Tracy Y Sparks

US Patent:

6405607, Jun 18, 2002

Filed:

Mar 19, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/811877

Inventors:

Ernst M. Faigle - Dryden MI
Tracy S. Sparks - Attica MI
Douglas P. Campbell - Metamora MI
Craig J. Lyszczyk - Casco MI

Assignee:

TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

International Classification:

G01L 504

US Classification:

73862391, 73862381

Abstract:

An apparatus ( ) includes a member ( ) that has a first slot ( ) extending through the member within the periphery ( ) of the member. The first slot ( ) has opposed spaced surfaces ( ) that define a gap ( ) that has a width measured from one of the opposed surfaces to the other of the opposed surfaces. The member ( ) includes first and second portions ( and ) positioned on opposite sides of the first slot ( ). The apparatus ( ) also includes a sensor ( ) that has a first end ( ) connected to the first portion ( ) on one side of the first slot ( ) and an opposite second end ( ) connected to the second portion ( ) on an opposite side of the first slot such that the sensor extends across the first slot. The apparatus ( ) further includes a fastener ( ) for fixedly connecting the second portion ( ) to inhibit movement of the second portion of the member relative to the first portion ( ). The first portion ( ) moves relative to the second portion ( ) when a force is applied to the first portion, which causes the width of the gap to change.

US Patent:

6406055, Jun 18, 2002

Filed:

Feb 13, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/782332

Inventors:

Ernst M. Faigle - Dryden MI
Tracy S. Sparks - Attica MI

Assignee:

TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

International Classification:

B60R 2126

US Classification:

2807282, 280735, 280736, 280739

Abstract:

A vehicle occupant protection apparatus ( ) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( ) and an actuatable inflator ( ). A retainer ( ) is connected with the protection device ( ). The retainer ( ) has a fixed portion ( ) and a movable portion ( ). The movable portion ( ) is movable between a first condition and a second condition to vent inflation fluid from the protection device ( ). The apparatus ( ) includes an electrically energizable mechanism ( ) to release the movable portion ( ) of the retainer ( ) for movement from the first condition to the second condition. The apparatus ( ) also includes vehicle electric circuitry ( ) including a sensor ( ) for sensing at least one occupant condition or vehicle condition and a controller ( ) responsive to the sensor for controlling the electrically energizable mechanism ( ).

US Patent:

6550807, Apr 22, 2003

Filed:

Nov 21, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/717918

Inventors:

Ernst M. Faigle - Dryden MI
Tracy S. Sparks - Attica MI

Assignee:

TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

International Classification:

B60R 2128

US Classification:

280739, 280736, 280742

Abstract:

A vehicle occupant protection apparatus ( ) comprises an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ( ) and an inflation fluid source ( ). The apparatus ( ) includes a structure ( ) having a vent opening ( ) for directing inflation fluid away from the inflatable device ( ). The apparatus ( ) also includes a member ( ) movable between a closed condition closing the vent opening ( ) and an open condition enabling flow of inflation fluid ( ) through the vent opening. The apparatus ( ) includes an electrically energizable mechanism ( ) to move the member ( ) from the closed condition to the open condition to vent inflation fluid through the vent opening ( ). The mechanism ( ) can also move the member ( ) from the open condition to the closed condition to inhibit venting of inflation fluid through the vent opening ( ).

US Patent:

6679135, Jan 20, 2004

Filed:

Sep 14, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/661943

Inventors:

Ernst M. Faigle - Dryden MI
Thomas Osentoski - Marysville MI
Tracy S. Sparks - Attica MI

Assignee:

TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

International Classification:

G05G 114

US Classification:

74512, 74560

Abstract:

An apparatus ( ) for actuating a braking system of a vehicle ( ) comprises a brake pedal ( ) and an actuating member ( ) movable to actuate the braking system. A release mechanism ( ) is connected between the brake pedal ( ) and the actuating member. The release mechanism ( ) has a first condition connecting the actuating member ( ) for movement with the brake pedal ( ). The release mechanism ( ) has a second condition releasing the brake pedal ( ) for movement relative to the actuating member ( ) under load applied to the brake pedal by the vehicle occupant. The release mechanism ( ) when in the second condition resists movement of the brake pedal ( ) relative to the actuating member ( ). The apparatus ( ) further comprises at least one sensor ( ) operative to sense a vehicle condition or an occupant condition and to provide a first output signal. A controller ( ) receives the first output signal and in response controls the release mechanism ( ) to control the resistance of the release mechanism to movement of the brake pedal ( ) relative to the actuating member ( ).

US Patent:

56093624, Mar 11, 1997

Filed:

Apr 19, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/635366

Inventors:

Tracy S. Sparks - Lapeer MI
Ernst M. Faigle - Dryden MI

Assignee:

TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

International Classification:

B60R 2126

US Classification:

280741

Abstract:

An inflator (12) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (36) includes a vessel (14) having a chamber (16) which holds fluid under pressure. An opening (20) to the chamber (16) is defined by an inner side surface (66, 76) of the vessel (14). A plug (18) is disposed in the opening (20) to the chamber (16) to block the opening. A passage (42) is formed in the plug (18) to direct fluid from the chamber (16) to the inflatable device (36). The plug (18) is welded to the inner side surface (66, 76) of the vessel (14) to retain the plug (18) in the vessel (14) and form a fluid tight seal between the plug (18) and the vessel (14). Preferably, a rim portion (84) of the vessel (14) is disposed outward of the weld and extends over a portion (104) of the plug (18) to help in retaining the plug (18) in the vessel. Also the side surface (66, 76) of the vessel (14) preferably tapers radially inward in a direction towards the chamber in the vessel. The plug (18) has a tapered outer side surface (90) which sealingly engages with the inner side surface (66, 76) of the vessel (14).

US Patent:

53401484, Aug 23, 1994

Filed:

Nov 3, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/147669

Inventors:

Ernst M. Faigle - Imlay City MI
Tracy S. Sparks - Lapeer MI
Richard J. Thompson - Imlay City MI
Brian K. Blackburn - Rochester MI

Assignee:

TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

International Classification:

B60R 2122

US Classification:

280730A

Abstract:

An apparatus (10) for inflating a vehicle occupant restraint such as an air bag (32) includes a container (30). The container (30) includes a liner (96) and a composite material (100) encasing the liner (96). A gas (94) is stored under pressure in the container (30) and, when released from the container, inflates the vehicle occupant restraint (32). The apparatus (10) includes opener means (180) for opening the container (30) by rupturing the composite material (100) and the liner (96) to release the gas (94) from the container (30). The liner, when ruptured, produces liner fragments (200). The composite material (100) inhibits separation of the liner fragments (200) from the container (30).

US Patent:

54781094, Dec 26, 1995

Filed:

Oct 24, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/327879

Inventors:

Ernst M. Faigle - Imlay City MI
Tracy S. Sparks - Lapeer MI
Richard J. Thompson - Imlay City MI

Assignee:

TRW Vehicle Safety Systems, Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

International Classification:

B60R 2116

US Classification:

280736

Abstract:

An apparatus (10) for inflating an inflatable vehicle occupant restraint (12) includes a cylindrical inflator (800) containing an ignitable gas generating material (816) which, when ignited, generates gas for inflating the restraint (12). The inflator (800) has a tubular part (802) with a longitudinal central axis (808) and axially opposite ends (856) and (858). The tubular part (802) defines a combustion chamber (812) containing the gas generating material (816), and includes a cylindrical filter (842) for filtering the gas radially outward of the combustion chamber (812). The inflator (800) is free of a tubular outer body wall. The inflator (800) further includes a pair of end caps (804, 806) extending across the ends (856, 858) of the tubular part (802). Fasteners (860, 862) secure the end caps (804, 806) against movement from the tubular part (802) under the influence of the pressure of the gas, and directly engage the tubular part (802 ) to connect the end caps (804, 806) directly to the tubular part (802).

US Patent:

56952147, Dec 9, 1997

Filed:

Feb 6, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/597283

Inventors:

Ernst M. Faigle - Dryden MI
Tracy S. Sparks - Lapeer MI
Richard J. Thompson - Imlay City MI

Assignee:

TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. - Lyndhurst OH

International Classification:

B60R 2126

US Classification:

280735

Abstract:

An air bag module (12) includes an inflator (18) that is actuatable to supply inflation fluid to inflate an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (16). A housing (14) directs the inflation fluid from the inflator (18) toward the inflatable device (16). At least one vent opening (40) is formed in the housing (14) for selectively venting inflation fluid from the housing. A door panel (70) is movable between a closed position blocking venting of inflation fluid from the housing (14) and an open position enabling venting of inflation fluid from the housing. The door panel (70), when in the closed position, is biased toward the open position. In one embodiment, the door panel (70) is resiliently deformable. In another embodiment, a spring (71a) is connected with a door (70a) and biases the door toward the open position.