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).

  • INTERIOR LIGHTING ASSEMBLIES AND UNITS THAT PRODUCE NATURAL AND COURTESY LIGHT PATTERNS
    Publication number: 20180370429
    Abstract: A dome light assembly that includes a reflective surface facing an interior; a light-diffusing element over the reflective surface having a plurality of corresponding opposed edges and LED sources; and a controller for directing the sources to transmit a plurality of light patterns from the element into the interior based at least in part on a plurality of inputs. Further, each source is configured to direct incident light into the corresponding edge. These light patterns include natural light and other light patterns. The inputs include manual inputs, weather inputs, exterior light sensor inputs, temporal inputs and global positioning system inputs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2018
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Paul Kenneth Dellock
  • PILLAR MOLDING WITH IMPROVED SCRATCH RESISTANCE
    Publication number: 20180370574
    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: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2017
    Publication date: December 27, 2018
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Chester Stanislaus Walawender, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman
  • Enhanced informational vehicle puddle lamp assemblies
    Patent number: 10160380
    Abstract: This disclosure details vehicle puddle lamp assemblies and methods for illuminating the puddle lamp assemblies in a manner that provides a visual indication of a vehicle interior temperature. An exemplary vehicle puddle lamp assembly includes a control module configured to control the puddle lamp assembly to selectively project an illuminated pattern onto a ground surface adjacent to the puddle lamp assembly. The illuminated pattern provides the visual indication of the vehicle interior temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman, Ulrich Stuhec, Cornel Lewis Gardner
  • Holographic proximity switch
    Patent number: 10164631
    Abstract: A vehicle switch is provided that includes a substrate. A holographic film is positioned on the substrate. A first light source and a second light source are configured to emit a light onto the film and a proximity switch assembly is positioned on the substrate. The holographic film is configured to create a projected image above the holographic film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman, David Brian Glickman
  • VEHICLE SHADE ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20180361831
    Abstract: A shade assembly is positioned proximate a window. The shade assembly includes a housing. A shade is configured to deploy from the housing. A user interface includes a switch for selectively activating a feature of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Pietro Buttolo, Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Annette Lynn Huebner
  • WASHER FLUID HEATING ASSEMBLY AND HEATING METHOD
    Publication number: 20180363945
    Abstract: An exemplary washer fluid heating assembly includes an outer layer about an inner layer of a hose. The inner layer provides an outer boundary of a fluid flow path. A heating element is held by the inner layer. An exemplary washer fluid heating method includes conveying a fluid along a fluid flow path within a layer of a hose, and heating the fluid with a heating element held by the inner layer. The heating element provides a portion of an outer boundary of the fluid flow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2017
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman, Stuart C. Salter, Jose Garcia Crespo, Brad Napier Doman
  • Running board illumination system with passive marker light glow
    Patent number: 10155474
    Abstract: A running board illumination system is provided for a motor vehicle. That running board illumination system includes a first illumination element and an optical lens for directing light emitted by the first illumination element onto a running board of the motor vehicle. That optical lens may further include a fluorescent coating to provide a passive marker light glow when the first illumination element is extinguished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Aaron Bradley Johnson, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman, Terrence Joseph Wilson
  • VEHICLE LIGHT ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20180345845
    Abstract: A vehicle light assembly includes a light source. A lens is positioned proximate the light source. A conductive circuitry is disposed on the lens and forms a capacitive sensor. A temperature sensor is configured to detect a temperature of the light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Pietro Buttolo, Annette Lynn Huebner, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman
  • VEHICLE FUSE BOX FAULT INDICATOR
    Publication number: 20180350548
    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: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Paul Kenneth Dellock, Pietro Buttolo, Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Annette Lynn Huebner
  • CARGO RESTRAINING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20180345844
    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: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Publication date: December 6, 2018
    Inventors: Pietro Buttolo, Annette Lynn Huebner, Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman
  • Vehicle light assembly
    Patent number: 10144337
    Abstract: A vehicle light assembly includes a light source. A lens is positioned proximate the light source. A conductive circuitry is disposed on the lens and forms a capacitive sensor. A temperature sensor is configured to detect a temperature of the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Pietro Buttolo, Annette Lynn Huebner, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman
  • VEHICLE LIGHTING SYSTEM WITH DIRECTIONAL CONTROL
    Publication number: 20180339651
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a positioning apparatus configured to provide multi axis motion and a light source configured to output an emission in connection with the apparatus. The apparatus further comprises a light controller in communication with the positioning apparatus and the light source. The light controller is configured to control the positioning apparatus to orient the light source directing the emission to a location in the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2017
    Publication date: November 29, 2018
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Pietro Buttolo, Jeffrey Singer, James J. Surman
  • Smart drop off lighting system
    Patent number: 10137829
    Abstract: A lighting system is provided herein. The lighting system includes a number of lights and a portable electronic device carried by a vehicle occupant. A controller is in communication with a sensing system and configured to detect a cabin location of the electronic device, assign a seating area to the electronic device, and operate only the lights associated with the seating area based on information indicative of an impending departure of the vehicle occupant from the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Pietro Buttolo, Cornel Lewis Gardner, James J. Surman, James Stewart Rankin, II
  • VEHICLE LIGHTING ASSEMBLY AND ILLUMINATION METHOD
    Publication number: 20180334087
    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: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman, David Brian Glickman, Balbir S. Grewal
  • VEHICLE COMMUNICATION GRILLE
    Publication number: 20180334088
    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: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Pietro Buttolo, James J. Surman, Annette Lynn Huebner
  • BRAKE COMPONENT ILLUMINATOR AND ILLUMINATION METHOD
    Publication number: 20180334090
    Abstract: An exemplary vehicle assembly includes, among other things, a brake component configured to emit a first emission, and an indicator adjacent the brake component. The indicator includes a semiconductor layer configured to absorb the first emission and emit a second, different emission. An exemplary vehicle illumination method includes, among other things, absorbing a first emission with a semiconductor layer of an indicator. The first emission is emitted from a brake component. The method further includes emitting a second, different emission from the semiconductor layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Publication date: November 22, 2018
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman, David Brian Glickman
  • ILLUMINATED VEHICLE BADGE
    Publication number: 20180332694
    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: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Pietro Buttolo, Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman, James Stewart Rankin
  • VEHICLE LAMP
    Publication number: 20180319331
    Abstract: A vehicle lamp is provided herein. The vehicle lamp includes a first light source operably coupled with a lens. A switch is configured to control an activation state of the first light source. A controller prompts the first light source to generate a low-intensity light of a first color when a night-like condition is detected and a vehicle is in motion and a high-intensity light of a second color when the vehicle is stationary.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2017
    Publication date: November 8, 2018
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Jeffrey Singer
  • Vehicle badge having discretely illuminated portions
    Patent number: 10118568
    Abstract: A badge includes a housing having a front viewable portion, a first light source disposed rearwardly of the viewable portion, a second light source disposed adjacently to the first light source, a third light source disposed adjacently to the second light source, and a controller that illuminates the first, the second, and the third light sources sequentially at offset intervals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Pietro Buttolo, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Michael A. Musleh
  • Vehicle badge with improved resolution
    Patent number: 10112531
    Abstract: A vehicle badge is provided herein. A first number of light sources is configured to successively illuminate, wherein at least a majority of the first number of light sources ramps to a maximum intensity within a corresponding time interval prior to a time period elapsing. A second number of light sources is configured to successively illuminate, wherein each of the second number of light sources ramps to a maximum intensity once the time period is reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Pietro Buttolo, Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman, Michael A. Musleh