Ford Motor Patent Grants

Multi-spindle positioning apparatus

Granted: March 17, 2009
Patent Number: 7503108
A spindle positioning apparatus for a robotic manipulator. The spindle positioning apparatus includes a mounting plate assembly, first and second spindles, and an actuator mechanism. The first spindle is disposed on the mounting plate assembly in a fixed position. The second spindle is disposed on the mounting plate assembly and is movable with respect to the first spindle. The actuator mechanism is adapted to move the second spindle with respect to the first spindle.

Vehicle wheel cover

Granted: March 17, 2009
Patent Number: D588515

Vehicle front bumper cover

Granted: March 10, 2009
Patent Number: D588053

System and method for measuring surface appearance of a surface

Granted: March 3, 2009
Patent Number: 7499811
The embodiments described herein include a system and method for measuring a surface appearance of a surface. An appearance sensor is positionable about a surface and is configured to measure the surface appearance. A surface relationship sensor senses the distance between the appearance sensor and the surface. The appearance sensor is then positioned about the surface based on the sensed distance.

Vehicle exterior

Granted: February 24, 2009
Patent Number: D587171

Vehicle front bumper cover

Granted: February 17, 2009
Patent Number: D586708

Vehicle front bumper cover

Granted: February 17, 2009
Patent Number: D586709

Vehicle lower grille

Granted: February 10, 2009
Patent Number: D586267

Fuel economy control system and control strategy

Granted: February 10, 2009
Patent Number: 7490000
An alternative fuel vehicle having a fuel economy control module with associated logic that allows the vehicle to operate in a fuel economy mode based on a desired fuel economy preference. The fuel economy control logic is in electrical communication with a vehicle system controller (VSC) and may be integrally formed as a sub-module within the VSC. A fuel economy control switch controlled by the fuel economy control logic toggles between an on and an off position to enable or disable a…

Vehicle exterior

Granted: January 20, 2009
Patent Number: D584998

Vehicle exterior

Granted: January 20, 2009
Patent Number: D584996

Vehicle lower grille

Granted: January 6, 2009
Patent Number: D584196

Vehicle lower grille

Granted: January 6, 2009
Patent Number: D584197

Vehicle hood

Granted: January 6, 2009
Patent Number: D584204

Vehicle rear bumper cover

Granted: December 30, 2008
Patent Number: D583725

Vehicle rear bumper cover

Granted: December 30, 2008
Patent Number: D583726

Vehicle hood

Granted: December 30, 2008
Patent Number: D583731

Vehicle hood

Granted: December 30, 2008
Patent Number: D583732

Vehicle hood

Granted: December 30, 2008
Patent Number: D583733

Vehicle front fender

Granted: December 30, 2008
Patent Number: D583736