Patents by Inventor Warwick J. Smith
Warwick J. Smith 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: 11331832Abstract: A method for forming a tool for creating a formed component includes providing a forming tool having a core and cavity with respective core and cavity shutoff bands. Core and cavity finished parting planes are determined, wherein the engagement of the core and cavity finished parting planes defines a forming cavity. Rough portions of the core and cavity shutoff bands are removed to define respective rough parting planes. The respective rough parting planes are offset by approximately 130 microns from the respective core and cavity finished parting planes. The core and cavity are semi-finished to relieve stress within the core and cavity. The core and cavity shutoff bands are fine cut so that outer surfaces of the core and cavity shutoff bands are equal to the respective finished parting planes. The engagement between the core and cavity outer surfaces is substantially free of gaps.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2018Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Steve Norman Bazinski, Warwick J. Smith, Satyanarayana Raju Vemulapati
-
Patent number: 10272602Abstract: A manufacturing method for a plastic-molded automotive interior trim component produces a curvilinear finished surface with a relatively flat portion and a relatively curved portion. A decorative film subcomponent is molded with a substantially smooth outer surface that is pigmented with a desired color of the finished surface. The decorative film subcomponent is placed into a mold having a film-receiving surface with a three-dimensional texture at both the relatively flat portion and the relatively curved portion. A structural backing member is in-mold laminated with the decorative film subcomponent by injecting molten plastic material against the inner surface of the decorative film subcomponent in the mold, wherein pressure of the molten plastic material expands the decorative film subcomponent to form an embossed pattern which is substantially uniform and undistorted covering at least part of the relatively flat portion and at least part of the relatively curved portion.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2016Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Linh N. Doan, James P. Holland, Kenneth S. Laird, Stacy L. Swank, Jeffrey B. Crist, Warwick J. Smith, Aileen N. Barraza
-
Publication number: 20190118418Abstract: A method for forming a tool for creating a formed component includes providing a forming tool having a core and cavity with respective core and cavity shutoff bands. Core and cavity finished parting planes are determined, wherein the engagement of the core and cavity finished parting planes defines a forming cavity. Rough portions of the core and cavity shutoff bands are removed to define respective rough parting planes. The respective rough parting planes are offset by approximately 130 microns from the respective core and cavity finished parting planes. The core and cavity are semi-finished to relieve stress within the core and cavity. The core and cavity shutoff bands are fine cut so that outer surfaces of the core and cavity shutoff bands are equal to the respective finished parting planes. The engagement between the core and cavity outer surfaces is substantially free of gaps.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2018Publication date: April 25, 2019Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Steve Norman Bazinski, Warwick J. Smith, Satyanarayana Raju Vemulapati
-
Patent number: 10189186Abstract: A method for forming a tool for creating a formed component includes providing a forming tool having a core and cavity with respective core and cavity shutoff bands. Core and cavity finished parting planes are determined, wherein the engagement of the core and cavity finished parting planes defines a forming cavity. Rough portions of the core and cavity shutoff bands are removed to define respective rough parting planes. The respective rough parting planes are offset by approximately 130 microns from the respective core and cavity finished parting planes. The core and cavity are semi-finished to relieve stress within the core and cavity. The core and cavity shutoff bands are fine cut so that outer surfaces of the core and cavity shutoff bands are equal to the respective finished parting planes. The engagement between the core and cavity outer surfaces is substantially free of gaps.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2014Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Steve Norman Bazinski, Warwick J. Smith, Satyanarayana Raju Vemulapati
-
Patent number: 10179431Abstract: A mold assembly includes a first mold portion defining a cavity having a first wall with an edge and a second mold portion defining a surface positionable at a predetermined distance from the edge. A lifter is positionable within the cavity and is spaced apart from the first wall and the surface, the lifter including a plurality of pins extending toward the first wall and aligned in a first direction generally parallel with the edge.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2016Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Steve Norman Bazinski, Warwick J. Smith
-
Publication number: 20160229097Abstract: A mold assembly includes a first mold portion defining a cavity having a first wall with an edge and a second mold portion defining a surface positionable at a predetermined distance from the edge. A lifter is positionable within the cavity and is spaced apart from the first wall and the surface, the lifter including a plurality of pins extending toward the first wall and aligned in a first direction generally parallel with the edge.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2016Publication date: August 11, 2016Inventors: Steve Norman Bazinski, Warwick J. Smith
-
Publication number: 20160144542Abstract: A manufacturing method for a plastic-molded automotive interior trim component produces a curvilinear finished surface with a relatively flat portion and a relatively curved portion. A decorative film subcomponent is molded with a substantially smooth outer surface that is pigmented with a desired color of the finished surface. The decorative film subcomponent is placed into a mold having a film-receiving surface with a three-dimensional texture at both the relatively flat portion and the relatively curved portion. A structural backing member is in-mold laminated with the decorative film subcomponent by injecting molten plastic material against the inner surface of the decorative film subcomponent in the mold, wherein pressure of the molten plastic material expands the decorative film subcomponent to form an embossed pattern which is substantially uniform and undistorted covering at least part of the relatively flat portion and at least part of the relatively curved portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2016Publication date: May 26, 2016Inventors: LINH N. DOAN, JAMES P. HOLLAND, KENNETH S. LAIRD, STACY L. SWANK, JEFFREY B. CRIST, WARWICK J. SMITH, AILEEN N. BARRAZA
-
Patent number: 9346201Abstract: A vehicle interior panel includes a substrate having an interior surface and an exterior surface. An attachment structure extends integrally from the interior surface of the substrate. The attachment structure defines a first wall spaced apart from the substrate and having an attachment opening therethrough. The attachment structure further defines a supporting wall segment adjacent the substrate that has a plurality of holes therein, the holes extending in a first direction generally parallel with the interior surface of the substrate.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2014Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Steve Norman Bazinski, Warwick J. Smith
-
Publication number: 20160082630Abstract: A vehicle interior panel includes a substrate having an interior surface and an exterior surface. An attachment structure extends integrally from the interior surface of the substrate. The attachment structure defines a first wall spaced apart from the substrate and having an attachment opening therethrough. The attachment structure further defines a supporting wall segment adjacent the substrate that has a plurality of holes therein, the holes extending in a first direction generally parallel with the interior surface of the substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2014Publication date: March 24, 2016Inventors: Steve Norman Bazinski, Warwick J. Smith
-
Patent number: 9283701Abstract: A plastic-molded automotive interior trim component has a curvilinear finished surface with a relatively flat portion and a relatively curved portion. A decorative film subcomponent has an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein at least the outer surface is pigmented with a desired color of the finished surface. Prior to incorporation into the plastic molded component, the decorative film subcomponent has a shape generally conforming to the curvilinear finished surface and is substantially smooth. A structural backing member is in-mold laminated with the decorative film subcomponent, wherein the structural backing member is formed by injection molding a backing material against the inner surface of the decorative film subcomponent in a mold having a film-receiving surface with a three-dimensional texture that receives the decorative film subcomponent.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2010Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Linh N. Doan, James P. Holland, Kenneth S. Laird, Stacy L. Swank, Jeffrey B. Crist, Warwick J. Smith, Aileen N. Barraza
-
Publication number: 20150328802Abstract: A method for forming a tool for creating a formed component includes providing a forming tool having a core and cavity with respective core and cavity shutoff bands. Core and cavity finished parting planes are determined, wherein the engagement of the core and cavity finished parting planes defines a forming cavity. Rough portions of the core and cavity shutoff bands are removed to define respective rough parting planes. The respective rough parting planes are offset by approximately 130 microns from the respective core and cavity finished parting planes. The core and cavity are semi-finished to relieve stress within the core and cavity. The core and cavity shutoff bands are fine cut so that outer surfaces of the core and cavity shutoff bands are equal to the respective finished parting planes. The engagement between the core and cavity outer surfaces is substantially free of gaps.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2014Publication date: November 19, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Steve Norman Bazinski, Warwick J. Smith, Satyanarayana Raju Vemulapati
-
Publication number: 20120021182Abstract: A plastic-molded automotive interior trim component has a curvilinear finished surface with a relatively flat portion and a relatively curved portion. A decorative film subcomponent has an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein at least the outer surface is pigmented with a desired color of the finished surface. Prior to incorporation into the plastic molded component, the decorative film subcomponent has a shape generally conforming to the curvilinear finished surface and is substantially smooth. A structural backing member is in-mold laminated with the decorative film subcomponent, wherein the structural backing member is formed by injection molding a backing material against the inner surface of the decorative film subcomponent in a mold having a film-receiving surface with a three-dimensional texture that receives the decorative film subcomponent.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 22, 2010Publication date: January 26, 2012Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Linh N. Doan, James P. Holland, Kenneth S. Laird, Stacy L. Swank, Jeffrey B. Crist, Warwick J. Smith, Aileen N. Barraza