Patents by Inventor Michael E. LaFleur

Michael E. LaFleur 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: 11613170
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Dorinel Neag, David Barnier, Jr., Dennis G Willyard, Michael E Lafleur
  • Publication number: 20230061227
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Dorinel Neag, David Barnier, JR., Dennis G Willyard, Michael E Lafleur
  • Patent number: 11505042
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body and a reinforcing patch. The vehicle body component defines a cavity. The reinforcing patch is disposed within and attached to the vehicle body component. The reinforcing patch includes a substrate and a reinforcing body attached to the substrate. The reinforcing body has a first tab, a second tab, and a first slit between the first and second tabs. The slit is at least partially filled by the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: FCA US LLC
    Inventors: Lawrence J Nolan, Michael E LaFleur, Jerome R Pfeifer
  • Publication number: 20210283997
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body and a reinforcing patch. The vehicle body component defines a cavity. The reinforcing patch is disposed within and attached to the vehicle body component. The reinforcing patch includes a substrate and a reinforcing body attached to the substrate. The reinforcing body has a first tab, a second tab, and a first slit between the first and second tabs. The slit is at least partially filled by the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2020
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Nolan, Michael E. LaFleur, Jerome R. Pfeifer
  • Publication number: 20140091600
    Abstract: An overslam bumper comprising a coupling device, a base member fixed to the coupling device, a striking member defining a striking surface for receiving a load exerted thereon, and a linking member connecting the base member and the striking member. The overslam bumper is configured such that upon receipt of the load at the striking surface, the load is transferred through the striking member to the linking member to an extent that the linking member will deflect, and upon deflection of the linking member, the striking member is operable to abut the base member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventors: Mark L. Lusky, Krzysztof P. Michalowski, Daniel James, Michael E. LaFleur