Patents by Inventor James J. Surman

James J. Surman 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: 10778223
    Abstract: A switch assembly comprising a housing configured to operably couple to a trim panel and defining a cavity, a feedback device operably coupled to the housing and positioned within the cavity, a printed circuit board operably coupled to the feedback device, a proximity sensor operably coupled to a connector and configured to actuate the feedback device, and a light source operably coupled the printed circuit board and configured to luminesce in response to actuation of the proximity sensor. The trim panel comprises a panel substrate operably coupled to a backup layer, an icon layer positioned within the cavity and operably coupled to the backup layer, an outline positioned about a periphery of the backup layer, and a translucent panel skin bonded to a foam layer positioned over the panel substrate, wherein the panel skin stretches over the panel substrate and the backup layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart Salter, Yun Shin Lee, James J. Surman, Paul Kenneth Dellock
  • Patent number: 10753568
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting system includes an illuminated grille assembly. The illuminated grille assembly includes a plurality of grille bars each having at least one light source. A control system is configured to control the illuminated grille assembly to emit combinations of lighting effects from the plurality of grille bars for indicating a plurality of visually distinctive operating behaviors of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Pietro Buttolo, James J. Surman, Annette Lynn Huebner
  • Patent number: 10723257
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting assembly is provided herein. A grille has raised members pointing in a vehicle-forward direction. Light sources are disposed within each raised member and a photoluminescent structure is coupled to each raised member and is configured to luminesce in response to light excitation from one or more of the light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, David Brian Glickman, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman
  • Patent number: 10723258
    Abstract: A lamp assembly is provided herein. The lamp assembly includes first and second light sources operably coupled to an exterior portion of a vehicle. The first light source illuminates a front door and the second light source illuminates a rear door. A controller is configured to activate the first and second light sources to selectively illuminate the front or rear doors to indicate a predefined door of entry into the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Annette Lynn Huebner, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman, David Brian Glickman
  • Publication number: 20200231124
    Abstract: A computer is programmed to receive, via a vehicle wireless receiver, a wireless signal from a mobile device, and determine a presence of the mobile device within a distance of the vehicle. The computer is programmed to classify a movement of the mobile device based at least on the determined device presence, and actuate a vehicle component based on the determined device presence and the classified movement of the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2017
    Publication date: July 23, 2020
    Inventors: Stuart C. SALTER, Paul Kenneth DELLOCK, Pietro BUTTOLO, James J. SURMAN
  • Publication number: 20200055461
    Abstract: A badge is provided herein. The badge includes a substrate attached to a housing. The housing includes a viewable portion. A light source is operably coupled with an optic. A reflective member is further disposed within the badge. A first portion of an excitation light emitted from the light source is directed through the optic toward a first portion of the viewable portion. A second portion of the excitation light is reflected by the reflective member towards a second portion of the viewable portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2019
    Publication date: February 20, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Jeffrey Singer, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Michael A. Musleh, James J. Surman
  • Patent number: 10549607
    Abstract: An exemplary lighting assembly includes a first light emitting device on an interior side of a window of a vehicle, and a second light emitting device on the interior side, the first and the second light emitting devices configured to selectively illuminate respective areas through a perimeter region of the window in response to a change in an orientation of the vehicle. Another exemplary lighting assembly includes, among other things, a window of a vehicle, the window having a perimeter region, a coating covering at least a portion of the perimeter region, and a light emitting device on an interior side of the window. The coating provides an aperture to permit light from the light emitting device to move through the perimeter region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman, David Brian Glickman, Balbir S. Grewal
  • Patent number: 10525912
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for capacitive proximity sensors of vehicle doors. An example vehicle includes an outer surface layer, sheet metal for providing rigidity, a low dielectric layer, and a capacitive sensor. The capacitive sensor includes a receiving layer positioned between the outer surface layer and the low dielectric layer and the sheet metal that functions as a transmitting layer. The low dielectric layer separates the receiving layer and the sheet metal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman, Richard Gall
  • Patent number: 10529229
    Abstract: An exemplary vehicle system includes an illuminating vehicle assembly and a control system configured to communicate with a traffic control device and control the illuminating vehicle assembly to emit lighting effects that are synchronized with the traffic control device. An exemplary method for controlling the illuminating vehicle assembly includes receiving a wireless signal from a traffic control device, and controlling the illuminating vehicle assembly to produce a lighting effect that is synchronized with a corresponding lighting effect of the traffic control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Pietro Buttolo, Annette Lynn Huebner, James J. Surman
  • Publication number: 20200001803
    Abstract: A vehicle console includes a trim ring disposed over a periphery of a housing. The trim ring includes a polymeric material and is electrically conductive and grounded. A proximity switch assembly is retained in the housing. The proximity switch assembly includes a proximity sensor proximate a sensing pad for generating an activation field. The sensing pad is proximate the trim ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Richard Gall, Satyanarayana Vermalapati, James J. Surman
  • Patent number: 10501007
    Abstract: An indicator disposed proximate a fuel port of the vehicle is disclosed. The indicator comprises a persistent luminescent layer, a first light source, and one or more circuits. The persistent luminescent layer is configured to emit a first color of light. The first light source is configured to emit a charging emission to charge the persistent luminescent layer. The one or more circuits are configured to selectively activate one or more portions of the first light source such that the persistent luminescent layer is charged and illuminates the indicator in the first color.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman, Balbir S. Grewal
  • Patent number: 10501025
    Abstract: A badge is provided herein. The badge includes a substrate attached to a housing. The housing includes a viewable portion. A light source is operably coupled with an optic. A reflective member is further disposed within the badge. A first portion of an excitation light emitted from the light source is directed through the optic toward a first portion of the viewable portion. A second portion of the excitation light is reflected by the reflective member towards a second portion of the viewable portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Jeffrey Singer, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Michael A. Musleh, James J. Surman
  • Patent number: 10502690
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The illumination apparatus comprises a wear component comprising a plurality of layers disposed in an engine compartment. The layers comprise a photoluminescent portion and a cover layer disposed over the photoluminescent portion. The apparatus further comprises a light source located in the engine compartment. The light source is configured to emit an excitation emission configured to illuminate the photoluminescent portion to emit an output emission having a color different than the excitation emission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Terry R. Lobsinger, James J. Surman, Paul Kenneth Dellock
  • Patent number: 10493903
    Abstract: An exemplary vehicle lighting assembly includes, among other things, a shell that is an amorphous metal, and a lighting device that is held between the shell and a vehicle structure. An exemplary vehicle lighting method includes, among other things, covering at least a portion of a lighting device with a shell that is an amorphous metal, and transmitting light from the lighting device through at least one aperture in the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Kenneth Dellock, Stuart C. Salter, David Brian Glickman, Richard Gall, James J. Surman
  • Publication number: 20190359123
    Abstract: An exemplary vehicle lighting assembly includes, among other things, a shell that is an amorphous metal, and a lighting device that is held between the shell and a vehicle structure. An exemplary vehicle lighting method includes, among other things, covering at least a portion of a lighting device with a shell that is an amorphous metal, and transmitting light from the lighting device through at least one aperture in the shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2018
    Publication date: November 28, 2019
    Inventors: Paul Kenneth Dellock, Stuart C. Salter, David Brian Glickman, Richard Gall, James J. Surman
  • Publication number: 20190351768
    Abstract: A computer that includes a processor and memory storing instructions executable by the processor. The computer may be programmed to: determine feature- selection data; determine that a mobile device is within a proximity threshold of a vehicle; and in response to the determinations, control a vehicle display in accordance with the feature-selection data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Publication date: November 21, 2019
    Inventors: Stuart C. SALTER, Annette Lynn HUEBNER, Paul Kenneth DELLOCK, James J. SURMAN
  • Publication number: 20190337446
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting assembly is provided herein. The vehicle lighting assembly includes a substrate configured to direct excitation light therethrough. A reflector is disposed along a portion of the substrate. The reflector has an offset orientation. A luminescent structure is disposed on an opposing side of the reflector from the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, David Brian Glickman, James J. Surman
  • Patent number: 10457201
    Abstract: A badge assembly that includes a translucent, polymeric badge comprising an edge and an interior surface with a diffraction grating having a thickness from 250 nm to 1000 nm and a period from 50 nm to 5 microns; LED sources oriented toward the edge; and fascia configured to obscure the sources. Further, the grating diffracts light from the LED sources through the badge as a visible iridescent pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman
  • Publication number: 20190326908
    Abstract: A switch assembly comprising a housing configured to operably couple to a trim panel and defining a cavity, a feedback device operably coupled to the housing and positioned within the cavity, a printed circuit board operably coupled to the feedback device, a proximity sensor operably coupled to a connector and configured to actuate the feedback device, and a light source operably coupled the printed circuit board and configured to luminesce in response to actuation of the proximity sensor. The trim panel comprises a panel substrate operably coupled to a backup layer, an icon layer positioned within the cavity and operably coupled to the backup layer, an outline positioned about a periphery of the backup layer, and a translucent panel skin bonded to a foam layer positioned over the panel substrate, wherein the panel skin stretches over the panel substrate and the backup layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Publication date: October 24, 2019
    Inventors: Stuart Salter, Yun Shin Lee, James J. Surman, Paul Kenneth Dellock
  • Patent number: 10449907
    Abstract: A vehicle storage compartment includes a support structure, power contacts, and a hanging storage module such as a file folder supported on the support structure and electrically coupled to the power contacts. The module includes a storage pocket, support arms supporting the pocket and configured to be supported on the support structure, and electrical conductors coupled to the contacts. The module further includes a tab comprising a light source and a user input sensor, wherein the light source illuminates storage the module when the user input sensor detects a user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Scott Holmes Dunham, Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman