Patents by Inventor Rodney J. Tindall

Rodney J. Tindall 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).

  • Publication number: 20190285878
    Abstract: A component for a vehicle interior with a display panel is disclosed. The component may comprise a module comprising an insert and a cover. The cover and the insert may be configured to facilitate optical performance of the module. The insert may allow light to pass from the display panel to the cover and may limit reflection of light between the display panel and cover. An index of refraction of the insert may match an index of refraction of the cover. An outer surface of the insert may be contoured to align with a contoured surface of the cover. The insert may comprise a flat inner surface and a curved outer surface. The insert may be attached to the cover by an adhesive comprising an index of refraction between that of the cover and the insert. The cover may comprise glass and/or plastic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Publication date: September 19, 2019
    Inventors: Scott Allen Hansen, Karl R. Stanley, James Bradley Price, Mario Javier Enriquez Ortiz, Rodney J. Tindall
  • Patent number: 8845003
    Abstract: A snap-in fastener is provided for securing a vehicle component to a vehicle structure. The fastener comprises a base having a longitudinal axis, a first leg extending downwardly and outwardly from the base and configured to apply a force to the vehicle structure in a first direction, and a second leg extending downwardly from the base and configured to apply a force to the vehicle structure in a second direction that is substantially opposite the first direction. The first leg may have a first portion extending from the base at a first angle relative to the longitudinal axis and a second portion extending from the first portion at a second angle relative to the longitudinal axis that is different than the first angle. The first leg may also have a foot having a contact surface with an inwardly extending profile for engaging an edge of the vehicle structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Kevin A. Still, Kenneth Kreuze, Michael Selle, Ronald C. Perry, Rodney J. Tindall
  • Publication number: 20140152178
    Abstract: Lighting devices for a vehicle arc disclosed that can include a light emitting diode and control circuitry for the light emitting diode. Also disclosed are circuits for a light emitting diode. Additionally, a method of forming a lighting device is disclosed. The lighting device, circuits, and method can be used, for example, to illuminate the interior of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2013
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Thomas Scott HODGSON, Kathleen M. PACHECO, Steven M. SPOERRE, Randy L. ARENDSEN, Art VONDERWELL, Bryan T. JONES, Mark J. BUSSIS, Rodney J. TINDALL, Theron J. HICKS, Chad WERNICKE, Bryan THIEME
  • Patent number: 8733990
    Abstract: An interior vehicle component comprises a base and a panel coupled to the base. The panel is moveable between a first position and a second position. The panel has a first side and an opposite second side. The first side is configured to be visible to a vehicle occupant when the panel is in the first position. The second side cooperates with the base to define a cavity. The panel has an aperture extending through the first side and the second side. The panel also comprises at least one of a solid state switch and a light source supported at the first side of the panel, and a flexible circuit coupled to a backside of the at least one of the solid state switch and the light source through the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Nels R. Smith, Michael Catlin, Stephen J. Gwinnup, Rodney J. Tindall
  • Patent number: 8541947
    Abstract: Lighting devices for a vehicle are disclosed that can include a light emitting diode and control circuitry for the light emitting diode. Also disclosed are circuits for a light emitting diode. Additionally, a method of forming a lighting device is disclosed. The lighting device, circuits, and method can be used, for example, to illuminate the interior of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Thomas Scott Hodgson, Kathleen M. Pacheco, Steven M. Spoerre, Randy L. Arendsen, Art Vonderwell, Bryan T. Jones, Mark J. Bussis, Rodney J. Tindall, Theron J. Hicks, Chad Wernicke, Bryan Thieme
  • Publication number: 20120230047
    Abstract: An interior vehicle component comprises a base and a panel coupled to the base. The panel is moveable between a first position and a second position. The panel has a first side and an opposite second side. The first side is configured to be visible to a vehicle occupant when the panel is in the first position. The second side cooperates with the base to define a cavity. The panel has an aperture extending through the first side and the second side. The panel also comprises at least one of a solid state switch and a light source supported at the first side of the panel, and a flexible circuit coupled to a backside of the at least one of the solid state switch and the light source through the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventors: Nels R. Smith, Michael Catlin, Stephen J. Gwinnup, Rodney J. Tindall
  • Publication number: 20110127795
    Abstract: A snap-in fastener is provided for securing a vehicle component to a vehicle structure. The fastener comprises a base having a longitudinal axis, a first leg extending downwardly and outwardly from the base and configured to apply a force to the vehicle structure in a first direction, and a second leg extending downwardly from the base and configured to apply a force to the vehicle structure in a second direction that is substantially opposite the first direction. The first leg may have a first portion extending from the base at a first angle relative to the longitudinal axis and a second portion extending from the first portion at a second angle relative to the longitudinal axis that is different than the first angle. The first leg may also have a foot having a contact surface with an inwardly extending profile for engaging an edge of the vehicle structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventors: Kevin A. Still, Kenneth Kreuze, Michael Selle, Ronald C. Perry, Rodney J. Tindall
  • Publication number: 20110006684
    Abstract: Lighting devices for a vehicle are disclosed that can include a light emitting diode and control circuitry for the light emitting diode. Also disclosed are circuits for a light emitting diode. Additionally, a method of forming a lighting device is disclosed. The lighting device, circuits, and method can be used, for example, to illuminate the interior of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2008
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventors: Thomas Scott Hodgson, Kathleen M. Pacheco, Steven M. Spoerre, Randy L. Arendsen, Art Vonderwell, Bryan T. Jones, Mark J. Bussis, Rodney J. Tindall, Theron J. Hicks, Chad Wernicke, Bryan Thieme