Patents by Inventor Carl Mather

Carl Mather 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: 7377571
    Abstract: A stowable seat assembly for a vehicle, the seat assembly including a seat, a seat receiving recess in a floor of a vehicle, an upper riser mechanism, a lower riser mechanism and a panel. The upper riser mechanism is coupled to the seat for movement of the seat between an elevated position and a collapsed position. The lower riser mechanism is coupled to the seat receiving recess for movement of the seat between a collapsed position and a stowed position. The panel is positioned between, and coupled to, the upper and lower riser mechanisms. The panel is arranged to conceal the seat receiving recess when the seat is in an elevated position, and is movable into the seat receiving recess when the seat is in a collapsed position to permit the seat to be stowed in the seat receiving recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Chrysler LLC
    Inventors: David J Ewers, Gary A Kavanagh, Glen M Kondratek, Carl Mather
  • Patent number: 7243978
    Abstract: A door assembly for a vehicle is provided. The door assembly includes a guide track attached to a door, a slider positioned within the guide track, and a connecting member connecting the slider to the vehicle door frame. The connecting member has a vehicle end and a slider end and is arranged to be attached to the vehicle at the vehicle end and to the slider at the slider end. The connecting member and the slider are arranged to enable the door to translate relative to the vehicle along the guide track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Carl Mather, Todd R Teasdale, Samer Shamon, William E Hughes, Daniel T Griffin, David E Dawkins, Richmond P Thomas
  • Publication number: 20070090663
    Abstract: A stowable seat assembly for a vehicle, the seat assembly including a seat, a seat receiving recess in a floor of a vehicle, an upper riser mechanism, a lower riser mechanism and a panel. The upper riser mechanism is coupled to the seat for movement of the seat between an elevated position and a collapsed position. The lower riser mechanism is coupled to the seat receiving recess for movement of the seat between a collapsed position and a stowed position. The panel is positioned between, and coupled to, the upper and lower riser mechanisms. The panel is arranged to conceal the seat receiving recess when the seat is in an elevated position, and is movable into the seat receiving recess when the seat is in a collapsed position to permit the seat to be stowed in the seat receiving recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2005
    Publication date: April 26, 2007
    Inventors: David Ewers, Gary Kavanagh, Glen Kondratek, Carl Mather
  • Publication number: 20070085374
    Abstract: A door assembly for a vehicle is provided. The door assembly includes a guide track attached to a door, a slider positioned within the guide track, and a connecting member connecting the slider to the vehicle door frame. The connecting member has a vehicle end and a slider end and is arranged to be attached to the vehicle at the vehicle end and to the slider at the slider end. The connecting member and the slider are arranged to enable the door to translate relative to the vehicle along the guide track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Publication date: April 19, 2007
    Inventors: Carl Mather, Todd Teasdale, Samer Shamon, William Hughes, Daniel Griffin, David Dawkins, Richmond Thomas
  • Patent number: 7178848
    Abstract: A utility rack for a vehicle is provided. The utility rack includes a platform, at least one support rail positioned on the platform, and a plurality of storage rails connected to the at least one support rail. The plurality of storage rails have a stowed position generally parallel to the upper surface, and a deployed position generally perpendicular to the upper surface. The plurality of storage rails are arranged to pivot between the stowed position and the deployed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Carl Mather, Todd R Teasdale, Samer Shamon, William E Hughes, Daniel T Griffin, David E Dawkins, Richmond P Thomas
  • Patent number: 7077451
    Abstract: A seat assembly for a motor vehicle having a tub disposed at least partially in a floor of the vehicle. The seat assembly comprises at least one rear leg non-releasably secured to the floor of the vehicle. The at least one rear leg is pivotable to stow the seat assembly in the tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Louis A Rhodes, Douglas J Quigley, Joseph L Salani, Carl Mather, John V Keane, David J Ewers
  • Patent number: 7066519
    Abstract: A fold-in-floor vehicle seat is supported in a use position on a generally flat load floor. To move the seat into a storage position, the seat is lowered onto a portion of the load floor that acts as an articulated base for the seat. The base approximates the footprint of the seat, and covers a storage cavity directly below the seat and configured to closely receive the seat. The base is free floating with respect to the remainder of the load floor, but is pivotally connected to the vehicle by an articulating arm that allows the base to rotate about a pivot point through an arcuate section of guide track in the storage cavity, and the arm then articulates to allow the base to travel through a straight portion of track. The arm then returns to its starting position as the base traverses a second arcuate section of track, having now inverted so that the seat is lodged within the storage cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Louis A Rhodes, Douglas J Quigley, Joseph L Salani, Carl Mather, John V Keane, David J Ewers
  • Publication number: 20050264067
    Abstract: A fold-in-floor vehicle seat is supported in a use position on a generally flat load floor. To move the seat into a storage position, the seat is lowered onto a portion of the load floor that acts as an articulated base for the seat. The base approximates the footprint of the seat, and covers a storage cavity directly below the seat and configured to closely receive the seat. The base is free floating with respect to the remainder of the load floor, but is pivotally connected to the vehicle by an articulating arm that allows the base to rotate about a pivot point through an arcuate section of guide track in the storage cavity, and the arm then articulates to allow the base to travel through a straight portion of track. The arm then returns to its starting position as the base traverses a second arcuate section of track, having now inverted so that the seat is lodged within the storage cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2005
    Publication date: December 1, 2005
    Inventors: Louis Rhodes, Douglas Quigley, Joseph Salani, Carl Mather, John Keane, David Ewers
  • Patent number: 6962384
    Abstract: A seat assembly for a motor vehicle includes a seat cushion translatable on at least one track to a position generally above a tub disposed at least partially in a floor of the vehicle. The seat cushion is stowable in the tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Louis A Rhodes, Douglas J Quigley, Joseph L Salani, Carl Mather, John V Keane, David J Ewers
  • Patent number: 6955386
    Abstract: A folding seating apparatus, for on-board stowage of an optionally deployable passenger seat, in a vehicle having a floor defining a floor surface that may be entirely flat when the seating apparatus is stowed. The seating apparatus includes a stowable seat having a seat cushion supported on one or more legs above the floor, a seat back that is foldable upon the seat cushion for stowage of the seat, and a seat receiving recess in the floor for on-board stowage of the seat. The seat is movable transversely in the vehicle in addition to being stowable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Louis A Rhodes, Douglas J Quigley, Joseph L Salani, Carl Mather, John V Keane, David J Ewers
  • Patent number: 6932424
    Abstract: A fold-in-floor vehicle seat is supported in a use position on a generally flat load floor. To move the seat into a storage position, the seat is lowered onto a portion of the load floor that acts as an articulated base for the seat. The base approximates the footprint of the seat, and covers a storage cavity directly below the seat and configured to closely receive the seat. The base is free floating with respect to the remainder of the load floor, but is pivotally connected to the vehicle by an articulating arm that allows the base to rotate about a pivot point through an arcuate section of guide track in the storage cavity, and the arm then articulates to allow the base to travel through a straight portion of track. The arm then returns to its starting position as the base traverses a second arcuate section of track, having now inverted so that the seat is lodged within the storage cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Louis A Rhodes, Douglas J Quigley, Joseph L Salani, Carl Mather, John V Keane, David J Ewers
  • Patent number: 6869138
    Abstract: A folding seating apparatus, for on-board stowage of an optionally deployable passenger seat, in a vehicle having a floor defining a floor surface that may be entirely flat when the seating apparatus is stowed. The seating apparatus includes a stowable seat having a seat cushion supported on one or more legs above the floor, a seat back that is foldable upon the seat cushion for stowage of the seat, and a seat receiving recess in the floor for on-board stowage of the seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Louis A Rhodes, Douglas J Quigley, Joseph L Salani, Carl Mather, John V Keane, David J Ewers
  • Publication number: 20040100116
    Abstract: A seat assembly is disclosed for a motor vehicle having a tub disposed at least partially in a floor of the vehicle. The seat assembly comprises a seat cushion translatable on at least one track to a position generally above the tub. The seat cushion is stowable in the tub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Louis A. Rhodes, Douglas J. Quigley, Joseph L. Salani, Carl Mather, John V. Keane, David J. Ewers
  • Publication number: 20040100130
    Abstract: A fold-in-floor vehicle seat is supported in a use position on a generally flat load floor. To move the seat into a storage position, the seat is lowered onto a portion of the load floor that acts as an articulated base for the seat. The base approximates the footprint of the seat, and covers a storage cavity directly below the seat and configured to closely receive the seat. The base is free floating with respect to the remainder of the load floor, but is pivotally connected to the vehicle by an articulating arm that allows the base to rotate about a pivot point through an arcuate section of guide track in the storage cavity, and the arm then articulates to allow the base to travel through a straight portion of track. The arm then returns to its starting position as the base traverses a second arcuate section of track, having now inverted so that the seat is lodged within the storage cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Louis A. Rhodes, Douglas J. Quigley, Joseph L. Salani, Carl Mather, John V. Keane, David J. Ewers
  • Publication number: 20040100117
    Abstract: A seat assembly for a motor vehicle having a tub disposed at least partially in a floor of the vehicle. The seat assembly comprises at least one rear leg non-releasably secured to the floor of the vehicle. The at least one rear leg is pivotable to stow the seat assembly in the tub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Louis A. Rhodes, Douglas J. Quigley, Joseph L. Salani, Carl Mather, John V. Keane, David J. Ewers
  • Publication number: 20040100115
    Abstract: A folding seating apparatus, for on-board stowage of an optionally deployable passenger seat, in a vehicle having a floor defining a floor surface that may be entirely flat when the seating apparatus is stowed. The seating apparatus includes a stowable seat having a seat cushion supported on one or more legs above the floor, a seat back that is foldable upon the seat cushion for stowage of the seat, and a seat receiving recess in the floor for on-board stowage of the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Louis A. Rhodes, Douglas J. Quigley, Joseph L. Salani, Carl Mather, John V. Keane, David J. Ewers
  • Publication number: 20040100114
    Abstract: A folding seating apparatus, for on-board stowage of an optionally deployable passenger seat, in a vehicle having a floor defining a floor surface that may be entirely flat when the seating apparatus is stowed. The seating apparatus includes a stowable seat having a seat cushion supported on one or more legs above the floor, a seat back that is foldable upon the seat cushion for stowage of the seat, and a seat receiving recess in the floor for on-board stowage of the seat. The seat is movable transversely in the vehicle in addition to being stowable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Publication date: May 27, 2004
    Inventors: Louis A. Rhodes, Douglas J. Quigley, Joseph L. Salani, Carl Mather, John V. Keane, David J. Ewers
  • Patent number: 6098855
    Abstract: A system for mounting a spare tire and a license plate to a motor vehicle includes a tire mounting member having a bracket fixedly attached to a rear surface of the motor vehicle. The system further includes a license plate carrier pivotally connected to the bracket for rotation about a pivot axis. The license plate carrier includes a display portion oriented in a substantially vertical plane and spaced from the rear surface of the motor vehicle. A plurality of threaded shafts rearwardly extend from the tire mounting member for mounting the spare tire thereto. The license plate carrier includes a boss portion for receiving one of the threaded shafts to thereby selectively prevents rotation of the license plate carrier about the pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Norbert E. Grabowski, Joseph M. Geraci, Timothy W. Anness, Carl Mather
  • Patent number: 6039382
    Abstract: A folding top for a convertible motor vehicle has a frame provided with frame elements for supporting a flexible cover. The frame is movable from a retracted position to a deployed position supporting the top in a position of use. The retracted top is stowed in a storage compartment behind the rear seat. The storage compartment is open at the top to receive the retracted top. The compartment is normally closed by a pivoted tonneau.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2000
    Assignee: Chrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Carl Mather, Douglas J. Quigley, Glen M. Kondratek
  • Patent number: 6019410
    Abstract: A fold out bed extender for a motor vehicle includes a rear panel, a first set of swing panels and a second set of swing panels articulable from a stowed position to an operable position. Each set of swing panels preferably has a leading panel, a trailing panel and a hinge pivotally interconnecting the leading panel and trailing panels. Each leading panel is adapted to be pivotally attached to the bed of the vehicle and each trailing panel is detachably coupled to the rear panel when the first and second sets of swing panels are in the operable position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2000
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler
    Inventors: Mark C. Trostle, Carl Mather, Nigel Giddons, David H. Walter