Patents by Inventor Eric Axel Smitterberg
Eric Axel Smitterberg 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).
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Publication number: 20240166160Abstract: An assembly includes a dash and a deployable panel supported by the dash. The deployable panel is moveable relative to the dash from an undeployed position to a deployed position. The deployable panel has a proximal end at the dash in the deployed position and a distal end spaced above the dash in the deployed position. An airbag is supported by the dash and is inflatable to an inflated position. The airbag abuts the deployable panel when the deployable panel is in the deployed position and the airbag is in the inflated position. A tether extends from the airbag to the deployable panel in the undeployed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2024Publication date: May 23, 2024Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Eric Axel Smitterberg, Russell Joseph Mihm, Johnathan Andrew Line, Chuck R. Reese, James Robert Chascsa, II
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Publication number: 20240140349Abstract: An assembly includes a dash and a deployable panel supported by the dash. The deployable panel is moveable relative to the dash from an undeployed position to a deployed position. The deployable panel has a proximal end at the dash in the deployed position and a distal end spaced above the dash in the deployed position. An airbag is supported by the dash and is inflatable to an inflated position. The airbag abuts the deployable panel when the deployable panel is in the deployed position and the airbag is in the inflated position. A tether extends from the airbag to the deployable panel in the undeployed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2022Publication date: May 2, 2024Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Eric Axel Smitterberg, Russell Joseph Mihm, Johnathan Andrew Line, Chuck R. Reese, James Robert Chascsa, II
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Patent number: 11891007Abstract: An assembly includes a dash and a deployable panel. The deployable panel has a proximal end rotatably connected to the dash. The deployable panel is rotatable about the proximal end from an undeployed position to a deployed position. The proximal end is engaged with the dash in the deployed position and the deployable panel has a distal end spaced above the dash in the deployed position. A member is supported by the dash and translatable upwardly from an undeployed position to a deployed position. The deployable panel abuts the member in the deployed position. The member is rigid relative to the panel in the deployed position. An airbag is supported by the dash and is inflatable to an inflated position. The airbag abuts the panel in the inflated position. The deployable panel is between the airbag and the member.Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2022Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Eric Axel Smitterberg, Russell Joseph Mihm, Johnathan Andrew Line, Chuck R. Reese, James Robert Chascsa, II
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Patent number: 11891009Abstract: An assembly includes a dash and a deployable panel. The deployable panel has a proximal end rotatably connected to the dash. The deployable panel is rotatable about the proximal end from an undeployed position to a deployed position. The proximal end is engaged with the dash in the deployed position and the deployable panel has a distal end spaced above the dash in the deployed position. An airbag is supported by the dash and is inflatable to an inflated position. The airbag has a back panel abutting the deployable panel in the inflated position and an impact panel opposite the back panel. A tether is connected to the deployable panel and the impact panel. The tether extends through the back panel from the deployable panel to the impact panel.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2022Date of Patent: February 6, 2024Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Eric Axel Smitterberg, Russell Joseph Mihm, Johnathan Andrew Line, Chuck R. Reese, James Robert Chascsa, II
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Patent number: 11370367Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame. The vehicle is an open-frame vehicle. The frame includes an A-pillar, a B-pillar, and a roof siderail. The roof siderail extends between the A-pillar and the B-pillar. An A-pillar trim member is coupled to the A-pillar and includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion defines an aperture that receives the second portion. A B-pillar trim member is coupled to the B-pillar. A roof siderail trim member is coupled to the roof siderail and extends between the A-pillar trim member and the B-pillar trim member. An inflatable member is positioned between the frame and at least two of the A-pillar trim member, the B-pillar trim member, and the roof siderail trim member when the inflatable member is in a deflated state. An inflated state of the inflatable member separates the second portion of the A-pillar trim member from the aperture of the A-pillar trim member.Type: GrantFiled: May 26, 2020Date of Patent: June 28, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technology, LLCInventors: Kirk Robert Goleniak, John Rudolph, Eric Axel Smitterberg, Chuck R. Reese, Srivardhan Tallapragada, Jay Douglas Blackson
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Patent number: 11285900Abstract: An airbag assembly includes a housing having a base, a first wall, a second wall, and a pair of end walls defining a cavity. The first wall and the second wall are spaced from each other, each of the first wall and the second wall extending from the base to a distal edge. The pair of end walls are spaced from each other and extending from the first wall to the second wall. The distal edge of the first wall extends from the end walls toward the second wall. The airbag assembly includes an airbag disposed in the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2020Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Bhavani Thota, Chuck R. Reese, Angela Zaetta, Eric Axel Smitterberg, Linh Ngoc Doan, Murali Maddali
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Patent number: 11254248Abstract: A seat assembly for a vehicle includes a seat frame. The seat assembly includes an armrest. A hinge pivotally connects the armrest to the seat frame. The armrest includes an upper extension extending upwardly from the hinge and a lower extension extending downwardly from the hinge. The seat assembly includes a deformable member between the seat frame and the lower extension of the armrest. The deformable member is deformable relative to the seat frame and the armrest.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2020Date of Patent: February 22, 2022Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Johnathan Andrew Line, Russell Joseph Mihm, Chuck R. Reese, Jimmy Moua, Eric Axel Smitterberg, Nicholas Alphonse Billardello, Joseph E. Abramczyk, Sean Bayle West, Zhibing Deng, Deepak Patel
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Publication number: 20210370851Abstract: A vehicle includes a frame. The vehicle is an open-frame vehicle. The frame includes an A-pillar, a B-pillar, and a roof siderail. The roof siderail extends between the A-pillar and the B-pillar. An A-pillar trim member is coupled to the A-pillar and includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion defines an aperture that receives the second portion. A B-pillar trim member is coupled to the B-pillar. A roof siderail trim member is coupled to the roof siderail and extends between the A-pillar trim member and the B-pillar trim member. An inflatable member is positioned between the frame and at least two of the A-pillar trim member, the B-pillar trim member, and the roof siderail trim member when the inflatable member is in a deflated state. An inflated state of the inflatable member separates the second portion of the A-pillar trim member from the aperture of the A-pillar trim member.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2020Publication date: December 2, 2021Inventors: Kirk Robert Goleniak, John Rudolph, Eric Axel Smitterberg, Chuck R. Reese, Srivardhan Tallapragada, Jay Douglas Blackson
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Patent number: 10946828Abstract: An airbag assembly includes a base and an airbag extendable from the base to a flat position prior to inflation. A tether is elongated along an axis from a first end of the tether attached to the base to another end of the tether attached to the airbag in the flat position. A reinforcement is elongated along the axis in the flat position state and attached to the tether. The reinforcement has a greater torsional rigidity about the axis than the tether.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2019Date of Patent: March 16, 2021Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: David R. Huelke, Eric Axel Smitterberg, Adrienne Huelke
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Patent number: 10766445Abstract: An airbag assembly includes a housing and an airbag supported by the housing. A sheet includes a first end fixed relative to the housing and a second end. A reinforcement is elongated on the sheet. The sheet is deployable below the airbag with the second end free from the airbag.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2018Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: David R. Huelke, Eric Axel Smitterberg
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Publication number: 20200216010Abstract: An airbag assembly includes a base and an airbag extendable from the base to a flat position prior to inflation. A tether is elongated along an axis from a first end of the tether attached to the base to another end of the tether attached to the airbag in the flat position. A reinforcement is elongated along the axis in the flat position state and attached to the tether. The reinforcement has a greater torsional rigidity about the axis than the tether.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2019Publication date: July 9, 2020Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: David R. Huelke, Eric Axel Smitterberg, Adrienne Huelke
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Patent number: 10632962Abstract: An assembly includes a base. The assembly includes a plate pivotally supported by the base. The assembly includes a seatbelt retractor supported by the plate. The assembly includes a webbing payable from the seatbelt retractor.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2017Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Abdelrahim Khal, Marwan Ahmad Elbkaily, Eric Axel Smitterberg, Kaiming Sun
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Publication number: 20200122664Abstract: An airbag assembly includes a housing and an airbag supported by the housing. A sheet includes a first end fixed relative to the housing and a second end. A reinforcement is elongated on the sheet. The sheet is deployable below the airbag with the second end free from the airbag.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2018Publication date: April 23, 2020Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: David R. Huelke, Eric Axel Smitterberg
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Patent number: 10343641Abstract: An airbag includes a main panel. The main panel defines an inflation chamber and is inflatable to an inflated position. The airbag includes a pair of extensions spaced from each other. Each extension has a perimeter surface, and the entire perimeter surface extends transversely to the main panel on the perimeter of the extension. The airbag includes an impact panel spaced from the main panel in the inflated position, and the impact panel extends from one of the extensions to the other of the extensions.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2017Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Edward Joseph Abramoski, Imen Guediche, Rahul Makwana, Eric Axel Smitterberg
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Publication number: 20190161054Abstract: An assembly includes a base. The assembly includes a plate pivotally supported by the base. The assembly includes a seatbelt retractor supported by the plate. The assembly includes a webbing payable from the seatbelt retractor.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2017Publication date: May 30, 2019Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Abdelrahim Khal, Marwan Ahmad Elbkaily, Eric Axel Smitterberg, Kaiming Sun
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Patent number: 10189433Abstract: An air curtain delivery assembly includes an arcuate extruded unitary channel and an inflatable air curtain. The channel includes a longitudinal length defining an arc substantially matching a fore-aft curvature of a vehicle roof panel and having an open mouth defining a ramp for directing deployment of the inflatable air curtain from an interior of the channel and inboard of a vehicle side structure. The channel may further be configured and dimensioned for attaching to a portion of the vehicle roof panel and beneath a trim piece overlying the vehicle side structure. The channel may further include a vehicle-forward portion substantially matching a downward angle of a vehicle A pillar.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2016Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: Ford Motor CompanyInventors: David Huelke, Eric Axel Smitterberg
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Patent number: 10179531Abstract: An adjustable cup holder assembly is provided. That adjustable cup holder assembly includes a support having a guide track and a drag bar. The adjustable cup holder also includes a cup holder having (a) a body including a well, (b) an actuator and (c) a drag. The cup holder may be displaced along the guide track and secured in various positions on the support by engaging the drag bar. A motor vehicle door including a cup holder with an adjustment mechanism for displacing the cup holder along the body of the door between multiple positions is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2018Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: David Huelke, Eric Axel Smitterberg
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Publication number: 20180297548Abstract: An airbag includes a main panel. The main panel defines an inflation chamber and is inflatable to an inflated position. The airbag includes a pair of extensions spaced from each other. Each extension has a perimeter surface, and the entire perimeter surface extends transversely to the main panel on the perimeter of the extension. The airbag includes an impact panel spaced from the main panel in the inflated position, and the impact panel extends from one of the extensions to the other of the extensions.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2017Publication date: October 18, 2018Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Edward Joseph Abramoski, Imen Guediche, Rahul Makwana, Eric Axel Smitterberg
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Publication number: 20180178701Abstract: An adjustable cup holder assembly is provided. That adjustable cup holder assembly includes a support having a guide track and a drag bar. The adjustable cup holder also includes a cup holder having (a) a body including a well, (b) an actuator and (c) a drag. The cup holder may be displaced along the guide track and secured in various positions on the support by engaging the drag bar. A motor vehicle door including a cup holder with an adjustment mechanism for displacing the cup holder along the body of the door between multiple positions is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2018Publication date: June 28, 2018Inventors: David Huelke, Eric Axel Smitterberg
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Patent number: 9931991Abstract: A multi-purpose assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The assembly comprises a rotational assembly comprising a first surface rotationally interchangeable with a second surface. The assembly further comprises a housing configured to pivotally engage the rotational assembly. The first surface comprises a hanger and the second surface comprises a task light.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2015Date of Patent: April 3, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: David Huelke, Eric Axel Smitterberg