Kenneth D Clark

US Patent:

6921118, Jul 26, 2005

Filed:

Dec 5, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/310715

Inventors:

Kenneth M. Clark - Howell MI, US
Adam W. Callif - Holland MI, US
Giovanni Shin - Holland MI, US
John C. Ickes - Holland MI, US
Michael M. Warsaw - Holland MI, US
John Brett - Holland MI, US
Craig D. Flowerday - Holland MI, US

Assignee:

Johnson Controls Technology Company - Plymouth MI

International Classification:

B60R007/04

US Classification:

296 2434, 296 2446, 296 378, 296 3714

Abstract:

A console system which may translate longitudinally in a vehicle includes a forward end which is capable of being at least partially nested with a vehicle instrument panel. The range of movement may extend to the front seats or further toward the rear of the vehicle to provide functionality for occupants of second or even third row seats. The translation mechanism preferably includes a track similar to those employed in the vehicle art for manual seat adjustment. In the most preferred embodiment, a storage drawer is included in the instrument panel which may be used when the console is in any position, including its nested position.

US Patent:

6957761, Oct 25, 2005

Filed:

Apr 8, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/409266

Inventors:

William D. Staheli - North Ogden UT, US
Gregory J. Lang - South Ogden UT, US
Kenneth J. Clark - Morgan UT, US
Robert E. Lewis - Westhaven UT, US

Assignee:

Autoliv ASP, Inc. - Ogden UT

International Classification:

B23K020/12

US Classification:

2281121, 228113, 2281145

Abstract:

A method of joining tubular structures using friction welding is disclosed. The invention provides a method of joining a first tubular structure having a conical contact surface to a second tubular member with an elliptical contact orifice by placing the conical surface within the contact orifice, rotating one of the structures, and pressing them together to form a weld. The invention further discloses airbag inflators constructed using the method of the invention.

US Patent:

7104580, Sep 12, 2006

Filed:

Sep 12, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/520392

Inventors:

Kenneth Clark - Howell MI, US
Richard S. Duff - Auburn Hills MI, US
Craig Flowerday - Holland MI, US

Assignee:

Johnson Controls Technology Company - Holland MI

International Classification:

B60N 3/00

US Classification:

296 2432, 296 378

Abstract:

A low profile floor console for a vehicle includes a pair of end walls. In a lowered position, the console permits pass through between two spaced apart vehicle seats. When raised, fabric or netting attached, together with the end walls define a storage area. In the preferred embodiment, an add-on module fits over the raised end walls to provide a rigid storage area, and additional functionality, such as a tray, a power port, cup holders, change bins, and the like. The lid of the module may be configured for sliding or pivotal movement to allow access to the interior thereof. Also in the preferred embodiment, the floor console is constructed to trim out a parking brake assembly. In various alternate embodiments, the floor console end walls may be constructed to provide additional functionality, such as internal map pockets, and the console system may be arranged for use at different locations within the vehicle, such as in the cargo area. The add-on console modules may additionally provide a variety of functionality besides storage, such as a cooler, a kid's module, a baby module, an infotainment module, a work module, and the like. Two or more of the floor consoles of the present invention may be used between different seating rows within a vehicle or at other locations in the vehicle.

US Patent:

7331604, Feb 19, 2008

Filed:

May 5, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/122407

Inventors:

Gregory J Lang - South Ogden UT, US
Kenneth J. Clark - Morgan UT, US
William D. Staheli - North Ogden UT, US

Assignee:

Autoliv ASP, Inc. - Ogden UT

International Classification:

B60R 21/26

US Classification:

280736

Abstract:

Disclosed are methods for covering a weld line and structures used to cover a weld line. Embodiments of the method comprise covering a weld line, such as the weld line between components of an airbag inflator structure, with a protective sleeve. This allows jagged edges and whiskers created during the welding process to be covered. The protective sleeve may comprise an annular structure adapted to be fitted over the weld line.

US Patent:

7527291, May 5, 2009

Filed:

Sep 5, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/899255

Inventors:

Anthony M. Young - Malad ID, US
Kenneth J. Clark - Morgan UT, US
Scott Jackson - Centerville UT, US

Assignee:

Autoliv ASP, Inc. - Ogden UT

International Classification:

B60R 21/26

US Classification:

280737, 280741, 280742

Abstract:

A new type of airbag inflator is described. The airbag inflator includes a chamber that houses a quantity of inflation gas. The inflation gas is capable of filling and deploying an airbag. The inflator also includes a membrane that seals the chamber. A sliding baffle is also added to the inflator. The sliding baffle is positioned proximate the membrane. The sliding baffle has a membrane rupture mechanism and a plurality of gas flow holes. Upon initiation of the inflator, the sliding baffle slides to cause the rupture mechanism to fail the membrane. The rupture mechanism fails the membrane by detaching a single piece from the membrane. The single piece is sufficiently large such that it remains within the inflator (or within the sliding baffle) and does not pass through one of the gas flow holes.

US Patent:

8573670, Nov 5, 2013

Filed:

Aug 1, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/671951

Inventors:

Omela Zekavica - Novi MI, US
Alexander Saveski - South Lyon MI, US
Gregg Ronald LaFramboise - Windsor, CA
Kenneth M. Clark - Howell MI, US
Craig D. Flowerday - Holland MI, US
Beau Loren Anderson - Norway MI, US
Rick A. Anderson - Grand Haven MI, US
James P. LeFevre - South Lyon MI, US
David Thimm - Plymouth MI, US
Kurt A. Seibold - Whitmore Lake MI, US

Assignee:

Johnson Controls Technology Company - Holland MI

International Classification:

B60N 3/12

US Classification:

296 3715, 29718804

Abstract:

A passenger seating system () for a vehicle () comprising a seat back (), a seat cushion (), and a seat base (). The passenger seating system () may be configured to utilize, expose and/or create various storage areas. The storage areas may be located on or within the seat back (), the seat cushion (), and/or the seat base (). Other storage areas may be utilized, exposed and/or created by configuring the passenger seating system () in particular positions with vehicle interior components, such as a glove box.

US Patent:

20080246258, Oct 9, 2008

Filed:

Apr 6, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/784557

Inventors:

Bradley W. Smith - Plain City UT, US
Kenneth Clark - Mountain Green UT, US

International Classification:

B60R 21/26

US Classification:

280736, 29557

Abstract:

A burst disk for use in an inflator having an orifice. The burst disk includes a surface that may be disposed adjacent to the orifice. This surface includes a first side, a second side, and a non-circular perimeter, wherein at least one diagonal across the first side is greater than or equal to the diameter of the orifice. The burst disk may be generally square or rectangular in shape. By forming the burst disk in this manner, a lesser amount of raw material is needed to make the burst disk. Also, a lesser amount of material is wasted during the manufacturing process.

US Patent:

20130019587, Jan 24, 2013

Filed:

Jul 21, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/187752

Inventors:

Isaac Hoffman - Kaysville UT, US
Brett Hussey - Bountiful UT, US
Randy Clark - Kaysville UT, US
Kenneth J. Clark - Morgan UT, US

International Classification:

F02K 9/32
F02K 9/95

US Classification:

60256, 2989001

Abstract:

Thruster devices for use with a lateral thrust module and/or a flight body are adapted to achieve short action times with relatively slow burning propellant materials. Such thruster devices include a combustion chamber with a plurality of propellant grains disposed therein. At least some of the plurality of propellant grains are formed into a selected shape. Methods of making thruster devices include forming a housing comprising a first longitudinal end and an opposing second longitudinal end. The housing is formed to define a combustion chamber. A plurality of propellant grains are disposed in the combustion chamber of the housing, where each propellant grain comprises a selected shape. An igniter is coupled to the housing, which igniter is adapted to initiate a combustion of the plurality of propellant grains during deployment of the thruster device.