Patents by Inventor John Thomas Ricks

John Thomas Ricks 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: 11555336
    Abstract: A powered latch system for motor vehicles includes at least one powered latch that can be controlled based, at least in part, on vehicle operating conditions. The system may be configured to control unlatching of the vehicle doors utilizing data relating to the vehicle speed and/or the existence of a crash event. The powered latch system can be configured as required for various vehicles, and to accommodate specific operating requirements with respect to child locks in various geographic jurisdictions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Bruce Kleve, John Thomas Ricks, Jim Michael Weinfurther, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Ronald Patrick Brombach, Laura Viviana Hazebrouck, Lisa Therese Boran, Howard Paul Tsvi Linden
  • Patent number: 11466484
    Abstract: A latch system for vehicle doors includes a powered latch including a powered actuator that is configured to unlatch the powered latch. An interior unlatch input feature such as an unlatch switch can be actuated by a user to provide an unlatch request. The system may include a controller that is operably connected to the powered actuator of the powered latch. The controller is configured such that it does not unlatch the powered latch if a vehicle speed is greater than a predefined value unless the interior latch feature is actuated at least two times according to predefined criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: H. Paul Tsvi Linden, Daniel Carl Bejune, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Kosta Papanikolaou, Noah Barlow Mass, Lisa Therese Boran, Ronald Patrick Brombach, Jim Michael Weinfurther, Robert Bruce Kleve, John Thomas Ricks
  • Patent number: 10737560
    Abstract: A vehicle door includes a door panel slidably operable between a secured position within a door aperture and a staging position partially distal from the door aperture. A latch is engaged with a striker path during operation of the door panel between the secured and staging positions, and is selectively disengaged from the striker path to define open and closed positions of the door panel when the door panel is in the staging position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Howard Paul Tsvi Linden, Ronald Patrick Brombach, Kosta Papanikolaou, Christopher Matthew Radjewski, Henry W. Hausler, John Thomas Ricks, George Anthony Bernwanger, Jr., Donald P. Iacovoni, Paul L. Heirtzler, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10584526
    Abstract: A vehicle door system includes a frameless door glass system, a powered latch, electrically-powered door presenter, powered door opening mechanism, and a powered door protector including a protective member that is movably mounted to the door structure. A controller selectively actuates the frameless door glass system, powered latch, powered door presenter, powered door opening mechanism, and powered door protector according to predefined criteria to coordinate the powered door functions and provide seamless powered operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: H. Paul Tsvi Linden, John Eddy, III, Christopher Matthew Radjewski, Spencer Hicks, John Thomas Ricks
  • Publication number: 20190299758
    Abstract: A vehicle door includes a door panel slidably operable between a secured position within a door aperture and a staging position partially distal from the door aperture. A latch is engaged with a striker path during operation of the door panel between the secured and staging positions, and is selectively disengaged from the striker path to define open and closed positions of the door panel when the door panel is in the staging position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Howard Paul Tsvi Linden, Ronald Patrick Brombach, Kosta Papanikolaou, Christopher Matthew Radjewski, Henry W. Hausler, John Thomas Ricks, George Anthony Bernwanger, Jr., Donald P. Iacovoni, Paul L. Heirtzler, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20190249463
    Abstract: A powered latch system for motor vehicles includes at least one powered latch that can be controlled based, at least in part, on vehicle operating conditions. The system may be configured to control unlatching of the vehicle doors utilizing data relating to the vehicle speed and/or the existence of a crash event. The powered latch system can be configured as required for various vehicles, and to accommodate specific operating requirements with respect to child locks in various geographic jurisdictions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2019
    Publication date: August 15, 2019
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Bruce Kleve, John Thomas Ricks, Jim Michael Weinfurther, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Ronald Patrick Brombach, Laura Viviana Hazebrouck, Lisa Therese Boran, Howard Paul Tsvi Linden
  • Patent number: 10369870
    Abstract: A vehicle door includes a door panel slidably operable between a secured position within a door aperture and a staging position partially distal from the door aperture. A latch is engaged with a striker path during operation of the door panel between the secured and staging positions, and is selectively disengaged from the striker path to define open and closed positions of the door panel when the door panel is in the staging position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Howard Paul Tsvi Linden, Ronald Patrick Brombach, Kosta Papanikolaou, Christopher Matthew Radjewski, Henry W. Hausler, John Thomas Ricks, George Anthony Bernwanger, Jr., Donald P. Iacovoni, Paul L. Heirtzler, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10323442
    Abstract: A powered latch system for motor vehicles includes at least one powered latch that can be controlled based, at least in part, on vehicle operating conditions. The system may be configured to control unlatching of the vehicle doors utilizing data relating to the vehicle speed and/or the existence of a crash event. The powered latch system can be configured as required for various vehicles, and to accommodate specific operating requirements with respect to child locks in various geographic jurisdictions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Bruce Kleve, John Thomas Ricks, Jim Michael Weinfurther, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Ronald Patrick Brombach, Laura Viviana Hazebrouck, Lisa Therese Boran, Howard Paul Tsvi Linden
  • Patent number: 10323444
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for window short drop for a vehicle with an electronic latch. An example door of a vehicle includes a door control unit communicatively coupled to an electronic latch. The electronic latch, in response to detecting a user touching an exterior handle, requests authorization from the vehicle. In response to receiving authorization, the electronic latch sends a request to the door control unit to lower a window of the door. Additionally, in response to receiving a confirmation from the door control unit, the electronic latch unlatches the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald Patrick Brombach, Howard Paul Tsvi Linden, John Thomas Ricks
  • Publication number: 20190145146
    Abstract: A vehicle door system includes a frameless door glass system, a powered latch, electrically-powered door presenter, powered door opening mechanism, and a powered door protector including a protective member that is movably mounted to the door structure. A controller selectively actuates the frameless door glass system, powered latch, powered door presenter, powered door opening mechanism, and powered door protector according to predefined criteria to coordinate the powered door functions and provide seamless powered operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 10, 2019
    Publication date: May 16, 2019
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: H. Paul Tsvi Linden, John Eddy, III, Christopher Matthew Radjewski, Spencer Hicks, John Thomas Ricks
  • Patent number: 10227810
    Abstract: A vehicle door system includes a frameless door glass system, a powered latch, electrically-powered door presenter, powered door opening mechanism, and a powered door protector including a protective member that is movably mounted to the door structure. A controller selectively actuates the frameless door glass system, powered latch, powered door presenter, powered door opening mechanism, and powered door protector according to predefined criteria to coordinate the powered door functions and provide seamless powered operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: H. Paul Tsvi Linden, John Eddy, III, Christopher Matthew Radjewski, Spencer Hicks, John Thomas Ricks
  • Publication number: 20190024416
    Abstract: A latch system for vehicle doors includes a powered latch including a powered actuator that is configured to unlatch the powered latch. An interior unlatch input feature such as an unlatch switch can be actuated by a user to provide an unlatch request. The system may include a controller that is operably connected to the powered actuator of the powered latch. The controller is configured such that it does not unlatch the powered latch if a vehicle speed is greater than a predefined value unless the interior latch feature is actuated at least two times according to predefined criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: H. Paul Tsvi Linden, Daniel Carl Bejune, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Kosta Papanikolaou, Noah Barlow Mass, Lisa Therese Boran, Ronald Patrick Brombach, Jim Michael Weinfurther, Robert Bruce Kleve, John Thomas Ricks
  • Patent number: 10119308
    Abstract: A latch system for vehicle doors includes a powered latch including a powered actuator that is configured to unlatch the powered latch. An interior unlatch input feature such as an unlatch switch can be actuated by a user to provide an unlatch request. The system may include a controller that is operably connected to the powered actuator of the powered latch. The controller is configured such that it does not unlatch the powered latch if a vehicle speed is greater than a predefined value unless the interior latch feature is actuated at least two times according to predefined criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: H. Paul Tsvi Linden, Daniel Carl Bejune, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Robert Bruce Kleve, John Thomas Ricks, Kosta Papanikolaou, Noah Barlow Mass, Lisa Therese Boran, Ronald Patrick Brombach, Jim Michael Weinfurther
  • Patent number: 10113338
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door lock status system is provided. That system includes a door lock actuator, a door lock status indicator for indicating lock status of the multiple motor vehicle doors, and a controller. The controller is connected to the door lock actuator and the door lock status indicator. Further, the controller is configured to provide a door open signal, an all doors closed and locked signal and a failure to lock signal. A related method of indicating door lock status of a motor vehicle is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: George Anthony Bernwanger, Jr., Howard Paul Tsvi Linden, Pawan Gupta, John Thomas Ricks, Rajesh K. Patel
  • Publication number: 20180100332
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for window short drop for a vehicle with an electronic latch. An example door of a vehicle includes a door control unit communicatively coupled to an electronic latch. The electronic latch, in response to detecting a user touching an exterior handle, requests authorization from the vehicle. In response to receiving authorization, the electronic latch sends a request to the door control unit to lower a window of the door. Additionally, in response to receiving a confirmation from the door control unit, the electronic latch unlatches the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Publication date: April 12, 2018
    Inventors: Ronald Patrick Brombach, Howard Paul Tsvi Linden, John Thomas Ricks
  • Publication number: 20180050579
    Abstract: A vehicle door includes a door panel slidably operable between a secured position within a door aperture and a staging position partially distal from the door aperture. A latch is engaged with a striker path during operation of the door panel between the secured and staging positions, and is selectively disengaged from the striker path to define open and closed positions of the door panel when the door panel is in the staging position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2016
    Publication date: February 22, 2018
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Howard Paul Tsvi Linden, Ronald Patrick Brombach, Kosta Papanikolaou, Christopher Matthew Radjewski, Henry W. Hausler, John Thomas Ricks, George Anthony Bernwanger, JR., Donald P. Iacovoni, Paul L. Heirtzler, JR.
  • Publication number: 20180038146
    Abstract: A vehicle door system includes a frameless door glass system, a powered latch, electrically-powered door presenter, powered door opening mechanism, and a powered door protector including a protective member that is movably mounted to the door structure. A controller selectively actuates the frameless door glass system, powered latch, powered door presenter, powered door opening mechanism, and powered door protector according to predefined criteria to coordinate the powered door functions and provide seamless powered operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Inventors: H. Paul Tsvi Linden, John Eddy, III, Christopher Matthew Radjewski, Spencer Hicks, John Thomas Ricks
  • Patent number: 9850690
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door lock status system is provided. That system includes a door lock actuator, a door lock status indicator for indicating lock status of the multiple motor vehicle doors, and a controller. The controller is connected to the door lock actuator and the door lock status indicator. Further, the controller is configured to provide a door open signal, an all doors closed and locked signal and a failure to lock signal. A related method of indicating door lock status of a motor vehicle is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: George Anthony Bernwanger, Jr., Howard Paul Tsvi Linden, Pawan Gupta, John Thomas Ricks, Rajesh K. Patel
  • Publication number: 20170350167
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door lock status system is provided. That system includes a door lock actuator, a door lock status indicator for indicating lock status of the multiple motor vehicle doors, and a controller. The controller is connected to the door lock actuator and the door lock status indicator. Further, the controller is configured to provide a door open signal, an all doors closed and locked signal and a failure to lock signal. A related method of indicating door lock status of a motor vehicle is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Inventors: George Anthony Bernwanger, JR., Howard Paul Tsvi Linden, Pawan Gupta, John Thomas Ricks, Rajesh K. Patel
  • Publication number: 20170241170
    Abstract: A motor vehicle door lock status system is provided. That system includes a door lock actuator, a door lock status indicator for indicating lock status of the multiple motor vehicle doors, and a controller. The controller is connected to the door lock actuator and the door lock status indicator. Further, the controller is configured to provide a door open signal, an all doors closed and locked signal and a failure to lock signal. A related method of indicating door lock status of a motor vehicle is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2016
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Inventors: George Anthony Bernwanger, JR., Howard Paul Tsvi Linden, Pawan Gupta, John Thomas Ricks, Rajesh K. Patel