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).

  • Patent number: 11014536
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Ravikumar Ranganathan, Brandon Buckhalt, Vikas Bhatt
  • Patent number: 9682733
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Brandon Buckhalt
  • Patent number: 9533625
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Scott Cutler, Eswar Timmavajjala, Benjamin Lee, Vikas Bhatt, Ravikumar Ranganthan, Brandon Buckhalt, Pete Christ Korovesis
  • Patent number: 9527451
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Brandon Buckhalt
  • Publication number: 20160332679
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Brandon Buckhalt
  • Publication number: 20160325686
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2015
    Publication date: November 10, 2016
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Brandon Buckhalt
  • Patent number: 9487248
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Brandon Buckhalt, Venkatesh Krishnan, Vikas Bhatt, Ravikumar Ranganathan
  • Publication number: 20160297400
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Venkatesh KRISHNAN, Ravikumar RANGANATHAN, Brandon BUCKHALT, Vikas BHATT
  • Publication number: 20160107583
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2014
    Publication date: April 21, 2016
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Scott Cutler, Eswar Timmavajjala, Benjamin Lee, Vikas Bhatt, Ravikumar Ranganthan, Brandon Buckhalt, Pete Christ Korovesis
  • Publication number: 20160101817
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Ravikumar Ranganathan, Brandon Buckhalt, Thomas M. Herline
  • Patent number: 9302719
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Ravikumar Ranganathan, Brandon Buckhalt, Thomas M. Herline
  • Publication number: 20150375685
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Publication date: December 31, 2015
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Brandon Buckhalt