Patents by Inventor Robert J. Garby

Robert J. Garby 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: 9889876
    Abstract: Arrangements (e.g., method; vehicle; non-transitory, tangible, machine-readable media embodying a program) for controlling nominal vehicle steering characteristics in a vehicle steering system are disclosed. A method of controlling nominal vehicle steering characteristics includes determining an actual position of an adjustable steering component of the vehicle, comparing the actual position to a reference position of the component, and based at least in part on the comparison, adjusting at least one of the steering ratio and a steering torque feedback in the vehicle steering system. In one embodiment, based at least in part on the comparison, a percentage of change in a steering ratio for a range of steering wheel angles is calculated and, based on the percentage of change, at least one of the steering ratio and a steering torque feedback in the vehicle steering system is adjusted to a nominal value associated with the nominal vehicle steering characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: David Michael Russell, Lodewijk Wijffels, Robert J. Garby
  • Publication number: 20170144692
    Abstract: Arrangements (e.g., method; vehicle; non-transitory, tangible, machine-readable media embodying a program) for controlling nominal vehicle steering characteristics in a vehicle steering system are disclosed. A method of controlling nominal vehicle steering characteristics includes determining an actual position of an adjustable steering component of the vehicle, comparing the actual position to a reference position of the component, and based at least in part on the comparison, adjusting at least one of the steering ratio and a steering torque feedback in the vehicle steering system. In one embodiment, based at least in part on the comparison, a percentage of change in a steering ratio for a range of steering wheel angles is calculated and, based on the percentage of change, at least one of the steering ratio and a steering torque feedback in the vehicle steering system is adjusted to a nominal value associated with the nominal vehicle steering characteristics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2015
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLGIES, LLC
    Inventors: David Michael RUSSELL, Lodewijk WIJFFELS, Robert J. GARBY
  • Patent number: 6378927
    Abstract: A stowable load ramp for a vehicle includes a tailgate operable between a closed vertical position and an open horizontal position, an upper panel hingedly attached to the tailgate, a lower panel hingedly attached to the upper panel, and wherein the upper and lower panels are operable between a stowed horizontal position and an extended downwardly angled ramp position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Parry-Jones, David L. Payne, Daniel Rodriguez, Norman William Fasecas, Robert J. Garby
  • Patent number: 6267429
    Abstract: A multi position tailgate assembly (10) includes a tailgate (14), at least one hinge element (16), moveable between a closed position (20), and an opened position (22), and at least one cable element having a first end attached to an automobile and a second end attached to the hinge element (16). The assembly allows the tailgate to be opened to a first position when the hinge element is closed and a second, lower or angled position, when the hinge element is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Alan Kuzmich, Norman william Fasecas, Robert J. Garby