IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,469,397
Granted Patent B2
US 8,469,397 · App. 13/086,134 · Granted Jun 25, 2013

Stitch patterns for restraint-mounted airbags and associated systems and methods

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,469,397
App. No.
13/086,134
Granted
Jun 25, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

Stitch patterns for inflatable personal restraint systems and associated systems and methods. A stitch pattern between a web of a restraint and an airbag mounted to the restraint has a continuous, or curvilinear pattern to reduce stress concentrations. The stitch pattern can be applied to the web, the airbag, and a gas tube in a single stitching procedure.

Claims (49)

1. A personal restraint system for use in a vehicle, the restraint system comprising:

a web configured to extend around a portion of an occupant seated in the vehicle;

an airbag;

a gas tube configured to deliver gas to the airbag; and

a fastening system attaching the airbag to the web, wherein the fastening system includes a plurality of curved rows of stitches extending through the airbag and the web, and wherein at least one individual stitch passes through the airbag, the web and the gas tube.

2. The personal restraint system of claim 1 wherein the curved rows define an oval shape having a major axis and a minor axis, and wherein the major axis is at least generally aligned with a longitudinal direction of the web and the minor axis is at least generally perpendicular to the major axis.

3. The personal restraint system of claim 2 wherein the curved rows are concentric oval-shaped rows of stitches.

4. The personal restraint system of claim 1 wherein an angle between any two consecutive stitches is less than approximately 10°.

5. The personal restraint system of claim 1 wherein the fastening system includes a row of stitches forming a spiral.

6. The personal restraint system of claim 1 wherein the curved rows of stitches are continuous with no corners at a periphery of the curved rows of stitches.

7. The personal restraint system of claim 1 wherein the airbag comprises a textile having warp threads oriented at an angle relative to a length of the web.

8. The personal restraint system of claim 7 wherein the angle is between about 0° and 90°.

9. The personal restraint system of claim 1 wherein the airbag comprises a first textile layer having warp threads oriented in a first direction and a second textile layer having warp threads oriented in a second direction different from the first direction.

10. A personal restraint system for use in a vehicle, the restraint system comprising:

a web configured to extend around a portion of an occupant seated in the vehicle;

an airbag; and

a fastening system attaching the airbag to the web, wherein the fastening system includes a plurality of curved rows of stitches extending through the airbag and the web, wherein the curved rows of stitches have an elliptical shape having two foci, and wherein the curved rows of stitches further comprise individual circular stitches at least approximately centered on the individual foci.

11. A method of constructing a vehicle restraint having an airbag, the method comprising:

positioning a gas delivery tube within the airbag, the gas delivery tube having at least one gas delivery hole positioned within the airbag;

aligning a web of the vehicle restraint with the airbag and the gas delivery tube; and

stitching thread through the web, the airbag, and the gas delivery tube in a plurality of curvilinear rows of stitches, wherein at least one individual stitch passes through the web, the airbag and the gas delivery tube.

12. A method of constructing a vehicle restraint having an airbag, the method comprising:

positioning a gas delivery tube within the airbag, the gas delivery tube having at least one gas delivery hole positioned within the airbag;

aligning a web of the vehicle restraint with the airbag and the gas delivery tube; and

stitching thread through the web, the airbag, and the gas delivery tube in a plurality of curvilinear rows of stitches, wherein stitching thread through the web, the airbag, and the gas delivery tube comprises stitching a concentric spiral-shaped row of stitches through the web, the airbag, and the gas delivery tube in a single stitch procedure.

13. A method of constructing a vehicle restraint having an airbag, the method comprising:

positioning a gas delivery tube within the airbag, the gas delivery tube having at least one gas delivery hole positioned within the airbag;

aligning a web of the vehicle restraint with the airbag and the gas delivery tube; and

stitching thread through the web, the airbag, and the gas delivery tube in a plurality of curvilinear rows of stitches, wherein stitching thread through the web, the airbag, and the gas delivery tube comprises stitching a plurality of discrete, concentric, oval-shaped rows of stitches through at least the web and the airbag in a single stitch procedure.

14. A method of constructing a vehicle restraint having an airbag, the method comprising:

positioning a gas delivery tube within the airbag, the gas delivery tube having at least one gas delivery hole positioned within the airbag;

aligning a web of the vehicle restraint with the airbag and the gas delivery tube; and

stitching thread through the web, the airbag, and the gas delivery tube in a plurality of curvilinear rows of stitches, wherein stitching thread through the web and the airbag comprises stitching a plurality of curvilinear rows of stitches comprising concentric, oval-shaped rows of stitches, and wherein stitching thread through the gas delivery tube comprises stitching thread in a discrete circular pattern of stitches through the web, the airbag, and the gas delivery tube, and further wherein the circular pattern of stitches is positioned within the concentric, oval-shaped stitches.

15. A method of constructing a vehicle restraint having an airbag, the method comprising:

positioning a gas delivery tube within the airbag, the gas delivery tube having at least one gas delivery hole positioned within the airbag;

aligning a web of the vehicle restraint with the airbag and the gas delivery tube;

fixing the web, the airbag, and the gas delivery tube in a jig; and

stitching thread through the web, the airbag, and the gas delivery tube in a plurality of curvilinear rows of stitches.

16. A vehicle restraint, comprising:

a web configured to restrain a passenger in the vehicle;

an airbag stitched to the web with a plurality of first individual stitches forming a first curvilinear pattern, wherein the first individual stitches comprise generally straight stitches, and further wherein an angle between any two consecutive individual stitches is less than about 10°; and

a gas delivery tube stitched to the airbag and to the web with a plurality of second individual stitches forming a second curvilinear pattern, wherein the gas delivery tube comprises a gas exit port positioned within the airbag, and wherein at least one individual stitch passes through the web, the airbag and the gas delivery tube.

17. The vehicle restraint of claim 16 wherein the angle between any two consecutive individual stitches is less than about 5°.

18. The vehicle restraint of claim 16 wherein the first curvilinear pattern comprises a plurality of concentric ovals.

19. The vehicle restraint of claim 16 wherein the first curvilinear pattern comprises a spiral.

20. The vehicle restraint of claim 16 wherein the first individual stitches pass through the web, the airbag, and the gas delivery tube.

21. The vehicle restraint of claim 16 wherein the first individual stitches pass through the web and the airbag, and wherein the second individual stitches pass through the web, the airbag, and the gas delivery tube.

22. The vehicle restraint of claim 16 wherein the web is configured to restrain a passenger in an aircraft.

23. The vehicle restraint of claim 16 wherein the first stitch pattern does not overlap with the second stitch pattern.

Assignments (9)
RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT RECORDED FEBRUARY 19, 2019 AT REEL/FRAME 048365/0499 Recorded Jun 6, 2024
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS TRUSTEE
To: TRANSDIGM INC.; TRANSDIGM GROUP INCORPORATED; AEROSONIC LLC; MOUNTAINTOP TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA OF NJ INC.; SHIELD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, INC.; AMSAFE, INC.; ARKWIN INDUSTRIES, INC.; AVIONIC INSTRUMENTS, INC.; AEROSONIC CORPORATION; AVTECHTYEE, INC.; BREEZE-EASTERN LLC; BRUCE AEROSPACE INC.; CEF INDUSTRIES, LLC; CHAMPION AEROSPACE LLC; DATA DEVICE CORPORATION; DUKES AEROSPACE, INC.; PURE TECHNOLOGIES LTD.; HARCO LABORATORIES, INC.; HARCO LLC; HARCO TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; CORRPRO COMPANIES, INC.; HARCO CORPORATION; HARTWELL CORPORATION; MARATHONNORCO AEROSPACE, INC.; PNEUDRAULICS, INC.; SCHNELLER LLC; SEMCO INSTRUMENTS, INC.; TACTAIR FLUID CONTROLS, INC.; TEAC AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TELAIR INTERNATIONAL GMBH; TELAIR INTERNATIONAL AB; NORDISK AVIATION PRODUCTS AS; TURNTIME TECHNOLOGIES AB; AEROCONTROLEX GROUP, INC.; TRANSICOIL INC.; SOUTHCO, INC.; WHIPPANY ACTUATION SYSTEMS, LLC; YOUNG & FRANKLIN INC.; ARMTEC COUNTERMEASURES CO.; ADVANCED INPUT DEVICES, INC.; ARMTEC DEFENSE PRODUCTS COMPANY; JOSLYN SUNBANK COMPANY LLC; LEACH INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; SOURIAU USA, INC.; NMC GROUP, INC.; TA AEROSPACE CO.; MASON ELECTRIC CO.; KORRY ELECTRONICS CO.; PALOMAR PRODUCTS, INC.; ROLLS-ROYCE PLC; MEMTRON TECHNOLOGIES CO.; CHELTON, INC. (N/K/A CHELTON AVIONICS, INC.); SIMPLEX MANUFACTURING CO.; APICAL INDUSTRIES, INC.; AERO-INSTRUMENTS CO., LLC; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NA, INC.; HARCOSEMCO LLC; HARCO, LLC (N/K/A HARCOSEMCO LLC); PEXCO AEROSPACE, INC.; TELAIR US LLC; CALSPAN AERO SYSTEMS ENGINEERING, INC.; CALSPAN SYSTEMS, LLC; ADAMS RITE AEROSPACE, INC.; ACME AEROSPACE, INC.; SCHNELLER, INC.; CEF INDUSTRIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 067640/0147 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE NATURE OF CONVEYANCE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 064961 FRAME: 0671. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT OF PATENT AND TRADEMARK SECURITY INTEREST. Recorded Oct 5, 2023
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS PREDECESSOR COLLATERAL AGENT
To: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS SUCCESSOR COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 065132/0644 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 20, 2023
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS PREDECESSOR COLLATERAL AGENT
To: GOLDMAN SACHS BANK USA, AS SUCCESSOR COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 064961/0671 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 19, 2023
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS TRUSTEE
To: TA AEROSPACE CO.; TRANSDIGM, INC.; TRANSDIGM GROUP INCORPORATED; ACME AEROSPACE, INC.; ADAMS RITE AEROSPACE, INC.; AEROCONTROLEX GROUP, INC.; AEROSONIC CORPORATION; AIRBORNE HOLDINGS, INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA OF NJ INC.; AMSAFE COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS INC.; AMSAFE, INC.; ARKWIN INDUSTRIES, INC.; AVIONIC INSTRUMENTS LLC; AVIONICS SPECIALTIES, INC.; AVTECH TYEE, INC.; BEAM'S INDUSTRIES; BREEZE EASTERN CORPORATION; BRUCE AEROSPACE, INC.; CEF INDUSTRIES, INC.; CHAMPION AEROSPACE LLC; DATA DEVICE CORPORATION; DUKES AEROSPACE, INC.; ELECTROMECH TECHNOLOGIES LLC; HARCO LABORATORIES, INC.; HARCO LLC; HARTWELL CORPORATION; MARATHONNORCO AEROSPACE, INC.; PEXCO AEROSPACE, INC.; PNEUDRAULICS, INC.; SCHNELLER LLC; SEMCO INSTRUMENTS, INC.; SHIELD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, INC.; TACTAIR FLUID CONTROLS INC.; TEAC AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TELAIR INTERNATIONAL LLC; TRANSCOIL LLC; WESTERN SKY INDUSTRIES, LLC; WHIPPANY ACTUATION SYSTEMS, LLC; YOUNG & FRANKLIN INC.; ARMTEC COUNTERMEASURES CO.; ARMTEC DEFENSE PRODUCTS COMPANY; LEACH INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; NMC GROUP INC.; MASON ELECTRIC CO.; KORRY ELECTRONICS CO.; PALOMAR PRODUCTS, INC.; CHELTON, INC. (N/K/A CHELTON AVIONICS, INC.); SIMPLEX MANUFACTURING CO.; APICAL INDUSTRIES, INC.
Reel/Frame 063363/0753 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 27, 2023
From: TRANSDIGM INC.; TRANSDIGM GROUP INCORPORATED; 17111 WATERVIEW PKWY LLC; ACME AEROSPACE, INC.; ADAMS RITE AEROSPACE, INC.; AEROCONTROLEX GROUP, INC.; AEROSONIC LLC; AIRBORNE ACQUISITION, INC.; AIRBORNE GLOBAL, INC.; AIRBORNE HOLDINGS, INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NA INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA OF CA INC.; AMSAFE GLOBAL HOLDINGS, INC.; AMSAFE, INC.; ANGUS ELECTRONICS CO.; APICAL INDUSTRIES, INC.; ARKWIN INDUSTRIES, INC.; ARMTEC COUNTERMEASURES CO.; ARMTEC COUNTERMEASURES TNO CO.; ARMTEC DEFENSE PRODUCTS CO.; AUXITROL WESTON USA, INC.; AVIATION TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; AVIONIC INSTRUMENTS LLC; AVIONICS SPECIALTIES, INC.; AVTECHTYEE, INC.; BETA TRANSFORMER TECHNOLOGY LLC; BREEZE-EASTERN LLC; BRIDPORT HOLDINGS, INC.; BRIDPORT-AIR CARRIER, INC.; BRUCE AEROSPACE INC.; CDA INTERCORP LLC; CEF INDUSTRIES, LLC; CENTURY HELICOPTERS, INC.; CHAMPION AEROSPACE LLC; CHELTON AVIONICS HOLDINGS, INC.; CHELTON AVIONICS, INC.; CHELTON DEFENSE PRODUCTS, INC.; CMC ELECTRONICS AURORA LLC; DART AEROSPACE USA, INC.; DART BUYER, INC.; DART HELICOPTER SERVICES, INC.; DART INTERMEDIATE, INC.; DART TOPCO, INC.; DATA DEVICE CORPORATION; DUKES AEROSPACE, INC.; ELECTROMECH TECHNOLOGIES LLC; ESTERLINE EUROPE COMPANY LLC; ESTERLINE INTERNATIONAL COMPANY; ESTERLINE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION; ESTERLINE TECHNOLOGIES SGIP LLC; HARCOSEMCO LLC; HARTWELL CORPORATION; HELI TECH, INC.; HYTEK FINISHES CO.; ILC HOLDINGS, INC.; JANCO CORPORATION; JOHNSON LIVERPOOL LLC; KIRKHILL INC.; KORRY ELECTRONICS CO.; LEACH HOLDING CORPORATION; LEACH INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; LEACH MEXICO HOLDING LLC; LEACH TECHNOLOGY GROUP, INC.; MARATHONNORCO AEROSPACE, INC.; MASON ELECTRIC CO.; MCKECHNIE AEROSPACE DE, INC.; MCKECHNIE AEROSPACE HOLDINGS, INC.; MCKECHNIE AEROSPACE US LLC; NAT SEATTLE INC.; NMC GROUP, INC.; NORDISK AVIATION PRODUCTS LLC; NORTH HILLS SIGNAL PROCESSING CORP.; NORTH HILLS SIGNAL PROCESSING OVERSEAS LLC; NORWICH AERO PRODUCTS, INC.; OFFSHORE HELICOPTER SUPPORT SERVICES, INC.; PALOMAR PRODUCTS, INC.; PARAVION TECHNOLOGY, INC.; PEXCO AEROSPACE, INC.; PNEUDRAULICS, INC.; POWER DEVICE CORPORATION; SCHNELLER LLC; SEMCO INSTRUMENTS, INC.; SHIELD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, INC.; SIMPLEX MANUFACTURING CO.; SKANDIA, INC.; SKURKA AEROSPACE INC.; SYMETRICS INDUSTRIES, LLC; TA AEROSPACE CO.; TACTAIR FLUID CONTROLS, INC.; TDG ESL HOLDINGS INC.; TEAC AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TELAIR US LLC; TEXAS ROTRONICS, INC.; TRANSICOIL LLC; WHIPPANY ACTUATION SYSTEMS, LLC; YOUNG & FRANKLIN INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA OF NJ INC.; BRIDPORT ERIE AVIATION, INC.; TRANSDIGM UK HOLDINGS PLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS TRUSTEE
Reel/Frame 063012/0788 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 9, 2020
From: AIRBORNE SYSTEMS NORTH AMERICA OF NJ INC.; ACME AEROSPACE, INC.; ADAMS RITE AEROSPACE, INC.; AEROCONTROLEX GROUP, INC.; AEROSONIC CORPORATION/LLC; AIRBORNE HOLDINGS, INC.; AMSAFE COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS INC.; AMSAFE, INC.; ARKWIN INDUSTRIES, INC.; AVIONIC INSTRUMENTS LLC; AVIONICS SPECIALTIES, INC.; AVTECHTYEE, INC.; BEAM’S INDUSTRIES; BREEZE-EASTERN CORPORATION; BRUCE AEROSPACE, INC.; CEF INDUSTRIES, INC.; CHAMPION AEROSPACE LLC; DATA DEVICE CORPORATION; DUKES AEROSPACE, INC.; ELECTROMECH TECHNOLOGIES LLC; HARCO LABORATORIES, INCORPORATED; HARCO LLC; HARTWELL CORPORATION; MARATHONNORCO AEROSPACE, INC.; PEXCO AEROSPACE, INC.; PNEUDRAULICS, INC.; SCHNELLER LLC; SEMCO INSTRUMENTS, INC.; SHIELD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, INC.; TACTAIR FLUID CONTROLS, INC.; TEAC AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TELAIR INTERNATIONAL LLC; TRANSDIGM, INC.; TRANSCOIL LLC; WESTERN SKY INDUSTRIES, LLC; WHIPPANY ACTUATION SYSTEMS, LLC; YOUNG & FRANKLIN INC.; ARMTEC COUNTERMEASURES CO.; ARMTEC DEFENSE PRODUCTS COMPANY; ARMTEC DEFENSE PRODUCTS CO.; LEACH INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION; NMC GROUP, INC.; TA AEROSPACE CO.; MASON ELECTRIC COMPANY; KORRY ELECTRONICS CO.; PALOMAR PRODUCTS, INC.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS TRUSTEE AND NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 052352/0704 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 19, 2019
From: TRANSDIGM, INC.; ADAMS RITE AEROSPACE, INC.; AEROCONTROLEX GROUP, INC.; AEROSONIC LLC (F/K/A AEROSONIC CORPORATION); AIRBORNE HOLDINGS, INC.; AIRBORNE SYSTEMS OF NORTH AMERICA OF NJ INC.; AMSAFE, INC.; ARKWIN INDUSTRIES, INC.; AVIONIC INSTRUMENTS LLC; AVIONICS SPECIALTIES, INC.; AVTECHTYEE, INC.; BREEZE-EASTERN LLC (F/K/A BREEZE-EASTERN CORPORATION); BRUCE AEROSPACE, INC.; CEF INDUSTRIES, LLC (F/K/A CEF INDUSTRIES, INC.); CHAMPION AEROSPACE LLC; DATA DEVICE CORPORATION; DUKES AEROSPACE, INC.; ELECTROMECH TECHNOLOGIES LLC (F/K/A WESTERN SKY, INDUSTRIES, LLC); HARCOSEMCO LLC (F/K/A HARCO LABORATORIES, INCORPORATED) (F/K/A HARCO LLC); HARTWELL CORPORATION; MARATHONNORCO AEROSPACE, INC.; PEXCO AEROSPACE, INC.; PNEUDRAULICS, INC.; SCHNELLER LLC; SEMCO INSTRUMENTS, INC.; SHIELD RESTRAINT SYSTEMS, INC. (F/K/A AMSAFE COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS INC.) (F/K/A BEAM'S INDUSTRIES, INC.); TACTAIR FLUID CONTROLS, INC.; TEAC AEROSPACE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; TELAIR INTERNATIONAL LLC; TRANSICOIL LLC; WHIPPANY ACTUATION SYSTEMS, LLC; YOUNG & FRANKLIN INC.; ACME AEROSPACE, INC.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.,
Reel/Frame 048365/0499 →
TERMINATION AND SECURITY RELEASE Recorded Mar 8, 2012
From: ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION
To: AMSAFE, INC.; AMSAFE COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS, INC.; AMSAFE AVIATION, INC.
Reel/Frame 027830/0048 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 22, 2011
From: AMSAFE, INC.; AMSAFE COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS. INC.; AMSAFE AVIATION, INC.
To: ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 026637/0591 →