Patents by Inventor Thomas M. Herline

Thomas M. Herline 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).

  • INTEGRATED STEPGATE AND HANDLE ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20160101817
    Abstract: An integrated stepgate and handle assembly includes a tailgate, a displaceable ladder carried on the tailgate, a displaceable handle carried on the tailgate and a latch. The latch connects the ladder and the handle whereby the handle is partially deployed with the ladder. This partial deployment of the handle prompts the operator to fully deploy and use the handle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Ravikumar Ranganathan, Brandon Buckhalt, Thomas M. Herline
  • Integrated stepgate and handle assembly
    Patent number: 9302719
    Abstract: An integrated stepgate and handle assembly includes a tailgate, a displaceable ladder carried on the tailgate, a displaceable handle carried on the tailgate and a latch. The latch connects the ladder and the handle whereby the handle is partially deployed with the ladder. This partial deployment of the handle prompts the operator to fully deploy and use the handle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Ravikumar Ranganathan, Brandon Buckhalt, Thomas M. Herline
  • Integrated step and grab-handle system for tailgates
    Patent number: 8919853
    Abstract: A deployable step and handle system for a tailgate. The handle is used to secure the deployable step in the stowed position that eliminates the need for a separate release system. The handle is placed adjacent a top edge of the tailgate to prevent debris from being trapped under the handle when the handle is closed. The ladder has a step surface disposed opposite and at an angle relative to a top surface of a spoiler that provides a step surface. The ladder rails are guided by rail guides as the ladder is moved between a stowed position and a deployed position. A unitary support bracket is used to connect both the handle and a ladder rail to the tailgate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Bhupendra A. Patel, David Manuel Rogers, Thomas M. Herline, Marcus Edward Merideth, Michael Bryan VanBelle, Charles Gregory Bambenek
  • System to remotely unlatch a pickup box tailgate
    Patent number: 8903605
    Abstract: A pickup truck includes a tailgate that is movable between open and closed positions. A powered latch provides for remote release of the latches of the tailgate. The tailgate is biased from the closed position towards the open position such that release of the latch causes the tailgate to shift automatically from the closed position to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Gregory Bambenek, Bhupendra A. Patel, David Manuel Rogers, Thomas M. Herline
  • Integrated Step and Grab-Handle System for Tailgates
    Publication number: 20140203587
    Abstract: A deployable step and handle system for a tailgate. The handle is used to secure the deployable step in the stowed position that eliminates the need for a separate release system. The handle is placed adjacent a top edge of the tailgate to prevent debris from being trapped under the handle when the handle is closed. The ladder has a step surface disposed opposite and at an angle relative to a top surface of a spoiler that provides a step surface. The ladder rails are guided by rail guides as the ladder is moved between a stowed position and a deployed position. A unitary support bracket is used to connect both the handle and a ladder rail to the tailgate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Krishnan, Bhupendra A. Patel, David Manuel Rogers, Thomas M. Herline, Marcus Edward Merideth, Michael Bryan VanBelle, Charles Gregory Bambenek
  • SYSTEM TO REMOTELY UNLATCH A PICKUP BOX TAILGATE
    Publication number: 20140136021
    Abstract: A pickup truck includes a tailgate that is movable between open and closed positions. A powered latch provides for remote release of the latches of the tailgate. The tailgate is biased from the closed position towards the open position such that release of the latch causes the tailgate to shift automatically from the closed position to the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Gregory Bambenek, Bhupendra A. Patel, David Manuel Rogers, Thomas M. Herline
  • System to remotely unlatch a pickup box tailgate
    Patent number: 8532873
    Abstract: A pickup truck includes a tailgate that is movable between open and closed positions. A powered latch provides for remote release of the latches of the tailgate. The tailgate is biased from the closed position towards the open position such that release of the latch causes the tailgate to shift automatically from the closed position to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LL
    Inventors: Charles Gregory Bambenek, Bhupendra A. Patel, David Manuel Rogers, Thomas M. Herline