Brian M Shaklik
Engineers in Bountiful, UT

5560649, Oct 1, 1996

Apr 25, 1995

8/429267

Davin G. Saderholm - Salt Lake City UT
Brian M. Shaklik - Bountiful UT

Morton International, Inc. - Chicago IL

B60R 2116

2807431

An air bag cushion having variable volume. The air bag includes a front wall having a central region for contacting the passenger, and a periphery. This periphery is connected to a periphery of both an intermediate rear wall and an outer rear wall. Both of these rear walls are operatively connected to the gas generator, but the outer rear wall has a larger area than the intermediate rear wall. The generator provides gas to initially inflate the volume defined between the front wall and intermediate wall. The intermediate wall, however, is connected to the gas generator in a manner which permits its release upon exceeding a predetermined pressure within the bag. Above this pressure the intermediate wall is released and the gas inflates the larger volume defined between the front wall and the outer rear wall. As such, if a small amount of gas is produced, such as for a minor collision or due to reduced ambient temperature, the smaller volume is inflated to the proper pressure. If a greater amount of gas is generated, such as for a major collision or due to increased ambient temperature, the larger volume is inflated to provide the proper pressure.

5501488, Mar 26, 1996

Apr 28, 1995

8/430352

Davin G. Saderholm - Salt Lake City UT
Brian M. Shaklik - Bountiful UT
Kirk H. Rasmussen - West Point UT

Morton International, Inc. - Chicago IL

B60R 2128, B60R 2116

280739

The invention is an airbag having two modes of deployment. In the normal mode, with a driver in the normal seated position, the airbag is fully deployed and inflated to attain its full normal reach and provide a cushion for protection of the driver in a collision. In the other mode, when a driver is too close to the airbag at the moment of collision, the airbag will deploy only to a shorter reach and thus protect the too-close driver from being forcibly pushed backwards by the airbag inflating to its full normal reach. In the mode for normal deployment an inner flap covers gas exhausting structure on the rear panel of the airbag to prevent escape of inflation gas from the airbag during inflation. But when a driver is too close to the airbag at the moment of collision the inner flap is held away from the gas exhausting structure, keeping such structure uncovered for escape of inflation gas which would otherwise fully inflate the airbag.

5542692, Aug 6, 1996

Oct 18, 1994

8/324562

Brian Shaklik - Bountiful UT
Davin G. Saderholm - Salt Lake City UT

Morton International, Inc. - Chicago IL

B60R 2120, B60R 2126

2807282

An inflatable cushion assembly is provided in which the gas inlet opening of an inflatable cushion is provided with a plurality of retention flaps for insertion into corresponding openings circumferentially disposed about the inlet opening of a housing that stores the cushion. The free ends of the flaps are folded against the exterior of the housing. Some of the flaps may be held in this position by a tab extending from the housing exterior and passing through an aperture in the flap. Others may be held by bolts similarly passing through apertures, with the bolts then securing the housing to an inflator unit, with a diffuser of the inflator extending into the cushion. The system may include a partition disposed at the inlet opening of the cushion housing for receiving the diffuser therein to shield the gas inlet opening and retention flaps of the cushion from the heat and pressure of the inflator gas, and to provide an additional surface for the collection of solid residue.

5501484, Mar 26, 1996

Mar 20, 1995

8/379412

Davin G. Saderholm - Salt Lake City UT
Kirk Rasmussen - West Point UT
Brian M. Shaklik - Bountiful UT

Morton International, Inc. - Chicago IL

B60R 2120

2807282

This invention relates to a clamping structure for assembling an automotive air bag to an automotive air bag inflator. The clamping structure includes an annular retainer ring and module housing. Integral "L" shaped tabs or studs descending from the annular retainer are designed to pass through radial slots in the air bag and module housing. The tab or stud is formed to have an "L" shape with the short leg of the "L" having a slight angle. Then as the retainer is rotated into place, the short leg of the "L" shaped tab or stud will be forced into contact with the housing and clamp the assembly together.