Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Ome Gear Co.

Trw Automotive U.S. LLC

Shawn G Quinn

Gregory J Fadler

Michael McGuire

Scott W Thorpe

Altaf S Imam

William C Gregory

Robert B Evans

Kenneth L Oblizajek

Carl T Wright

Julie Weldon

Stacey Pierce

Lynn Weirick

Jaclyn Lynch

Alex Grube

Milind S Gandhi

David B DeClerck

Brian J Schachermeyer

Mark A Stebbins

Doru N Serban

David P Hamilton

Khristopher S Lee

Nancy L Johnson

Alan L Browne

Paul W Alexander

Xiujie Gao

John D Sopoci

Craig A Kollar

Scott R Webb

William A Schumacher

Charles C Weddle

Tehui Peng

Louis Meli

Matthew J Nelson

Richard D Janke

David P Zink

James J Nickerson

A multifunctional folding chair and wheeled cart system and kit includes a multifunctional folding chair that easily convert into a fully unfolded configuration of a flat bed, a partially folded configuration of a reclining lounger, an upright lounger, a short beach chair, and a regular chair, and a fully folded configuration. The system also includes at least one multifunctional wheeled chair that includes, in addition to the configurations of the multifunctional folding chairs, a partially folded configuration of a wheeled cart. The multifunctional wheeled chair, in the wheeled cart configuration, is configured to hold and transport the plurality of multifunctional folding chairs in the folded configuration.

Multifunctional folding chair apparatus and system

A multifunctional chair apparatus that may be configured into the following separately definable and useful structures: (1) a flat-bed assembly; (2) a reclining lounger assembly; (3) a beach chair assembly having a first seat height; (4) a beach chair assembly having a second seat height; (5) a cart assembly; and (6) a compact folded assembly. The multifunctional chair apparatus may include a frame having a primary frame assembly and a secondary frame assembly being foldably connected by a central hinge assembly at a central portion of the frame. The primary frame assembly may be comprised of two or more smaller frames separated and rotatably connected by a primary hinge assembly. The secondary frame assembly may be comprised of two or more smaller frames separated and rotatably connected by a secondary hinge assembly. The hinge assemblies include lockable hinges that selectively lock at angles of 0&#xb0;, 100&#xb0;, 140&#xb0;, and 180&#xb0;.

Multifunctional chair apparatus

A wheeled device that converts between a multi-mode beach chair and a standard vertical dolly. It can also be used as a flat 2-wheeled wagon. A rigid frame includes at least two parts coupled by hinges, a first part (long part) that can fold to different lengths, and a second part (short part). There is a swiveling top handle on the end of the long part, and a swiveling bottom handle on the end of the short part. In a long chair mode, the long part is fully extended; in the short chair mode, it is folded and In the dolly mode, the short part forms the bottom of the dolly.

Convertible beach chair and transport device

Multiple position chair with wheels

A reduced-corrosion assembly includes a first and a second component joined by a fastener having a head and a body. A coating covers a section of the body. The assembly also includes a washer, a compression limiter, and a nut arranged on the first component and adapted to engage the fastener body to thereby tighten the assembly. When the assembly is tightened, the compression limiter is arranged on the fastener body between the first and second components, while the second component is arranged on the fastener body between the compression limiter and the washer. Furthermore, the washer is arranged on the fastener body between the fastener head and the second component, while the coating covers the body substantially up to where the nut engages the body such that corrosion of the assembly is limited or reduced. A vehicle employing the reduced-corrosion fastening system is also provided.

Reduced-corrosion fastened assembly

An obstacle detection system of a vehicle includes a first group of transceivers mounted on the first closure structure and a second group of transceivers mounted on the second closure structure. A controller is configured to, during the first mode, command the first group of transceivers to generate a first signal, command, upon receiving the first signal, the second group of transceivers to generate a second signal to be received by the first group of transceivers, and determine a presence or absence of an obstacle based on the second signal. The controller is configured to, during the second mode, command the first group of transceivers to generate a third signal such that the third signal is reflected off the second closure structure as a fourth signal to be received by the first group of transceivers, and determine the presence or absence of the obstacle based on the fourth signal.

Vehicle closure obstacle detection systems and methods

An apparatus for supporting a battery comprises a tray including a support surface, a recess having a elevation that is lower than an elevation of the support surface, ribs located in the recess and extending to the elevation of the support surface, thermal insulation supported on the ribs and the upper surface, and a battery contacting the insulation and supported on the ribs and the support surface.

Electric storage battery support apparatus

A flexible electrical circuit assembly for a motor vehicle includes a first flexible substrate having a first surface and an opposing second surface. The flexible electrical circuit assembly also includes a second flexible substrate having a first surface and an opposing second surface. The first surface of the second flexible substrate abuttingly joins with the second surface of the first flexible substrate. A flexible circuit member is arranged between the first and second flexible substrates. The flexible circuit member includes an input end and an output end. A first connector is electrically connected to the input end of the flexible circuit member. The first connector is configured and disposed to electrically connect with a source of electrical energy. A second connector is electrically connected to the output end of the flexible circuit member. The second connector is configured to electrically connect with an electrical component in the motor vehicle.

Flexible electrical circuit assembly for a motor vehicle

A drain plug assembly that has particular application for sealing a drain hole in a high voltage battery compartment on a vehicle. The plug assembly includes a plug that inserted into the drain hole. The plug assembly further includes a return spring coupled to the plug and causing the plug to be biased into the drain hole. The plug assembly also includes at least one shape memory alloy device coupled to the plug and a support structure. The SMA device receives an electrical current that causes the device to contract and move the plug out of the drain hole against the bias of the return spring.

Active drain plug for high voltage battery applications

Methods and apparatus are provided for attenuating torsional vibration of a steering system. The apparatus can include a housing including a chamber. The housing can be couplable to a rim of a hand wheel of the steering system. The apparatus can include a mass disposed in the chamber of the housing. The mass can have a fixed stiffness. The apparatus can also include a damping fluid disposed in the chamber of the housing. The damping fluid can have a variable stiffness. The apparatus can include a control module that determines a torsional vibration experienced by the steering system and outputs a signal to vary the stiffness of the damping fluid in response to the torsional vibration in substantially real-time.

Systems and methods for hand wheel torsional vibration attenuation

Methods and apparatus are provided for attenuating translational vibration in a steering system. The apparatus can include a housing having a fluid chamber, a recess and a mounting bracket that couples the housing to a hand wheel of the steering system. The fluid chamber can be in communication with the recess. The apparatus can include a mass disposed in the recess of the housing, which can have a fixed stiffness. The apparatus can include a damping fluid disposed in the housing so as to flow between the fluid chamber and the recess. The mass can be movable in the damping fluid, and the damping fluid can have a variable stiffness. The apparatus can further include a control module that determines a translational vibration experienced at the hand wheel and outputs a signal to vary the stiffness of the damping fluid in response to the translational vibration in substantially real-time.

Systems and methods for hand wheel translational vibration attenuation

A vehicle includes a body and a closure panel moveably attached to the body. When the closure panel is in a closed position, a closure restraint system interconnects the body and the closure panel and restricts lateral movement of the closure panel relative to the body. The closure restraint system includes a fixed wedge block attached to one of the body and the closure panel, and a rotatable wedge block attached to the other of the body and the closure panel. The rotatable wedge block includes a curved cam surface, and is rotatable about a rotation axis relative to the fixed wedge block when engaged by the fixed wedge block to move the contact between the fixed wedge block and the rotatable wedge block along the curved cam surface to maintain a consistent closing force for closing the closure panel.

Closure restraint system with camming self adjustment

A closure assembly for securing a moveable panel relative to a body of a vehicle includes a striker assembly and a latch mechanism. The striker assembly includes a biasing mechanism that, when engaged by the latch mechanism, simultaneously biases the latch mechanism in a lateral direction and an axial direction to dampen movement of the latch mechanism relative to the striker assembly. The biasing mechanism provides dual damping rates.

Closure assembly having multi stage striker assembly

A closure assembly includes a striker assembly and a latch mechanism moveable along a longitudinal path relative to each other. One of the striker assembly and the latch mechanism includes a plate defining a first surface, and the other of the striker assembly and the latch mechanism includes an articulating member defining a second surface moveable into abutting engagement with the first surface of the plate. The articulating member moves into abutting engagement with the plate after the latch mechanism and the striker assembly have moved into a closed position relative to each other to restrict lateral movement between the striker assembly and the latch mechanism relative to the longitudinal path.

Articulating members for closure systems

A closure assembly for securing a moveable panel relative to a body of a vehicle includes a striker assembly and a latch mechanism. A biasing mechanism includes a bumper fixedly attached to the striker assembly, and an arm fixedly attached to the latch mechanism. The arm is flexible about an axis in one of an inward direction or an outward direction. The arm engages the bumper and is biased inward in response to movement of the latch mechanism toward the striker assembly for simultaneously biasing the latch mechanism in a lateral direction and an axial direction to dampen movement of the latch mechanism relative to the striker assembly.

Growing community of inventors

Grand Blanc, MI, United States of America

Shawn G Quinn