Patents by Inventor Ben E. Sapak

Ben E. Sapak 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).

  • Publication number: 20120104784
    Abstract: This invention relates to a trim panel (100) comprising a flexible first element (110) providing a show or A surface and a second flexible element (120) provided behind and attached to the first element (110) and providing attachment structures (122) usable to attach the trim panel (100) to a vehicle body (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: JOHNSON CONTROLS TECHNOLOGY COMPANY
    Inventors: Ben E. Sapak, Christopher Kring
  • Publication number: 20100264684
    Abstract: A visor (100) for a vehicle is disclosed. The visor comprises a visor body formed of a vehicle panel material having a rigid core (122) and a cover layer (124) coupled to an outer surface of the rigid core. The visor body has a first body portion (116) and a second body portion (118). The visor further comprises a carrier (104) configured to support at least one accessory associated with the visor. The first body portion and the second body portion at least partially conceal the carrier. A method of manufacturing a visor for a vehicle is also disclosed wherein the visor is formed from a material used to form a vehicle panel such as a vehicle headliner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Inventors: Christopher Kring, Ben E. Sapak, Albert C. Haak, Dennis J. VanHouten, Eric C. Asselin, William J. Homik
  • Patent number: 6829812
    Abstract: A headliner system configured to mount to a vehicle roof structure comprises a retainer clip coupled to a substrate, and a handle movable between a first position and a second position. The handle is retained by a retaining system such as a biasing element captured between the roof structure and a projection. A method of mounting a handle to vehicle roof structure comprises providing a retaining system comprising a retainer clip, coupling the retainer clip to a headliner, coupling the handle to the retainer clip and orientating it in a first position, moving the handle to a second position to capture a portion of the handle between the retainer clip and a projection, locating the headliner relative to the roof structure, and moving the handle to a third position to retain a portion of the handle between at least a portion of the retaining system and the roof structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: David A. Ozios, Mathias R. Fox, Thomas S. Hodgson, Brian J. Sparks, Ben E. Sapak
  • Publication number: 20040051346
    Abstract: A headliner system configured to mount to a vehicle roof structure comprises a retainer clip coupled to a substrate, and a handle movable between a first position and a second position. The handle is retained by a retaining system such as a biasing element captured between the roof structure and a projection. A method of mounting a handle to vehicle roof structure comprises providing a retaining system comprising a retainer clip, coupling the retainer clip to a headliner, coupling the handle to the retainer clip and orientating it in a first position, moving the handle to a second position to capture a portion of the handle between the retainer clip and a projection, locating the headliner relative to the roof structure, and moving the handle to a third position to retain a portion of the handle between at least a portion of the retaining system and the roof structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: David A. Ozios, Mathias R. Fox, Thomas S. Hodgson, Brian J. Sparks, Ben E. Sapak