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).

  • Photoluminescent printed LED molding
    Patent number: 9868387
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus configured to seal and substantially conform to a roof ditch of a vehicle is disclosed. The illumination apparatus comprises a first electrode in connection with a seam of the roof ditch via an adhesive. A plurality of printed LEDs configured to emit a first emission and suspended in a semiconductor ink is disposed on a surface of the first electrode, and a second electrode is conductively connected to the plurality of LEDs. A photoluminescent layer is disposed on the second electrode. The illumination apparatus may be in communication with a controller via the first and second electrodes such that the controller may selectively activate the illumination apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman
  • VEHICLE TRIM ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20180010769
    Abstract: A trim assembly for a vehicle is provided herein. The trim assembly includes a substrate and a housing forming a cavity therebetween. A conductive layer is coupled to the housing and has first and second portions each including an electrically conductive material. The first portion is separated from the second portion by an electrically insulative gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman
  • Fuel level indicator
    Patent number: 9855799
    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: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Pietro Buttolo, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Tom Boettger
  • Illuminated system for a vehicle
    Patent number: 9855797
    Abstract: An illuminated system is provided herein. The illuminated system includes a badge that is movable between a first position and a second position. First and second light sources are disposed within the badge. The first light source is configured to direct light in a first direction. The second light source is configured to direct light in a second direction. A vehicle feature is operably coupled with the second light source. A first photoluminescent structure is disposed on the vehicle feature and is configured to luminesce in response to receiving an excitation light from the light source. A controller is configured to selectively activate the first and second light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Pietro Buttolo, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman
  • VEHICLE LIGHTING SYSTEM HAVING A SPOTLIGHT
    Publication number: 20170368983
    Abstract: A lighting system of a vehicle is provided herein. The lighting system includes a structure of the vehicle and a spotlight having a body coupled to the structure. A light assembly is disposed inside the body and is configured to project a light beam outwardly from the body. The operation of the light assembly and the directionality of the light beam is based on input from a remote device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Publication date: December 28, 2017
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Aaron Bradley Johnson, James J. Surman, Pietro Buttolo, Paul Kenneth Dellock
  • Printed LED storage compartment
    Patent number: 9849831
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus for a vehicle storage cavity is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a circuit disposed proximate to and extending significantly along an opening of the cavity. At least one proximity sensor and a plurality of LEDs suspended in a semiconductor ink are printed on the circuit. The circuit is configured to activate an emission from the LEDs in response to the proximity sensor detecting an object entering the storage cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Pietro Buttolo
  • FUEL PORT ILLUMINATION DEVICE
    Publication number: 20170361761
    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: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Publication date: December 21, 2017
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman, Balbir S. Grewal
  • Light system
    Patent number: 9845047
    Abstract: A window for a vehicle is provided herein. The window includes an outer panel separated from an inner panel. A light guide is disposed between the outer panel and the inner panel. A first light-blocking layer is disposed between the light guide and the outer panel. A second light-blocking layer is disposed between the light guide and the inner panel. A light source is optically coupled with the light guide and is configured to direct excitation light towards a photoluminescent structure disposed between the first and second light-blocking layers. The photoluminescent structure luminesces in response to receiving the excitation light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, David Brian Glickman, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman
  • Vehicle lighting assembly
    Patent number: 9840193
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided herein that includes a door coupled to a body structure of a vehicle. The door is movable between a first and a second position to provide access to an interior portion of the vehicle. A photoluminescent structure is disposed on the door and is configured to luminesce in response to excitation light emitted by a light source. The light source is vertically disposed below the photoluminescent structure on the door in both the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Vichit Chea, Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman
  • DOME LIGHT ASSEMBLIES AND UNITS THAT PRODUCE NATURAL AND COURTESY LIGHT PATTERNS
    Publication number: 20170349094
    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: June 2, 2016
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Paul Kenneth Dellock
  • Stationary control knob having proximity sensors
    Patent number: 9831872
    Abstract: A vehicle input knob assembly is provided that includes a stationary knob located in a vehicle and having an outer peripheral surface with a plurality of radial extending surfaces such as ribs and a plurality of proximity sensors located proximate to the knob to detect a user rotating a hand around the knob. The assembly also includes a controller generating a control signal based on the detected rotation of the hand. The knob may further include proximity sensors on a front surface for added user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Pietro Buttolo, James J. Surman, James Stewart Rankin, II
  • Illuminated trim panel
    Patent number: 9827903
    Abstract: A light system for a vehicle is provided herein. The light system includes a trim panel having an upper portion disposed proximately to an opening. A light guide is coupled to the panel. The light guide has an upper portion disposed between the trim panel and the opening and is configured to direct an excitation light therethrough. A light transmissive member is operably coupled with the light guide having a photoluminescent structure configured to convert an excitation light into a converted light. The converted light is directed towards a trim panel feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Jeffrey Singer, James J. Surman, Cornel Lewis Gardner
  • VEHICLE ROOF RACK SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20170334344
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided that includes a body defining a roof. A roof rack is operably coupled to the roof through a plurality of mounting features and configured to support cargo. A load cell is positioned on each of the mounting features and configured to sense a load on the roof rack associated with the cargo. A controller is in communication with the load cells and an electronic device and a light source is positioned proximate each of the mounting features. The light source is configured to emit light based on the load sensed by the load cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2016
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Pietro Buttolo, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Harry Lobo
  • ILLUMINATED VEHICLE BADGE
    Publication number: 20170332463
    Abstract: A vehicle badge is provided herein. The badge includes one or more light sources configured to illuminate in a pseudorandom sequence. Each respective light source illuminates in a first illumination sequence defined by a first set of parameters and a subsequent second illumination sequence defined by a second set of parameters. A controller is operably coupled with the light sources and has a counter therein. The counter determines the subsequent illumination sequence while the first illumination sequence occurs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Pietro Buttolo, Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman, James Stewart Rankin
  • Tailgate and cargo box illumination
    Patent number: 9815402
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a cargo box including at least one side wall. A tailgate is coupled to the box and operable between open and closed positions. A light assembly is positioned in a vehicle rear portion of the at least one side wall. A box light is configured to emit light into the box and a puddle lamp is configured to emit light in a vehicle rearward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Cornel Lewis Gardner
  • Illuminated cup holder
    Patent number: 9809161
    Abstract: A vehicle cup holder includes a console substrate defining a cup well. A light source is positioned to emit light into the cup well. An insert is positioned within the cup well and defines a base wall and a side wall. At least one of the base wall and the side wall defines a diffraction grating. A holographic film is positioned between the insert and the console substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Christopher Anthony Danowski, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Pietro Buttolo, James J. Surman
  • Tailgate illumination system
    Patent number: 9809160
    Abstract: An illumination system for a vehicle includes a truck bed defining a cargo space, a bumper positioned vehicle rearward of the truck bed, and a tailgate defining a recessed surface and rotatable between substantially open and substantially closed positions. A first optically interactive portion is positioned on the truck bed and a second optically interactive portion is positioned on the tailgate. A light source is positioned on the recessed surface of the tailgate. The light source and the first and second optically interactive surfaces are configured to illuminate the cargo space when the tailgate is in the substantially open position and illuminate the bumper when the tailgate is in the substantially closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman
  • Luminescent trim light assembly
    Patent number: 9810401
    Abstract: A vehicle trim light assembly is provided herein. The trim light assembly includes a substrate mated to a housing. A light source and luminescent structure are disposed within the substrate and housing. The light source provides light at a first wavelength. The luminescent structure is excited by light at the first wavelength thereby emitting light at a second wavelength through the housing to provide lighting to an occupant within the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman
  • VEHICLE BADGE WITH IMPROVED RESOLUTION
    Publication number: 20170313243
    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: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2016
    Publication date: November 2, 2017
    Inventors: Pietro Buttolo, Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman, Michael A. Musleh
  • Motor vehicle ice sensor assembly and method of operation
    Patent number: 9802545
    Abstract: A frozen accumulation detection assembly and method of operation for a motor vehicle is provided. The assembly includes a light source for emitting light on a surface of the motor vehicle, such as running board, and a sensor for measuring a reflectance level of the light off of the surface of the motor vehicle. The assembly further includes a heating element coupled to the surface of the motor vehicle. The reflectance level may be used as an indicator of frozen accumulation on the surface of the motor vehicle, and may help determine if the heating element should be energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Annette Lynn Huebner, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman