Patents by Inventor Brandon Buckhalt
Brandon Buckhalt 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: 11014536Abstract: A vehicle may detect vehicle actions, compare the vehicle actions to first vehicle actions associated with first mode settings of a vehicle controller and to second vehicle actions associated with second mode settings of a vehicle controller, and transition the mode settings of the vehicle controller to the first mode settings responsive to the vehicle actions matching the first vehicle actions. The controller may be a vehicle body controller, and the mode settings may describe a locking behavior of the body controller. A mobile device may set vehicle actions configured to cause the controller to transition from the first mode settings to the second mode settings. The mobile device may also display an alert responsive to the controller detecting presence of an unauthorized user within vicinity of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2015Date of Patent: May 25, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Ravikumar Ranganathan, Brandon Buckhalt, Vikas Bhatt
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Patent number: 9682733Abstract: A tonneau cover is provided for a pick-up truck. The tonneau cover includes a cover element of sufficient expanse to span a cargo box of the pick-up truck, a storage compartment depending from an underside of the cover element and an access opening in the cover element in communication with the storage compartment. An access flap in the cover element overlies the access opening and may be displaced between open and closed positions.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2015Date of Patent: June 20, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Brandon Buckhalt
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Patent number: 9533625Abstract: A mechanism for attaching a bike rack to a vehicle including a support member located behind an exterior wall of the vehicle. An attachment assembly, including a receiver operative to move between the first, stowed position any second, use position is connected to the support member. The exterior wall includes a removable portion wherein upon removal provides access to the attachment assembly. Once the removable portion is removed, the attachment assembly, including the receiver is moved from the first, stowed position to the second, use position wherein the bike rack then connects to the receiver. Additionally, the removable portion may include a detachable license plate bracket, which upon being detached from the vehicle, can be mounted to the rear of a bike rack. Sensors are mounted on the license plate bracket to allow for a functional back-up or park assist when the bike rack is attached to rear of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2014Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Scott Cutler, Eswar Timmavajjala, Benjamin Lee, Vikas Bhatt, Ravikumar Ranganthan, Brandon Buckhalt, Pete Christ Korovesis
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Patent number: 9527451Abstract: A cargo cover apparatus includes a housing, a cover retracting mechanism held in the housing and a cargo cover. The cargo cover incorporates an integral storage compartment. The cargo cover is selectively displaceable between a storage position retracted within the housing and a cargo concealing position extending from the housing.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2015Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Brandon Buckhalt
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Publication number: 20160332679Abstract: A tonneau cover is provided for a pick-up truck. The tonneau cover includes a cover element of sufficient expanse to span a cargo box of the pick-up truck, a storage compartment depending from an underside of the cover element and an access opening in the cover element in communication with the storage compartment. An access flap in the cover element overlies the access opening and may be displaced between open and closed positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2015Publication date: November 17, 2016Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Brandon Buckhalt
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Publication number: 20160325686Abstract: A cargo cover apparatus includes a housing, a cover retracting mechanism held in the housing and a cargo cover. The cargo cover incorporates an integral storage compartment. The cargo cover is selectively displaceable between a storage position retracted within the housing and a cargo concealing position extending from the housing.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 8, 2015Publication date: November 10, 2016Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Brandon Buckhalt
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Patent number: 9487248Abstract: A tonneau cover is provided for a pickup truck. The tonneau cover includes a body having a vehicle forward end and a vehicle rearward end. Further, the tonneau cover includes a collapsible storage assembly that depends from the body and has at least one rearwardly opening storage compartment accessible through an open tailgate of the pickup truck.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2015Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Brandon Buckhalt, Venkatesh Krishnan, Vikas Bhatt, Ravikumar Ranganathan
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Publication number: 20160297400Abstract: A vehicle may detect vehicle actions, compare the vehicle actions to first vehicle actions associated with first mode settings of a vehicle controller and to second vehicle actions associated with second mode settings of a vehicle controller, and transition the mode settings of the vehicle controller to the first mode settings responsive to the vehicle actions matching the first vehicle actions. The controller may be a vehicle body controller, and the mode settings may describe a locking behavior of the body controller. A mobile device may set vehicle actions configured to cause the controller to transition from the first mode settings to the second mode settings. The mobile device may also display an alert responsive to the controller detecting presence of an unauthorized user within vicinity of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2015Publication date: October 13, 2016Inventors: Venkatesh KRISHNAN, Ravikumar RANGANATHAN, Brandon BUCKHALT, Vikas BHATT
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Publication number: 20160107583Abstract: A mechanism for attaching a bike rack to a vehicle including a support member located behind an exterior wall of the vehicle. An attachment assembly, including a receiver operative to move between the first, stowed position any second, use position is connected to the support member. The exterior wall includes a removable portion wherein upon removal provides access to the attachment assembly. Once the removable portion is removed, the attachment assembly, including the receiver is moved from the first, stowed position to the second, use position wherein the bike rack then connects to the receiver. Additionally, the removable portion may include a detachable license plate bracket, which upon being detached from the vehicle, can be mounted to the rear of a bike rack. Sensors are mounted on the license plate bracket to allow for a functional back-up or park assist when the bike rack is attached to rear of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2014Publication date: April 21, 2016Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Scott Cutler, Eswar Timmavajjala, Benjamin Lee, Vikas Bhatt, Ravikumar Ranganthan, Brandon Buckhalt, Pete Christ Korovesis
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Publication number: 20160101817Abstract: An integrated stepgate and handle assembly includes a tailgate, a displaceable ladder carried on the tailgate, a displaceable handle carried on the tailgate and a latch. The latch connects the ladder and the handle whereby the handle is partially deployed with the ladder. This partial deployment of the handle prompts the operator to fully deploy and use the handle.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2014Publication date: April 14, 2016Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Ravikumar Ranganathan, Brandon Buckhalt, Thomas M. Herline
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Patent number: 9302719Abstract: An integrated stepgate and handle assembly includes a tailgate, a displaceable ladder carried on the tailgate, a displaceable handle carried on the tailgate and a latch. The latch connects the ladder and the handle whereby the handle is partially deployed with the ladder. This partial deployment of the handle prompts the operator to fully deploy and use the handle.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2014Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Ravikumar Ranganathan, Brandon Buckhalt, Thomas M. Herline
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Publication number: 20150375685Abstract: A customizable console system for a motor vehicle includes two or more console organizers of substantially any desired configuration, a base unit having a receiver for alternately holding one of the organizers and a storage receiver for receiving and holding any of the organizers not in use and held in the receiver of the base unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2014Publication date: December 31, 2015Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Brandon Buckhalt