Patents by Inventor Erik Riha

Erik Riha 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: 11679459
    Abstract: A locating fixture that includes a base, an adjustable locating member, a plurality of indicia, a restraining member and a lower substructure. The base includes a raised platform having a mounting aperture. The adjustable locating member is disposed within the mounting aperture and includes a part locating feature and a position indicator fixedly attached to the adjustable locating member. The plurality of indicia is located on the raised platform adjacent to the adjustable locating member. The position indicator cooperates with the plurality of indicia to determine a vertical position of the adjustable locating member. The restraining member is cooperatively engaged with the adjustable locating member. The lower substructure is configured to allow for longitudinal and lateral translation of the base. The base is translatably mounted to the lower substructure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Erik Riha, Michael Dean Blodgett, Dennis Cedar
  • Patent number: 11673220
    Abstract: A locating fixture includes an adjustable locating member for supporting and restraining a part. The adjustable locating member allows for rotational and translational adjustment for aligning to a particular part configuration. The adjustable locating member utilizes a plurality of indicia and a position indicator to assist in the alignment of the adjustable locating member to a desired position, which is then restrained at a desired position by a restraining element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Erik Riha, Michael Dean Blodgett
  • Publication number: 20230073392
    Abstract: A locating fixture that includes a base, an adjustable locating member, a plurality of indicia, a restraining member and a lower substructure. The base includes a raised platform having a mounting aperture. The adjustable locating member is disposed within the mounting aperture and includes a part locating feature and a position indicator fixedly attached to the adjustable locating member. The plurality of indicia is located on the raised platform adjacent to the adjustable locating member. The position indicator cooperates with the plurality of indicia to determine a vertical position of the adjustable locating member. The restraining member is cooperatively engaged with the adjustable locating member. The lower substructure is configured to allow for longitudinal and lateral translation of the base. The base is translatably mounted to the lower substructure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2021
    Publication date: March 9, 2023
    Applicant: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Erik Riha, Michael Dean Blodgett, Dennis Cedar
  • Publication number: 20210402543
    Abstract: A locating fixture includes an adjustable locating member for supporting and restraining a part. The adjustable locating member allows for rotational and translational adjustment for aligning to a particular part configuration. The adjustable locating member utilizes a plurality of indicia and a position indicator to assist in the alignment of the adjustable locating member to a desired position, which is then restrained at a desired position by a restraining element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2021
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Erik Riha, Michael Dean Blodgett
  • Patent number: 11123833
    Abstract: A locating fixture includes an adjustable locating member for supporting and restraining a part. The adjustable locating member allows for rotational and translational adjustment for aligning to a particular part configuration. The adjustable locating member utilizes a plurality of indicia and a position indicator to assist in the alignment of the adjustable locating member to a desired position, which is then restrained at a desired position by a restraining element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Erik Riha, Michael Dean Blodgett
  • Publication number: 20200189060
    Abstract: A locating fixture includes an adjustable locating member for supporting and restraining a part. The adjustable locating member allows for rotational and translational adjustment for aligning to a particular part configuration. The adjustable locating member utilizes a plurality of indicia and a position indicator to assist in the alignment of the adjustable locating member to a desired position, which is then restrained at a desired position by a restraining element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Publication date: June 18, 2020
    Applicant: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: Erik Riha, Michael Dean Blodgett
  • Patent number: 9782815
    Abstract: A prototype part drawing/flanging tool is provided that are arranged in a draw die set-up and a flange die set-up. The draw die set-up includes a binder ring, a pad; a flange forming ring, and a punch. The flange die set-up includes the flanging ring, the pad, and the punch. The draw die set draws a blank and the flange die set forms a flange on the blank in two separate operations using the same die parts in the two operations. A method is disclosed for making a formed and flanged part that begins by drawing a blank held by a pad, a flanging ring and a binder ring against a punch in a press to form a drawn blank. The drawn blank is then laser trimmed to form a trimmed/drawn blank. The trimmed/drawn blank is then clamped between the pad and the punch while the flange forming ring forms a flange into a flange forming groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Timothy Sallade, John Lowery, Erik Riha, Robert Schuh, Jorge Lopez, Matthew Campau, Hector Lopez, Steven Church, Brett Cook, Steven Guido
  • Publication number: 20160375483
    Abstract: A prototype part drawing/flanging tool is provided that are arranged in a draw die set-up and a flange die set-up. The draw die set-up includes a binder ring, a pad; a flange forming ring, and a punch. The flange die set-up includes the flanging ring, the pad, and the punch. The draw die set draws a blank and the flange die set forms a flange on the blank in two separate operations using the same die parts in the two operations. A method is disclosed for making a formed and flanged part that begins by drawing a blank held by a pad, a flanging ring and a binder ring against a punch in a press to form a drawn blank. The drawn blank is then laser trimmed to form a trimmed/drawn blank. The trimmed/drawn blank is then clamped between the pad and the punch while the flange forming ring forms a flange into a flange forming groove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2015
    Publication date: December 29, 2016
    Inventors: Timothy Sallade, John Lowery, Erik Riha, Robert Schuh, Jorge Lopez, Matthew Campau, Hector Lopez, Steven Church, Brett Cook, Steven Guido