Susan Allyn Richards

US Patent:

6419178, Jul 16, 2002

Filed:

Jul 19, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/619112

Inventors:

Kenneth H. Kohlndorfer - Roseville MI
Richard A. Boelstler - Lake Orion MI
David R. Arnold - Macomb Township, Macomb County MI
Susan A. Richards - Sterling Heights MI
Markell Seitzman - Orchard Lake MI

Assignee:

Breed Automotive Technology, Inc. - Lakeland FL

International Classification:

B65H 7548

US Classification:

2423791, 280805, 280806, 280807

Abstract:

A seat belt retractor ( ) characterized by low mass and low operating noise, resistant to dust, moisture, and corrosion comprising: an integrally formed, quadrilaterally shaped main body portion ( ). In the preferred embodiment, the frame is injection molded using 50% or greater long glass fiber plastic or die cast or injection molded metal. A spring housing wall and wall of a mechanism cover are also integrally formed in the sides of the retractor. Positioned within the spring housing wall is a spring coil guide, as well as an integrally formed anchor, which is used to hold the outer end of a rewind spring. The mechanism side of the frame further includes an integrally formed post or pin to pivotally support a locking pawl.

US Patent:

6722601, Apr 20, 2004

Filed:

Jul 15, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/195617

Inventors:

Kenneth H. Kohlndorfer - Roseville MI
Richard A. Boelstler - Lake Orion MI
David R. Arnold - Macomb Township, Macomb County MI
Susan A. Richards - Sterling Heights MI
Markell Seitzman - Orchard Lake MI

Assignee:

Key Safety Systems, Inc. - Sterling Heights MI

International Classification:

B65H 7548

US Classification:

2423791, 280805, 280807

Abstract:

A seat belt retractor ( ) characterized by low mass and low operating noise, resistant to dust, moisture, and corrosion comprising: an integrally formed, quadrilaterally shaped main body portion ( ). In the preferred embodiment of the invention the frame is injection molded using 50% or greater long glass fiber plastic or die cast or injection molded metal. A spring housing wall and wall of a mechanism cover are also integrally formed in the sides of the retractor. Positioned within the spring housing wall is a spring coil guide, as well as an integrally formed anchor, which is used to hold the outer end of a rewind spring. The mechanism side of the frame further includes an integrally formed post or pin to pivotally support a locking pawl.

US Patent:

7631830, Dec 15, 2009

Filed:

Mar 23, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/690535

Inventors:

Richard A. Boelstler - Lake Orion MI, US
Kenneth H. Kohlndorfer - Roseville MI, US
Robert E. Verhoven - Harsens Island MI, US
Rudi Grzic - Sterling Heights MI, US
Susan A. Richards - Sterling Heights MI, US

Assignee:

Key Safety Systems, Inc. - Sterling Heights MI

International Classification:

B65H 75/48

US Classification:

242374, 2423842, 2423853

Abstract:

A seat belt retractor () having a rotationally mounted spool () with a seat belt windable thereon and a pretensioner () for winding the spool in a belt winding direction to rewind the seat belt upon the spool; the pretensioner comprising a rack and pinion mechanism () activated by a pyrotechnic element () for causing a clutch assembly () to change state from a disengaged mode to an engaged mode in which the clutch assembly drivingly engages the spool.

US Patent:

20040021027, Feb 5, 2004

Filed:

Jul 31, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/631267

Inventors:

Kenneth Kohlndorfer - Roseville MI, US
Richard Boelstler - Lake Orion MI, US
David Arnold - Macomb Township MI, US
Wendell Lane - Romeo MI, US
Susan Richards - Sterling Heights MI, US
Markell Seitzman - Orchard Lake MI, US

Assignee:

Breed Automotive Technology, Inc.

International Classification:

B60R022/28
B60R022/34

US Classification:

242/379100, 242/379000

Abstract:

A seat belt retractor () characterized by low mass and low operating noise, resistant to dust, moisture, and corrosion comprising: an integrally formed, quadrilaterally shaped main body portion (). In the preferred embodiment of the invention the frame is injection molded using 50% or greater long glass fiber plastic or die cast or injection molded metal. A spring housing wall and wall of a mechanism cover are also integrally formed in the sides of the retractor. Positioned within the spring housing wall is a spring coil guide, as well as an integrally formed anchor, which is used to hold the outer end of a rewind spring. The mechanism side of the frame further includes an integrally formed post or pin to pivotally support a locking pawl.

US Patent:

20050205709, Sep 22, 2005

Filed:

Apr 25, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/113916

Inventors:

Kenneth Kohlndorfer - Roseville MI, US
Richard Boelstler - Lake Orion MI, US
David Arnold - Macomb Township MI, US
Wendell Lane - Romeo MI, US
Susan Richards - Sterling Heights MI, US
Markell Seitzman - Orchard Lake MI, US

International Classification:

B65H075/48

US Classification:

242379100

Abstract:

A seat belt retractor () characterized by low mass and low operating noise, resistant to dust, moisture, and corrosion comprising: an integrally formed, quadrilaterally shaped main body portion (). In the preferred embodiment of the invention the frame is injection molded using 50% or greater long glass fiber plastic or die cast or injection molded metal. A spring housing wall and wall of a mechanism cover are also integrally formed in the sides of the retractor. Positioned within the spring housing wall is a spring coil guide, as well as an integrally formed anchor, which is used to hold the outer end of a rewind spring. The mechanism side of the frame further includes an integrally formed post or pin to pivotally support a locking pawl.

US Patent:

20080290203, Nov 27, 2008

Filed:

May 25, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/753763

Inventors:

Kenneth H. Kohlndorfer - Roseville MI, US
Susan A. Richards - Sterling Heights MI, US
Lawrence M. Refior - Romeo MI, US
Tammy M. Korona - Clinton Township MI, US
Gopalakrishnan Doraiswamy - Sterling Heights MI, US

Assignee:

KEY SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC. - Sterling Heights MI

International Classification:

B60R 22/46

US Classification:

242374

Abstract:

An electromechanical seat belt retractor has a seat belt retractor assembly having a spool rotationally moveable about an axis of rotation for winding and unwinding a seat belt; a motor for selectively rotating the spool; a clutch including an over-clutch driven by the motor through one or more gears; the clutch being coaxially aligned with the axis of rotation of the spool and linearly spaced from the spool; and wherein upon a forward actuation of the motor a clutch plate of the clutch linearly moves to engage the spool coupling to the spool and thereafter rotating the spool about the axis to initiate a winding of the seat belt. After the clutch plate engages the spool a reversal of the motor linearly moves the clutch plate away from the spool disengaging the spool. Preferably the clutch means is a Bendix type clutch assembly. In a preferred embodiment, the clutch plate first engages an over-clutch is fixed in a locking engagement to the spool.

US Patent:

53441842, Sep 6, 1994

Filed:

Dec 21, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/170698

Inventors:

Laurence H. Keeler - Washington MI
Robert E. Resh - Dryden MI
Susan A. Richards - Sterling Heights MI

Assignee:

TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

International Classification:

B60R 2122

US Classification:

280730R

Abstract:

An apparatus (10) for restraining a vehicle occupant comprises an air bag assembly having a center of gravity (70) and including a container (20), an air bag (42), and an inflator (50). The air bag assembly is pivotally mounted to an instrument panel (16) of the vehicle with a pivot axis (90) offset from the center of gravity (70). The air bag assembly has a stored position and an operative position and is pivotable from the stored position to the operative position. Thrust produced upon inflation of the air bag pivots the air bag assembly. The apparatus further includes a knee blocking member (36) secured to a side (24) of the container (20) of the air bag assembly. When the assembly moves from the stored position to the operative position, the knee blocking member (36) moves to an occupant restraining position. An actuator (110, 116) is operatively mounted to the air bag assembly and the instrument panel (16) for, when actuated, applying a moment to the air bag assembly to pivot the air bag assembly from the stored position to the operative position.

US Patent:

60126671, Jan 11, 2000

Filed:

Feb 19, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/026102

Inventors:

Edward W. Clancy - Livonia MI
Gerald Keller - Shelby Township, Macomb County MI
H. John Miller - Macomb Township, Macomb County MI
William L. Palmer - Rochester MI
Susan A. Richards - Sterling Heights MI
Carl M. Petersen - Waterford MI
Brian Nadeau - Livonia MI

Assignee:

Breed Automotive Technology Inc. - Lakeland FL

International Classification:

B60R 2228
B65H 7548

US Classification:

2423791

Abstract:

An energy absorbing retractor having a frame, locking mechanisms to initially stop a spool from rotating in a belt protraction direction, the spool rotationally supported relative to the frame, a seat belt wound about the spool, and biasing device to retract the seat belt, a two-sided torsion bar for generating at least a first level of reaction torque on the spool permitting the spool to rotate in a controlled manner in a belt protracting direction including a torsion bar having a middle portion fixedly coupled to the spool to prevent relative rotation therebetween, a first torsion rod extending therefrom, the first torsion rod including a first end coupled to a first locking mechanism to prevent the first end from rotating upon such coupling, whereby upon locking of the first end, and the loading of the spool, the first torsion rod is twisted to generate a first level of control force. A second torsion rod including a second end coupled to a second locking mechanism to prevent the second end from rotating upon such coupling, whereby upon locking of the second end, and the loading of the spool, the first and second torsion rods are twisted simultaneously to generate a second level of control force.