Patents by Inventor Gary Gerlach

Gary Gerlach 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).

  • Structural knee bolster
    Patent number: 7481457
    Abstract: A bolster for assembly to an instrument panel assembly of an automotive vehicle is provided. The vehicle has a steering column with a steering column axis and at least two energy absorbing brackets located laterally to either side of the steering column axis. The bolster comprises a unitary structure having a generally forward wall and a generally aft wall. The forward wall has a forward wall, forward surface. The forward wall, forward surface includes first and second bolster transfer surfaces for transferring forces from the bolster to the energy absorbing brackets. The bolster further comprises a plurality of generally laterally extending rib structures. The rib structures extend from adjacent the first bolster transfer surface to adjacent the second bolster transfer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Salflex Polymers Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael James Best, Dale Carson, Timothy W. Chapman, Rimas Ciplijauskas, Babak Fana, Gary Gerlach, Raj S. Roychoudhury, Changize Sadr, Ali Totonchian
  • Structural knee bolster
    Patent number: 7393013
    Abstract: A bolster for assembly to an instrument panel assembly of an automotive vehicle is provided. The vehicle has a steering column with a steering column axis and at least two energy absorbing brackets located laterally to either side of the steering column axis. The bolster comprises a unitary structure having a generally forward wall and a generally aft wall. The forward wall has a forward wall, forward surface. The forward wall, forward surface includes first and second bolster transfer surfaces for transferring forces from the bolster to the energy absorbing brackets. The bolster further comprises a plurality of generally laterally extending rib structures. The rib structures extend from adjacent the first bolster transfer surface to adjacent the second bolster transfer surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Salflex Polymers Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael James Best, Dale Carson, Timothy W. Chapman, Rimas Ciplijauskas, Babak Fana, Gary Gerlach, Raj S. Roychoudhury, Changize Sadr, Ali Totonchian
  • STRUCTURAL KNEE BOLSTER
    Publication number: 20080150268
    Abstract: A bolster for assembly to an instrument panel assembly of an automotive vehicle is provided. The vehicle has a steering column with a steering column axis and at least two energy absorbing brackets located laterally to either side of the steering column axis. The bolster comprises a unitary structure having a generally forward wall and a generally aft wall. The forward wall has a forward wall, forward surface. The forward wall, forward surface includes first and second bolster transfer surfaces for transferring forces from the bolster to the energy absorbing brackets. The bolster further comprises a plurality of generally laterally extending rib structures. The rib structures extend from adjacent the first bolster transfer surface to adjacent the second bolster transfer surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2008
    Publication date: June 26, 2008
    Inventors: Michael James Best, Dale Carson, Timothy W. Chapman, Rimas Ciplijauskas, Babak Fana, Gary Gerlach, Raj S. Roychoudhury, Changize Sadr, Ali Totonchian
  • Structural knee bolster
    Publication number: 20050052010
    Abstract: A bolster for assembly to an instrument panel assembly of an automotive vehicle is provided. The vehicle has a steering column with a steering column axis and at least two energy absorbing brackets located laterally to either side of the steering column axis. The bolster comprises a unitary structure having a generally forward wall and a generally aft wall. The forward wall has a forward wall, forward surface. The forward wall, forward surface includes first and second bolster transfer surfaces for transferring forces from the bolster to the energy absorbing brackets. The bolster further comprises a plurality of generally laterally extending rib structures. The rib structures extend from adjacent the first bolster transfer surface to adjacent the second bolster transfer surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Publication date: March 10, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Best, Dale Carson, Timothy Chapman, Rimas Ciplijauskas, Babak Fana, Gary Gerlach, Raj Roychoudhury, Changize Sadr, Ali Totonchian