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).

  • Vehicle rear illumination
    Patent number: 9802531
    Abstract: A vehicle is presented that includes a lift gate operably connected to a body and operable between open and closed positions. A taillight is positioned at a rear end of the body. A cargo lamp is positioned on an inboard surface of the taillight such that the cargo lamp is concealed when the lift gate is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Annette Lynn Huebner, Cornel Lewis Gardner, Stephen Kenneth Helwig
  • Light-producing assembly for a vehicle
    Patent number: 9797575
    Abstract: A light-producing assembly for a vehicle is provided herein. The light-producing assembly includes a first, second, and third light source and a photoluminescent structure having a first, second, and third photoluminescent material. The first, second, and third photoluminescent materials are configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light emitted by the first, second, and third light sources, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Matthew Majkowski
  • Vehicle floor lighting system having a pivotable base with light-producing assembly coupled to base
    Patent number: 9796304
    Abstract: A floor lighting system of a vehicle is provided herein. A vehicle seat has a seat base that is movable between a use position and a stowed position. A light-producing assembly is coupled to an underside portion of the seat base and operable to illuminate at least one floor area based on the position of the seat base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Daniel Weckstein
  • RUNNING BOARD ILLUMINATION SYSTEM WITH PASSIVE MARKER LIGHT GLOW
    Publication number: 20170282787
    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: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Aaron Bradley Johnson, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman, Terrence Joseph Wilson
  • Dual direction light producing assembly
    Patent number: 9776557
    Abstract: A light-producing assembly is provided herein and includes a first portion of LEDs biased to direct light in a first direction, a second portion of LEDs biased to direct light in a second direction that is different than the first direction, and a controller for selectively activating the first and/or second portions of LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Gregory James Grudzinski
  • VEHICLE WHEEL ILLUMINATION ASSEMBLY USING PHOTOLUMINESCENT MATERIAL
    Publication number: 20170274712
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel illumination assembly includes a light source located on the body of a vehicle near the wheel well and oriented to direct light onto a wheel assembly having a tire. A tire pressure indicator detects tire pressure of the tire. The light source illuminates the wheel assembly with a desired color to indicate a tire pressure status based on the detected tire pressure. A photoluminescent material is located on the wheel assembly and configured to luminesce in response to excitation by the light assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Cornel Lewis Gardner, Ali Ammar
  • Photoluminescent vehicle illumination
    Patent number: 9771019
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The illumination apparatus comprises at least one light source disposed in a portion of a side mirror assembly of the vehicle. The light source is configured to emit an excitation emission at a first wavelength substantially along a side portion of the vehicle. The illumination apparatus further comprises a photoluminescent portion disposed on a surface of the vehicle. The excitation emission is configured to excite the photoluminescent portion to emit an output emission corresponding to a different color of light than the first excitation emission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Michael James Whitens, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman
  • Light-producing assembly for a vehicle
    Patent number: 9764686
    Abstract: A light-producing assembly for a vehicle is provided herein. The light-producing assembly includes a plurality of light and a photoluminescent structure. The photoluminescent structure includes a plurality of photoluminescent material arranged to alternate with each other. The plurality of photoluminescent materials are each configured to luminesce in a distinct color in response to excitation by a corresponding portion of the plurality of light sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Matthew Majkowski, James J. Surman
  • VEHICLE BADGE
    Publication number: 20170259755
    Abstract: A badge is provided herein. The badge includes a housing having a front viewable portion. A first light source is disposed rearwardly of the viewable portion. A second light source is disposed adjacently to the first light source. A third light source disposed adjacently to the second light source. The first, the second, and the third light sources are configured to sequentially illuminate at offset intervals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2016
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Pietro Buttolo, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Michael A. Musleh
  • Auxiliary lighting roof rack
    Patent number: 9758088
    Abstract: A roof rack assembly is provided herein. A pair of support racks are provided on a roof structure of a vehicle. A first light source is coupled to each of the support racks and is disposed to downwardly project a light beam across a hood of the vehicle. A second light source is coupled to each of the support racks and is disposed to downwardly project a light beam to illuminate a corresponding ground area proximate a corner of the vehicle. A third light source is coupled to each of the support racks and is disposed to downwardly project a light beam to illuminate a corresponding ground area proximate a door of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Aaron Bradley Johnson, James J. Surman, Paul Kenneth Dellock
  • VEHICLE BADGE
    Publication number: 20170253194
    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: March 4, 2016
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Jeffrey Singer, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Michael A. Musleh, James J. Surman
  • Vehicle illumination system
    Patent number: 9751458
    Abstract: An illumination system for a vehicle is provided that includes a vehicle having a rear spoiler, a light assembly located on an underside of the spoiler, a sensor for sensing a location of a person proximate to the spoiler, and a controller for controlling the light assembly to illuminate an area proximate the rear of the vehicle when a person is detected proximate to the spoiler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Kenneth Dellock, Michael Musleh, Stuart C. Salter, David Brian Glickman, James J. Surman
  • VEHICLE ILLUMINATION SYSTEM
    Publication number: 20170246985
    Abstract: An illumination system for a vehicle is provided that includes a vehicle having a rear spoiler, a light assembly located on an underside of the spoiler, a sensor for sensing a location of a person proximate to the spoiler, and a controller for controlling the light assembly to illuminate an area proximate the rear of the vehicle when a person is detected proximate to the spoiler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2016
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Paul Kenneth Dellock, Michael Musleh, Stuart C. Salter, David Brian Glickman, James J. Surman
  • Illuminated vehicle trim
    Patent number: 9738219
    Abstract: A trim assembly for a vehicle is provided herein. The trim assembly includes a backing panel defining a void therethrough. A foam panel is attached to the backing panel on a first side and is attached to a cover on a second opposing side. The foam panel and the cover are light transmissive. A light source is disposed within the void and is configured to emit excitation light. A photoluminescent structure is disposed on an inner periphery of the void and the first side of the foam panel and is configured to luminesce in response to excitation by the light source. A bumper extends into the void to a position past a bottom surface of the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Alex Lince, James J. Surman
  • VEHICLE LIGHT STRIP
    Publication number: 20170225612
    Abstract: A vehicle light strip is provided herein. The vehicle light strip includes a housing member. A light assembly is disposed inside the housing member and has a light source and a photoluminescent structure that is configured to luminesce in response to light excitation by the light source. An optical element is configured to transmit a portion of luminescent light toward a front wall of the housing member and direct another portion of luminescent light toward at least one side wall of the housing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Stephen Kenneth Helwig, Harry Lobo
  • FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR
    Publication number: 20170225615
    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: February 9, 2016
    Publication date: August 10, 2017
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Pietro Buttolo, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Tom Boettger
  • VEHICLE REAR ILLUMINATION
    Publication number: 20170210281
    Abstract: A vehicle is presented that includes a lift gate operably connected to a body and operable between open and closed positions. A taillight is positioned at a rear end of the body. A cargo lamp is positioned on an inboard surface of the taillight such that the cargo lamp is concealed when the lift gate is in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Publication date: July 27, 2017
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Annette Lynn Huebner, Cornel Lewis Gardner, Stephen Kenneth Helwig
  • ILLUMINATED BADGE
    Publication number: 20170203686
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided herein. The vehicle includes a body panel and a badge attached to the panel. The badge includes a substrate and a housing attached thereto that define a cavity therebetween. A reflective member is disposed within the cavity. A light source is disposed within the cavity and is configured to emit excitation light in a first direction to illuminate a viewable portion of the badge and in a second direction towards the reflective member. The reflective member redirects the light through a peripheral portion of the badge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2016
    Publication date: July 20, 2017
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Stephen Kenneth Helwig
  • Vehicle mirror assembly
    Patent number: 9707887
    Abstract: A vehicle provides a seating assembly including a retaining member. A headliner is positioned above the seating assembly. A mirror assembly is positioned within the headliner including a roller. A shade is coupled to the roller and deployable from the headliner. A mirror is positioned on the shade. An engaging member is coupled to the shade and a light source is positioned on the shade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Annette Lynn Huebner, James J. Surman, Kristin Ann Hellman
  • Disinfecting handle
    Patent number: 9694739
    Abstract: A vehicle handle assembly is provided that includes a light-producing-assembly with a first light source and a second light source. The first and second light sources are configured to emit light of different wavelengths. A photoluminescent structure is configured to luminesce in response to excitation by light emitted by the first light source and a phosphorescent structure is configured to phosphoresce in response to excitation by light emitted by the second light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman, Bhavani Thota