Patents by Inventor Robert Spahl

Robert Spahl 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: 10926825
    Abstract: A cart includes a hub, a frame, and at least one handlebar. The frame includes a first segment and a second segment, and the first segment, the second segment, and the handlebar are each supported by the hub. The hub defines a rotational axis and at least two of the first segment, the second segment, and the handlebar are rotatable about the rotational axis relative to each other and the hub. At least one wheel is on the first segment and at least one wheel is on the second segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Gloabl Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: James Neugebauer, Robert Spahl, Torsten Gerhardt, Christoph Rueberg, Bruce Southey
  • Patent number: 10692382
    Abstract: Methods and devices assist in a parking maneuver of a vehicle. The vehicle includes a parking aid that produces a first signal. The first signal is perceptible in an interior of the vehicle during a parking maneuver. A signal property of the first signal is adapted to a currently prevailing distance of the vehicle from a parking obstruction. The first signal is converted into a second signal that is perceptible by an operator located outside the vehicle. The second signal is transmitted to the operator disposed outside the vehicle during a remotely-controlled performance of the parking maneuver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Andreas Urhahne, Robert Spahl
  • Patent number: 10597100
    Abstract: A device for transporting a payload (to include a human user) over varied terrain. A platform accommodates the payload. A pair of wheel clusters are mounted to opposite ends of the platform and are powered in rotation relative thereto. Each includes at least two co-planar wheels powered by electric motors. A latch is hand-operable (without tools) to secure the cluster to the platform and, alternatively, allow the cluster to be detached from the platform and rotated 90° to lie parallel thereto. An electrical connector conducts electric power from the platform to the cluster when the latch is operated/actuated to secure the cluster to the platform, and is configured such that it does not impede or obstruct detaching the wheel cluster from the platform, with no requirement that the user take any additional step (other than actuating the latch) to detach the wheel cluster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Torsten Gerhardt, James Neugebauer, Robert Spahl, Bruce Southey, Christoph Ruberg
  • Patent number: 10513284
    Abstract: A motorized device for transporting a human or inanimate payload. A platform is configured to accommodate the payload and a pair of wheel clusters are mounted to the platform at opposite ends thereof and are powered in rotation relative to the platform, for example by one or more electric motors housed in or on the platform or wheel clusters. Each of the two wheel clusters comprises three drive wheels arranged in a generally triangular and co-planar configuration, and each is independently powered about its respective axis of rotation by a hub-mounted electric motor. An electronic controller commands the motors powering the two wheel clusters and of each of the six drive wheels. The independent controllability of each wheel and of the wheel clusters relative to the platform allows the device to steer and to ascend and descend steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Torsten Gerhardt, James Neugebauer, Robert Spahl, Bruce Southey, Christoph Ruberg
  • Patent number: 10501970
    Abstract: A motor vehicle is disclosed having a door that is attached to the motor vehicle by a hinge mechanism providing both full swing opening of the door and full scissor opening of the door. The motor vehicle includes an apparatus to assist with the selection of a preferred mode of door opening based upon an assessment of the surroundings in which the motor vehicle 1 rests. The assessment of the surroundings and selection of the preferred mode of door opening is carried out by an electronic controller based upon information received from a sensing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Vince Leslie Shaw, Torsten Gerhardt, Robert Spahl, David Burrage
  • Patent number: 10457214
    Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, folding in an exterior mirror of a motor vehicle having a door with a rear-mounted hinge. The exterior mirror is folded in when the door is opened and when at least one of the following conditions is met: (1) an obstacle is detected adjacent the door or (2) a speed at which the door is opened is less than a predefined threshold value. A motor vehicle configured to perform the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Martin Knuettel, Robert Spahl, Igor Fischbein, Torsten Gerhardt
  • Publication number: 20190111989
    Abstract: A cart includes a hub, a frame, and at least one handlebar. The frame includes a first segment and a second segment, and the first segment, the second segment, and the handlebar are each supported by the hub. The hub defines a rotational axis and at least two of the first segment, the second segment, and the handlebar are rotatable about the rotational axis relative to each other and the hub. At least one wheel is on the first segment and at least one wheel is on the second segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Publication date: April 18, 2019
    Inventors: James NEUGEBAUER, Robert SPAHL, Torsten GERHARDT, Christoph RUEBERG, Bruce SOUTHEY
  • Patent number: 10259481
    Abstract: A motorized device for transporting a human or inanimate payload. A platform is configured to accommodate the payload and a pair of wheel clusters are mounted to the platform at opposite ends thereof and are powered in both rotation and in translation relative to the platform, for example by one or more electric motors housed in or on the platform or wheel clusters. Each of the wheel clusters comprises an arm, and a first and a second wheel rotatably mounted to respective opposite ends of the arm. Each of the wheels is independently powered about its respective axis of rotation. An electronic controller commands the motors to enable stable rolling movement of the device over a surface with only one wheel of each cluster in contact with the surface, and to allow the device to steer and to ascend and descend steps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Torsten Gerhardt, James Neugebauer, Robert Spahl, Bruce Southey, Christoph Ruberg
  • Publication number: 20180361936
    Abstract: A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, folding in an exterior mirror of a motor vehicle having a door with a rear-mounted hinge. The exterior mirror is folded in when the door is opened and when at least one of the following conditions is met: (1) an obstacle is detected adjacent the door or (2) a speed at which the door is opened is less than a predefined threshold value. A motor vehicle configured to perform the method is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2018
    Publication date: December 20, 2018
    Inventors: Martin Knuettel, Robert Spahl, Igor Fischbein, Torsten Gerhardt
  • Patent number: 10076939
    Abstract: A laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle suspension may include first and second steering knuckles. The suspension may also include a first set of control arms connected to the first steering knuckle and a second set of control arms connected to the second steering knuckle. Each of the first and second sets of control arms may include upper and lower control arms. The suspension may further include a spring/damper element acting between the first and second sets of control arms and a balancer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Marc Simon, Robert Spahl, Thomas Gerhards
  • Patent number: 10055917
    Abstract: A convenience controller activates a small zone high precision welcoming detecting function (with high current utilization) in response to a detected arrival of an authorized user into a larger zone low precision approach region around a vehicle (with low current utilization). A short range transmitter broadcasts a polling signal covering the region. The short range transmitter has an approach pending mode wherein the polling signal is broadcast according to a first repetition and a baseline mode wherein the polling signal is broadcast according to a lower repetition. The short range transmitter has a first power drain in the approach pending mode. A wireless communication system is configured to monitor for user activity outside the approach region corresponding to proximity to the approach region. If the short range transmitter is in the baseline mode when the activity is detected, then the short range transmitter switches to the approach pending mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Spahl, John R. Van Wiemeersch
  • Patent number: 10023019
    Abstract: A suspension system for a laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle may include a balancer system extending between first and second trailing arms. The suspension system may further include a rotary device acting between the trailing arms. One of the balancer system and the rotary device may be configured to provide a torque to influence a leaning angle of the vehicle and the other of the balancer system and the rotary device may be configured to suppress resonant vertical motion of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Spahl, Marc Simon, Edmund Halfmann, Thomas Gerhards, Rainer Souschek, Ralf Hintzen, Daniel Mainz, Martin Saeger
  • Publication number: 20180127012
    Abstract: A motorized device for transporting a human or inanimate payload. A platform is configured to accommodate the payload and a pair of wheel clusters are mounted to the platform at opposite ends thereof and are powered in rotation relative to the platform, for example by one or more electric motors housed in or on the platform or wheel clusters. Each of the two wheel clusters comprises three drive wheels arranged in a generally triangular and co-planar configuration, and each is independently powered about its respective axis of rotation by a hub-mounted electric motor. An electronic controller commands the motors powering the two wheel clusters and of each of the six drive wheels. The independent controllability of each wheel and of the wheel clusters relative to the platform allows the device to steer and to ascend and descend steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Torsten GERHARDT, James NEUGEBAUER, Robert SPAHL, Bruce SOUTHEY, Christoph RUBERG
  • Publication number: 20180127013
    Abstract: A motorized device for transporting a human or inanimate payload. A platform is configured to accommodate the payload and a pair of wheel clusters are mounted to the platform at opposite ends thereof and are powered in both rotation and in translation relative to the platform, for example by one or more electric motors housed in or on the platform or wheel clusters. Each of the wheel clusters comprises an arm, and a first and a second wheel rotatably mounted to respective opposite ends of the arm. Each of the wheels is independently powered about its respective axis of rotation. An electronic controller commands the motors to enable stable rolling movement of the device over a surface with only one wheel of each cluster in contact with the surface, and to allow the device to steer and to ascend and descend steps.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Torsten GERHARDT, James NEUGEBAUER, Robert SPAHL, Bruce SOUTHEY, Christoph RUBERG
  • Publication number: 20180127038
    Abstract: A device for transporting a payload (to include a human user) over varied terrain. A platform accommodates the payload. A pair of wheel clusters are mounted to opposite ends of the platform and are powered in rotation relative thereto. Each includes at least two co-planar wheels powered by electric motors. A latch is hand-operable (without tools) to secure the cluster to the platform and, alternatively, allow the cluster to be detached from the platform and rotated 90° to lie parallel thereto. An electrical connector conducts electric power from the platform to the cluster when the latch is operated/actuated to secure the cluster to the platform, and is configured such that it does not impede or obstruct detaching the wheel cluster from the platform, with no requirement that the user take any additional step (other than actuating the latch) to detach the wheel cluster.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2017
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Torsten Gerhardt, James Neugebauer, Robert Spahl, Bruce Southey, Christoph Ruberg
  • Publication number: 20180096545
    Abstract: A convenience controller activates a small zone high precision welcoming detecting function (with high current utilization) in response to a detected arrival of an authorized user into a larger zone low precision approach region around a vehicle (with low current utilization). A short range transmitter broadcasts a polling signal covering the region. The short range transmitter has an approach pending mode wherein the polling signal is broadcast according to a first repetition and a baseline mode wherein the polling signal is broadcast according to a lower repetition. The to short range transmitter has a first power drain in the approach pending mode. A wireless communication system is configured to monitor for user activity outside the approach region corresponding to proximity to the approach region. If the short range transmitter is in the baseline mode when the activity is detected, then the short range transmitter switches to the approach pending mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Publication date: April 5, 2018
    Inventors: Robert Spahl, John R. Van Wiemeersch
  • Patent number: 9925843
    Abstract: A rear suspension system for a laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle may include first and second trailing arms. The rear suspension system may further include first and second balancer systems acting between the first and second trailing arms. The first balancer system may create a torque to influence a leaning angle of the vehicle when the suspension system is in use. The second balancer system may suppress a resonant vertical motion of the vehicle when the suspension system is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Spahl, Marc Simon, Edmund Halfmann, Thomas Gerhards, Rainer Souschek, Ralf Hintzen, Daniel Mainz, Martin Saeger
  • Patent number: 9889769
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a front seat and a rear seat, each having a backrest and a squab. The front and rear seats are arranged in a staggered duplex overlapping relationship. A portion of a front edge of the rear seat squab overlaps a portion of a rear edge of the front seat squab. An inboard edge of the rear seat squab overlaps a portion of an inboard edge of the front seat squab. A longitudinal distance measured from a front edge of the front seat squab to a rear edge of the rear seat squab is less than the sum of the longitudinal lengths of the front and rear seat squabs. A transverse distance measured from an outboard edge of the front seat squab to an outboard edge of the rear seat squab is less than the sum of the widths of the front and rear seat squabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Woodhouse, Torsten Gerhardt, Robert Spahl
  • Publication number: 20180030764
    Abstract: A motor vehicle is disclosed having a door that is attached to the motor vehicle by a hinge mechanism providing both full swing opening of the door and full scissor opening of the door. The motor vehicle includes an apparatus to assist with the selection of a preferred mode of door opening based upon an assessment of the surroundings in which the motor vehicle 1 rests. The assessment of the surroundings and selection of the preferred mode of door opening is carried out by an electronic controller based upon information received from a sensing apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Vince Leslie Shaw, Torsten Gerhardt, Robert Spahl, David Burrage
  • Patent number: 9858735
    Abstract: A convenience controller activates a small zone high location precision welcoming detecting function (with high current utilization) in response to a detected arrival of an authorized user into a larger zone low location precision welcoming detecting function (with low current utilization) approach region around a vehicle. A short range transmitter broadcasts a polling signal covering the region. The short range transmitter has an approach pending mode wherein the polling signal is broadcast according to a first predetermined repetition and a baseline mode wherein the polling signal is broadcast according to a lower repetition. The short range transmitter has a first power drain in the approach pending mode. A wireless communication system is configured to monitor for user activity outside the approach region corresponding to a potential user entry into the approach region, wherein monitoring by the wireless communication system has a lower power drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Spahl, John R. Van Wiemeersch