Bradley D Harris

US Patent:

55182690, May 21, 1996

Filed:

Mar 6, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/399322

Inventors:

J. Kirk Storey - Farmington UT
Brent K. Olson - Clearfield UT
James R. Kaufmann - Salt Lake City UT
Brent R. Marchant - Ogden UT
Bradley D. Harris - Farmington UT

Assignee:

Morton International, Inc. - Chicago IL

International Classification:

B60R 2130

US Classification:

280739

Abstract:

An inflatable vehicle occupant restraint having a dynamic burn vent wherethrough inflation gas can be appropriately vented therefrom. Such an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint has particular application for side impact restraint systems wherein increased venting by the dynamic vents occurs subsequent to full deployment of the inflatable restraint.

US Patent:

53060407, Apr 26, 1994

Filed:

Mar 17, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/032492

Inventors:

F. Paul Leonelli - Roy UT
Bradley D. Harris - Farmington UT

Assignee:

Morton International, Inc. - Chicago IL

International Classification:

B60R 2116

US Classification:

280728B

Abstract:

A plastic cover for an air bag of a vehicle occupant restraint system is designed so that the tear lines forming the bag releasing doors create the door hinges at the outer margins of the cover. Where the outer margin is curved, a thinned region permits the hinge axis to flatten. Safety corners prevent tearing of the cover material through the hinge region.

US Patent:

57792658, Jul 14, 1998

Filed:

Oct 16, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/732010

Inventors:

Larry D. Rose - Layton UT
Donald R. Lauritzen - Hyrum UT
Bradley D. Harris - Farmington UT

International Classification:

B60R 2126

US Classification:

280736

Abstract:

Featured for use as a part of an inflator-containing inflatable restraint system is a reaction canister in which the reaction canister body includes a plurality of inflator output treatment fins extending towards, without contacting, the associated inflator. Also, provided are corresponding processes for treating the gas output of a vehicular safety restraint inflator. In practice, such treatment of a contacting stream typically involves one or more of: cooling, redirection of flow, and removal or filtering of particulate therefrom.

US Patent:

54898064, Feb 6, 1996

Filed:

May 11, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/240879

Inventors:

Bradley D. Harris - Farmington UT
Marcus T. Clark - Kaysville UT

Assignee:

Morton International, Inc. - Chicago IL

International Classification:

B60R 2120

US Classification:

307 101

Abstract:

A pressure activated switch is positioned for actuation of a horn in the steering wheel of a motor vehicle. The switch is mounted on an airbag cover and generates a signal when the switch is activated by the deflection of the cover. A temperature sensing device is positioned on the cover for generating a signal indicative of the cover temperature. The temperature signal is utilized for changing the actuation pressure or deflection required on the pressure or deflection activated switch to compensate for changes in cover stiffness due to the temperature changes of the cover. The invention is thus directed to providing a consistent horn actuation force regardless of the temperature of the airbag cover to which such force is applied to actuate the horn of the motor vehicle.

US Patent:

53376749, Aug 16, 1994

Filed:

Sep 17, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/123575

Inventors:

Bradley D. Harris - Farmington UT
Virginia E. Chandler - Ogden UT

Assignee:

Morton International, Inc. - Chicago IL

International Classification:

C06D 500
F42B 312
F42C 1912

US Classification:

102530

Abstract:

A metal bridge initiator, with or without a spark gap feature, for firing an air bag inflator is deposited on a thin plastic film substrate. The bridge can be tuned by adjusting the width and thickness of the substrate. The bridge is of compact size enabling an increase in the strength of the inflator in the initiator area thereof. If there is an initiator structural failure, the very small feed through slot into the interior of the inflator will plug up with the products of combustion of the inflator. The intimate contact between the deposited metal bridge and plastic substrate makes the initiator resistant to vibration, bending and damage. The method of manufacturing is simpler than for conventional inflator initiators and is adapted to mass production.

US Patent:

56648022, Sep 9, 1997

Filed:

Feb 15, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/601946

Inventors:

Bradley D. Harris - Farmington UT
Ian Faye - Stuttgart, DE

Assignee:

Morton International, Inc. - Chicago IL
Robert Bosch GmbH - Stuttgart-Feuerbach

International Classification:

B60R 2126

US Classification:

280736

Abstract:

A hybrid inflator includes a pressure bottle containing compressed gas, combustible propellant for augmenting the stored gas and defining an outlet for delivering inflation gas from the inflator to a primary airbag cushion. The hybrid inflator further includes a vent opening defined as a second outlet from the pressure bottle for releasing stored compressed gas therefrom and a rupturable diaphragm positioned to seal the vent and prevent premature flow from the vent opening. A controller provides a signal for operating a squib for opening the primary outlet means and igniting the combustible propellant, and another signal for operating a squib rupturing the diaphragm covering the vent opening. The vent opening may be opened first to vent gas from the pressure bottle in advance of opening the primary outlet, may be opened with or after the primary outlet, or not at all. The vented gas is variously used for a soft onset of inflation of the primary airbag cushion, for inflation of an additional airbag cushion including a knee bolster, or the gas is dispersed.

US Patent:

53420861, Aug 30, 1994

Filed:

May 3, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/056558

Inventors:

Bradley D. Harris - Farmington UT
Quin Soderquist - South Weber UT

Assignee:

Morton International, Inc. - Chicago IL

International Classification:

B60R 2120

US Classification:

280728B

Abstract:

A closure for an air bag deployment opening is provided. The closure includes at least one stress concentration feature adapted to form, under the influence of an inflating bag, a selected initial opening in the face portion of the closure for the deployment of the bag therethrough.

US Patent:

57628530, Jun 9, 1998

Filed:

Apr 1, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/625108

Inventors:

Bradley D. Harris - Farmington UT
Gregory J. Lang - South Ogden UT
W. Gary Wirt - Clinton Township MI

Assignee:

Morton International, Inc. - Chicago IL

International Classification:

B29C 3502
B29C 4120

US Classification:

264254

Abstract:

A flexible sensor, such as a membrane switch, is molded into a plastic automotive panel by a low temperature, low pressure, method which avoids damage to the switch while insuring its placement at a desired depth below the surface of the panel. This is achieved by a process which includes a first step of spraying a mold with a rapid gelling liquid plastic to a preselected thickness. After the plastic has firmed, the sensor is placed thereon and is encapsulated by spraying with a second layer of the plastic. The resulting shell with the embedded sensor may then be provided with a backing, such as a plastic foam.