Patents by Inventor Benjamin Howard

Benjamin Howard 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).

  • Patent number: 12103495
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a front trunk including a number of features, which can be used for work purposes, entertainment purposes, or both. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a motor vehicle, including: a front trunk establishing a cargo space; a first panel moveable between a closed position in which the first panel covers the front trunk and an open position in which the first panel uncovers the front trunk, wherein the first panel includes a first surface facing the cargo space when the first panel is in the closed position; and an electronic visual display mounted to the first surface, wherein the first panel and the electronic visual display are configured such the electronic visual display is substantially perpendicular a ground surface beneath the motor vehicle when the first panel is in the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael John Harmon, Erol Ozcelik, Hussain Z. Tajmahal, Benjamin Howard, Kathryn N. Cezar, Leyna Hirsch
  • Patent number: 12017615
    Abstract: A front trunk includes a closure section configurable into two deployed positions, namely an intermediate deployed position and a fully deployed position. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a motor vehicle, including: a front trunk establishing a cargo space; and a closure assembly configured to selectively cover and uncover the front trunk, wherein the closure assembly includes an upper section and a lower section moveable independent of the upper section, wherein the lower section is configured to move between a closed position, an intermediate deployed position in which the lower section uncovers a portion of the front trunk, and a fully deployed position in which an upper surface area of the lower section is greater than the upper surface area of the lower section in the intermediate deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael John Harmon, Marius Curea, Benjamin Howard
  • Patent number: 11975688
    Abstract: The techniques described herein relate to a motor vehicle, including: a front trunk; a housing adjacent a floor of the front trunk; and a panel moveable relative to the housing between a retracted position and a deployed position, wherein, when in the panel is in the deployed position, the panel provides a work surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael John Harmon, Hussain Z. Tajmahal, Benjamin Howard, Kathryn N. Cezar, Sarah Shaw, Charlie Qian
  • Patent number: 11960198
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a front trunk including a screen for displaying still images or video. Among other benefits, which will be appreciated from the below description, the disclosed features increase the usability of the front trunk, and, in turn, the vehicle overall. In particular, many of the features discussed below are intended to make the front trunk more usable at worksites, tailgating events, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael John Harmon, Hussain Z Tajmahal, Benjamin Howard, Kathryn N. Cezar
  • Patent number: 11932077
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a climate controlled front trunk. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a motor vehicle, including: a climate control system; and a front trunk establishing a cargo space, wherein the front trunk is configured to receive thermally conditioned air from the climate control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael John Harmon, Benjamin Howard, Kathryn N. Cezar
  • Patent number: 11926287
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a front trunk including a closure providing increased headroom and shade. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a motor vehicle, including: a front trunk establishing a cargo space; and a closure assembly configured to move between a closed position and an open position to selectively cover and uncover the front trunk, wherein the closure assembly includes a hood section and a grille section, wherein, when the closure assembly is not in the closed position, the grille section is rotatable relative to the hood section in a direction away from a ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael John Harmon, Hussain Z. Tajmahal, Benjamin Howard, Kathryn N. Cezar
  • Patent number: 11912237
    Abstract: A front trunk includes a multi-action closure assembly. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a motor vehicle, including: a front trunk establishing a cargo space; a frame rotatably mounted relative to the cargo space; a first panel rotatably mounted to the frame; a second panel rotatably mounted to the frame; and wherein, when the first and second panels are in closed positions, the frame is rotatable to an open position to uncover the front trunk, wherein, when the frame is in a closed position, the first and second panels are rotatable to open positions to uncover the front trunk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael John Harmon, Benjamin Howard, Kathryn N. Cezar
  • Publication number: 20240059223
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a front trunk including a closure section configurable into two deployed positions, namely an intermediate deployed position and a fully deployed position. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a motor vehicle, including: a front trunk establishing a cargo space; and a closure assembly configured to selectively cover and uncover the front trunk, wherein the closure assembly includes an upper section and a lower section moveable independent of the upper section, wherein the lower section is configured to move between a closed position, an intermediate deployed position in which the lower section uncovers a portion of the front trunk, and a fully deployed position in which an upper surface area of the lower section is greater than the upper surface area of the lower section in the intermediate deployed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Michael John Harmon, Marius Curea, Benjamin Howard
  • Publication number: 20230391270
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to work surfaces for a front trunk. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a motor vehicle, including: a front trunk; a housing adjacent a floor of the front trunk; and a panel moveable relative to the housing between a retracted position and a deployed position, wherein, when in the panel is in the deployed position, the panel provides a work surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Michael John Harmon, Hussain Z. Tajmahal, Benjamin Howard, Kathryn N. Cezar, Sarah Shaw, Charlie Qian
  • Publication number: 20230391159
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a climate controlled front trunk. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a motor vehicle, including: a climate control system; and a front trunk establishing a cargo space, wherein the front trunk is configured to receive thermally conditioned air from the climate control system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Michael John Harmon, Benjamin Howard, Kathryn N. Cezar
  • Publication number: 20230391267
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a front trunk including a number of features, which can be used for work purposes, entertainment purposes, or both. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a motor vehicle, including: a front trunk establishing a cargo space; a first panel moveable between a closed position in which the first panel covers the front trunk and an open position in which the first panel uncovers the front trunk, wherein the first panel includes a first surface facing the cargo space when the first panel is in the closed position; and an electronic visual display mounted to the first surface, wherein the first panel and the electronic visual display are configured such the electronic visual display is substantially perpendicular a ground surface beneath the motor vehicle when the first panel is in the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Michael John Harmon, Erol Ozcelik, Hussain Z. Tajmahal, Benjamin Howard, Kathryn N. Cezar, Leyna Hirsch
  • Publication number: 20230391268
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a front trunk including a closure providing increased headroom and shade. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a motor vehicle, including: a front trunk establishing a cargo space; and a closure assembly configured to move between a closed position and an open position to selectively cover and uncover the front trunk, wherein the closure assembly includes a hood section and a grille section, wherein, when the closure assembly is not in the closed position, the grille section is rotatable relative to the hood section in a direction away from a ground surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Michael John Harmon, Hussain Z. Tajmahal, Benjamin Howard, Kathryn N. Cezar
  • Publication number: 20230393455
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a front trunk including a screen for displaying still images or video. Among other benefits, which will be appreciated from the below description, the disclosed features increase the usability of the front trunk, and, in turn, the vehicle overall. In particular, many of the features discussed below are intended to make the front trunk more usable at worksites, tailgating events, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Michael John Harmon, Hussain Z. Tajmahal, Benjamin Howard, Kathryn N. Cezar
  • Publication number: 20230391269
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a front trunk including a multi-action closure assembly. In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a motor vehicle, including: a front trunk establishing a cargo space; a frame rotatably mounted relative to the cargo space; a first panel rotatably mounted to the frame; a second panel rotatably mounted to the frame; and wherein, when the first and second panels are in closed positions, the frame is rotatable to an open position to uncover the front trunk, wherein, when the frame is in a closed position, the first and second panels are rotatable to open positions to uncover the front trunk.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2022
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Michael John Harmon, Benjamin Howard, Kathryn N. Cezar
  • Patent number: 10815011
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus is attached to a feature to be deployed on a satellite. The apparatus includes a first material having an impedance, a second material coupled to the first material configured to provide a current or voltage to the first material causing the first material to generate heat based on the impedance after a launch process of a launch vehicle carrying the satellite has completed, and a third material configured to change state at a transition temperature. A release mechanism is coupled to the third material and holds the feature in an undeployed position on the satellite. The heat generated by the second material causes the third material to change state when the transition temperature range is reached and the release mechanism is released from the third material when the third material is in the second state to deploy the feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Planet Labs, Inc.
    Inventors: Jedd Perry, Narinder Kumar, Kelly Hering, Kevin Meissner, Bayard Gardineer, Benjamin Howard
  • Patent number: 7913814
    Abstract: An acoustic baffle assembly for sealing or baffling a hollow body having a mass of heat activated expandable material that is capable of activating at a predetermined temperature. A substrate supports the mass. The substrate has a central portion and spaced apart projections extending outwardly from the central portion. The projections are configured to control expansion of the mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Henkel Corporation
    Inventors: Gary R. Duffin, Benjamin Howard, Dan Jordan, Tanya Estrin, Michael Lupini
  • Publication number: 20090223739
    Abstract: An acoustic baffle assembly for sealing or baffling a hollow body having a mass of heat activated expandable material that is capable of activating at a predetermined temperature. A substrate supports the mass. The substrate has a central portion and spaced apart projections extending outwardly from the central portion. The projections are configured to control expansion of the mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2009
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Inventors: Gary R. Duffin, Benjamin Howard, Dan Jordan, Tanya Estrin, Michael Lupini
  • Patent number: D845130
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Inventors: Mark Walling, Benjamin Howard, Kevin Dewald