Patents by Inventor G. Michael Whitaker

G. Michael Whitaker 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).

  • Method for manufacturing a sound insulating structure and the structure produced thereby
    Patent number: 6821597
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sound insulating structure cover panel that compliments the sound attenuation material. The method of manufacturing the panel comprises the steps of providing a laminated blank having an interior face which will be observable from the passenger compartment. The side opposite the interior face of the blank has a generally non-permeable polymeric layer adjacent to a primary backing and a secondary backing layer overlying the polymeric layer. In the preferred process, the previously described blank is elevated to a desired temperature and positioned in a closed forming mold such that the perimeter of the blank is retained in a fixed position. The forming mold is closed with a controlled pressure that is sufficient to expand the blank, conform it to the mold and render a panel having a desired permeable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Magee Rieter Automotive Systems
    Inventors: Burton J. Price, G. Michael Whitaker, Kurt Alan Kniss
  • Method for manufacturing a sound insulating structure and the structure produced thereby
    Patent number: 6616789
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sound insulating structure cover panel that compliments the sound attenuation material. The method of manufacturing the panel includes the steps of providing a laminated blank having an interior face which will be observable from the passenger compartment. The side opposite the interior face of the blank has a generally non-permeable polymeric layer adjacent to a primary backing and a secondary backing layer overlying the polymeric layer. In the preferred process, the previously described blank is elevated to a desired temperature and positioned in a closed forming mold such that the perimeter of the blank is retained in a fixed position. The forming mold is closed with a controlled pressure that is sufficient to expand the blank, conform it to the mold and render a panel having a desired permeability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventors: Burton J. Price, G. Michael Whitaker, Kurt Alan Kniss
  • Method for manufacturing a sound insulating structure and the structure produced thereby
    Publication number: 20020028315
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sound insulating structure cover panel that compliments the sound attenuation material. The method of manufacturing the panel comprises the steps of providing a laminated blank having an interior face which will be observable from the passenger compartment. The side opposite the interior face of the blank has a generally non-permeable polymeric layer adjacent to a primary backing and a secondary backing layer overlying the polymeric layer. In the preferred process, the previously described blank is elevated to a desired temperature and positioned in a closed forming mold such that the perimeter of the blank is retained in a fixed position. The forming mold is closed with a controlled pressure that is sufficient to expand the blank, conform it to the mold and render a panel having a desired permeable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Publication date: March 7, 2002
    Applicant: Magee Rieter Automotive Systems
    Inventors: Burton J. Price, G. Michael Whitaker, Kurt Alan Kniss