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).

  • CAPACITIVE PROXIMITY SENSORS OF VEHICLE DOORS
    Publication number: 20190315294
    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: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Publication date: October 17, 2019
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman, Richard Gall
  • Smart drop off lighting system
    Patent number: 10434938
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting system includes a plurality of lights. A controller is in communication with a sensing system for detecting the presence of an electronic device carried by a vehicle occupant. The controller is configured to assign a seating area to the electronic device based on a detected cabin location of the device and operate the lights based on the assigned seating area and information indicative of an impending vehicle departure of the vehicle occupant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Pietro Buttolo, Cornel Lewis Gardner, James J. Surman, James Stewart Rankin, II
  • Self-cleaning system for interior of a motor vehicle
    Patent number: 10427650
    Abstract: A self-cleaning system is provided for the interior of a motor vehicle. That self-cleaning system includes a photoactive self-cleaning surface, a sun shade, an actuator displacing the sun shade between an opened position and a closed position and a controller. A related method of self-cleaning a surface in a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman, Chester Stanislaus Walawender
  • Console with grounded trim ring
    Patent number: 10427622
    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: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Richard Gall, Satyanarayana Raju Vemulapati, James J. Surman
  • VEHICULAR CARGO RETAINER ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20190283655
    Abstract: A vehicular cargo restraint assembly includes a support platform. A plurality of panels are each movably coupled to the support platform. Each of the panels is independently movable between a first position wherein the panel is flat against the support platform, and a second position wherein the panel is offset from the support platform and configured to prevent the movement of cargo within a vehicle cabin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Wei Xu, James J. Surman, Satyanarayana Raju Vemulapati
  • APPARATUS AND REMOVABLE ROOF ASSEMBLY FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20190271182
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a panel, a removable window and a latch assembly for securing the removable window to the panel. In one embodiment, a removable roof assembly for a motor vehicle includes a removable roof panel, a releasable locking feature that secures the removable roof panel to the motor vehicle, a removable window and a latch assembly. The latch assembly secures the removable window to the removable roof panel. The latch assembly includes a push button actuator to release the latch assembly and remove the removable window from the removable roof panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Publication date: September 5, 2019
    Inventors: Ronald M. Lovasz, David Brian Glickman, Harry Lobo, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman
  • Photoluminescent lighting apparatus for vehicles
    Patent number: 10400978
    Abstract: A vehicle taillight is disclosed. The vehicle taillight comprises an at least partially light transmissive layer and at least one light generating layer configured to substantially coat a portion of the transmissive layer. The light generating layer comprises a plurality of electrodes and a plurality of LEDs in a semiconductor ink disposed between the electrodes. The light generating layer is operable to emit an excitation emission. The taillight further comprises at least one photoluminescent layer proximate at least one of the electrodes configured to convert the excitation emission to an output emission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, John Matthew Teodecki, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman
  • Vehicle illumination assembly
    Patent number: 10399483
    Abstract: An illumination assembly is provided herein. The illumination assembly includes a first light source configured to generate an illumination pattern. A second light source is configured to generate an image within the illumination pattern. A lens is optically coupled with the first and second light sources. A controller is configured to control the activation state of the first and second light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron Bradley Johnson, Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Stephen Kenneth Helwig, James J. Surman
  • MULTI-COLOR LUMINESCENT GRILLE FOR A VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20190248274
    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: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, David Brian Glickman, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman
  • REMOVABLE VEHICLE ROOF PANELS WITH INTEGRATED HANDLE AND ROOF RACK ASSEMBLIES
    Publication number: 20190248219
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a removable roof panel and an integrated handle and roof rack assembly mounted to the removable roof panel. The integrated handle and roof rack assembly is adapted to function both as a handle for installing or removing the roof panel and as a roof rack for achieving vehicle rooftop cargo storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Inventors: Paul Kenneth DELLOCK, Stuart C. SALTER, James J. SURMAN, Harry LOBO, Travis S. GARLAND
  • Vehicle fuse box fault indicator
    Patent number: 10381185
    Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed for indicating when a fuse is blown in a vehicle fuse box. An example vehicle includes an electrical system, a fuse box comprising a door and an inner panel, covered in part with respective luminous materials and a plurality of fuses positioned inside the fuse box, coupled to the electrical system. Each fuse comprise an LED coupled between terminals of the fuse, and a lens configured to direct light from the LED toward the door and the inner panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Kenneth Dellock, Pietro Buttolo, Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Annette Lynn Huebner
  • Cargo restraining system and method for a motor vehicle
    Patent number: 10377295
    Abstract: A cargo restraining system has a frame and a cargo net carried on the frame. The frame and the cargo net are displaceable between a first position partitioning a cargo area from a passenger area of a motor vehicle and a second position overlying cargo supported on a cargo area floor of the motor vehicle. A related method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Pietro Buttolo, Annette Lynn Huebner, Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman
  • CHARGING PORT HEATER
    Publication number: 20190217713
    Abstract: One aspect of this disclosure relates to an electrified vehicle including a heater element at least partially insert-molded with a charging port. In another aspect of this disclosure, the charging port includes a polymer material having a thermal conductivity greater than about 10 watts per meter-Kelvin (W/m-K). A method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2018
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Bill Grewal, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman
  • Autonomous sensing vehicle pedals
    Patent number: 10351147
    Abstract: A system includes a controller in a vehicle in communication with sensors supported on pedals of the vehicle. The controller includes instructions for determining a user intention based on a detected movement of a foot of the user. Upon determination that the user intention is to take over control the vehicle, the controller sets a control mode of the vehicle to a manual control mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Pietro Buttolo, James J. Surman
  • CONSOLE WITH GROUNDED TRIM RING
    Publication number: 20190202376
    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: December 28, 2017
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Richard Gall, Satyanarayana Raju Vemulapati, James J. Surman
  • VEHICLE LAMP ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20190202347
    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: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Annette Lynn Huebner, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman, David Brian Glickman
  • Pillar molding with improved scratch resistance
    Patent number: 10322754
    Abstract: An apparatus, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a base comprised of a plastic material and having an exterior surface and an interior surface. At least one layer of ion treated glass is attached to the exterior surface and at least one input device is mounted to the base. A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, providing at least one layer of ion treated glass in a desired shape, molding a plastic body to one side of the ion treated glass such that an opposite side of the ion treated glass forms a vehicle exterior surface, and assembling at least one input device to the plastic body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Chester Stanislaus Walawender, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman
  • Illuminated vehicle badge
    Patent number: 10321550
    Abstract: A vehicle badge is provided herein that includes one or more light sources emanating emitted light through a viewable portion. The badge also includes a controller configured to adjust at least one of an intensity or a color of the emitted light. An electric current signal value is independently output to each of the one or more light sources and is configured to alter the intensity or the color of emitted light from the one or more light sources in a linearly perceived illumination pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Pietro Buttolo, Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman, James Stewart Rankin
  • Light apparatus with film layer to blend with surrounding body member
    Patent number: 10309610
    Abstract: A light apparatus, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a light surrounded by a vehicle member, a film on a substrate layer to form a lens for the light, and a support comprising a first structure positioned behind the light and one portion of the lens and a second structure positioned behind a remaining portion of the lens. In one example, the light apparatus comprises a daytime running light and turn signal assembly. In one example, the apparatus and a method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, configuring a control to deactivate the light such that the assembly has a same appearance as the vehicle member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: David Brian Glickman, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman
  • Vehicle-based smart cooler
    Patent number: 10295250
    Abstract: Example apparatus and methods are disclosed for a vehicle-based smart cooler. An example disclosed cooler includes an electric cooling unit, a plurality of sensors, a wireless node, and a cooling control unit. The example wireless node communicatively couples to the vehicle. The example cooling control unit monitors a charge margin of the vehicle and, in response to the charge margin being below a threshold, activates a power management technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Pietro Buttolo, Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman