Mark William Rice

US Patent:

7140658, Nov 28, 2006

Filed:

Jul 9, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/888038

Inventors:

Alexander J Maceri - Sterling Heights MI, US
Scott B Perry - Riverview MI, US
Eberhard Krueger, Jr. - Lake Orion MI, US
Mark A Rice - Garden City MI, US

Assignee:

DaimlerChrysler Corporation - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B60N 2/04

US Classification:

296 3715, 296 3714, 296 6509, 29718809

Abstract:

A combination storage and tread unit has a housing which is installed beneath a second row of seating in an automotive vehicle body. The housing has a tread pad at each end which a person can step on to reach a third row of seating when a seat in the second row is tumbled forwardly. The housing has two module-receiving compartments for storing electrical control modules and related wiring. The compartments are covered and protected by the second row of seating when the seats in the second row are in a normal occupant-supporting position, but are readily accessible when the seats are tumbled forwardly, so that the modules may be removed and serviced without removing the seats.

US Patent:

7862097, Jan 4, 2011

Filed:

Jul 20, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/458790

Inventors:

Alexander J Maceri - Sterling Heights MI, US
Scott B Perry - Riverview MI, US
Eberhard Krueger, Jr. - Lake Orion MI, US
Mark A Rice - Garden City MI, US

Assignee:

Chrysler Group LLC - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B60N 2/04

US Classification:

296 3715, 296 3714, 296 6509, 29718809

Abstract:

A combination storage and tread unit has a housing which is installed beneath a second row of seating in an automotive vehicle body. The housing has a tread pad at each end which a person can step on to reach a third row of seating when a seat in the second row is tumbled forwardly. The housing has two module-receiving compartments for storing electrical control modules and related wiring. The compartments are covered and protected by the second row of seating when the seats in the second row are in a normal occupant-supporting position, but are readily accessible when the seats are tumbled forwardly, so that the modules may be removed and serviced without removing the seats.

US Patent:

8186735, May 29, 2012

Filed:

Jun 23, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/489668

Inventors:

Alexander J. Maceri - Sterling Heights MI, US
Eberhard Krueger, Jr. - Clarkston MI, US
Mark A. Rice - Garden City MI, US
Christina H. Van Agen - Rochester MI, US

Assignee:

Chrysler Group LLC - Auburn Hills MI

International Classification:

B60R 7/04

US Classification:

296 3714, 280783, 296 378, 296 3715, 296 9723, 29619307

Abstract:

A modular vehicle floor system is provided that has a floor pan with integrated storage compartments. A floor is defined by a deck and compartment lids that overlie the floor pan and can provide a waterproof seal for the storage compartments. The deck and compartment lids together define a substantially flat surface that is covered by a vehicle carpet. The deck can include basket-like liners extending downwardly therefrom that nest within the storage compartments and define the inner surface(s) of usable spaces within the storage compartments. The deck includes a raceway system with one or more troughs or ports that house lengths of vehicle wiring, under the deck surface. The deck can further include flanges and/or tabs for serving as mounting substrates, against which sills and other hard trim components are mounted, allowing trim components to be mounted to the deck and not mounted directly to the vehicle body.