Patents by Inventor Robert J. Gelardi

Robert J. Gelardi 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: 11833976
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an instrument panel, a support structure coupled to the instrument panel, and a retainer. The support structure defines a receiver that extends from a lower end to an upper end that is vehicle-upward of the lower end. The portion of the support structure that defines the receiver includes at least one rib that protrudes into the receiver. The retainer includes a barrel portion having a threaded interior surface that defines a hollow and an exterior surface opposite the interior surface and having at least one wing. The retainer also includes a head portion coupled to the barrel portion. The retainer is operably coupled to the support structure, such that the barrel portion is received within the receiver and the at least one wing of the exterior surface is engaged with the at least one rib to maintain the retainer within the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Keith Daniel Roupe, James Day, Paul Jonathan Alexander Wraith, Robert J. Gelardi, Ryan A. Olsson, William James Mangan, John Jeffrey Pfeiffer, Mario Alejandro Adams-Campos
  • Patent number: 11760249
    Abstract: An assist handle assembly for use in an interior of a vehicle. The assist handle assembly includes an assist handle configured to be gripped by a user, a display connected to the assist handle, a communication link operatively coupled to the display, a connector configured to secure the assist handle assembly to a structural component in the interior of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, David Brian Glickman, Annette Lynn Huebner, Jim Baumbick, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Robert J. Gelardi, Daniel J. Martin
  • Patent number: 11608005
    Abstract: An apparatus, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a vehicle door panel, a removeable structure having a retention member fixed on the vehicle door panel, and a holding element associated with the retention member to provide a pocket that can be configured in different ways to accommodate a plurality of powered devices. A power interface in the vehicle door panel powers at least one of the plurality of powered devices. A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, providing the power interface in the vehicle door panel to power at least one of the plurality of powered devices, and providing a communications link between at least one of the plurality of powered devices and a vehicle touchscreen or control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Amy Lynn Marentic, David Brian Glickman, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Annette Lynn Huebner, Robert J. Gelardi
  • Patent number: 11511679
    Abstract: An accessory mounting track includes a forward edge, a rearward edge, an upper surface, a lower surface, a first end region with a first end, a second end region with a second end, and an intermediate region positioned between the first and second end regions. A cross-section of the intermediate region includes an angular portion positioned on either side of a planar portion. The planar portion and the angular portions are delineated by an inflection point at a junction between the planar portion and each of the angled portions. A distance between the upper surface and the lower surface at the angular portions decreases as a distance from a centerline of the intermediate region increases. A distance between the forward edge and the rearward edge at the first and second end regions increases as a distance from the intermediate region increases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Jonathan Alexander Wraith, Robert J. Gelardi, Ryan A. Olsson, William James Mangan, John Jeffrey Pfeiffer, Mario Adams-Campos
  • Publication number: 20220227306
    Abstract: A vehicle includes an instrument panel, a support structure coupled to the instrument panel, and a retainer. The support structure defines a receiver that extends from a lower end to an upper end that is vehicle-upward of the lower end. The portion of the support structure that defines the receiver includes at least one rib that protrudes into the receiver. The retainer includes a barrel portion having a threaded interior surface that defines a hollow and an exterior surface opposite the interior surface and having at least one wing. The retainer also includes a head portion coupled to the barrel portion. The retainer is operably coupled to the support structure, such that the barrel portion is received within the receiver and the at least one wing of the exterior surface is engaged with the at least one rib to maintain the retainer within the receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2021
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Keith Daniel Roupe, James Day, Paul Jonathan Alexander Wraith, Robert J. Gelardi, Ryan A. Olsson, William James Mangan, John Jeffrey Pfeiffer, Mario Alejandro Adams-Campos
  • Publication number: 20220227305
    Abstract: An accessory mounting track includes a forward edge, a rearward edge, an upper surface, a lower surface, a first end region with a first end, a second end region with a second end, and an intermediate region positioned between the first and second end regions. A cross-section of the intermediate region includes an angular portion positioned on either side of a planar portion. The planar portion and the angular portions are delineated by an inflection point at a junction between the planar portion and each of the angled portions. A distance between the upper surface and the lower surface at the angular portions decreases as a distance from a centerline of the intermediate region increases. A distance between the forward edge and the rearward edge at the first and second end regions increases as a distance from the intermediate region increases.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2021
    Publication date: July 21, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Jonathan Alexander Wraith, Robert J. Gelardi, Ryan A. Olsson, William James Mangan, John Jeffrey Pfeiffer, Mario Adams-Campos
  • Publication number: 20220097582
    Abstract: An assist handle assembly for use in an interior of a vehicle. The assist handle assembly includes an assist handle configured to be gripped by a user, a display connected to the assist handle, a communication link operatively coupled to the display, a connector configured to secure the assist handle assembly to a structural component in the interior of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Publication date: March 31, 2022
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, David Brian Glickman, Annette Lynn Huebner, Jim Baumbick, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Robert J. Gelardi, Daniel J. Martin
  • Publication number: 20220080895
    Abstract: An apparatus, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a vehicle door panel, a removeable structure having a retention member fixed on the vehicle door panel, and a holding element associated with the retention member to provide a pocket that can be configured in different ways to accommodate a plurality of powered devices. A power interface in the vehicle door panel powers at least one of the plurality of powered devices. A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, providing the power interface in the vehicle door panel to power at least one of the plurality of powered devices, and providing a communications link between at least one of the plurality of powered devices and a vehicle touchscreen or control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Publication date: March 17, 2022
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Amy Lynn Marentic, David Brian Glickman, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Annette Lynn Huebner, Robert J. Gelardi
  • Patent number: 11254252
    Abstract: An assist handle assembly for a vehicle is provided that includes an assist handle configured to be gripped by a user, a releasable connector configured to secure the assist handle assembly to a structural component of the vehicle, the connector comprising a fastener having a key surface, a storage compartment provided in the assist handle, and an assembly tool for engaging the key surface of the fastener during assembly and disassembly of the connector from the structural component of the vehicle, wherein the assembly tool is stored in the storage compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, David Brian Glickman, Annette Lynn Huebner, Jim Baumbick, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Daniel J. Martin, Robert J. Gelardi, Ryan A. Olsson
  • Patent number: D922302
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Wraith, Daniel J. Kangas, Dong Hoon Park, Ryan A. Olsson, Robert J. Gelardi, Daniel C. Broaddus
  • Patent number: D935367
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Wraith, Daniel J. Kangas, Dong Hoon Park, Ryan A. Olsson, Robert J. Gelardi, Daniel C. Broaddus
  • Patent number: D964240
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Paul Wraith, Ryan A. Olsson, Robert J. Gelardi, Daniel C. Broaddus