Ford Global Technolgoies, LLC

Michael Joseph Lee

Michael J Gardynik

Steven Frank

Kevin Joseph Favero

Ronald Machin

Sone Sadakhom

Joseph Cicchelli

Joshua Robert Hemphill

John Patrick Joyce

Adrian Nania

Edgar Edward Donabedian

Michael James Freeman

Cynthia Wetzel

Azazhusen V Khatri

Raymond VanPutten

Rich James Cacioppo

Adam Miller

Traian Taropa

An automotive panel assembly according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes a first panel, a second panel, and a flange of the first panel folded over an edge region of the second panel to hem together the first and second panels. The flange of the first panel includes a textured geometry that interlocks with a textured geometry of the edge region.

Automotive panel hem stabilizing assembly and method

An automotive panel assembly includes, among other things, a first panel, a second panel, a flange of the first panel folded over an edge region of the second panel to hem together the first and second panel, and a dimple of the flange extending into an aperture within the edge region of the second panel. At least a portion of the aperture is exposed.

A body structure reinforcement includes a reinforcement body and a connecting flange integral with the reinforcement body. Body structures incorporating one or more shell structures and the body structure reinforcement are disclosed along with methods for making the body structure reinforcement and the body structures.

Body structure reinforcement, body structure and related method

A cover for a seatbelt retractor assembly comprising: a first layer having an inside surface configured to face a seatbelt webbing retracted by a seatbelt retractor assembly, an outside surface configured to face away from the seatbelt webbing, a plurality of holes disposed through the first layer from the inside surface through to the outside surface, and baffles adjacent each of the plurality of holes. The cover reduces audible noise generated by moving components of the seatbelt retractor assembly. The baffles adjacent each of the plurality of holes are disposed on the inside surface. The cover can further include a second layer, which includes a sound absorbing material such as foam. The second layer at least partially covers the outside surface of the first layer and covers the plurality of holes. The cover can further include snap fit fastening elements to connect the cover to the seatbelt retractor assembly.

Cover for a seatbelt retractor assembly to reduce audible noise and a seatbelt retractor assembly including the cover

A seat belt assembly including a seat belt webbing, a buckle, and a connector tongue assembly. The tongue assembly includes a body, a slot in the body for receiving a seat belt webbing, a locking mechanism located proximate the slot, and a spring biasing the locking mechanism towards the slot to frictionally engage the webbing to prevent freefall of the assembly.

Seat belt connector tongue assembly having locking mechanism

A truck bed foldable shelf includes a platform and a support hingedly attached to the platform with a first hinge at one end and hingedly attached to a truck bed rim at an opposing end with a second hinge, spaced apart from the first hinge, such that the shelf is configured to freely hang under the lip in a stowed position and lie in a horizontal orientation in a raised position.

Truck bed foldable shelf

An exemplary assembly includes a cylinder, a piston, and a lock. The lock is transitionable between an unlocked position that permits extension and retraction of the piston relative to the cylinder, and a locked position that limits retraction of the piston relative to the cylinder. The lock is blocked from transitioning from the locked to the unlocked position when a load supported by the piston exceeds a threshold load. An exemplary method includes transitioning a lock from an unlocked to a locked position. The lock in the unlocked position permits extension and retraction of a piston relative to a cylinder. The lock in the locked position limits retraction of the piston relative to the cylinder. The method further includes holding the lock in the locked position using a load supported by the piston that exceeds a threshold load.

Lift assist lock assembly and locking method

A vehicle includes a lower roof bow and an integrally-formed roof panel. The lower roof bow extends transversely between roof rails and defines a lower channel wall. The integrally-formed roof panel has longitudinal rails and an upper roof bow. The longitudinal rails extend parallel to the roof rails. The upper roof bow is secured to the lower roof bow. The upper roof bow includes an upper channel wall having an interior surface and an exterior surface. The interior surface is spaced from the lower channel wall to define a channel therebetween. The exterior surface defines an exterior surface of the vehicle.

Roof panel reinforcement

A support assembly,for a vehicle is disclosed. The assembly,offers added support to the body of the vehicle between the front and rear wheel wells of the vehicle. The support assembly,is particularly adaptable for use in convertible type vehicles.

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Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America

Michael Joseph Lee