IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,439,398
Granted Patent B2
US 8,439,398 · App. 13/194,411 · Granted May 14, 2013

Inflator connectors for inflatable personal restraints and associated systems and methods

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,439,398
App. No.
13/194,411
Granted
May 14, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

Inflator connectors for inflatable personal restraints and associated systems and methods are described herein. An inflator connector configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology, for example, can include a body having an attachment portion and a sleeve portion and a coupling rotatably received in the sleeve portion. The attachment portion of the body can include a first bore having a first engagement feature positioned toward a first opening for operably engaging at least one of an inflator and a gas tube. The sleeve portion can include a second bore in fluid communication with the first bore. The coupling can include a second engagement feature positioned toward a second opening for operably engaging the other of the inflator and the gas tube.

Claims (62)

1. A connector for operably coupling an airbag inflator to a gas tube, the connector comprising:

a body having an attachment portion and a sleeve portion, the attachment portion having a first bore, the sleeve portion having a second bore in fluid communication with the first bore, wherein the first bore includes a first engagement feature positioned toward a first opening for operably engaging at least one of the inflator and the gas tube;

a coupling rotatably received in the second bore of the sleeve portion, the coupling having a second engagement feature positioned toward a second opening for operably engaging the other of the inflator and the gas tube, wherein the second opening is in fluid communication with the first opening, and wherein the coupling includes a first groove proximate to a first end portion of the coupling and a second groove proximate to a second end portion of the coupling; and

a first sealing ring received in the first groove and a second sealing ring received in the second groove, wherein the first and second sealing rings are configured to form a seal between the sleeve portion and the coupling.

2. The connector of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first engagement feature and the second engagement feature includes at least one of threads and a barbed boss.

3. The connector of claim 1 wherein:

the first engagement feature is configured to releasably engage a gas outlet of the inflator; and

the second engagement feature is configured to releasably engage the gas tube.

4. The connector of claim 1 wherein the coupling includes at least one through-hole extending through a sidewall of the coupling, and wherein the first bore and the through-hole are in fluid communication with one another.

5. The connector of claim 1 wherein:

the first engagement feature includes threads;

the second engagement feature includes a barbed boss; and

the coupling includes a plurality of through-holes positioned around a sidewall of the coupling between the first and second grooves, wherein the through-holes and the first bore are in fluid communication with one another.

6. A connector for operably coupling an airbag inflator to a gas tube, the connector comprising:

a body having an attachment portion and a sleeve portion, the attachment portion having a first bore, the sleeve portion having a second bore in fluid communication with the first bore, wherein the first bore includes a first engagement feature positioned toward a first opening for operably engaging at least one of the inflator and the gas tube;

a coupling rotatably received in the second bore of the sleeve portion, the coupling having a second engagement feature positioned toward a second opening for operably engaging the other of the inflator and the gas tube, wherein the second opening is in fluid communication with the first opening, and wherein the coupling includes an end portion having a groove, wherein the end portion protrudes beyond the second bore; and

a retainer clip mated with the groove.

7. The connector of claim 6 wherein the coupling further includes a grip feature configured to releasably engage a tool for rotating the coupling.

8. An airbag inflator system, comprising:

an inflator having a gas outlet, wherein the gas outlet includes inflator threads;

a gas tube having an inlet, wherein the gas tube includes tube threads; and

an inflator connector comprising a coupling rotatably coupled to a body, wherein the body is configured to connect to at least one of the inflator outlet and the gas tube inlet, wherein the coupling is configured to connect to the other of the inflator gas outlet and the gas tube inlet, wherein the body includes first threads at an inlet opening of the body, the first threads being configured to engage the inflator threads, and wherein the coupling includes second threads at an outlet opening of the coupling, the second threads being configured to engage the tube threads.

9. An airbag inflator system, comprising:

an inflator having a gas outlet;

a gas tube having an inlet; and

an inflator connector comprising a coupling rotatably coupled to a body, wherein the body is configured to connect to at least one of the inflator outlet and the gas tube inlet, wherein the coupling is configured to connect to the other of the inflator gas outlet and the gas tube inlet, and wherein the coupling includes at least one through-hole positioned around a sidewall of the coupling.

10. The airbag inflator system of claim 9 wherein the inflator connector further comprises a sealing feature configured to form a seal between the body and the coupling.

11. The airbag inflator system of claim 9 wherein:

the body includes a first bore and a second bore in fluid connection with one another;

the coupling is received in the second bore, the coupling having an end portion protruding beyond the second bore, wherein the end portion includes a groove; and

the inflator connector further includes a retainer clip seated in the groove.

12. The airbag inflator system of claim 9 wherein the inflator connector further comprises a grip feature configured to releasably couple to a tool that rotates the coupling.

13. An airbag inflator system, comprising:

an inflator having a gas outlet;

a gas tube having an inlet; and

an inflator connector comprising a coupling rotatably coupled to a body, wherein the body is configured to connect to at least one of the inflator outlet and the gas tube inlet, wherein the coupling is configured to connect to the other of the inflator gas outlet and the gas tube inlet, and wherein the coupling includes a barbed boss configured to connect to at least one of the inflator outlet and the gas tube inlet.

14. A method of manufacturing an inflator connector, the method comprising:

forming a body having a first bore in fluid communication with a second bore, the first bore having a first opening;

forming a first engagement feature toward the first opening;

forming a coupling having a second opening;

forming a second engagement feature toward the second opening;

inserting the coupling into the second bore, the coupling being configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the second bore, wherein the second opening is in fluid communication with the first opening; and

forming at least one through-hole around a sidewall of the coupling, wherein the through-hole is in fluid communication with the first opening.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein:

inserting the coupling in the second bore further comprises projecting an end portion of the coupling beyond the second bore; and

the method further includes mating a retainer clip with a groove in the end portion of the coupling.

16. The method of claim 14 , further comprising forming a seal between the body and the coupling.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein forming the coupling includes forming a grip feature on an end portion of the coupling, the grip feature being configured to releasably engage a tool that rotates the coupling.

18. A method of manufacturing an inflator connector, the method comprising:

forming a body having a first bore in fluid communication with a second bore, the first bore having a first opening;

forming a first engagement feature toward the first opening;

forming a coupling having a second opening;

forming a second engagement feature toward the second opening;

inserting the coupling into the second bore, the coupling being configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the second bore, wherein the second opening is in fluid communication with the first opening;

forming the first engagement feature comprises forming first threads in an internal sidewall of the first bore, wherein the first threads are configured to engage threads on a gas outlet of an inflator; and

forming the second engagement feature comprises forming second threads in an internal sidewall of the coupling, wherein the second threads are configured to engage threads on an end fitting of a gas tube.

19. A method of manufacturing an inflator connector, the method comprising:

forming a body having a first bore in fluid communication with a second bore, the first bore having a first opening;

forming a first engagement feature toward the first opening;

forming a coupling having a second opening;

forming a second engagement feature toward the second opening, wherein forming at least one of the first and second engagement features comprises forming a barbed boss configured to engage at least one of a gas outlet of an inflator and an end fitting of a gas tube; and

inserting the coupling into the second bore, the coupling being configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the second bore, wherein the second opening is in fluid communication with the first opening.

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 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 9, 2012
From: AMSAFE, INC.; AMSAFE COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS, INC.; AMSAFE AVIATION, INC.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG
Reel/Frame 027830/0183 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Aug 17, 2011
From: BACA, ANDRE
To: AMSAFE, INC.
Reel/Frame 026766/0378 →