Patents by Inventor Rimas Ciplijauskas
Rimas Ciplijauskas 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: 20110123739Abstract: Described is an inflatable multilayer bolster for a vehicle passenger compartment including a hollow body with back and front walls, an air chamber formed between them, and an inflator for injecting pressurized fluid to inflate the hollow body. Preferably, both the front and back walls have an inner layer made of a structural deformable material and an outer surfacing layer co-extruded with the inner layer. Also described is a method of manufacturing the multilayer bolster by co-extruding first and second polymers through a die to produce a parison, and then blow-molding the parison to form the hollow body. Thus the front wall and preferably the back wall as well have an inner layer made of the first polymer in a structural deformable condition and an outer surfacing layer made of the second polymer. This co-extruded multilayer constructed bolster allows efficient manufacturing, structural, inflation and aesthetic characteristics.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2009Publication date: May 26, 2011Inventors: Rimas Ciplijauskas, Michael James Best, Babak Fana, Raj S. Roychoudhury
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Publication number: 20110115201Abstract: An inflatable bolster for use in a passenger compartment of a vehicle comprises a hollow body having a first wall having a central area and a circumferential area surrounding the central area, a second wall opposite the first wall, and an air chamber formed between the first and second walls. The inflatable bolster also comprises an inflator for injecting a pressurized fluid into the air chamber which is mounted to the hollow body. The inflatable bolster also comprises a plurality of concentric extension pleats formed in the first wall. The extension pleats extend around a major part of the circumferential area. The extension pleats contact the second wall at a plurality of contact points which are distributed across the second wall. The plurality of contact points is sufficient in number to at least partially suppress audible vibration of the second wall.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2009Publication date: May 19, 2011Inventors: Michael James Best, Raj S. Roychoudhury, Rimas Ciplijauskas, Babak Fana
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Publication number: 20110109064Abstract: An inflatable bolster for use in a passenger compartment of a vehicle is provided having a hollow body, an inflator and an attachment mechanism for attaching the hollow body to the vehicle's mating surface. The attachment mechanism includes a base retained within a molded cavity within the hollow body, and a fastener projection extending outward from both the base and the hollow body. Another attachment mechanism is provided including a dovetail portion which extends outward from the hollow body and engages a slot in the mating surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 14, 2009Publication date: May 12, 2011Inventors: Michael James Best, Raj S. Roychoudhury, Rimas Ciplijauskas, Babak Fana
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Publication number: 20090250915Abstract: This invention is in the field of safety devices to lessen injuries arising from impact in vehicles, particularly automobiles. A bolster which may be employed to reduce impact severity to passengers from either frontal or side impacts is activated by impact sensing devices. The housing of the bolster has a lateral length L. Upon activation, the bolster is inflated with an activating fluid and extends the lateral length L of the bolster upon activation. A bolster is also provided having portions which inflate at differing rates.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2009Publication date: October 8, 2009Applicant: SALFLEX POLYMERS LTD.Inventors: Michael James Best, Ray S. Roychoudhury, Rimas Ciplijauskas
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Publication number: 20090152848Abstract: An active bolster for a vehicle is provided, wherein the bolster includes a hollow main body that is inflatable and is self-supporting in both an inflated and in an uninflated position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2006Publication date: June 18, 2009Inventors: Changize Sadr, Ali Totonchian, Michael Best, Rimas Ciplijauskas, Raj Roychoudhury
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Patent number: 7481457Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 6, 2008Date of Patent: January 27, 2009Assignee: 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
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Patent number: 7393013Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 31, 2004Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Assignee: 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
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Publication number: 20080150268Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2008Publication date: June 26, 2008Inventors: Michael James Best, Dale Carson, Timothy W. Chapman, Rimas Ciplijauskas, Babak Fana, Gary Gerlach, Raj S. Roychoudhury, Changize Sadr, Ali Totonchian
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Publication number: 20070296175Abstract: A running board assembly for mounting to a vehicle such as a truck includes an extruded running board body and a cover member. Advantageously the extruded running board body is made from an extrudable plastic and the cover member is advantageously made of a material having the desired exterior finish. The cover member may be metallic and have the appearance of a chrome or polished finish. The cover extends over the upper and outboard surface of the running board body to provide the desired appearance characteristics. The running board assembly is affixed to the vehicle by a plurality of mounting brackets.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2007Publication date: December 27, 2007Applicant: Salflex Polymers Ltd.Inventors: David Flajnik, Timothy W. Chapman, Rimas Ciplijauskas, Changize Sadr
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Patent number: 7311328Abstract: An instrument panel subassembly for use in an instrument panel assembly in a motor vehicle is provided. The subassembly includes first and second generally C-shaped energy absorption brackets. The brackets have an aft facing C-section and upper and lower mounting ends. The brackets include attachment means for attaching the brackets to a vehicle structural member. The subassembly further includes a glove box door having an aft surface and a forward surface, and a bin. The glove box door includes hinge means for providing hinged movement of the glove box door relative to the first and second brackets between open and closed positions. The bin is within the C-section of the brackets when the glove box door is in a hingedly closed position.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2004Date of Patent: December 25, 2007Assignee: Salflex Polymers Ltd.Inventors: Michael James Best, Rimas Ciplijauskas, Changize Sadr, Ali Totonchian
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Publication number: 20070108747Abstract: This invention is in the field of safety devices to lessen injuries arising from impact in vehicles, particularly automobiles. A bolster which may be employed to reduce impact severity to passengers from either frontal or side impacts is activated by impact sensing devices. The housing of the bolster has a lateral length L. Upon activation, the bolster is inflated with an activating fluid and extends the lateral length L of the bolster upon activation.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2006Publication date: May 17, 2007Inventors: Raj Roychoudhury, Michael Best, Timothy Chapman, Rimas Ciplijauskas, Changize Sadr, Ali Totonchian
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Publication number: 20050052011Abstract: An instrument panel subassembly for use in an instrument panel assembly in a motor vehicle is provided. The subassembly includes first and second generally C-shaped energy absorption brackets. The brackets have an aft facing C-section and upper and lower mounting ends. The brackets include attachment means for attaching the brackets to a vehicle structural member. The subassembly further includes a glove box door having an aft surface and a forward surface, and a bin. The glove box door includes hinge means for providing hinged movement of the glove box door relative to the first and second brackets between open and closed positions. The bin is within the C-section of the brackets when the glove box door is in a hingedly closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2004Publication date: March 10, 2005Applicant: SALFLEX POLYMERS LTD.Inventors: Michael Best, Rimas Ciplijauskas, Changize Sadr, Ali Totonchian
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Publication number: 20050052010Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2004Publication date: March 10, 2005Inventors: Michael Best, Dale Carson, Timothy Chapman, Rimas Ciplijauskas, Babak Fana, Gary Gerlach, Raj Roychoudhury, Changize Sadr, Ali Totonchian