Patents by Inventor Torsten Gerhardt
Torsten Gerhardt 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).
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Publication number: 20170259879Abstract: A bicycle includes a frame including first and second segments pivotable relative to each other between a folded position and an unfolded position. A magnet is fixed relative to the first segment. An electromagnet is fixed relative to the second segment and disposed in a magnetic field of the magnet when the frame is in the folded position. A controller is configured to power the electromagnet to repel the magnet to unfold the frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2017Publication date: September 14, 2017Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Bruce Southey, Simon Potticary, James Neugebauer, Torsten Gerhardt, Richard Craven, James Lloyd, Jonathan Mundy
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Patent number: 9751407Abstract: A system is disclosed having a primary vehicle and a secondary vehicle that is carried by the primary vehicle when not in use. The system further includes at least one of an immobilizing device to immobilize the primary vehicle if the secondary vehicle is removed from the primary vehicle, a data storage device for storing information regarding usage of the primary and secondary vehicles, a user interface device for displaying information regarding usage of the primary and secondary vehicles, and a user prompt for providing information regarding potential opportunities for use of the secondary vehicle to encourage usage of the secondary vehicle and lower CO2 emissions.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2016Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Torsten Gerhardt, Marcus Hurst, Robert Spahl, David Burrage
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Patent number: 9701356Abstract: A bicycle includes a frame including first and second segments pivotable relative to each other between a folded position and an unfolded position. A magnet is fixed relative to the first segment. An electromagnet is fixed relative to the second segment and disposed in a magnetic field of the magnet when the frame is in the folded position. A controller is configured to power the electromagnet to repel the magnet to unfold the frame.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2015Date of Patent: July 11, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Bruce Southey, Simon Potticary, James Neugebauer, Torsten Gerhardt, Richard Craven, James Loyd, Jonathan Mundy
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Patent number: 9663177Abstract: An electric bicycle includes a crank, a driving gear and a driven gear spaced from each other, and a belt engaged with the driving gear and the driven gear. An electric motor is coupled to the driving gear. A freewheel is disposed between the crank and the driving gear. At least a portion of the motor is concentric about the freewheel.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2015Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Richard Craven, Simon Potticary, Torsten Gerhardt, James Lloyd, Jonathan Mundy, Bruce Southey, James Neugebauer
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Patent number: 9616959Abstract: A bicycle includes a handlebar and a vibration generator supported on the handlebar. A sensor is configured to detect an overcoming vehicle. A controller is configured to activate the vibration generator when the sensor detects an overcoming vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2015Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: James Neugebauer, Bruce Southey, James Lloyd, Torsten Gerhardt, Richard Craven, Simon Potticary, Jonathan Mundy
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Patent number: 9610996Abstract: A bicycle includes a frame and a seat post removably engaged with the frame. A light source is supported by the seat post. A power source is supported by the seat post. A switch is disposed between the light source and the power source.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2015Date of Patent: April 4, 2017Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: James Neugebauer, Torsten Gerhardt, Bruce Southey, Simon Potticary, James Lloyd, Richard Craven, Jonathan Mundy
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Publication number: 20170080835Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a first seating unit having a backrest, which includes a front side and a back side. An armrest I operably coupled with an intermediate portion of the back side and is configured for use by a passenger seated in a second seating unit disposed behind but laterally offset from the first seating unit. The armrest is moveable between an in-use position, wherein an upper surface of the armrest is generally horizontally positioned and available to support the passenger, and a stowed position, wherein the armrest is generally adjacent to a rear face of the backrest of the first seating unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2016Publication date: March 23, 2017Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Teresa Mendicino, Torsten Gerhardt, David Woodhouse, Lewis Blaber
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Patent number: 9573646Abstract: An apparatus includes a bicycle frame defining a bore, and a bicycle seat assembly including a post received in the bore. An indicating unit is configured to indicate a first position of the post along the bore for a first user and a second position of the post along the bore for a second user. An identification unit is configured to identify the first user and the second user. A computing device includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instruction such that the processor is programmed to instruct the indicating unit to indicate the first position when the identification unit identifies the first user and to instruct the indicating unit to indicate the second position when the identification unit identifies the second user.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2015Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: James Lloyd, Jonathan Mundy, Bruce Southey, Simon Potticary, James Neugebauer, Torsten Gerhardt, Richard Craven
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Publication number: 20160375799Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a front seat and a rear seat, each having a backrest and a squab. The front and rear seats are arranged in a staggered duplex overlapping relationship. A portion of a front edge of the rear seat squab overlaps a portion of a rear edge of the front seat squab. An inboard edge of the rear seat squab overlaps a portion of an inboard edge of the front seat squab. A longitudinal distance measured from a front edge of the front seat squab to a rear edge of the rear seat squab is less than the sum of the longitudinal lengths of the front and rear seat squabs. A transverse distance measured from an outboard edge of the front seat squab to an outboard edge of the rear seat squab is less than the sum of the widths of the front and rear seat squabs.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 7, 2016Publication date: December 29, 2016Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: David Woodhouse, Torsten Gerhardt, Robert Spahl
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Patent number: 9511694Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a first seating unit having a backrest, which includes a front side and a back side. An armrest is operably coupled with an intermediate portion of the back side and is configured for use by a passenger seated in a second seating unit disposed behind but laterally offset from the first seating unit. The armrest is moveable between an in-use position, wherein an upper surface of the armrest is generally horizontally positioned and available to support the passenger, and a stowed position, wherein the armrest is generally adjacent to a rear face of the backrest of the first seating unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2013Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Teresa Mendicino, Torsten Gerhardt, David Woodhouse, Lewis Blaber
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Patent number: 9446686Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a front seat and a rear seat, each having a backrest and a squab. The front and rear seats are arranged in a staggered duplex overlapping relationship. A portion of a front edge of the rear seat squab overlaps a portion of a rear edge of the front seat squab. An inboard edge of the rear seat squab overlaps a portion of an inboard edge of the front seat squab. A longitudinal distance measured from a front edge of the front seat squab to a rear edge of the rear seat squab is less than the sum of the longitudinal lengths of the front and rear seat squabs. A transverse distance measured from an outboard edge of the front seat squab to an outboard edge of the rear seat squab is less than the sum of the widths of the front and rear seat squabs.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2013Date of Patent: September 20, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: David Woodhouse, Torsten Gerhardt, Robert Spahl
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Publication number: 20160250926Abstract: A system is disclosed having a primary vehicle and a secondary vehicle that is carried by the primary vehicle when not in use. The system further includes at least one of an immobilizing device to immobilize the primary vehicle if the secondary vehicle is removed from the primary vehicle, a data storage device for storing information regarding usage of the primary and secondary vehicles, a user interface device for displaying information regarding usage of the primary and secondary vehicles, and a user prompt for providing information regarding potential opportunities for use of the secondary vehicle to encourage usage of the secondary vehicle and lower CO2 emissions.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2016Publication date: September 1, 2016Inventors: Torsten Gerhardt, Marcus Hurst, Robert Spahl, David Burrage
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Patent number: 9333996Abstract: A system is disclosed having a primary vehicle and a secondary vehicle that is carried by the primary vehicle when not in use. The system further includes at least one of an immobilizing device to immobilize the primary vehicle if the secondary vehicle is removed from the primary vehicle, a data storage device for storing information regarding usage of the primary and secondary vehicles, a user interface device for displaying information regarding usage of the primary and secondary vehicles, and a user prompt for providing information regarding potential opportunities for use of the secondary vehicle to encourage usage of the secondary vehicle and lower CO2 emissions.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2014Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Torsten Gerhardt, Marcus Hurst, Robert Spahl, David Burrage
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Patent number: 9283989Abstract: A laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least three wheels. The first and second wheels are assigned to a common axle to form a first wheel pair. A first wheel control part suspends the first wheel of the wheel pair from the vehicle body and a second wheel control part suspends the second wheel of the wheel pair from the vehicle body. The first wheel control part is coupled to the second wheel control part via a double lever rotatably mounted on the vehicle body. At least two pivot points for the double lever can be defined on the vehicle body, the pivot points being spaced apart in a direction of a longitudinal extent of the double lever.Type: GrantFiled: March 7, 2014Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Robert Spahl, Edmund Halfmann, Torsten Gerhardt, Marc Simon
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Publication number: 20160031513Abstract: A bicycle includes a handlebar and a vibration generator supported on the handlebar. A sensor is configured to detect an overcoming vehicle. A controller is configured to activate the vibration generator when the sensor detects an overcoming vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2015Publication date: February 4, 2016Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: James Neugebauer, Bruce Southey, James Lloyd, Torsten Gerhardt, Richard Craven, Simon Potticary, Jonathan Mundy
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Publication number: 20160031524Abstract: An electric bicycle includes a motor and a controller. A heart rate monitor is programmed to communicate a heart rate signal representing a heart rate of an occupant to the controller. The controller is programmed to receive a destination distance of the electric bicycle relative to a predetermined destination. The controller is programmed to provide instruction to adjust power to the motor based at least on the heart rate signal and the destination distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2015Publication date: February 4, 2016Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Torsten Gerhardt, Jonathan Mundy, James Lloyd, James Neugebauer, Simon Potticary, Richard Craven, Bruce Southey
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Publication number: 20160031506Abstract: An apparatus includes a bicycle frame defining a bore, and a bicycle seat assembly including a post received in the bore. An indicating unit is configured to indicate a first position of the post along the bore for a first user and a second position of the post along the bore for a second user. An identification unit is configured to identify the first user and the second user. A computing device includes a processor and a memory, the memory storing instruction such that the processor is programmed to instruct the indicating unit to indicate the first position when the identification unit identifies the first user and to instruct the indicating unit to indicate the second position when the identification unit identifies the second user.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2015Publication date: February 4, 2016Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: James Lloyd, Jonathan Mundy, Bruce Southey, Simon Potticary, James Neugebauer, Torsten Gerhardt, Richard Craven
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Publication number: 20160031517Abstract: A bicycle includes a frame including first and second segments pivotable relative to each other between a folded position and an unfolded position. The first segment has a first face and the second segment has a second face facing the first face in the unfolded position. A hinge is disposed between the first and second faces. A locking device extends through at least one of the first and second faces.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2015Publication date: February 4, 2016Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: James Neugebauer, Bruce Southey, James Lloyd, Richard Craven, Torsten Gerhardt, Simon Potticary, Jonathan Mundy
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Publication number: 20160031507Abstract: A bicycle includes a frame and a seat post removably engaged with the frame. A light source is supported by the seat post. A power source is supported by the seat post. A switch is disposed between the light source and the power source.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 21, 2015Publication date: February 4, 2016Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: James Neugebauer, Torsten Gerhardt, Bruce Southey, Simon Potticary, James Lloyd, Richard Craven, Jonathan Mundy
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Patent number: D758242Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2015Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Richard Craven, Torsten Gerhardt, James Lloyd, Jonathan Mundy, James Neugebauer, Simon Potticary, Bruce Southey