Patents by Inventor Dorinel Neag
Dorinel Neag has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11613170Abstract: A stowable check strap assembly for a vehicle having a body and a removable door. The assembly includes a bracket configured to rotatably couple to the vehicle body, and a check strap rotatably coupled to the bracket and configured to be operably and removably coupled with a door detent coupled to the removable door. The bracket is rotatable between a deployed position where the check strap is positioned to extend outwardly from the vehicle body and engage the door detent, and a stowed position where the check strap is positioned to be and is rotated toward the vehicle body for stowage thereof.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2021Date of Patent: March 28, 2023Assignee: FCA US LLCInventors: Dorinel Neag, David Barnier, Jr., Dennis G Willyard, Michael E Lafleur
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Publication number: 20230061227Abstract: A stowable check strap assembly for a vehicle having a body and a removable door. The assembly includes a bracket configured to rotatably couple to the vehicle body, and a check strap rotatably coupled to the bracket and configured to be operably and removably coupled with a door detent coupled to the removable door. The bracket is rotatable between a deployed position where the check strap is positioned to extend outwardly from the vehicle body and engage the door detent, and a stowed position where the check strap is positioned to be and is rotated toward the vehicle body for stowage thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2021Publication date: March 2, 2023Inventors: Dorinel Neag, David Barnier, JR., Dennis G Willyard, Michael E Lafleur
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Patent number: 11541730Abstract: A detachable hinge assembly configured to rotatably couple a window assembly to a vehicle body includes a support hinge member configured to couple to the vehicle body and including a hinge pin, and a window hinge member having a main body configured to couple to the window assembly, and one or more knuckles configured to removably receive the hinge pin. A cover is rotatably coupled to the window hinge member and includes a pin retaining arm. The cover is configured to move between a closed position where the pin retaining arm is positioned to retain the hinge pin within the one or more knuckles, and an open position where the pin retaining arm is positioned to allow the hinge pin to be removed from the one or more knuckles.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2020Date of Patent: January 3, 2023Assignee: FCA US LLCInventors: Carl Mather, Dorinel Neag
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Patent number: 11485207Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body with a truck bed at least partially defining a cargo area, a tonneau cover at least partially enclosing the cargo area, a vehicle interior with passenger seating, and a modular, multi-component hard top assembly. The hard top assembly is configured to selectively and removably couple interchangeably between (i) the vehicle body to provide an enclosed configuration at least partially enclosing the vehicle interior and (ii) the tonneau cover. The multi-component hard top assembly is detachable from the vehicle body to provide an open air configuration for the vehicle interior.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2021Date of Patent: November 1, 2022Assignee: FCA US LLCInventors: Carl Mather, Dorinel Neag, Brice A Burkhardt
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Publication number: 20220194184Abstract: A detachable hinge assembly configured to rotatably couple a window assembly to a vehicle body includes a support hinge member configured to couple to the vehicle body and including a hinge pin, and a window hinge member having a main body configured to couple to the window assembly, and one or more knuckles configured to removably receive the hinge pin. A cover is rotatably coupled to the window hinge member and includes a pin retaining arm. The cover is configured to move between a closed position where the pin retaining arm is positioned to retain the hinge pin within the one or more knuckles, and an open position where the pin retaining arm is positioned to allow the hinge pin to be removed from the one or more knuckles.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2020Publication date: June 23, 2022Inventors: Carl Mather, Dorinel Neag
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Patent number: 11167691Abstract: A utility rail for a vehicle, includes an inward surface with a utility void, an outward surface opposite to the inward surface, and a light void that is open to the exterior of the utility rail and that is separate from the utility void. A light is received in the light void and has an emitter from which light is emitted from the at least one light void to illuminate an area adjacent to the utility rail. The utility rail may be a one-piece metal extrusion and the light void may be a downward facing channel provided in the extruded rail.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2020Date of Patent: November 9, 2021Assignee: FCA US LLCInventors: Thomas Castle, Enrique G. Peniche, Julien G. Solomon, Dorinel Neag, Alexandra R. Morford
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Publication number: 20210268882Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body with a truck bed at least partially defining a cargo area, a tonneau cover at least partially enclosing the cargo area, a vehicle interior with passenger seating, and a modular, multi-component hard top assembly. The hard top assembly is configured to selectively and removably couple interchangeably between (i) the vehicle body to provide an enclosed configuration at least partially enclosing the vehicle interior and (ii) the tonneau cover. The multi-component hard top assembly is detachable from the vehicle body to provide an open air configuration for the vehicle interior.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2021Publication date: September 2, 2021Inventors: Carl Mather, Dorinel Neag, Brice A Burkhardt
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Patent number: 10807540Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body having a roof and a roof bow. The roof bow is removably coupled to the roof of the vehicle body and includes a cross member and end brackets pivotably attached to opposing ends of the cross member. The end brackets are pivotable between a deployed position in which the end brackets extend outwardly from the cross member and a stowed position in which the end brackets are positioned substantially between opposing ends of the cross member. A length of the roof bow is greater when the end brackets are in the deployed position then when the end brackets are in the stowed position.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2019Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: FCA US LLCInventors: Dorinel Neag, Carl Mather
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Patent number: 10137841Abstract: An automotive vehicle has an expandable underseat storage compartment. An elongated seat support member supports a row of vehicle seats and has a middle portion and right and left end pedestals. A front panel assembly extends laterally across the vehicle in front of the right and left end pedestals and is movable between retracted and extended positions position wherein when the front panel assembly is in the extended position the storage space of the storage compartment is larger than when the front panel assembly is in the retracted position.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2017Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: FCA US LLCInventors: Dorinel Neag, Jeffery E Long, Kyle Neighbors, Jimmy L Suder, Stuart E Collins, Steven J Schenten
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Patent number: 10138661Abstract: An ingress/egress aid for a vehicle having a vehicle body and a door movable relative to the vehicle body between an open state and a closed state is provided and includes a handle rotatably supported by the door between a non-actuated state and a deployed state. The handle extends from the door in the deployed state. A locking mechanism restricts rotation of the door relative to the vehicle body in a locked state and permits rotation of the door relative to the vehicle body in an unlocked state. The locking mechanism is movable from the unlocked state to the locked state when the door is in the open state and the handle is moved from the non-actuated state to the deployed state.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2014Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: FCA US LLCInventors: Dorinel Neag, Carl Mather, Elaine M Herbon, Kenric P Socks
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Patent number: 9873383Abstract: A vehicle cargo assembly that is located between a seat and a floor of the vehicle, including a support member that supports the seat and is fixed to the floor; a receptacle body that is movably coupled to the support member between a stowed and deployed position; a pair of bracket plates that are fixed to opposing ends of the support member; and a pair of cover plates that rotatably couple the receptacle body to the pair of brackets plates, wherein the receptacle body is movable between the stowed position in which the receptacle body defines a storage compartment, and a deployed position in which the receptacle body, the pair of cover plates, and the pair of bracket plates define the storage compartment.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2017Date of Patent: January 23, 2018Assignee: FCA US LLCInventors: Carl Mather, Dorinel Neag
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Publication number: 20150267444Abstract: An ingress/egress aid for a vehicle having a vehicle body and a door movable relative to the vehicle body between an open state and a closed state is provided and includes a handle rotatably supported by the door between a non-actuated state and a deployed state. The handle extends from the door in the deployed state. A locking mechanism restricts rotation of the door relative to the vehicle body in a locked state and permits rotation of the door relative to the vehicle body in an unlocked state. The locking mechanism is movable from the unlocked state to the locked state when the door is in the open state and the handle is moved from the non-actuated state to the deployed state.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2014Publication date: September 24, 2015Inventors: Dorinel Neag, Carl Mather, Elaine M Herbon, Kenric P Socks
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Patent number: 9073411Abstract: In at least one implementation, a releasably mounted windshield assembly for a vehicle having a passenger compartment includes a windshield and a control mechanism. The windshield has an inner surface defining part of the passenger compartment when the windshield is in a first position and the control mechanism is coupled at one end to the vehicle and at its other end to the windshield. The control mechanism includes a pivot that permits the windshield to move relative to the vehicle so that the inner surface of the of the windshield faces the vehicle when the windshield is in a second position.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2013Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: FCA US LLCInventors: Dorinel Neag, Carl Mather, Deyan Ninov
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Publication number: 20150084363Abstract: In at least one implementation, a releasably mounted windshield assembly for a vehicle having a passenger compartment includes a windshield and a control mechanism. The windshield has an inner surface defining part of the passenger compartment when the windshield is in a first position and the control mechanism is coupled at one end to the vehicle and at its other end to the windshield. The control mechanism includes a pivot that permits the windshield to move relative to the vehicle so that the inner surface of the of the windshield faces the vehicle when the windshield is in a second position.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2013Publication date: March 26, 2015Inventors: Dorinel Neag, Carl Mather, Deyan Ninov
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Patent number: 8632113Abstract: A seat assembly for a vehicle having a floor can include a seat bottom, a seat back, a pair of front legs and a pair of rear legs. The seat bottom can have a seating side and an opposite lower side facing the floor. The front legs can be pivotably coupled to the vehicle and to the seat bottom via releasable locking mechanisms. The rear legs can be pivotably coupled to the seat bottom and releasably coupled to the vehicle. A pair of linking members can pivotably couple the front and rear legs to each other. The seat assembly can be movable from a deployed to a stowed position whereby the seat bottom can be pivoted forward about the front and rear legs while maintaining the seat bottom lower side facing the floor and the front and rear legs pivotably coupled to the vehicle and the seat bottom.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2011Date of Patent: January 21, 2014Assignee: Chrysler Group LLCInventors: Carl Mather, Todd R. Teasdale, David M. Savinsky, Dorinel Neag
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Publication number: 20130205668Abstract: A system may include a door track, a guide mechanism, and a sequencing mechanism. The door track is mounted to a door. The guide mechanism connects the door to a vehicle body. The guide mechanism may include a first member connected to the door track and a second member connected to the first member for rotation relative to the door track. The first member is movable relative to the door track. The second member may engage a body track in the vehicle body and may be movable relative thereto between a first and second ends of the body track. The sequencing mechanism may include a third member locking the first member relative to the door track when the door is between the intermediate and closed positions and a fourth member locking the second member relative to the body track when the door is between the intermediate and fully open positions.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2012Publication date: August 15, 2013Applicant: CHRYSLER GROUP LLCInventors: Dorinel Neag, Dennis G. Willyard
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Publication number: 20130062903Abstract: A seat assembly for a vehicle having a floor can include a seat bottom, a seat back, a pair of front legs and a pair of rear legs. The seat bottom can have a seating side and an opposite lower side facing the floor. The front legs can be pivotably coupled to the vehicle and to the seat bottom via releasable locking mechanisms. The rear legs can be pivotably coupled to the seat bottom and releasably coupled to the vehicle. A pair of linking members can pivotably couple the front and rear legs to each other. The seat assembly can be movable from a deployed to a stowed position whereby the seat bottom can be pivoted forward about the front and rear legs while maintaining the seat bottom lower side facing the floor and the front and rear legs pivotably coupled to the vehicle and the seat bottom.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2011Publication date: March 14, 2013Applicant: CHRYSLER GROUP LLCInventors: Carl Mather, Todd R. Teasdale, David M. Savinsky, Dorinel Neag
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Patent number: 7798505Abstract: A vehicle having a suspension system that supports a vehicle frame has a suspension interlock for governing the distance that the suspension system may move away from the frame during a vehicular rear impact event, thereby channeling impact forces through the suspension system and into the vehicle frame. A flexible member attaches to the vehicle frame and to the suspension system and acts as a tether to maintain the position of the suspension system relative to the frame. Alternatively, the suspension interlock may be a u-shaped bar mounted to the vehicular frame that interacts with a pin that is mounted to the suspension system. The pin resides within the confines of the u-shaped bar to maintain the position of the suspension system relative to the frame. Alternatively, a hooked plate may be used instead of a pin.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2005Date of Patent: September 21, 2010Assignee: Chrysler Group LLCInventors: Dorinel Neag, Vernon S Siple, Constantinos Sakatis, Ileana C Ball, Oh-Seong Kim, Stylianos A Meidanis, Rajesh Garg, Jerry R Balogh, Brian J Haemmerle
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Publication number: 20070114745Abstract: A vehicle having a suspension system that supports a vehicle frame has a suspension interlock for governing the distance that the suspension system may move away from the frame during a vehicular rear impact event, thereby channeling impact forces through the suspension system and into the vehicle frame. A flexible member attaches to the vehicle frame and to the suspension system and acts as a tether to maintain the position of the suspension system relative to the frame. Alternatively, the suspension interlock may be a u-shaped bar mounted to the vehicular frame that interacts with a pin that is mounted to the suspension system. The pin resides within the confines of the u-shaped bar to maintain the position of the suspension system relative to the frame. Alternatively, a hooked plate may be used instead of a pin.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2005Publication date: May 24, 2007Inventors: Dorinel Neag, Vernon Siple, Constantinos Sakatis, Ileana Ball, Oh-Seong Kim, Stylianos Meidanis, Rajesh Garg, Jerry Balogh, Brian Haemmerle
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Patent number: 6722226Abstract: A locationally adjustable actuator is provided having a force input to a rod operatively associated with an automotive vehicle control. The actuator includes two parallelogram linkages which link an actuator pedal to a rod link which is pivotally connected with a rod which provides an automotive vehicle control input. The parallelogram arrangement is furthermore connected with a slider which is linearly adjustable with respect to the vehicle. Movement of the slider causes the actuator pedal to be linearly adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2001Date of Patent: April 20, 2004Assignee: DaimlerChrysler CorporationInventors: Dorinel Neag, Daniel W Husted, James P Salva, Stylianos A Meidanis, Thomas R Carbone, Victor Johnson