Gm Global Technolgoy Operations, Inc.

Vincent L Ruma

Andrew J Novajovsky

Richard J Lange

William C Bisnack

John J Mascarello

Ajay Mahesh Kharod

David T Renke

Carlos N Czirmer

Bruce M Grzegorzewski

Robert Martin Ferer

Elizabeth A Merritt

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

A vehicle body includes a passenger compartment and a cargo compartment separated by a midgate assembly which occupies a midgate opening. A seat is positioned in the passenger compartment. The midgate assembly includes a midgate panel which is movable along a pair of guide tracks from a closed position in the midgate opening to an open position under the seat.

Midgate assembly including garage door style midgate panel

Growing community of inventors

Clarkston, MI, United States of America

Vincent L Ruma