Patents by Inventor Graham Tompson
Graham Tompson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20070013202Abstract: A vehicle interior assembly includes a housing, a door pivotably mounted thereto, and a biasing member disposed therebetween. The housing has walls defining an interior and an opening. The walls include laterally opposed housing side walls and a connecting wall between the housing side walls, wherein the connecting wall has an inner surface. The door has a housing contact portion disposed on one side of the door for contact with the inner surface of the connecting wall of the housing at least when the door is latched to the housing in a closed rest position. The biasing member is disposed between the housing and the door on a side of the door opposite that of the housing contact portion of the door.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2005Publication date: January 18, 2007Applicant: Sidler Inc.Inventor: Graham Tompson
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Publication number: 20060182935Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article, such as a decoupler for a vehicle interior trim component, is disclosed. The method comprises the conveying of materials into an enclosure to form a preform having a shape of the enclosure, heating the preform to a temperature such that adjacent materials may bond to one another upon cooling and forming the heated preform into a predetermined three-dimensional configuration via a mold. The enclosure has a perforated portion and at least one panel movable relative to the enclosure so as to selectively expose portions of the perforated portion. The density of the preform may be varied as the at least one panel is moved to expose the perforated portion of the enclosure. A system for manufacturing articles, such as decouplers, of the present invention is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2005Publication date: August 17, 2006Inventors: Graham Tompson, Surendra Khambete, William Griffin, Fred Skidmore, Sandip Mehta
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Patent number: 7055649Abstract: Sound attenuating laminates, and methods of making the same, are provided. Heat is applied to a surface of a non-woven, fibrous layer of material to form a stratum of melted fibers having a density greater than that of the remainder of the fibrous layer. The density of the melted fibers is effective in attenuating noise traversing the fibrous layer of material. Upholstery material, such as carpeting, is attached to the surface of the heated fibrous layer. The fibrous layer and upholstery material are then subjected to compressive molding pressure to obtain a desired shape. The compressive molding pressure may further tune the sound attenuating properties of the fibrous layer by selectively changing the densities of portions of the fibrous layer.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2004Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Assignee: Collins & Aikman Products Co.Inventors: Graham Tompson, Surendra Khambete, Fred Skidmore, Bill Griffin
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Patent number: 6971475Abstract: Vehicle trim components are formed by applying a layer of material onto a mold surface and then selectively applying foam prior to molding operations. Selectively applying foam may include applying foam of different densities in multiple locations and/or applying foam of different thicknesses in multiple locations. The material and foam are subjected to conditions within the mold to produce a trim component having a desired shape. Once de-molded, barrier material may be added and various post-molding operations may be conducted.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2003Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Collins & Aikman Products Co.Inventors: Graham Tompson, Girma Gebreselassie, Anthony Messina
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Publication number: 20050023080Abstract: Sound attenuating laminates, and methods of making the same, are provided. Heat is applied to a surface of a non-woven, fibrous layer of material to form a stratum of melted fibers having a density greater than that of the remainder of the fibrous layer. The density of the melted fibers is effective in attenuating noise traversing the fibrous layer of material. Upholstery material, such as carpeting, is attached to the surface of the heated fibrous layer. The fibrous layer and upholstery material are then subjected to compressive molding pressure to obtain a desired shape. The compressive molding pressure may further tune the sound attenuating properties of the fibrous layer by selectively changing the densities of portions of the fibrous layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 30, 2004Publication date: February 3, 2005Inventors: Graham Tompson, Surendra Khambete, Fred Skidmore, Bill Griffin
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Patent number: 6818316Abstract: Recyclable vehicle interior trim panels, and methods of producing same, are provided. A vehicle interior trim panel may include a top layer of recyclable polymeric material and a backing layer bonded to the top layer in face-to-face relationship. The top layer includes a blend of various recyclable polymeric materials including an interpolymer component, a polypropylene copolymer component, a polypropylene component, a limestone component, and barium sulfate component, and has a thickness of between about 1.6 mm and about 2.0 mm. The top layer may include first and second layers of recyclable polymeric material adhered together in face-to-face relationship. The first layer includes a first interpolymer component, a second interpolymer component, a polypropylene copolymer component, a polypropylene component, a polyethylene polymer component, and a silicone component. The second layer includes an interpolymer component, a polypropylene copolymer component, a polypropylene component, and a limestone component.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2003Date of Patent: November 16, 2004Assignee: Collins & Aikman Products Co.Inventors: Girma Gebreselassie, Matt Starling, Surendra Khambete, Graham Tompson
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Publication number: 20040216949Abstract: Vehicle trim components are formed by applying a layer of material onto a mold surface and then selectively applying foam prior to molding operations. Selectively applying foam may include applying foam of different densities in multiple locations and/or applying foam of different thicknesses in multiple locations. The material and foam are subjected to conditions within the mold to produce a trim component having a desired shape. Once de-molded, barrier material may be added and various post-molding operations may be conducted.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2003Publication date: November 4, 2004Inventors: Graham Tompson, Girma Gebreselassie, Anthony Messina
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Patent number: 6802389Abstract: Sound attenuating laminates, and methods of making the same, are provided. Heat is applied to a surface of a non-woven, fibrous layer of material to form a stratum of melted fibers having a density greater than that of the remainder of the fibrous layer. The density of the melted fibers is effective in attenuating noise traversing the fibrous layer of material. Upholstery material, such as carpeting, is attached to the surface of the heated fibrous layer. The fibrous layer and upholstery material are then subjected to compressive molding pressure to obtain a desired shape. The compressive molding pressure may further tune the sound attenuating properties of the fibrous layer by selectively changing the densities of portions of the fibrous layer.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2001Date of Patent: October 12, 2004Assignee: Collins & Aikman Products Co.Inventors: Graham Tompson, Surendra Khambete, Fred Skidmore, Bill Griffin
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Publication number: 20040110438Abstract: Acoustical panels and methods of making acoustical panels are provided. Isocyanate binder and scrap material are blended together to produce a mixture of recycled material. The mixture of recycled material is formed into a panel, molded to form an acoustic article having a three dimensional contour, and cured via steam. The acoustic article is subjected to trimming operations, and one or more surfaces of the acoustic article may be covered with one or more layers of material. Scrap material generated by the trimming operations are then returned to for reuse.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2002Publication date: June 10, 2004Inventors: Graham Tompson, Surendra Khambete, Girma Gebreselassie, Anthony Messina
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Publication number: 20040096647Abstract: Recyclable vehicle interior trim panels, and methods of producing same, are provided. A vehicle interior trim panel may include a top layer of recyclable polymeric material and a backing layer bonded to the top layer in face-to-face relationship. The top layer includes a blend of various recyclable polymeric materials including an interpolymer component, a polypropylene copolymer component, a polypropylene component, a limestone component, and barium sulfate component, and has a thickness of between about 1.6 mm and about 2.0 mm. The top layer may include first and second layers of recyclable polymeric material adhered together in face-to-face relationship. The first layer includes a first interpolymer component, a second interpolymer component, a polypropylene copolymer component, a polypropylene component, a polyethylene polymer component, and a silicone component. The second layer includes an interpolymer component, a polypropylene copolymer component, a polypropylene component, and a limestone component.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 22, 2003Publication date: May 20, 2004Inventors: Girma Gebreselassie, Matt Starling, Surendra Khambete, Graham Tompson
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Patent number: 6710133Abstract: Recyclable vehicle interior trim panels, and methods of producing same, are provided. A vehicle interior trim panel may include a top layer of recyclable polymeric material and a backing layer bonded to the top layer in face-to-face relationship. The top layer includes a blend of various recyclable polymeric materials including an interpolymer component, a polypropylene copolymer component, a polypropylene component, a limestone component, and barium sulfate component, and has a thickness of between about 1.6 mm and about 2.0 mm. The top layer may include first and second layers of recyclable polymeric material adhered together in face-to-face relationship. The first layer includes a first interpolymer component, a second interpolymer component, a polypropylene copolymer component, a polypropylene component, a polyethylene polymer component, and a silicone component. The second layer includes an interpolymer component, a polypropylene copolymer component, a polypropylene component, and a limestone component.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2002Date of Patent: March 23, 2004Assignee: Collins & Aikman Products Co.Inventors: Girma Gebreselassie, Matt Starling, Surendra Khambete, Graham Tompson
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Publication number: 20040041428Abstract: A member (10) which is used for the interior panelling of vehicles which can change the acoustic properties of the interior of the vehicle. The member comprises a panel (12) with a plurality of through-holes (14) formed therein and a covering (16) of absorptive material covering one surface of the panel and the through-holes.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2003Publication date: March 4, 2004Inventor: Graham Tompson
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Patent number: 6595321Abstract: A multi-layer acoustically absorptive mat includes a base layer having a peripheral portion with a plurality of apertures formed in the peripheral portion in adjacent, spaced-apart relationship. A face layer disposed adjacent the base layer. An acoustic absorbing layer is interposed between the peripheral portion of the base layer and the face layer. The acoustic absorbing layer includes a respective exposed portion that extends across each of the apertures.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2002Date of Patent: July 22, 2003Assignee: Collins & Aikman Products Co.Inventor: Graham Tompson
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Publication number: 20030106741Abstract: Sound attenuating laminates, and methods of making the same, are provided. Heat is applied to a surface of a non-woven, fibrous layer of material to form a stratum of melted fibers having a density greater than that of the remainder of the fibrous layer. The density of the melted fibers is effective in attenuating noise traversing the fibrous layer of material. Upholstery material, such as carpeting, is attached to the surface of the heated fibrous layer. The fibrous layer and upholstery material are then subjected to compressive molding pressure to obtain a desired shape. The compressive molding pressure may further tune the sound attenuating properties of the fibrous layer by selectively changing the densities of portions of the fibrous layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 7, 2001Publication date: June 12, 2003Inventors: Graham Tompson, Surendra Khambete, Fred Skidmore, Bill Griffin
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Publication number: 20030096099Abstract: Recyclable vehicle interior trim panels, and methods of producing same, are provided. A vehicle interior trim panel may include a top layer of recyclable polymeric material and a backing layer bonded to the top layer in face-to-face relationship. The top layer includes a blend of various recyclable polymeric materials including an interpolymer component, a polypropylene copolymer component, a polypropylene component, a limestone component, and barium sulfate component, and has a thickness of between about 1.6 mm and about 2.0 mm. The top layer may include first and second layers of recyclable polymeric material adhered together in face-to-face relationship. The first layer includes a first interpolymer component, a second interpolymer component, a polypropylene copolymer component, a polypropylene component, a polyethylene polymer component, and a silicone component. The second layer includes an interpolymer component, a polypropylene copolymer component, a polypropylene component, and a limestone component.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2002Publication date: May 22, 2003Inventors: Girma Gebreselassie, Matt Starling, Surendra Khambete, Graham Tompson