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:
Jul. 05, 2011
Filed:
Oct. 30, 2007
Xiujie Gao, Troy, MI (US);
James H. Shoemaker, White Lake, MI (US);
Paul W. Alexander, Ypsilanti, MI (US);
Alan L. Browne, Grosse Pointe, MI (US);
Nancy L. Johnson, Northville, MI (US);
Nilesh D. Mankame, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Louise E. Stauffer, Bloomfield Hills, MI (US);
Robert L. Vitale, Macomb Township, MI (US);
Jack L. Bailey, Center Line, MI (US);
Xiujie Gao, Troy, MI (US);
James H. Shoemaker, White Lake, MI (US);
Paul W. Alexander, Ypsilanti, MI (US);
Alan L. Browne, Grosse Pointe, MI (US);
Nancy L. Johnson, Northville, MI (US);
Nilesh D. Mankame, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Louise E. Stauffer, Bloomfield Hills, MI (US);
Robert L. Vitale, Macomb Township, MI (US);
Jack L. Bailey, Center Line, MI (US);
GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
A door system includes a structural member and a door that is movably mounted with respect to the structural member for movement between an open position and a closed position. A spring is mounted with respect to the structural member or the door and being sufficiently positioned to bias the door toward its open position when the door is in its closed position. Active material based actuators may selectively compress the spring prior to door closure to minimize door closing effort.