Patents by Inventor Brice A Burkhardt

Brice A Burkhardt 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).

  • Patent number: 11485207
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Carl Mather, Dorinel Neag, Brice A Burkhardt
  • Publication number: 20210268882
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Carl Mather, Dorinel Neag, Brice A Burkhardt
  • Patent number: 10160300
    Abstract: A support bracket assembly configured to couple to a vehicle body and support a collapsed articulating frame of a vehicle soft top assembly is provided. The support bracket assembly includes a support bracket having a main body portion having a slot formed therein and configured to couple to the vehicle body, and a receiving portion coupled to the main body portion and configured to receive at least a portion of the collapsed articulating frame therein. A strap is configured to be inserted through the slot and wrapped around the collapsed articulating frame to facilitate securing the collapsed articulating frame within the receiving portion and preventing relative movement of the collapsed articulating frame when the vehicle is in motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Brice A Burkhardt, Jason E. Schultz
  • Publication number: 20180147927
    Abstract: A support bracket assembly configured to couple to a vehicle body and support a collapsed articulating frame of a vehicle soft top assembly is provided. The support bracket assembly includes a support bracket having a main body portion having a slot formed therein and configured to couple to the vehicle body, and a receiving portion coupled to the main body portion and configured to receive at least a portion of the collapsed articulating frame therein. A strap is configured to be inserted through the slot and wrapped around the collapsed articulating frame to facilitate securing the collapsed articulating frame within the receiving portion and preventing relative movement of the collapsed articulating frame when the vehicle is in motion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Brice A Burkhardt, Jason E. Schultz
  • Publication number: 20170274747
    Abstract: A storage system for a removable soft top assembly of a vehicle includes a main storage container having a top lid coupleable to a bottom lid, where the main storage container is sized and shaped to receive and store an articulating frame and main cover of the soft top assembly; a first supplemental storage container having a top lid coupleable to a bottom lid, the first supplemental storage container sized and shaped to receive and store windows of the soft stop assembly; and a second supplemental storage container having a top lid coupleable to a bottom lid, where the second supplemental storage container is sized and shaped to receive and store door rails of the soft top assembly. The second supplemental storage container is selectively coupleable to the first supplemental storage, and the first and second supplemental storage containers are selectively coupleable to the main storage container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2016
    Publication date: September 28, 2017
    Inventors: Brice A Burkhardt, David W Pennala, Jason E Schultz