Patents by Inventor James Neugebauer
James Neugebauer 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: 10926825Abstract: A cart includes a hub, a frame, and at least one handlebar. The frame includes a first segment and a second segment, and the first segment, the second segment, and the handlebar are each supported by the hub. The hub defines a rotational axis and at least two of the first segment, the second segment, and the handlebar are rotatable about the rotational axis relative to each other and the hub. At least one wheel is on the first segment and at least one wheel is on the second segment.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2016Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: Ford Gloabl Technologies, LLCInventors: James Neugebauer, Robert Spahl, Torsten Gerhardt, Christoph Rueberg, Bruce Southey
-
Patent number: 10927574Abstract: A motor vehicle has a tailgate arranged pivotably on a body. The tailgate in a closed position closes a cargo space opening of the body at the rear and in an open position at least partially exposes the cargo space opening. A tailgate latch locks the closed position of the tailgate and has a closing element and a locking mechanism interacting with the closing element in the closed position. In order to make available a variable cargo space size, in which an open position of the tailgate can be secured, a support arm is pivotably articulated with one end between a rest position, in which the support arm is immovably secured, and a functional position, in which the support arm pivots in the direction of the locking mechanism, and is capable of being fixed with another end to the locking mechanism by an actuation of the locking mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2018Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Igor Fischbein, James Neugebauer, Torsten Gerhardt, Bruce Southey
-
Publication number: 20200284088Abstract: A movable bulkhead assembly configured to partition an interior of a motor vehicle is provided. The assembly comprises a segmented shutter and a track assembly configured to guide the movement of the segmented shutter. The track assembly comprises a first vertically extending track portion, the segmented shutter being movable along the first vertically extending track portion to deploy or retract the bulkhead.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2020Publication date: September 10, 2020Inventors: James Neugebauer, Torsten Gerhardt, Pete Wallace, James Nicholas Murray
-
Patent number: 10733829Abstract: A system for delivering and/or picking up items comprising a container, which is closable via an openable/closable door and has access protection, and a standardized coupling mechanism for the option of fastening on a delivery vehicle, a mobile mini-vehicle or a stationary upright, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a receiving means on the holder and comprises an engagement means, which is for engagement in the receiving means and is arranged on the delivery vehicle, on the mobile mini-vehicle and on the stationary upright such that the container is securable in a releasable manner optionally on the delivery vehicle, on the mobile mini-vehicle or on the stationary upright, and a corresponding method.Type: GrantFiled: May 10, 2018Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Detlef Kuck, James Neugebauer, Torsten Gerhardt, Mark Gijbels, Tobias Ricke, Alexandra Holz
-
Patent number: 10597100Abstract: A device for transporting a payload (to include a human user) over varied terrain. A platform accommodates the payload. A pair of wheel clusters are mounted to opposite ends of the platform and are powered in rotation relative thereto. Each includes at least two co-planar wheels powered by electric motors. A latch is hand-operable (without tools) to secure the cluster to the platform and, alternatively, allow the cluster to be detached from the platform and rotated 90° to lie parallel thereto. An electrical connector conducts electric power from the platform to the cluster when the latch is operated/actuated to secure the cluster to the platform, and is configured such that it does not impede or obstruct detaching the wheel cluster from the platform, with no requirement that the user take any additional step (other than actuating the latch) to detach the wheel cluster.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2017Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Torsten Gerhardt, James Neugebauer, Robert Spahl, Bruce Southey, Christoph Ruberg
-
Patent number: 10513284Abstract: A motorized device for transporting a human or inanimate payload. A platform is configured to accommodate the payload and a pair of wheel clusters are mounted to the platform at opposite ends thereof and are powered in rotation relative to the platform, for example by one or more electric motors housed in or on the platform or wheel clusters. Each of the two wheel clusters comprises three drive wheels arranged in a generally triangular and co-planar configuration, and each is independently powered about its respective axis of rotation by a hub-mounted electric motor. An electronic controller commands the motors powering the two wheel clusters and of each of the six drive wheels. The independent controllability of each wheel and of the wheel clusters relative to the platform allows the device to steer and to ascend and descend steps.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2017Date of Patent: December 24, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Torsten Gerhardt, James Neugebauer, Robert Spahl, Bruce Southey, Christoph Ruberg
-
Patent number: 10479280Abstract: A motor vehicle is provided with a luggage compartment opening arranged at the rear of a body of the motor vehicle, and a tailgate arranged pivotably on the body and in a closed position closes the luggage compartment opening and in an open position at least partially opens the luggage compartment opening. In order to provide a motor vehicle with a luggage compartment of variable size, the motor vehicle comprises a cover attached to a vehicle portion of the motor vehicle adjacent to the luggage compartment opening and/or defining the luggage compartment opening, and which is made of a flexible material and is configured and arranged such that, in the open position of the tailgate or by pivoting of the tailgate into the open position, it can be transferred from a compact rest state into an extended function state.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2018Date of Patent: November 19, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Igor Fischbein, James Neugebauer, Torsten Gerhardt, Bruce Southey
-
Patent number: 10471898Abstract: A roll cover assembly for covering a cargo space of a vehicle includes a cassette housing an extendable/retractable roll cover, a first receptacle adjacent a first side wall of the cargo space and having a channel configured to slidably guide a first end of the cassette during insertion or removal, a second receptacle adjacent a second side wall of the cargo space and having an opening configured to receive a second end of the cassette and permit pivoting of the cassette about the second end during removal of the first end from the first receptacle, a locking mechanism releasably locking the first end of the cassette into the first receptacle, and a release device actuatable to release the locking mechanism by pulling along a line-of-action parallel with a direction in which the first end of the cassette moves during removal from the first receptacle.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2017Date of Patent: November 12, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Andrew John Murray, Richard Craven, Daniel Berry, James Neugebauer
-
Patent number: 10363859Abstract: A vehicle loadspace cover is provided that is securable to a portion of a vehicle. The loadspace cover comprises a cargo fixing point configured to secure an item of cargo to the loadspace cover.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2017Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: James Nicholas Murray, James Neugebauer, Bruce Southey, Richard Craven, Andrew John Murray, Ian Brazier
-
Patent number: 10336393Abstract: An electric bicycle includes a motor and a controller. A heart rate monitor is programmed to communicate a heart rate signal representing a heart rate of an occupant to the controller. The controller is programmed to receive a destination distance of the electric bicycle relative to a predetermined destination. The controller is programmed to provide instruction to adjust power to the motor based at least on the heart rate signal and the destination distance.Type: GrantFiled: July 21, 2015Date of Patent: July 2, 2019Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Torsten Gerhardt, Jonathan Mundy, James Lloyd, James Neugebauer, Simon Potticary, Richard Craven, Bruce Southey
-
Publication number: 20190172094Abstract: A visual display system for a vehicle is provided. The visual display system comprising: at least one electronic display configured to produce an image visible from outside the vehicle; a controller for controlling an image displayed by the at least one electronic display; and an order fulfilment device, wherein the controller is configured to control the image displayed on the at least one electronic display based on input received from the order fulfilment device. A method of controlling a visual display is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2018Publication date: June 6, 2019Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Andrew Murray, James Neugebauer, Richard Craven
-
Publication number: 20190172411Abstract: A visual display system for a vehicle is provided. The visual display system comprises an electronic display visible from the exterior of the vehicle, wherein the electronic display is configurable to have the appearance of the vehicle bodywork, for example when it is not in use to display a message sign or image. A method of controlling a visual display on a vehicle is also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2018Publication date: June 6, 2019Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Andrew Murray, James Neugebauer, Richard Craven
-
Patent number: 10286816Abstract: A vehicle loadspace floor comprising a first deployable portion and a second deployable portion, the first and second deployable portions cooperating to form a rearward-facing seat extending through the opening of a loadspace of the vehicle when deployed from the loadspace floor.Type: GrantFiled: October 9, 2017Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: James Nicholas Murray, James Neugebauer, Richard Craven, Bruce Southey
-
Publication number: 20190111989Abstract: A cart includes a hub, a frame, and at least one handlebar. The frame includes a first segment and a second segment, and the first segment, the second segment, and the handlebar are each supported by the hub. The hub defines a rotational axis and at least two of the first segment, the second segment, and the handlebar are rotatable about the rotational axis relative to each other and the hub. At least one wheel is on the first segment and at least one wheel is on the second segment.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2016Publication date: April 18, 2019Inventors: James NEUGEBAUER, Robert SPAHL, Torsten GERHARDT, Christoph RUEBERG, Bruce SOUTHEY
-
Patent number: 10259481Abstract: A motorized device for transporting a human or inanimate payload. A platform is configured to accommodate the payload and a pair of wheel clusters are mounted to the platform at opposite ends thereof and are powered in both rotation and in translation relative to the platform, for example by one or more electric motors housed in or on the platform or wheel clusters. Each of the wheel clusters comprises an arm, and a first and a second wheel rotatably mounted to respective opposite ends of the arm. Each of the wheels is independently powered about its respective axis of rotation. An electronic controller commands the motors to enable stable rolling movement of the device over a surface with only one wheel of each cluster in contact with the surface, and to allow the device to steer and to ascend and descend steps.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2017Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Torsten Gerhardt, James Neugebauer, Robert Spahl, Bruce Southey, Christoph Ruberg
-
Patent number: 10202161Abstract: A bicycle includes a frame including first and second segments pivotable relative to each other between a folded position and an unfolded position. A magnet is fixed relative to the first segment. An electromagnet is fixed relative to the second segment and disposed in a magnetic field of the magnet when the frame is in the folded position. A controller is configured to power the electromagnet to repel the magnet to unfold the frame.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2017Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Bruce Southey, Simon Potticary, James Neugebauer, Torsten Gerhardt, Richard Craven, James Lloyd, Jonathan Mundy
-
Publication number: 20180371809Abstract: A motor vehicle has a tailgate arranged pivotably on a body. The tailgate in a closed position closes a cargo space opening of the body at the rear and in an open position at least partially exposes the cargo space opening. A tailgate latch locks the closed position of the tailgate and has a closing element and a locking mechanism interacting with the closing element in the closed position. In order to make available a variable cargo space size, in which an open position of the tailgate can be secured, a support arm is pivotably articulated with one end between a rest position, in which the support arm is immovably secured, and a functional position, in which the support arm pivots in the direction of the locking mechanism, and is capable of being fixed with another end to the locking mechanism by an actuation of the locking mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2018Publication date: December 27, 2018Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Igor Fischbein, James Neugebauer, Torsten Gerhardt, Bruce Southey
-
Publication number: 20180370453Abstract: An exemplary motor vehicle assembly includes a vehicle with trunk having a trunk opening, a container, and at least one trunk lid. The container, while coupled to the vehicle, is pivotable back and forth between a first position where the container is inside the trunk, and a second position where the container is outside the trunk. The at least one trunk lid is moveable from an open position to a closed position that closes the trunk opening when the container is in the second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2018Publication date: December 27, 2018Inventors: Torsten Gerhardt, Igor Fischbein, James Neugebauer, Bruce Southey
-
Publication number: 20180370443Abstract: A motor vehicle is provided with a luggage compartment opening arranged at the rear of a body of the motor vehicle, and a tailgate arranged pivotably on the body and in a closed position closes the luggage compartment opening and in an open position at least partially opens the luggage compartment opening. In order to provide a motor vehicle with a luggage compartment of variable size, the motor vehicle comprises a cover attached to a vehicle portion of the motor vehicle adjacent to the luggage compartment opening and/or defining the luggage compartment opening, and which is made of a flexible material and is configured and arranged such that, in the open position of the tailgate or by pivoting of the tailgate into the open position, it can be transferred from a compact rest state into an extended function state.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2018Publication date: December 27, 2018Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Igor Fischbein, James Neugebauer, Torsten Gerhardt, Bruce Southey
-
Publication number: 20180330561Abstract: A system for delivering and/or picking up items comprising a container, which is closable via an openable/closable door and has access protection, and a standardized coupling mechanism for the option of fastening on a delivery vehicle, a mobile mini-vehicle or a stationary upright, wherein the coupling mechanism comprises a receiving means on the holder and comprises an engagement means, which is for engagement in the receiving means and is arranged on the delivery vehicle, on the mobile mini-vehicle and on the stationary upright such that the container is securable in a releasable manner optionally on the delivery vehicle, on the mobile mini-vehicle or on the stationary upright, and a corresponding method.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 10, 2018Publication date: November 15, 2018Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Detlef KUCK, James NEUGEBAUER, Torsten GERHARDT, Mark GIJBELS, Tobias RICKE, Alexandra HOLZ