Patents by Inventor David Dingman

David Dingman 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: 11679711
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior lighting system includes a lighting module disposed at a side of a vehicle. The lighting module includes at least one light emitting diode. The lighting module is operable to emit light that is viewable by a person exterior the side of the vehicle who is viewing the side of the vehicle. The lighting module emits white light responsive to a signal from a remote device to provide ground illumination of a ground region at the side of the vehicle at which the lighting module is disposed, and the lighting module (i) emits a first color of light responsive to a door lock signal and (ii) emits a second color of light responsive to a door unlock signal. The first color of light is different than the second color of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Huizen, Mitchell J. Wesley, David A. Dingman, Justin E. Sobecki
  • Publication number: 20230001849
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior door handle assembly includes a handle portion and an illumination module having an illumination source that emits light when electrically powered. With the exterior door handle assembly mounted at a door handle region of a vehicle door and when the illumination source is electrically powered to emit light, light emitted by the illumination source illuminates the door handle region of the vehicle door. The illumination module is located and oriented at the vehicular exterior door handle assembly such that, when the illumination source is electrically powered to emit light, a hand grasping the handle portion to open the vehicle door does not block light emitted by the illumination source so that illumination is maintained at the door handle region of the vehicle door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2022
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Inventors: David A. Dingman, Brett A. Gorby, Keith D. Foote
  • Patent number: 11440463
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior door handle assembly includes a handle portion, a light transmitting cover element disposed at least partially along a length dimension of the handle portion, and an illumination module having an illumination source. When the illumination source is electrically powered, light emitted by the illumination source passes at least partially along the length dimension of the handle portion. With the exterior door handle assembly mounted at a door handle region of a vehicle door and when the illumination source is electrically powered, light that passes at least partially along the length dimension of the handle portion is viewable by a person viewing the handle portion of the exterior door handle assembly. When the illumination source is not electrically powered, the illumination source is covert to the person viewing the handle portion of the exterior door handle assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: David A. Dingman, Brett A. Gorby, Keith D. Foote
  • Publication number: 20220065043
    Abstract: A ladder including sensors, a controller, and output signals to alert the user to operating conditions and to aid the user in the safe operation of the ladder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Applicant: USS Veteran Services Company LLC
    Inventors: Clifford L. Johns, Steven W. Brewer, David Dingman
  • Publication number: 20220009408
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior door handle assembly includes a handle portion, a light transmitting cover element disposed at least partially along a length dimension of the handle portion, and an illumination module having an illumination source. When the illumination source is electrically powered, light emitted by the illumination source passes at least partially along the length dimension of the handle portion. With the exterior door handle assembly mounted at a door handle region of a vehicle door and when the illumination source is electrically powered, light that passes at least partially along the length dimension of the handle portion is viewable by a person viewing the handle portion of the exterior door handle assembly. When the illumination source is not electrically powered, the illumination source is covert to the person viewing the handle portion of the exterior door handle assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Publication date: January 13, 2022
    Inventors: David A. Dingman, Brett A. Gorby, Keith D. Foote
  • Publication number: 20210300237
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior lighting system includes a lighting module disposed at a side of a vehicle. The lighting module includes at least one light emitting diode. The lighting module is operable to emit light that is viewable by a person exterior the side of the vehicle who is viewing the side of the vehicle. The lighting module emits white light responsive to a signal from a remote device to provide ground illumination of a ground region at the side of the vehicle at which the lighting module is disposed, and the lighting module (i) emits a first color of light responsive to a door lock signal and (ii) emits a second color of light responsive to a door unlock signal. The first color of light is different than the second color of light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2021
    Publication date: September 30, 2021
    Inventors: Gregory A. Huizen, Mitchell J. Wesley, David A. Dingman, Justin E. Sobecki
  • Patent number: 11130442
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior door handle assembly includes a handle portion movable to open a vehicle door and an illumination module having an illumination source and a light guide that extends at least partially along the length of the handle portion. When the exterior door handle assembly is normally mounted at the door handle region of the vehicle door and when the illumination source is powered, the light guide is illuminated and the illumination is viewable by a person viewing the handle portion from outside the vehicle. The exterior door handle assembly may include an emblem or icon that is back lit by light emitted by a back-lighting illumination source of the exterior door handle assembly. The emblem or icon is visible to the person viewing from outside the vehicle when back lit by light emitted by the back-lighting illumination source but is covert when not back lit by such emitted light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: David A. Dingman, Brett A. Gorby, Keith D. Foote
  • Patent number: 11034290
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes at least a sideward-viewing side camera at a side of a vehicle, a rearward-viewing rear backup camera, and a ground illumination light module disposed at the side of the vehicle and including at least one light emitting diode and a freeform optic. The vehicular ground illumination light module, when the light emitting diode is electrically powered so as to emit light through the freeform optic, illuminates a ground region at that side of the vehicle. The illuminated ground region includes an illuminated side ground region at least partially along the side of the vehicle and an illuminated rearward ground region rearward of a rear portion of the vehicle. The illuminated ground region is at least in part viewed by the sideward-viewing side camera and the rearward-viewing rear backup camera. A portion of the illuminated side ground region is illuminated with a luminance of at least 10 lux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Huizen, Mitchell J. Wesley, David A. Dingman, Justin E. Sobecki
  • Publication number: 20200377010
    Abstract: A vehicular vision system includes at least a sideward-viewing side camera at a side of a vehicle, a rearward-viewing rear backup camera, and a ground illumination light module disposed at the side of the vehicle and including at least one light emitting diode and a freeform optic. The vehicular ground illumination light module, when the light emitting diode is electrically powered so as to emit light through the freeform optic, illuminates a ground region at that side of the vehicle. The illuminated ground region includes an illuminated side ground region at least partially along the side of the vehicle and an illuminated rearward ground region rearward of a rear portion of the vehicle. The illuminated ground region is at least in part viewed by the sideward-viewing side camera and the rearward-viewing rear backup camera. A portion of the illuminated side ground region is illuminated with a luminance of at least 10 lux.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2020
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Gregory A. Huizen, Mitchell J. Wesley, David A. Dingman, Justin E. Sobecki
  • Patent number: 10744931
    Abstract: A vehicular ground illumination light module includes at least one light emitting diode and a freeform optic disposed in front of the emitting diode. The vehicular ground illumination light module, when disposed at a side of a vehicle, and when the light emitting diode is electrically powered so as to emit light through the freeform optic, illuminates a ground region at that side of the vehicle. The illuminated ground region includes an illuminated side ground region at least partially along the side of the vehicle and an illuminated rearward ground region rearward of a rearmost portion of the vehicle. The illuminated ground region is at least in part within the fields of view of a sideward-viewing side camera and a rearward-viewing rear backup camera disposed at the vehicle. A portion of the illuminated side ground region is illuminated with a luminance of at least 10 lux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Huizen, Mitchell J. Wesley, David A. Dingman, Justin E. Sobecki
  • Publication number: 20200189452
    Abstract: A vehicular ground illumination light module includes at least one light emitting diode and a freeform optic disposed in front of the emitting diode. The vehicular ground illumination light module, when disposed at a side of a vehicle, and when the light emitting diode is electrically powered so as to emit light through the freeform optic, illuminates a ground region at that side of the vehicle. The illuminated ground region includes an illuminated side ground region at least partially along the side of the vehicle and an illuminated rearward ground region rearward of a rearmost portion of the vehicle. The illuminated ground region is at least in part within the fields of view of a sideward-viewing side camera and a rearward-viewing rear backup camera disposed at the vehicle. A portion of the illuminated side ground region is illuminated with a luminance of at least 10 lux.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2020
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Inventors: Gregory A. Huizen, Mitchell J. Wesley, David A. Dingman, Justin E. Sobecki
  • Patent number: 10569697
    Abstract: A door handle assembly for a door of a vehicle includes a handle portion pivotally mounted at the handle region of the vehicle door. The handle portion is disposed at a pocket region of the handle region. A pocket lighting module includes at least one light emitting diode operable to emit light to illuminate the pocket region. The pocket lighting module is operable to emit different colors of light responsive to different triggers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory A. Huizen, Mitchell J. Wesley, David A. Dingman, Justin E. Sobecki
  • Publication number: 20190337447
    Abstract: A vehicular exterior door handle assembly includes a handle portion movable to open a vehicle door and an illumination module having an illumination source and a light guide that extends at least partially along the length of the handle portion. When the exterior door handle assembly is normally mounted at the door handle region of the vehicle door and when the illumination source is powered, the light guide is illuminated and the illumination is viewable by a person viewing the handle portion from outside the vehicle. The exterior door handle assembly may include an emblem or icon that is back lit by light emitted by a back-lighting illumination source of the exterior door handle assembly. The emblem or icon is visible to the person viewing from outside the vehicle when back lit by light emitted by the back-lighting illumination source but is covert when not back lit by such emitted light.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2019
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: David A. Dingman, Brett A. Gorby, Keith D. Foote
  • Patent number: 10406970
    Abstract: A charge port illumination system for an electric vehicle includes a charge port disposed at the electric vehicle and configured for electrically connecting to a charging source to charge a power source of the electric vehicle. The charge port includes an outer portion that is exposed and viewable at the electric vehicle when a person is connecting the charge port to the charging source. The charge port includes at least one illumination source that, responsive to an activating event associated with an electric charging event of the electric vehicle, is activated to provide backlighting at the outer portion. The illumination source may be controlled to indicate a state of charge of the power source. The system may include a cover panel that is opened to expose and access the charge port. The activating event may include plugging in of the charging source to the charge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA MIRRORS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Richard R. Hook, David A. Dingman
  • Patent number: 10351052
    Abstract: An exterior door handle assembly includes a strap-handle portion pivotally movable to open a vehicle door, a circuit element, a light emitting diode, a light pipe, and an elongated light-transmitting cover. The light emitting diode is disposed proximate an end region of the strap-handle portion and proximate an end region of the light pipe. The strap-handle portion includes structure configured to receive the light emitting diode and the circuit element thereat. The light-transmitting cover is attached to the strap-handle portion and covers the light pipe. The strap-handle portion includes a user input that is actuatable by a person to lock or unlock the vehicle door. When the light emitting diode is electrically powered, light emitted by the light emitting diode passes along the light pipe and passes through the light-transmitting cover so as to be viewable by a person viewing the door handle assembly from outside of the vehicle door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: David A. Dingman, Brett A Gorby, Keith D. Foote
  • Publication number: 20190106051
    Abstract: A door handle assembly for a door of a vehicle includes a handle portion pivotally mounted at the handle region of the vehicle door. The handle portion is disposed at a pocket region of the handle region. A pocket lighting module includes at least one light emitting diode operable to emit light to illuminate the pocket region. The pocket lighting module is operable to emit different colors of light responsive to different triggers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Publication date: April 11, 2019
    Inventors: Gregory A. Huizen, Mitchell J. Wesley, David A. Dingman, Justin E. Sobecki
  • Publication number: 20180065542
    Abstract: An exterior door handle assembly includes a strap-handle portion pivotally movable to open a vehicle door, a circuit element, a light emitting diode, a light pipe, and an elongated light-transmitting cover. The light emitting diode is disposed proximate an end region of the strap-handle portion and proximate an end region of the light pipe. The strap-handle portion includes structure configured to receive the light emitting diode and the circuit element thereat. The light-transmitting cover is attached to the strap-handle portion and covers the light pipe. The strap-handle portion includes a user input that is actuatable by a person to lock or unlock the vehicle door. When the light emitting diode is electrically powered, light emitted by the light emitting diode passes along the light pipe and passes through the light-transmitting cover so as to be viewable by a person viewing the door handle assembly from outside of the vehicle door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2017
    Publication date: March 8, 2018
    Inventors: David A. Dingman, Brett A. Gorby, Keith D. Foote
  • Patent number: 9776556
    Abstract: An exterior door handle assembly for a vehicle door includes a strap-handle portion pivotally movable to open the vehicle door. A self-contained elongated module includes (i) an elongated housing, (ii) an elongated light-transmitting cover and (iii) a light pipe. The strap-handle portion receives the self-contained elongated module. At least one light emitting diode is disposed proximate an end region of the strap-handle portion. With the door handle assembly mounted at a vehicle door and when the light emitting diode is electrically powered, light emitted by the light emitting diode passes along the light pipe and through the elongated light-transmitting cover so as to be viewable by a person viewing the exterior door handle assembly from outside of the vehicle door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: DONNELLY CORPORATION
    Inventors: David A. Dingman, Brett A. Gorby, Keith D. Foote
  • Publication number: 20170253174
    Abstract: A charge port illumination system for an electric vehicle includes a charge port disposed at the electric vehicle and configured for electrically connecting to a charging source to charge a power source of the electric vehicle. The charge port includes an outer portion that is exposed and viewable at the electric vehicle when a person is connecting the charge port to the charging source. The charge port includes at least one illumination source that, responsive to an activating event associated with an electric charging event of the electric vehicle, is activated to provide backlighting at the outer portion. The illumination source may be controlled to indicate a state of charge of the power source. The system may include a cover panel that is opened to expose and access the charge port. The activating event may include plugging in of the charging source to the charge port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2017
    Publication date: September 7, 2017
    Inventors: Richard R. Hook, David A. Dingman
  • Publication number: 20170190281
    Abstract: An exterior door handle assembly for a vehicle door includes a strap-handle portion pivotally movable to open the vehicle door. A self-contained elongated module includes (i) an elongated housing, (ii) an elongated light-transmitting cover and (iii) a light pipe. The strap-handle portion receives the self-contained elongated module. At least one light emitting diode is disposed proximate an end region of the strap-handle portion. With the door handle assembly mounted at a vehicle door and when the light emitting diode is electrically powered, light emitted by the light emitting diode passes along the light pipe and through the elongated light-transmitting cover so as to be viewable by a person viewing the exterior door handle assembly from outside of the vehicle door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2017
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Inventors: David A. Dingman, Brett A. Gorby, Keith D. Foote