Christopher M Duke

US Patent:

7922048, Apr 12, 2011

Filed:

Jun 15, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/763675

Inventors:

Stephen M. Smith - Madison Heights MI, US
Theron Shaw - Waterford MI, US
Christopher J. Duke - White Lake MI, US
Terence P. Grace - Bloomfield Hills MI, US
Michael R. Uhlmeyer - Lake Orion MI, US
Stephen D. Logan - Northville MI, US
David M. Langer - Warren MI, US

Assignee:

Chrysler Group LLC - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B62D 43/00
B60R 19/48

US Classification:

224 4224, 224 4225, 224 4223, 224 4226, 224 4214, 224 4212, 296 372, 293117

Abstract:

A spare tire carrier for a vehicle may structurally entail a base, a mounting flange extending from the base, a vertical support post extending from the base, a light support post attached to the vertical support post, a threaded stud that engages a front surface of the base to support a spare tire. A tether, which may be secured to the base with a fastener, may lie largely concealed within the base and have additional studs or bolts which may protrude through a front surface of the base and further support a spare tire. A plurality of strength ribs may join the mounting flange and the base, while the base, the first mounting flange, vertical support post extending from the base, and plurality of strength ribs may be a single cast magnesium part. The tether may be of another high strength material.

US Patent:

20210245817, Aug 12, 2021

Filed:

Jan 26, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/158076

Inventors:

Robert J. Gibbs - Novi MI, US
Christopher J. Sytek - Auburn Hills MI, US
Eric Ghoukasian - Auburn Hills MI, US
Piyush Agarwal - Rochester Hills MI, US
Sean E. Whelan - Highland MI, US
David R. Parks - Macomb MI, US
Michael C. Gillam - Oxford MI, US
Paul Van Norman - Fenton MI, US
Christopher J. Duke - White Lake MI, US

International Classification:

B62D 33/027
B62D 33/037
B62D 33/03

Abstract:

A vehicle includes a vehicle body, a door and a handle assembly. A door is coupled to the vehicle body and is pivotable about a horizontal axis between a closed position and a horizontal open position. The door is also pivotable about a vertical axis between the closed position and a vertical open position. The handle assembly includes a housing, a first release switch and a second release switch. The housing extends at least partially into a cavity of the door and includes a lower wall and an upper wall that cooperate to define a pocket. The first release switch is disposed along the upper wall of the housing and is configured to be actuated to pivot the door about the horizontal axis. The second release switch is disposed along the lower wall of the housing and is configured to be actuated to pivot the door about the vertical axis.

US Patent:

20210245818, Aug 12, 2021

Filed:

Jan 26, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/158188

Inventors:

Paul S. Van Norman - Fenton MI, US
Michael C. Gillam - Oxford MI, US
Sean E. Whelan - Highland MI, US
Randy K. Ihrke - Auburn Hills MI, US
Eric Ghoukasian - Auburn Hills MI, US
Vivek V. Kirtane - Troy MI, US
Christopher J. Duke - White Lake MI, US

International Classification:

B62D 33/027

Abstract:

A vehicle includes a vehicle body, a door and a hinge assembly. The door is coupled to the vehicle body and is pivotable about a horizontal axis between a closed position and a horizontal open position. The door is also pivotable about a vertical axis between the closed position and a vertical open position. The hinge assembly pivotably couples the door to the vehicle body and includes a first hinge and a second hinge. The first hinge includes a first hinge plate and at least one first hinge barrel extending from the first hinge plate. The second hinge includes a second hinge plate, an extension section and at least one second hinge barrel. The extension section positions the vertical axis laterally outwardly relative to a mounting location of the hinge assembly to the vehicle body. The vertical axis also being positioned inwardly relative to the door.

US Patent:

20190301223, Oct 3, 2019

Filed:

Mar 29, 2018

Appl. No.:

15/940222

Inventors:

Randy K. Ihrke - Auburn Hills MI, US
Christopher J. Sytek - Clarkston MI, US
Christopher J. Duke - White Lake MI, US

International Classification:

E05F 5/06
B62D 33/027
B60J 5/10
E05F 5/02

Abstract:

A dual platform bumper system for a vehicle includes a bumper configured to couple to one of the door or another vehicle component, the bumper having first and second points of contact, and a platform configured to couple to the other of the door and the other vehicle component. The platform includes an upper contact platform and a lower contact platform. The upper contact platform is configured to contact the first point of contact when the door is moved to a closed position, and the lower contact platform is configured to contact the second point of contact when the door is moved to the closed position to facilitate preventing over-travel relative movement of the at least one door.

US Patent:

20170356229, Dec 14, 2017

Filed:

Jun 8, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/176475

Inventors:

Thomas A Czapski - Plymouth MI, US
Christopher J Duke - White Lake MI, US
Alexander J Stanton - Auburn Hills MI, US
Christopher J Antenucci - Rochester MI, US
Randy Ihrke - Auburn Hills MI, US

International Classification:

E05F 1/12
F03G 1/08
F03G 1/02

Abstract:

In at least one implementation, a torsion rod preload device, includes a body, a driver and a retainer. The body may have a base adapted to be connected to a vehicle and at least one stop. The driver is carried by the body for movement relative to the body, and is adapted to engage a torsion rod so that movement of the driver relative to the body increases a torsion force within the torsion rod. The retainer is carried by one or both of the body and the driver, and is movable by the driver as the driver moves relative to the body. The retainer is engageable with the stop to inhibit or prevent movement of the driver when the retainer is engaged with the stop to maintain a desired torsion force in the torsion rod.

US Patent:

20170174273, Jun 22, 2017

Filed:

Dec 17, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/972274

Inventors:

Jonathon S. Burton - Belleville MI, US
Marcel A. Tang - Belle River, CA
Christopher J. Duke - White Lake MI, US

International Classification:

B62D 43/02

Abstract:

A carrier for a spare tire of a vehicle includes a base, a mount, and a locking member. The base is configured to be coupled to the vehicle. The mount is coupled to the base and pivotable relative to the base about a pivot axis. The mount is configured to support the spare tire for common rotation with the mount about the pivot axis. The pivot axis is offset from a central axis of the spare tire when the spare tire is supported by the mount. The locking member is movable between a locked position wherein the locking member engages the mount and the base to prevent relative movement therebetween, and an unlocked position wherein the mount is pivotable relative to the base.