Daniel R Sutherland

US Patent:

6382661, May 7, 2002

Filed:

Nov 20, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/717960

Inventors:

Daniel R. Sutherland - Eastpointe MI

Assignee:

TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

International Classification:

B60R 2116

US Classification:

2807282, 280731, 280736, 74552

Abstract:

An apparatus ( ) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant in the event of a vehicle collision comprises a steering wheel ( ) including a steering wheel armature ( ). The steering wheel armature ( ) has a centrally located hub portion ( ), a circumferentially extending rim portion ( ), and at least one spoke ( ) extending between the rim portion and the hub portion. At least one inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( ) is mounted on the steering wheel armature ( ). An actuatable inflator ( ), when actuated, inflates the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( ). The inflator ( ) forms at least a portion of the at least one spoke ( ) of the steering wheel armature ( ).

US Patent:

6536802, Mar 25, 2003

Filed:

Nov 13, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/015116

Inventors:

Daniel R. Sutherland - Eastpointe MI
Kevin M. Brown - Mesa AZ
Kirk W. Christiansen - Tempe AZ
Dirk Schultz - Schwabisch Gmund, DE
Bryan W. Shirk - Mesa AZ
Timothy A. Swann - Mesa AZ
Eric C. Erike - Mesa AZ
Vincent J. Mramor - Chandler AZ
Roy D. Van Wynsberghe - Mesa AZ

Assignee:

TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. - Lyndhurst OH
TRW Occupant Restraint Systems GmbH Co. KG - Alfdorf
TRW Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

International Classification:

B60R 21045

US Classification:

280752, 280732, 2807301, 180 90, 296 70

Abstract:

An instrument panel assembly ( ) comprises a structural carrier member ( ) which is formed as one piece and has a first section ( ) defining a first chamber ( ) for receiving and supporting a first component ( ). The structural carrier member ( ) has a second section ( ) defining a second chamber ( ) for receiving and supporting a second component ( ). The first component ( ) comprises a first inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( ) received in the first chamber ( ). The structural carrier member ( ) further defines a deployment opening ( ) through which the first protection device ( ) is inflatable from the first chamber ( ). The second component ( ) comprises an occupant knee protection device ( ) received in the second chamber ( ) for helping to protect the vehicle occupants legs in the event of a vehicle collision.

US Patent:

59314990, Aug 3, 1999

Filed:

Apr 14, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/059825

Inventors:

Daniel R. Sutherland - Sterling Heights MI

Assignee:

TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

International Classification:

B60S 900

US Classification:

280755

Abstract:

An apparatus includes a vehicle stabilizer (16) and a structure (14) which supports the stabilizer (16) on a vehicle (10) for movement to a deployed position. When the stabilizer (16) is in the deployed position, it projects laterally from the vehicle (10) so as to restrain rolling of the vehicle (10). A stabilizer control system (18) moves the stabilizer to the deployed position when the vehicle (10) experiences a rollover crash. The stabilizer control system (18) includes a source of energy (92) for moving the stabilizer (16) to the deployed position, a sensor (106) for sensing the occurrence of a rollover crash, and a device (90) for responding to the sensor (106) by actuating the source of energy (92) upon the occurrence of a rollover crash.

US Patent:

6135497, Oct 24, 2000

Filed:

Jun 29, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/106650

Inventors:

Daniel R. Sutherland - Sterling Heights MI
Michael James White - Shelby Township MI
Robert I. Phillion - Ray Township MI

Assignee:

TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

International Classification:

B60R 2106

US Classification:

280749

Abstract:

An apparatus (10) includes a vehicle occupant protection curtain (12) which is movable from a retracted position to a deployed position extending across a vehicle window (15). The apparatus (10) further includes a track (44 or 48) and a runner (34). The runner (34) is connected to the curtain (12) to draw the curtain (12) from the retracted position to the deployed position upon movement of the runner (34) along the track (44 or 48) from a first position to a second position. The track (44 or 48) defines a plurality of intermediate positions to which the runner (34) is movable transversely of the track (44 or 48) in a direction toward the window (15). The track (44 or 48) blocks return movement of the runner (34) from each of the intermediate positions toward the initial position under the influence of tension imparted to the curtain (12) by a vehicle occupant moving against the curtain (12) in a direction outward of the window (15).

US Patent:

61458643, Nov 14, 2000

Filed:

Oct 21, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/176185

Inventors:

Daniel R. Sutherland - Sterling Heights MI

Assignee:

TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

International Classification:

B62D 5306

US Classification:

280432

Abstract:

A safety device (30) is actuatable to uncouple a first vehicle (10) from a second vehicle (12) to which the first vehicle (10) is coupled by a pivotable joint. An actuating apparatus (70, 72) senses and responds to a specified vehicle crash condition by actuating the safety device (30). Preferably, an additional safety device (32) is actuatable to roll the vehicles (10, 12) relative to one another. The actuating apparatus (70, 72) further responds to the specified vehicle crash condition by actuating the additional safety device (32).

US Patent:

59314931, Aug 3, 1999

Filed:

Apr 14, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/824709

Inventors:

Daniel R. Sutherland - Sterling Heights MI

Assignee:

TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

International Classification:

B60R 2122

US Classification:

2807301

Abstract:

A vehicle occupant safety apparatus (10) includes a knee bolster (80) movable from a stored position adjacent to an instrument panel (40) of the vehicle to a blocking position spaced apart from the instrument panel. An actuator (30) for moving the knee bolster (80) from the stored position to the blocking position is supported on the instrument panel (40) by an actuator support (70). An attachment member (90) is connected with the knee bolster (80). The knee bolster (80) is movable relative to the attachment member (90) when the knee bolster is in the blocking position. The attachment member (90) is fixed to the instrument panel (40) adjacent to the actuator support (70). A plurality of tethers (100, 102) are connected between the knee bolster (80) and the attachment member (90) for controlling movement of the knee bolster relative to the attachment member. The actuator (30) preferably includes an inflatable device (52) which is inflatable to move the knee bolster (80) from the stored position to the blocking position. The tethers (100, 102) are located outside the inflatable device (52) and are the only connection between the knee bolster (80) and the instrument panel (40) when the knee bolster is in the blocking position.

US Patent:

6250665, Jun 26, 2001

Filed:

Dec 15, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/211411

Inventors:

Daniel R. Sutherland - Eastpointe MI
Matthew G. Bombard - Washington MI
Paul A. Bowers - Ray MI

Assignee:

TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

International Classification:

B60R 2116

US Classification:

2807282

Abstract:

An apparatus (10) includes a retainer ring configured to overlie an edge portion (52) of an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14) adjacent to an opening (53) defined by the edge portion (52). A mounting stud projects from the retainer ring. In a one embodiment, the mounting stud (64) has a central axis (71) and a free end (72) spaced from the retainer ring (54) along the axis (71). The peripheral size and shape of the mounting stud (64) are uniform fully between the retainer ring (54) and the free end (72). The mounting stud (64) further has an axially extending bore (85) configured to receive a screw-threaded fastener (66). In an additional embodiment, the mounting stud (124) is receivable through an aperture (76) in a reaction structure (28). The mounting stud (124) and a key (140) are configured to snap together into an interlocked condition in which the key (140) blocks withdrawal of the mounting stud (124) from the aperture (76) in the reaction structure (28).

US Patent:

61233552, Sep 26, 2000

Filed:

Mar 18, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/040857

Inventors:

Daniel R. Sutherland - Sterling Heights MI

Assignee:

TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

International Classification:

B60R 2122

US Classification:

2807282

Abstract:

A vehicle occupant safety apparatus (10) for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle (12) having a roof (46) and a side structure (40) includes a first vehicle occupant protection device (20). The first protection device (20) is inflatable into a position between the side of the occupant's head and the vehicle side structure (40). A first inflation fluid source (14) directs inflation fluid into the first inflatable device to inflate the first inflatable device. A second vehicle occupant protection device (22) is inflatable into a position between the top of the occupant's head and the vehicle roof (46). A second inflation fluid source (16) is actuatable independently of the first inflation fluid source for directing inflation fluid into the second inflatable device to inflate the second inflatable device. Control means (30, 32) is responsive to at least one sensed vehicle condition for selectively actuating the second inflation fluid source (16) at a predetermined period of time after actuation of the first inflation fluid source (14).