Patents by Inventor Robert A. Reiners

Robert A. Reiners 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).

  • VEHICLE WITH REMOVABLE OUTER BODY PANEL AND DETACHABLE TAIL LAMP SUPPORT, AND CORRESPONDING METHOD
    Publication number: 20200164923
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a motor vehicle with a removable outer body panel and a detachable tail lamp support, and a corresponding method. An example method includes connecting a subassembly to a body of a motor vehicle, where the subassembly includes an outer body panel connected to a tail lamp support. This arrangement permits detachment of the tail lamp support from the outer body panel, which allows a user to detach the outer body panel from the body without having to detach the tail lamp support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2018
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Jack Marchlewski, Darrin Wagner, Robert Reiners
  • TAILGATE TIE DOWN SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20200148092
    Abstract: A tailgate tie down system includes a first plate assembly and a second plate assembly. A strap is connected between each of the first plate assembly and the second plate assembly. In an exemplary method, the strap can be routed through at least one accessory tool before securing the first plate assembly and the second plate assembly within tailgate latch openings. Once the plate assemblies are locked within the latch openings, the accessory tool is also locked relative to the tailgate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2020
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Robert Reiners, Jack Marchlewski, Joshua Robert Hemphill, Jeffrey Gray, Dragan B. Stojkovic
  • VEHICLE FUEL INLET ASSEMBLY THAT FACILITATES OUTER PANEL REMOVAL AND OUTER PANEL REMOVAL METHOD
    Publication number: 20200086738
    Abstract: A vehicle assembly includes, among other things, a first and a second housing of a fuel inlet assembly. The first housing is securable to an outer panel of a vehicle. A fuel inlet fastener connects together the first and second housings. The fuel inlet fastener is configured to be accessed through a fuel inlet aperture of the outer panel to disconnect the first housing from the second housing. A panel removal method includes disconnecting a first and second housing of a fuel inlet assembly through a fuel inlet aperture in an outer panel of a vehicle. The method further includes removing the outer panel and the first housing from the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Publication date: March 19, 2020
    Inventors: Jack Marchlewski, Robert Reiners, Darrin Neil Wagner, Duncan Whipps
  • Lockable roof accessory mounting interface
    Patent number: 10589692
    Abstract: A disclosed accessory mount for a vehicle includes a housing with openings, at least one bearing, a lock cylinder movable within the housing and holding the at least one bearing in a locked position extending through the openings and a released position where the at least one bearing is not held within the openings, and a mount including a groove receiving the at least one bearing in the locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jack Marchlewski, Dragan B. Stojkovic, Joshua Robert Hemphill, Robert Reiners, Jeffrey Gray
  • Tailgate tie down systems
    Patent number: 10576867
    Abstract: A tailgate tie down system includes a first plate assembly and a second plate assembly. A strap is connected between each of the first plate assembly and the second plate assembly. In an exemplary method, the strap can be routed through at least one accessory tool before securing the first plate assembly and the second plate assembly within tailgate latch openings. Once the plate assemblies are locked within the latch openings, the accessory tool is also locked relative to the tailgate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Reiners, Jack Marchlewski, Joshua Robert Hemphill, Jeffrey Gray, Dragan B. Stojkovic
  • Vehicle floor drain
    Patent number: 10549790
    Abstract: A vehicle flooring system including a floor. A flooring component is positioned above the floor to define a gap. A drain assembly is coupled with the flooring component which includes a plug having a one-way valve and defining a plug opening. A drain defines a drain aperture to accept the plug. The drain defines a drain opening in alignment with the gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jack Marchlewski, Robert Reiners, Darrin Neil Wagner
  • Pick-up truck winch apparatus
    Patent number: 10525863
    Abstract: A winch is mounted in a pick-up truck bed having a floor, sidewalls, and a front wall. The sidewalls each include at least one receptacle that are each adapted to receive a connector. A frame includes a beam that is held spaced from the floor and extends in a transverse direction across the truck bed. The beam may be arcuate or straight and is connected to right and left connectors on right and left ends of the beam. The connectors may be connected directly to the receptacles or may be connected through right and left rails to the receptacles. The winch is attached to a winch mounting plate provided on the beam and is used to facilitate loading and unloading objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jack Marchlewski, Vincent Anthony Chimento, Dragan B. Stojkovic, Joshua Robert Hemphill, Robert Reiners
  • Vehicle tailgate
    Patent number: 10526023
    Abstract: A tailgate includes an internal panel, external panel, upper panel, lower panel, latching mechanism, and access panel. The internal and external panels are each secured to the upper and lower panels. A cavity is defined between the upper, lower, internal, and external panels. The latching mechanism is disposed within the cavity and is linked to a handle located on the external panel. The access panel is secured and extends adjacent to the internal panel beyond the upper panel. The cavity is exposed when the access panel is removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jack Marchlewski, Joshua R. Hemphill, Robert Reiners, Dragan B. Stojkovic
  • Tailgate work surface
    Patent number: 10494036
    Abstract: A tailgate cover assembly may include a first panel having a beaded side and a flat side, and a first ledge extending from one end of the first panel, and a second panel having a beaded side and a flat side, and a second ledge extending from an end proximate to the first panel, the second ledge configured to overlap the first ledge to attach the first panel to the second panel wherein the flat side of the first panel aligns with the flat side of the second panel to form a tailgate cover having a beaded side and a flat side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Robert Hemphill, Jack Marchlewski, Robert Reiners, Dragan B. Stojkovic, Colleen Marie Hoffman
  • TIE DOWN SYSTEMS FOR SECURING CARGO WITHIN VEHICLE CARGO SPACES
    Publication number: 20190337441
    Abstract: This disclosure details tie down systems for securing cargo within vehicle cargo spaces. An exemplary tie down system may include a corner bracket mounted in a corner of the cargo space. The corner bracket may include a plurality of openings for tying down cargo at different heights within the cargo space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Publication date: November 7, 2019
    Inventors: Jack MARCHLEWSKI, Vince Anthony CHIMENTO, Robert REINERS, Jeffrey GRAY
  • VEHICLE FLOOR DRAIN
    Publication number: 20190329828
    Abstract: A vehicle flooring system including a floor. A flooring component is positioned above the floor to define a gap. A drain assembly is coupled with the flooring component which includes a plug having a one-way valve and defining a plug opening. A drain defines a drain aperture to accept the plug. The drain defines a drain opening in alignment with the gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Jack Marchlewski, Robert Reiners, Darrin Neil Wagner
  • POWER TAILGATE LIFT MECHANISM
    Publication number: 20190330907
    Abstract: A tailgate for a motor vehicle is disclosed and includes an interior space accessible through a removable panel, a motor mounted within the interior space, and a drive mechanism driven by the motor for moving the tailgate about a pivot axis. The tailgate includes an overall height from the pivot axis and the motor is mounted a distance from the pivot axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2018
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Inventors: Jack Marchlewski, Joshua Robert Hemphill, Robert Reiners, Dragan B. Stojkovic, Jeffrey Gray
  • LOCKABLE ROOF ACCESSORY MOUNTING INTERFACE
    Publication number: 20190299871
    Abstract: A disclosed accessory mount for a vehicle includes a housing with openings, at least one bearing, a lock cylinder movable within the housing and holding the at least one bearing in a locked position extending through the openings and a released position where the at least one bearing is not held within the openings, and a mount including a groove receiving the at least one bearing in the locked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Jack Marchlewski, Dragan B. Stojkovic, Joshua Robert Hemphill, Robert Reiners, Jeffrey Gray
  • Article rack adapted for use with pickup truck
    Patent number: 10427614
    Abstract: An article rack includes a base mountable to a top rail of a truck box, a carrier, and a linkage pivotally connected to the base and the carrier. A drive mechanism of the rack has a first wheel fixed to the base, a second wheel fixed to the carrier, and an endless loop trained around the wheels such that pivoting of the linkage about the base pivots the carrier about the linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jack Marchlewski, Joshua Robert Hemphill, Dragan Stojkovic, Robert Reiners, Jeffrey Gray
  • ROOF ACCESSORY INTERFACE
    Publication number: 20190283682
    Abstract: A motor vehicle according to an exemplary aspect of this disclosure includes, among other things, a roof structure, a bracket projecting from the roof structure, a roof panel configured to attach to the roof structure such that the bracket is beneath the roof panel, and an accessory configured to attach to the bracket. A method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2018
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Jack Marchlewski, Dragan B. Stojkovic, Joshua Robert Hemphill, Robert Reiners, Jeffrey Gray
  • Pick-up truck winch apparatus
    Patent number: 10414321
    Abstract: A winch is disclosed for a pick-up bed having a floor, and a front wall. The winch includes a winch motor and spool assembled to the truck body below the floor. An upper pulley is assembled to the front wall with a cable wound around the spool that is extendable and retractable from the spool. The cable is routed over the upper pulley through an opening defined by the front wall. The opening is spaced from the floor to facilitate loading articles into and unloading articles from the truck bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Jack Marchlewski, Vincent Anthony Chimento, Dragan B. Stojkovic, Joshua Robert Hemphill, Robert Reiners, Jeffrey Gray
  • Drain plug mass damper
    Patent number: 10385941
    Abstract: A truck bed of a vehicle includes a sheet metal panel defining a drain opening, a mass damper plug disposed within the opening and including a mass casting having a predefined mass configured to tune a frequency of a sound wave of the panel and plug into a predefined range, and defining bolt threads, and a bolt engaged with the bolt threads and configured to secure the plug with the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth Malone, Robert Reiners, Sara E. Veyo, Hariharan Ganesan
  • TAILGATE TIE DOWN SYSTEMS
    Publication number: 20190210507
    Abstract: A tailgate tie down system includes a first plate assembly and a second plate assembly. A strap is connected between each of the first plate assembly and the second plate assembly. In an exemplary method, the strap can be routed through at least one accessory tool before securing the first plate assembly and the second plate assembly within tailgate latch openings. Once the plate assemblies are locked within the latch openings, the accessory tool is also locked relative to the tailgate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2018
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Inventors: Robert Reiners, Jack Marchlewski, Joshua Robert Hemphill, Jeffrey Gray, Dragan B. Stojkovic
  • Truck Box Cable Lock Assembly
    Publication number: 20190210509
    Abstract: A truck box cable assembly including a first standard interface plate (“SIP”), a reel assembly, and a second SIP is provided. The reel assembly includes a base for securing to the first SIP, a first lock portion, and a cable wound about a spool for extending and retracting. The second SIP is located on a truck box wall opposite a location of the first SIP and has a second lock portion to receive the first lock portion to selectively secure the cable. The base may include two components slidably mounted to one another to translate between a first position and a second position. Each of the two components may include a hook portion for grasping the first SIP in the first position for securing the base thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua Robert Hemphill, Jack Marchlewski, Dragan B. Stojkovic, Jeffrey Gray, Robert Reiners
  • Adjustable tailgate system
    Patent number: 10336378
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a bed and a tailgate. The bed has first and second side panels. The tailgate is rotatably secured to the bed along a horizontal axis and has a plurality of extruded sections that are arranged in a longitudinally extending chain. Each section extends laterally between the first and second side panels. Adjacent sections are secured to each other via hinges that rotate about axes that are substantially parallel to the horizontal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jack Marchlewski, Dragan B. Stojkovic, Jeffrey Gray, Joshua Robert Hemphill, Robert Reiners