Patents by Inventor Erika Kristin Low
Erika Kristin Low 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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Patent number: 10421495Abstract: An apparatus for protecting against damage to a vehicle during a low speed collision. The apparatus includes a headlamp adapted to breakaway to provide the vehicle with front end compliance for pedestrian protection. To avoid causing further damage to vehicle components during the low speed collision, a compressible stopper, such as a foam block, is provided for simultaneously engaging the headlamp and a component of the vehicle during the rearward movement of the headlamp as a result of the collision. Related methods are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2016Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Aileen M. DeVoe, Rajarathinam Jayachandran, Paul Ribai, Bhimaraddi Venkaraddi Alavandi, Erika Kristin Low, Oliver O. Nwankwo
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Patent number: 9975507Abstract: A vehicle bumper assembly may include a fascia, a bumper beam arranged inside of the fascia including an upper portion and a lower portion, and a reinforcement block arranged only on the upper portion of the bumper beam and configured to absorb energy and to eliminate contact of the upper portion with the fascia during a collision.Type: GrantFiled: October 6, 2016Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Rajarathinam Jayachandran, Erika Kristin Low, Bhimaraddi Venkaraddi Alavandi
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Publication number: 20180099631Abstract: A vehicle bumper assembly may include a fascia, a bumper beam arranged inside of the fascia including an upper portion and a lower portion, and a reinforcement block arranged only on the upper portion of the bumper beam and configured to absorb energy and to eliminate contact of the upper portion with the fascia during a collision.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2016Publication date: April 12, 2018Inventors: Rajarathinam JAYACHANDRAN, Erika Kristin LOW, Bhimaraddi Venkaraddi ALAVANDI
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Publication number: 20180086384Abstract: An apparatus for protecting against damage to a vehicle during a low speed collision. The apparatus includes a headlamp adapted to breakaway to provide the vehicle with front end compliance for pedestrian protection. To avoid causing further damage to vehicle components during the low speed collision, a compressible stopper, such as a foam block, is provided for simultaneously engaging the headlamp and a component of the vehicle during the rearward movement of the headlamp as a result of the collision. Related methods are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2016Publication date: March 29, 2018Inventors: Aileen M. DeVoe, Rajarathinam Jayachandran, Paul Ribai, Bhimaraddi Venkaraddi Alavandi, Erika Kristin Low, Oliver O. Nwankwo
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Patent number: 9434296Abstract: A motor vehicle headlamp assembly mounted to a front corner of a motor vehicle between a side fender panel and a front body panel has a front portion and a rear portion, a forward mount attached to a front structure of the motor vehicle, and a rearward mount attached to a rear structure of the motor vehicle situated rearward of the front structure. An anchor cable has a first end attached to the rear portion of the headlamp assembly and a second end attached to the motor vehicle proximate the rear structure, whereby the rear portion of the headlamp assembly is substantially restrained from rearward, upward, and outward movement during a low velocity impact event.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2014Date of Patent: September 6, 2016Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Bhimaraddi Venkaraddi Alavandi, Rajarathinam Jayachandran, Erika Kristin Low, Matt Alan Niesluchowski
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Patent number: 9346424Abstract: A bumper assembly includes a beam and a rigid device. The beam is at least partially spaced from a vehicle fascia. The rigid device is disposed on the beam in a space defined between the fascia and the beam. The rigid device is configured to transmit and at least partially absorb a force applied to the fascia and limit damage to a rear of the vehicle. The exemplary bumper assembly may further include at least one crush can disposed on the beam. The rigid device is generally aligned with the crush can but on opposing surfaces of the beam.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2013Date of Patent: May 24, 2016Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Bhimaraddi Venkaraddi Alavandi, Sankar Krishnamoorthy, Rajarathinam Jayachandran, Erika Kristin Low, Kevin Gustafson, Matt Alan Niesluchowski
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Patent number: 9308842Abstract: A seat assembly including a seat pan that drops vertically in the event of a frontal impact event to help safeguard against the head of an unbelted seat occupant striking the headliner, windshield or other components of the vehicle. The seat assembly includes a seat pan attached to a seat track. The seat track further includes an attachment bracket. A swing linkage movably connects the seat pan with the seat track by a movable fastener. A slot is formed in the bracket through which at least a part of the movable fastener passes. A pyrotechnic fastener also attaches the swing linkage to the bracket. In a frontal impact event, the pyrotechnic fastener is caused to explode thus separating the pyrotechnic fastener into two parts and allowing the swing linkage and its attached seat pan to drop vertically relative to the seat track and lowering the unbelted occupant.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2014Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Tzu-Chen Weng, Erika Kristin Low, Djamal Eddine Midoun, Se Kyoon Shin
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Patent number: 9228628Abstract: An impact absorption assembly includes a bumper that is attached to a crush-can. The crush-can is assembled within a frame rail or other chassis frame member. A load path for a low speed impact is provided from the bumper through the crush-can and to the frame rail. An outer body structure defines an opening through which the crush-can is assembled to avoid damage to the outer body structure that may include a back-light support panel, a lift-gate and a rear tail light.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2013Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Bhimaraddi Venkaraddi Alavandi, Sankar Krishnamoorthy, Kevin Gustafson, John Michael McGuckin, Erika Kristin Low
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Publication number: 20150239373Abstract: A seat assembly including a seat pan that drops vertically in the event of a frontal impact event to help safeguard against the head of an unbelted seat occupant striking the headliner, windshield or other components of the vehicle. The seat assembly includes a seat pan attached to a seat track. The seat track further includes an attachment bracket. A swing linkage movably connects the seat pan with the seat track by a movable fastener. A slot is formed in the bracket through which at least a part of the movable fastener passes. A pyrotechnic fastener also attaches the swing linkage to the bracket. In a frontal impact event the pyrotechnic fastener is caused to explode thus separating the pyrotechnic fastener into two parts and allowing the swing linkage and its attached seat pan to drop vertically relative to the seat track, thereby lowering the unbelted occupant.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2014Publication date: August 27, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Tzu-Chen Weng, Erika Kristin Low, Djamal Eddine Midoun, Se Kyoon Shin
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Publication number: 20150210206Abstract: A motor vehicle headlamp assembly mounted to a front corner of a motor vehicle between a side fender panel and a front body panel has a front portion and a rear portion, a forward mount attached to a front structure of the motor vehicle, and a rearward mount attached to a rear structure of the motor vehicle situated rearward of the front structure. An anchor cable has a first end attached to the rear portion of the headlamp assembly and a second end attached to the motor vehicle proximate the rear structure, whereby the rear portion of the headlamp assembly is substantially restrained from rearward, upward, and outward movement during a low velocity impact event.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 28, 2014Publication date: July 30, 2015Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Bhimaraddi Venkaraddi Alavandi, Rajarathinam Jayachandran, Erika Kristin Low, Matt Alan Niesluchowski
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Publication number: 20150115631Abstract: A bumper assembly includes a beam and a rigid device. The beam is at least partially spaced from a vehicle fascia. The rigid device is disposed on the beam in a space defined between the fascia and the beam. The rigid device is configured to transmit and at least partially absorb a force applied to the fascia and limit damage to a rear of the vehicle. The exemplary bumper assembly may further include at least one crush can disposed on the beam. The rigid device is generally aligned with the crush can but on opposing surfaces of the beam.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2013Publication date: April 30, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Bhimaraddi Venkaraddi Alavandi, Sankar Krishnamoorthy, Rajarathinam Jayachandran, Erika Kristin Low, Kevin Gustafson, Matt Alan Niesluchowski
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Publication number: 20150102615Abstract: An impact absorption assembly includes a bumper that is attached to a crush-can. The crush-can is assembled within a frame rail or other chassis frame member. A load path for a low speed impact is provided from the bumper through the crush-can and to the frame rail. An outer body structure defines an opening through which the crush-can is assembled to avoid damage to the outer body structure that may include a back-light support panel, a lift-gate and a rear tail light.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2013Publication date: April 16, 2015Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Bhimaraddi Vankaraddi Alavandi, Sankar Krishnamoorthy, Kevin Gustafson, John Michael McGuckin, Erika Kristin Low
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Patent number: 8985671Abstract: A V shape bumper extension for a vehicle is provided where the V shape member has an extension member and a support member. The extension member extends linearly away from a bumper and the support member is positioned at an acute angle with respect to a crush can. The support member includes an outer edge spaced apart from the crush can and is connected to the crush can through at least one breakable attachment.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2013Date of Patent: March 24, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Wanjun Lei, Yi Qu, Chris Stephen O'Connor, Naeem Ahmed Ghias, Erika Kristin Low
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Patent number: 8439431Abstract: An attachment bracket in a vehicle for providing integrated support for one or more security features required by law enforcement agencies. The attachment bracket includes a first part including a horizontal cross member extending across the top of a rear panel of the vehicle body. The structure further includes a second part, connected to the first part, which includes two or more intersecting cross members. The second part is mechanically coupled to the vehicle body inside the vehicle cabin below the second row passenger seat. The structure also includes a third part, connected to the second part, which includes one or more arcuate tubular members extending along the vehicle floor panel from the second part towards the first row of seats. The third part is open at the end towards the first row passenger seats.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2011Date of Patent: May 14, 2013Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Djamal Eddine Midoun, Stephen Thomas Kozak, Erika Kristin Low, Bhimaraddi Venkaraddi Alavandi, Shekar Prabhakar Erasala, Robert Sharp, Wanjun Lei