Patents by Inventor Kevin Stanton GIAIER

Kevin Stanton GIAIER 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: 11787248
    Abstract: Modular double pin load sensing hitches including two-piece pin mounts are disclosed herein. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a pin mount including a first piece, and a second piece, separate from and to be disposed opposite to the first piece. The apparatus further includes and a receiver tube including a first mounting ear to be coupled to the first piece via a first pin and a second mounting ear to be coupled to the second piece via a second pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Stanton Giaier, Andrew Niedert, Elliott Pearson, Anton Rogness, Johannes Gießibl, Chad Reed
  • Patent number: 11685205
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a hitch including multiple pins coupled to an outboard frame are disclosed. An example apparatus disclosed herein include a hitch including a first pin, a second pin parallel to the first pin, a third pin orthogonal to the first pin, and a fourth pin parallel to the third pin, wherein the first pin, the second pin, the third pin and the fourth pin are to couple the hitch to a frame of a vehicle. The example apparatus includes a load manager to determine a load condition based on sensor data from at least one of the first pin, the second pin, the third pin, or the fourth pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Bryce Reinert, Kevin Stanton Giaier, Andrew Niedert, Carl Montgomery
  • Publication number: 20230191859
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a dual reacting, single load sensing element coupled to a hitch receiver are disclosed herein. An example computer readable medium comprising instructions, which when executed, cause one or more processors to determine a location of a hitch ball of a hitch of a vehicle, determine a load condition of the hitch based on the location and data received from a sensor of a first pin of the hitch, the hitch including a second pin, the first pin to react loads in a first direction and a second direction, the second pin to react loads in the first direction and in response to the load condition satisfying an alert threshold, alert a user of the load condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2023
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Andrew Niedert, Kevin Stanton Giaier, Elliott Pearson, Anton Rogness, Johannes Gießibl, Chad Reed
  • Publication number: 20230123744
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for payload estimation and fault detection using hitch integrated sensors. An example apparatus includes a pin orientation determiner to determine a first orientation of a first pin and a second orientation of a second pin, the first pin and the second pin disposed within a hitch and calculate a relative orientation of the first pin and the second pin based on the first orientation and the second orientation. The example apparatus further includes a hitch condition detector to determine if a physical change has occurred in the hitch by comparing the relative orientation to an installation orientation of the first pin and the second pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2022
    Publication date: April 20, 2023
    Inventors: Kevin Stanton Giaier, Andrew Niedert, Elliott Pearson, Anton Rogness
  • Publication number: 20230107447
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for a load-sensing hitch utilizing a system of strain gauges. An example apparatus includes a receiver tube, a side member, a crossbar coupled to the receiver tube and the side member, the cross including a support including a first end, a second end and a mid-portion located between the first end and the second end, the mid-portion having a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the first end or the cross-sectional area of the second end and a strain gauge disposed within the mid-portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2022
    Publication date: April 6, 2023
    Inventors: Kevin Stanton Giaier, Bryce Reinert, Andrew Niedert, Joshua Norwood, Jorge Rivas, Peter Kowalow, Rebecca Giaier
  • Patent number: 11607919
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a dual reacting, single load sensing element coupled to a hitch receiver are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a hitch configured to be coupled to a vehicle, the hitch including a crossbar, a receiver tube, and a pin housing coupled to the receiver tube. The pin housing includes a first pin including a load sensor, the first pin reacting loads in a first direction and a second direction and a second pin, the second pin reacting loads in the first direction, the first pin and the second pin acting as the only load path between the receiver tube and the crossbar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew Niedert, Kevin Stanton Giaier, Elliott Pearson, Anton Rogness, Johannes Gießibl, Chad Reed
  • Patent number: 11560028
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for payload estimation and fault detection using hitch integrated sensors. An example apparatus includes a pin orientation determiner to determine a first orientation of a first pin and a second orientation of a second pin, the first pin and the second pin disposed within a hitch and calculate a relative orientation of the first pin and the second pin based on the first orientation and the second orientation. The example apparatus further includes a hitch condition detector to determine if a physical change has occurred in the hitch by comparing the relative orientation to an installation orientation of the first pin and the second pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Stanton Giaier, Andrew Niedert, Elliott Pearson, Anton Rogness
  • Patent number: 11524534
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for a load-sensing hitch utilizing a system of strain gauges. An example apparatus includes a hitch including a first support including a first end, a second end, and a mid-portion located between the first end and the second end, the mid-portion having a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the first end or the cross-sectional area of the second end, a strain gauge located at the mid-portion of the first support, a frame attachment to couple the hitch to a frame of a vehicle, the support coupled to the frame attachment, and a load manager to determine a load condition based on sensor data from the strain gauge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Kevin Stanton Giaier, Bryce Reinert, Andrew Niedert, Joshua Norwood, Jorge Rivas, Peter Kowalow, Rebecca Giaier
  • Publication number: 20220242180
    Abstract: Modular double pin load sensing hitches including two-piece pin mounts are disclosed herein. An example apparatus disclosed herein includes a pin mount including a first piece, and a second piece, separate from and to be disposed opposite to the first piece. The apparatus further includes and a receiver tube including a first mounting ear to be coupled to the first piece via a first pin and a second mounting ear to be coupled to the second piece via a second pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2020
    Publication date: August 4, 2022
    Inventors: Kevin Stanton Giaier, Andrew Niedert, Elliott Pearson, Anton Rogness, Johannes Gießibl, Chad Reed
  • Publication number: 20210318189
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for a load-sensing hitch utilizing a system of strain gauges. An example apparatus includes a hitch including a first support including a first end, a second end, and a mid-portion located between the first end and the second end, the mid-portion having a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the first end or the cross-sectional area of the second end, a strain gauge located at the mid-portion of the first support, a frame attachment to couple the hitch to a frame of a vehicle, the support coupled to the frame attachment, and a load manager to determine a load condition based on sensor data from the strain gauge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Kevin Stanton Giaier, Bryce Reinert, Andrew Niedert, Joshua Norwood, Jorge Rivas, Peter Kowalow, Rebecca Giaier
  • Patent number: 11097580
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for a modular double pin load sensor coupled to a hitch receiver. An example disclosed apparatus to be coupled to a receiver tube includes a crossbar interface to be coupled to a crossbar of a hitch, a pin adapter coupled to the crossbar interface, a first load-sensing pin disposed within the pin adapter, and a second load-sensing pin disposed within the pin adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignees: Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Methode Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Niedert, Christopher Eric Allard, Peter Simeon Lazarevski, Kevin Stanton Giaier, Chad Reed, Johannes Gießibl
  • Patent number: 11059511
    Abstract: A vehicle is able to be set to operate in a factory mode (as opposed to a normal mode) in which certain features are disabled, such as an alarm system, a power liftgate, etc. This allows assembly workers to assemble, test, and calibrate the vehicle without various systems in the vehicle being undesirably activated. While in the factory mode, the vehicle can accomplish multiple ignition on/off cycles while being tested or driven between stations. A steering column and connected steering wheel are provided in the vehicle, and are situated between an instrument panel and a front seat. In response to the ignition completing an on/off cycle, a controller commands a motor to move the steering wheel and steering column to a predetermined position that is based on a visibility of the instrument panel relative to the steering wheel and steering column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventors: John Steven McWilliams, Kevin Stanton Giaier, Fernando Cruz Solis, Amol Bhaskar Kurkute, Madhuri Narvekar, Erick Michael Lavoie, Ronald Patrick Brombach
  • Patent number: 11014609
    Abstract: An assembly includes a suspension link, an arm, an actuator, and a lock. The arm is connected to the suspension link. The arm includes a plurality of holes. The actuator is connected to the arm. The lock includes a pin releasably engageable with the plurality of holes of the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Nicholas Anthony Quatrano, Kevin Stanton Giaier, Jay Bains, Andrew Niedert, Matthew Malenfant
  • Publication number: 20210053406
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a hitch including multiple pins coupled to an outboard frame are disclosed. An example apparatus disclosed herein include a hitch including a first pin, a second pin parallel to the first pin, a third pin orthogonal to the first pin, and a fourth pin parallel to the third pin, wherein the first pin, the second pin, the third pin and the fourth pin are to couple the hitch to a frame of a vehicle. The example apparatus includes a load manager to determine a load condition based on sensor data from at least one of the first pin, the second pin, the third pin, or the fourth pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2020
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Inventors: Bryce Reinert, Kevin Stanton Giaier, Andrew Niedert, Carl Montgomery
  • Publication number: 20210053622
    Abstract: An assembly includes a suspension link, an arm, an actuator, and a lock. The arm is connected to the suspension link. The arm includes a plurality of holes. The actuator is connected to the arm. The lock includes a pin releasably engageable with the plurality of holes of the arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2019
    Publication date: February 25, 2021
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: NICHOLAS ANTHONY QUATRANO, KEVIN STANTON GIAIER, JAY BAINS, ANDREW NIEDERT, MATTHEW MALENFANT
  • Publication number: 20210039457
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a dual reacting, single load sensing element coupled to a hitch receiver are disclosed herein. An example apparatus includes a hitch configured to be coupled to a vehicle, the hitch including a crossbar, a receiver tube, and a pin housing coupled to the receiver tube. The pin housing includes a first pin including a load sensor, the first pin reacting loads in a first direction and a second direction and a second pin, the second pin reacting loads in the first direction, the first pin and the second pin acting as the only load path between the receiver tube and the crossbar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2020
    Publication date: February 11, 2021
    Inventors: Andrew Niedert, Kevin Stanton Giaier, Elliott Pearson, Anton Rogness
  • Publication number: 20200384818
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for payload estimation and fault detection using hitch integrated sensors. An example apparatus includes a pin orientation determiner to determine a first orientation of a first pin and a second orientation of a second pin, the first pin and the second pin disposed within a hitch and calculate a relative orientation of the first pin and the second pin based on the first orientation and the second orientation. The example apparatus further includes a hitch condition detector to determine if a physical change has occurred in the hitch by comparing the relative orientation to an installation orientation of the first pin and the second pin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2019
    Publication date: December 10, 2020
    Inventors: Kevin Stanton Giaier, Andrew Niedert, Elliott Pearson, Anton Rogness
  • Patent number: 10759244
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle frame and a suspension arm. A bushing is connected to the suspension arm. A lever extends through the bushing. A fastener is fastened to the lever and the vehicle frame. When the lever is impacted by a rigid barrier of a small-offset rigid-barrier (SORB) frontal impact test, the lever breaks the fastener and allows the lever, the bushing, and the suspension arm to release from the vehicle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Brent Michael White, Christopher Melgar, Peter Lazarevski, Kevin Stanton Giaier
  • Patent number: 10723383
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed herein that determine a vehicle backup position for launching and loading a boat using trailer hitch load. An example apparatus includes a data analyzer to determine, based on a trailer hitch load of a vehicle coupled to a trailer, a vehicle backup position for launching the boat at which a boat coupled to the trailer is floating on a body of water and an instruction generator to instruct a braking system of the vehicle to stop the vehicle at the vehicle backup position for launching the boat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Elizabeth G. Owen, Andrew Niedert, Kevin Stanton Giaier, Peter Simeon Lazarevski
  • Publication number: 20200198422
    Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for a modular double pin load sensor coupled to a hitch receiver. An example disclosed apparatus to be coupled to a receiver tube includes a crossbar interface to be coupled to a crossbar of a hitch, a pin adapter coupled to the crossbar interface, a first load-sensing pin disposed within the pin adapter, and a second load-sensing pin disposed within the pin adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Andrew Niedert, Christopher Eric Allard, Peter Simeon Lazarevski, Kevin Stanton Giaier