Patents Examined by Jason Moon Han
  • Patent number: 9840193
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided herein that includes a door coupled to a body structure of a vehicle. The door is movable between a first and a second position to provide access to an interior portion of the vehicle. A photoluminescent structure is disposed on the door and is configured to luminesce in response to excitation light emitted by a light source. The light source is vertically disposed below the photoluminescent structure on the door in both the first and second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Vichit Chea, Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman
  • Patent number: 9839244
    Abstract: An illuminated glove assembly includes a glove and an illumination data controller. The glove has a body portion, a longitudinal glove axis, a pointer extension, a pinky extension, a wrist strap and a pocket portion. The wrist strap is positioned at a proximal end of the body portion. A securing mechanism is connected to the wrist strap and the pointer extension and pinky extension extend from a distal end of the body portion. The pointer extension is positioned on a first side of the longitudinal axis and the pinky extension is positioned on a second side of the longitudinal axis. The pocket portion is secured to and defines a pocket with the body portion. An opening of the pocket is defined proximate the distal end of the body. The illumination data controller is configured for selective mounting in the pocket and includes a housing with a front face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Mangata, LLC
    Inventor: Mary Tiffin
  • Patent number: 9839098
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a light assembly of a vehicle is provided herein. The light assembly includes an array of light sources and a plurality of light-directing elements, each configured to direct light received from the light sources in an associated direction. A sensor arrangement is configured to sense a user-supplied action and a controller determines which light sources to activate in response to the sensed user-supplied action.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Jeffrey Singer, Pietro Buttolo, Arun Kumar
  • Patent number: 9827903
    Abstract: A light system for a vehicle is provided herein. The light system includes a trim panel having an upper portion disposed proximately to an opening. A light guide is coupled to the panel. The light guide has an upper portion disposed between the trim panel and the opening and is configured to direct an excitation light therethrough. A light transmissive member is operably coupled with the light guide having a photoluminescent structure configured to convert an excitation light into a converted light. The converted light is directed towards a trim panel feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Jeffrey Singer, James J. Surman, Cornel Lewis Gardner
  • Patent number: 9821710
    Abstract: A vehicle notification system is disclosed. The system comprises a light generating layer conforming to a surface of a decklid configured to enclose a storage compartment. The light generating layer comprises a plurality of LEDs in a semiconductor ink operable to emit a first emission. The system further comprises a controller configured to selectively activate the plurality of LEDs in response to a first signal from a decklid ajar indicator and a second signal from an emergency lighting module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Christopher Charles Hunt, Doug H. Randlett, Chad Hoover
  • Patent number: 9821702
    Abstract: A warning light for attachment to a vehicle comprising a thermally conductive longitudinally extending base, a plurality of light head mount assemblies, a plurality of LED warning light assemblies, and a plurality of electronic control circuits. Said base has a pair of generally parallel longitudinal edges and a pair of ribs projecting perpendicularly from said base. Said light head mount assemblies comprise a bracket and a light head retention shoe. Said bracket has a generally planar bracket first portion and a generally planar bracket second portion oriented perpendicular to said first portion. Said light head shoe has a sole configured to engage said bracket first portion, a rib engaging portion, and a brace extending angularly therebetween. Said LED assemblies are mounted on said bracket second portion. Said dome has a main body portion, sidewalls configured to engage said edges, and end walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: Whelen Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: William F. Grote, Jr., Jon H. Lyons
  • Patent number: 9815402
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a cargo box including at least one side wall. A tailgate is coupled to the box and operable between open and closed positions. A light assembly is positioned in a vehicle rear portion of the at least one side wall. A box light is configured to emit light into the box and a puddle lamp is configured to emit light in a vehicle rearward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Cornel Lewis Gardner
  • Patent number: 9810387
    Abstract: A solar and fuel powered portable light tower includes a portable base, a light panel arm, a primary power source, a secondary power source, and a control box. The light panel arm, that includes a plurality of light panels, is connected to the portable base while the primary and secondary power sources are positioned within the portable base. The control box, which is positioned within the portable base, controls the solar and fuel powered portable light tower. An insulated wall within the portable base separates the primary power source and the secondary power source for safety purposes. The plurality of light panels is preferably powered the primary power source that includes a plurality of photovoltaic panels and batteries. The plurality of light panels is also powered by the secondary power source that also acts as an onsite generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Inventor: Jeremy Walter Knodel
  • Patent number: 9809161
    Abstract: A vehicle cup holder includes a console substrate defining a cup well. A light source is positioned to emit light into the cup well. An insert is positioned within the cup well and defines a base wall and a side wall. At least one of the base wall and the side wall defines a diffraction grating. A holographic film is positioned between the insert and the console substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Christopher Anthony Danowski, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Pietro Buttolo, James J. Surman
  • Patent number: 9802534
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided herein that includes a pickup box defining a storage compartment therein. A liner is disposed on an exterior surface of the pickup box. A first luminescent structure is disposed within the liner and is configured to luminesce in response to receiving excitation light from a first light source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Scott Low
  • Patent number: 9805924
    Abstract: A lamp assembly including a housing defining an internal volume and a lamp positioned in the internal volume, the lamp including a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the first electrode is both thermally and electrically coupled to the housing, and wherein the second electrode is thermally coupled to the housing by way of a thermally conductive, electrically insulative material and a heat transfer element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Douglas R. Jungwirth, Anton M. Bouckaert, Christina Vlastelica
  • Patent number: 9802531
    Abstract: A vehicle is presented that includes a lift gate operably connected to a body and operable between open and closed positions. A taillight is positioned at a rear end of the body. A cargo lamp is positioned on an inboard surface of the taillight such that the cargo lamp is concealed when the lift gate is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Annette Lynn Huebner, Cornel Lewis Gardner, Stephen Kenneth Helwig
  • Patent number: 9803822
    Abstract: A vehicle reflective assembly is provided herein. The reflective assembly includes a lens and a housing attached to the lens. The lens includes a reflective assembly portion. A base layer having reflective characteristics is disposed on the lens in the reflective assembly portion. A photoluminescent structure is disposed on the base layer and is configured to luminesce in response to receiving an excitation light emitted by a light source. A reflective layer is disposed on the photoluminescent structure and has one or more reflective beads configured to reflect a first portion of incident light directed towards the reflective assembly portion and allow a second portion of the incident light to pass therethrough. The second portion of the incident light includes the excitation light therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Stephen Kenneth Helwig, Aaron Bradley Johnson, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Joseph Myszka
  • Patent number: 9804443
    Abstract: A display apparatus includes plural light source units each including a light emitting device and a lens portion; a reflection sheet defining plural holes thereof and into which the light source units are respectively disposed; and a display panel on the reflection sheet. The lens portion defines: a body portion; and plural side protruding portions and respectively at opposing sides of the body portion in a first direction in a top plan view. The hole of the reflection sheet is defined by: an edge of a first hole; an edge of a second hole facing the first hole in a second direction crossing the first direction, the second hole larger than the first hole; and slanted edges connecting the first hole to the second hole. In a fixed state of the reflection sheet, a predetermined area of the reflection sheet adjacent to the slanted edges overlaps the side protruding portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seong-yong Hwang, Byung-seo Yoon, Yong-hwi Kim, Minjeong Kim, Hyunjin Maeng, Kisoo Park, Soonick Jang
  • Patent number: 9796325
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting system is provided herein and includes light-producing assemblies, each coupled to a body portion of a vehicle. At least one light-sensing device is included for sensing ambient light levels. A controller is configured to selectively activate each of the light-producing assemblies at a variable intensity as a function of a sensed ambient light level and/or a determined direction of the ambient light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Pietro Buttolo, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Sleiman N. Abdelnour, Stephen Kenneth Helwig
  • Patent number: 9789810
    Abstract: A vehicle illumination apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises at least one aperture disposed in a panel of the vehicle. A light source is disposed proximate the aperture and configured to emit a first emission having a first wavelength. A first photoluminescent portion is disposed proximate the panel substantially within the aperture and configured to emit a second emission having a second wavelength in response to receiving the first emission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Michael James Whitens, Cornel Lewis Gardner
  • Patent number: 9791121
    Abstract: A lamp for a vehicle comprises a lens disposed on an optical axis, a light source disposed at a rear of a focal point of the lens, a reflector configured to reflect light emitted from the light source forward, a supporting plate configured to be coupled to a lower part of the reflector, a first coupling unit configured to couple the supporting plate and the reflector from a front of the supporting plate and the reflector, and a second coupling unit configured to couple the supporting plate and the reflector from a rear of the supporting plate and the reflector. The first coupling unit and the second coupling unit have different coupling surfaces from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: SL Corporation
    Inventor: Yong-Hwan Kim
  • Patent number: 9772101
    Abstract: An illumination device comprises a holder, a plurality of light emitting elements, a translucent cover and a lamp cap structure. The holder comprises a heat dissipating base body and a carrying unit. The carrying unit is connected to a top portion of the heat dissipating base body and comprises a carrying base body, a circuit pattern and a heat dissipating pattern, the circuit pattern and the heat dissipating pattern are directly formed to a surface of the carrying base body, the circuit pattern has a plurality of mounting positions, the heat dissipating pattern at least extends from a region close to the mounting position to a region where the heat dissipating pattern can contact the heat dissipating base body. The plurality of light emitting elements are respectively provided at the plurality of the mounting positions and establish an electrical connection with the circuit pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Molex, LLC
    Inventor: Yi-Tse Ho
  • Patent number: 9771019
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The illumination apparatus comprises at least one light source disposed in a portion of a side mirror assembly of the vehicle. The light source is configured to emit an excitation emission at a first wavelength substantially along a side portion of the vehicle. The illumination apparatus further comprises a photoluminescent portion disposed on a surface of the vehicle. The excitation emission is configured to excite the photoluminescent portion to emit an output emission corresponding to a different color of light than the first excitation emission.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Michael James Whitens, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman
  • Patent number: 9758088
    Abstract: A roof rack assembly is provided herein. A pair of support racks are provided on a roof structure of a vehicle. A first light source is coupled to each of the support racks and is disposed to downwardly project a light beam across a hood of the vehicle. A second light source is coupled to each of the support racks and is disposed to downwardly project a light beam to illuminate a corresponding ground area proximate a corner of the vehicle. A third light source is coupled to each of the support racks and is disposed to downwardly project a light beam to illuminate a corresponding ground area proximate a door of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Aaron Bradley Johnson, James J. Surman, Paul Kenneth Dellock