Bryan Michael Macek

US Patent:

20060130940, Jun 22, 2006

Filed:

Dec 20, 2004

Appl. No.:

11/017033

Inventors:

Joseph Kollaritsch - Clarkston MI, US
Bryan Macek - Auburn Hills MI, US

International Classification:

C21D 8/00

US Classification:

148518000, 148534000

Abstract:

A method for making structural automotive components and the like provides a strip of high strength steel having a selected thickness. A predetermined thickness of a metal coating, such as nickel, is applied to the opposite faces of the steel strip. The coated steel strip is cut to form a blank. The blank is heated in a generally open atmosphere to a temperature in the range of 800 C. to 1000 C. within less than ten minutes, thereby diffusing at least a portion of the metal coating a predetermined distance into the faces of the steel strip portion of the blank to alleviate scale formation, and simultaneously raise the temperature of the blank for hot forming the same. The heated blank is hot formed in a pressing tool, and cooled therein to heat treat the formed component through microstructure phase change, without substantial scale formation, such that the component need not be descaled prior to post-form processing and/or assembly in a vehicle.

US Patent:

20210261040, Aug 26, 2021

Filed:

Feb 26, 2020

Appl. No.:

16/801766

Inventors:

Frederick F Bender - South Lyon MI, US
Bryan J Macek - Auburn Hills MI, US

International Classification:

B60P 7/08
B60R 9/06
B62D 33/02

Abstract:

A utility bar configured to be secured to a pair of stake pockets formed in opposing sidewalls of a bed of a vehicle. Each of the stake pockets includes an opening formed in an upper wall of the sidewall, a first aperture that is not accessible from the bed, and a second aperture that is accessible from the bed. The utility bar includes a tubular member, a pair of end fittings attached to the tubular member, and a pair of lock assemblies positioned in the stake pockets that mate with the end fittings, wherein the lock assemblies each include a locking mechanism configured to secure the lock assembly and the end fitting to the first aperture that is not accessible from the bed.

US Patent:

20210079492, Mar 18, 2021

Filed:

Sep 17, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/572791

Inventors:

Bryan J Macek - Auburn Hills MI, US
Jose L Galaviz - Rochester Hills MI, US
Jean-Damien C Bertrand - Rochester Hills MI, US
Randy T Gerken - White Lake MI, US

International Classification:

C21D 9/50
C21D 1/673
B23K 11/11
B21D 53/88

Abstract:

A method of manufacturing a component of an automotive vehicle frame comprises welding a reinforcement element to a blank comprised of ultra high strength steel and then heating in a furnace the blank and reinforcement element to at least a predetermined temperature. Once the blank and reinforcement element are heated to at least the predetermined temperature, the method comprises transferring the heated blank to a forming tool, forming with the forming tool the blank and reinforcement element into a desired shape for the vehicle frame component, and cooling or allowing the formed component to cool until it reaches a predetermined state.

US Patent:

20210053478, Feb 25, 2021

Filed:

Aug 21, 2020

Appl. No.:

16/999324

Inventors:

Carl D May - Rochester Hills MI, US
Bryan J Macek - Auburn Hills MI, US
Douglas E Peoples - Bruce Township MI, US

International Classification:

B60P 1/43
B60P 7/08
B62D 63/04

Abstract:

An interlocking tailgate utility bar for a vehicle having a tailgate at least partially defining a cargo area includes a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface and configured to be disposed against an inner wall of the tailgate when the tailgate is in an open position, opposed front and rear side surfaces, and opposed ends. A striker assembly is disposed at each end of the opposed ends and includes a striker configured to be releasably coupled to tailgate latches located on opposed sides of the tailgate to thereby selectively releasably secure the interlocking tailgate utility bar to the tailgate. A rail channel is configured to receive an attachment device of a vehicle accessory to thereby removably couple the vehicle accessory to the interlocking tailgate utility bar and thus the vehicle.

US Patent:

20200269742, Aug 27, 2020

Filed:

Feb 21, 2019

Appl. No.:

16/281701

Inventors:

Daniel Teodorof - Windsor, CA
Andrew Partin - Auburn Hills MI, US
Bryan J. Macek - Auburn Hills MI, US
Paul A. Gardiner - Amherstburg, CA
Chad J. Vermeulen - Windsor, CA
Kushal Pradhan - Windsor, CA
Kyle Neighbors - Milford MI, US
Jeffery E. Long - Canton MI, US
James B. Hunter - Ypsilanti MI, US
James J. Metcalf - Plymouth MI, US
Charles R. Kaiser - Plymouth MI, US
Jacob L. Carpenter - Gaines MI, US
Jereme A. Berube - Sterling Heights MI, US

International Classification:

B60P 1/64
B60P 1/43
B60P 7/08

Abstract:

A multi-configurable load ramp for a vehicle includes an outer ramp member, an inner ramp member pivotably coupled to the outer ramp member and movable between a deployed position extending from the outer ramp member, and a folded position where the inner ramp member is disposed nestingly within outer ramp member, and a vehicle attachment device coupled to one of the inner and outer ramp members. The vehicle attachment device includes a plate member and a hook member extending therefrom, the hook member having an upper jaw and a lower jaw at least partially defining a receiving slot to receive a portion of a tailgate, In the deployed position, one of the inner and outer ramp members is configured to couple to the tailgate via the vehicle attachment device to provide a ramp surface to load and/or unload objects from a cargo area of the vehicle.