Susan Richards

US Patent:

7631830, Dec 15, 2009

Filed:

Mar 23, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/690535

Inventors:

Richard A. Boelstler - Lake Orion MI, US
Kenneth H. Kohlndorfer - Roseville MI, US
Robert E. Verhoven - Harsens Island MI, US
Rudi Grzic - Sterling Heights MI, US
Susan A. Richards - Sterling Heights MI, US

Assignee:

Key Safety Systems, Inc. - Sterling Heights MI

International Classification:

B65H 75/48

US Classification:

242374, 2423842, 2423853

Abstract:

A seat belt retractor () having a rotationally mounted spool () with a seat belt windable thereon and a pretensioner () for winding the spool in a belt winding direction to rewind the seat belt upon the spool; the pretensioner comprising a rack and pinion mechanism () activated by a pyrotechnic element () for causing a clutch assembly () to change state from a disengaged mode to an engaged mode in which the clutch assembly drivingly engages the spool.

US Patent:

53441842, Sep 6, 1994

Filed:

Dec 21, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/170698

Inventors:

Laurence H. Keeler - Washington MI
Robert E. Resh - Dryden MI
Susan A. Richards - Sterling Heights MI

Assignee:

TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

International Classification:

B60R 2122

US Classification:

280730R

Abstract:

An apparatus (10) for restraining a vehicle occupant comprises an air bag assembly having a center of gravity (70) and including a container (20), an air bag (42), and an inflator (50). The air bag assembly is pivotally mounted to an instrument panel (16) of the vehicle with a pivot axis (90) offset from the center of gravity (70). The air bag assembly has a stored position and an operative position and is pivotable from the stored position to the operative position. Thrust produced upon inflation of the air bag pivots the air bag assembly. The apparatus further includes a knee blocking member (36) secured to a side (24) of the container (20) of the air bag assembly. When the assembly moves from the stored position to the operative position, the knee blocking member (36) moves to an occupant restraining position. An actuator (110, 116) is operatively mounted to the air bag assembly and the instrument panel (16) for, when actuated, applying a moment to the air bag assembly to pivot the air bag assembly from the stored position to the operative position.

US Patent:

20140263797, Sep 18, 2014

Filed:

Mar 14, 2013

Appl. No.:

13/827718

Inventors:

- Ogden UT, US
Thomas Garvey - Waterford MI, US
Susan Richards - Sterling Heights MI, US

Assignee:

Autoliv ASP, Inc. - Ogden UT

International Classification:

B60R 22/34

US Classification:

2423791

Abstract:

A torsion bar having progressive load limiting characteristics for use in a vehicle restraint system is provided. The torsion bar includes a longitudinal main body portion having a first end for mounting to a belt retractor spindle and a second end for being engaged and disengaged with a seatbelt locking mechanism. The main body portion includes a longitudinal slot extending transversely therethrough that defines an opening therein. The torsion bar will twist in response to a first torsional load, which will cause the opening to become closed. When the opening becomes closed, the torsion bar with withstand twisting up to a second torsional load, where the torsion bar will twist again in response to the second torsional load.