Patents by Inventor Robert Joseph Beier

Robert Joseph Beier 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: 8528957
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided with a seat oriented in a passenger compartment forward of a storage compartment. The seat has a seat back that is pivotally connected to a body of the vehicle. The seat back is pivotable between a seating position and a storage position. A battery is disposed within the storage compartment. A tray is removably connected to the vehicle body in either one of a first and a second position. The tray is elevated from the battery within the storage compartment in the first position. The tray is connected to the vehicle body such that it is contiguous with and forward of the battery in the second position. A flat load floor is formed by the top surface of a housing of the battery together with the tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gian Carlo Morlet Ugalde, Babak Shahmehri, Kathleen Pecoraro, David A. Wilson, Marc Jonathon Lucas, Robert Joseph Beier, Timothy DeBastos
  • Publication number: 20130001972
    Abstract: A vehicle is provided with a seat oriented in a passenger compartment forward of a storage compartment. The seat has a seat back that is pivotally connected to a body of the vehicle. The seat back is pivotable between a seating position and a storage position. A battery is disposed within the storage compartment. A tray is removably connected to the vehicle body in either one of a first and a second position. The tray is elevated from the battery within the storage compartment in the first position. The tray is connected to the vehicle body such that it is contiguous with and forward of the battery in the second position. A flat load floor is formed by the top surface of a housing of the battery together with the tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Gian Carlo Morlet Ugalde, Babak Shahmehri, Kathleen Pecoraro, David A. Wilson, Marc Jonathon Lucas, Robert Joseph Beier, Timothy DeBastos
  • Patent number: 8151837
    Abstract: A fuel filler closure device for an automotive vehicle includes a valve body adapted for mounting to a fuel filler pipe and having a filler passage. An access door mounted within the valve body has an open position allowing placement of a fuel nozzle within the filler passage and a closed position for blocking insertion of a filler nozzle. The locking mechanism selectively permits the access door to move from the closed position to the open position. The locking mechanism may include either a manual locking device, or an electronic or other type of remote lock which will be responsive to a vehicle condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Beier, Brian Thomas Aitken
  • Patent number: 7926522
    Abstract: A capless fuel filler device includes an anti-contamination seal mounted upon an external portion of a fuel filler passage extending through the device. An anti-contamination plug may selectively be inserted into the combination passage so as to sealingly engage the anti-contamination seal. A contaminant drain leading from the valve body's fuel and nozzle passage serves to not only remove liquid contaminants from the fuel and nozzle passage, but also to mitigate any incidental buildup of vacuum within the fuel tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies
    Inventors: Brian Thomas Aitken, Robert Joseph Beier
  • Publication number: 20110079322
    Abstract: A capless fuel filler system has lower and upper sealing doors. The upper sealing door prevents water, water vapor, dust, etc. from entering into the space between the lower and upper doors. In prior systems with one sealing door a drain is provided to remove water (either directly entering or condensed water vapor), dust, or excess fuel drips from fueling just upstream of the lower door. By providing two sealing doors, water and dust cannot access the lower door. Although some fuel may puddle upstream of the lower door after a fueling event, the fuel is trapped, with no drain to the exterior, between lower and upper doors. If such fuel evaporates, it causes the lower door to open and vents the fuel vapors to the fuel tank, a desirable disposition for the vapors. The two sealing doors are contained in separate components to facilitate interchangeability and serviceability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Beier, Brian Thomas Aitken, Michael Peter Ginster, John Ranger, Michael Wohlfahrter, Rakesh Sandhu
  • Publication number: 20090056829
    Abstract: A capless fuel filler device includes an anti-contamination seal mounted upon an external portion of a fuel filler passage extending through the device. An anti-contamination plug may selectively be inserted into the combination passage so as to sealingly engage the anti-contamination seal. A contaminant drain leading from the valve body's fuel and nozzle passage serves to not only remove liquid contaminants from the fuel and nozzle passage, but also to mitigate any incidental buildup of vacuum within the fuel tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Brian Thomas Aitken, Robert Joseph Beier
  • Publication number: 20090056830
    Abstract: A fuel filler closure device for an automotive vehicle includes a valve body adapted for mounting to a fuel filler pipe and having a filler passage. An access door mounted within the valve body has an open position allowing placement of a fuel nozzle within the filler passage and a closed position for blocking insertion of a filler nozzle. The locking mechanism selectively permits the access door to move from the closed position to the open position. The locking mechanism may include either a manual locking device, or an electronic or other type of remote lock which will be responsive to a vehicle condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Robert Joseph Beier, Brian Thomas Aitken