Patents by Inventor Brian Kenneth Sullivan

Brian Kenneth Sullivan 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: 11518449
    Abstract: A tailgate assembly for a vehicle includes, among other things, a tailgate configured to pivot relative to a vehicle body between a closed position, a fully open position, and a secondary position that is between the closed position and the fully open position. The assembly further includes a cable device having a tailgate connector and a vehicle connector. The tailgate connector is coupled to the tailgate. The vehicle connector couples to a sidewall of the vehicle in first position to support the tailgate in the fully open position. The vehicle connector couples to the sidewall of the vehicle in a second position to support the tailgate in a secondary position. The first position is vertically below the second position. The assembly still further includes a bracket that blocks removal of the tailgate from the vehicle body when the tailgate is in the fully open position and when the tailgate is in the secondary position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jessica Lee Dzurnak, William Julian Kistler, Matthew Paul Lamberson, Brian Kenneth Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20220063735
    Abstract: A tailgate assembly for a vehicle includes, among other things, a tailgate configured to pivot relative to a vehicle body between a closed position, a fully open position, and a secondary position that is between the closed position and the fully open position. The assembly further includes a cable device having a tailgate connector and a vehicle connector. The tailgate connector is coupled to the tailgate. The vehicle connector couples to a sidewall of the vehicle in first position to support the tailgate in the fully open position. The vehicle connector couples to the sidewall of the vehicle in a second position to support the tailgate in a secondary position. The first position is vertically below the second position. The assembly still further includes a bracket that blocks removal of the tailgate from the vehicle body when the tailgate is in the fully open position and when the tailgate is in the secondary position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2020
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Jessica Lee Dzurnak, William Julian Kistler, Matthew Paul Lamberson, Brian Kenneth Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10703303
    Abstract: A tailgate accessory mounting system includes a first track, a first anchoring bolt slidably received within a slot of the first track, and a mounting plate secured to the first track by the first anchoring bolt. The tailgate accessory mounting system may be secured to a tailgate of a vehicle, such as a pickup truck, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Robert Hemphill, Craig Angelo Moccio, Brian Kenneth Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20200180707
    Abstract: A disclosed tailgate accessory assembly includes an accessory body portion and a mount portion. The accessory body portion can include features that provide additional storage space, work surfaces or cargo securement features. The mount portion includes a first post spaced a distance from a second post, wherein each of the first post and the second post are configured for insertion into corresponding openings in a tailgate. A clip is provided for engaging a portion of the tailgate in a locked position for holding the accessory body portion to the tailgate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Inventors: Aaron Bradley Johnson, Thomas William Partch, Brian Kenneth Sullivan, Stephen Kenneth Helwig, Joshua Robert Hemphill
  • Patent number: 10577030
    Abstract: An exemplary removal assembly includes, among other things, a lock that rotates together with a powered tailgate when the powered tailgate is coupled to a vehicle in a coupled position and moved back-and-forth between an open and a closed position. The lock is rotatable between a locked position that blocks movement of the powered tailgate from the coupled position, and an unlocked position that permits removal of the powered tailgate. An exemplary removal method includes, among other things, moving a powered tailgate that is coupled to a vehicle in a coupled position. The moving transitions a lock from a locked position to an unlocked position. The lock in the locked position blocks movement of the powered tailgate from the coupled position. The lock in the unlocked position permitting removal of the powered tailgate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Manuel Santana, Joshua Robert Hemphill, Brian Kenneth Sullivan
  • Publication number: 20200047821
    Abstract: An exemplary removal assembly includes, among other things, a lock that rotates together with a powered tailgate when the powered tailgate is coupled to a vehicle in a coupled position and moved back-and-forth between an open and a closed position. The lock is rotatable between a locked position that blocks movement of the powered tailgate from the coupled position, and an unlocked position that permits removal of the powered tailgate. An exemplary removal method includes, among other things, moving a powered tailgate that is coupled to a vehicle in a coupled position. The moving transitions a lock from a locked position to an unlocked position. The lock in the locked position blocks movement of the powered tailgate from the coupled position. The lock in the unlocked position permitting removal of the powered tailgate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2018
    Publication date: February 13, 2020
    Inventors: Manuel Santana, Joshua Robert Hemphill, Brian Kenneth Sullivan
  • Patent number: 10358171
    Abstract: A vehicle truck box assembly including a tailgate, a hinge-on-box bracket, a puck component, a hinge post, and a plastic shim is provided. The tailgate is pivotally mounted to a truck bed. The hinge-on-box bracket includes a cup extension. The puck component is secured to the cup extension. The hinge post is for securing to the puck component and to a hinge-on-gate bracket and the hinge post defines a cavity. The plastic shim is received in the cavity for contacting the cup extension. The plastic shim may include an upper angle portion extending from a base portion. The upper angle portion may extend between the cup extension and the puck component that are arranged to snugly receive the hinge post. The upper angle portion may extend from the base portion at an angle value between five and fifteen degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Robert Hemphill, Jeffrey Hartley, Jeffrey Gray, Brian Kenneth Sullivan, John Galligan, Jack Marchlewski
  • Publication number: 20190211598
    Abstract: A vehicle truck box assembly including a tailgate, a hinge-on-box bracket, a puck component, a hinge post, and a plastic shim is provided. The tailgate is pivotally mounted to a truck bed. The hinge-on-box bracket includes a cup extension. The puck component is secured to the cup extension. The hinge post is for securing to the puck component and to a hinge-on-gate bracket and the hinge post defines a cavity. The plastic shim is received in the cavity for contacting the cup extension. The plastic shim may include an upper angle portion extending from a base portion. The upper angle portion may extend between the cup extension and the puck component that are arranged to snugly receive the hinge post. The upper angle portion may extend from the base portion at an angle value between five and fifteen degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Robert Hemphill, Jeffrey Hartley, Jeffrey Gray, Brian Kenneth Sullivan, John Galligan, Jack Marchlewski
  • Publication number: 20190054866
    Abstract: A tailgate accessory mounting system includes a first track, a first anchoring bolt slidably received within a slot of the first track, and a mounting plate secured to the first track by the first anchoring bolt. The tailgate accessory mounting system may be secured to a tailgate of a vehicle, such as a pickup truck, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Inventors: Joshua Robert HEMPHILL, Craig Angelo MOCCIO, Brian Kenneth SULLIVAN
  • Patent number: 9959011
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to quantification of subjective experiences. A method for quantifying a subjective experience may include outputting an adjustable graphic that is continuously adjustable between differing states. The position of a selector may be manipulated to cause the adjustable graphic to be substantially simultaneously manipulated between the differing states to produce an adjusted graphic. Thus, a user may match the adjustable graphic to his or her subjective experience regarding a particular topic. The position of the adjustable graphic may be stationary, and thus independent of the position of the selector. A scaled value corresponding to the adjusted graphic may be calculated to quantify the subjective experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: VIZBII TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Brian Kenneth Sullivan, Corley Anne Higgins
  • Publication number: 20150052461
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to quantification of subjective experiences. A method for quantifying a subjective experience may include outputting an adjustable graphic that is continuously adjustable between differing states. The position of a selector may be manipulated to cause the adjustable graphic to be substantially simultaneously manipulated between the differing states to produce an adjusted graphic. Thus, a user may match the adjustable graphic to his or her subjective experience regarding a particular topic. The position of the adjustable graphic may be stationary, and thus independent of the position of the selector. A scaled value corresponding to the adjusted graphic may be calculated to quantify the subjective experience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Applicant: Viizbi, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Kenneth Sullivan, Corley Anne Higgins
  • Patent number: 6189394
    Abstract: An in-line testing method for non-intrusively testing the force required to complete the closure of a power assisted sliding door assembly onto a door opening having resistance seals, comprising: (a) providing a door switch and a timing device within the power assist sliding door assembly to at least measure the time lapse from a door ajar position to a door locked position; and (b) if the time lapse is slower than a pattern time lapse for a model assembly of the same door known to be properly fitted, adjusting the door ajar gap in the test assembly to reduce the force required to achieve a door locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Kenneth Sullivan, Robert Edward Kosior, Grace Ann Chamberlain