Patents by Inventor Martin D. Lopez

Martin D. Lopez 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: 20240083336
    Abstract: An apparatus includes at least one fender member supported by a vehicle and a tie down member associated with the at least one fender member. The tie down member is movable between a use position and a stowed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2022
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Inventors: Mario Contreras Sosa, Luis Angel Becerril Cruz, Enrique Emanuel Farias, Martin D. Lopez, Paul Jonathan Alexander Wraith, Daniel J. Kangas, Brian Grover, Diego Santillan Gutierrez
  • Publication number: 20220001936
    Abstract: This disclosure details retention assemblies for connecting panels or other components of automotive vehicles. An exemplary retention assembly may include a polymeric panel and a combined snap assembly and fastener boss that is molded-in the polymeric panel. The retention assembly may be utilized to connect an additional structure, such an another panel, to the polymeric panel for establishing a vehicle assembly. The combined snap assembly and fastener boss packages both snap and fastening features within a common packaging space of the retention assembly, thereby reducing assembly complexities and costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Craig M. Watson, Mark A. Wisneski, Martin D. Lopez, Flondezi Godette
  • Patent number: 10953786
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a motor vehicle with a headlamp assembly, and a corresponding method. In an example, a motor vehicle includes a fascia including an opening and a rear face having one of a projection and a recess. The motor vehicle further includes a lamp including a front face having the other of the projection and the recess. The projection and the recess are configured such that when the projection is received in the recess a lens of the lamp is aligned with the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel Alejandro Arguello, Davinder Basra, Sydney Schaaf, Martin D. Lopez
  • Publication number: 20210031674
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a motor vehicle with a headlamp assembly, and a corresponding method. In an example, a motor vehicle includes a fascia including an opening and a rear face having one of a projection and a recess. The motor vehicle further includes a lamp including a front face having the other of the projection and the recess. The projection and the recess are configured such that when the projection is received in the recess a lens of the lamp is aligned with the opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2019
    Publication date: February 4, 2021
    Inventors: Daniel Alejandro Arguello, Davinder Basra, Sydney Schaaf, Martin D. Lopez
  • Patent number: 10597093
    Abstract: An apparatus, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a clip body having a vehicle side and a panel side. A first clip is on the vehicle side and a second clip is on the panel side. A seal is on the vehicle side. A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, attaching the first clip to a vehicle body, and subsequently attaching a panel to the second clip such that the seal is positioned between the clip body and the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffery Lee, Martin D. Lopez, Jr., David McCormick
  • Patent number: 10589663
    Abstract: An apparatus, according to one example includes, among other things, a first panel with a first alignment feature, a first lamp installed on the first panel, a second panel adjacent the first panel and including a second alignment feature, and a second lamp installed on the second panel. A lift system moves the first and second lamps to respectively engage the first and second alignment features and align the first and second lamps. A method according to one example includes, among other things, a step of aligning the first and second lamps with each other by independently moving the first and second lamps to respectively engage the first and second alignment features.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jody Conley, Gary Edward Henige, Manpreet Bansal, Martin D. Lopez, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10249941
    Abstract: A radar system for a motor vehicle includes a mounting bracket and a radar support bracket carried on the mounting bracket. The radar support bracket is displaceable between a deployed position and a deflected position. A biasing element biases the radar support toward the deployed position. A radar module is carried on the radar support bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Martin D. Lopez, Jr., Robert Harold Vasbinder, Michael Jon Gutowski, Matthew Dennis Smith Boswell
  • Publication number: 20190071000
    Abstract: An apparatus, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a first panel with a first alignment feature, a first lamp installed on the first panel, a second panel adjacent the first panel and including a second alignment feature, and a second lamp installed on the second panel. A lift system moves the first and second lamps to respectively engage the first and second alignment features and align the first and second lamps. A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a step of aligning the first and second lamps with each other by independently moving the first and second lamps to respectively engage the first and second alignment features.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Inventors: Jody Conley, Gary Edward Henige, Manpreet Bansal, Martin D. Lopez, JR.
  • Publication number: 20190039661
    Abstract: An apparatus, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a clip body having a vehicle side and a panel side. A first clip is on the vehicle side and a second clip is on the panel side. A seal is on the vehicle side. A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, attaching the first clip to a vehicle body, and subsequently attaching a panel to the second clip such that the seal is positioned between the clip body and the vehicle body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2017
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Inventors: Jeffery Lee, Martin D. Lopez, JR., David McCormick
  • Publication number: 20180301795
    Abstract: A radar system for a motor vehicle includes a mounting bracket and a radar support bracket carried on the mounting bracket. The radar support bracket is displaceable between a deployed position and a deflected position. A biasing element biases the radar support toward the deployed position. A radar module is carried on the radar support bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2017
    Publication date: October 18, 2018
    Inventors: Martin D. Lopez, JR., Robert Harold Vasbinder, Michael Jon Gutowski, Matthew Dennis Smith Boswell
  • Patent number: 8931824
    Abstract: A pedestrian-friendly forward structure of a motor vehicle includes a grill opening reinforcement (GOR), a front fascia located forward of and spaced from the GOR, and a support bracket extending transversely to the vehicle forward of the GOR and rearward of the front fascia. The support bracket has a transverse cross-bar and left and right legs extending rearward from a cross-bar adjacent opposite ends thereof. The legs are attached to respective outboard positions on the GOR, and the cross-bar has an upper flange underlying an upper rear panel of the front fascia. If a pedestrian strikes the forward structure, the fascia and support bracket yield rearward in an injury-reducing manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Martin D. Lopez, Vincent Robert Mahe
  • Publication number: 20140252802
    Abstract: A pedestrian-friendly forward structure of a motor vehicle includes a grill opening reinforcement (GOR), a front fascia located forward of and spaced from the GOR, and a support bracket extending transversely to the vehicle forward of the GOR and rearward of the front fascia. The support bracket has a transverse cross-bar and left and right legs extending rearward from a cross-bar adjacent opposite ends thereof. The legs are attached to respective outboard positions on the GOR, and the cross-bar has an upper flange underlying an upper rear panel of the front fascia. If a pedestrian strikes the forward structure, the fascia and support bracket yield rearward in an injury-reducing manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Martin D. Lopez, Vincent Robert Mahe
  • Patent number: 7758060
    Abstract: An integrated tow hook and vehicle bumper mounting bracket assembly including a mounting bracket including a frame mounting surface and a bumper mounting surface. A vehicle bumper assembly may be removably securable to the bumper mounting surface of the mounting bracket, and a tow hook may be removably securable to the frame mounting surface of the mounting bracket by one or more mechanical fasteners. The mechanical fastener used to secure the tow hook to the mounting bracket may further serve to secure the mounting bracket to a vehicle frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Martin D. Lopez, Zenyu Lian, Brent R. Sovoda
  • Publication number: 20090278333
    Abstract: An integrated tow hook and vehicle bumper mounting bracket assembly including a mounting bracket including a frame mounting surface and a bumper mounting surface. A vehicle bumper assembly may be removably securable to the bumper mounting surface of the mounting bracket, and a tow hook may be removably securable to the frame mounting surface of the mounting bracket by one or more mechanical fasteners. The mechanical fastener used to secure the tow hook to the mounting bracket may further serve to secure the mounting bracket to a vehicle frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventors: Martin D. Lopez, Zenyu Lian, Brent R. Sovoda