Brian B Downey

US Patent:

7571930, Aug 11, 2009

Filed:

Aug 31, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/848646

Inventors:

Neal Osterhout - Sterling Heights MI, US
Brian Downey - Westland MI, US

Assignee:

Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc. - Farmington Hills MI

International Classification:

B60R 21/16

US Classification:

2807302

Abstract:

An inflatable curtain airbag integrated tether and method of manufacture can include forming an inflatable curtain from at least one panel of material defining at least one expandable chamber, forming a tether integrally from a salvage area of the at one panel of material, and attaching the tether at an attachment point to the inflatable curtain at one end and having opposite end attachable to a structural pillar of the vehicle for anchoring the inflatable curtain during inflation. The side curtain airbag can be for installation in a stowed condition proximate a roof rail of a vehicle and adapted to be inflated to a deployed condition extending downward along an inner side surface of a passenger compartment of a vehicle.

US Patent:

7575263, Aug 18, 2009

Filed:

Sep 8, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/517625

Inventors:

Brian Downey - Farmington Hills MI, US

Assignee:

Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc. - Farmington Hills MI

International Classification:

B60R 7/04

US Classification:

296 2434, 296 3714, 224539

Abstract:

A storage apparatus for a motor vehicle includes a stationary platform connectible to a floor of the motor vehicle. A lid connects to the platform and moves between opened and closed positions. The lid engages with the platform when in the lowered position and includes an upper surface defining a reinforced ramp extending between two second row seats of the motor vehicle toward an elevated rear floor area. The platform includes an upwardly extending wall defining a reinforced support for the lid. The lid and the support being of sufficient strength to support foot traffic of vehicle occupants moving to and from the rear area of the motor vehicle. A reciprocal tray connects to the platform for movement between a raised position, and a lower stowed position. An articulated drive connects between the tray and the platform for moving the tray between raised and lowered positions.

US Patent:

7578521, Aug 25, 2009

Filed:

Sep 20, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/858555

Inventors:

Brian Downey - Farmington Hills MI, US
Jamison Jaramillo - Farmington Hills MI, US

Assignee:

Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc. - Farmington Hills MI

International Classification:

B60R 21/213

US Classification:

2807302

Abstract:

A pillar trim component can include a main body member and a separately formed airbag support member having an integrally formed inflatable curtain deployment trajectory ramp surface, and complementary interconnecting shaped portions formed on the main body member and the airbag support member for interlocking assembly of a subassembly of the airbag support member to the main body member prior to installation in a motor vehicle. The complementary interconnecting shaped portions, when assembled, prevent unintended disassembly of the subassembly. An airbag positioning portion can be defined by at least a portion of an upwardly extending wall of the airbag support member angled inboard toward the main body member. A headliner retaining portion can be defined by a recess formed between the deployment surface and the main body member.

US Patent:

7677593, Mar 16, 2010

Filed:

Feb 16, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/676088

Inventors:

Brian Downey - Farmington Hills MI, US

Assignee:

Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc. - Farmington Hills MI

International Classification:

B60R 21/021

US Classification:

2807282, 2807302

Abstract:

An inflatable passenger protection system for a vehicle having a structural front pillar frame member to be covered by a separate interior trim component, and a side curtain airbag to be positioned in a stowed condition between the front pillar frame member and the interior trim component, the interior trim component having at least a portion movable between a covered position enclosing the side curtain airbag in the stowed condition and an opened position in response to inflation of the side curtain airbag to the deployed condition, includes an extruded support bracket extending between the front pillar frame member and the interior trim component. The bracket has a primary attachment point and a secondary attachment point for supporting the interior trim component.

US Patent:

7784818, Aug 31, 2010

Filed:

Mar 30, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/694318

Inventors:

Brian Downey - Farmington Hills MI, US
Neal Osterhout - Farmington Hills MI, US

Assignee:

Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc. - Farmington HIlls MI

International Classification:

B60R 21/213

US Classification:

2807283, 2807302

Abstract:

At least one guide member extends longitudally along at least a portion of a stowed side curtain airbag. At least one guide ramp directs deployment of the side curtain airbag toward the openable passage defined at least in part by one or more trim pieces. The guide member surrounds the side curtain airbag on three sides to define an airbag deployment opening facing a rear surface of the one or more trim pieces adjacent the openable passage. The interior trim stucture covers the stowed side curtain airbag and allows deployment of the side curtain airbag through an interface joint to a position along a sidewall of a passenger compartment adjacent a rear seat location of a two-door coupe style vehicle. The interface joint defines an openable passage along the first and second abutting edges allowing deployment of a side curtain airbag through the interface joint.

US Patent:

7793972, Sep 14, 2010

Filed:

Mar 14, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/685987

Inventors:

Brian Downey - Farmington Hills MI, US

Assignee:

Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc. - Farmington Hills MI

International Classification:

B60R 21/21

US Classification:

2807283, 2807302, 2807432

Abstract:

A vehicular interior trim piece with a tether for use with a side curtain airbag. The tether is attached to an integral first panel portion and a second panel portion which rotates about a hinge out of the path of the airbag. The tether prevents complete detachment of the second panel from the first panel.