Patents by Inventor Matthew L. Taracko

Matthew L. Taracko 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: 11267384
    Abstract: A vehicle assembly can include a vehicle body structure, a front seat, a rear seat, and a grab bar assembly. The vehicle body structure can define a passenger area. The front seat can be mounted to the vehicle body structure. The rear seat can be mounted to the vehicle body structure. The grab bar assembly can be mounted to the vehicle body structure. The grab bar assembly can include a grab bar, a spacer bar and a cover assembly. The grab bar can extend across the passenger area. The spacer bar can be attached to the grab bar, with a first gap formed between the spacer bar and the front seat, and a second gap formed between the spacer bar and the grab bar. The cover assembly can be attached to the spacer bar and positioned in the first gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Michael J. Hokes, Sebastian Osorio, Matthew L. Taracko, Cody M. Lindemann, Jason W. Grundey, Dane R. Marsack
  • Publication number: 20210086679
    Abstract: A vehicle assembly can include a vehicle body structure, a front seat, a rear seat, and a grab bar assembly. The vehicle body structure can define a passenger area. The front seat can be mounted to the vehicle body structure. The rear seat can be mounted to the vehicle body structure. The grab bar assembly can be mounted to the vehicle body structure. The grab bar assembly can include a grab bar, a spacer bar and a cover assembly. The grab bar can extend across the passenger area. The spacer bar can be attached to the grab bar, with a first gap formed between the spacer bar and the front seat, and a second gap formed between the spacer bar and the grab bar. The cover assembly can be attached to the spacer bar and positioned in the first gap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Michael J. HOKES, Sebastian OSORIO, Matthew L. TARACKO, Cody M. LINDEMANN, Jason W. GRUNDEY, Dane R. MARSACK
  • Patent number: 10583861
    Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly can include a lower frame member extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle; a pillar member extending upwardly away from the lower frame member, and a first frame member including a first end connected to the lower frame member and a second end connected to the pillar member. The pillar member can extend upwardly along a vertical direction of the vehicle. The first frame member can include an inward bend located between first end and the second end such that the first frame member can extend upwardly from the lower frame member along the vertical direction of the vehicle from the first end of the first frame member to the inward bend and the first frame member can extend from the inward bend rearwardly along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and outwardly along a transverse direction of the vehicle toward the pillar member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Matthew L. Taracko, Luke M. Upah
  • Patent number: 10569805
    Abstract: A frame assembly for a vehicle can include a cross member, a longitudinal member and a gusset. The cross member can extend along a transverse direction of the vehicle. The cross member can include a bend. The longitudinal member can extend along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The gusset can be connected to the longitudinal member and the cross member at the bend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2020
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dakota D. Kirtland, Matthew L. Taracko
  • Publication number: 20190375461
    Abstract: A frame assembly for a vehicle can include a cross member, a longitudinal member and a gusset. The cross member can extend along a transverse direction of the vehicle. The cross member can include a bend. The longitudinal member can extend along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The gusset can be connected to the longitudinal member and the cross member at the bend.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2018
    Publication date: December 12, 2019
    Inventors: Dakota D. KIRTLAND, Matthew L. TARACKO
  • Patent number: 10427636
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a frame, a first pair of wheels connected to the frame, a second pair of wheels connected to the frame, a motor supported by the frame and operatively connected to at least one of the pair of wheels, a cockpit in the frame, a first seat disposed in the cockpit, a bed in the frame longitudinally rearward of the cockpit, the bed having at least one side wall, a second seat disposed in the bed, the second seat having a seat base and a seat back, the seat back having a storage position and a seating position, and a lateral retention member fixed to the at least one side wall of the bed, at least a portion of the lateral retention member being disposed higher than the seat base and forward of the seat back of the second seat when in the seating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael J Hokes, Joseph H Korte, Dustin L Hinders, Matthew L Taracko, Stephen L Paulos, Kirk M Rausch, Jacob O Borth, Luke M Upah
  • Publication number: 20190276085
    Abstract: A vehicle frame assembly can include a lower frame member extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle; a pillar member extending upwardly away from the lower frame member, and a first frame member including a first end connected to the lower frame member and a second end connected to the pillar member. The pillar member can extend upwardly along a vertical direction of the vehicle. The first frame member can include an inward bend located between first end and the second end such that the first frame member can extend upwardly from the lower frame member along the vertical direction of the vehicle from the first end of the first frame member to the inward bend and the first frame member can extend from the inward bend rearwardly along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and outwardly along a transverse direction of the vehicle toward the pillar member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2018
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Matthew L. TARACKO, Luke M. UPAH
  • Publication number: 20190225270
    Abstract: A frame assembly for a vehicle can include a main frame assembly defining a passenger compartment, and a front frame assembly. The front frame assembly can include a pair of front frame members extending upwardly, and a pair of intermediate frame members spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction of the vehicle. Each of the intermediate frame members can be connected to a respective one of the front frame members. Each of the intermediate frame members also can be connected to a cross member of the main frame assembly, and can include a bend such that each of the intermediate frame members buckles in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle if a load or kinetic energy applied to each of the intermediate frame members in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Publication date: July 25, 2019
    Inventors: Luke M. UPAH, Daniel T. SELLARS, Dakota D. KIRTLAND, Matthew L. TARACKO
  • Patent number: 10343645
    Abstract: A roll bar system for a motor vehicle includes a roll bar pipe having a first hole formed in the roll bar pipe, a collar disposed within the first hole of the roll bar pipe, a seat belt assembly, and a fastener. The seat belt assembly includes a seat belt and an anchor. The anchor include an engagement mechanism for engaging the seat belt and a flange having a fastener hole. The fastener attaches the flange of the anchor to the collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Joseph H Korte, Dustin M Schultz, Matthew L. Taracko, Kirk M. Rausch
  • Patent number: 10336372
    Abstract: A frame assembly for a vehicle can include a main frame assembly defining a passenger compartment, and a front frame assembly. The front frame assembly can include a pair of front frame members extending upwardly, and a pair of intermediate frame members spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction of the vehicle. Each of the intermediate frame members can be connected to a respective one of the front frame members. Each of the intermediate frame members also can be connected to a cross member of the main frame assembly, and can include a bend such that each of the intermediate frame members buckles in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle if a load or kinetic energy applied to each of the intermediate frame members in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle exceeds a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Luke M. Upah, Daniel T. Sellars, Dakota D. Kirtland, Matthew L. Taracko
  • Publication number: 20180272988
    Abstract: A roll bar system for a motor vehicle includes a roll bar pipe having a first hole formed in the roll bar pipe, a collar disposed within the first hole of the roll bar pipe, a seat belt assembly, and a fastener. The seat belt assembly includes a seat belt and an anchor. The anchor include an engagement mechanism for engaging the seat belt and a flange having a fastener hole. The fastener attaches the flange of the anchor to the collar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2017
    Publication date: September 27, 2018
    Inventors: Joseph H. KORTE, Dustin M. SCHULTZ, Matthew L. TARACKO, Kirk M. RAUSCH
  • Publication number: 20180001855
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a frame, a first pair of wheels connected to the frame, a second pair of wheels connected to the frame, a motor supported by the frame and operatively connected to at least one of the pair of wheels, a cockpit in the frame, a first seat disposed in the cockpit, a bed in the frame longitudinally rearward of the cockpit, the bed having at least one side wall, a second seat disposed in the bed, the second seat having a seat base and a seat back, the seat back having a storage position and a seating position, and a lateral retention member fixed to the at least one side wall of the bed, at least a portion of the lateral retention member being disposed higher than the seat base and forward of the seat back of the second seat when in the seating position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2017
    Publication date: January 4, 2018
    Inventors: Michael J. HOKES, Joseph H. KORTE, Dustin L. HINDERS, Matthew L. TARACKO, Stephen L. PAULOS, Kirk M. RAUSCH, Jacob O. BORTH, Luke M. UPAH
  • Patent number: 9764768
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a frame, a first pair of wheels connected to the frame, a second pair of wheels connected to the frame, a motor supported by the frame and operatively connected to at least one of the pair of wheels, a cockpit in the frame, a first seat disposed in the cockpit, a bed in the frame longitudinally rearward of the cockpit, the bed having at least one side wall, a second seat disposed in the bed, the second seat having a seat base and a seat back, the seat back being foldable between a storage position and a seating position, and a lateral retention member fixed to the at least one side wall of the bed, at least a portion of the lateral retention member being disposed higher than the seat base and forward of the seat back of the second seat when in the seating position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Michael J Hokes, Joseph H Korte, Dustin L Hinders, Matthew L Taracko, Stephen L Paulos, Kirk M Rausch, Jacob O Borth, Luke M Upah
  • Publication number: 20170247058
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a frame, a first pair of wheels connected to the frame, a second pair of wheels connected to the frame, a motor supported by the frame and operatively connected to at least one of the pair of wheels, a cockpit in the frame, a first seat disposed in the cockpit, a bed in the frame longitudinally rearward of the cockpit, the bed having at least one side wall, a second seat disposed in the bed, the second seat having a seat base and a seat back, the seat back being foldable between a storage position and a seating position, and a lateral retention member fixed to the at least one side wall of the bed, at least a portion of the lateral retention member being disposed higher than the seat base and forward of the seat back of the second seat when in the seating position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Publication date: August 31, 2017
    Inventors: Michael J. HOKES, Joseph H. Korte, Dustin L. Hinders, Matthew L. Taracko, Stephen L. Paulos, Kirk M. Rausch, Jacob O. BORTH, Luke M. Upah
  • Patent number: 9150181
    Abstract: A net structure for a vehicle includes a first connection to a door arranged in a side opening of the vehicle for selectively closing a door opening portion of the side opening, a second connection to a roll cage frame at or adjacent an upper portion of a passenger seating compartment and a third connection to a vehicle frame of the vehicle. The roll cage frame at least partially defines the side opening. The net structure further includes a tautness axis defined between the second connection and the third connection that is substantially forward of a head area of the passenger compartment with tautness maintained along the tautness axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Anthony Schroeder, Jacob O. Borth, Takeshi Kobayashi, Tsuyoshi Kumasaka, Stephen L. Paulos, Nithya Rajan, Matthew L. Taracko
  • Publication number: 20150175114
    Abstract: A net structure for a vehicle includes a first connection to a door arranged in a side opening of the vehicle for selectively closing a door opening portion of the side opening, a second connection to a roll cage frame at or adjacent an upper portion of a passenger seating compartment and a third connection to a vehicle frame of the vehicle. The roll cage frame at least partially defines the side opening. The net structure further includes a tautness axis defined between the second connection and the third connection that is substantially forward of a head area of the passenger compartment with tautness maintained along the tautness axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2013
    Publication date: June 25, 2015
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Anthony Schroeder, Jacob O. Borth, Takeshi Kobayashi, Tsuyoshi Kumasaka, Stephen L. Paulos, Nithya Rajan, Matthew L. Taracko
  • Patent number: 8356836
    Abstract: A knee bolster for mounting within a vehicle includes a curved bracket mounted to an associated cross beam of the vehicle. The knee bolster further includes a knee panel member mounted to the curved bracket at a location spaced from the associated cross beam. The knee panel member exhibits a variable load response for a contact location when the contact location varies between a lower portion of the knee panel member and an upper portion of the knee panel member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Matthew L. Taracko
  • Publication number: 20100259036
    Abstract: A knee bolster for mounting within a vehicle includes a curved bracket mounted to an associated cross beam of the vehicle. The knee bolster further includes a knee panel member mounted to the curved bracket at a location spaced from the associated cross beam. The knee panel member exhibits a variable load response for a contact location when the contact location varies between a lower portion of the knee panel member and an upper portion of the knee panel member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventor: Matthew L. Taracko