Patents by Inventor Steven J. Antilla
Steven J. Antilla 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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Patent number: 11667237Abstract: A vanity mirror assembly for a vehicle visor includes a housing having a support structure and a channel on a top side, a mirror connected to the support structure, and a light source disposed proximate the channel and operative to illuminate visible light. The vanity mirror assembly also includes at least one lens provided on the housing on at least one side of the mirror and operatively coupled to the light source, the at least one lens comprising a transparent optical element configured to refract the visible light from a front face of the at least one lens.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2022Date of Patent: June 6, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Satyanarayana Raju Vemulapati, Jedidiah Paul Durkin, Jason Robert Emrich, Steven J. Antilla
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Patent number: 11235707Abstract: A storage compartment for the vehicle is disclosed herein. The storage compartment includes a receptacle. A door is coupled to the receptacle and is operable between an open position and a closed position. A sensors coupled to the door and is configured to sense a user input. An actuator is configured to allow the door to move from the closed position to the open position in response to the sensor, sensing the user input, wherein the actuator is electrically coupled to the sensor when the door is in the closed position and is electrically disconnected from the sensor, when the door is in the open position.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2019Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Satyanarayana Raju Vemulapati, Steven J. Antilla, Matthew Anthony Majkowski, Brent Clifford Dalton
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Publication number: 20210178975Abstract: A storage compartment for the vehicle is disclosed herein. The storage compartment includes a receptacle. A door is coupled to the receptacle and is operable between an open position and a closed position. A sensors coupled to the door and is configured to sense a user input. An actuator is configured to allow the door to move from the closed position to the open position in response to the sensor, sensing the user input, wherein the actuator is electrically coupled to the sensor when the door is in the closed position and is electrically disconnected from the sensor, when the door is in the open position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2019Publication date: June 17, 2021Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Satyanarayana Raju Vemulapati, Steven J. Antilla, Matthew Anthony Majkowski, Brent Clifford Dalton
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Patent number: 10894511Abstract: A vehicle window assembly is provided herein and includes an inner layer, an outer layer, and an interlayer therebetween. A light-producing assembly is disposed in the interlayer and includes light sources disposed to emit light toward the inner layer, an optical film configured to collimate light emitted by the light sources, and a variable-transparency switchable glazing configured to vary the transmittance of the light emitted from the light sources based on user-supplied input.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2018Date of Patent: January 19, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Linsheng Chen, Stuart C. Salter, Steven J. Antilla, Tom Xu, Paul Kenneth Dellock
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Patent number: 10868532Abstract: A vehicle trim assembly is provided that includes a proximity sensor, a first conductive trim component located near the proximity sensor, a second conductive trim component located near the proximity sensor, and a conductive tower formed on the first conductive trim component and electrically coupled to the second trim component to form a conductive path between the trim components and electrical ground.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2018Date of Patent: December 15, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Satyanarayana Raju Vemulapati, Matthew Anthony Majkowski, Steven J. Antilla
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Patent number: 10794083Abstract: A retractable cover assembly is provided for a vehicle to cover a latching component such as the striker of a trunk door. The assembly includes a retractable cover and a support structure for supporting the cover at a position to cover the striker. The assembly further includes an arrangement for actuating the cover between an open position exposing the striker and a closed position covering the striker. A first light source may illuminate the cover and a second light source may illuminate an interior of the vehicle when the cover is in the closed position.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2016Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Cornel Lewis Gardner, Megan Lovejoy, Inshirah Hillawi, Stuart C. Salter, Steven J. Antilla, Patrick Berryman, Scott H. Dunham
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Patent number: 10766413Abstract: A light guide for a light system of a vehicle and a method of forming the light guide are disclosed herein. The light system comprises the light guide, a light source proximate the guide, and a receiving feature coupled to the vehicle. The light guide comprises a core portion having a light transmissive body, a reflective portion, an absorptive portion, and an attachment feature. The reflective portion is disposed about the core portion along the length of the body. The absorptive portion is disposed about the reflective portion along the length of the reflective portion. The attachment feature extends outwardly from the absorptive portion and is configured to be engaged with the receiving feature coupled to the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: October 30, 2019Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Satyanarayana R. Vemulapati, Steven J. Antilla, Jason Robert Emrich
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Patent number: 10759339Abstract: A light system for a vehicle is provided herein. The light system includes a trim member defining an aperture. A light guide is disposed within the aperture. The light guide has a proximal portion operably coupled with a light source. A lens is integrally formed with the light guide and is disposed at a distal portion of the light guide. A deformable attachment mechanism is integrally formed on the light guide between the proximal and the distal portions of the light guide. The light guide is compressively retained within the aperture by a forward portion of the attachment mechanism and a rearward portion of the lens.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2016Date of Patent: September 1, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ali Ammar, Jason Robert Emrich, Fayez Alamat, Steven J. Antilla, Megan May Lovejoy
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Patent number: 10710499Abstract: A light assembly includes a housing with a mounting bracket extending from an upper surface, a circuit board, a light source provided on the circuit board, and a cover with an aperture in a bottom surface for light from the light source to pass through. The housing includes a side wall defining an interior space configured to receive the circuit board, and a plurality of cutouts formed in the sidewall. The cover includes a tab and at least one cap, both extending from the bottom surface of the cover, with the cap extending farther than the tab. The circuit board is positioned in the housing, with the cover closing the interior space such that the tab and cap each coupled to one of the cutouts, the tab and the cutout defining a gap through which wires connected to the circuit board extend, while preventing light from exiting through the cutouts.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2019Date of Patent: July 14, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ali Ammar, Steven J. Antilla
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Patent number: 10632907Abstract: A vehicle lamp assembly including a lens operably coupled with a substrate is provided herein. A light source may be disposed between the lens and the substrate. A first optic may be disposed on the lens and configured to direct light emitted from the light source in a downward direction. A second optic may be disposed on the first optic and configured to disperse light emitted from the light source.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2018Date of Patent: April 28, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLCInventors: Linsheng Chen, Steven J. Antilla
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Publication number: 20200083886Abstract: A vehicle trim assembly is provided that includes a proximity sensor, a first conductive trim component located near the proximity sensor, a second conductive trim component located near the proximity sensor, and a conductive tower formed on the first conductive trim component and electrically coupled to the second trim component to form a conductive path between the trim components and electrical ground.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 12, 2018Publication date: March 12, 2020Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Satyanarayana Raju Vemulapati, Matthew Anthony Majkowski, Steven J. Antilla
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Publication number: 20200079284Abstract: A vehicle lamp assembly including a lens operably coupled with a substrate is provided herein. A light source may be disposed between the lens and the substrate. A first optic may be disposed on the lens and configured to direct light emitted from the light source in a downward direction. A second optic may be disposed on the first optic and configured to disperse light emitted from the light source.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2018Publication date: March 12, 2020Inventors: Linsheng Chen, Steven J. Antilla
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Patent number: 10454474Abstract: A proximity switch assembly is provided having a sensing pad and a proximity sensor extending around the sensing pad for generating an activation field. The proximity sensor comprises at least one electrode that forms a decorative trim component that is visibly exposed. The proximity switch assembly also includes a controller for determining activation of the switch based on a signal generated from the activation field.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2017Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Matthew Anthony Majkowski, Satyanarayana Raju Vemulapati, Wei Xu, Steven J. Antilla, Akshay Kaasam Sudershan
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Patent number: 10449896Abstract: A vehicle light assembly is provided that includes a light source, a deformable inner lens operatively coupled to the light source, and a movable outer lens configured to deform the inner lens, wherein in a first position the inner lens has a first shape and in a second position the inner lens is deformed to a second shape to change the beam pattern.Type: GrantFiled: January 2, 2019Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Satyanarayana Raju Vemulapati, Steven J. Antilla, Jason Robert Emrich, Christopher Craft, Linsheng Chen
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Patent number: 10442350Abstract: A light assembly for a vehicle comprises: a light source that emits light; a reflector that reflects the light emitted by the light source to a reflected focal point; and an optical device through which the light emitted by the light source transmits, the optical device having an optical focal point; wherein the optical focal point and the reflected focal point are approximately the same focal point. The light leaving the optical device is directed toward a target illuminance area that allows a driver or passenger of the vehicle to read. The light source is an LED. The optical device is a lens. The reflector is an elliptical reflector. The light assembly further comprises a printed circuit board and the LED is mounted on the printed circuit board.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2017Date of Patent: October 15, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Linsheng Chen, Steven J. Antilla
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Patent number: 10408408Abstract: A headlamp for a vehicle comprises: a light source emitting light forming a beam pattern, the light comprising light waves having an electric field vector oscillating in all directions perpendicular to a path of travel of the light wave, and the beam pattern comprising a foreground portion relative to a horizontal axis and a non-foreground portion; and one or more filters dedicated to the foreground portion of the beam pattern that does not transmit light waves having an electric field vector oscillating in a direction parallel to the horizontal axis. The light source can be one or more light emitting diodes. The filter can be an absorptive polarizer. The absorptive polarizer can be a polarizing sheet.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2017Date of Patent: September 10, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Linsheng Chen, Steven J. Antilla
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Publication number: 20190263319Abstract: A vehicle window assembly is provided herein and includes an inner layer, an outer layer, and an interlayer therebetween. A light-producing assembly is disposed in the interlayer and includes light sources disposed to emit light toward the inner layer, an optical film configured to collimate light emitted by the light sources, and a variable-transparency switchable glazing configured to vary the transmittance of the light emitted from the light sources based on user-supplied input.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2018Publication date: August 29, 2019Inventors: Linsheng Chen, Stuart C. Salter, Steven J. Antilla, Tom Xu, Paul Kenneth Dellock
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Patent number: 10384598Abstract: A vehicle light system is provided herein. The light system includes a trim member defining an aperture. A light guide is disposed within the aperture. The light guide has a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a body portion between the proximal and distal portions. The proximal portion includes a connector portion. A lens is integrally formed with the light guide and is disposed at a distal portion of the light guide. A connector is disposed over the connector portion of the light guide. The connector is operably coupled to a housing having a light source.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2016Date of Patent: August 20, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ali Ammar, Steven J. Antilla
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Publication number: 20190176679Abstract: A vehicle lamp assembly is provided herein. The lamp assembly includes a circuit board, a first light source configured to direct emitted light rearwardly of the housing, and a second light source configured to direct emitted light laterally outward from the housing disposed between a housing and a lens. A temperature sensor is operably coupled to the circuit board. The intensity of emitted light from the first or second light source is varied based on a detected temperature.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 5, 2018Publication date: June 13, 2019Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Aaron Halonen, Diego Elias Ramirez, Steven J. Antilla
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Publication number: 20190063715Abstract: A headlamp for a vehicle comprises: a light source emitting light forming a beam pattern, the light comprising light waves having an electric field vector oscillating in all directions perpendicular to a path of travel of the light wave, and the beam pattern comprising a foreground portion relative to a horizontal axis and a non-foreground portion; and one or more filters dedicated to the foreground portion of the beam pattern that does not transmit light waves having an electric field vector oscillating in a direction parallel to the horizontal axis. The light source can be one or more light emitting diodes. The filter can be an absorptive polarizer. The absorptive polarizer can be a polarizing sheet.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2017Publication date: February 28, 2019Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Linsheng Chen, Steven J. Antilla