Patents by Inventor Michael L. Merritt

Michael L. Merritt 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: 20240067107
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a light assembly for a motor vehicle. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a motor vehicle, including: a light assembly including a first section, a second section, a third section, and a fourth section, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth sections are selectively illuminable independent of one another; a conspicuity lamp; and a controller configured to command the light assembly to illuminate at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth sections in phase with the conspicuity lamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Aaron B. Johnson, Luciano Lukacs, Michael L. Merritt, Joshua Schwab
  • Publication number: 20230347813
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting system includes a lighting assembly that is disposed along an interface between a hood of a vehicle and a fender of the vehicle. A vehicle lighting method includes securing a lighting assembly at a position between a fender and a hood of a vehicle. The lighting assembly extends along a vertically upper end of the fender. The method further includes emitting light from the lighting assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2022
    Publication date: November 2, 2023
    Inventors: Aaron B. Johnson, Luciano Lukacs, Michael L. Merritt, Joshua D. Schwab
  • Patent number: 11745646
    Abstract: An assembly includes a roof of a vehicle, and a light assembly that emits light outward from a passenger side, a driver side, and a forward side of the vehicle. The light assembly is vertically beneath the roof. A method includes providing a light assembly that extends along a passenger side, along a driver side, and along a forward side of a vehicle. The light assembly is between a roof of the vehicle and side doors of the vehicle. The method further includes selectively activating the light assembly to emit light outward from the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron Bradley Johnson, Luciano Lukacs, Michael L. Merritt, Joshua D. Schwab
  • Patent number: 11739905
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a light assembly that provides a pillar lamp for a motor vehicle, and a corresponding method. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a motor vehicle, including: a frame including a pillar; a light assembly mounted to the pillar, wherein the light assembly includes a selectively illuminable light source; a sensor configured to generate signals indicative of a presence of a user of the motor vehicle; and a controller configured to command the light source to illuminate when the signals from the sensor indicate the user is present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron B. Johnson, Luciano Lukacs, Michael L. Merritt, Joshua Schwab
  • Patent number: 11603037
    Abstract: A vehicle applique lighting system includes an applique cover of a vehicle; a light source aft the applique cover; and a reflector having a portion that is outside a perimeter of the applique cover. The reflector is configured to reflect light from the light source on the first side to an opposite, second side of the applique cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Aaron Bradley Johnson, Luciano Lukacs, Michael L. Merritt, Dean Carbis, Joshua D. Schwab