Patents by Inventor Bhavani Thota

Bhavani Thota 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: 10464457
    Abstract: A vehicle door includes an inner door liner having a substrate receptacle. An armrest substrate has a plurality of posts extending through the inner door liner at the substrate receptacle. The substrate receptacle has a plurality of one-way apertures that receive the plurality of posts. Integral retaining features positioned at an end of each post maintains engagement of each post within each respective one-way aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Linh Doan, Bhavani Thota, Amit Chakravarty, Nitesh Jadhav, Ryan Mowery, Daniel Morin
  • Patent number: 10434838
    Abstract: A sun visor for a vehicle includes a visor panel carrying at least one fan or blower adapted to provide an airflow that is directionally adjustable independently of an orientation of the visor panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Scott Holmes Dunham, Joseph John Bouwhuis, Bhavani Thota
  • Patent number: 10336276
    Abstract: A vehicle door includes a door inner and a trim panel fixed to the door inner. An energy absorber having a vehicle-rearward end and a vehicle-forward end is disposed between the door inner and the trim panel and elongated in a vehicle-forward direction from the vehicle-rearward end to the vehicle-forward end. The energy absorber includes a first energy-absorbing component defining a cavity facing the trim panel, and a second energy-absorbing component disposed in the cavity. The energy absorber has a stiffness that decreases in the vehicle-forward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Srivardhan Tallapragada, Tahmidur Rahman, Linh Doan, Bhavani Thota, Joseph Edward Abramczyk
  • Publication number: 20190077324
    Abstract: A vehicle door assembly may include an interior door panel having an armrest, the armrest having a handle defining an opening therein and a receptacle arranged below the armrest and configured to be selectively arranged under the handle to create a repository within the opening to receive objects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2017
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Scott Holmes DUNHAM, Bhavani THOTA, Stephen DREHER, Linh DOAN
  • Publication number: 20190070928
    Abstract: A sun visor for a vehicle includes a visor panel carrying at least one fan or blower adapted to provide an airflow that is directionally adjustable independently of an orientation of the visor panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2017
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventors: Scott Holmes Dunham, Joseph John Bouwhuis, Bhavani Thota
  • Patent number: 10179551
    Abstract: A composite applique assembly for a vehicle interior trim piece includes a flexible receiver element and a flexible insert connected to the flexible receiver element by a sliding joint. An end of the flexible receiver element is fixedly connected to a vehicle door element. An end of the flexible insert opposite to the flexible receiver element end is fixedly connected to a vehicle door element. The flexible receiver element defines an internal channel configured for slidingly receiving the flexible insert therein. The flexible receiver element further defines at least a partial-length slot providing fluid communication with the internal channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Nitesh Chandrakant Jadhav, Bill Moore Sherwood, Mirza Safder Ali Baig, Bhavani Thota, Linh Doan, Tyler Glenn
  • Patent number: 10145401
    Abstract: A vehicle door assembly includes a door and a trim panel. The trim panel has a mount defining an aperture with a main portion and a keyway. A clip of the assembly includes a base connected to the door, a primary retainer, and a secondary retainer. The primary retainer is configured to extend through the aperture and engage with a periphery of the main portion. The secondary retainer is configured to extend through the aperture and to freely release through the aperture when the secondary retainer is disposed in the main portion allowing the clip to disconnect from the trim panel, and is configured to engage with the mount preventing release of the clip from the trim panel when the secondary retainer is disposed in the keyway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Diane Carole Snoeyink, Aleksandar Spasovski, Linh Doan, John Pinkerton, Bhavani Thota
  • Patent number: 10093225
    Abstract: A courtesy lighting system is provided for a door of a motor vehicle. That courtesy lighting system includes an audio speaker, a light source, a network interface connected to the audio speaker and the light source and a control module. The control module is connected to the network interface. The control module includes a controller configured to operate in (a) an ambient illumination mode, (b) a footwell illumination mode when the door is closed and (c) a puddle illumination mode when the door is opened. A method of lighting a door of a motor vehicle is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Aaron Bradley Johnson, Bhavani Thota
  • Patent number: 10081283
    Abstract: A vehicle armrest includes a unitary frame defining a horizontal portion having a thinner pliable body and a thicker stiffer perimeter surrounding the body, and first and second vertical portions extending in opposite directions from ends of the horizontal portion. The first vertical portion abuts an inner doorframe, and the horizontal and first vertical portions define a cavity configured to retain a cushion over the body. The vehicle armrest further includes a cover layer over the cushion and frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mangala A. Jayasuriya, Linh Doan, Bhavani Thota, Amit Chakravarty, Robert William McCoy
  • Patent number: 10059294
    Abstract: An assembly includes a door trim panel, and an armrest assembly supported by the door trim panel. The armrest assembly includes a crushable member. The crushable member includes a substrate defining a gap extending through the substrate. The crushable member includes a plug disposed in the gap and fixed to the substrate on a perimeter of the gap. The substrate is rigid relative to the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Yi Yang Tay, Hui Wang, Li Lu, Linh Doan, Bhavani Thota
  • Publication number: 20180236908
    Abstract: A vehicle armrest includes a unitary frame defining a horizontal portion having a thinner pliable body and a thicker stiffer perimeter surrounding the body, and first and second vertical portions extending in opposite directions from ends of the horizontal portion. The first vertical portion abuts an inner doorframe, and the horizontal and first vertical portions define a cavity configured to retain a cushion over the body. The vehicle armrest further includes a cover layer over the cushion and frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Publication date: August 23, 2018
    Inventors: Mangala A. JAYASURIYA, Linh DOAN, Bhavani THOTA, Amit CHAKRAVARTY, Robert William McCOY
  • Patent number: 10053027
    Abstract: A composite applique assembly for a vehicle interior trim piece includes a flexible receiver element and a flexible insert connected to the flexible receiver element by a sliding joint. An end of the flexible receiver element is fixedly connected to a vehicle door element. An end of the flexible insert opposite to the flexible receiver element end is fixedly connected to a vehicle door element. The flexible receiver element defines an internal channel configured for slidingly receiving the flexible insert therein. The flexible receiver element further defines at least a partial-length slot providing fluid communication with the internal channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Nitesh Chandrakant Jadhav, Bill Moore Sherwood, Mirza Safder Ali Baig, Bhavani Thota, Linh Doan, Tyler Glenn
  • Publication number: 20180209457
    Abstract: A vehicle door assembly includes a door and a trim panel. The trim panel has a mount defining an aperture with a main portion and a keyway. A clip of the assembly includes a base connected to the door, a primary retainer, and a secondary retainer. The primary retainer is configured to extend through the aperture and engage with a periphery of the main portion. The secondary retainer is configured to extend through the aperture and to freely release through the aperture when the secondary retainer is disposed in the main portion allowing the clip to disconnect from the trim panel, and is configured to engage with the mount preventing release of the clip from the trim panel when the secondary retainer is disposed in the keyway.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2017
    Publication date: July 26, 2018
    Inventors: Diane Carole SNOEYINK, Aleksandar SPASOVSKI, Linh DOAN, John PINKERTON, Bhavani THOTA
  • Publication number: 20180186323
    Abstract: A vehicle door includes a door inner and a trim panel fixed to the door inner. An energy absorber having a vehicle-rearward end and a vehicle-forward end is disposed between the door inner and the trim panel and elongated in a vehicle-forward direction from the vehicle-rearward end to the vehicle-forward end. The energy absorber includes a first energy-absorbing component defining a cavity facing the trim panel, and a second energy-absorbing component disposed in the cavity. The energy absorber has a stiffness that decreases in the vehicle-forward direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Srivardhan Tallapragada, Tahmidur Rahman, Linh Doan, Bhavani Thota, Joseph Edward Abramczyk
  • Patent number: 10000112
    Abstract: A door assembly for a vehicle includes a door panel and a door trim panel comprising a shaped pelvic load path energy-absorbing feature disposed on a door panel-facing surface of the door trim panel. The shaped pelvic load path energy-absorbing feature is defined by a plurality of stepped surfaces, which in turn may define as various cross-sectional shapes for the shaped pelvic load path energy-absorbing feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: Deepak Patel, Li Lu, Linh Doan, Bhavani Thota, Kris Allyn Warmann
  • Publication number: 20180065454
    Abstract: A door assembly for a vehicle includes a door panel and a door trim panel comprising a shaped pelvic load path energy-absorbing feature disposed on a door panel-facing surface of the door trim panel. The shaped pelvic load path energy-absorbing feature is defined by a plurality of stepped surfaces, which in turn may define as various cross-sectional shapes for the shaped pelvic load path energy-absorbing feature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: Deepak Patel, Li Lu, Linh Doan, Bhavani Thota, Kris Allyn Warmann
  • Publication number: 20170334351
    Abstract: A courtesy lighting system is provided for a door of a motor vehicle. That courtesy lighting system includes an audio speaker, a light source, a network interface connected to the audio speaker and the light source and a control module. The control module is connected to the network interface. The control module includes a controller configured to operate in (a) an ambient illumination mode, (b) a footwell illumination mode when the door is closed and (c) a puddle illumination mode when the door is opened. A method of lighting a door of a motor vehicle is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2016
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Aaron Bradley Johnson, Bhavani Thota
  • Publication number: 20170305364
    Abstract: A composite applique assembly for a vehicle interior trim piece includes a flexible receiver element and a flexible insert connected to the flexible receiver element by a sliding joint. An end of the flexible receiver element is fixedly connected to a vehicle door element. An end of the flexible insert opposite to the flexible receiver element end is fixedly connected to a vehicle door element. The flexible receiver element defines an internal channel configured for slidingly receiving the flexible insert therein. The flexible receiver element further defines at least a partial-length slot providing fluid communication with the internal channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Nitesh Chandrakant Jadhav, Bill Moore Sherwood, Mirza Safder Ali Baig, Bhavani Thota, Linh Doan, Tyler Glenn
  • Publication number: 20170305363
    Abstract: A composite applique assembly for a vehicle interior trim piece includes a flexible receiver element and a flexible insert connected to the flexible receiver element by a sliding joint. An end of the flexible receiver element is fixedly connected to a vehicle door element. An end of the flexible insert opposite to the flexible receiver element end is fixedly connected to a vehicle door element. The flexible receiver element defines an internal channel configured for slidingly receiving the flexible insert therein. The flexible receiver element further defines at least a partial-length slot providing fluid communication with the internal channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2016
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Inventors: Nitesh Chandrakant Jadhav, Bill Moore Sherwood, Mirza Safder Ali Baig, Bhavani Thota, Linh Doan, Tyler Glenn
  • Patent number: 9694739
    Abstract: A vehicle handle assembly is provided that includes a light-producing-assembly with a first light source and a second light source. The first and second light sources are configured to emit light of different wavelengths. A photoluminescent structure is configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light emitted by the first light source and a phosphorescent structure is configured to phosphoresce in response to excitation by light emitted by the second light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman, Bhavani Thota