mounting space formed between the inflator and the bracket part, and inflated by the operating gas generated through the inflator; and a clamping part installed in a shape to surround outsides of the cushion part and the bracket part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Kwang Soo Cho