Patents by Inventor Tyler J. Newkirk

Tyler J. Newkirk 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).

  • Patent number: 11397500
    Abstract: A vehicle interior component providing a user interface for an occupant is disclosed. The component may comprise a base; a cover comprising a surface; an intermediate layer comprising a foam material; and a sensor to detect an electrical signal in response to input at the user interface, contact at the surface of the cover, or compression of the foam material. The foam material may comprise electrical properties, conductivity, resistance, compression-responsive electrical properties, or variation in voltage. The foam material may comprise an additive, an additive material, a conductive material, a conductive additive, conductive particles, carbon particles, carbon black particles, carbon dust, carbon particles in a substrate, or carbon particles interspersed with a non-conductive substrate. The foam material may comprise foam with conductive particles, carbon foam, carbon additive foam, polyurethane foam, or polyurethane with carbon particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: Shanghai Yanfeng Jinqiao Automotive Trim Systems Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher Kring, Mario J. Enriquez Ortiz, Tyler J. Newkirk, Ankit Singh
  • Publication number: 20200301531
    Abstract: A vehicle interior component providing a user interface for an occupant is disclosed. The component may comprise a base; a cover comprising a surface; an intermediate layer comprising a foam material; and a sensor to detect an electrical signal in response to input at the user interface, contact at the surface of the cover, or compression of the foam material. The foam material may comprise electrical properties, conductivity, resistance, compression-responsive electrical properties, or variation in voltage. The foam material may comprise an additive, an additive material, a conductive material, a conductive additive, conductive particles, carbon particles, carbon black particles, carbon dust, carbon particles in a substrate, or carbon particles interspersed with a non-conductive substrate. The foam material may comprise foam with conductive particles, carbon foam, carbon additive foam, polyurethane foam, or polyurethane with carbon particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2020
    Publication date: September 24, 2020
    Inventors: Christopher Kring, Mario J. Enriques Ortiz, Tyler J. Newkirk, Ankit Singh
  • Patent number: 10705666
    Abstract: A user interface system for a vehicle interior includes a contact surface, a sensor grid and a controller. The sensor grid is configured for variable electrical resistance in response to applied pressure and the controller is configured to detect the electrical resistance of the sensor grid by monitoring a voltage. The controller detects the location of an input from a vehicle occupant, the intensity of the input, and the duration of the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: Shanghai Yangfeng Jinqiao Automotive Trim Systems Co. Ltd.
    Inventors: Christopher Kring, Mario J. Enriques Ortiz, Tyler J. Newkirk, Ankit Singh
  • Patent number: 10023125
    Abstract: A vehicle console is disclosed. The console includes a support structure and a track extending along the support structure. The vehicle console also includes a tambour door supported by the track. The track includes a first track section, a second track section and a third track section. The first track section, the second track section and the third track section extend from a single junction. The tambour door is configured to slide within the first track section, the second track section and the third track section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Shanghai Yanfeng Jinqiao Automotive Trim Systems Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jason M. Hipshier, Danny B. Larsen, Tyler J. Newkirk, Randal John VanHoof
  • Publication number: 20160193967
    Abstract: A vehicle console is disclosed. The console includes a support structure and a track extending along the support structure. The vehicle console also includes a tambour door supported by the track. The track includes a first track section, a second track section and a third track section. The first track section, the second track section and the third track section extend from a single junction. The tambour door is configured to slide within the first track section, the second track section and the third track section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: Jason M. Hipshier, Danny B. Larsen, Tyler J. Newkirk
  • Publication number: 20160004362
    Abstract: A user interface system for a vehicle interior includes a contact surface, a sensor grid and a controller. The sensor grid is configured for variable electrical resistance in response to applied pressure and the controller is configured to detect the electrical resistance of the sensor grid by monitoring a voltage. The controller detects the location of an input from a vehicle occupant, the intensity of the input, and the duration of the input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Christopher Kring, Mario J. Enriques Ortiz, Tyler J. Newkirk, Ankit Singh