Patents by Inventor Mike Whitens

Mike Whitens 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).

  • Patent number: 7810969
    Abstract: A floor console to provide ambient lighting in the interior of a vehicle is disclosed. The floor console includes lighting elements strategically positioned to illuminate the footwells of the vehicle, the cupholders, and the storage bin. The same lighting element may be used to illuminate one or more of the cupholders and the storage bin. The preferred lighting element is an LED while other lighting elements may be used. The floor console is also provided with wiring and an ECU and may be readily connected to the vehicle's power system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kathleen Blackmore, Cornel Gardner, Mike Whitens, Michael Williams, Peter Bejin
  • Publication number: 20080122241
    Abstract: A floor console to provide ambient lighting in the interior of a vehicle is disclosed. The floor console includes lighting elements strategically positioned to illuminate the footwells of the vehicle, the cupholders, and the storage bin. The same lighting element may be used to illuminate one or more of the cupholders and the storage bin. The preferred lighting element is an LED while other lighting elements may be used. The floor console is also provided with wiring and an ECU and may be readily connected to the vehicle's power system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Kathleen Blackmore, Cornel Gardner, Mike Whitens, Michael Williams, Peter Bejin
  • Patent number: 7347471
    Abstract: A storage console for an automotive vehicle includes a manually moveable closure panel suspended upon the console's side walls at an installed location extending rearwardly from the front part of the console, so as to allow access to otherwise unusable space at the front of the console. A number of manually movable, interchangeable closure panels may be configured alternatively on opposite sides, so as allow a motorist to select from utilities such as cup holders, coin holders, powerpoints, and other utilities which are available in closure panel working surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Mike Whitens, Kathleen Blackmore, Peter Bejin
  • Publication number: 20070205622
    Abstract: A storage console for an automotive vehicle includes a manually moveable closure panel suspended upon the console's side walls at an installed location extending rearwardly from the front part of the console, so as to allow access to otherwise unusable space at the front of the console. A number of manually movable, interchangeable closure panels may be configured alternatively on opposite sides, so as allow a motorist to select from utilities such as cup holders, coin holders, powerpoints, and other utilities which are available in closure panel working surfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Mike Whitens, Kathleen Blackmore, Peter Bejin
  • Patent number: 7017980
    Abstract: A load floor (14) for attachment to a rear portion (18) of a vehicle floorpan (20). The load floor (14) includes a one-piece body (42) that has a panel portion (44) with reinforcement members (84), support members (46?, 46?), and containers (52) extending therefrom. The support members (46?, 46?) are configured for supporting the one-piece body (42) on the floorpan (20) and minimizing a load span (32–36) across said panel portion (44). Also, the reinforcement members (84) are utilized for sufficiently reinforcing the panel portion (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Bejin, Jennifer Bremmer, Mike Whitens
  • Patent number: 6945594
    Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a load floor (14) for attachment to a rear portion (18) of a vehicle floorpan (20). The load floor (14) includes a one-piece injection-molded body (42) that has a panel portion (44), one or more reinforcement members (84) coupled to the panel portion (44), and one or more support members (46) extending from the panel portion (44). The support members (46) are configured for supporting the one-piece injection-molded body (42) on the floorpan (20) and minimizing a load span (32–36) across said panel portion (44). Also, the reinforcement members (84) are utilized for sufficiently reinforcing the panel portion (44) for supporting a predetermined load and minimizing deflection of the panel portion (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Peter Bejin, Jennifer Bremmer, Mike Whitens