Patents by Inventor Thomas Rick
Thomas Rick 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: 11555336Abstract: A powered latch system for motor vehicles includes at least one powered latch that can be controlled based, at least in part, on vehicle operating conditions. The system may be configured to control unlatching of the vehicle doors utilizing data relating to the vehicle speed and/or the existence of a crash event. The powered latch system can be configured as required for various vehicles, and to accommodate specific operating requirements with respect to child locks in various geographic jurisdictions.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2019Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Robert Bruce Kleve, John Thomas Ricks, Jim Michael Weinfurther, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Ronald Patrick Brombach, Laura Viviana Hazebrouck, Lisa Therese Boran, Howard Paul Tsvi Linden
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Patent number: 11466484Abstract: A latch system for vehicle doors includes a powered latch including a powered actuator that is configured to unlatch the powered latch. An interior unlatch input feature such as an unlatch switch can be actuated by a user to provide an unlatch request. The system may include a controller that is operably connected to the powered actuator of the powered latch. The controller is configured such that it does not unlatch the powered latch if a vehicle speed is greater than a predefined value unless the interior latch feature is actuated at least two times according to predefined criteria.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2018Date of Patent: October 11, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: H. Paul Tsvi Linden, Daniel Carl Bejune, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Kosta Papanikolaou, Noah Barlow Mass, Lisa Therese Boran, Ronald Patrick Brombach, Jim Michael Weinfurther, Robert Bruce Kleve, John Thomas Ricks
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Patent number: 10737560Abstract: A vehicle door includes a door panel slidably operable between a secured position within a door aperture and a staging position partially distal from the door aperture. A latch is engaged with a striker path during operation of the door panel between the secured and staging positions, and is selectively disengaged from the striker path to define open and closed positions of the door panel when the door panel is in the staging position.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2019Date of Patent: August 11, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Howard Paul Tsvi Linden, Ronald Patrick Brombach, Kosta Papanikolaou, Christopher Matthew Radjewski, Henry W. Hausler, John Thomas Ricks, George Anthony Bernwanger, Jr., Donald P. Iacovoni, Paul L. Heirtzler, Jr.
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Patent number: 10584526Abstract: A vehicle door system includes a frameless door glass system, a powered latch, electrically-powered door presenter, powered door opening mechanism, and a powered door protector including a protective member that is movably mounted to the door structure. A controller selectively actuates the frameless door glass system, powered latch, powered door presenter, powered door opening mechanism, and powered door protector according to predefined criteria to coordinate the powered door functions and provide seamless powered operation.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 2019Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: H. Paul Tsvi Linden, John Eddy, III, Christopher Matthew Radjewski, Spencer Hicks, John Thomas Ricks
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Publication number: 20190299758Abstract: A vehicle door includes a door panel slidably operable between a secured position within a door aperture and a staging position partially distal from the door aperture. A latch is engaged with a striker path during operation of the door panel between the secured and staging positions, and is selectively disengaged from the striker path to define open and closed positions of the door panel when the door panel is in the staging position.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2019Publication date: October 3, 2019Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Howard Paul Tsvi Linden, Ronald Patrick Brombach, Kosta Papanikolaou, Christopher Matthew Radjewski, Henry W. Hausler, John Thomas Ricks, George Anthony Bernwanger, Jr., Donald P. Iacovoni, Paul L. Heirtzler, Jr.
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Publication number: 20190249463Abstract: A powered latch system for motor vehicles includes at least one powered latch that can be controlled based, at least in part, on vehicle operating conditions. The system may be configured to control unlatching of the vehicle doors utilizing data relating to the vehicle speed and/or the existence of a crash event. The powered latch system can be configured as required for various vehicles, and to accommodate specific operating requirements with respect to child locks in various geographic jurisdictions.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2019Publication date: August 15, 2019Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Robert Bruce Kleve, John Thomas Ricks, Jim Michael Weinfurther, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Ronald Patrick Brombach, Laura Viviana Hazebrouck, Lisa Therese Boran, Howard Paul Tsvi Linden
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Patent number: 10369870Abstract: A vehicle door includes a door panel slidably operable between a secured position within a door aperture and a staging position partially distal from the door aperture. A latch is engaged with a striker path during operation of the door panel between the secured and staging positions, and is selectively disengaged from the striker path to define open and closed positions of the door panel when the door panel is in the staging position.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2016Date of Patent: August 6, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Howard Paul Tsvi Linden, Ronald Patrick Brombach, Kosta Papanikolaou, Christopher Matthew Radjewski, Henry W. Hausler, John Thomas Ricks, George Anthony Bernwanger, Jr., Donald P. Iacovoni, Paul L. Heirtzler, Jr.
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Patent number: 10323444Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for window short drop for a vehicle with an electronic latch. An example door of a vehicle includes a door control unit communicatively coupled to an electronic latch. The electronic latch, in response to detecting a user touching an exterior handle, requests authorization from the vehicle. In response to receiving authorization, the electronic latch sends a request to the door control unit to lower a window of the door. Additionally, in response to receiving a confirmation from the door control unit, the electronic latch unlatches the door.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2016Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Ronald Patrick Brombach, Howard Paul Tsvi Linden, John Thomas Ricks
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Patent number: 10323442Abstract: A powered latch system for motor vehicles includes at least one powered latch that can be controlled based, at least in part, on vehicle operating conditions. The system may be configured to control unlatching of the vehicle doors utilizing data relating to the vehicle speed and/or the existence of a crash event. The powered latch system can be configured as required for various vehicles, and to accommodate specific operating requirements with respect to child locks in various geographic jurisdictions.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2015Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Robert Bruce Kleve, John Thomas Ricks, Jim Michael Weinfurther, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Ronald Patrick Brombach, Laura Viviana Hazebrouck, Lisa Therese Boran, Howard Paul Tsvi Linden
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Publication number: 20190145146Abstract: A vehicle door system includes a frameless door glass system, a powered latch, electrically-powered door presenter, powered door opening mechanism, and a powered door protector including a protective member that is movably mounted to the door structure. A controller selectively actuates the frameless door glass system, powered latch, powered door presenter, powered door opening mechanism, and powered door protector according to predefined criteria to coordinate the powered door functions and provide seamless powered operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 10, 2019Publication date: May 16, 2019Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: H. Paul Tsvi Linden, John Eddy, III, Christopher Matthew Radjewski, Spencer Hicks, John Thomas Ricks
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Patent number: 10227810Abstract: A vehicle door system includes a frameless door glass system, a powered latch, electrically-powered door presenter, powered door opening mechanism, and a powered door protector including a protective member that is movably mounted to the door structure. A controller selectively actuates the frameless door glass system, powered latch, powered door presenter, powered door opening mechanism, and powered door protector according to predefined criteria to coordinate the powered door functions and provide seamless powered operation.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2016Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: H. Paul Tsvi Linden, John Eddy, III, Christopher Matthew Radjewski, Spencer Hicks, John Thomas Ricks
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Publication number: 20190024416Abstract: A latch system for vehicle doors includes a powered latch including a powered actuator that is configured to unlatch the powered latch. An interior unlatch input feature such as an unlatch switch can be actuated by a user to provide an unlatch request. The system may include a controller that is operably connected to the powered actuator of the powered latch. The controller is configured such that it does not unlatch the powered latch if a vehicle speed is greater than a predefined value unless the interior latch feature is actuated at least two times according to predefined criteria.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 24, 2018Publication date: January 24, 2019Inventors: H. Paul Tsvi Linden, Daniel Carl Bejune, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Kosta Papanikolaou, Noah Barlow Mass, Lisa Therese Boran, Ronald Patrick Brombach, Jim Michael Weinfurther, Robert Bruce Kleve, John Thomas Ricks
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Patent number: 10119308Abstract: A latch system for vehicle doors includes a powered latch including a powered actuator that is configured to unlatch the powered latch. An interior unlatch input feature such as an unlatch switch can be actuated by a user to provide an unlatch request. The system may include a controller that is operably connected to the powered actuator of the powered latch. The controller is configured such that it does not unlatch the powered latch if a vehicle speed is greater than a predefined value unless the interior latch feature is actuated at least two times according to predefined criteria.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2014Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: H. Paul Tsvi Linden, Daniel Carl Bejune, John Robert Van Wiemeersch, Robert Bruce Kleve, John Thomas Ricks, Kosta Papanikolaou, Noah Barlow Mass, Lisa Therese Boran, Ronald Patrick Brombach, Jim Michael Weinfurther
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Patent number: 10113338Abstract: A motor vehicle door lock status system is provided. That system includes a door lock actuator, a door lock status indicator for indicating lock status of the multiple motor vehicle doors, and a controller. The controller is connected to the door lock actuator and the door lock status indicator. Further, the controller is configured to provide a door open signal, an all doors closed and locked signal and a failure to lock signal. A related method of indicating door lock status of a motor vehicle is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2017Date of Patent: October 30, 2018Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: George Anthony Bernwanger, Jr., Howard Paul Tsvi Linden, Pawan Gupta, John Thomas Ricks, Rajesh K. Patel
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Publication number: 20180100332Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for window short drop for a vehicle with an electronic latch. An example door of a vehicle includes a door control unit communicatively coupled to an electronic latch. The electronic latch, in response to detecting a user touching an exterior handle, requests authorization from the vehicle. In response to receiving authorization, the electronic latch sends a request to the door control unit to lower a window of the door. Additionally, in response to receiving a confirmation from the door control unit, the electronic latch unlatches the door.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 12, 2016Publication date: April 12, 2018Inventors: Ronald Patrick Brombach, Howard Paul Tsvi Linden, John Thomas Ricks
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Publication number: 20180050579Abstract: A vehicle door includes a door panel slidably operable between a secured position within a door aperture and a staging position partially distal from the door aperture. A latch is engaged with a striker path during operation of the door panel between the secured and staging positions, and is selectively disengaged from the striker path to define open and closed positions of the door panel when the door panel is in the staging position.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2016Publication date: February 22, 2018Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Howard Paul Tsvi Linden, Ronald Patrick Brombach, Kosta Papanikolaou, Christopher Matthew Radjewski, Henry W. Hausler, John Thomas Ricks, George Anthony Bernwanger, JR., Donald P. Iacovoni, Paul L. Heirtzler, JR.
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Publication number: 20180038146Abstract: A vehicle door system includes a frameless door glass system, a powered latch, electrically-powered door presenter, powered door opening mechanism, and a powered door protector including a protective member that is movably mounted to the door structure. A controller selectively actuates the frameless door glass system, powered latch, powered door presenter, powered door opening mechanism, and powered door protector according to predefined criteria to coordinate the powered door functions and provide seamless powered operation.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 3, 2016Publication date: February 8, 2018Inventors: H. Paul Tsvi Linden, John Eddy, III, Christopher Matthew Radjewski, Spencer Hicks, John Thomas Ricks
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Patent number: 9850690Abstract: A motor vehicle door lock status system is provided. That system includes a door lock actuator, a door lock status indicator for indicating lock status of the multiple motor vehicle doors, and a controller. The controller is connected to the door lock actuator and the door lock status indicator. Further, the controller is configured to provide a door open signal, an all doors closed and locked signal and a failure to lock signal. A related method of indicating door lock status of a motor vehicle is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2016Date of Patent: December 26, 2017Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: George Anthony Bernwanger, Jr., Howard Paul Tsvi Linden, Pawan Gupta, John Thomas Ricks, Rajesh K. Patel
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Publication number: 20170350167Abstract: A motor vehicle door lock status system is provided. That system includes a door lock actuator, a door lock status indicator for indicating lock status of the multiple motor vehicle doors, and a controller. The controller is connected to the door lock actuator and the door lock status indicator. Further, the controller is configured to provide a door open signal, an all doors closed and locked signal and a failure to lock signal. A related method of indicating door lock status of a motor vehicle is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 16, 2017Publication date: December 7, 2017Inventors: George Anthony Bernwanger, JR., Howard Paul Tsvi Linden, Pawan Gupta, John Thomas Ricks, Rajesh K. Patel
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Patent number: D841315Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2016Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Inventor: Thomas Ricks