Patents by Inventor Travis Pierce
Travis Pierce 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: 11440452Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a seat back frame that has a composite body. The composite body includes a first side member and a second side member positioned on opposite sides of the composite body. The first and second side members include a recliner assembly at a lower end of each member. Each recliner assembly includes a first bracket, a second bracket, and a recliner sub-assembly. Each recliner assembly is welded or otherwise coupled to an extension that extends away from the recliner assembly along a respective side of the composite body. The extension may be stamped steel having a first end that is closer to the recliner assembly and a second end that is spaced from the recliner assembly. The first end of the extension has a width that is greater than a width of the second end.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2020Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kevin Mozurkewich, Travis Pierce, Bradley Bysouth, Adarsh Gupta, Kevin Wayne Preuss
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Publication number: 20220126734Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a seat back frame that has a composite body. The composite body includes a first side member and a second side member positioned on opposite sides of the composite body. The first and second side members include a recliner assembly at a lower end of each member. Each recliner assembly includes a first bracket, a second bracket, and a recliner sub-assembly. Each recliner assembly is welded or otherwise coupled to an extension that extends away from the recliner assembly along a respective side of the composite body. The extension may be stamped steel having a first end that is closer to the recliner assembly and a second end that is spaced from the recliner assembly. The first end of the extension has a width that is greater than a width of the second end.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2020Publication date: April 28, 2022Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kevin Mozurkewich, Travis Pierce, Bradley Bysouth, Adarsh Gupta, Kevin Wayne Preuss
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Patent number: 11135954Abstract: A seat for a vehicle seating assembly includes a seat frame including a cross-member extending across a front portion of the seat frame and a cushion pan assembly rotatably coupled to the seat frame and including a cushion pan and a pair of opposing integration brackets each having a cushion pan mounting portion coupled to the cushion pan and a seat frame mounting portion pivotably coupled to the seat frame. The cushion pan assembly is rotatable about an axis defined by a pivotable coupling between the integration bracket and the seat frame and between a design position and a fully upward position.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2020Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Lukasz Gajda, Joshua Gauthier, Ian G. James, Travis Pierce, Bradley Bysouth
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Publication number: 20210291708Abstract: A seat for a vehicle seating assembly includes a seat frame including a cross-member extending across a front portion of the seat frame and a cushion pan assembly rotatably coupled to the seat frame and including a cushion pan and a pair of opposing integration brackets each having a cushion pan mounting portion coupled to the cushion pan and a seat frame mounting portion pivotably coupled to the seat frame. The cushion pan assembly is rotatable about an axis defined by a pivotable coupling between the integration bracket and the seat frame and between a design position and a fully upward position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2020Publication date: September 23, 2021Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Lukasz Gajda, Joshua Gauthier, Ian G. James, Travis Pierce, Bradley Bysouth
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Patent number: 10873194Abstract: A docking station for a robotic lawnmower includes a base, an electrical connector above the base and positioned along a longitudinal axis of the docking station, and a central guide member positioned on the base and along the longitudinal axis. The central guide member includes a right lateral surface extending away from the longitudinal axis and toward the electrical connector from a first end portion proximate the longitudinal axis to a second end portion, and a left lateral surface extending away from the longitudinal axis and toward the electrical connector from a first end portion proximate the longitudinal axis to a second end portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2018Date of Patent: December 22, 2020Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Peter Lydon, Insun Hong, Andrew String, Jeffrey Curtis, Travis Pierce
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Patent number: 10845481Abstract: A scanning optical range finder in a mobile robot includes an optical emitter circuit, a non-imaging optical element, an optical detector circuit, and a ranging circuit. The non-imaging optical element is arranged to receive optical signals at an entrance aperture thereof responsive to operation of the optical emitter circuit, and to direct the optical signals to an output aperture thereof. The optical detector circuit is configured to receive the optical signals from the output aperture of the non-imaging optical element, and to generate detection signals based on respective phase differences of the optical signals relative to corresponding outputs of the optical emitter circuit. The ranging circuit is configured to calculate a range of a target from the phase differences indicated by the detection signals. Related devices and methods of operation are also discussed.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2018Date of Patent: November 24, 2020Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Travis Pierce, Jamie Milliken, Marc Wilga
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Patent number: 10780802Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle seating assembly including a seat back and a seat base. A bracket couples the seat base to the seat back, wherein the bracket defines an opening. A fastener retains the bracket to the seat base via the opening. A deformable spacer is positioned about the fastener and within the opening. The deformable spacer is configured to deform in response to a pre-determined force.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2019Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: N. R. Adarsh Gupta, George Jacob, Robert J. Sack, II, Travis Pierce, Craig Rackers
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Publication number: 20200262322Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle seating assembly including a seat back and a seat base. A bracket couples the seat base to the seat back, wherein the bracket defines an opening. A fastener retains the bracket to the seat base via the opening. A deformable spacer is positioned about the fastener and within the opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2019Publication date: August 20, 2020Applicant: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: N. R. Adarsh Gupta, George Jacob, Robert J. Sack, II, Travis Pierce, Craig Rackers
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Publication number: 20200021122Abstract: A docking station for a robotic lawnmower includes a base, an electrical connector above the base and positioned along a longitudinal axis of the docking station, and a central guide member positioned on the base and along the longitudinal axis. The central guide member includes a right lateral surface extending away from the longitudinal axis and toward the electrical connector from a first end portion proximate the longitudinal axis to a second end portion, and a left lateral surface extending away from the longitudinal axis and toward the electrical connector from a first end portion proximate the longitudinal axis to a second end portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2018Publication date: January 16, 2020Inventors: Peter Lydon, Insun Hong, Andrew String, Jeffrey Curtis, Travis Pierce
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Patent number: 10375880Abstract: In one aspect, a mobile robot includes a chassis, a shell moveably mounted on the chassis by a shell suspension system, and a sensor assembly configured to sense a distance and a direction of shell movement relative to the chassis. The sensor assembly includes a magnet disposed on an underside of the shell. The sensor assembly further includes three or more Hall effect sensors disposed on the chassis in a triangular pattern at fixed distances such that the three or more Hall effect sensors are positioned beneath the magnet when no force is applied to the shell, wherein relative motion between the magnet and the Hall effect sensors causes the sensors to produce differing output signals. The mobile robot also includes a controller configured to receive output signals from the Hall effect sensors and to determine a distance and a direction of movement of the shell relative to the chassis.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2016Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Russell Walter Morin, Travis Pierce, Chris Bradley
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Publication number: 20180299550Abstract: A scanning optical range finder in a mobile robot includes an optical emitter circuit, a non-imaging optical element, an optical detector circuit, and a ranging circuit. The non-imaging optical element is arranged to receive optical signals at an entrance aperture thereof responsive to operation of the optical emitter circuit, and to direct the optical signals to an output aperture thereof. The optical detector circuit is configured to receive the optical signals from the output aperture of the non-imaging optical element, and to generate detection signals based on respective phase differences of the optical signals relative to corresponding outputs of the optical emitter circuit. The ranging circuit is configured to calculate a range of a target from the phase differences indicated by the detection signals. Related devices and methods of operation are also discussed.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2018Publication date: October 18, 2018Inventors: Travis Pierce, Jamie Milliken, Marc Wilga
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Patent number: 10067232Abstract: A location estimation system for use with an autonomous lawn mowing robot, comprises a plurality of synthetic surfaces positioned with respect to a mowable space in an environment, a radiation source coupled to the lawn mowing robot, a detector coupled to the lawn mowing robot and configured to detect radiation reflected by objects in the environment, and a controller configured to controllably direct radiation from the radiation source to scan the environment, and to vary at least one of an output power of the directed radiation and a scan rate of the directed radiation, as a function of detected radiation reflected from one or more of the synthetic surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2016Date of Patent: September 4, 2018Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Mike Halloran, Jamie Milliken, Travis Pierce, Eric Charles Peters
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Patent number: 10024964Abstract: A scanning optical range finder in a mobile robot includes an optical emitter circuit, a non-imaging optical element, an optical detector circuit, and a ranging circuit. The non-imaging optical element is arranged to receive optical signals at an entrance aperture thereof responsive to operation of the optical emitter circuit, and to direct the optical signals to an output aperture thereof. The optical detector circuit is configured to receive the optical signals from the output aperture of the non-imaging optical element, and to generate detection signals based on respective phase differences of the optical signals relative to corresponding outputs of the optical emitter circuit. The ranging circuit is configured to calculate a range of a target from the phase differences indicated by the detection signals. Related devices and methods of operation are also discussed.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2014Date of Patent: July 17, 2018Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Travis Pierce, Jamie Milliken, Marc Wilga
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Publication number: 20180184583Abstract: In one aspect, a mobile robot includes a chassis, a shell moveably mounted on the chassis by a shell suspension system, and a sensor assembly configured to sense a distance and a direction of shell movement relative to the chassis. The sensor assembly includes a magnet disposed on an underside of the shell. The sensor assembly further includes three or more Hall effect sensors disposed on the chassis in a triangular pattern at fixed distances such that the three or more Hall effect sensors are positioned beneath the magnet when no force is applied to the shell, wherein relative motion between the magnet and the Hall effect sensors causes the sensors to produce differing output signals. The mobile robot also includes a controller configured to receive output signals from the Hall effect sensors and to determine a distance and a direction of movement of the shell relative to the chassis.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2016Publication date: July 5, 2018Inventors: Russell Walter Morin, Travis Pierce, Chris Bradley
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Publication number: 20170146654Abstract: A location estimation system for use with an autonomous lawn mowing robot, comprises a plurality of synthetic surfaces positioned with respect to a mowable space in an environment, a radiation source coupled to the lawn mowing robot, a detector coupled to the lawn mowing robot and configured to detect radiation reflected by objects in the environment, and a controller configured to controllably direct radiation from the radiation source to scan the environment, and to vary at least one of an output power of the directed radiation and a scan rate of the directed radiation, as a function of detected radiation reflected from one or more of the synthetic surfaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2016Publication date: May 25, 2017Inventors: Mike Halloran, Jamie Milliken, Travis Pierce, Eric Charles Peters
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Patent number: 9510505Abstract: A location estimation system for use with an autonomous lawn mowing robot, comprises a plurality of synthetic surfaces positioned with respect to a mowable space in an environment, a radiation source coupled to the lawn mowing robot, a detector coupled to the lawn mowing robot and configured to detect radiation reflected by objects in the environment, and a controller configured to controllably direct radiation from the radiation source to scan the environment, and to vary at least one of an output power of the directed radiation and a scan rate of the directed radiation, as a function of detected radiation reflected from one or more of the synthetic surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2014Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: iRobot CorporationInventors: Michael J. Halloran, Jamie Milliken, Travis Pierce, Eric Charles Peters
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Publication number: 20160100521Abstract: A location estimation system for use with an autonomous lawn mowing robot, comprises a plurality of synthetic surfaces positioned with respect to a mowable space in an environment, a radiation source coupled to the lawn mowing robot, a detector coupled to the lawn mowing robot and configured to detect radiation reflected by objects in the environment, and a controller configured to controllably direct radiation from the radiation source to scan the environment, and to vary at least one of an output power of the directed radiation and a scan rate of the directed radiation, as a function of detected radiation reflected from one or more of the synthetic surfaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2014Publication date: April 14, 2016Inventors: Mike Halloran, Jamie Miliken, Travis Pierce, Eric Charles Peters
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Publication number: 20150124242Abstract: A scanning optical range finder in a mobile robot includes an optical emitter circuit, a non-imaging optical element, an optical detector circuit, and a ranging circuit. The non-imaging optical element is arranged to receive optical signals at an entrance aperture thereof responsive to operation of the optical emitter circuit, and to direct the optical signals to an output aperture thereof. The optical detector circuit is configured to receive the optical signals from the output aperture of the non-imaging optical element, and to generate detection signals based on respective phase differences of the optical signals relative to corresponding outputs of the optical emitter circuit. The ranging circuit is configured to calculate a range of a target from the phase differences indicated by the detection signals. Related devices and methods of operation are also discussed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2014Publication date: May 7, 2015Inventors: Travis Pierce, Jamie Milliken, Marc Wilga