Patents by Inventor Patrick L. Folk

Patrick L. Folk 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: 8156611
    Abstract: A vehicle door attachment unit for rotatably and detachably coupling a vehicle door to a vehicle body. The unit may include a bodyside bracket mountable to the vehicle body and having first and second portions with respective first and second apertures, with the first and second portions extending generally away from the vehicle body. A doorside bracket may be mountable to the vehicle door and include a segment with a third aperture, the segment extending generally away from the vehicle door. A retaining mechanism may extend through the third aperture, and through the first and/or second apertures. A fastener may extend through at least one of the apertures and mate with the retaining mechanism to substantially align the first, second, and third apertures. A bearing may be disposed on the retaining mechanism for providing rotational freedom between the retaining mechanism, and the bodyside or doorside bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald Machin, Craig A. Moccio, Patrick L. Folk, Joshua R. Kesten, John O. Wheeler, Lothar Budde
  • Patent number: 8127401
    Abstract: A clip is attached to the hinge of a vehicle door to hold the door open during electro-coating and painting. The hinge is assembled with the clip to the vehicle prior to painting. The hinge is taken apart after painting to separate the door from the vehicle. An end of the clip may include at least one ramp surface and a pair of walls that define a receiver in which a stop attached to the door is received. The stop is captured in the receiver of the clip to hold the door open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick L. Folk, Craig Angelo Moccio
  • Publication number: 20110083301
    Abstract: A clip is attached to the hinge of a vehicle door to hold the door open during electro-coating and painting. The hinge is assembled with the clip to the vehicle prior to painting. The hinge is taken apart after painting to separate the door from the vehicle. An end of the clip may include at least one ramp surface and a pair of walls that define a receiver in which a stop attached to the door is received. The stop is captured in the receiver of the clip to hold the door open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Publication date: April 14, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick L. Folk, Craig Angelo Moccio
  • Publication number: 20100024164
    Abstract: A vehicle door attachment unit for rotatably and detachably coupling a vehicle door to a vehicle body. The unit may include a bodyside bracket mountable to the vehicle body and having first and second portions with respective first and second apertures, with the first and second portions extending generally away from the vehicle body. A doorside bracket may be mountable to the vehicle door and include a segment with a third aperture, the segment extending generally away from the vehicle door. A retaining mechanism may extend through the third aperture, and through the first and/or second apertures. A fastener may extend through at least one of the apertures and mate with the retaining mechanism to substantially align the first, second, and third apertures. A bearing may be disposed on the retaining mechanism for providing rotational freedom between the retaining mechanism, and the bodyside or doorside bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Ronald MACHIN, Craig A. MOCCIO, Patrick L. FOLK, Joshua R. KESTEN, John O. WHEELER, Lothar BUDDE