Patents by Inventor Jeffrey P. Schmelzer

Jeffrey P. Schmelzer 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).

  • Patent number: 9776536
    Abstract: A cargo management system including a vehicle load floor having a cellulose-based core to compartmentalize a cargo area of the vehicle into an upper compartment and a covered lower compartment is provided. The floor has a wood grain finish. The load floor includes a compression-molded composite panel that includes first and second outer layers of fiber-reinforced thermoplastic material, first and second sheets of thermoplastic adhesive and a core of cellulose-based material and positioned between the outer layers. The core has a cellular structure. The outer layers are bonded to the core by the first and second sheets and by press molding. The first outer layer having a top surface on which a multi-layer sheet is bonded by the press molding. The multi-layer sheet has a substantially planar upper support surface to support cargo in the upper compartment and to provide the load floor with the wood grain finish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: GLOBAL IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Darius J. Preisler, Christopher A. Heikkila, Steven A. Mitchell, Jeffrey P. Schmelzer
  • Publication number: 20170043687
    Abstract: A cargo management system including a vehicle load floor having a cellulose-based core to compartmentalize a cargo area of the vehicle into an upper compartment and a covered lower compartment is provided. The floor has a wood grain finish. The load floor includes a compression-molded composite panel that includes first and second outer layers of fiber-reinforced thermoplastic material, first and second sheets of thermoplastic adhesive and a core of cellulose-based material and positioned between the outer layers. The core has a large number of cavities. The outer layers are bonded to the core by the first and second sheets and by press molding. The first outer layer having a top surface on which a multi-layer sheet is bonded by the press molding. The multi-layer sheet has a substantially planar upper support surface to support cargo in the upper compartment and to provide the load floor with the wood grain finish.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventors: Darius J. Preisler, Christopher A. Heikkila, Steven A. Mitchell, Jeffrey P. Schmelzer
  • Patent number: 9511690
    Abstract: A cargo management system including a vehicle load floor having a cellulose-based core to compartmentalize a cargo area of the vehicle into an upper compartment and a covered lower compartment is provided. The floor has a wood grain finish. The load floor includes a compression-molded composite panel that includes first and second outer layers of fiber-reinforced thermoplastic material, first and second sheets of thermoplastic adhesive and a core of cellulose-based material and positioned between the outer layers. The core has a large number of cavities. The outer layers are bonded to the core by the first and second sheets and by press molding. The first outer layer having a top surface on which a multi-layer sheet is bonded by the press molding. The multi-layer sheet has a substantially planar upper support surface to support cargo in the upper compartment and to provide the load floor with the wood grain finish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBAL IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Darius J. Preisler, Christopher A. Heikkila, Steven A. Mitchell, Jeffrey P. Schmelzer
  • Patent number: 9399435
    Abstract: A cargo management system including an automotive vehicle seat having a backrest which separates the vehicle interior into a passenger area at the front of the vehicle and a cargo area at the rear of the vehicle is provided. The system includes a vehicle load floor which includes first and second outer layers and a core of cellulose-based material positioned between the outer layers and having a large number of cavities. The outer layers of the load floor are bonded to the core by press molding. The load floor has a wood grain finish. A compression-molded, composite cargo trim panel is secured to the backrest and includes a base layer and a coverstock sheet bonded to the base layer by press molding. The coverstock sheet provides the trim panel with a wood grain finish in an upper compartment of the cargo area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBAL IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Darius J. Preisler, Christopher A. Heikkila, Steven A. Mitchell, Jeffrey P. Schmelzer
  • Patent number: 9346375
    Abstract: A cargo management system including a vehicle load floor and a pair of opposing cargo trim panels supported above the load floor at opposite sides of the load floor within the interior of the vehicle is provided. The load floor has a wood grain finish. The load floor includes a first outer layer, a second outer layer and a core of cellulose-based material positioned between the outer layers and having a large number of cavities. The outer layers are bonded to the core by press molding. The trim panels are compression-molded, composite cargo trim panels supported above the vehicle load floor at opposite sides of the load floor. Each panel includes a base layer and a coverstock sheet bonded to the base layer by press molding. Each coverstock sheet provides its respective trim panel with a wood grain finish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBAL IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Darius J. Preisler, Christopher A. Heikkila, Steven A. Mitchell, Jeffrey P. Schmelzer
  • Patent number: 9308945
    Abstract: A cargo management system including a vehicle load floor to compartmentalize a cargo area of the vehicle into an upper compartment and a covered lower compartment is provided. The floor has a wood grain finish. The load floor includes a compression-molded composite panel that includes first and second outer layers and a core positioned between the outer layers. The core has a large number of cavities. The outer layers are bonded to the core by press molding. The first outer layer having a top surface on which a multi-layer sheet is bonded by the press molding. The sheet has a substantially planar upper support surface to support cargo in the upper compartment and to provide the load floor with the wood grain finish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: GLOBAL IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Darius J. Preisler, Christopher A. Heikkila, Steven A. Mitchell, Jeffrey P. Schmelzer
  • Patent number: 9126537
    Abstract: A cargo management system including an automotive vehicle seat having a backrest which separates the vehicle interior into a passenger area at the front of the vehicle and a cargo area at the rear of the vehicle is provided. The system includes a vehicle load floor to compartmentalize the cargo area into an upper compartment and a covered lower compartment. The load floor has a wood grain finish. A compression-molded, composite cargo trim panel is secured to the backrest and faces the upper compartment of the cargo area above the load floor in an upright sitting position of the backrest. The panel includes a base layer and a coverstock sheet bonded to the base layer by press molding. The coverstock sheet provides the trim panel with a wood grain finish in the upper compartment of the cargo area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: GLOBAL IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Darius J. Preisler, Christopher A. Heikkila, Steven A. Mitchell, Jeffrey P. Schmelzer
  • Publication number: 20150130222
    Abstract: A cargo management system including a vehicle load floor and a pair of opposing cargo trim panels supported above the load floor at opposite sides of the load floor within the interior of the vehicle is provided. The load floor has a wood grain finish. The load floor includes a first outer layer, a second outer layer and a core of cellulose-based material positioned between the outer layers and having a large number of cavities. The outer layers are bonded to the core by press molding. The trim panels are compression-molded, composite cargo trim panels supported above the vehicle load floor at opposite sides of the load floor. Each panel includes a base layer and a coverstock sheet bonded to the base layer by press molding. Each coverstock sheet provides its respective trim panel with a wood grain finish.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Darius J. Preisler, Christopher A. Heikkila, Steven A. Mitchell, Jeffrey P. Schmelzer
  • Publication number: 20150130220
    Abstract: A cargo management system including a vehicle load floor having a cellulose-based core to compartmentalize a cargo area of the vehicle into an upper compartment and a covered lower compartment is provided. The floor has a wood grain finish. The load floor includes a compression-molded composite panel that includes first and second outer layers of fiber-reinforced thermoplastic material, first and second sheets of thermoplastic adhesive and a core of cellulose-based material and positioned between the outer layers. The core has a large number of cavities. The outer layers are bonded to the core by the first and second sheets and by press molding. The first outer layer having a top surface on which a multi-layer sheet is bonded by the press molding. The multi-layer sheet has a substantially planar upper support surface to support cargo in the upper compartment and to provide the load floor with the wood grain finish.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Darius J. Preisler, Christopher A. Heikkila, Steven A. Mitchell, Jeffrey P. Schmelzer
  • Publication number: 20150130221
    Abstract: A cargo management system including an automotive vehicle seat having a backrest which separates the vehicle interior into a passenger area at the front of the vehicle and a cargo area at the rear of the vehicle is provided. The system includes a vehicle load floor which includes first and second outer layers and a core of cellulose-based material positioned between the outer layers and having a large number of cavities. The outer layers of the load floor are bonded to the core by press molding. The load floor has a wood grain finish. A compression-molded, composite cargo trim panel is secured to the backrest and includes a base layer and a coverstock sheet bonded to the base layer by press molding. The coverstock sheet provides the trim panel with a wood grain finish in an upper compartment of the cargo area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Darius J. Preisler, Christopher A. Heikkila, Steven A. Mitchell, Jeffrey P. Schmelzer
  • Patent number: 9010834
    Abstract: A cargo management system including a vehicle load floor and a pair of opposing cargo trim panels supported above the load floor at opposite sides of the load floor within the interior of the vehicle is provided. The vehicle load floor compartmentalizes a cargo area into an upper compartment and a covered lower compartment. The load floor has a wood grain finish. The trim panels are compression-molded, composite cargo trim panels supported above the vehicle load floor at opposite sides of the load floor within the interior of the vehicle to at least partially define the upper compartment of the cargo area. Each panel includes a base layer and a coverstock sheet bonded to the base layer by press molding. Each coverstock sheet provides its respective trim panel with a wood grain finish in the upper compartment of the cargo area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Global IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Darius J. Preisler, Christopher A. Heikkila, Steven A. Mitchell, Jeffrey P. Schmelzer
  • Publication number: 20140077530
    Abstract: A cargo management system including a vehicle load floor to compartmentalize a cargo area of the vehicle into an upper compartment and a covered lower compartment is provided. The floor has a wood grain finish. The load floor includes a compression-molded composite panel that includes first and second outer layers and a core positioned between the outer layers. The core has a large number of cavities. The outer layers are bonded to the core by press molding. The first outer layer having a top surface on which a multi-layer sheet is bonded by the press molding. The sheet has a substantially planar upper support surface to support cargo in the upper compartment and to provide the load floor with the wood grain finish.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: GLOBAL IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Darius J. Preisler, Christopher A. Heikkila, Steven A. Mitchell, Jeffrey P. Schmelzer
  • Publication number: 20140077518
    Abstract: A cargo management system including an automotive vehicle seat having a backrest which separates the vehicle interior into a passenger area at the front of the vehicle and a cargo area at the rear of the vehicle is provided. The system includes a vehicle load floor to compartmentalize the cargo area into an upper compartment and a covered lower compartment. The load floor has a wood grain finish. A compression-molded, composite cargo trim panel is secured to the backrest and faces the upper compartment of the cargo area above the load floor in an upright sitting position of the backrest. The panel includes a base layer and a coverstock sheet bonded to the base layer by press molding. The coverstock sheet provides the trim panel with a wood grain finish in the upper compartment of the cargo area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: GLOBAL IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Darius J. Preisler, Christopher A. Heikkila, Steven A. Mitchell, Jeffrey P. Schmelzer
  • Publication number: 20140077531
    Abstract: A cargo management system including a vehicle load floor and a pair of opposing cargo trim panels supported above the load floor at opposite sides of the load floor within the interior of the vehicle is provided. The vehicle load floor compartmentalizes a cargo area into an upper compartment and a covered lower compartment. The load floor has a wood grain finish. The trim panels are compression-molded, composite cargo trim panels supported above the vehicle load floor at opposite sides of the load floor within the interior of the vehicle to at least partially define the upper compartment of the cargo area. Each panel includes a base layer and a coverstock sheet bonded to the base layer by press molding. Each coverstock sheet provides its respective trim panel with a wood grain finish in the upper compartment of the cargo area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: GLOBAL IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Darius J. Preisler, Christopher A. Heikkila, Steven A. Mitchell, Jeffrey P. Schmelzer