Patents by Inventor Michael J. Gardynik

Michael J. Gardynik 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: 20240227944
    Abstract: A vehicle closure module overtravel accommodating system includes a closure module of a vehicle. The closure module is pivotably coupled to a vehicle frame and is configured to pivot relative to the vehicle frame back-and-forth between a closed position and an open position. The system further includes a breakaway mount of the vehicle, and a bumper assembly having a head disposed on a base. The bumper assembly engages the breakaway mount to secure the bumper assembly within the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2022
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Inventors: Michael J. Gardynik, David Brian Glickman, Mark Joseph Courtright
  • Publication number: 20240132159
    Abstract: A vehicle closure module overtravel accommodating system includes a closure module of a vehicle. The closure module is pivotably coupled to a vehicle frame and is configured to pivot relative to the vehicle frame back-and-forth between a closed position and an open position. The system further includes a breakaway mount of the vehicle, and a bumper assembly having a head disposed on a base. The bumper assembly engages the breakaway mount to secure the bumper assembly within the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2022
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Inventors: Michael J. Gardynik, David Brian Glickman, Mark Joseph Courtright
  • Patent number: 11951847
    Abstract: A battery box for an electric vehicle includes an Al casting that extends between and joins to a BIW or chassis rails of the electric vehicle. The Al casting includes a bottom wall, a side wall with a pair of rails that are securely attached to the BIW or chassis rails of the vehicle, and a plurality of cross members. The bottom wall, the side wall, and the plurality of cross members define a structural enclosure with a plurality of battery compartments and at least one crush zone, and the structural enclosure is load bearing member of the electric vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rohit Telukunta, Steven Frank, Adam Weyrauch, Michael J. Gardynik
  • Patent number: 11780302
    Abstract: A sun visor assembly for a vehicle that includes a mount configured to be connected to the vehicle. A guide rod having a first portion that includes a head and a second portion with a terminal end is operably coupled to the mount via the head. An impact point is at the terminal end of the second portion. The guide rod and the impact point are configured for use as a window breaker tool in a disassembled position. A visor is operably coupled to the guide rod in an assembled position and is rotatable about the guide rod from a first position to a second position. The visor includes a channel defined within the visor that is configured to receive the guide rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Adam Weyrauch, Rohit Telukunta, Steven Frank, Michael J. Gardynik
  • Publication number: 20230090047
    Abstract: A sun visor assembly for a vehicle that includes a mount configured to be connected to the vehicle. A guide rod having a first portion that includes a head and a second portion with a terminal end is operably coupled to the mount via the head. An impact point is at the terminal end of the second portion. The guide rod and the impact point are configured for use as a window breaker tool in a disassembled position. A visor is operably coupled to the guide rod in an assembled position and is rotatable about the guide rod from a first position to a second position. The visor includes a channel defined within the visor that is configured to receive the guide rod.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2021
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Adam Weyrauch, Rohit Telukunta, Steven Frank, Michael J. Gardynik
  • Patent number: 11607933
    Abstract: An automotive panel assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes a first panel, a second panel, and a flange of the first panel folded over an edge region of the second panel to hem together the first and second panels. The flange of the first panel includes a textured geometry that interlocks with a textured geometry of the edge region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J Gardynik, Steven Frank, Kevin Joseph Favero, Michael Joseph Lee, Ronald Machin
  • Patent number: 11584450
    Abstract: An assembly for securing a tailgate to a cargo bed includes, among other things, a strap having a first leg spaced from a second leg, and a fastener moveable to an engaged position with the strap. The fastener in the engaged position extends through a first aperture in the first leg to threadably engage a second aperture in the second leg. When the fastener is in the engaged position, the fastener and the strap are configured to secure a tailgate to a cargo bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Edward Wilson, Jessica Lee Dzurnak, Michael J. Gardynik
  • Publication number: 20230001801
    Abstract: A battery box for an electric vehicle includes an Al casting that extends between and joins to a BIW or chassis rails of the electric vehicle. The Al casting includes a bottom wall, a side wall with a pair of rails that are securely attached to the BIW or chassis rails of the vehicle, and a plurality of cross members. The bottom wall, the side wall, and the plurality of cross members define a structural enclosure with a plurality of battery compartments and at least one crush zone, and the structural enclosure is load bearing member of the electric vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2021
    Publication date: January 5, 2023
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Rohit Telukunta, Steven Frank, Adam Weyrauch, Michael J. Gardynik
  • Patent number: 11465271
    Abstract: An apparatus for holding a hood of a vehicle open during e-coat application and painting. The apparatus includes a support incorporating first and second pairs of legs attached to spaced locations on right and left sides of an engine compartment. The two pairs of legs are connected at an upper portion of the legs. A hood support bar is connected to the upper portion of both the first and second pairs of legs and extends transversely across the engine compartment. A hood striker receiving bracket may be provided on the hood support bar. The apparatus is adjustable to position the hood striker receiving bracket in a range of vertical, transverse and longitudinal locations. The adjustability of the apparatus provides a flexible hood support that reduces thermal distortion or sag due to thermal load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Shunmugam Baskar, Michael J. Gardynik, Christopher Pope, Christina Dung Nguyen, Venkatasamy Veluchamy
  • Patent number: 11421462
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a bump stop assembly for a motor vehicle. An example assembly includes a head configured to contact a hood of the motor vehicle when the hood is closed, a shaft, and a base configured to fit in an opening in a panel of the motor vehicle. The shaft supports the head relative to the base. Further, the base includes a notch configured to provide a fracture location of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Gardynik, Mark Joseph Courtright
  • Publication number: 20220194490
    Abstract: An assembly for securing a tailgate to a cargo bed includes, among other things, a strap having a first leg spaced from a second leg, and a fastener moveable to an engaged position with the strap. The fastener in the engaged position extends through a first aperture in the first leg to threadably engage a second aperture in the second leg. When the fastener is in the engaged position, the fastener and the strap are configured to secure a tailgate to a cargo bed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Inventors: Edward Wilson, Jessica Lee Dzurnak, Michael J. Gardynik
  • Publication number: 20220127892
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a bump stop assembly for a motor vehicle. An example assembly includes a head configured to contact a hood of the motor vehicle when the hood is closed, a shaft, and a base configured to fit in an opening in a panel of the motor vehicle. The shaft supports the head relative to the base. Further, the base includes a notch configured to provide a fracture location of the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2020
    Publication date: April 28, 2022
    Inventors: Michael J. Gardynik, Mark Joseph Courtright
  • Patent number: 11186148
    Abstract: An automotive panel assembly includes, among other things, a first panel, a second panel, a flange of the first panel folded over an edge region of the second panel to hem together the first and second panel, and a dimple of the flange extending into an aperture within the edge region of the second panel. At least a portion of the aperture is exposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J Gardynik, Steven Frank, Kevin Joseph Favero, Michael Joseph Lee, Ronald Machin
  • Publication number: 20210146759
    Abstract: An automotive panel assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes a first panel, a second panel, and a flange of the first panel folded over an edge region of the second panel to hem together the first and second panels. The flange of the first panel includes a textured geometry that interlocks with a textured geometry of the edge region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Inventors: Michael J Gardynik, Steven Frank, Kevin Joseph Favero, Michael Joseph Lee, Ronald Machin
  • Publication number: 20210129637
    Abstract: An automotive panel assembly includes, among other things, a first panel, a second panel, a flange of the first panel folded over an edge region of the second panel to hem together the first and second panel, and a dimple of the flange extending into an aperture within the edge region of the second panel. At least a portion of the aperture is exposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Publication date: May 6, 2021
    Inventors: Michael J. Gardynik, Steven Frank, Kevin Joseph Favero, Michael Joseph Lee, Ronald Machin
  • Patent number: 10800228
    Abstract: A leaf screen for an air intake of an HVAC system of a vehicle having a hood covering an engine compartment. The leaf screen includes a leaf screen body defining an air inlet opening covered by an integrally molded screen. A seal is integrally molded on a top surface of the leaf screen body in front of the air inlet opening. Bump-stops are integrally molded on the top surface that are engaged by an inner panel of the hood when closed. A method of making the leaf screen includes injecting a polymeric material into a mold to form a body portion. At least one elastomeric material is injected into the mold on one side of the body portion to form a seal and a plurality of bump-stops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Gardynik, Kevin Michael O'Callaghan, Thomas J. Joseph
  • Patent number: 10753386
    Abstract: An end cap for a gas assist strut according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a body providing a socket, a spring clip having ends projecting into the socket, and a lever. The lever is arranged such that application of pressure to the lever draws the ends of the spring away from one another. This disclosure also relates to a motor vehicle including the subject end cap. A method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Riley, Ed Wilson, Michael J. Gardynik
  • Patent number: 10711501
    Abstract: An active anti-flutter system is provided for a motor vehicle. That active anti-flutter system includes an electromagnet on a first component, a ferromagnetic target on a second component and a controller. The controller is configured to energize the electromagnet to generate a magnetic flux that attracts the ferromagnetic target toward the electromagnet thereby reducing vibration of one of the first component and the second component. A method of reducing flutter of a closure panel on a motor vehicle is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Shunmugam Baskar, Michael J. Gardynik, Venkatasamy Veluchamy, Christina Dung Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20200198117
    Abstract: An apparatus for holding a hood of a vehicle open during e-coat application and painting. The apparatus includes a support incorporating first and second pairs of legs attached to spaced locations on right and left sides of an engine compartment. The two pairs of legs are connected at an upper portion of the legs. A hood support bar is connected to the upper portion of both the first and second pairs of legs and extends transversely across the engine compartment. A hood striker receiving bracket may be provided on the hood support bar. The apparatus is adjustable to position the hood striker receiving bracket in a range of vertical, transverse and longitudinal locations. The adjustability of the apparatus provides a flexible hood support that reduces thermal distortion or sag due to thermal load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Publication date: June 25, 2020
    Inventors: Shunmugam BASKAR, Michael J. GARDYNIK, Christopher POPE, Christina Dung NGUYEN, Venkatasamy VELUCHAMY
  • Patent number: 10611015
    Abstract: An apparatus for holding a hood of a vehicle open during e-coat application and painting. The apparatus includes a support incorporating first and second pairs of legs attached to spaced locations on right and left sides of an engine compartment. The two pairs of legs are connected at an upper portion of the legs. A hood support bar is connected to the upper portion of both the first and second pairs of legs and extends transversely across the engine compartment. A hood striker receiving bracket may be provided on the hood support bar. The apparatus is adjustable to position the hood striker receiving bracket in a range of vertical, transverse and longitudinal locations. The adjustability of the apparatus provides a flexible hood support that reduces thermal distortion or sag due to thermal load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Shunmugam Baskar, Michael J. Gardynik, Christopher Pope, Christina Dung Nguyen, Venkatasamy Veluchamy