Patents by Inventor Joel Allen Pittenger
Joel Allen Pittenger 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).
-
Publication number: 20250087940Abstract: An electrical receptacle, that receives an electrical plug having a male terminal or a female terminal, includes the other of the male terminal or female terminal and a latch that, responsive to movement of the electrical plug toward the electrical receptacle resulting in movement of the male terminal into the female terminal, rides along serrations of the serrated insert such that the latch and one of the serrations cooperate to resist disengagement of the electrical plug from the electrical receptacle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2023Publication date: March 13, 2025Inventors: Richard Moore, Scott Robert Lirette, David Lloyd Nutt, Joel Allen Pittenger, John Paul Modzel
-
Publication number: 20230283014Abstract: The disclosure generally pertains to systems and methods involving wiring connectors. In an example system, the system may include a first wire having a first connector portion, a second wire having a second connector portion, and a connector position assurance device configured to electrically connect the first wire to the second wire after the first connector portion is mechanically connected to the second connector portion. In an example method, a first connector portion of a first wire may be aligned against a second connector portion of a second wire. The first connector portion may then be moved towards the second connector portion. The first wire may then be electrically connected to the second wire via a connector position assurance device after the first connector portion is mechanically connected to the second connector portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2022Publication date: September 7, 2023Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: John Bielawski, Joel Allen Pittenger
-
Patent number: 10734764Abstract: Apparatus are disclosed for vehicle connectors for monitoring connection with trailer connectors. An example connector of a vehicle for coupling a trailer to the vehicle includes a wall defining a cavity to receive a trailer connector, a seal to engage the trailer connector when the cavity receives the trailer connector, and a first trailer-connection sensor disposed in the seal to monitor engagement of the trailer connector with the seal to identify a secure connection with the trailer connector.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2018Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Joel Allen Pittenger, Aed M. Dudar, Swadad A. Carremm
-
Patent number: 10530086Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for genderless electric terminals of vehicles. An example genderless electric terminal includes a first arm, a second arm opposite the first arm, and a wall integrally connecting the first arm and the second arm to define a slot. The example genderless electric terminal also includes a first flexible contact extending from an end of the first arm and protruding into the slot to engage a first arm of a different genderless electric terminal that is inserted into the slot.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2019Date of Patent: January 7, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Joel Allen Pittenger
-
Publication number: 20190157790Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for genderless electric terminals of vehicles. An example genderless electric terminal includes a first arm, a second arm opposite the first arm, and a wall integrally connecting the first arm and the second arm to define a slot. The example genderless electric terminal also includes a first flexible contact extending from an end of the first arm and protruding into the slot to engage a first arm of a different genderless electric terminal that is inserted into the slot.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2019Publication date: May 23, 2019Inventor: Joel Allen Pittenger
-
Publication number: 20190036275Abstract: Apparatus are disclosed for vehicle connectors for monitoring connection with trailer connectors. An example connector of a vehicle for coupling a trailer to the vehicle includes a wall defining a cavity to receive a trailer connector, a seal to engage the trailer connector when the cavity receives the trailer connector, and a first trailer-connection sensor disposed in the seal to monitor engagement of the trailer connector with the seal to identify a secure connection with the trailer connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2018Publication date: January 31, 2019Inventors: Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Joel Allen Pittenger, Aed M. Dudar, Swadad A. Carremm
-
Patent number: 10193261Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for genderless electric terminals of vehicles. An example genderless electric terminal includes a first arm, a second arm opposite the first arm, and a wall integrally connecting the first arm and the second arm to define a slot. The example genderless electric terminal also includes a first flexible contact extending from an end of the first arm and protruding into the slot to engage a first arm of a different genderless electric terminal that is inserted into the slot.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2017Date of Patent: January 29, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Joel Allen Pittenger
-
Patent number: 10112452Abstract: A trailer yaw sensing apparatus is provided. The trailer yaw sensing apparatus includes a housing, a yaw sensor, and a docking station. The housing is configured for installation on a trailer. The housing defines apertures that are configured to engage fasteners for mounting yaw sensors in a plurality of orientations. The yaw sensor includes an external casing and is disposed within the housing. The docking station is affixed to the housing and is configured to receive a trailer-to-vehicle electrical connector.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2015Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Swadad A. Carremm, Joel Allen Pittenger, Roy Joseph Scott, David James Tippy, Steven Yellin Schondorf
-
Patent number: 10103488Abstract: Apparatus are disclosed for vehicle connectors for monitoring connection with trailer connectors. An example connector of a vehicle for coupling a trailer to the vehicle includes a wall defining a cavity to receive a trailer connector, a seal to engage the trailer connector when the cavity receives the trailer connector, and a first trailer-connection sensor disposed in the seal to monitor engagement of the trailer connector with the seal to identify a secure connection with the trailer connector.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2016Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Joel Allen Pittenger, Aed M. Dudar, Swadad A. Carremm
-
Publication number: 20180277976Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for genderless electric terminals of vehicles. An example genderless electric terminal includes a first arm, a second arm opposite the first arm, and a wall integrally connecting the first arm and the second arm to define a slot. The example genderless electric terminal also includes a first flexible contact extending from an end of the first arm and protruding into the slot to engage a first arm of a different genderless electric terminal that is inserted into the slot.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2017Publication date: September 27, 2018Inventor: Joel Allen Pittenger
-
Patent number: 10035392Abstract: A computer is programmed to actuate an electric socket mounted to an exterior of a vehicle to close upon determining that the vehicle's speed exceeds a predetermined threshold, that a cover is open, and that the electric socket is in an electrically disengaged state.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2016Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Swadad A. Carremm, Joel Allen Pittenger, David James Tippy
-
Publication number: 20180175553Abstract: Apparatus are disclosed for vehicle connectors for monitoring connection with trailer connectors. An example connector of a vehicle for coupling a trailer to the vehicle includes a wall defining a cavity to receive a trailer connector, a seal to engage the trailer connector when the cavity receives the trailer connector, and a first trailer-connection sensor disposed in the seal to monitor engagement of the trailer connector with the seal to identify a secure connection with the trailer connector.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2016Publication date: June 21, 2018Inventors: Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Joel Allen Pittenger, Aed M. Dudar, Swadad A. Carremm
-
Publication number: 20180154716Abstract: A computer is programmed to actuate an electric socket mounted to an exterior of a vehicle to close upon determining that the vehicle's speed exceeds a predetermined threshold, that a cover is open, and that the electric socket is in an electrically disengaged state.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2016Publication date: June 7, 2018Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Swadad A. Carremm, Joel Allen Pittenger, David James Tippy
-
Publication number: 20160285197Abstract: A connector assembly includes a housing, a plurality of pins disposed on the housing, a pin chamber disposed on the housing, and a cap disposed on the chamber. The cap has a plurality of holes for receiving the pins. The pins are aligned with the holes when the cap is in an operating position and the pins are offset from the holes when the cap is in a storage position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2015Publication date: September 29, 2016Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Swadad A. Carremm, Joel Allen Pittenger, Aed M. Dudar
-
Patent number: 9455522Abstract: A connector assembly includes a housing, a plurality of pins disposed on the housing, a pin chamber disposed on the housing, and a cap disposed on the chamber. The cap has a plurality of holes for receiving the pins. The pins are aligned with the holes when the cap is in an operating position and the pins are offset from the holes when the cap is in a storage position.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2015Date of Patent: September 27, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Mahmoud Yousef Ghannam, Swadad A. Carremm, Joel Allen Pittenger, Aed M. Dudar