Patents by Inventor Duncan Whipps
Duncan Whipps 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).
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Publication number: 20220080892Abstract: This disclosure details vehicle body mounted side view mirror assemblies that include mounting platforms for mounting one or more accessory items to the vehicle. The mounting platforms may be established by a mirror neck cover of the side view mirror assembly, a leaf screen, or both. The mounting platforms may include one or more mounting openings and associated fasteners for securing the accessory items directly to the side view mirror assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2020Publication date: March 17, 2022Inventors: Duncan WHIPPS, Stephen John AGDORNY, Jonathan SZCZUPAK, Joseph F. DENATALE, JR., Mary Beth ANGOTTI
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Patent number: 10836240Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes, among other things, a vehicle door changeable back and forth between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the vehicle door is provided by an inner module coupled to an outer module. In the second configuration, the vehicle door is provided by the inner module without the outer module. A door providing method includes providing a vehicle door in a first configuration using an inner module coupled to an outer module. The method further includes providing the vehicle door in a second configuration using the inner module without the outer module.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2018Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Duncan Whipps, Tuan Quoc Nguyen, Jonathan Szczupak, Gregory Patton
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Publication number: 20200180407Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes, among other things, a vehicle door changeable back and forth between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the vehicle door is provided by an inner module coupled to an outer module. In the second configuration, the vehicle door is provided by the inner module without the outer module. A door providing method includes providing a vehicle door in a first configuration using an inner module coupled to an outer module. The method further includes providing the vehicle door in a second configuration using the inner module without the outer module.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2018Publication date: June 11, 2020Inventors: Duncan Whipps, Tuan Quoc Nguyen, Jonathan Szczupak, Gregory Patton
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Publication number: 20200086738Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes, among other things, a first and a second housing of a fuel inlet assembly. The first housing is securable to an outer panel of a vehicle. A fuel inlet fastener connects together the first and second housings. The fuel inlet fastener is configured to be accessed through a fuel inlet aperture of the outer panel to disconnect the first housing from the second housing. A panel removal method includes disconnecting a first and second housing of a fuel inlet assembly through a fuel inlet aperture in an outer panel of a vehicle. The method further includes removing the outer panel and the first housing from the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2018Publication date: March 19, 2020Inventors: Jack Marchlewski, Robert Reiners, Darrin Neil Wagner, Duncan Whipps
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Patent number: 10464612Abstract: A header beam couples between A-pillars of a vehicle frame. The header beam is formed from a generally straight beam segment that is extruded to have a hollow body portion with supportive legs extending within the hollow interior along the length of the beam segment, defining uninterrupted forward and rearward box sections for supporting continuous load paths on the header beam. The end portions of the beam segment are clamped and the beam segment is stretch bent to form a curvature between the end portions that remain generally straight. A front flange extends forward along the body portion and is struck proximate the end portions to form an edge that is parallel to the curvature formed between the end portions. The end portions are attached to the A-pillars and the edge of the front flange is attached to a windshield.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2018Date of Patent: November 5, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: John Joyce, Jack Lashbrook, Duncan Whipps, Christopher John May, Darrin Neil Wagner
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Publication number: 20180148105Abstract: A header beam couples between A-pillars of a vehicle frame. The header beam is formed from a generally straight beam segment that is extruded to have a hollow body portion with supportive legs extending within the hollow interior along the length of the beam segment, defining uninterrupted forward and rearward box sections for supporting continuous load paths on the header beam. The end portions of the beam segment are clamped and the beam segment is stretch bent to form a curvature between the end portions that remain generally straight. A front flange extends forward along the body portion and is struck proximate the end portions to form an edge that is parallel to the curvature formed between the end portions. The end portions are attached to the A-pillars and the edge of the front flange is attached to a windshield.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 25, 2018Publication date: May 31, 2018Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: John Joyce, Jack Lashbrook, Duncan Whipps, Christopher John May, Darrin Neil Wagner
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Patent number: 9914483Abstract: A header beam couples between A-pillars of a vehicle frame. The header beam is formed from a generally straight beam segment that is extruded to have a hollow body portion with supportive legs extending within the hollow interior along the length of the beam segment, defining uninterrupted forward and rearward box sections for supporting continuous load paths on the header beam. The end portions of the beam segment are clamped and the beam segment is stretch bent to form a curvature between the end portions that remain generally straight. A front flange extends forward along the body portion and is struck proximate the end portions to form an edge that is parallel to the curvature formed between the end portions. The end portions are attached to the A-pillars and the edge of the front flange is attached to a windshield.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2015Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLCInventors: John Joyce, Jack Lashbrook, Duncan Whipps, Christopher John May, Darrin Neil Wagner
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Patent number: 9637179Abstract: An aluminum alloy vehicle structural component defining an out-of-plane aperture with its main portion. A recessed portion is inset from the main portion having a bed sub-portion out-of-plane with the main portion that defines the aperture. The recessed portion also provides a strain hardened sub-portion, or stiffened ring of material, around the aperture. When the main portion is subjected to in-plane tension due to bending, the strain primarily concentrates along the strain hardened sub-portion (the stiffened ring) and by-passes the aperture. As a result the perimeter of the aperture undergoes less straining than if the aperture was in-plane with the main portion. The out-of-plane aperture, the bed sub-portion surrounding the aperture, and the strain hardened sub-portion surrounding the bed sub-portion may improve the overall structural robustness of the aluminum alloy structural component when subjected to in-plane tension.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2016Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mohammed Omar Faruque, Kevin Pline, Srinivasan Sundararajan, Duncan Whipps, Darrin Neil Wagner
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Patent number: 9505447Abstract: A hydro-formed body side rail is assembled by a bracket to a front header. The front header is an extruded cross-car structural support that is joined to the body side rail by a framed joint. A gap is defined between the body side outer panel and the hydro-formed side rail relative to a lateral end of a front header. Side impact test loads are applied initially to the body side rail and compress the bracket. Compression of the bracket closes the gap and the impact loads are applied to the cross-car structural support.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2014Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Christopher John May, Duncan Whipps, Darrin Neil Wagner, Fubang Wu, John Joyce
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Publication number: 20160152282Abstract: An aluminum alloy vehicle structural component defining an out-of-plane aperture with its main portion. A recessed portion is inset from the main portion having a bed sub-portion out-of-plane with the main portion that defines the aperture. The recessed portion also provides a strain hardened sub-portion, or stiffened ring of material, around the aperture. When the main portion is subjected to in-plane tension due to bending, the strain primarily concentrates along the strain hardened sub-portion (the stiffened ring) and by-passes the aperture. As a result the perimeter of the aperture undergoes less straining than if the aperture was in-plane with the main portion. The out-of-plane aperture, the bed sub-portion surrounding the aperture, and the strain hardened sub-portion surrounding the bed sub-portion may improve the overall structural robustness of the aluminum alloy structural component when subjected to in-plane tension.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2016Publication date: June 2, 2016Inventors: Mohammed Omar FARUQUE, Kevin PLINE, Srinivasan SUNDARARAJAN, Duncan WHIPPS, Darrin Neil WAGNER
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Patent number: 9296432Abstract: An aluminum alloy vehicle structural component defining an out-of-plane aperture with its main portion. A recessed portion is inset from the main portion having a bed sub-portion out-of-plane with the main portion that defines the aperture. The recessed portion also provides a strain hardened sub-portion, or stiffened ring of material, around the aperture. When the main portion is subjected to in-plane tension due to bending, the strain primarily concentrates along the strain hardened sub-portion (the stiffened ring) and by-passes the aperture. As a result the perimeter of the aperture undergoes less straining than if the aperture was in-plane with the main portion. The out-of-plane aperture, the bed sub-portion surrounding the aperture, and the strain hardened sub-portion surrounding the bed sub-portion may improve the overall structural robustness of the aluminum alloy structural component when subjected to in-plane tension.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2014Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mohammed Omar Faruque, Kevin Pline, Srinivasan Sundararajan, Duncan Whipps, Darrin Neil Wagner
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Publication number: 20160039472Abstract: A header beam couples between A-pillars of a vehicle frame. The header beam is formed from a generally straight beam segment that is extruded to have a hollow body portion with supportive legs extending within the hollow interior along the length of the beam segment, defining uninterrupted forward and rearward box sections for supporting continuous load paths on the header beam. The end portions of the beam segment are clamped and the beam segment is stretch bent to form a curvature between the end portions that remain generally straight. A front flange extends forward along the body portion and is struck proximate the end portions to form an edge that is parallel to the curvature formed between the end portions. The end portions are attached to the A-pillars and the edge of the front flange is attached to a windshield.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 22, 2015Publication date: February 11, 2016Inventors: John Joyce, Jack Lashbrook, Duncan Whipps, Christopher John May, Darrin Neil Wagner
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Publication number: 20150375794Abstract: A hydro-formed body side rail is assembled by a bracket to a front header. The front header is an extruded cross-car structural support that is joined to the body side rail by a framed joint. A gap is defined between the body side outer panel and the hydro-formed side rail relative to a lateral end of a front header. Side impact test loads are applied initially to the body side rail and compress the bracket. Compression of the bracket closes the gap and the impact loads are applied to the cross-car structural support.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2014Publication date: December 31, 2015Inventors: Christopher John May, Duncan Whipps, Darrin Neil Wagner, Fubang Wu, John Joyce
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Publication number: 20150353144Abstract: An aluminum alloy vehicle structural component defining an out-of-plane aperture with its main portion. A recessed portion is inset from the main portion having a bed sub-portion out-of-plane with the main portion that defines the aperture. The recessed portion also provides a strain hardened sub-portion, or stiffened ring of material, around the aperture. When the main portion is subjected to in-plane tension due to bending, the strain primarily concentrates along the strain hardened sub-portion (the stiffened ring) and by-passes the aperture. As a result the perimeter of the aperture undergoes less straining than if the aperture was in-plane with the main portion. The out-of-plane aperture, the bed sub-portion surrounding the aperture, and the strain hardened sub-portion surrounding the bed sub-portion may improve the overall structural robustness of the aluminum alloy structural component when subjected to in-plane tension.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2014Publication date: December 10, 2015Inventors: Mohammed Omar Faruque, Kevin Pline, Srinivasan Sundararajan, Duncan Whipps, Darrin Neil Wagner
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Patent number: 9199293Abstract: A header beam couples between A-pillars of a vehicle frame. The header beam is formed from a generally straight beam segment that is extruded to have a hollow body portion with supportive legs extending within the hollow interior along the length of the beam segment, defining uninterrupted forward and rearward box sections for supporting continuous load paths on the header beam. The end portions of the beam segment are clamped and the beam segment is stretch bent to form a curvature between the end portions that remain generally straight. A front flange extends forward along the body portion and is struck proximate the end portions to form an edge that is parallel to the curvature formed between the end portions. The end portions are attached to the A-pillars and the edge of the front flange is attached to a windshield.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2013Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: John Joyce, Jack Lashbrook, Duncan Whipps, Christopher John May, Darrin Neil Wagner
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Patent number: 9045168Abstract: A roof support for a vehicle is provided containing a first side roof rail; a transverse roof bow fixed to and extending from the first side roof rail; and a first brace fixed to the first side roof rail at a forward point on the first side roof rail, wherein the first brace extends to the transverse roof bow and is fixed to a first aft point on the transverse roof bow, thereby advantageously defining a first angle between the first side roof rail and the first brace. The roof support may further include a second side roof rail opposite the first side roof rail such that the roof bow laterally extends from the first side roof rail to the second side roof rail, wherein a second brace is connected in like manner.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2011Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Darrin Neil Wagner, Duncan Whipps, Bruno Barthelemy, Srinivasan Sundararajan, Fubang Wu, Mohammed Omar Faruque, Leonard Anthony Shaner
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Publication number: 20150115666Abstract: A header beam couples between A-pillars of a vehicle frame. The header beam is formed from a generally straight beam segment that is extruded to have a hollow body portion with supportive legs extending within the hollow interior along the length of the beam segment, defining uninterrupted forward and rearward box sections for supporting continuous load paths on the header beam. The end portions of the beam segment are clamped and the beam segment is stretch bent to form a curvature between the end portions that remain generally straight. A front flange extends forward along the body portion and is struck proximate the end portions to form an edge that is parallel to the curvature formed between the end portions. The end portions are attached to the A-pillars and the edge of the front flange is attached to a windshield.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2013Publication date: April 30, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: John Joyce, Jack Lashbrook, Duncan Whipps, Christopher John May, Darrin Neil Wagner
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Publication number: 20150115665Abstract: A header beam couples between A-pillars of a vehicle frame. The header beam is formed from a generally straight beam segment that is extruded to have a hollow body portion with supportive legs extending within the hollow interior along the length of the beam segment, defining uninterrupted forward and rearward box sections for supporting continuous load paths on the header beam. The end portions of the beam segment are clamped and the beam segment is stretch bent to form a curvature between the end portions that remain generally straight. A front flange extends forward along the body portion and is struck proximate the end portions to form an edge that is parallel to the curvature formed between the end portions. The end portions are attached to the A-pillars and the edge of the front flange is attached to a windshield.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2013Publication date: April 30, 2015Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: John Joyce, Jack Lashbrook, Duncan Whipps, Christopher John May, Darrin Neil Wagner
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Patent number: 8998307Abstract: A header beam couples between A-pillars of a vehicle frame. The header beam is formed from a generally straight beam segment that is extruded to have a hollow body portion with supportive legs extending within the hollow interior along the length of the beam segment, defining uninterrupted forward and rearward box sections for supporting continuous load paths on the header beam. The end portions of the beam segment are clamped and the beam segment is stretch bent to form a curvature between the end portions that remain generally straight. A front flange extends forward along the body portion and is struck proximate the end portions to form an edge that is parallel to the curvature formed between the end portions. The end portions are attached to the A-pillars and the edge of the front flange is attached to a windshield.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2013Date of Patent: April 7, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: John Joyce, Jack Lashbrook, Duncan Whipps, Christopher John May, Darrin Neil Wagner
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Patent number: 8833832Abstract: A node is configured for connecting body portions of a vehicle. The node includes a first portion configured for attachment to a first vehicle body portion, and a second portion configured for attachment to a second vehicle body portion.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2011Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Duncan Whipps