Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

John J Mascarello

Richard J Lange

Andrew J Novajovsky

Ajay Mahesh Kharod

Carlos N Czirmer

William C Bisnack

Vincent L Ruma

David T Renke

Mark A Stebbins

Christopher L Fulton

Sharath Varadappa

Bruce M Grzegorzewski

Alejandro Garza Rivera

Robert Martin Ferer

A vehicle seat is disposed on a floor portion of a passenger compartment, and includes first and second upper seat tracks, and a seat bottom disposed thereon. First and second lower seat tracks are each disposed longitudinally in the vehicle and secured to the floor portion at respective fore and aft attachment locations, wherein each of the first and second upper seat tracks is slidably disposed in a respective one of the first and second lower seat tracks. A support damper is disposed between the floor portion and one of the first and second lower seat tracks and disposed between the respective fore and aft attachment locations. The support damper is disposed at a longitudinal position between the respective fore and aft attachment locations at a maximum vertical deflection point of the respective one of the first and second lower seat tracks relative to the floor portion.

Seat track support damper

A control and pressure relief valve for relieving pressure from an automotive vehicle interior to an atmospheric pressure outside the vehicle interior in accordance with the present invention includes a valve mounting location having an inlet in fluid communication with the vehicle interior and an outlet selectively in fluid communication with the atmospheric pressure. At least one relief valve mounted on the valve mounting location allows air to flow from the vehicle interior to atmospheric pressure when the air pressure in the vehicle interior exceeds a first predetermined pressure value that is greater than the atmospheric pressure. At least one control valve mounted on the valve mounting location allows air to flow from the vehicle interior to the atmospheric pressure when an air pressure in the vehicle interior exceeds a second predetermined pressure value that is greater than the atmospheric pressure and less than the first predetermined pressure value.

Control and pressure release valve

A vehicle body includes a first compartment for carrying passengers or cargo and a second compartment for carrying cargo rearwardly adjacent the first compartment. The body includes a frame defining an opening between the first and second compartments. A window is fixed in an upper portion of the opening and a crossbar is fixed in the opening below the window. A midgate panel is pivotally connected in a lower portion of the opening for movement between a closed position covering the lower portion of the opening and an open position permitting access through the lower portion of the opening. A drive motor is operatively connected with the midgate panel for pivoting the midgate panel between the open and closed positions. A counterbalancing strut is operatively connected between the midgate panel and a body floor to bias the midgate panel toward the open and closed positions, alternatively, depending upon the pivoted position of the midgate panel.

Midgate assembly including fixed window and crossbar

A vehicle body includes a first compartment for carrying passengers or cargo and second compartment for carrying cargo rearwardly adjacent to the first compartment. The body includes a plurality of body components defining an opening between the first and second compartments. A structural support ring is attached in the opening and includes a pivotable midgate panel preassembled to the support ring to ease installation. At least one hinge is pivotably connected between the midgate panel and the support ring. At least one latch selectively secures the midgate panel in an upright closed position.

Vehicle body with pre-hung midgate panel

A vehicle body has a first compartment for carrying passengers or cargo and a second compartment for carrying cargo rearwardly adjacent the first compartment. The body includes a frame defining an opening between the first and second compartments. The opening includes lower and upper portions. A window is mounted to the frame to close the upper portion of the opening. A closure panel is mounted to the frame and includes first and second hinged panel sections each pivotable between an open position permitting access through first and second portions, respectively, of the lower portion of the opening, and a closed position closing the first and second portions, respectively, of the lower portion of the opening.

Vertically and horizontally split midgate assembly

Growing community of inventors

Livonia, MI, United States of America

John J Mascarello