Patents by Inventor Charles Gregory Bambenek

Charles Gregory Bambenek 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: 8919853
    Abstract: A deployable step and handle system for a tailgate. The handle is used to secure the deployable step in the stowed position that eliminates the need for a separate release system. The handle is placed adjacent a top edge of the tailgate to prevent debris from being trapped under the handle when the handle is closed. The ladder has a step surface disposed opposite and at an angle relative to a top surface of a spoiler that provides a step surface. The ladder rails are guided by rail guides as the ladder is moved between a stowed position and a deployed position. A unitary support bracket is used to connect both the handle and a ladder rail to the tailgate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Bhupendra A. Patel, David Manuel Rogers, Thomas M. Herline, Marcus Edward Merideth, Michael Bryan VanBelle, Charles Gregory Bambenek
  • Patent number: 8903605
    Abstract: A pickup truck includes a tailgate that is movable between open and closed positions. A powered latch provides for remote release of the latches of the tailgate. The tailgate is biased from the closed position towards the open position such that release of the latch causes the tailgate to shift automatically from the closed position to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Gregory Bambenek, Bhupendra A. Patel, David Manuel Rogers, Thomas M. Herline
  • Publication number: 20140203587
    Abstract: A deployable step and handle system for a tailgate. The handle is used to secure the deployable step in the stowed position that eliminates the need for a separate release system. The handle is placed adjacent a top edge of the tailgate to prevent debris from being trapped under the handle when the handle is closed. The ladder has a step surface disposed opposite and at an angle relative to a top surface of a spoiler that provides a step surface. The ladder rails are guided by rail guides as the ladder is moved between a stowed position and a deployed position. A unitary support bracket is used to connect both the handle and a ladder rail to the tailgate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Bhupendra A. Patel, David Manuel Rogers, Thomas M. Herline, Marcus Edward Merideth, Michael Bryan VanBelle, Charles Gregory Bambenek
  • Publication number: 20140136021
    Abstract: A pickup truck includes a tailgate that is movable between open and closed positions. A powered latch provides for remote release of the latches of the tailgate. The tailgate is biased from the closed position towards the open position such that release of the latch causes the tailgate to shift automatically from the closed position to the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Gregory Bambenek, Bhupendra A. Patel, David Manuel Rogers, Thomas M. Herline
  • Publication number: 20140084603
    Abstract: An exterior handle assembly for a vehicle door includes a movable handle member and a mounting structure. The mounting structure includes a predefined fracture line or line of weakening, whereby the reinforcing structure fractures along the line of weakening in the event a large external force is applied to the reinforcing structure. The handle assembly also includes a push surface that pushes against an inertia lock lever after fracture of the reinforcing structure to thereby push the inertia lock lever into a locked position to prevent unlatching of a vehicle door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Carl Bejune, Charles Gregory Bambenek
  • Patent number: 8532873
    Abstract: A pickup truck includes a tailgate that is movable between open and closed positions. A powered latch provides for remote release of the latches of the tailgate. The tailgate is biased from the closed position towards the open position such that release of the latch causes the tailgate to shift automatically from the closed position to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LL
    Inventors: Charles Gregory Bambenek, Bhupendra A. Patel, David Manuel Rogers, Thomas M. Herline
  • Patent number: 8061753
    Abstract: An entry assembly includes a frame and a gate. The frame has a first side and a second side. The gate is connected to the frame. The gate defines a demarcation between the first side and the second side of the frame. The gate is pivotable about the frame along at least two axes of rotation. Each axis of rotation intersects at least one of the at least two axes of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kosta Papanikolaou, Charles Gregory Bambenek, Fritz Cory, Jason Falenski, Adrian Nicholas Alexander Elliott
  • Publication number: 20100181795
    Abstract: An entry assembly comprises a frame and a gate. The frame has a first side and a second side. The gate is connected to the frame. The gate defines a demarcation between the first side and the second side of the frame. The gate is pivotable about the frame along at least two axes of rotation. Each axis of rotation intersects at least one of the at least two axes of rotation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Inventors: Kosta Papanikolaou, Charles Gregory Bambenek, Fritz Cory, Jason Falenski, Adrian Nicholas Alexander Elliott