Jeffrey C Shepherd

US Patent:

6422589, Jul 23, 2002

Filed:

Dec 18, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/216123

Inventors:

Folkert J Ostermann - Furth, DE
Detlev Wilhelm Guthke - Leverkusen, DE
Jens Hannemann - Wuppertal, DE
Udo Jacobs - Koenigswinter, DE
Jeffrey Alan Shepherd - Troy OH
Traci Carol Baert - Commerce MI

Assignee:

Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

B60R 2116

US Classification:

2807282, 280732

Abstract:

A air bag module comprises an inflator, a unitary polymeric housing, and an air bag retainer of the same or similar material. The housing has integral walls forming an inflator chamber which include an inflator mounting stud aperture, a plurality of integral supports for the inflator, an integral peripheral rim forming an airbag chamber, and an integral upper wall having inflator gas diffuser apertures. An inflator stud fastener secures the inflator to the housing. The retainer and housing have integral cooperating fasteners for securing the retainer to the housing. A polymeric cover closes the retainer and confines the attached air bag. The housing and retainer are formed of the same recyclable material such that the air bag assembly can be recycled by simply removing only the stud fastener and the inflator. Several embodiments of the housing, retainer and fasteners are disclosed. In one embodiment, an inflator gas diffuser that is integral with the housing.

US Patent:

62868586, Sep 11, 2001

Filed:

Jul 29, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/363064

Inventors:

Jeffrey Alan Shepherd - Troy OH
Mark Thomas Winters - Troy OH

Assignee:

Delphi Technologies, Inc. - Troy MI

International Classification:

B60R 2120

US Classification:

2807282

Abstract:

An energy absorbing air bag module includes a housing and a mounting member integral with the housing for attaching the housing to a structural portion of the vehicle. The energy absorbing air bag module also includes an energy absorbing mechanism integral with the mounting member, wherein the energy absorbing mechanism deforms when a contact force strikes the energy absorbing air bag module to absorb energy and move away from the contact force.

US Patent:

52637395, Nov 23, 1993

Filed:

Dec 28, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/997956

Inventors:

James L. Webber - Spring Valley OH
Jeffrey A. Shepherd - Fairborn OH
Michael W. Donegan - Bellbrook OH

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60R 2116

US Classification:

280728

Abstract:

A container for an air bag inflator comprises an open-ended cylindrical aluminum or magnesium extrusion having circumferentially-spaced internal ribs, an axial gas discharge opening and a pair of grooved mounting flanges flanking the opening. A cylindrical inflator is inserted through one end of the container on the ribs. An air bag deployment chute includes depending mounting flanges. An air bag, which includes mounting hems having loops, is placed in the chute. A U-shaped retainer is inserted into the hem loops and into the chute channels. This assembly is slid endwise into the container grooves. An end plate is attached to the retainer ends and has a notch to engage an orientation lug on the inflator. In another embodiment, the chute is omitted and the air bag hem loops each receive a mounting rod which are inserted radially into the container grooves. A mounting plate has flanges that are bolted to the container flanges, clamping flanges of an air bag cover in between.

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:

53930908, Feb 28, 1995

Filed:

Dec 23, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/172205

Inventors:

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

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60R 2116

US Classification:

280728A

Abstract:

A new and improved air bag module of lightweight construction includes a rectangular support frame defining an open mouth for the mounting of an air bag and having spaced apart opposing end walls and spaced apart opposing side walls. An inflator support depends from each of the end walls of the rectangular support frame to support the inflator beneath the support frame. A liner of flexible sheet material, such as air bag material, has a rim portion adapted for attached to the support frame and a side wall portion suspended from the support frame and reaching between the spaced apart inflator supports whereby upon actuation of the inflator, the inflation gas is contained by the liner and exhausted through the open mouth. In a preferred embodiment, the liner of flexible sheet material has end walls and side walls which are suspended from the support frame and surround the inflator. A support loop may be provided intermediate the inflator supports to control outward expansion of the liner by the inflation gas.

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:

54314321, Jul 11, 1995

Filed:

Aug 13, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/106105

Inventors:

James L. Webber - Spring Valley OH
Jeffrey A. Shepherd - Fairborn OH
Michael W. Donegan - Bellbrook OH

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60R 2116

US Classification:

2807282

Abstract:

A container for an air bag inflator comprises an open-ended cylindrical aluminum or magnesium extrusion having circumferentially-spaced internal ribs, an axial gas discharge opening and a pair of grooved mounting flanges flanking the opening. A cylindrical inflator is inserted through one end of the container on the ribs. An air bag deployment chute includes depending mounting flanges. An air bag, which includes mounting hems having loops, is placed in the chute. A U-shaped retainer is inserted into the hem loops and into the chute channels. This assembly is slid endwise into the container grooves. An end plate is attached to the retainer ends and has a notch to engage an orientation lug on the inflator. In another embodiment, the chute is omitted and the air bag hem loops each receive a mounting rod which are inserted radially into the container grooves. A mounting plate has flanges that are bolted to the container flanges, clamping flanges of an air bag cover in between.

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.