Paul R Walsh

US Patent:

20080194393, Aug 14, 2008

Filed:

Feb 23, 2005

Appl. No.:

10/598252

Inventors:

Curtis Clarke - Grand Blanc MI, US
Axel Castellanos - Coahuala, MX
James Garvin - San Antonio TX, US
Steven Moon - Schwartz Creek MI, US
Paul Walsh - Waterford MI, US
Humberto Hernandez - Coahuala, MX
Andres Rojero - Coahuala, MX

Assignee:

Takata Restraint Systems, Inc. - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B31B 1/26

US Classification:

493458, 2807431

Abstract:

An air bag on a surface is gathered by opposing faces of first and second gathering elements that are moved together from opposing edges of the air bag, and which are adapted so as to limit a height of at least one associated edge portion of the air bag to be less than a height proximate to a center of the resulting gathered air bag. In one aspect, a surface is extended from at least one face, or at least one face is shaped so as to limit the edge portion height upon gathering. In another aspect, at least one gathering element incorporates a holder adapted to hold an edge of the air bag during gathering.

US Patent:

61646857, Dec 26, 2000

Filed:

Sep 3, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/146793

Inventors:

Kurt F. Fischer - Oxford MI
Paul M. Lange - St. Clair Shores MI
Kathleen K. Stawara - Clarkston MI
Paul R. Walsh - Oakland MI

Assignee:

TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

International Classification:

B60R 2120
B60R 2122

US Classification:

2807283

Abstract:

An occupant safety apparatus (10) is for mounting on an instrument panel (20) of a vehicle (12) which extends generally rearward in the vehicle from the vehicle windshield (22) and which defines a deployment opening (60). The safety apparatus (10) comprises an inflatable protection device (44) having an uninflated condition and an inflated condition. The safety apparatus (10) also comprises an inflator (46) for, when actuated, inflating the protection device (44). A door (70) covers substantially the entire deployment opening (60). The door (70) has a first edge portion (72) disposed closer to the vehicle windshield (22) and a second edge portion (74) disposed farther from the vehicle windshield. A hinge (76) is connected to the second edge portion (74) of the door adjacent the instrument panel (20). The hinge (76) supports the door (70) on the instrument panel (20) for pivotal movement about the hinge between a closed condition covering substantially the entire deployment opening (60) and an open condition in which the second edge portion (74) of the door remains connected with the hinge and adjacent the instrument panel and the first edge portion (72) of the door is spaced farther from the instrument panel than in the closed condition.