William M Snell

US Patent:

7429058, Sep 30, 2008

Filed:

Aug 17, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/205700

Inventors:

Chihan Chen - Rochester Hills MI, US
George J Zamplas - Novi MI, US
William M Snell - Grand Blanc MI, US

Assignee:

Chrysler LLC - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B60R 21/205

US Classification:

2807283, 280732

Abstract:

A passenger side airbag installation for an automotive vehicle has a passenger airbag module mounted in a vehicle compartment in front of an instrument panel. The airbag module has an airbag adapted to deploy in a rearward direction. A door formed integrally with the panel has a crease, which, when severed, allows the door to swing open and create an opening in the panel. The crease is adapted to be severed and the door swung open by the force of the airbag when the airbag deploys to permit the airbag to project through the opening. The door may be bowed forwardly by an accidental impact caused by a passenger or object within the vehicle being thrown against the door if the vehicle is stopped too suddenly. A reinforcing bar limits forward bowing to protect the crease from rupturing.

US Patent:

20070007754, Jan 11, 2007

Filed:

Jul 11, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/178968

Inventors:

Anthony Rybinski - Walled Lake MI, US
Ilaria Accorsi - Royal Oak MI, US
Andrew Kuzdak - Rochester Hills MI, US
William Snell - Grand Blanc MI, US

International Classification:

B60R 21/20

US Classification:

280728300, 280732000

Abstract:

A chute for receipt of a deploying air bag includes a compartment having first and second sidewalls extending laterally outwardly from a rear bag receiving aperture toward a front cover panel. The expanding volume of the chute enables a deploying air bag to outwardly expand at least partially parallel to a frangible seam in the front cover panel before the bag contacts the seam and ruptures it. As a result, the force of the bag is dispersed evenly along the seam to reduce maximum bag force exerted against the portion of the front cover panel located directly in front, or in the center, of the bag.

US Patent:

52654923, Nov 30, 1993

Filed:

Dec 15, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/991058

Inventors:

William M. Snell - Grand Blanc MI

Assignee:

Chrysler Corporation - Highland Park MI

International Classification:

B62D 118

US Classification:

74493

Abstract:

A device for locking a tilt steering column in adjusted position has two clamping rings, one of which is rotated by a handle. When the handle is rotated in one direction, the clamping rings interact to lock the steering column in adjusted position. When the handle is rotated in the opposite direction, the clamping rings release the steering column so that its position can be adjusted. The handle is normally positively retained in a position in which the locking device clamps the steering column, but can be moved to a position in which it unclamps the steering column upon operation of a release lever on the handle.

US Patent:

52897320, Mar 1, 1994

Filed:

Dec 24, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/996470

Inventors:

William M. Snell - Grand Blanc MI

Assignee:

Chrysler Corporation - Highland Park MI

International Classification:

F16H 5902
F16H 106
G05G 518

US Classification:

74473SW

Abstract:

A column-mounted shift control assembly includes an integral gate and mounting bracket, a shift lever unit rotatably mounted on the bracket, a shift handle pivotally mounted on the shift lever unit, and resilient means for urging the terminal end of the shift handle toward the bracket. The latter includes a planar gate portion having detents formed on an edge thereof for selective cooperation with the shift handle terminal end to select a desired transmission shift position.

US Patent:

59546166, Sep 21, 1999

Filed:

Mar 16, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/039763

Inventors:

William M. Snell - Grand Blanc MI
Christopher M. Slon - Birmingham MI

Assignee:

Chrysler Corporation - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B60K 4104
B60R 2504
B60R 2506

US Classification:

477 99

Abstract:

A transmission control for an engine of an automotive vehicle wherein the vehicle has a steering column assembly having a steering wheel unit pivoted to a rear end portion of a steering column for limited arcuate movement provided with a key-operated cylinder forming part of an ignition system for the engine. A gate is mounted on the steering column and has a plurality of spaced detents corresponding to the usual gearshift positions. A gearshift lever is movable relative to the gate and has a part selectively engageable in the detents. A gearshift blocker is supported on the steering column for pivotal movement to and from an operative position blocking movement of the gearshift lever away from the PARK position. A link is supported on the steering column for sliding movement in opposite directions and has a lost-motion pivotal connection to the blocker to pivot the blocker to its operative position when the link in slid in one direction and away from its operative position when the link in slid in the opposite direction. The link is moved in one direction by an arm pivoted on the steering wheel unit operated by an actuator on the key-operated cylinder.

US Patent:

54526248, Sep 26, 1995

Filed:

Mar 3, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/205221

Inventors:

David E. Thomas - Rochester Hills MI
William M. Snell - Grand Blanc MI
Rodney L. Eaton - Clarkston MI

Assignee:

Chrysler Corporation - Highland Park MI

International Classification:

B62D 118

US Classification:

74493

Abstract:

Apparatus for releasably locking the tilt steering column assembly of an automotive vehicle in adjusted position. A rack on the steering column assembly is engaged by a pawl to lock the steering column assembly in the position selected by the driver. A bracket is provided to positively hold the pawl engaged with the rack and prevent it from becoming disengaged. The tilt of the steering column can only be re-adjusted by moving the bracket so that the pawl can disengage the rack.

US Patent:

56474644, Jul 15, 1997

Filed:

Dec 18, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/573830

Inventors:

William M. Snell - Grand Blanc MI
Thomas S. Kaliszewski - Troy MI
Rodney L. Eaton - Clarkston MI

Assignee:

Chrysler Corporation - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B60K 4126
B60K 4128

US Classification:

192 4A

Abstract:

A gear shift lever can be moved to several "Drive" positions and to a "Park" position. A retainer holds the lever in the "Park" position. An operator is provided to retract the retainer so that the lever may be shifted out of "Park". A lock prevents the retraction of the lever retainer until the brake pedal is depressed. A mechanical connection between the brake pedal and the lock retracts the lock away from its locking position when the brake pedal is depressed.

US Patent:

52994708, Apr 5, 1994

Filed:

Dec 21, 1992

Appl. No.:

7/993550

Inventors:

William M. Snell - Grand Blanc MI
David E. Thomas - Rochester Hills MI
Michael F. Halacka - Bloomfield Hills MI

Assignee:

Chrysler Corporation - Highland Park MI

International Classification:

B60K 4104
G05G 508

US Classification:

74850

Abstract:

A column-mounted shift control assembly includes a gate and mounting bracket, a shift lever unit rotatably mounted on the bracket, a shift handle pivotally mounted on the shift lever unit, and resilient means for urging the terminal end of the shift handle toward the bracket. The latter includes a planar gate portion having detents formed on an edge thereof for selective cooperation with the shift handle terminal end to select a desired transmission shift position. An ignition interlock mechanism cooperates with the terminal end of the shift handle to prevent its movement out of the Park detent position unless the ignition switch key is turned on, and further prevents the ignition switch from being turned back to Lock unless the terminal end is in Park position, thus preventing key extraction.