Matthew E Dukatz

US Patent:

6361098, Mar 26, 2002

Filed:

Mar 17, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/271472

Inventors:

Christopher J. Pesta - Sterling Heights MI
Murali Govindarajalu - Southfield MI
Troy M. Cornell - Plymouth MI
Matthew E. Dukatz - Bloomfield Hills MI

Assignee:

DaimlerChrysler Corporation - Auburn Hill MI

International Classification:

B60N 202

US Classification:

296 6503, 297331, 297335, 2485031

Abstract:

A vehicle seat assembly comprising a seat back and a seat bench that pivot relative to each other so that the seat back may be positioned generally upright to provide an upright seating position or positioned generally folded onto the seat bench to provide a cargo position. The seat assembly is mounted to the floor of the vehicle using front and rear latches which engage respective front and rear anchors. From the upright position, the seat assembly may be rotated forward to provide access to and egress from the area behind the seat. From the folded position, the seat assembly may be pivoted forward to provide additional cargo space. The seat assembly is configured to facilitate installing and removing the seat assembly by preventing the latches from contacting the anchors until such contact is desired. The seat assembly is also configured to facilitate moving the seat while in a vehicle and while removed from the vehicle. A cupholder is included in a cover for the seat assembly.

US Patent:

54763053, Dec 19, 1995

Filed:

Dec 2, 1994

Appl. No.:

8/352859

Inventors:

M. Jeffry Corkins - Milford MI
Matthew E. Dukatz - Bloomfield Hills MI
Jeffrey T. Lambert - Commerce Township MI
Jay P. McCarthy - Livonia MI
Stephen A. Sharples - Northville MI

Assignee:

Atoma International, Inc. - Newmarket
Chrysler Corporation - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

A47C 1500

US Classification:

297238

Abstract:

A seat for a motor vehicle providing at least two modes of operation including an adult seat mode and a child seat mode. The seat has a rigid frame assembly having a seat cushion carried thereon, a rigid seat back frame assembly having a seat back cushion assembly carried thereon, the seat back frame assembly being mounted with respect to the rigid frame assembly for movement between an operative, generally vertical orientation and a second inoperative orientation whereby the seat back frame assembly is disposed in generally horizontal orientation in generally overlying relation with the seat cushion. The seat back cushion assembly includes a movable cushion assembly mounted on the seat back frame assembly and being movable between (1) an adult mode position wherein the movable cushion assembly provides an adult seat back and (2) a child mode position wherein the movable cushion assembly provides a child's seat disposed in overlying relation with the seat cushion. The seat further includes a locking mechanism for locking the seat back frame assembly in its operative position upon deployment of the movable cushion assembly to its child mode position.

US Patent:

47715073, Sep 20, 1988

Filed:

May 1, 1987

Appl. No.:

7/044671

Inventors:

Thomas E. Draplin - Southfield MI
Janice E. Cote - Ann Arbor MI
Matthew E. Dukatz - Bloomfield Hills MI

Assignee:

Chrysler Motors Corporation - Highland Park MI

International Classification:

E05F 108
B60N 102

US Classification:

16297

Abstract:

A hinge assembly for use in mounting an auxiliary seat on a vertical body wall of a vehicle such as a pickup truck extended cab. The hinge assembly comprises a seat-half banana hinge member and a body-half bracket hinge member for rotating the auxiliary seat between a first vertical stowed position and a second horizontal seating position. The bracket hinge has a pair of vertically extending side walls each formed with an oblique guide slot so as to movably support one end of a spring rod for reciprocal travel therein. A cam track having forward and rear notched detents is formed on each bracket hinge member side wall and is adapted for capturing a respective one of a pair of cam followers mounted adjacent each end of the spring rod. An overcenter tension spring urges the cam followers into rolling engagement with their associated jump motion cam track providing quick-return capture of the followers into their associated forward or rear notched detents.

US Patent:

61319937, Oct 17, 2000

Filed:

Apr 19, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/294651

Inventors:

Christopher J. Pesta - Sterling Heights MI
Matthew E. Dukatz - Bloomfield Hills MI
Harlan E. Kifer - Bloomfield Hills MI

Assignee:

DaimlerChrysler Corporation - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

A47C 762

US Classification:

29718804

Abstract:

A vehicle seat with a rear facing seat back panel includes a perimeter wall having an upper wall portion interconnected with a lower wall portion by first and second opposed side wall portions. A central panel portion with lateral edge portions recessed from the perimeter wall and connected to the first and second side portions is also provided. An upper edge portion of the central panel portion is spaced apart from the upper wall portion defining an aperture such that the upper wall portion of the perimeter wall forms an integral hand grip. Additionally hooks for holding grocery bags are also provided and a membrane can be added to form a map pocket and umbrella pocket.

US Patent:

53723988, Dec 13, 1994

Filed:

Apr 2, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/041459

Inventors:

Ricardo Z. Aneiros - Dearborn MI
Matthew E. Dukatz - Bloomfield Hills MI
Fred C. Kresky - Rochester Hills MI
Jay P. McCarthy - Livonia MI

Assignee:

Chrysler Corporation - Highland Park MI
Atoma International Inc. - Newmarket

International Classification:

B60N 210

US Classification:

296 651

Abstract:

An easily removable vehicle seat is provided for use with a vehicle including a floor having an upwardly facing surface. The floor includes front and rear wells extending below the upwardly facing surface and anchor members extending across the wells. The vehicle seat includes a rigid support structure having a downwardly facing surface for engaging the anchor members of the vehicle floor. A cushioned seat structure is provided on the rigid support structure. The vehicle seat also includes hook members mounted on the rigid support structure for movement between (1) an operative position extending below the downwardly facing surface so as to enter the wells and engage in hooked relationship with the anchor members and (2) an inoperative position disposed above the operative position thereof so as to enable the rigid support structure to be moved relatively over the floor. Wheels are mounted on said rigid support structure for movement between (1) an operative position extending below the downwardly facing surface of the rigid support structure and so as to enable the rigid support structure to be rolled over the upwardly facing surface of the vehicle floor and (2) an inoperative position disposed above the operative position thereof. The vehicle seat further includes a mechanism for moving the hook members into the operative position thereof and the wheels into the inoperative position thereof and for moving the hook members into the inoperative position thereof and the wheels into the operative position thereof.

US Patent:

55472427, Aug 20, 1996

Filed:

Feb 10, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/387425

Inventors:

Matthew E. Dukatz - Bloomfield Hills MI
Charles E. Harland - Livonia MI
Fred C. Kresky - Rochester Hills MI
Jay P. McCarthy - Livonia MI
Stephen A. Sharples - Northville MI

Assignee:

Atoma International, Inc. - Newmarket
Chrysler Corporation - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B60N 244

US Classification:

296 651

Abstract:

Actuating structure is provided for manually moving hook members mounted on a rigid support structure. The rigid support structure supports a portion of a cushioned seat structure of a vehicle seat for use in a vehicle having a floor surface. The hook members are mounted on the rigid support structure for movement between (1) an operative position engaged in hooked relationship with anchor members of the floor surface so as to detachably fixedly retain the rigid support structure and the portion of the seat structure when mounted thereon in a fixed operative position on the floor surface and (2) an inoperative position disposed above the operative position thereof so as to enable the rigid support structure and the portion of the seat structure when mounted thereon to be moved relatively over the floor surface. The actuating structure is constructed and arranged to move the hook members between the operative and inoperative positions thereof. The actuating structure includes a manually releasable locking mechanism constructed and arranged to selectively lock the hook members in one of the operative and inoperative positions thereof, and indicating structure operatively associated with the locking mechanism and movable between a first position providing visual indication that the locking mechanism and the hook members are disposed in a fully locked position and a second position providing visual indication that the locking mechanism and the hook members are in a position other than a fully locked position.

US Patent:

61492426, Nov 21, 2000

Filed:

Apr 19, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/294285

Inventors:

Christopher J. Pesta - Sterling Heights MI
Matthew E. Dukatz - Bloomfield Hills MI
William Mar - Clinton Township MI

Assignee:

DaimlerChrysler Corporation - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

A47C 3100
B60R 2246

US Classification:

297480

Abstract:

An automotive seat belt buckle pretensioner is economically mounted on a seat structure with a bracket structure that includes a first major wall securable to an available mounting surface, a second major wall offset horizontally from the first wall mounting the operating components of the pretensioner, and a horizontal connector wall joining the first and second major walls. The bracket can be reconfigured to meet different mounting surface availabilities and installation space requirements.

US Patent:

57046840, Jan 6, 1998

Filed:

Feb 10, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/387427

Inventors:

Matthew E. Dukatz - Bloomfield Hills MI
Fred C. Kresky - Rochester Hills MI
Jeffrey T. Lambert - Commerce Township MI
Jay P. McCarthy - Livonia MI
Stephen A. Sharples - Northville MI

Assignee:

Atoma International Inc. - Newmarket
Chrysler Corporation - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B60N 230

US Classification:

297238

Abstract:

A seat assembly including an integrated child seat assembly for a motor vehicle comprises a seat frame including a seat cushion frame and a seat back frame. A cushion assembly is mounted on the seat frame assembly and includes a movable cushion construction mounted for movement between (1) an adult position wherein the cushion assembly including the movable cushion construction provides an adult seat cushion and a cushioned adult seat back for engaging the back of an adult sitting on the adult seat cushion, and (2) a child position wherein the cushion assembly including the movable cushion construction provides a child's seat and a cushioned child's seat back. An adult seat belt assembly is mounted with respect to the seat assembly, and a child's seat belt assembly is provided with the integrated child's seat assembly. The child's seat belt assembly includes a pair of belts each extending from respective take-up reels connected with an upper portion of the seat back frame forwardly of the cushioned child's seat back. The belts each have upper portions thereof wound on the respective take-up reels in such a fashion that the belts pay-out generally from bottom portions of the reels when the belts are extended forwardly of the cushioned child's seat back.