Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Brandon Buckhalt

Venkatesh Krishnan

Ravikumar Ranganathan

Vikas Bhatt

Thomas Michael Herline

Benjamin Lee

Scott Cutler

Pete Christ Korovesis

Ravikumar Ranganthan

Eswar Timmavajjala

A vehicle may detect vehicle actions, compare the vehicle actions to first vehicle actions associated with first mode settings of a vehicle controller and to second vehicle actions associated with second mode settings of a vehicle controller, and transition the mode settings of the vehicle controller to the first mode settings responsive to the vehicle actions matching the first vehicle actions. The controller may be a vehicle body controller, and the mode settings may describe a locking behavior of the body controller. A mobile device may set vehicle actions configured to cause the controller to transition from the first mode settings to the second mode settings. The mobile device may also display an alert responsive to the controller detecting presence of an unauthorized user within vicinity of the vehicle.

Vehicle controller delivery mode

A bed extender is provided for a bed of a truck. That bed extender includes a reel mounted to a first sidewall of the bed, a line received on that reel, and a fastener carried on a distal end of the line. An anchor is carried on a second sidewall of the bed. In addition, the bed extender includes a support arm including a receiver that engages the line when the line is extended from the reel and fastened to the anchor. The support arm is mounted to the tailgate of the truck.

Bed extender incorporating one or more retractable lines

A tonneau cover is provided for a pick-up truck. The tonneau cover includes a cover element of sufficient expanse to span a cargo box of the pick-up truck, a storage compartment depending from an underside of the cover element and an access opening in the cover element in communication with the storage compartment. An access flap in the cover element overlies the access opening and may be displaced between open and closed positions.

Tonneau cover with integrated storage compartment

A mechanism for attaching a bike rack to a vehicle including a support member located behind an exterior wall of the vehicle. An attachment assembly, including a receiver operative to move between the first, stowed position any second, use position is connected to the support member. The exterior wall includes a removable portion wherein upon removal provides access to the attachment assembly. Once the removable portion is removed, the attachment assembly, including the receiver is moved from the first, stowed position to the second, use position wherein the bike rack then connects to the receiver. Additionally, the removable portion may include a detachable license plate bracket, which upon being detached from the vehicle, can be mounted to the rear of a bike rack. Sensors are mounted on the license plate bracket to allow for a functional back-up or park assist when the bike rack is attached to rear of the vehicle.

Bike rack attachment for vehicle

A cargo cover apparatus includes a housing, a cover retracting mechanism held in the housing and a cargo cover. The cargo cover incorporates an integral storage compartment. The cargo cover is selectively displaceable between a storage position retracted within the housing and a cargo concealing position extending from the housing.

Retractable cargo cover with integral storage compartment

A tonneau cover is provided for a pickup truck. The tonneau cover includes a body having a vehicle forward end and a vehicle rearward end. Further, the tonneau cover includes a collapsible storage assembly that depends from the body and has at least one rearwardly opening storage compartment accessible through an open tailgate of the pickup truck.

Tonneau cover with integrated storage compartment accessed through the tailgate

An integrated stepgate and handle assembly includes a tailgate, a displaceable ladder carried on the tailgate, a displaceable handle carried on the tailgate and a latch. The latch connects the ladder and the handle whereby the handle is partially deployed with the ladder. This partial deployment of the handle prompts the operator to fully deploy and use the handle.

Growing community of inventors

Belleville, MI, United States of America

Brandon Buckhalt