Jeffrey S Aird

US Patent:

20050189744, Sep 1, 2005

Filed:

Mar 1, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/790523

Inventors:

Kwen Hsu - Rochester Hills MI, US
Ayad Nayef - Sterling Heights MI, US
Jeffrey Aird - Rochester MI, US
Ali Bakhsh - Rochester Hills MI, US
Al Saberan - New Baltimore MI, US

International Classification:

B60R021/22

US Classification:

280730200

Abstract:

An apparatus () for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle () that has a side structure () and a roof () includes an inflatable curtain (). The inflatable curtain () includes a front portion () and a rear portion (). The inflatable curtain () is inflatable away from the vehicle roof () to a position adjacent the side structure (). An inflation fluid source () provides inflation fluid for inflating the inflatable curtain (). A fill tube () directs inflation fluid from the inflation fluid source () into the inflatable curtain (). The fill tube () has a portion () that extends into one of the front and rear portions (and ) and terminates in the one of the front and rear portions. The fill tube () also has an open end portion () for directing inflation fluid to flow axially from the fill tube into the inflatable curtain () and at least one aperture () for directing inflation fluid to flow generally radially from the fill tube into the inflatable curtain.

US Patent:

20070013178, Jan 18, 2007

Filed:

Jul 15, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/182650

Inventors:

Jeffrey Aird - Rochester MI, US

International Classification:

B60R 21/213
B60R 21/26

US Classification:

280740000, 280730200, 280742000

Abstract:

An apparatus () helps protect an occupant of a vehicle (). The apparatus () includes a first inflatable vehicle occupant protection device () and a first fill tube () for delivering inflation fluid to the first inflatable vehicle occupant protection device. The first inflatable vehicle occupant protection device () is inflatable to protect occupants of a first row () of vehicle seating. The apparatus () also includes a second inflatable vehicle occupant protection device () and a second fill tube () for delivering inflation fluid to the second inflatable vehicle occupant protection device. The second inflatable vehicle occupant protection device () is inflatable to protect an occupant of a row () of vehicle seating different than the first row () of vehicle seating. The apparatus () further includes a quick connect coupling () for connecting the second fill tube () to the first fill tube () to direct inflation fluid from the first fill tube into the second fill tube.

US Patent:

51525496, Oct 6, 1992

Filed:

Apr 22, 1991

Appl. No.:

7/689005

Inventors:

Jeffrey S. Aird - Mesa AZ

Assignee:

TRW Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

International Classification:

B60R 2116

US Classification:

280728

Abstract:

A vehicle safety apparatus includes an inflator for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint such as an air bag, a support plate for attaching the inflator to the steering wheel of the vehicle, and a retainer for mounting the inflator on the support plate. The retainer has a fastening portion for fastening the retainer to the support plate, and a clamping portion for clamping the inflator to the support plate. At least one lead wire extends from the inflator and terminates in the wire connector. A portion of the inflator projects through an opening in the support plate. The inflator has a radially outwardly extending flange portion larger in diameter than the opening in the support plate. The clamping portion of the retainer clamps the flange portion of the inflator against the support plate. The retainer supports the wire connector in position relative to the inflator.