Daniel Thomas O'Neill

US Patent:

20020195803, Dec 26, 2002

Filed:

Jun 26, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/892387

Inventors:

John Terbu - Clinton UT, US
Daniel O'Neill - Brighton MI, US

International Classification:

B60R021/22

US Classification:

280/730200

Abstract:

A novel airbag device, especially well suited to protect occupants of a vehicle from lateral impact is described. The airbag device includes an inflatable curtain and a wrap having a first edge and a second edge. The edges are configured such that the wrap can be secured about the curtain when the curtain is in a folded state. One edge of the wrap includes a securement portion which may be two-sided tape secured along an edge of the wrap. The securement portion allows the edges of the wrap to be secured to each other. Attachment tabs extend from an edge of the curtain through slots in the wrap to facilitate attachment of the curtain airbag to a vehicle as part of an airbag system. The curtain is folded into a predetermined configuration. The wrap is then secured about the curtain by removing a backing of the two-side tape, cinching the wrap about the curtain, and then securing one edge of the wrap to the second edge about the curtain.

US Patent:

62094998, Apr 3, 2001

Filed:

Sep 20, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/399463

Inventors:

Nathan B. Owen - Holly MI
Daniel Patrick O'Neill - Fairport NY
Thomas Howard Lichti - Fairport NY

Assignee:

Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

F01L 1245

US Classification:

123 9055

Abstract:

A C-clip retainer is provided in a groove of a piston, such as for an engine hydraulic valve lash adjuster, to allow installation and removably retain the piston in a cylinder of an associated assembly. The groove has a novel shape including an inner surface that is angled relative to a longitudinal axis of the piston to provide a larger groove diameter at a first axial end surface and a smaller diameter at an opposite second axial end surface of the groove. Upon installation, the clip is urged into the smaller diameter, allowing easier installation, but upon removal the clip is expanded by forcing it to the larger diameter, thereby increasing the retention force on the piston. The first axial end surface may also be formed with a back angle that reduces forces of the associated cylinder edge that tend to compress the retainer into the groove, thus further increasing the piston retention force.