Jeffrey S Shepherd

US Patent:

56476086, Jul 15, 1997

Filed:

Jun 28, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/672596

Inventors:

Alex Scott Damman - Clayton OH
David James Thomas - Ft. Mitchell KY
Mark Thomas Winters - Troy OH
Daniel Allen Rhule - West Mansfield OH
Jeffrey Alan Shepherd - Troy OH

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60R 2120

US Classification:

2807282

Abstract:

An air bag module includes an axially elongated, extruded housing having a nautilus-shaped profile defined by a single continuously extending spiral-shaped wall. The spiral-shaped wall has first and second free ends and the spiral-shaped wall has a generally continually increasing radius of curvature from the first end to the second end. The housing preferably has a decreased radius portion for holding an inflator therein and an increased radius portion for holding an air bag therein. The decreased radius portion has a radius of curvature which is less than a radius of curvature of the increased radius portion.

US Patent:

56071795, Mar 4, 1997

Filed:

Oct 4, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/539178

Inventors:

Robert A. Lenart - Kettering OH
Jeffrey A. Shepherd - Troy OH
James L. Webber - Centerville OH

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60R 2116

US Classification:

2807282

Abstract:

An air bag module in a vehicle includes an air bag and a housing for housing the air bag. In addition, a retainer is coupled to the air bag and adapted for attachment to the housing. The retainer includes at least one deformable portion having an undeformed condition prior to attachment of the retainer to the housing and having a deformed condition in which the deformable portion is materially deformed upon attachment of the retainer to the housing such that a size of the retainer is adjustable upon attachment of the retainer to the housing.

US Patent:

55096867, Apr 23, 1996

Filed:

May 4, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/878712

Inventors:

Jeffrey A. Shepherd - Fairborn OH
Michael W. Donegan - Bellbrook OH

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60R 2130

US Classification:

280738

Abstract:

An air bag assembly for an inflatable passenger vehicle restraint system comprises an inflatable air bag, a thrust neutral inflator for generating pressure gas and a reaction canister. The inflator has a cylindrical casing with a plurality of holes on opposite sides for discharging the gas to inflate the air bag. The reaction canister houses the inflator and has a part-cylindrical bottom wall terminating in upstanding side walls which operatively connect the inflator to the air bag. A plurality of aspiration holes are formed in the reaction canister side walls. A part-cylindrical baffle is mounted in the canister between the inflator and the bottom wall and has an outlet to direct gas discharged from the inflator away from the walls and to the air bag. Ambient air is aspirated through the aspirator holes upon gas delivery from the inflator discharge ports to augment the volume of gas delivered to the air bag. The aspirator holes also serve as pressure relief vents for the air bag.

US Patent:

53322592, Jul 26, 1994

Filed:

Jan 19, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/006282

Inventors:

James K. Conlee - Dayton OH
Jeffrey A. Shepherd - Fairborn OH

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60R 2130

US Classification:

280738

Abstract:

An occupant restraining inflatable cushion apparatus includes a gas generator used to inflate an inflatable fabric cushion which is packaged about the gas generator in a deflated condition. The cushion and gas generator are connected with a closed end of a housing having diverging side walls. The side walls of the housing have venting apertures. The side wall of the cushion also has apertures which, upon inflation of the air bag, register with the apertures in the housing, allowing aspiration of the air bag through the side walls of the housing. Therefore, direct venting through the air bag into the vehicle occupant compartment is avoided.

US Patent:

54334713, Jul 18, 1995

Filed:

Dec 13, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/165204

Inventors:

Jeffrey A. Shepherd - Fairborn OH
Michael W. Donegan - Bellbrook OH

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60R 2116

US Classification:

2807282

Abstract:

An air bag module comprises an air bag, an air bag retainer ring, a housing, an elongated inflator, and an inflator container. The retainer ring is secured to the air bag about its opening and has a mounting flange. The housing has spaced side and end walls defining a rectangular air bag storage chamber for storing a folded air bag and which has an upper air bag deployment opening and a bottom gas discharge opening. A mounting flange extends from each of the side walls, and four spaced straps span the gas discharge opening to interconnect the side walls and form an inflator cradle. The inflator is located on the straps and comprises a substantially cylindrical case having a plurality of gas discharge holes, a cap end and a blank end. The container comprises a U-shaped body forming bottom and side walls, two spaced raised ribs formed in the bottom wall, and a mounting flange extending from each of the side walls. Three pairs of aligned mounting apertures are formed in all of the mounting flanges.

US Patent:

53540930, Oct 11, 1994

Filed:

Apr 5, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/041594

Inventors:

David P. Schenck - Miamisburg OH
Robert E. Huffman - Tipp City OH
Jeffrey A. Shepherd - Fairborn OH

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60R 2116

US Classification:

280728A

Abstract:

Two embodiments of an air bag module and method of assembly are disclosed. One air bag module includes a flat support plate and a cover confining an air bag. The cover confines the air bag and has a plurality of resilient latch hooks spaced about its periphery which snap over the edges of the support plate and engage adjacent latch surfaces. A locking plate has a locking tab located adjacent each latch hook when assembled to the support plate to prevent deflection of the latch hooks and maintain the latch hooks in engagement with the latch surfaces. The inflator is later secured to the support plate by rivets which also secure the air bag and locking plate to the support plate. Another air bag module includes an air bag, an inflator, an open rectangular retainer mounting the air bag, and an open top and bottom container receiving the retainer and mounting the inflator, and a cover. A plurality of resilient latch hooks on the cover snap over the walls of the retainer and into indentations formed on the periphery of the bottom of the retainer. The retainer is inserted into the top of the container and the camming flanges guide the latch hooks into engagement with the walls of the container which confine the latch hooks against deflection, thus securing the cover against separation.