Patents Assigned to FLEX-N-GATE ADVANCED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT LLC
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Patent number: 11402091Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 31, 2016Date of Patent: August 2, 2022Assignee: Flex-N-Gate Advanced Product Development, LLCInventors: Muhammed Aquil Hamid, Steven Barman, Charles F. Schweitzer, Chirag Hiremath
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Patent number: 11262043Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 1, 2020Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: Flex-N-Gate Advanced Product Development, LLCInventors: Todd M. Nykerk, Lester R. Sullivan
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Patent number: 11262030Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 15, 2019Date of Patent: March 1, 2022Assignee: Flex-N-Gate Advanced Product Development, LLCInventors: Ronie George, James R. Rhodes
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Patent number: 11247646Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 19, 2021Date of Patent: February 15, 2022Assignee: FLEX-N-GATE ADVANCED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, LLC.Inventors: Steve A. Jarjoura, Terry Reid, Ramesh Periasamy
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Patent number: 11204148Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 19, 2020Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignee: Flex-N-Gate Advanced Product Development, LLCInventors: Todd Nykerk, David Bjarne Hansen, Jeffrey Simchak
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Patent number: 11143374Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 10, 2019Date of Patent: October 12, 2021Assignee: Flex-N-Gate Advanced Product Development, LLCInventor: Todd Nykerk
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Publication number: 20210284250Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2021Publication date: September 16, 2021Applicant: FLEX-N-GATE ADVANCED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, LLCInventors: Geoffrey BROOKS, Steven PERUCCA, Jack BEKOU
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Patent number: 11118749Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 14, 2020Date of Patent: September 14, 2021Assignee: Flex-N-Gate Advanced Product Development, LLCInventor: Todd Nykerk
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Patent number: 11092304Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 5, 2019Date of Patent: August 17, 2021Assignee: Flex-N-Gate Advanced Product Development, LLCInventors: Jeffrey Simchak, David Bjarne Hansen
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Publication number: 20210206356Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 19, 2021Publication date: July 8, 2021Applicant: FLEX-N-GATE ADVANCED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, LLCInventors: Steve A. Jarjoura, Terry Reid, Ramesh Periasamy
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Patent number: 11002987Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 19, 2019Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: Flex-N-Gate Advanced Product Development, LLCInventor: Todd Nykerk
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Patent number: 10960858Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 22, 2019Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: FLEX-N-GATE ADVANCED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT LLC.Inventors: Steve A. Jarjoura, Terry Reid, Ramesh Periasamy
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Patent number: 10927576Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 18, 2019Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: FLEX-N-GATE ADVANCED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, LLC.Inventors: Rafath Rahman, Murray Dobson, Steven Demoe
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Patent number: 10899273Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 25, 2018Date of Patent: January 26, 2021Assignee: Flex-N-Gate Advanced Product Development LLCInventors: Todd Nykerk, Les Sullivan
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Patent number: 10876700Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 5, 2019Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Flex-N-Gate Advanced Product Development, LLCInventor: Jonathan Scoville
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Patent number: 10876701Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 5, 2019Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Flex-N-Gate Advanced Product Development, LLCInventors: Ronie George, Matthew Steven Beilfuss
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Patent number: 10876699Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 5, 2019Date of Patent: December 29, 2020Assignee: Flex-N-Gate Advanced Product Development, LLCInventor: Brett Reid Spencer
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Publication number: 20200400283Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2020Publication date: December 24, 2020Applicant: Flex-N-Gate Advanced Product Development, LLCInventors: TODD M. NYKERK, Lester R. Sullivan
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Patent number: 10851952Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 11, 2019Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: Flex-N-Gate Advanced Product Development, LLCInventors: Jonathan Scoville, Les Sullivan
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Patent number: 10851962Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 1, 2018Date of Patent: December 1, 2020Assignee: Flex-N-Gate Advanced Product Development, LLCInventors: Todd Nykerk, Les Sullivan