Gary L Gordon

US Patent:

58136932, Sep 29, 1998

Filed:

Feb 26, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/605495

Inventors:

Gary G. Gordon - Southfield MI
Scott A. Kelley - Algonac MI
Andrew J. Smydra - Rochester MI

Assignee:

TRW VechicleSafety Systems Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

International Classification:

B06R 2120

US Classification:

2807283

Abstract:

An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (20) is attached to a vehicle part (22). The protection device (20) is deployable, upon inflation, through a deployment opening (24) in the vehicle part (22). A cover (60) closes the deployment opening (24) prior to deployment of the protection device (20). The cover (60) moves away from the vehicle part (22) upon deployment of the protection device (20). Attachment devices (82, 300) releasably attach the cover (60) to the vehicle part (22) and comprise a clip (120, 302) which is attachable to one of the cover and the vehicle part. The one of the cover (60) and the vehicle part (22) has a mounting opening (86, 322) and a recess (88, 324) adjacent the mounting opening. The clip (120, 302) includes a retaining portion (152, 364) biased to be received in the recess (88, 324) to inhibit removal of the clip, an opening (162, 380) for alignment with the mounting opening (86, 322), and a resiliently deflectable portion (164, 382). The attachment devices (82, 300) also include a stud (122, 304) which is non-pivotally fixed to the other of the vehicle part (22) and the cover (60).

US Patent:

55670989, Oct 22, 1996

Filed:

Feb 1, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/382484

Inventors:

Gary Gordon - Southfield MI

Assignee:

TRW Inc. - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

F16B 1306

US Classification:

411 48

Abstract:

A fastener assembly adapted to be integrated with a component such as a coat hook to allow the coat hook to be releasably mounted to a panel. The fastener assembly includes resilient latch legs that extend from the first component and are adapted to engage in a panel opening. The legs include resilient spring fingers that permit the assembly to be preassembled to a second component such as a headliner prior to the time that the first component and the second component are joined to the panel.

US Patent:

56391129, Jun 17, 1997

Filed:

Feb 6, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/597118

Inventors:

Jack A. Phillion - Shelby Township MI
Angelo J. Adler - Armada MI
Ali S. Emambakhsh - Flat Rock MI
Gary G. Gordon - Southfield MI
David J. Davis - Troy MI

Assignee:

TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. - Lyndhurst OH
TRW Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

International Classification:

B60R 2116

US Classification:

2807282

Abstract:

An air bag module (12) includes an inflator (20), a canister (24) which contains the inflator (20), and an air bag (18). The air bag module (12) further includes a retainer assembly (26) which contains the air bag (18) in an uninflated condition. The retainer assembly (26) includes a pair of retainers (210,212) that are fastened together with an edge portion (192) of the air bag (18) retained between the retainers (210,212). The retainer assembly (26) and the canister (24) are fastened to each other in an assembled relationship in which an inlet opening (196) in the air bag (18) is aligned with an outlet opening (112) in the canister (24). The retainer assembly (26) and the canister (24) snap together into a mechanically interlocked condition when they are moved into their assembled relationship. The inflator (20) and the canister (24) also snap together into a mechanically interlocked condition when the inflator (20) is moved into the canister (24).

US Patent:

57721602, Jun 30, 1998

Filed:

Sep 19, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/716097

Inventors:

Gary G. Gordon - Southfield MI

Assignee:

TRW Inc. - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

F16L 300

US Classification:

248 681

Abstract:

A bracket for mounting from a pair of pipes that extend in spaced parallel relationship comprises a main bracket body having oppositely disposed front and rear faces. A plurality of resilient retaining clips extend from the rear face. The clips are configured and adapted to partially encircle the pipes in gripping relationship thereto. At least one of the retaining clips includes a pivotal latch associated therewith and adapted for releasably latching the clip to the associated pipe and preventing undesired disengagement therefrom.

US Patent:

56369530, Jun 10, 1997

Filed:

Jun 11, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/661938

Inventors:

Wilfred R. Jaeger - Rochester Hills MI
Gary G. Gordon - Southfield MI

Assignee:

TRW Inc. - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

F16B 1304
F16B 3902

US Classification:

411 82

Abstract:

A fastener assembly for mounting to a panel to allow connection of associated structures thereto comprises a fastener receiving and retaining member formed of plastic and including an elongated sleeve-like body having a head end and a terminal end with a central aperture extending axially therebetween. A flange extends radially from the head end and a fastener receiving bore is carried at the terminal end in alignment with the central aperture. Radially extending retaining elements are carried on the sleeve-like body. A first set of openings is formed through the flange and a second set of openings is formed through the sleeve-like body at a location closely adjacent the flange. A sheet of temperature expandable sealer material is carried on the sleeve-like body adjacent the flange such that when the said member is mounted to a panel by extending the sleeve-like body through an opening in the panel the sheet of expandable sealer material is compressed between the flange and the panel. Thereafter, heating the assembly causes the sealer material to expand and bond the fastener in position while sealing the opening in which it is mounted.

US Patent:

56516320, Jul 29, 1997

Filed:

Mar 27, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/410825

Inventors:

Gary Gordon - Southfield MI

Assignee:

TRW Inc. - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

F16B 506

US Classification:

403319

Abstract:

A plastic retainer assembly for joining components to the end of a cylindrical post comprises a retainer having a body with a shell extending therefrom. The shell has an axially extending center opening adapted to be closely received on the post. Gripping teeth are carried by the shell and are mounted for radial movement between a radial inner position for gripping the post and a radial outer non-gripping position. A lock ring is engaged about the shell and is slidable axially thereof from a first to a second position. The lock ring includes camming surfaces for driving the gripping teeth to their radial inner position as the lock ring moves from its first to its second position. A latch subassembly is provided for preventing movement of the lock ring from the second to the first position.

US Patent:

57852855, Jul 28, 1998

Filed:

Feb 20, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/603447

Inventors:

Gary G. Gordon - Southfield MI

Assignee:

TRW Inc. - Cleveland OH

International Classification:

F16L 322

US Classification:

248 681

Abstract:

Apparatus for securing together a non-linear array of at least three tubes positioned with their longitudinal axes extending parallel comprises a relatively rigid frame carrying first, second, and third cylindrical tube receiving and retaining recesses. Each recess is defined by a separate pair of opposed arms with at least one arm of each pair being resilient and deflectable in a radial direction relative to its respective recess. The arms in each pair have spaced end portions defining an entrance opening to the recess defined thereby. The entrance openings to the second and third of the recesses are generally aligned with tangents to imaginary circles having their center at the center of the first recess and a radius equal to the distance between the center of the first recess and the center of the recess of the respective second or third opening such that the apparatus can be installed by positioning the first tube in the first recess and then rotating the frame about the first tube to engage the second and third tubes into the second and third recesses.

US Patent:

56515626, Jul 29, 1997

Filed:

Feb 28, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/608176

Inventors:

George T. Hagen - Troy MI
Gary G. Gordon - Southfield MI

Assignee:

TRW Inc. - Lyndhurst OH
TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

International Classification:

B60R 2120

US Classification:

2807283

Abstract:

An apparatus (10) for helping to protect a vehicle occupant during a vehicle collision includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (40) deployable through a first opening (24) in a vehicle part (20). A cover (60) closes the first opening (24) in the vehicle part. A plurality of fasteners (100) releasably attach the cover (60) to the vehicle part (20). The fasteners (100) each comprise means for attaching the fastener (100) to the cover (60). The means for attaching the fastener (100) to the cover (60) include a plurality of deformable arms (112) defining a conical head portion (104) of the fastener. The arms (112) are deformable upon insertion into one of a plurality of second openings (82) and return toward their original shape after insertion into one of the second openings. A fin portion (108) of the fastener is adjacent to and extends from the conical head portion (104). The apparatus (10) includes means (28, 30, 170) for attaching the fin portion (108) to the vehicle part (20).