Patents by Inventor Michael James Whitens

Michael James 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).

  • Publication number: 20140265411
    Abstract: A load floor assembly for a vehicle includes a seatback that pivots between an upright position and a stowed position. A cargo floor extends rearward of the seatback, and a load panel is coupled with the cargo floor. The load panel moves between a rearward position and a forward position. In the forward position, the load panel extends over at least a lower portion of the seatback in the stowed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: Bhavani Thota, Michael James Whitens, Gian Carlo Morlet Ugalde
  • Publication number: 20120313648
    Abstract: A vehicle proximity switch and method are provided having sensitivity control based on a user selected sensitivity input. The switch includes a proximity sensor such, as a capacitive sensor, installed in a vehicle and providing a sense activation field. The proximity switch also includes control circuitry for processing the sense activation field to sense user activation of the switch by comparing the sense activation field to a threshold. The proximity switch further includes a user sensitivity input for receiving a user selected sensitivity input. The control circuitry controls sensitivity of the comparison based on the user selected sensitivity input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Cornel Lewis Gardner, Jeffrey Singer, Michael James Whitens
  • Patent number: 8297667
    Abstract: A lockable latch system includes an anchor bar rigidly connected to a vehicle and a rigid hook operably engaged with the anchor bar. A springboard is disposed on the rigid hook. The springboard is operable between an obstructing position, wherein the springboard prevents disengagement of the rigid hook from the bar and an unobstructing position, wherein the springboard does not prevent disengagement of the rigid hook from the bar. A lock assembly includes a cam operable between an interference position, wherein the cam prevents the springboard from entering the unobstructing position and a non-interference position, wherein the cam does not prevent the springboard from entering the unobstructing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Junko Pauken, Charles Alan Rocco, Michael James Whitens
  • Publication number: 20100308604
    Abstract: A lockable latch system includes an anchor bar rigidly connected to a vehicle and a rigid hook operably engaged with the anchor bar. A springboard is disposed on the rigid hook. The springboard is operable between an obstructing position, wherein the springboard prevents disengagement of the rigid hook from the bar and an unobstructing position, wherein the springboard does not prevent disengagement of the rigid hook from the bar. A lock assembly includes a cam operable between an interference position, wherein the cam prevents the springboard from entering the unobstructing position and a non-interference position, wherein the cam does not prevent the springboard from entering the unobstructing position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2009
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventors: Junko Pauken, Charles Alan Rocco, Michael James Whitens