The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 27, 2007
Filed:
Mar. 09, 2005
Alan L. Browne, Grosse Pointe, MI (US);
Paul R. Meernik, Redford, MI (US);
Alan L. Browne, Grosse Pointe, MI (US);
Paul R. Meernik, Redford, MI (US);
GM Global Technology Operations, Inc., Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
Disclosed herein is a locking mechanism for positioning or locking an article comprising a housing; an optional active elementin operative communication with a connecting means, wherein the active elementand the connecting meansare disposed within the housing; wherein the active elementupon being activated is capable of exerting a force on the connecting means; a compression initiation elementlocated within the housing, wherein the compression initiation elementcomprises a shape memory material, and wherein the compression initiation elementupon activation facilitates the activation of the active element; and a spring stackdisposed adjacent to the compression initiation element, wherein the spring stackis in operative communication with the compression initiation elementand wherein the spring stackis configured to radially expand within the housing