Patents by Inventor Joe L. Buchwitz

Joe L. Buchwitz 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: 20140224566
    Abstract: A wheeled vehicle includes a solid vehicle frame and a solid front axle including wheels movable to change the direction of the vehicle, a steering assembly including a steering wheel, a steering shaft coupled with the steering wheel, and a rotary output member having an end selectively movable in response to an input to the steering wheel, the solid front axle vehicle includes an electric power assist steering (EPAS) system for selectively steering the vehicle separately from any input to the steering wheel. The EPAS system includes a motor having a rotary output coupled to a steering gear and a steering rack having a longitudinal extent defining an axis having an end coupled a tie rod of the steering assembly. The longitudinal axis of the EPAS assembly is aligned with or transverse to the forward vehicle direction so its output is coupled to the output of the steering wheel and can be actuated independently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joe L. Buchwitz, James A. Drozdowski, Bradley G. Hochrein
  • Patent number: 8690177
    Abstract: A wheel suspension for a motor vehicle includes a carrier coupled to a portion of the vehicle, and a wheel bearing element mounted on the carrier so as to be rotatable about an axis, wherein a first portion of the carrier is rotatably coupled to the portion of the vehicle by a single link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joe L Buchwitz, John Spencer Rezkalla, David Burgess, Robert Borries
  • Publication number: 20140049017
    Abstract: A wheel suspension for a motor vehicle includes a carrier coupled to a portion of the vehicle, and a wheel bearing element mounted on the carrier so as to be rotatable about an axis, wherein a first portion of the carrier is rotatably coupled to the portion of the vehicle by a single link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Inventors: Joe L Buchwitz, John Spencer Rezkalla, David Burgess, Robert Borries
  • Patent number: 8220581
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for locating a subframe to a vehicle body having a control hole. The device comprises a pin attached to the subframe and extending toward the vehicle body when the subframe is positioned for mounting to the vehicle body. The pin is adapted to engage the control hole to precisely align the subframe and the vehicle body. The invention also relates to a method for locating a subframe to a vehicle body having a control hole. The method comprises providing a pin on the subframe that extends toward the vehicle body when the subframe is positioned for mounting to the vehicle body, and engaging the pin with the control hole to precisely align the subframe and the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joe L. Buchwitz, Tim D. Smith
  • Publication number: 20110083317
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for locating a subframe to a vehicle body having a control hole. The device comprises a pin attached to the subframe and extending toward the vehicle body when the subframe is positioned for mounting to the vehicle body. The pin is adapted to engage the control hole to precisely align the subframe and the vehicle body. The invention also relates to a method for locating a subframe to a vehicle body having a control hole. The method comprises providing a pin on the subframe that extends toward the vehicle body when the subframe is positioned for mounting to the vehicle body, and engaging the pin with the control hole to precisely align the subframe and the vehicle body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2010
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Inventors: Joe L. Buchwitz, Tim D. Smith
  • Patent number: 7878287
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for locating a subframe to a vehicle body having a control hole. The device comprises a pin attached to the subframe and extending toward the vehicle body when the subframe is positioned for mounting to the vehicle body. The pin is adapted to engage the control hole to precisely align the subframe and the vehicle body. The invention also relates to a method for locating a subframe to a vehicle body having a control hole. The method comprises providing a pin on the subframe that extends toward the vehicle body when the subframe is positioned for mounting to the vehicle body, and engaging the pin with the control hole to precisely align the subframe and the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Joe L. Buchwitz, Tim D. Smith
  • Publication number: 20080134490
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for locating a subframe to a vehicle body having a control hole. The device comprises a pin attached to the subframe and extending toward the vehicle body when the subframe is positioned for mounting to the vehicle body. The pin is adapted to engage the control hole to precisely align the subframe and the vehicle body. The invention also relates to a method for locating a subframe to a vehicle body having a control hole. The method comprises providing a pin on the subframe that extends toward the vehicle body when the subframe is positioned for mounting to the vehicle body, and engaging the pin with the control hole to precisely align the subframe and the vehicle body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Joe L. Buchwitz, Tim D. Smith