Patents by Inventor Cornel Lewis Gardner

Cornel Lewis Gardner 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).

  • VEHICLE LIGHTING APPARATUS WITH MULTIZONE PROXIMITY CONTROL
    Publication number: 20150298607
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting system is disclosed. The lighting system comprises a group of light sources having a plurality of portions. Each of the portions has a proximity sensor configured to communicate a signal to control a portion of the plurality of portions. A controller is in communication with the light sources and the proximity sensors. The controller is operable to selectively activate a first portion of the grouping of light sources in response to a first proximity detection, and activate the plurality of portions in response to a second proximity detection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: October 22, 2015
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Scott Holmes Dunham, Ali Ammar, Cornel Lewis Gardner
  • PHOTOLUMINESCENT STEP HANDLE
    Publication number: 20150291086
    Abstract: A vehicle illumination apparatus is disclosed. The illumination apparatus comprises a retractable handle having a proximal end portion in connection with a tailgate. The retractable handle forms an internal passage therethrough from the proximal end portion to a distal end portion of the retractable handle. A light source is disposed proximate the proximal end portion and configured to emit a first emission through the internal passage. At least one light emitting portion is disposed along a length of the retractable handle and configured to output light derived from the first emission to an outside environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Cornel Lewis Gardner, James J. Surman
  • INTERIOR AMBIENT AND TASK LIGHT BARS
    Publication number: 20150283943
    Abstract: A light bar is provided and includes an elongated carrier having a surface extending along the carrier. Capacitive sensors are spaced along the carrier and positioned below the surface. Light sources are included for illuminating the surface, each associated with at least one capacitive sensor and positioned proximate thereto. A controller is included for detecting capacitive changes in the capacitive sensors, wherein when the controller detects a capacitive change in a capacitive sensor, the controller alters an illumination state of a light source associated therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Publication date: October 8, 2015
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Annette Lynn Huebner, Artur Sakarian, Ali Ammar, Kristin Ann Hellman, Ryan Welch, Josh Greiner, Cornel Lewis Gardner
  • DOME LIGHT ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20150274067
    Abstract: A dome light assembly for a vehicle is provided herein. The dome light assembly includes a headliner having a trough and a light-producing assembly arranged as a strip configured to be received in the trough. The light-producing assembly includes a plurality of light sources and a photoluminescent structure configured to luminesce in response to excitation by the plurality of light sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Cornel Lewis Gardner, Todd Jared Konet
  • Vehicle wireless charger safety system
    Patent number: 9145110
    Abstract: A vehicular charging system is provided that includes a battery and a charger region. The system also includes a wireless charger for generating an electric charging signal in the charger region to charge the battery, and a plurality of sensors located to sense foreign objects and living beings in proximity to the charger region. The system further includes a controller for controlling the charger to at least reduce the charging signal when a foreign object or a living being is in proximity to the charger region. The controller may be configured to terminate the charging signal and/or activate an alarm element when a foreign object or a living being is in proximity to the charger region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Richard William Kautz, Stuart C. Salter, Cornel Lewis Gardner, Don David Price
  • ILLUMINATED SEATBELT ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20150266417
    Abstract: A lighting system for a vehicle seatbelt assembly is provided herein. The lighting system includes a first seatbelt component configured to couple to a second seatbelt component. A light source is disposed on the first seatbelt component. A photoluminescent structure is disposed on the second component and is configured to luminesce in response to excitation by the light source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Cornel Lewis Gardner
  • Proximity switch having lockout control for controlling movable panel
    Patent number: 9143126
    Abstract: A vehicle proximity switch and method are provided having lockout control for controlling a movable panel on a vehicle. The switch includes a proximity sensor such, as a capacitive sensor, installed in a vehicle and providing a sense activation field. The proximity switch also includes control circuitry for processing the sense activation field to sense user activation of the switch and controls functionality when one or more lockout sensors are activated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Anna Hill, Jeffrey Singer, Cornel Lewis Gardner, Beatriz Esthela Padilla
  • Proximity switch assembly having dynamic tuned threshold
    Patent number: 9136840
    Abstract: A method of activating a proximity switch is provided. The method of activating the proximity switch includes the step of sensing a signal associated with a proximity sensor and sensing a dynamic parameter. The method also includes the step of tuning a threshold value based on the sensed dynamic parameter. The method further includes the step of activating the switch based on the signal and the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Cornel Lewis Gardner, Pietro Buttolo
  • LUMINESCENT SEATING ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20150251596
    Abstract: A lighting system for a vehicle headrest is provided herein. The lighting system includes a support attached to a headrest on a first end and removably coupled to a seatback on the opposing end. A light source is disposed on the headrest. A first photoluminescent structure is disposed within the system and is configured to luminesce in response to excitation by the light source. The light source may comprise a plurality of printed LEDs employing a thin configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Cornel Lewis Gardner
  • VEHICLE SUNSHADE ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20150251595
    Abstract: A sunshade assembly for a vehicle is provided herein. The sunshade assembly includes a housing and a light-producing assembly coupled to the housing. The housing includes a plurality of light sources and a photoluminescent structure configured to be excited by light emitted from the plurality of light sources such that at least a portion of the housing exhibits a luminescent appearance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: Paul Kenneth Dellock, Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Cornel Lewis Gardner, Noah Barlow Mass
  • ILLUMINATED VEHICLE COMPARTMENT
    Publication number: 20150251597
    Abstract: An illuminated engine compartment disposed within a vehicle is provided herein. The illuminated engine compartment includes a light-producing assembly. A first luminescent portion is disposed on the light-producing assembly and is configured to luminesce in response to excitation by the light-producing assembly. A second luminescent portion is disposed on a feature within the vehicle engine compartment and is configured to luminesce in response to light emitted from the light-producing assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2015
    Publication date: September 10, 2015
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Cornel Lewis Gardner, James J. Surman, Paul Kenneth Dellock
  • ILLUMINATED INSTRUMENT PANEL STORAGE COMPARTMENT
    Publication number: 20150217683
    Abstract: An illuminated storage assembly disposed within a vehicle is provided herein. The illuminated storage assembly includes a housing defining a storage compartment laterally extending into an instrument panel. A cover is operably coupled to the housing to support the cover between open and closed positions. A light source is disposed within the illuminated storage assembly and is configured to illuminate a feature of the illuminated storage assembly based on the position of the cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Scott Holmes Dunham, Kathleen M. Parlow, Cornel Lewis Gardner
  • ILLUMINATING DECAL FOR A VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20150217681
    Abstract: A decal for a vehicle is provided herein. The decal includes a plurality of light sources and a photoluminescent structure configured to luminesce in response to excitation by at least a portion of the light sources. A decorative layer has a pattern that is at least partially illuminated by the photoluminescent structure when the photoluminescent structure is in luminescent state is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: Paul Kenneth Dellock, Stuart C. Salter, Cornel Lewis Gardner, Michael A. Musleh, James J. Surman
  • PHOTOLUMINESCENT VEHICLE STEP LAMP
    Publication number: 20150197180
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The illumination apparatus comprises a photoluminescent portion disposed on a step portion and a first light source. The first light source is configured to excite the photoluminescent portion in a back-lit configuration. The illumination apparatus further comprises a lighting controller in communication with the first light source. The lighting controller is configured to activate the first light source to illuminate the photoluminescent portion by exciting a photoluminescent material by emitting a first wavelength of light. In response to receiving the first wavelength, the photoluminescent material is configured to become excited to illuminate at least a portion of the step portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, James J. Surman, Cornel Lewis Gardner
  • PHOTOLUMINESCENT DEVICE HOLDER
    Publication number: 20150197190
    Abstract: An illuminated device storage apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The storage apparatus comprises a console forming an elongated opening leading to a cavity. At least one support member extends along the elongated opening and is configured to engage a device. The storage apparatus further comprises a light source disposed proximate the cavity and configured to emit a first emission of light upward to illuminate the at least one support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Scott Holmes Dunham, Cornel Lewis Gardner, Annette Lynn Huebner
  • PHOTOLUMINESCENT BIN LAMP
    Publication number: 20150197189
    Abstract: An illuminated vehicle storage apparatus is disclosed. The storage apparatus comprises a bin rotatably connected to a console and configured to be oriented in an open position and a closed position. The storage apparatus further includes a light source configured to emit a first emission disposed in the console. A photoluminescent portion is disposed proximate the bin such that the first emission is directed toward the photoluminescent portion when the bin is oriented in the open position to illuminate the photoluminescent portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Cornel Lewis Gardner
  • PHOTOLUMINESCENT VEHICLE GRAPHICS
    Publication number: 20150197187
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The illumination apparatus comprises a surface comprising a first photoluminescent graphic comprising a first absorption range and a second photoluminescent graphic comprising a second absorption range. The illumination apparatus further comprises at least one light source configured to emit a first emission at a first wavelength. The first wavelength is substantially aligned with the first absorption range to generate a higher level of fluorescence from the photoluminescent first graphic than the second photoluminescent graphic. In this way, the illumination apparatus is operable to selectively illuminate the first photoluminescent graphic and the second photoluminescent graphic substantially independently.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Cornel Lewis Gardner, Paul Kenneth Dellock
  • PHOTOLUMINESCENT VEHICLE GRAPHICS
    Publication number: 20150197181
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The illumination apparatus comprises a trim portion affixed to a surface comprising a first photoluminescent portion and at least one light source. The light source may be configured to emit a first emission at a first wavelength. The first emission may be configured to excite the first photoluminescent portion in a back-lit configuration. The trim portion is configured to mask the first photoluminescent portion from external light sources to prevent excitation of the first photoluminescent portion in the presence of external light sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, James J. Surman, Cornel Lewis Gardner, Paul Kenneth Dellock
  • PHOTOLUMINESCENT VEHICLE CONSOLE
    Publication number: 20150197191
    Abstract: A vehicle illumination apparatus is disclosed. The vehicle illumination apparatus comprises a console rotatably connected to a portion of a seat. The console is operable to rotate from a first position to a second position. A light source is disposed proximate the console and configured to emit a first emission of light. The illumination apparatus further comprises at least one light guide configured to direct the first emission to a first photoluminescent portion disposed on the console when the console is oriented in the first position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Cornel Lewis Gardner, James J. Surman
  • PHOTOLUMINESCENT LOGO FOR VEHICLE TRIM AND FABRIC
    Publication number: 20150197186
    Abstract: An illumination apparatus for a vehicle is disclosed. The illumination apparatus comprises at least on fabric portion comprising a first photoluminescent portion having a first luminescent absorption range. The illumination apparatus further comprises a second photoluminescent portion having a second luminescent absorption range. A light source is configured to emit a first emission at a first wavelength directed toward the fabric portion, wherein the first wavelength is within the first absorption range and significantly outside the second absorption range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Publication date: July 16, 2015
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Cornel Lewis Gardner, James J. Surman