Todd R Muck

US Patent:

7338103, Mar 4, 2008

Filed:

Feb 6, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/348086

Inventors:

Todd Rupert Muck - Fowlerville MI, US
Masroor Fahim - Canton MI, US

Assignee:

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. - Ann Arbor MI

International Classification:

B60J 9/00

US Classification:

296 108

Abstract:

A trim member for covering an interior surface of a vehicle has an elastically collapsible outer wall. The trim member includes a substantially rigid frame and a cover. The frame is adapted for fixedly securing the cover to the interior surface. The cover is fixedly secured to and covering at least a portion of the frame, the cover being elastically deformable to prevent pinching of an appendage of a user between the frame and an adjacent fixed surface in the vehicle.

US Patent:

7484786, Feb 3, 2009

Filed:

Nov 1, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/555481

Inventors:

Todd Rupert Muck - Fowlerville MI, US
Masroor Fahim - Canton MI, US
Bill Deming - Fenton MI, US

Assignee:

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. - Erlanger KY

International Classification:

B60N 2/48

US Classification:

296 6509, 296 6513

Abstract:

A rear seat assembly for a truck includes a seat cushion and a seat back. The seat cushion supports an occupant above the floor of the vehicle. The seat cushion has opposite and spaced apart front and rear ends. The seat back supports the back of the occupant while seated on the seat cushion. The seat back is operatively coupled to the seat cushion to allow selective angular adjustment of the seat back relative to the seat cushion between a plurality of seating positions. The seat back is also movable between any one of the seating positions and a folded flat position overlying the seat cushion. The rear seat assembly is movable along the floor of the vehicle between a full rear position, where the rear end of the seat cushion is adjacent a rear wall, and a full forward position, where the front end of the seat cushion is spaced apart from the rear wall.

US Patent:

8104834, Jan 31, 2012

Filed:

Apr 27, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/430263

Inventors:

Peter James Moegling - West Bloomfield MI, US
Robert Joseph Hazlewood - Plymouth MI, US
Todd Rupert Muck - Fowlerville MI, US

Assignee:

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. - Erlanger KY

International Classification:

B60N 2/02

US Classification:

297332, 297316, 297331, 2973781

Abstract:

A seat assembly for a motor vehicle which includes a locking mechanism is provided. The seat assembly has a base frame mounted to the floor of the vehicle. A seat cushion is pivotally mounted to the base frame for movement between a seated position and a stowed position. A locking mechanism operable to lock the seat cushion in the seated position is mounted to the base frame. The locking mechanism is capable of engaging the seat cushion at an intermediate position between the stowed position and the seated position. Upon engagement of the locking mechanism with the seat cushion at the intermediate position, movement of the seat cushion towards the stowed position is prevented while movement of the seat cushion towards the seated position is unimpeded.

US Patent:

8182015, May 22, 2012

Filed:

Aug 5, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/536179

Inventors:

Todd Rupert Muck - Fowlerville MI, US
John Fredrik Runske - Howell MI, US

Assignee:

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. - Erlanger KY

International Classification:

B60N 2/015

US Classification:

296 6503, 297336, 2485031

Abstract:

The present invention discloses a removable rear seat assembly for use in a motor vehicle having a passenger compartment and a vehicle floor. A seat frame is mounted to the vehicle floor. A release mechanism is provided operatively connecting the seat frame to the vehicle floor as to prevent movement of the seat frame. A release handle is mounted to a rear of the seat frame and is connected to the release mechanism for purposes of activating the release mechanism. The release handle may also be used as a carrying handle allowing for increased maneuverability of the seat frame after removal. The seat frame is removable from the passenger compartment upon a downward pulling and upward rotation of the release handle. This specific movement requirement prevents the inadvertent release of the seat frame from the vehicle floor. The release handle is prevented from an immediate rotation upwards preventing a vehicle occupant from activating the release mechanism by kicking or lifting the release handle.

US Patent:

8182041, May 22, 2012

Filed:

Nov 30, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/627552

Inventors:

Peter James Moegling - West Bloomfield MI, US
Robert Joseph Hazlewood - Plymouth MI, US
Todd Rupert Muck - Fowlerville MI, US

Assignee:

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. - Erlanger KY

International Classification:

B60N 2/02

US Classification:

29737812

Abstract:

A seat assembly for an automotive vehicle having a rear actuated release mechanism is provided. The seat assembly includes a seat frame, and a seat back pivotally mounted to the seat frame about a pivot axis for movement between a seated position and a stowed position. The seat assembly further includes a release mechanism capable of locking, releasing, and moving the seat back from a seated position to a stowed position. The release mechanism is actuated by a release handle having an elongated slot formed therein. An egress mechanism operable to actuate the release mechanism from the rear of the seat assembly, includes a bracket pivotally attached to the seat frame and having a pin engaged within the slot of the release handle. The rotation of the bracket from a first position to a second position rotates the release handle to actuate the release mechanism to pivot the seat back from the seated position to the stowed position.

US Patent:

8403416, Mar 26, 2013

Filed:

Oct 21, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/909082

Inventors:

Todd Rupert Muck - Fowlerville MI, US
Robert Joseph Hazlewood - Plymouth MI, US

Assignee:

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. - Erlanger KY

International Classification:

B60N 2/46

US Classification:

29741132, 29741138

Abstract:

The present invention provides for a vehicle armrest assembly mounted to a vehicle seat back movable from a stowed position to a functioning position. The armrest assembly includes an armrest housing having a gas shock disposed within the armrest housing. A pivot bracket is mounted within the armrest housing and in line with the gas shock. The pivot bracket has a first end and a second end. The first end of the pivot bracket abuts the gas shock so as to actuate a nozzle on the gas shock. The second end of the pivot bracket abuts a button. When the button is pressed, the button pushes the pivot bracket, transfers energy through the pivot bracket to the nozzle of the gas shock, and actuates the nozzle of the gas shock thereby permitting movement of the armrest assembly.

US Patent:

8444223, May 21, 2013

Filed:

Jul 30, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/847528

Inventors:

Peter James Moegling - Brighton MI, US
Todd Rupert Muck - Fowlerville MI, US

Assignee:

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. - Erlanger KY

International Classification:

B60N 2/02

US Classification:

297331, 297316, 2973781

Abstract:

A seat assembly for a motor vehicle which provides easy access to a third row of passenger seating and folds to provide additional cargo space. The seat assembly includes a base frame operatively attached to the floor of the vehicle. A seat back is pivotally coupled to the base frame about a first pivot axis for movement between a seated position, a stowed position, and a folded position. A proximate end of a sub frame is pivotally coupled to the seat back about a second pivot axis for movement between a seated position and a folded position. A seat cushion is pivotally coupled to the sub frame at a third pivot axis for movement between a seated position, a stowed position, and a folded position. A first end of a link member is pivotally coupled to the base frame and a second opposite end of the link member is pivotally coupled to a distal end of the sub frame.

US Patent:

8480175, Jul 9, 2013

Filed:

Oct 29, 2010

Appl. No.:

12/915152

Inventors:

Todd Rupert Muck - Fowlerville MI, US

Assignee:

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. - Erlanger KY

International Classification:

B60N 2/02
B60N 2/00

US Classification:

29737812, 297341

Abstract:

The present invention provides for an automotive vehicle seat assembly allowing for fold flat functionality as well as sliding capabilities along a track located within the automotive vehicle. The seating assembly further including a plate. The seating assembly includes a handle bracket having an abutting edge, a biasing member connected to the handle bracket, and a planar bracket having a first end and a second end. The first end of the planar bracket having a stopper which abuts the abutting edge when in contact. The second end of the planar bracket operable to connect to a cable wherein the cable connects to a release mechanism allowing for movement of the seat assembly along the vehicle track. Sliding forward motion of the seat assembly is created when the handle bracket is rotated forward wherein the abutting edge contacts the stopper at the first end of the planar bracket, the planar bracket then rotates about a pivot point thereby pulling the cable and releasing a mechanism to allow for travel of the vehicle seat assembly. The fold flat functionality of the seat assembly occurs when the handle bracket is rotated upwards and the abutting edge travels over the stopper at the first end of the planar bracket thereby not activating the cable however still folding the seat back to a generally perpendicular position of the overall vehicle seat assembly.