Patents by Inventor Stephen L. Bruford

Stephen L. Bruford 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: 7530619
    Abstract: A pivotable grab handle device is movable between a stowed position, which is positioned against the main tailgate structure, and a deployed position that projects upwardly above the top surface of a lowered main tailgate structure. The grab handle device is mounted on a retainer bracket that is affixed to the top surface of the lowered main tailgate structure. The grab handle incorporates a spring-loaded latch mechanism that is cooperable with the pivot bracket when in the stowed position and cooperable with a striker plate mounted below the top surface of the main tailgate structure to fix the grab handle in the deployed position. A release lever projecting outwardly of the grab handle permits a retraction of the latch member to release the grab handle from either the pivot bracket or the striker plate to allow pivotal movement of the grab handle into the desired position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC., Multimatic, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen L. Bruford, Laurence J. Holt, Charles Bambenek, Jeff Firzlaff, Robert A. Howell
  • Patent number: 7384094
    Abstract: A vehicle hood closure control and release system including a hood release mounted to a vehicle frame. The hood release may include a pivotally mounted hood release handle pivotable for unlatching a vehicle hood having a grille mounted thereon. A bumper may be integrally mounted to the hood release for resiliently contacting the grille and preventing slamming of the grille when the vehicle hood is moved from an open to a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Tad J. Siedlecki, Kalani Mitchell, Stephen L. Bruford, J. Fritz Cory, Dragan Stojkovic
  • Publication number: 20080088155
    Abstract: A vehicle hood closure control and release system including a hood release mounted to a vehicle frame. The hood release may include a pivotally mounted hood release handle pivotable for unlatching a vehicle hood having a grille mounted thereon. A bumper may be integrally mounted to the hood release for resiliently contacting the grille and preventing slamming of the grille when the vehicle hood is moved from an open to a closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2006
    Publication date: April 17, 2008
    Inventors: Tad J. Siedlecki, Kalani D. Mitchell, Stephen L. Bruford, J. Fritz Cory, Dragan Stojkovic
  • Patent number: 6913309
    Abstract: A vehicle 7 is provided having a vehicle body 36 with an opening 16 having first and second ends 18, 20. The vehicle body 7 has a first door 22. A second door 28 has a latched connection 42 with the vehicle body between the opening 16 first and second ends 18, 20. The second door 28 has a window regulator 250 to move a window pane 254 in and out of a window opening 212.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Donald G. Mikolai, Matthew Carey, Muhammed Ayub, Stanley Liu, Kelly Kohlstrand, Stephen L. Bruford, David Glickman
  • Publication number: 20040174040
    Abstract: A vehicle 7 is provided having a vehicle body 36 with an opening 16 having first and second ends 18, 20. The vehicle body 7 has a first door 22. A second door 28 has a latched connection 42 with the vehicle body between the opening 16 first and second ends 18, 20. The second door 28 has a window regulator 250 to move a window pane 254 in and out of a window opening 212.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2003
    Publication date: September 9, 2004
    Inventors: Donald G. Mikolai, Matthew Carey, Muhammed Ayub, Stanley Liu, Kelly Kohlstrand, Stephen L. Bruford, David Glickman