Patents by Inventor Michael J. Whitens

Michael J. Whitens 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: 8702120
    Abstract: An active bolster is integrated within a seat for a transportation vehicle by covering an inner inflatable bladder with an outer cushion layer to provide a seating support surface. Seating loads are borne on the support surface from the weight of an occupant by elastic deformation of the bladder. When a vehicle crash event is detected, at least a portion of the bladder is inflated to extend a seat surface to protect the occupant. Size and weight of the seat are reduced as a result of the bladder contributing significantly to the normal cushioning of the seat in everyday usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Raymond E. Kalisz, Johnathan A. Line, Michael J. Whitens, Dana M. Niemiec
  • Publication number: 20140001799
    Abstract: An active bolster is integrated within a seat for a transportation vehicle by covering an inner inflatable bladder with an outer cushion layer to provide a seating support surface. Seating loads are borne on the support surface from the weight of an occupant by elastic deformation of the bladder. When a vehicle crash event is detected, at least a portion of the bladder is inflated to extend a seat surface to protect the occupant. Size and weight of the seat are reduced as a result of the bladder contributing significantly to the normal cushioning of the seat in everyday usage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Raymond E. Kalisz, Johnathan A. Line, Michael J. Whitens, Dana M. Niemiec
  • Patent number: 8449001
    Abstract: A vehicle stowage assembly is provided that includes a compartment having an opening to allow access to the opening and a door proximate the opening. A ferrous member magnets are disposed on the compartment and the door to magnetically couple the magnets to the ferrous member when the door is in the closed position. A crash sensor is provided for detecting an expected vehicle crash event. An electromagnetic coil electromagnetically is coupled to the ferrous member, wherein the coil is electrically energized by current to create a polarity on the ferrous bar to create an increased force closure to the door relative to the housing when an expected vehicle crash is detected. The coil generates an opposite polarity on the ferrous member to open the door in response to a user actuated input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Whitens, Jeff Webb, Gary D. Mullen, Scott A. Clark
  • Publication number: 20120234622
    Abstract: A vehicle stowage assembly is provided that includes a compartment having an opening to allow access to the opening and a door proximate the opening. A ferrous member magnets are disposed on the compartment and the door to magnetically couple the magnets to the ferrous member when the door is in the closed position. A crash sensor is provided for detecting an expected vehicle crash event. An electromagnetic coil electromagnetically is coupled to the ferrous member, wherein the coil is electrically energized by current to create a polarity on the ferrous bar to create an increased force closure to the door relative to the housing when an expected vehicle crash is detected. The coil generates an opposite polarity on the ferrous member to open the door in response to a user actuated input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Whitens, Jeff Webb, Gary D. Mullen, Scott A. Clark
  • Patent number: 8215684
    Abstract: A vehicle stowage assembly is provided that includes a compartment having an opening to allow access to the opening and a door proximate the opening. A ferrous member magnets are disposed on the compartment and the door to magnetically couple the magnets to the ferrous member when the door is in the closed position. A crash sensor is provided for detecting an expected vehicle crash event. An electromagnetic coil electromagnetically is coupled to the ferrous member, wherein the coil is electrically energized by current to create a polarity on the ferrous bar to create an increased force closure to the door relative to the housing when an expected vehicle crash is detected. The coil generates an opposite polarity on the ferrous member to open the door in response to a user actuated input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. Whitens, Jeff Webb, Gary D. Mullen, Scott A. Clark
  • Publication number: 20110175376
    Abstract: A vehicle stowage assembly is provided that includes a compartment having an opening to allow access to the opening and a door proximate the opening. A ferrous member magnets are disposed on the compartment and the door to magnetically couple the magnets to the ferrous member when the door is in the closed position. A crash sensor is provided for detecting an expected vehicle crash event. An electromagnetic coil electromagnetically is coupled to the ferrous member, wherein the coil is electrically energized by current to create a polarity on the ferrous bar to create an increased force closure to the door relative to the housing when an expected vehicle crash is detected. The coil generates an opposite polarity on the ferrous member to open the door in response to a user actuated input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Publication date: July 21, 2011
    Inventors: Michael J. Whitens, Jeff Webb, Gary D. Mullen, Scott A. Clark
  • Patent number: 5372382
    Abstract: A seat belt webbing guide assembly includes a plate disposed adjacent one side of vehicle structure and having an aperture through which belt webbing extends. The seat belt webbing guide assembly also includes a fastener securing the plate to the vehicle structure. The plate includes a structure cooperating with the vehicle structure to orientate and secure the plate about the fastener relative to the vehicle structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Ford Motor Company
    Inventor: Michael J. Whitens