Patents Assigned to FLEX-N-GATE ADVANCED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT LLC
  • Patent number: 11402091
    Abstract: Lamp assembly with thermal transporter. The present disclosure includes disclosure of a lamp assembly, comprising a housing; a cover attached to the housing defining a volume; a light source disposed within the volume; and a thermal transporter in thermal communication with the light source; wherein the thermal transporter comprises a plurality of graphite sheets structured to transfer heat generated by the light source away from the light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Flex-N-Gate Advanced Product Development, LLC
    Inventors: Muhammed Aquil Hamid, Steven Barman, Charles F. Schweitzer, Chirag Hiremath
  • Patent number: 11262043
    Abstract: Lit image projection lamp and assemblies and methods to use the same to generate three-dimensional images. In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the present disclosure, the projection device comprises a light source and a curved lens positioned at a first distance from the light source, wherein the curved lens is a lenticular lens, having a concave portion and a convex portion, and wherein the projection device is configured to generate a homogenous light bar image from light emitted from the light source that passes through the curved lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Flex-N-Gate Advanced Product Development, LLC
    Inventors: Todd M. Nykerk, Lester R. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 11262030
    Abstract: The present application discloses a light pipe assembly having a light pipe with a proximal end, an opposing distal end, a length between the proximal end and the distal end, and a surface, the surface having an emitting portion and an overlay portion, where the light pipe is a material capable of transmitting light with a first refractive index; and a reflective secondary surface having a second refractive index and a width, the reflective secondary surface positioned adjacent the overlay portion of the light pipe, where the first refractive index is greater than the refractive index of air, and the second refractive index is greater than the first refractive index. In at least one embodiment, the reflective secondary surface is a non-metallic material capable of reflecting light. In at least one embodiment, the width of the reflective secondary surface varies along the length of the light pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Flex-N-Gate Advanced Product Development, LLC
    Inventors: Ronie George, James R. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 11247646
    Abstract: An automobile pedal release system that includes a housing having first and second side walls spaced apart by a cleft, where each side wall includes a pocket recessed into an inner surface such that the two pockets oppose one another; a brake pedal assembly having a pivot member disposed in the cleft and defining a pivot axis, first and second bushings, and a brake pedal arm rotatable about the pivot axis relative to the two bushings, where each busing is disposed in a first portion of one pocket and receives one of two ends of the pivot member; and a striker assembly having a striker and two plugs, the striker having an elongated body extending in the cleft between the side walls, where each plug is disposed in a second portion of one pocket and includes a bore that receives one of two ends of the striker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: FLEX-N-GATE ADVANCED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, LLC.
    Inventors: Steve A. Jarjoura, Terry Reid, Ramesh Periasamy
  • Patent number: 11204148
    Abstract: A segmented switchable mirror vehicle headlamp includes a light source, a switchable electrochemical film having a plurality of segments, and a controller electrically coupled with each segment of the plurality of segments, such that each segment of the plurality of segments is individually controllable for switching between a substantially transparent state and a substantially reflective state. The plurality of segments include a low-beam array of segments configured for providing a low-beam light distribution from the light source, and a high-beam array of segments configured for providing a high-beam light distribution from the light source. The controller is configured for switching the low-beam array of segments and the high-beam array of segments between the substantially transparent state and the substantially reflective state for controlling the low-beam light distribution and the high-beam light distribution, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Flex-N-Gate Advanced Product Development, LLC
    Inventors: Todd Nykerk, David Bjarne Hansen, Jeffrey Simchak
  • Patent number: 11143374
    Abstract: Disclosed is a vehicle lighting module. The module uses material that is configured into conical reflectors which are defined into the body. The reflectors include light guides which, along with the reflectors direct illumination from aligned LEDs into a condenser lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Flex-N-Gate Advanced Product Development, LLC
    Inventor: Todd Nykerk
  • Publication number: 20210284250
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a hybrid material panel assembly for a vehicle. The panel assembly includes a panel and a plurality of mounting flanges integrally formed with the panel. The panel is formed of a first material having a first coefficient of thermal expansion. The plurality of mounting flanges are formed of a second material having a second coefficient of thermal expansion, where each of the plurality of mounting flanges include a mounting area that defines a mounting surface and at least one mounting hole. The first coefficient of thermal expansion is greater than the second coefficient of thermal expansion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: FLEX-N-GATE ADVANCED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, LLC
    Inventors: Geoffrey BROOKS, Steven PERUCCA, Jack BEKOU
  • Patent number: 11118749
    Abstract: A switchable vehicle lamp lens assembly includes a vehicle lamp assembly, which includes a lens having a first transparent layer and a second transparent layer adjacent the first transparent layer. A switchable electrochemical film is disposed between the first transparent layer and the second transparent layer, and one or more light sources is positioned behind the lens. In an active mode, the switchable electrochemical film is adapted to be substantially transparent when a voltage is provided, enabling light transmission through the lens from the one or more light sources. In a non-active mode, the switchable electrochemical film is adapted to be substantially opaque when the voltage is removed, blocking light from the one or more light sources. The switchable electrochemical film is alternately switched between the active mode and the non-active mode thereby switching the lens between a substantially transparent state and a substantially opaque state, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Flex-N-Gate Advanced Product Development, LLC
    Inventor: Todd Nykerk
  • Patent number: 11092304
    Abstract: An adaptable-driving-beam headlamp for a vehicle includes a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted on one or more printed circuit boards. An inner lens assembly has a plurality of discrete sub-lenses. Each discrete sub-lens of the inner lens assembly is aligned with a respective one of the plurality of LEDs for shaping emitted light. An outer lens is adapted to receive light from the inner lens assembly and project the light from the vehicle. A camera system for imaging a forward view from the vehicle. A controller is adapted for determining a target location based images received from the camera system such that dimming of one or more LEDs via the controller reduces glare from the vehicle adaptable-driving-beam headlamp as perceived at the target location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Flex-N-Gate Advanced Product Development, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Simchak, David Bjarne Hansen
  • Publication number: 20210206356
    Abstract: An automobile pedal release system that includes a housing having first and second side walls spaced apart by a cleft, where each side wall includes a pocket recessed into an inner surface such that the two pockets oppose one another; a brake pedal assembly having a pivot member disposed in the cleft and defining a pivot axis, first and second bushings, and a brake pedal arm rotatable about the pivot axis relative to the two bushings, where each busing is disposed in a first portion of one pocket and receives one of two ends of the pivot member; and a striker assembly having a striker and two plugs, the striker having an elongated body extending in the cleft between the side walls, where each plug is disposed in a second portion of one pocket and includes a bore that receives one of two ends of the striker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2021
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Applicant: FLEX-N-GATE ADVANCED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, LLC
    Inventors: Steve A. Jarjoura, Terry Reid, Ramesh Periasamy
  • Patent number: 11002987
    Abstract: A floating image apparatus includes a layer of optical films that focuses light from an original image to form a floating image outside of the floating image apparatus. A floating image generation lamp assembly includes a light source for emitting light. A first layer of optical films is aligned adjacent the light source and a second layer of optical films is aligned in parallel with the first layer of optical films. The first layer of optical films and the second layer of optical films are adapted for collectively focusing light emitted from the light source. A mask is disposed between the first layer of optical films and the second layer of optical films for filtering light emitted from the light source to provide a light pattern. The light pattern is projected to form a floating image outside the floating image generation lamp assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Flex-N-Gate Advanced Product Development, LLC
    Inventor: Todd Nykerk
  • Patent number: 10960858
    Abstract: An automobile pedal release system that includes a housing having first and second side walls spaced apart by a cleft, where each side wall includes a pocket recessed into an inner surface such that the two pockets oppose one another; a brake pedal assembly having a pivot member disposed in the cleft and defining a pivot axis, first and second bushings, and a brake pedal arm rotatable about the pivot axis relative to the two bushings, where each busing is disposed in a first portion of one pocket and receives one of two ends of the pivot member; and a striker assembly having a striker and two plugs, the striker having an elongated body extending in the cleft between the side walls, where each plug is disposed in a second portion of one pocket and includes a bore that receives one of two ends of the striker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: FLEX-N-GATE ADVANCED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT LLC.
    Inventors: Steve A. Jarjoura, Terry Reid, Ramesh Periasamy
  • Patent number: 10927576
    Abstract: A method of assembling a vehicle door hinge that includes providing a first bracket comprising a single pivot arm extending transversely from a base of the first bracket, wherein a first pivot axis hole is disposed in the single pivot arm of the first bracket; providing a second bracket comprising a single pivot arm extending transversely from a base of the second bracket, wherein a cylindrical bearing of a pivot bushing is disposed in a second pivot axis hole disposed in the single pivot arm of the second bracket; and coupling a pivot pin to the pivot bushing and the first and second brackets to rotatably couple the first and second brackets together by press fitting a knurled cylindrical surface of the pivot pin with a receiving surface of the single pivot arm of the first bracket that defines the first pivot axis hole, wherein a shoulder of the pivot pin that is adjacent to the knurled cylindrical surface is disposed within a bore of the pivot pin and the second pivot axis hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: FLEX-N-GATE ADVANCED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, LLC.
    Inventors: Rafath Rahman, Murray Dobson, Steven Demoe
  • Patent number: 10899273
    Abstract: An integrated display-light assembly for a vehicle includes a lamp housing for mechanically supporting an outer lens. A light source is positioned within the lamp housing behind a first portion of the outer lens. A display device is positioned within the lamp housing behind a second portion of the outer lens, different than the first portion. The display device illuminates a changeable visual content visible through the outer lens. The display device may be adapted for displaying digital images received from a controller. The light source may provide an automotive lighting function. The outer lens is positioned externally beside the display device and the light source for providing protection from external environmental conditions. The lamp housing is adapted to support the display device, the light source, and the outer lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Flex-N-Gate Advanced Product Development LLC
    Inventors: Todd Nykerk, Les Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10876700
    Abstract: An adaptive beam scanning headlamp for a vehicle includes a plurality of light sources arranged linearly, with each of the plurality of light sources having a linear array of LEDs. A plurality of primary projection lenses shape light from the plurality of light sources. An oscillating mirror obliquely angled between the plurality of primary projection lenses and a secondary projection lens receives light from the plurality of primary projection lenses and redirects the light to the secondary projection lens. The secondary projection lens is adapted to further shape the light for projecting a beam pattern from the vehicle. A controller is adapted for controlling each of the plurality of light sources and the oscillating mirror to actively dim or turn off portions of the beam pattern for reducing glare perceived outside the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Flex-N-Gate Advanced Product Development, LLC
    Inventor: Jonathan Scoville
  • Patent number: 10876701
    Abstract: A programmable glare-free high beam device onboard a vehicle includes a plurality of light sources and an input coupler for combining light from the plurality of light sources. A focusing lens is adapted to receive light emitted from the input coupler and focus the light onto a digital micro-mirror device (DMD). The DMD has a plurality of individual micro-mirrors for reflecting light received from the focusing lens. A projection lens is adapted to receive light from the DMD and to project the light to form a spot distribution of a high beam light pattern. A plurality of auxiliary optics are adapted to form a broadened distribution of the high beam light pattern. A controller is provided for adaptively controlling the plurality of LEDs, the DMD, and the plurality of auxiliary optics to actively dim or turn off portions of the high beam light pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Flex-N-Gate Advanced Product Development, LLC
    Inventors: Ronie George, Matthew Steven Beilfuss
  • Patent number: 10876699
    Abstract: An adaptive driving beam headlamp includes a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) aligned in a first direction. One or more projection lenses having a toric-shape are adapted for shaping light emitted from the plurality of LEDs along the first direction. A beam shaping optic is adapted to shape light emitted from the one or more projection lenses along a second direction, different from the first direction, such that a desired beam shaping pattern is produced by the beam shaping optic in combination with the one or more projection lenses. A controller is adapted for independently controlling each of the plurality of LEDs for adaptively dimming portions of a vehicle headlamp beam of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Flex-N-Gate Advanced Product Development, LLC
    Inventor: Brett Reid Spencer
  • Publication number: 20200400283
    Abstract: Lit image projection lamp and assemblies and methods to use the same to generate three-dimensional images. In an exemplary embodiment of a projection device of the present disclosure, the projection device comprises a light source and a curved lens positioned at a first distance from the light source, wherein the curved lens is a lenticular lens, having a concave portion and a convex portion, and wherein the projection device is configured to generate a homogenous light bar image from light emitted from the light source that passes through the curved lens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Publication date: December 24, 2020
    Applicant: Flex-N-Gate Advanced Product Development, LLC
    Inventors: TODD M. NYKERK, Lester R. Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10851952
    Abstract: A reflective-ink lighting assembly includes a light transferring medium, a reflective-ink marking in the light transferring medium, and a light source adapted to insert light into the light transferring medium. In a lit state, light from the light source propagates through the light transferring medium by total-internal reflection. As propagated light reflects off the reflective-ink marking, some light exits through a façade of the light transferring medium to produce an illuminated marking. In an unlit state, the reflective-ink marking remains visible due to ambient light reflecting off the reflective-ink marking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Flex-N-Gate Advanced Product Development, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan Scoville, Les Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10851962
    Abstract: A backlit three-dimensional lamp for a vehicle includes an indicia rendering disposed on a transparent lenticular sheet, an outer lens positioned in front of the transparent lenticular sheet, and a light source positioned behind the transparent lenticular sheet. The light source provides backlighting of the indicia rendering such that the lenticular sheet projects a forward image that hovers beyond the outer lens. A vehicle light assembly includes a light source adapted to produce a substantially homogeneous light, a rendering of indicia located adjacent the light source and facing away from the light source such that the rendering of indicia is backlit by the light source, and an array of light-modifying elements aligned with the light source to at least partially cover the rendering of indicia for creating a projection of the rendering of indicia outside the vehicle light assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: Flex-N-Gate Advanced Product Development, LLC
    Inventors: Todd Nykerk, Les Sullivan