Steven T Bell

US Patent:

6371510, Apr 16, 2002

Filed:

Jul 9, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/350345

Inventors:

Brandon S. Marriott - West Bloomfield MI
Nathan A. Schimmoller - Troy MI
Steven C. Bell - Rochester Hills MI

Assignee:

Breed Automotive Technology, Inc. - Lakeland FL

International Classification:

B60R 3122

US Classification:

2807301, 280731, 280733

Abstract:

A vehicle occupant safety device ( ) comprising: an air bag ( ) initially in a folded configuration and when inflated by inflation gases expands to an inflated configuration to protect the occupant; an inflator ( ) for providing inflation gases to inflate the air bag; a shroud ( ) comprising a plurality of frangible straps, preferably loosely positioned about the exterior of the folded air bag for controlling the trajectory of the inflating air bag by initially restricting the forward extension of the air bag by interaction with the shroud ( ) and thereafter directing the air bag to inflate along a passageway defined by the shroud which is oriented at a downward angle relative to the occupant. Once the air bag exits the shroud it is free to inflate laterally and upwardly to protect the occupant. In one embodiment the shroud includes a tearable strap ( ).

US Patent:

6490764, Dec 10, 2002

Filed:

Dec 8, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/456448

Inventors:

Steven C. Bell - Rochester MI

Assignee:

Breed Automotive Technology, Inc. - Lakeland FL

International Classification:

A44B 1126

US Classification:

24198, 24633

Abstract:

A latch plate for use with a seat belt and seat belt buckle, the latch plate comprising: a metal load-bearing plate including a generally flat tongue engageable with a locking feature of the seat belt buckle, a first portion of the bearing plate, rearward of the tongue, having a first surface, the first surface including a lateral extending rearward edge; the bearing plate, in a second portion thereof, including an integrally formed tab having a laterally extending forward edge, the forward edge of the tab overlaying the rearward edge of the first surface, the tab being spaced a determinable distance from the first surface defining a thin channel or opening therebetween through which the seat belt is received, the distance being sufficiently narrow to lessen the likelihood of the seat belt becoming twisted in the channel.

US Patent:

7461866, Dec 9, 2008

Filed:

Jul 18, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/183460

Inventors:

Robert J. Desmarais - Lake Orion MI, US
Richard W. Koning - Yale MI, US
David R. Arnold - Macomb MI, US
Lawrence M. Refior - Romeo MI, US
Steven R. Bell - Rochester Hills MI, US

Assignee:

Key Safety Systems, Inc. - Sterling Heights MI

International Classification:

B60R 22/20

US Classification:

2808012

Abstract:

A height adjuster () for a vehicle safety restraint comprising: a rail () for providing a vertical path guide for a carrier (); the carrier () configured to be vertically movable along the rail to one of a plurality of locations, the carrier also configured to rotationally support the web guide (). The height adjuster also comprises a lock mechanism () movable between a locked and an unlocked condition, when in a locked condition the carrier is prohibited from moving down the rail and when in an unlocked condition the carrier is free to be moved; and a return spring mechanism () comprising a coiled return spring having an interior or coiled end () and a distal end (), the interior end configured not to rotate as the carrier is moved and a distal end of the return spring secured to one of the carrier and release mechanism.

US Patent:

20070241549, Oct 18, 2007

Filed:

Mar 23, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/690550

Inventors:

Richard A. Boelstler - Lake Orion MI, US
Robert J. Desmarais - Lake Orion MI, US
David R. Arnold - Macomb MI, US
Rudi Grzic - Sterling Heights MI, US
Lawrence M. Refior - Romeo MI, US
Steven R. Bell - Rochester Hills MI, US

Assignee:

KEY SAFETY SYSTEMS, INC. - Sterling Heights MI

International Classification:

B60R 22/20

US Classification:

2808012

Abstract:

A height adjuster () adapted for use with a seat belt system, the height adjuster including: a lock bar () having a lock side () with optional teeth () and an opposing side (); a lock lever () having an opening () therethrough, the lock bar receivable through the opening, a portion of the lock lever proximate the opening () configured as a lock edge () engagable with the lock side of the lock bar (), the lock lever () movable between a disengaged position in which the lock edge is disengaged from the lock side and an engaged position in which the lock edge is engaged with the lock side of the lock bar; a clutch and actuator assembly () movably mounted to the lock bar and configured to move the lock lever between the disengaged position and the engaged position upon relative movement between the assembly () and the lock lever (), the assembly () including a clutch portion () and an actuator portion ().

US Patent:

43127533, Jan 26, 1982

Filed:

Feb 9, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/232391

Inventors:

Steven L. Bell - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B01D 3502

US Classification:

210250

Abstract:

An intank fuel filter of flexible woven plastic cloth having spacer means comprising protuberances secured to at least one of the flexible walls and projecting toward the opposite wall to hold the walls against collapse blocking fuelflow. The protuberances may extend completely through the flexible wall to provide external spacers to hold the filter away from the fuel tank wall. Tensioning of certain filters herein with a stiffly resilient rib structure (within opposed plastic cloth filter walls sealed at their marginal edges) against a bottom wall of the fuel tank permits fuel intake even if fuel is low and such bottom wall bows away from the fuel pump.