Patents by Inventor Derek BIER

Derek BIER 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 design integrated sand ladders
    Patent number: 11628774
    Abstract: This disclosure details motor vehicles equipped with vehicle exterior components. One or more of the vehicle exterior components can be used both for their primary function when attached to the vehicle and for use as sand ladders when removed from the vehicle. In the first configuration, the vehicle exterior components may be configured as running boards, hood vents, grill inserts, bumper inserts, tailgate inserts, and/or door beams, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Keith Weston, Derek Bier, Ryan Orourke, Jeffrey John Ley, Ian George Eickholdt
  • Tailgate Position Management Systems And Methods
    Publication number: 20230017327
    Abstract: Tailgate position management systems and methods are disclosed herein. An example method includes determining that a tailgate of a vehicle is in a down position, the tailgate comprising a tailgate camera, and selectively adjusting an automatic vehicle assistance feature of the vehicle based on the tailgate being in the down position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2021
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Keith Weston, Derek Bier, Michael Alan McNees, Andrew Denis Lewandowski, Brendan Diamond, Jordan Barrett
  • TRACK / OFF ROAD MODE UX EMISSIONS AND FUEL LABEL COMPLIANT USING GEOFENCING
    Publication number: 20220340154
    Abstract: A vehicle determines that a vehicle enhanced driving mode has been requested. The vehicle determines whether a condition for engaging such a mode has been met. Additionally, the vehicle offers a user-override, when the condition has not been met and the condition is a condition defined as over-rideable and responsive to override acceptance, engaging the requested driving mode. In other instances, the vehicle monitors mode usage against predefined maximum usage constraints, and may facilitate excess mode usage if constraints are exceeded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Inventors: Keith Weston, Derek Bier, Matthew Blake Tranter, Peter Douglas Kuechler, Brendan F. Diamond, Ryan O'Rourke
  • VEHICLE DESIGN INTEGRATED SAND LADDERS
    Publication number: 20220118914
    Abstract: This disclosure details motor vehicles equipped with vehicle exterior components. One or more of the vehicle exterior components can be used both for their primary function when attached to the vehicle and for use as sand ladders when removed from the vehicle. In the first configuration, the vehicle exterior components may be configured as running boards, hood vents, grill inserts, bumper inserts, tailgate inserts, and/or door beams, etc.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2020
    Publication date: April 21, 2022
    Inventors: Keith WESTON, Derek BIER, Ryan Orourke, Jeffrey John LEY, Ian George EICKHOLDT