Michael O Arant

US Patent:

20130244474, Sep 19, 2013

Filed:

Mar 14, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/419436

Inventors:

Michael Paul Arant - Fenton MI, US

Assignee:

FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC - DEARBORN MI

International Classification:

H01R 3/00

US Classification:

439489

Abstract:

The present disclosure describes a system for connecting two connectors to each other. The system includes a first connector having a first connector surface, and the first connector surface includes a transparent shape. Further, a second connector, having a second connector surface, includes a portion that includes a second connector color. Particularly, the second connector is configured to be inserted into the first connector, enabling a superimposition and alignment of the transparent shape with the portion of the second connector surface, thereby visually indicating a valid connection between the two connectors.

US Patent:

20130285426, Oct 31, 2013

Filed:

Apr 30, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/460318

Inventors:

Michael Paul Arant - Fenton MI, US
Jeroen Lem - Maastricht, NL
Steve Michell - Commerce MI, US

Assignee:

FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

B60N 2/44

US Classification:

2972841, 29745248

Abstract:

A vehicle seat includes a seat back and a seat for supporting an occupant. A cushion is coupled to the seat and has at least one inflatable upper bladder for selectively adjusting the firmness of the cushion. The seat further includes an inflatable lower bladder positioned beneath the upper bladder. The seat is configured such that a vehicle seat hip pivot point is maintained when adjusting the firmness of the cushion by increasing the pressure in the lower bladder when the pressure in the upper bladder is selectively decreased, and by decreasing the pressure in the lower bladder when the pressure in the upper bladder is selectively increased.

US Patent:

20120263354, Oct 18, 2012

Filed:

Nov 25, 2009

Appl. No.:

13/511728

Inventors:

Phillip A. Berger - Simpsonville SC, US
Michael Arant - Williamston SC, US

International Classification:

G06K 9/00

US Classification:

382107

Abstract:

Methods are provided for evaluating the ability of a tire to release materials from its tread during rotation. A tire tread is rotated about an axis while images of the tread are recorded to capture the effect of centrifugal forces on materials that have been loaded into the tread. The images are then used to quantify the location of certain events during the rotation of the tire tread such as when e.g., materials first began releasing from the tread during rotation and/or the rate of such release. These events can be correlated with other variables such as the rpm, centrifugal acceleration, and/or time at which such events occurred. By comparing these quantitative results for different tread patterns, the effect of differences between tread patterns can be evaluated to develop and improve the self-cleaning ability of a tire.