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).
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Publication number: 20150077253Abstract: A vehicle has an interior antenna for detecting transmissions from a keyless entry device (KED) and/or a radio frequency device (RFD) associated with a portable item when inside the vehicle, and an exterior antenna for detecting transmissions from the KED and/or the RFD when outside the vehicle. A processor receives determines, based on transmissions received by the interior and exterior antennas, passing of the KED from inside to outside the vehicle, and generates an alert if the interior antenna detects the RFD remaining inside the vehicle after said passing. The processor may further determine passing of the RFD from outside to inside the vehicle based upon detection by the exterior antenna of transmissions indicating the RFD is outside the vehicle, and subsequent detection by the interior antenna of transmissions from the RFD indicating it is inside the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2014Publication date: March 19, 2015Inventors: Robert SPAHL, Stephen David FLEMING
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Patent number: 8973966Abstract: A seating assembly for a vehicle includes a stepped floor that has an upper portion and a lower portion. A front seat is disposed on the lower portion. A rear seat is arranged in a staggered relationship behind the front seat. The front seat is mounted high and has an upright backrest and the rear seat has a backrest that is more reclined than the backrest of the front seat.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2013Date of Patent: March 10, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: David Woodhouse, Torsten Gerhardt, Robert Spahl
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Patent number: 8950796Abstract: A seating assembly for a vehicle includes a central longitudinal axis extending through the vehicle. A front seat is configured for use by a driver and defines a front seat central longitudinal axis. A rear seat is configured for use by a passenger and defines a rear seat central longitudinal axis. The front and rear seats are substantially arranged on opposite sides of the central longitudinal axis in a staggered relationship. The central longitudinal axis of the front seat is arranged at a different angle with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the vehicle than the central longitudinal axis of the rear seat. At least one of the seats is positioned such that the central longitudinal axis of the respective seat measured at a rear edge of the seat is mounted closer to the central longitudinal axis of the vehicle than is possible with a symmetrical side-by-side seating arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2013Date of Patent: February 10, 2015Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: David Woodhouse, Torsten Gerhardt, Robert Spahl
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Publication number: 20140368475Abstract: An in-vehicle multimedia unit for a motor vehicle having an interface for a portable multimedia appliance (such as a smartphone, MP3 player or tablet PC), wherein all the multimedia functions and contents are provided solely by the portable appliance. Also a method for providing multimedia functions and content in a motor vehicle having an in-vehicle multimedia unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 11, 2014Publication date: December 18, 2014Inventors: Robert SPAHL, Gareth CHENNELLS
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Patent number: 8888160Abstract: A seating assembly for a vehicle includes a single occupancy front seat configured for use by a driver of the vehicle. A single occupancy rear seat is configured for use by a passenger of the vehicle and arranged in a staggered relationship with respect to the front seat. A child seat is mounted asymmetrically on the rear seat such that the child seat is positioned further from the front seat than it would be if symmetrically mounted on the rear seat. Mountings secure the child seat on the rear seat and are positioned to mount the child seat asymmetrically on the rear seat.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2013Date of Patent: November 18, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: David Woodhouse, Tosten Gerhardt, Robert Spahl
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Publication number: 20140336845Abstract: A system is disclosed having a primary vehicle and a secondary vehicle that is carried by the primary vehicle when not in use. The system further includes at least one of an immobilizing device to immobilize the primary vehicle if the secondary vehicle is removed from the primary vehicle, a data storage device for storing information regarding usage of the primary and secondary vehicles, a user interface device for displaying information regarding usage of the primary and secondary vehicles, and a user prompt for providing information regarding potential opportunities for use of the secondary vehicle to encourage usage of the secondary vehicle and lower CO2 emissions.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2014Publication date: November 13, 2014Inventors: Torsten Gerhardt, Marcus Hurst, Robert Spahl, David Burrage
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Patent number: 8855895Abstract: A system is disclosed having a primary vehicle and a secondary vehicle that is carried by the primary vehicle when not in use. The system further includes at least one of an immobilizing device to immobilize the primary vehicle if the secondary vehicle is removed from the primary vehicle, a data storage device for storing information regarding usage of the primary and secondary vehicles, a user interface device for displaying information regarding usage of the primary and secondary vehicles, and a user prompt for providing information regarding potential opportunities for use of the secondary vehicle to encourage usage of the secondary vehicle and lower CO2 emissions.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2013Date of Patent: October 7, 2014Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Torsten Gerhardt, Marcus Hurst, Robert Spahl, David Burrage
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Publication number: 20140252731Abstract: A laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least three wheels, first and second wheels of the three wheels being assigned to a common axle to form a first wheel pair. The vehicle includes at least one wheel control part suspending each of the first and second wheels of the wheel pair from the vehicle body. At least one resilient element supports each wheel control part on the vehicle body. The resilient element has a non-linear spring characteristic with a spring rate which increases in a compression direction and decreases in a rebound direction. The vehicle may be a motor vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2014Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Robert SPAHL, Edmund HALFMANN, Torsten GERHARDT, Marc SIMON
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Publication number: 20140252734Abstract: A laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a vehicle body and three wheels. The first and second wheels are assigned to a common axle to form a first wheel pair. A first cylinder unit supports the first wheel of the wheel pair on the vehicle body and a second cylinder unit supports the second wheel of the wheel pair on the vehicle body. Each cylinder unit includes a first cylinder and a second cylinder connected in series. Each first cylinder has a first diameter and each second cylinder has a second diameter larger than the first diameter. The first and second cylinder units are fluidly connected to each other. Fluid is transferable between cylinder units between a first cylinder of the one cylinder unit and a second cylinder of the other cylinder unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2014Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Robert SPAHL, Edmund HALFMANN, Torsten GERHARDT, Marc SIMON
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Publication number: 20140252733Abstract: A laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least three wheels. The first and second wheels are assigned to a common axle to form a first wheel pair. A first wheel control part suspends the first wheel of the wheel pair from the vehicle body and a second wheel control part suspends the second wheel of the wheel pair from the vehicle body. The first wheel control part is coupled to the second wheel control part via a double lever rotatably mounted on the vehicle body. At least two pivot points for the double lever can be defined on the vehicle body, the pivot points being spaced apart in a direction of a longitudinal extent of the double lever.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2014Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Robert SPAHL, Edmund HALFMANN, Torsten GERHARDT, Marc SIMON
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Publication number: 20140252730Abstract: A laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least three wheels, with two of the wheels being assigned to a common axle to form a first wheel pair. A first wheel control part suspends the first wheel of the wheel pair from the vehicle body and a second wheel control part suspends the second wheel of the wheel pair from the vehicle body. The first wheel control part is configured to be coupled to the second wheel control part via a first gearwheel mechanism, and the second wheel control part is configured to be coupled to the first wheel control part via a second gearwheel mechanism. The first and second gearwheel mechanisms each have a negative transmission ratio between a drive shaft and an output shaft. The laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle may be a motor vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2014Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Robert SPAHL, Edmund HALFMANN, Torsten GERHARDT, Marc SIMON
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Publication number: 20140252732Abstract: A laterally tiltable, multitrack vehicle is disclosed. The vehicle includes a vehicle body and at least three wheels. The first and the second wheels are assigned to a common axle to form a first wheel pair. Each wheel of the wheel pair is rotatably mounted on a wheel support. The wheel supports of the wheel pair are connected to one another in an articulated manner via a double lever which is mounted rotatably at a first pivot point on the vehicle body. The wheel supports of the wheel pair also are connected to one another in an articulated manner via a parallel trailing arm, which runs parallel to the double lever and is configured to transmit lateral tilting of one wheel support to the other wheel support.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2014Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventors: Robert SPAHL, Edmund HALFMANN, Torsten GERHARDT, Marc SIMON
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Publication number: 20140218189Abstract: Method and apparatus for alerting a user to presence within a vehicle of an item having an active near-field communication device (NFCD) associated therewith, such as a smartphone. A passive NFCD is located adjacent to a storage compartment within a vehicle. When the active NFCD-equipped item is placed in the compartment, communication is established between the active and passive NFCDs. A controller device is communicatively connected to the vehicle to detect a journey completion event and send a wireless message (via Bluetooth, for example) to the item. The message instructs the item to output an alert if the active and passive NFCDs are in communication with one another. Journey completion events may be turning off of a vehicle ignition, opening of a vehicle door, or a vehicle seat becoming unoccupied.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2014Publication date: August 7, 2014Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Stephen David FLEMING, Robert SPAHL
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Publication number: 20140152043Abstract: A seating assembly for a vehicle includes a single occupancy front seat configured for use by a driver of the vehicle. A single occupancy rear seat is configured for use by a passenger of the vehicle and arranged in a staggered relationship with respect to the front seat. A child seat is mounted asymmetrically on the rear seat such that the child seat is positioned further from the front seat than it would be if symmetrically mounted on the rear seat. Mountings secure the child seat on the rear seat and are positioned to mount the child seat asymmetrically on the rear seat.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2013Publication date: June 5, 2014Inventors: David Woodhouse, Torsten Gerhardt, Robert Spahl
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Publication number: 20140152040Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2013Publication date: June 5, 2014Inventors: David Woodhouse, Torsten Gerhardt, Robert Spahl
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Publication number: 20140152039Abstract: A seating arrangement for a passenger vehicle includes a vehicular central longitudinal axis. A front seat and a rear seat each include a central longitudinal axis. The respective central longitudinal axes of the front and rear seats are arranged on opposite sides of the vehicular central longitudinal axis in a staggered relationship. The front seat is mounted high and at least one of the seats is positioned such that the central longitudinal axis of the respective seat measured at a rear edge of the respective seat is mounted closer to the vehicular central longitudinal axis than is possible with a symmetrical side-by-side seating arrangement by mounting the respective seat such that a distance measured from the central longitudinal axis of the respective seat at a rear edge of the seat to the vehicular central longitudinal axis is less than half the width of the rear edge of the respective seat.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2013Publication date: June 5, 2014Inventors: David Woodhouse, Torsten Gerhardt, Robert Spahl
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Publication number: 20140152041Abstract: A seating assembly for a vehicle includes a stepped floor that has an upper portion and a lower portion. A front seat is disposed on the lower portion. A rear seat is arranged in a staggered relationship behind the front seat. The front seat is mounted high and has an upright backrest and the rear seat has a backrest that is more reclined than the backrest of the front seat.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2013Publication date: June 5, 2014Inventors: David Woodhouse, Torsten Gerhardt, Robert Spahl
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Publication number: 20140152042Abstract: A seating assembly for a vehicle includes a central longitudinal axis extending through the vehicle. A front seat is configured for use by a driver and defines a front seat central longitudinal axis. A rear seat is configured for use by a passenger and defines a rear seat central longitudinal axis. The front and rear seats are substantially arranged on opposite sides of the central longitudinal axis in a staggered relationship. The central longitudinal axis of the front seat is arranged at a different angle with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the vehicle than the central longitudinal axis of the rear seat. At least one of the seats is positioned such that the central longitudinal axis of the respective seat measured at a rear edge of the seat is mounted closer to the central longitudinal axis of the vehicle than is possible with a symmetrical side-by-side seating arrangement.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2013Publication date: June 5, 2014Inventors: David Woodhouse, Torsten Gerhardt, Robert Spahl
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Publication number: 20130274951Abstract: A system is disclosed having a primary vehicle and a secondary vehicle that is carried by the primary vehicle when not in use. The system further includes at least one of an immobilizing device to immobilize the primary vehicle if the secondary vehicle is removed from the primary vehicle, a data storage device for storing information regarding usage of the primary and secondary vehicles, a user interface device for displaying information regarding usage of the primary and secondary vehicles, and a user prompt for providing information regarding potential opportunities for use of the secondary vehicle to encourage usage of the secondary vehicle and lower CO2 emissions.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2013Publication date: October 17, 2013Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Torsten Gerhardt, Marcus Hurst, Robert Spahl, David Burrage
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Patent number: 8313146Abstract: A vehicle seat is provided, particularly for a center seat in a row of seats. The seat includes a back part swivel connected to a seat part so that the back part and seat part swivel away from each other in a seating position and swivel toward one another in a first stowage position. The seat back may be altered in its longitudinal extent between the first stowage position and a second stowage position such that the seat back has a seat length and a shorter stowage length. The seat further includes a traveling mechanism which automatically moves the back part longitudinally from the seat length to the shorter stowage length when the back part is folded into the first stowage position.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2010Date of Patent: November 20, 2012Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Uwe Wagner, Carsten Schauf, Herbert Tiefert, Robert Spahl