Kenneth L Shaner, 561296 Rambling Rd, Ypsilanti, MI 48198

6991180, Jan 31, 2006

Oct 1, 2004

10/711753

Joseph T. Donatti - Howell MI, US
Kenneth W. Shaner - Howell MI, US
Andrew P. Mellentine - Owosso MI, US
Ian S. Williams - Howell MI, US

Lear Corporation - Southfield MI

B05B 9/00

239124, 2394161, 2394175, 239304, 239112, 222135

A spray applicator for dispensing a multiple component reactant mixture and for also dispensing purge materials. The applicator has a valve plate with a plurality of valve seats for cylindrical valve elements that are arcuately shifted by a control air circuit.

7195725, Mar 27, 2007

Aug 4, 2004

10/911122

Robert J. Adams - Ypsilanti MI, US
Kenneth W. Shaner - Howell MI, US
John D. Youngs - Southgate MI, US
Glenn A. Cowelchuk - Chesterfield MI, US

Lear Corporation - Southfield MI

B29C 44/06

264 464, 264 466, 264255, 264257, 264309

A method of making an integrated inner trim panel for a vehicle door and an inner trim panel made thereby are disclosed. The method includes sequentially spraying a skin layer, a padding layer, and applying a structural layer in an open mold that defines the facing surface of the inner panel of a door. The integrated inner trim panel may be provided with areas of greater and lesser padding. The skin layer may be formed from a reactant mixture of polyurethane. The padding layer may be a foam polyurethane composition. The structural layer may be a glass-reinforced polyurethane reactant mixture. The inner door panel is an integrated layered structure including a skin layer, a padding layer, and a structural layer. The padding layer may be varied in thickness to provide selectively variable padding in predetermined areas.

2004005, Mar 25, 2004

Mar 21, 2003

10/394130

Kenneth Shaner - Howell MI, US
Robert Adams - Ypsilanti MI, US
Todd DePue - Brighton MI, US
Glenn Cowelchuk - Chesterfield MI, US

B29C045/00

264/255000, 264/328800

A method of forming an instrument panel for a vehicle includes first providing a first mold structure having a first surface formed therein, a second mold structure having a second surface formed therein, and a third mold structure having a third surface formed therein. The first mold structure is positioned relative to the second mold structure such that the first and second surfaces are in a spaced relationship with one another to define a first cavity. A first material is introduced into the first cavity to form a substrate. The second mold structure is positioned away from the substrate. The third mold structure is positioned relative to the first mold structure such that the third surface and the substrate are in a spaced relationship with one another to define a second cavity. A second material is introduced into the second cavity to form an outer layer overmolded onto the substrate. The first material is different from the second material.

2006007, Apr 6, 2006

Oct 1, 2004

10/956842

Joseph Donatti - Howell MI, US
Andrew Mellentine - Owosso MI, US
Ian Williams - Howell MI, US
Kenneth Shaner - Howell MI, US

Lear Corporation - Southfield MI

B28B 7/38
B05D 1/02
B32B 3/26

428304400, 427421100, 427133000

A method for forming a low density polyurethane skin for automobile interior applications is provided. The method of the invention comprises spraying an expandable polyurethane composition over a mold cavity surface or a mold cavity surface pre-coated with a primer polyurethane layer to form the low density polyurethane skin. A sufficient amount of the expandable polyurethane composition is sprayed so that the low density polyurethane skin has a thickness from about 0.5 to about 3 mils. The expandable polyurethane composition includes an isocyanate, a polyol, a blowing agent, an optional catalyst, and an optional surfactant. An article made by the method of the invention is also disclosed.

2006009, May 11, 2006

Nov 8, 2004

10/904386

Robert Adams - Ypsilanti MI, US
Michael Cass - Lenox MI, US
Todd DePue - Brighton MI, US
Kenneth Shaner - Howell MI, US

B60R 7/00

296024340

A center console for an automobile includes an armrest that is selectively adjustable by vehicle occupants to and between a first position wherein the armrest is in a substantially horizontal orientation, and a second position wherein the armrest extends angularly away from the console. The console further includes a controllable damper coupled to the armrest and actuable between high and low damping states. In the low damping state, the armrest may be selectively placed at any position desired by the vehicle occupants. When the damper is actuated to the high damping state, the damper maintains the selected position of the armrest.

2006009, May 11, 2006

Nov 8, 2004

10/904387

Robert Adams - Ypsilanti MI, US
Michael Cass - Lenox MI, US
Todd DePue - Brighton MI, US
Kenneth Shaner - Howell MI, US

B60R 7/00

296037100

A vehicle storage assembly includes a storage compartment having an opening to permit access to the compartment. A door adjacent the opening is moveable between a closed position that covers the opening and an open position that permits access to the compartment through the opening. The storage assembly further includes a controllable damper coupled to the door and actuable between high and low damping states, such that the door is maintained in one of the closed position, the open position, or any position therebetween when the controllable damper is in the high damping state. To move the door to a new position, the controllable damper is actuated from the high damping state to the low damping state whereby the door can then be freely moved to the desired position. The controllable damper may then be actuated from the low damping state to the high damping state to retain the door in the selected position.

2006010, May 11, 2006

Nov 8, 2004

10/904385

Robert Adams - Ypsilanti MI, US
Michael Cass - Lenox MI, US
Todd DePue - Brighton MI, US
Kenneth Shaner - Howell MI, US

G06F 7/00
E05F 15/00

701049000

An automotive center console is adjustable in fore and aft directions. In one embodiment, the console includes a console housing slidably mounted within the vehicle interior and a controllable damper having high and low damping states. In the high damping state, the controllable damper maintains the console housing in a selected position. When it is desired to relocate the console housing to a new position, the controllable damper is actuated to the low damping state, whereby the console housing may be freely moved to the desired position. The controllable damper is actuated back to the high damping state to maintain the console housing in the new position.

2007013, Jun 14, 2007

Feb 5, 2007

11/702360

Robert Adams - Ypsilanti MI, US
Kenneth Shaner - Howell MI, US
Nelson Williams - Saline MI, US
John Youngs - Southgate MI, US
Glenn Cowelchuk - Chesterfield MI, US

Lear Corporation - Southfield MI

B60J 9/00

296153000

A method of making an integrated inner trim panel for a vehicle door and an inner trim panel made thereby are disclosed. The method includes sequentially spraying a skin layer, a padding layer, and applying a structural layer in an open mold that defines the facing surface of the inner panel of a door. The integrated inner trim panel may be provided with areas of greater and lesser padding. The skin layer may be formed from a reactant mixture of polyurethane. The padding layer may be a foam polyurethane composition. The structural layer may be a glass-reinforced polyurethane reactant mixture. The inner door panel is an integrated layered structure including a skin layer, a padding layer, and a structural layer. The padding layer may be varied in thickness to provide selectively variable padding in predetermined areas.