Patents by Inventor Adam Michael Ludwig
Adam Michael Ludwig 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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Patent number: 8366303Abstract: The present invention provides an automotive interior lamp assembly mounted to an automotive headliner further including a curtain side airbag mounted about the headliner. As the curtain side airbag quickly deploys and forces through the vehicle headliner, the lamp assembly can be forcibly detached from the headliner at a high rate of speed. The present invention provides an improved retainer to better attach the light assembly to the headliner thereby preventing detachment of the lamp assembly from the headliner. The lamp assembly includes a lamp housing having a lamp receiving configured to accept a lamp. The housing further includes a retainer receiving side configured to accept a retainer. The retainer attached to the housing by means of a plurality of attachment members provided on the retainer, and at least one snap member also provided on the retainer. The housing has a plurality of attachment member receiving cavities and at least one snap member receiving cavity.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2009Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Adam Michael Ludwig, Jeff Charles Hills, Jim Scheerhorn
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Patent number: 8240750Abstract: An air duct system which mates an air duct attached to the roof of an automotive vehicle and an air duct attached to a nonexposed surface of a headliner is provided. The air duct system is attached to an air supply which delivers directed air and is disposed between an inner surface of the roof and the nonexposed surface of the headliner. The headliner includes an opening into the passenger compartment of the automotive vehicle. The air duct system includes a first air duct and a second air duct. The first air duct is attached to the inner surface of the roof, and the second air duct is attached to the nonexposed surface of the headliner. Upon installation of the headliner to the roof a portal on the first air duct registers with a portal on the second air duct so as to provide an air flow passage between said first air duct and said second air duct.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2009Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Adam Michael Ludwig, Jeff Charles Hills, Donald Federico
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Publication number: 20120193383Abstract: An integrated clothesline assembly, for supporting garments between two opposing surfaces, includes an assist grip handle attached to one of the two surfaces. The assist grip handle includes a body portion adapted to be gripped by a user, and at least one attachment portion to secure the assist grip handle to one of the surfaces. A retractable cord is disposed within the assist grip handle. The retractable cord includes a free end, and is positionable between a retracted position and an extended position. In the retracted position, the free end is positioned adjacent an outer surface of the assist grip handle, and in the extended position the free end is positioned remote from the assist grip handle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2011Publication date: August 2, 2012Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Adam Michael Ludwig
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Patent number: 8141940Abstract: A headliner assembly for covering an inner surface of an automotive vehicle roof having an opening is provided. The headliner assembly includes a dimensionally stable substrate having an upper surface facing the inner surface of the roof, and an opposite lower surface. The substrate is secured to the opening of the roof at an attachment point. A reinforcement member having a top surface and an opposite bottom surface fixedly secured to the top surface of the substrate. The reinforcement member is disposed adjacent the attachment point to provide additional rigidity to a region of the substrate surrounding the attachment point.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2009Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Adam Michael Ludwig, Jeff Charles Hills
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Patent number: 7967486Abstract: The present invention provides a lighting assembly wherein a trim ring, containing a lighting assembly, is mounted on a vehicle headliner. The lighting assembly contains a lighting element having a light engine. The light engine having a housing and a light source mounted within the housing. The housing optionally containing a circuit board adapted to control light emitting from the light source. The light source contained within the housing may either be an LED or a traditional light bulb. The light source may optionally be colored, or textured, to provide unique ambient mood light options. The assembly further provides a light pipe having at least one light pipe aperture. The lighting element positioned adjacent, or connected to, the light pipe aperture. The light source in the lighting element directs light down the light pipe thereby creating a uniform output of light along the light pipe.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 2009Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Adam Michael Ludwig, Jim Scheerhorn, Ralph Spooner
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Publication number: 20110127805Abstract: A headliner assembly for covering an inner surface of an automotive vehicle roof having an opening is provided. The headliner assembly includes a dimensionally stable substrate having an upper surface facing the inner surface of the roof, and an opposite lower surface. The substrate is secured to the opening of the roof at an attachment point. A reinforcement member having a top surface and an opposite bottom surface fixedly secured to the top surface of the substrate. The reinforcement member is disposed adjacent the attachment point to provide additional rigidity to a region of the substrate surrounding the attachment point.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2009Publication date: June 2, 2011Inventors: Adam Michael Ludwig, Jeff Charles Hills
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Publication number: 20110127807Abstract: A moon roof assembly for a vehicle includes an actuator-driven panel having an open position and a closed position. A moon roof trim ring at least partially surrounds the panel. The moon roof trim ring includes a control housing for supporting a control system. A control system is located in the control housing. The control system includes a control member that is exposed through an opening in the moon roof trim ring for actuating the control member and moving the panel between the open position and the closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2009Publication date: June 2, 2011Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Adam Michael Ludwig, Stephen Bie Khoe, Jim Scheerhorn
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Publication number: 20110127803Abstract: An air duct system which mates an air duct attached to the roof of an automotive vehicle and an air duct attached to a nonexposed surface of a headliner is provided. The air duct system is attached to an air supply which delivers directed air and is disposed between an inner surface of the roof and the nonexposed surface of the headliner. The headliner includes an opening into the passenger compartment of the automotive vehicle. The air duct system includes a first air duct and a second air duct. The first air duct is attached to the inner surface of the roof, and the second air duct is attached to the nonexposed surface of the headliner. Upon installation of the headliner to the roof a portal on the first air duct registers with a portal on the second air duct so as to provide an air flow passage between said first air duct and said second air duct.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2009Publication date: June 2, 2011Applicants: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc., Johnson Controls, Inc.Inventors: Adam Michael Ludwig, Jeff Charles Hills, Donald Federico
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Publication number: 20110128749Abstract: The present invention provides an automotive interior lamp assembly mounted to an automotive headliner further including a curtain side airbag mounted about the headliner. As the curtain side airbag quickly deploys and forces through the vehicle headliner, the lamp assembly can be forcibly detached from the headliner at a high rate of speed. The present invention provides an improved retainer to better attach the light assembly to the headliner thereby preventing detachment of the lamp assembly from the headliner. The lamp assembly includes a lamp housing having a lamp receiving configured to accept a lamp. The housing further includes a retainer receiving side configured to accept a retainer. The retainer attached to the housing by means of a plurality of attachment members provided on the retainer, and at least one snap member also provided on the retainer. The housing has a plurality of attachment member receiving cavities and at least one snap member receiving cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2009Publication date: June 2, 2011Inventors: Adam Michael Ludwig, Jeff Charles Hills, Jim Scheerhorn
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Publication number: 20110128755Abstract: The present invention provides a lighting assembly wherein a trim ring, containing a lighting assembly, is mounted on a vehicle headliner. The lighting assembly contains a lighting element having a light engine. The light engine having a housing and a light source mounted within the housing. The housing optionally containing a circuit board adapted to control light emitting from the light source. The light source contained within the housing may either be an LED or a traditional light bulb. The light source may optionally be colored, or textured, to provide unique ambient mood light options. The assembly further provides a light pipe having at least one light pipe aperture. The lighting element positioned adjacent, or connected to, the light pipe aperture. The light source in the lighting element directs light down the light pipe thereby creating a uniform output of light along the light pipe.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 1, 2009Publication date: June 2, 2011Inventors: Adam Michael Ludwig, Jim Scheerhorn, Ralph Spooner
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Patent number: 7938482Abstract: A moon roof assembly for a vehicle includes an actuator-driven panel having an open position and a closed position. A moon roof trim ring at least partially surrounds the panel. The moon roof trim ring includes a control housing for supporting a control system. A control system is located in the control housing. The control system includes a control member that is exposed through an opening in the moon roof trim ring for actuating the control member and moving the panel between the open position and the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2009Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Adam Michael Ludwig, Stephen Bie Khoe, Jim Scheerhorn
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Publication number: 20110028077Abstract: A headliner duct for a heating-venting-air conditioning (HVAC) system in a motor vehicle is provided. The headliner duct can include a headliner and an elongated thermoformed aircap that has a wall and is bonded to a top side of the headliner. The thermoformed aircap and the headliner form an air duct, the air duct having an inlet and being operable to have an air flow pass therethrough. The elongated thermoformed aircap has an air-kick that is integral with the wall of the aircap and extends into an air flow region thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2009Publication date: February 3, 2011Applicant: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Adam Michael Ludwig, Donald Federico, Yan Liu
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Patent number: 7513566Abstract: An energy absorbent and stiffening assembly for an automotive headliner. The assembly includes at least one energy absorbent cone and at least one stiffening rib joined with and extending outwardly from the energy absorbent cone which stiffens the headliner.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2006Date of Patent: April 7, 2009Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventor: Adam Michael Ludwig