Kurt L Ewing

US Patent:

7240915, Jul 10, 2007

Filed:

Dec 3, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/904898

Inventors:

James Z Peng - Ypsilanti MI, US
Joseph E Abramczyk - Farmington Hills MI, US
Kurt L Ewing - Plymouth MI, US
John J Pinkerton - Canton MI, US
Brian Robert Spahn - Plymouth MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60R 21/20
B60R 21/16

US Classification:

2807302, 2807432

Abstract:

A seating system for an automotive vehicle includes a side airbag mounted to an outboard portion of a seatback, with the side airbag having an occupant reaction surface which is combined with deployable upper and lower reaction members attached to the airbag to define an augmented occupant reaction surface available upon inflation of the airbag.

US Patent:

7350803, Apr 1, 2008

Filed:

Feb 10, 2005

Appl. No.:

10/906231

Inventors:

Joseph E. Abramczyk - Farmington Hills MI, US
Kurt L. Ewing - Plymouth MI, US
Robert J. Mezzadri - Livonia MI, US
Lanese Frusti, legal representative - Livonia MI, US

Assignee:

Ford Global Technologies, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60R 21/207

US Classification:

2807302

Abstract:

A side airbag system () for a vehicle is provided. The side airbag system () includes a seatback frame () having a front side (), a rear side (), and an outboard side (). The outboard side () of the seatback frame () has an airbag module () coupled thereto and extending substantially outboard from the seatback frame (). The airbag module () is positioned for deploying an airbag () substantially forward. The rear side () of the seatback frame () has a rear cover panel () attached thereon. This rear cover panel () is a one-piece element for covering the airbag module () and both the rear side () and the outboard side () of the seatback frame (). The system () also includes foam cushion padding (), which is deformed by the airbag () upon its deployment.

US Patent:

20050275198, Dec 15, 2005

Filed:

May 25, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/709731

Inventors:

James Peng - Ypsilanti MI, US
Thiag Subbian - Farmington Hills MI, US
Kurt Ewing - Canton MI, US
BeiBei Xu - Canton MI, US

Assignee:

FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60R021/22

US Classification:

280730100

Abstract:

An automotive overhead airbag assembly is provided including an airbag mounted on an inside surface of a vehicle roof at an airbag mount position. The airbag has an airbag stored condition and an airbag deployed position and expands downwards from said vehicle roof when in the airbag deployed position. The assembly includes at least one wing element having a first wing mounting edge mounted to the vehicle roof and a second wing mounting edge mounted to a lower deployed portion of said airbag. The first wing mounting edge extends in a transverse direction from the airbag mount position. The at least one wing element includes a wing stored condition and a wing deployed position. The at least one wing element restricts forward motion of the airbag when the airbag is in the deployed position. The assembly includes a trampoline surface formed by the at least one wing element when the at least one wing element is in said wing deployed position. The trampoline surface absorbs passenger forward momentum during vehicle impact.

US Patent:

20060119083, Jun 8, 2006

Filed:

Dec 3, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/904900

Inventors:

JAMES PENG - YPSILANTI MI, US
JOSEPH ABRAMCZYK - FARMINGTON HILLS MI, US
KURT EWING - PLYMOUTH MI, US
JOHN PINKERTON - CANTON MI, US
BRIAN SPAHN - PLYMOUTH MI, US

Assignee:

FORD MOTOR COMPANY - DEARBORN MI

International Classification:

B60R 21/22
B60R 21/16

US Classification:

280730200, 280743200

Abstract:

A seating system for an automotive vehicle includes a seat frame mounted upon a vehicle floorpan. A seat cushion and seatback are mounted to the seat frame. A side airbag is mounted to an outboard portion of the seatback and has at least one flexible tension member attached to and extending between the seat frame and an external surface of the airbag. The flexible tension member maintains the airbag in an appropriate position during a deployment event.

US Patent:

20110012328, Jan 20, 2011

Filed:

Jul 17, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/504765

Inventors:

Kurt Lewis Ewing - Plymouth MI, US
Matthew B. Makowski - Northville MI, US
Joseph Edward Abramczyk - Farmington Hills MI, US
Brian Robert Spahn - Plymouth MI, US
Mary A. Mason - Dearborn MI, US
Anthony Edmond Rencher - Southfield MI, US
Abdelmonaam Sassi - Windsor, CA
Selvakumar Inbaraj Daniel - Novi MI, US

Assignee:

FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60R 21/16

US Classification:

2807302

Abstract:

An inflatable safety curtain for use in a vehicle interior is provided. A first inflatable portion may be mounted to the vehicle interior. A second inflatable portion may be mounted to the first portion. The first and second portions may be in fluid communication. A pressure control device is disposed between the first and second inflatable portions to selectively prevent fluid communication between the first and second portion. The pressure control device is a flexible valve from fabric or a memory shape material, a chamber valve having an enlarged opening, or a flapper valve.