Annmarie Marie Mcmillan

US Patent:

7775554, Aug 17, 2010

Filed:

May 18, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/804507

Inventors:

Andrew J. Smydra - Rochester MI, US
Annmarie McMillan - Romeo MI, US
Molly K. Koenig - Imlay City MI, US
Ramakrishnan Srinivasan - Sterling Heights MI, US

Assignee:

TRW Vehicle Safety Systems Inc. - Washington MI

International Classification:

B60R 21/26

US Classification:

280736

Abstract:

An apparatus () for helping to protect an occupant () of a vehicle () includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (). An inflator () provides inflation fluid for inflating the protection device (). A support member () supports the inflator () and the protection device (). A retainer () helps secure the protection device () to the support member (). At least one vent opening () formed in the retainer () enables flow of inflation fluid away from the protection device () through the support member ().

US Patent:

8172261, May 8, 2012

Filed:

Jan 22, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/009796

Inventors:

Kurt F. Fischer - Leonard MI, US
Annmarie McMillan - Romeo MI, US
Mary C. Raska - Romeo MI, US

Assignee:

TRW Vehicle Safety Systems, Inc. - Washington MI

International Classification:

B60R 21/276

US Classification:

280739, 2807432

Abstract:

An apparatus () includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (). An inflation fluid source provides inflation fluid for inflating the protection device (). A structure () for supporting the protection device () includes a vent opening () for venting inflation fluid from the protection device. A vent member () is connectable to the structure () to block inflation fluid flow through the vent opening (). An actuatable device () when actuated breaks the connection between the vent member () and the structure () and moves the vent member away from the vent opening () to permit inflation fluid venting. A flexible elongated member () has a first end () connected to the vent member () and a second end () connected to the structure (). The member () secures the vent member () to the structure () after the connection between the vent member and the structure is broken.

US Patent:

20050073139, Apr 7, 2005

Filed:

Oct 6, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/679573

Inventors:

Kurt Fischer - Oxford MI, US
AnnMarie McMillan - Romeo MI, US

International Classification:

B60R021/28

US Classification:

280740000

Abstract:

An apparatus () includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device () with an upper portion () and a lower portion () in an inflated condition in the vehicle. A fabric deflector tube () is located in the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device () and has opposite first and second ends (). The first the end () is completely closed. The deflector tube has a first outlet () adjacent the closed end () for directing a first amount of inflation fluid from an inflator () to the upper portion () of the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (). The second end () of the fabric deflector tube () is completely open and defines a second outlet for directing a second amount of inflation fluid, larger than the first amount of inflation fluid, from the inflator () to the lower portion () of the inflatable vehicle occupant protection device ().

US Patent:

20060055159, Mar 16, 2006

Filed:

Sep 16, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/942549

Inventors:

Kurt Fischer - Oxford MI, US
Annmarie McMillan - Romeo MI, US
Charles Pillsbury - Rochester MI, US
Ramakrishnan Srinivasan - Sterling Heights MI, US
Milind Gawas - Maharashtra, IN
Neal Delventhal - Lake Orion MI, US

International Classification:

B60R 21/30

US Classification:

280739000

Abstract:

An apparatus () for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle includes an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device (). An inflation fluid source () is actuatable to provide inflation fluid for inflating an inflatable volume () of the protection device (). The apparatus () also includes a reaction plate () that includes at least one vent opening () and a retainer () that is connectable with the reaction plate (). A vent part () has a first condition blocking inflation fluid flow through the at least one vent opening () and a second condition permitting inflation fluid flow through the at least one vent opening. The apparatus () further includes actuatable means () for moving the vent part () from one of the first and second conditions to the other of the first and second conditions. The vent part () has a portion () that maintains the vent part in the other of the first and second conditions when moved to the other of the first and second conditions.