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:
Feb. 28, 2012
Filed:
Dec. 24, 2008
Paul R. Meernik, Redford, MI (US);
Andrew J Novajovsky, Grand Blanc, MI (US);
Warren J. Meidinger, Lansing, MI (US);
Scott W. Thorpe, Milford, MI (US);
James H. Shoemaker, White Lake, MI (US);
Paul R. Meernik, Redford, MI (US);
Andrew J Novajovsky, Grand Blanc, MI (US);
Warren J. Meidinger, Lansing, MI (US);
Scott W. Thorpe, Milford, MI (US);
James H. Shoemaker, White Lake, MI (US);
GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
A damping assembly is disposed within a housing of a latch assembly to slow rotation of a forkbolt as the forkbolt rotates between an over-travel position and a latched position within the housing. The damping assembly includes a first passage and a second passage that are each configured to allow a fluid to flow therein. A restriction passage fluidly connects the first passage and the second passage and increases the pressure of the fluid within the passages. A check valve is configured to allow unidirectional flow of the fluid through the passages. An engagement mechanism is operatively connected to the passages and is configured to engage the forkbolt as the forkbolt rotates between the over-travel position and the latched position. The fluid within the passages reacts against the engagement mechanism to slow rotation of the forkbolt as the forkbolt rotates between the over-travel position and the latched position.