Patents by Inventor James Neugebauer

James Neugebauer 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).

  • Publication number: 20180330561
    Abstract: A system for delivering and/or picking up items comprising a container, which is closable via an openable/closable door and has access protection, and a standardized coupling mechanism for the option of fastening on a delivery vehicle, a mobile mini-vehicle or a stationary upright, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a receiving means on the holder and comprises an engagement means, which is for engagement in the receiving means and is arranged on the delivery vehicle, on the mobile mini-vehicle and on the stationary upright such that the container is securable in a releasable manner optionally on the delivery vehicle, on the mobile mini-vehicle or on the stationary upright, and a corresponding method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Detlef KUCK, James NEUGEBAUER, Torsten GERHARDT, Mark GIJBELS, Tobias RICKE, Alexandra HOLZ
  • Patent number: 10124852
    Abstract: A lift assembly for a vehicle includes a bracket configured to be fixed to the vehicle. A lift arm is pivotally coupled to the bracket. A mating structure is supported by the lift arm. The mating structure is configured to lift a personal mobility device and includes an electrical connector for electrically mating to an electrical connector of the personal mobility device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Simon Potticary, Richard Craven, James Neugebauer, Bruce Southey, Jonathan Mundy, James Lloyd, Andrew John Murray
  • Patent number: 10106093
    Abstract: A motor vehicle drawer assembly is disclosed having a slideable drawer and a moveable plate housed in a casing. The drawer and the plate both have overlying compressible members used to restrain from movement an item placed in the drawer when the drawer is in a closed position. Movement of the drawer to the closed position causes the plate to move towards the drawer to clamp any item resting on the drawer thereby restraining movement of the item but not until the drawer approaches the closed position. The use of a clamping mechanism that only allows for movement of the plate towards the drawer when the drawer approaches the closed position prevents the plate from interfering with stowing of the item.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Nicholas Murray, Bruce Southey, James Neugebauer, Richard Craven
  • Publication number: 20180127013
    Abstract: A motorized device for transporting a human or inanimate payload. A platform is configured to accommodate the payload and a pair of wheel clusters are mounted to the platform at opposite ends thereof and are powered in both rotation and in translation relative to the platform, for example by one or more electric motors housed in or on the platform or wheel clusters. Each of the wheel clusters comprises an arm, and a first and a second wheel rotatably mounted to respective opposite ends of the arm. Each of the wheels is independently powered about its respective axis of rotation. An electronic controller commands the motors to enable stable rolling movement of the device over a surface with only one wheel of each cluster in contact with the surface, and to allow the device to steer and to ascend and descend steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Torsten GERHARDT, James NEUGEBAUER, Robert SPAHL, Bruce SOUTHEY, Christoph RUBERG
  • Publication number: 20180127038
    Abstract: A device for transporting a payload (to include a human user) over varied terrain. A platform accommodates the payload. A pair of wheel clusters are mounted to opposite ends of the platform and are powered in rotation relative thereto. Each includes at least two co-planar wheels powered by electric motors. A latch is hand-operable (without tools) to secure the cluster to the platform and, alternatively, allow the cluster to be detached from the platform and rotated 90° to lie parallel thereto. An electrical connector conducts electric power from the platform to the cluster when the latch is operated/actuated to secure the cluster to the platform, and is configured such that it does not impede or obstruct detaching the wheel cluster from the platform, with no requirement that the user take any additional step (other than actuating the latch) to detach the wheel cluster.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Torsten Gerhardt, James Neugebauer, Robert Spahl, Bruce Southey, Christoph Ruberg
  • Publication number: 20180127012
    Abstract: A motorized device for transporting a human or inanimate payload. A platform is configured to accommodate the payload and a pair of wheel clusters are mounted to the platform at opposite ends thereof and are powered in rotation relative to the platform, for example by one or more electric motors housed in or on the platform or wheel clusters. Each of the two wheel clusters comprises three drive wheels arranged in a generally triangular and co-planar configuration, and each is independently powered about its respective axis of rotation by a hub-mounted electric motor. An electronic controller commands the motors powering the two wheel clusters and of each of the six drive wheels. The independent controllability of each wheel and of the wheel clusters relative to the platform allows the device to steer and to ascend and descend steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Torsten GERHARDT, James NEUGEBAUER, Robert SPAHL, Bruce SOUTHEY, Christoph RUBERG
  • Patent number: 9963185
    Abstract: A bicycle includes a frame including first and second segments pivotable relative to each other between a folded position and an unfolded position. The first segment has a first face and the second segment has a second face facing the first face in the unfolded position. A hinge is disposed between the first and second faces. A locking device extends through at least one of the first and second faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: James Neugebauer, Bruce Southey, James Lloyd, Richard Craven, Torsten Gerhardt, Simon Potticary, Jonathan Mundy
  • Publication number: 20180105078
    Abstract: A seat for a vehicle is disclosed herein. The seat is configurable in a normal seating position in which a seat base is substantially horizontally arranged and a seatback is arranged in an upright position and a bulkhead configuration in which the seat base and the seatback are both substantially vertically arranged. In the bulkhead configurations, the seat base and the seatback extend upwards from a position close to a floor of the vehicle to a position close to a roof of the vehicle. When in the bulkhead position, the multi-functional seat forms a barrier between a rear cargo space and a front row of seats.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Inventors: James Nicholas Murray, James Neugebauer, Richard Craven, Sharon Groves
  • Publication number: 20180099589
    Abstract: A vehicle loadspace floor comprising a first deployable portion and a second deployable portion, the first and second deployable portions cooperating to form a rearward-facing seat extending through the opening of a loadspace of the vehicle when deployed from the loadspace floor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventors: James Nicholas Murray, James Neugebauer, Richard Craven, Bruce Southey
  • Publication number: 20180099603
    Abstract: A vehicle loadspace cover is provided that is securable to a portion of a vehicle. The loadspace cover comprises a cargo fixing point configured to secure an item of cargo to the loadspace cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventors: James Nicholas Murray, James Neugebauer, Bruce Southey, Richard Craven, Andrew John Murray, Ian Brazier
  • Patent number: 9902452
    Abstract: A bicycle includes a computing device including a processor and a memory. The processor is programmed to communicate with a user input device of a vehicle when the bicycle is docked to the vehicle. The processor is programmed to communicate with a mobile device when the bicycle is undocked from the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Torsten Gerhardt, James Lloyd, Jonathan Mundy, Bruce Southey, James Neugebauer, Simon Potticary, Richard Craven
  • Publication number: 20180029536
    Abstract: A motor vehicle drawer assembly is disclosed having a slideable drawer and a moveable plate housed in a casing. The drawer and the plate both have overlying compressible members used to restrain from movement an item placed in the drawer when the drawer is in a closed position. Movement of the drawer to the closed position causes the plate to move towards the drawer to clamp any item resting on the drawer thereby restraining movement of the item but not until the drawer approaches the closed position. The use of a clamping mechanism that only allows for movement of the plate towards the drawer when the drawer approaches the closed position prevents the plate from interfering with stowing of the item.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: James Nicholas Murray, Bruce Southey, James Neugebauer, Richard Craven
  • Publication number: 20170259879
    Abstract: A bicycle includes a frame including first and second segments pivotable relative to each other between a folded position and an unfolded position. A magnet is fixed relative to the first segment. An electromagnet is fixed relative to the second segment and disposed in a magnetic field of the magnet when the frame is in the folded position. A controller is configured to power the electromagnet to repel the magnet to unfold the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2017
    Publication date: September 14, 2017
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Southey, Simon Potticary, James Neugebauer, Torsten Gerhardt, Richard Craven, James Lloyd, Jonathan Mundy
  • Patent number: 9701356
    Abstract: A bicycle includes a frame including first and second segments pivotable relative to each other between a folded position and an unfolded position. A magnet is fixed relative to the first segment. An electromagnet is fixed relative to the second segment and disposed in a magnetic field of the magnet when the frame is in the folded position. A controller is configured to power the electromagnet to repel the magnet to unfold the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce Southey, Simon Potticary, James Neugebauer, Torsten Gerhardt, Richard Craven, James Loyd, Jonathan Mundy
  • Patent number: 9663177
    Abstract: An electric bicycle includes a crank, a driving gear and a driven gear spaced from each other, and a belt engaged with the driving gear and the driven gear. An electric motor is coupled to the driving gear. A freewheel is disposed between the crank and the driving gear. At least a portion of the motor is concentric about the freewheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Craven, Simon Potticary, Torsten Gerhardt, James Lloyd, Jonathan Mundy, Bruce Southey, James Neugebauer
  • Publication number: 20170129408
    Abstract: A roll cover assembly for covering a cargo space of a vehicle includes a cassette housing an extendable/retractable roll cover, a first receptacle adjacent a first side wall of the cargo space and having a channel configured to slidably guide a first end of the cassette during insertion or removal, a second receptacle adjacent a second side wall of the cargo space and having an opening configured to receive a second end of the cassette and permit pivoting of the cassette about the second end during removal of the first end from the first receptacle, a locking mechanism releasably locking the first end of the cassette into the first receptacle, and a release device actuatable to release the locking mechanism by pulling along a line-of-action parallel with a direction in which the first end of the cassette moves during removal from the first receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Inventors: Andrew John MURRAY, Richard CRAVEN, Daniel BERRY, James NEUGEBAUER
  • Patent number: 9616959
    Abstract: A bicycle includes a handlebar and a vibration generator supported on the handlebar. A sensor is configured to detect an overcoming vehicle. A controller is configured to activate the vibration generator when the sensor detects an overcoming vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: James Neugebauer, Bruce Southey, James Lloyd, Torsten Gerhardt, Richard Craven, Simon Potticary, Jonathan Mundy
  • Patent number: 9610996
    Abstract: A bicycle includes a frame and a seat post removably engaged with the frame. A light source is supported by the seat post. A power source is supported by the seat post. A switch is disposed between the light source and the power source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2017
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: James Neugebauer, Torsten Gerhardt, Bruce Southey, Simon Potticary, James Lloyd, Richard Craven, Jonathan Mundy
  • Patent number: 9573527
    Abstract: A roll cover assembly for covering a cargo space of a vehicle includes a cassette housing an extendable/retractable roll cover, a first receptacle adjacent a first side wall of the cargo space and having a channel configured to slidably guide a first end of the cassette during insertion or removal, a second receptacle adjacent a second side wall of the cargo space and having an opening configured to receive a second end of the cassette and permit pivoting of the cassette about the second end during removal of the first end from the first receptacle, a locking mechanism releasably locking the first end of the cassette into the first receptacle, and a release device actuatable to release the locking mechanism by pulling along a line-of-action parallel with a direction in which the first end of the cassette moves during removal from the first receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew John Murray, Richard Craven, Daniel Berry, James Neugebauer
  • Patent number: 9573646
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a bicycle frame defining a bore, and a bicycle seat assembly including a post received in the bore. An indicating unit is configured to indicate a first position of the post along the bore for a first user and a second position of the post along the bore for a second user. An identification unit is configured to identify the first user and the second user. A computing device includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instruction such that the processor is programmed to instruct the indicating unit to indicate the first position when the identification unit identifies the first user and to instruct the indicating unit to indicate the second position when the identification unit identifies the second user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Lloyd, Jonathan Mundy, Bruce Southey, Simon Potticary, James Neugebauer, Torsten Gerhardt, Richard Craven