Robert Ahlen Mcgee

US Patent:

6705635, Mar 16, 2004

Filed:

Aug 1, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/920260

Inventors:

David E. Hoeft - Clawson MI
James Hoskyns - Lake Orion MI
Robert F. McGee - Davisburg MI

Assignee:

Autoliv ASP, Inc. - Ogden UT

International Classification:

B60R 2122

US Classification:

2807282, 2807302, 411107, 411156, 411339

Abstract:

An attachment assembly for attaching a cushion member for an airbag apparatus to a vehicle surface is disclosed. The attachment assembly is particularly useful for attaching curtain type cushion members, as for a side impact airbag system. The attachment assembly may include a protrusion with a rod and a knob larger than the rod. A compressible spring washer is affixed to the rod. A hole formed in a mounting portion of the cushion member is then fitted around the rod, outside the washer. A cap is affixed to the rod to keep the cushion member in place. The protrusion, with the attached cushion member, may then be affixed to the vehicle surface through the use of a keyhole formed in the vehicle surface. The knob is pushed longitudinally into a larger, clearance portion of the keyhole, such that the spring washer is compressed. Then, the protrusion is moved transversely into an engaged configuration, in which the knob and the spring washer engage the interference portion.

US Patent:

6758490, Jul 6, 2004

Filed:

Apr 25, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/841861

Inventors:

David E. Hoeft - Clawson MI
John Sonnenberg - Holly MI
Robert F. McGee - Davisburg MI

Assignee:

Autoliv ASP, Inc. - Ogden UT

International Classification:

B60R 2122

US Classification:

2807302

Abstract:

A novel airbag curtain fold configuration for a safety restraint system, especially well suited to protect occupants of a vehicle from lateral impact is described. One or more airbag curtains are provided to inflate between an occupant and a lateral surface, such as a door or side window. The airbag curtain includes a first and second side. A fold portion is configured adjacent the first side and a rolled portion is configured opposite the fold portion adjacent the second side of the airbag. Attachment tabs may extend from an edge of the airbag curtain beyond the rolled and fold portions to facilitate attachment of the airbag curtain to a vehicle as part of an airbag system. A method for folding an airbag curtain is described. A first edge of the airbag curtain is folded to a position adjacent a first side of the airbag curtain. A second edge of the airbag curtain is rolled toward the first edge of the airbag curtain until the rolled portion is substantially adjacent the fold portion on an opposing side of the airbag curtain.

US Patent:

56976410, Dec 16, 1997

Filed:

May 14, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/649130

Inventors:

Robert F. McGee - Clawson MI
Steven W. Maurer - Clinton Township MI

Assignee:

TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

International Classification:

B60R 2116
B60R 2122

US Classification:

2807431

Abstract:

An inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (14), such as an air bag, includes first and second inflatable structures (72,74). The first inflatable structure (72) has an inflated location between the occupant's thorax and a side portion (20) of the vehicle. A second inflatable structure (74) has an inflated location between the occupant's head and the side portion (20) of the vehicle. A valve (80) increases the pressure of inflation fluid in the second inflatable structure (74) in response to engagement of the occupant's thorax with the first inflatable structure (72) prior to subsequent engagement of the occupant's head with the second inflatable structure (74). The valve (80) has an open condition permitting inflation fluid to flow from the first inflatable structure (72) to the second inflatable structure (74) under the influence of pressure in the first inflatable structure (72), and has a closed condition blocking the inflation fluid from flowing back from the second inflatable structure (74) to the first inflatable structure (72) under the influence of the pressure in the second inflatable structure (74).

US Patent:

59063904, May 25, 1999

Filed:

May 19, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/858610

Inventors:

Robert I. Phillion - Ray Township MI
Edward F. Elmer - Auburn Hills MI
Robert F. McGee - Clawson MI
John P. Wallner - Rochester MI
Bonnie L. Maier - Capac MI
Michael Akins - Oakland MI

Assignee:

TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

International Classification:

B60R 2122

US Classification:

2807283

Abstract:

An apparatus (10) includes a vehicle part (16) with a structural portion (44) and a trim portion (50) covering the structural portion (44). An air bag module (30) is located within a deployment opening (56) in the trim portion (50) of the vehicle part (16). A deployment structure (70) closes the deployment opening (56). The deployment structure (70) consists of a single, continuous body of molded plastic material, and includes a deployment door (78 or 80) partially bounded by a stress riser (82) in the plastic material. The module (30) is mounted on the structural portion (44) of the vehicle part (16). The deployment structure (70) is fully supported on the vehicle part (16) by the trim portion (50) separately from the module (30) and the structural portion (44).

US Patent:

62674080, Jul 31, 2001

Filed:

Dec 20, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/381827

Inventors:

Patrick G. Jarboe - Almont Twp. MI
James N. Sonnenberg - Royal Oak MI
Robert F. McGee - Clawson MI

Assignee:

Autoliv Development AB - V.ang.rg.ang.rda

International Classification:

B60R 2124

US Classification:

280729

Abstract:

An air-bag arrangement for use in a motor vehicle comprises a gas generator(9) which generates gas when an accident occurs. An air-bag is provided to be inflated by the gas. The air-bag comprises three super-imposed fabric layers(2,3,4), the outer peripheries of which are conjoined by a seam(5). A central aperture(6) in the lower-most layer receives the gas outlet(8) of the gas generator. A plurality of apertures(12) are formed in the intermediate layer and seams(13) interconnect the intermediate layer(3) and the lower-most(2) adjacent the apertures. The seams(13) partially surround each aperture, but are not present in a region(14) which is radially outwardly positioned relative to the center of the intermediate layer(3). This arrangement causes the bag, on inflation, to inflate laterally outwardly before inflating towards the occupant of the vehicle to be protected by the bag.

US Patent:

58488049, Dec 15, 1998

Filed:

May 29, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/654688

Inventors:

Michael J. White - Shelby Township MI
Robert F. McGee - Clawson MI
Steven W. Maurer - Clinton Township MI
Richard E. Shellabarger - Sterling Heights MI
Jeffrey C. Synor - Utica MI

Assignee:

TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

International Classification:

B60R 2120

US Classification:

2807431

Abstract:

A side impact air bag module (10) includes an air bag (30) and an inflator (32) which is actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating the air bag. The air bag (30) includes first and second main body portions (70, 120) and a first retainer portion (80) which is disposed between the first and second main body portions. The first retainer portion (80) and the first main body portion (70) of the air bag (30) at least partially define a pocket (200) in the air bag in which the inflator (32) and a diffuser (34) are disposed. Stitching sections (182b, 184b) close two sides of the pocket (200).