Timothy E Allison

US Patent:

6659223, Dec 9, 2003

Filed:

Oct 5, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/972378

Inventors:

Timothy J. Allison - Old Fort NC
Carroll Owenby - Old Fort NC

Assignee:

Collins Aikman Products Co. - Troy MI

International Classification:

E04B 900

US Classification:

181290, 181291

Abstract:

Sound attenuating composite articles and methods of making same are provided. Sound attenuating composite article include first, second and/or third and/or fourth layers of material. The first layer of material may be either an acoustic fiber batting and/or an acoustic foam material and may be an elastic or inelastic material. The second layer of material is a thermoplastic material that is fused to a surface of the first layer of material. The third layer of material is a thermoplastic material that is fused to a surface of the second layer of material. The fourth layer of material is a woven or non-woven mixture of fibers, such as scrim material, that is attached to a surface of the third layer of material. Selected portions of the sound attenuating composite article are heated and then compressed (referred to as âtunedâ) so as to have an acoustic impedance that is greater than an acoustic impedance of adjacent portions.

US Patent:

6821366, Nov 23, 2004

Filed:

Sep 24, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/253373

Inventors:

Timothy J. Allison - Old Fort NC
Carroll Owenby - Old Fort NC
Jack Davis - Old Fort NC

Assignee:

Collins Aikman Products Co. - Troy MI

International Classification:

A47G 2702

US Classification:

156 72, 156285, 1563096, 1563099, 264101, 428 95, 428 96

Abstract:

Porous carpeting for use within vehicles, and methods of making same, are provided. A carpet backing is heated to achieve a fluid or semi-fluid state and then subjected to intense vacuum to draw air through the carpet backing to create a porous structure. A layer of porous thermoformable material may be applied to the porous carpet structure to provide mechanical strength.

US Patent:

7063183, Jun 20, 2006

Filed:

Mar 3, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/378216

Inventors:

Timothy J. Allison - Old Fort NC, US
Carroll Owenby - Old Fort NC, US
Bill Griffin - Indian Trail NC, US

Assignee:

Collins & Aikman Products Co. - Troy MI

International Classification:

E04B 1/82
B29C 65/02
B29C 65/18
B32B 31/20

US Classification:

181290, 181296, 1563046, 1563099, 264492

Abstract:

Apparatus and methods are provided forming a sound attenuating laminate that has a decoupler fiber layer and a mass layer in opposing relationship with each other. The decoupler fiber layer and mass layer of the laminate are heated to the selected temperature in substantially the same amount of time via a hot air source and a heated platen, respectively. The heated laminate is conveyed to a mold and formed into a predetermined three-dimensional configuration via the mold.

US Patent:

7097723, Aug 29, 2006

Filed:

May 21, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/851479

Inventors:

Timothy J. Allison - Old Fort NC, US
Carroll L. Owenby - Old Fort NC, US
Ernie Wilson - Albemarle NC, US
Ronnie O. Lash - Marion NC, US

Assignee:

Collins & Aikman Products Co. - Southfield MI

International Classification:

A47G 27/02
B32B 3/10
B32B 31/16

US Classification:

156 72, 156285, 1563099, 264101, 428 95, 428 96

Abstract:

Light weight acoustic carpet including porous carpeting backed by a primary sound reducing layer and localized secondary insulators for use within vehicles, and methods of making same, are provided. A porous carpet structure including a carpet backing is heated to achieve a fluid or semi-fluid state and then subjected to intense vacuum to draw air through the carpet backing to create a porous structure. A layer of sound absorbing or insulating material may be applied to the porous carpet structure to provide improved acoustic properties. Secondary sound reducing absorbers/insulators may further be included as part of the molding process to provide selected areas of increased thickness and provide tailoring of sound attenuation.

US Patent:

7105069, Sep 12, 2006

Filed:

May 21, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/851686

Inventors:

Timothy J. Allison - Old Fort NC, US
Carroll L. Owenby - Old Fort NC, US
Ernie Wilson - Albemarle NC, US
Ronnie Lash - Marion NC, US

Assignee:

Collins & Aikman Products Co. - Southfield MI

International Classification:

A47G 27/02
B32B 3/10
B32B 31/16

US Classification:

156 72, 156285, 1563099, 264101, 428 95, 428 96

Abstract:

Sound absorbing/sound blocking products, including trim products formed from a porous fibrous layer backed by a sound absorbing layer and a sound blocking layer for use within vehicles, and methods of making same, are provided. A porous fibrous layer structure including a fibrous layer backing is heated to achieve a fluid or semi-fluid state and then subjected to vacuum to draw air through the fibrous layer backing to create a porous structure. A layer of sound absorbing and a layer of sound blocking material may be applied to the porous fibrous layer backing to provide improved acoustic properties. An underlayment may further be included to provide selected areas of increased thickness and provide tailoring of sound attenuation.

US Patent:

7329451, Feb 12, 2008

Filed:

Sep 1, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/931869

Inventors:

Maureen R. Putt - Canton OH, US
Timothy J. Allison - Old Fort NC, US

Assignee:

International Automotive Components Group North America, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B32B 3/06
B32B 33/00

US Classification:

428 95, 428 99, 428100, 296 9723

Abstract:

Floor mats that can be removably secured to loop pile carpeting within a vehicle include a surface layer having an aesthetic appearance, a backing layer in face-to-face contacting relationship with the surface layer, and a layer of scrim material integrally disposed within the backing layer, wherein the layer of scrim material comprises a plurality of hooks extending outwardly therefrom and through the backing layer in one or more locations. The hooks are configured to engage loops in floor carpeting within a vehicle when the floor mat is placed on the carpeting. Moreover, the size and density of the hooks are configured such that damage to the carpeting when the floor mat is removed from the carpeting is reduced.

US Patent:

7537818, May 26, 2009

Filed:

Jun 7, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/508101

Inventors:

Timothy J. Allison - Old Fort NC, US
Surendra Khambete - West Bloomfield MI, US
Fred Skidmore - Marion NC, US
Bill Griffin - Indian Trail NC, US

Assignee:

International Automotive Components Group North America, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B32B 3/10
B32B 33/00
B32B 5/06
B32B 5/26
D05C 17/02
A47G 27/02

US Classification:

428 95, 428 96, 428131, 428137, 428138, 442381, 442387, 442388

Abstract:

Acoustically absorptive carpeting includes a primary layer of fibrous material with yarn tufts extending outwardly therefrom and a secondary layer of thermoplastic material that forms a carpet backing. The carpet backing is rendered porous. A substrate of porous material is attached to the carpet backing. The substrate includes a layer of fine fibrous material attached to a layer of coarse fibrous material. The layers of fine and coarse fibrous material each have respective different acoustic impedances. The layer of coarse fibrous material has fibers in an open, loose configuration. The carpet backing is bonded to the layer of coarse fibrous material with a thermoplastic adhesive material such that the thermoplastic adhesive material encapsulates individual fibers of the layer of coarse fibrous material without extending therebetween.

US Patent:

7658984, Feb 9, 2010

Filed:

Aug 15, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/464647

Inventors:

Timothy J. Allison - Old Fort NC, US
Carroll L. Owenby - Old Fort NC, US
Ernie Wilson - Albemarle NC, US
Ronnie O. Lash - Marion NC, US

Assignee:

International Automotive Components Group North America, Inc. - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B32B 33/00
B32B 3/10
B32B 3/24

US Classification:

428 95, 428131, 428138, 428137

Abstract:

Light weight acoustic carpet including porous carpeting backed by a primary sound reducing layer and localized secondary insulators for use within vehicles, and methods of making same, are provided. A porous carpet structure including a carpet backing is heated to achieve a fluid or semi-fluid state and then subjected to intense vacuum to draw air through the carpet backing to create a porous structure. A layer of sound absorbing or insulating material may be applied to the porous carpet structure to provide improved acoustic properties. Secondary sound reducing absorbers/insulators may further be included as part of the molding process to provide selected areas of increased thickness and provide tailoring of sound attenuation.