Patents by Inventor Douglas H. Frasher

Douglas H. Frasher 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 pillar structure
    Patent number: 6669275
    Abstract: A driver's compartment for a vehicle includes an A-pillar structure (28) having an exterior surface (30) and an interior surface (32). The A-pillar (28) has a plurality of openings (34) formed in the A-pillar (28) that extend from the interior surface (32) to the exterior surface (30). Each of the plurality of openings (34) is oriented towards a driver's eyes, such that a driver can see through one or more of the plurality of openings (34) when positioned in a vehicle seat (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Douglas H. Frasher, Geza Loczi, Hans Olof Pehrson, Kolita Mendis
  • Optical sensor for an adjustable vehicle seating system
    Patent number: 6614344
    Abstract: An optical sensor device that allows a driver to verify his or her respective eye position in a driver's compartment of a vehicle. The optical device includes a plurality of channels. The device has a first channel with an illuminated base that is positioned such that the base can be seen only when the driver is in an optimum eye position. The device has a second channel which is located above the first channel. The second channel has a base which can be seen when the driver is located above the optimum eye position. The device also includes a third channel which is located below the first channel. The third channel has a base which can be seen when the driver is located below the optimum eye position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Inventors: Douglas H. Frasher, Kolita Mendis, Hans Pehrson
  • Vehicle pillar structure
    Publication number: 20020171263
    Abstract: A driver's compartment for a vehicle includes an A-pillar structure (28) having an exterior surface (30) and an interior surface (32). The A-pillar (28) has a plurality of openings (34) formed in the A-pillar (28) that extend from the interior surface (32) to the exterior surface (30). Each of the plurality of openings (34) is oriented towards a driver's eyes, such that a driver can see through one or more of the plurality of openings (34) when positioned in a vehicle seat (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: Douglas H. Frasher, Geza Loczi, Hans Olof Pehrson, Kolita Mendis
  • Seating system with optimum visibilty
    Patent number: 6450530
    Abstract: An automatically adjustable seat system (10) includes a sensor (48) for detecting the position of a physical feature of the driver, such as the eyes. The sensor (48) is in communication with a controller (46), which transfers the detected physical feature of the driver thereto. A seat positioning (50) mechanism is in communication with the controller (48) to automatically locate the seat (14) in a position which provides the driver with an optimum field of view. The controller (48) is also in communication with a pedal box (28) and a steering column (26) to automatically position the pedals (26), based on the information from the sensor (48), in an optimum position for use by the driver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas H. Frasher, Kolita Mendis, John Downs, Kristina Jonsell, Ulla-Britt Frajdin-Hellqvist, Lars Jansson
  • A-pillar structure for a vehicle
    Patent number: 6428087
    Abstract: A driver's compartment for a vehicle includes an A-pillar structure (28) having an exterior surface (30) and an interior surface (32). The A-pillar (28) has a plurality of openings (34) formed in the A-pillar (28) that extend from the interior surface (32) to the exterior surface (30). Each of the plurality of openings (34) is oriented towards a driver's eyes, such that a driver can see through one or more of the plurality of openings (34) when positioned in a vehicle seat (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas H. Frasher, Geza Loczi, Hans Olof Pehrson, Kolita Mendis
  • A-PILLAR STRUCTURE FOR A VEHICLE
    Publication number: 20020089215
    Abstract: A driver's compartment for a vehicle includes an A-pillar structure (28) having an exterior surface (30) and an interior surface (32). The A-pillar (28) has a plurality of openings (34) formed in the A-pillar (28) that extend from the interior surface (32) to the exterior surface (30). Each of the plurality of openings (34) is oriented towards a driver's eyes, such that a driver can see through one or more of the plurality of openings (34) when positioned in a vehicle seat (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventors: Douglas H. Frasher, Geza Loczi, Hans Olof Pehrson, Kolita Mendis