Patents by Inventor Steven M. Christian

Steven M. Christian 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: 7005091
    Abstract: A method for forming an integrated trim plate in a single processing step. An appliqué section is reversibly securing to the lower section of a mold. A layer of thermoplastic covering is applied onto and over the appliqué section and lower section of the mold. A layer of foam is then injected between the thermoplastic covering and a substrate used to secure the integrated trim plate within a structure such as an automobile frame. The appliqué section may be magnetically secured to the lower section of the mold or may be physically secured within a forming section of the lower section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Glenn Cowelchuk, Steven M. Christian, Todd DePue, David J. Cauvin
  • Patent number: 6877972
    Abstract: A method of forming a part with a solid urethane elastomer skin is provided, wherein the mold is moved by a mold manipulation tool to present differently oriented surfaces of the mold in a horizontal orientation when the urethane elastomer is sprayed on each of the differently oriented surfaces. A multi-axis robot is provided with a spray head that sprays the urethane elastomer onto a mold surface. A mold manipulator moves the mold that has a plurality of differently oriented mold surfaces so that the surface to be sprayed is held in a horizontal orientation as they are coated with the urethane elastomer and for a predetermined time period after spray coating until the urethane elastomer sets up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Cal A. Lilienthal, Anthony J. Link, Steven M. Christian
  • Publication number: 20040130051
    Abstract: A method for forming an integrated trim plate in a single processing step. An appliqu é section is reversibly securing to the lower section of a mold. A layer of thermoplastic covering is applied onto and over the appliqu é section and lower section of the mold. A layer of foam is then injected between the thermoplastic covering and a substrate used to secure the integrated trim plate within a structure such as an automobile frame. The appliqu é section may be magnetically secured to the lower section of the mold or may be physically secured within a forming section of the lower section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Glenn Cowelchok, Steven M. Christian, Todd DePue, David J. Cauvin
  • Publication number: 20030071386
    Abstract: A method of forming a part with a solid urethane elastomer skin is provided, wherein the mold is moved by a mold manipulation tool to present differently oriented surfaces of the mold in a horizontal orientation when the urethane elastomer is sprayed on each of the differently oriented surfaces. A multi-axis robot is provided with a spray head that sprays the urethane elastomer onto a mold surface. A mold manipulator moves the mold that has a plurality of differently oriented mold surfaces so that the surface to be sprayed is held in a horizontal orientation as they are coated with the urethane elastomer and for a predetermined time period after spray coating until the urethane elastomer sets up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Applicant: Lear Corporation
    Inventors: Cal A. Lilienthal, Anthony J. Link, Steven M. Christian