Patents by Inventor Brian T. Aitken

Brian T. Aitken 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: 9457650
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a fuel-filler housing component for mounting to a vehicle body and an insert at a terminus of the fuel filler pipe. The housing component has a central opening and at least one on-center vertical plumb feature. The insert is mounted to the fuel filler pipe so that it is disposed in the central opening. The insert includes an annular mouth with a hole for receiving a fuel transfer nozzle, wherein the annular mouth includes a drain slot for draining liquid away from the hole. The drain slot is substantially aligned with the on-center vertical plumb feature and has a teardrop profile substantially free of visible straight lines pointing toward the on-center vertical plumb feature. Thus, any small misalignment of the insert remains relatively undetectable since visual cues are minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Brian T. Aitken, Paul Chretien
  • Publication number: 20140061192
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a fuel-filler housing component for mounting to a vehicle body and an insert at a terminus of the fuel filler pipe. The housing component has a central opening and at least one on-center vertical plumb feature. The insert is mounted to the fuel filler pipe so that it is disposed in the central opening. The insert includes an annular mouth with a hole for receiving a fuel transfer nozzle, wherein the annular mouth includes a drain slot for draining liquid away from the hole. The drain slot is substantially aligned with the on-center vertical plumb feature and has a teardrop profile substantially free of visible straight lines pointing toward the on-center vertical plumb feature. Thus, any small misalignment of the insert remains relatively undetectable since visual cues are minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Brian T. Aitken, Paul Chretien