Gerald Michael Keller

US Patent:

6902227, Jun 7, 2005

Filed:

Mar 17, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/390086

Inventors:

Gerald J. Keller - Shelby Township MI, US

Assignee:

Autoliv ASP, Inc. - Ogden UT

International Classification:

B60R021/02
B62D025/04
B62D027/00

US Classification:

29618705, 29620303, 29619306

Abstract:

An energy absorber for protecting the occupants of a vehicle. The energy absorber includes an interior portion and a first contact surface at least partially surrounding the interior portion. The first contact surface is attachable to a structural member of the vehicle. The energy absorber also includes at least one hollow cavity extending through the interior portion in a direction substantially parallel to the first contact surface. During a vehicle collision, the first contact surface absorbs energy from occupant impact with an interior trim piece by deforming into the hollow cavity.

US Patent:

6916045, Jul 12, 2005

Filed:

Aug 20, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/643865

Inventors:

Gerald J. Keller - Shelby Township MI, US
Brian Blackburn - Rochester MI, US

Assignee:

Key Safety Systems, Inc. - Sterling Heights MI

International Classification:

B60R022/28

US Classification:

280805, 280807, 2423791

Abstract:

A seat belt load limiter employs a magnetostrictive sensor to detect the elastic loading and plastic deformation of a torsion rod forming part of a seat belt retractor. A magnet and a coil are placed about or adjacent to the torsion rod. When the torsion rod undergoes elastic or plastic strain, an electrical voltage is induced in the coil which is used to detect elastic or plastic strain of the torsion rod. A vehicle safety system uses the output of the magnetostrictive sensor to inform the vehicle operator when the seat belt load limiter is in need of replacement. The output of the magnetostrictive sensor as processed by the vehicle safety system can also be used to detect a situation where the seat occupant is not restrained by the seat belt and to make an airbag deployment decision.

US Patent:

7273191, Sep 25, 2007

Filed:

Dec 9, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/008308

Inventors:

Gunter Clute - Bloomfield Hills MI, US
Gerald Keller - Shelby Township MI, US

Assignee:

Autoliv ASP, Inc. - Ogden UT

International Classification:

B65H 75/48

US Classification:

2423791, 280805, 297470

Abstract:

A seatbelt retractor is disclosed. The seatbelt retractor includes a frame, a spindle, and a torsion member. The frame is attached to a structural member of a vehicle. The spindle is rotatably supported in the frame. The spindle includes a slot for accommodating a seatbelt webbing. The torsion member is coupled to the spindle, and the torsion member has a first engagement end, a second engagement end and an intermediate engagement portion disposed between the first and second engagement ends. The intermediate engagement portion includes an engagement portion and a non-engagement portion, wherein the engagement portion couples the torsion member to the spindle and the non-engagement portion is proximate the seatbelt webbing and allows seatbelt webbing to pass through the slot without interference.

US Patent:

7410113, Aug 12, 2008

Filed:

Dec 9, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/008307

Inventors:

Gerald Keller - Shelby Township MI, US
Lloyd Snyder - Oxford MI, US

Assignee:

Autoliv ASP, Inc. - Ogden UT

International Classification:

B60R 22/28
B65H 75/48

US Classification:

2423791, 242382, 2423825, 280805, 297470, 297471, 297472, 267273, 267154

Abstract:

A seatbelt retractor is disclosed. The seatbelt retractor has a frame, a spindle, a seatbelt webbing and torsion bar. The frame is attached to a structure of a road vehicle. The spindle is rotatably supported by the frame. The seatbelt webbing is wound about the spindle for retraction there to and protraction there from. The torsion bar is fixedly coupled to the spindle for rotation therewith, the torsion bar has a first torsion portion mechanically coupled or press-fitted into a second torsion portion.

US Patent:

7954854, Jun 7, 2011

Filed:

Jul 15, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/173608

Inventors:

Gerald J. Keller - Shelby Township MI, US
Kurt W. Schulz - Romeo MI, US

Assignee:

Autoliv ASP, Inc. - Ogden UT

International Classification:

B65H 75/48

US Classification:

280807, 2423791

Abstract:

A torsion bar, constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, an elongated bar has a first end, a second end, and a mid-section between the first and second ends. The first end of the elongated bar has a material void. The first end preferably has a diameter substantially equal to a diameter of the mid-section. In one design, the material void is a slot extending longitudinally, and the first end may also define a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots extending longitudinally. In another design, the material void is a bore extending longitudinally, and the first end may also define a plurality of slots extending longitudinally and extending from the bore through an exterior surface of the elongated bar to leave a plurality of fingers at the first end. In these designs and other, the torsion bar and the material void may be cold forged, thereby eliminating a second forming step. The torsion bar may also include a plurality of circumferentially spaced ribs extending longitudinally from the first end to the second end.

US Patent:

8220735, Jul 17, 2012

Filed:

Dec 22, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/644838

Inventors:

Bin Wang - Windsor, CA
Frank Kiiskila - Leonard MI, US
Daniel Webb - Oxford MI, US
Jon E. Burrow - Ortonville MI, US
Kurt W. Schulz - Romeo MI, US
Chad Moore - Rochester Hills MI, US
Gerald Keller - Shelby Township MI, US

Assignee:

Autoliv ASP, Inc. - Ogden UT

International Classification:

B65H 75/48

US Classification:

242374, 2423791, 280805

Abstract:

An adaptive load limiting seat belt retractor particularly adapted for motor vehicle applications. The retractor provides multiple levels of load limiting through the use of a pair of internal torsion bar elements. The torsion bar elements control the tension force on the seat belt webbing during an impact in a manner which provides desirable crash management characteristics. The retractor can be switched between high and low load limiting modes through activation of a pyrotechnic pretensioner. When the pyrotechnic pretensioner is not activated, the retractor provides a low load level characteristic. Pretensioner activation switches the retractor into a high load level operating condition. A high load limiting level is provided when the pretensioner is not activated if the spindle rotation exceeds a limited level in the low load limiting condition. A degressive load limiting feature may be provided to cause load limiting to begin at a higher level than the high load limiting level, and then step down the high load limiting level.

US Patent:

20120006926, Jan 12, 2012

Filed:

Nov 19, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/950385

Inventors:

Jon BURROW - Ortonville MI, US
Gerald KELLER - Shelby Township MI, US

Assignee:

AUTOLIV ASP, INC. - Ogden UT

International Classification:

B65H 75/48

US Classification:

242374

Abstract:

A pretensioner assembly for motor vehicle belt restraint systems is provided. The pretensioner assembly includes a tube in fluid communication with a gas generator. An elastic piston disposed within the tube is operable to drive a plurality of balls upon receiving pressurized gas discharged from the gas generator. The piston includes a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end includes a flexible rim that expands upon receiving pressurized gas from the gas generator, and the distal end includes a flexible rim that expands in response to backpressure from the plurality of balls. The expansion of the flexible rims at the proximal and distal ends of the piston provides a tight seal between the piston and the inner peripheral wall of the tube.

US Patent:

20120049500, Mar 1, 2012

Filed:

Aug 31, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/872285

Inventors:

Bin Wang - Windsor, CA
Frank Kiiskila - Leonard MI, US
Daniel K. Webb - Oxford MI, US
Jon E. Burrow - Ortonville MI, US
Kurt W. Schulz - Romeo MI, US
Chad E. Moore - Rochester Hills MI, US
Gerald J. Keller - Shelby Township MI, US

International Classification:

B60R 22/46

US Classification:

280806

Abstract:

A seat belt retractor for use in seat belt restraint systems. The retractor incorporates dual rotopretensioner units and adaptive load limiting characteristics. Preferably, the rotopretensioners are positioned on opposite ends of a retractor spool for driving the spool for pretensioning rotation. A first pretensioner may be activated alone to provide pretensioning rotation. In one embodiment of the invention, if the second pretensioner is not activated, the system will be engaged to provide a given belt load limiting characteristic. A second rotopretensioner may be fired either after the first pretensioner is fired to increase pay-in capacity or to activate a different load limiting characteristic for the retractor.