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:
Oct. 09, 2012
Filed:
May. 07, 2008
Alan L. Browne, Grosse Pointe, MI (US);
Ukpai I. Ukpai, West Bloomfield, MI (US);
Mark A. Kramarczyk, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
Nancy L. Johnson, Northville, MI (US);
Gary L. Jones, Farmington Hills, MI (US);
John C. Ulicny, Oxford, MI (US);
Alan L. Browne, Grosse Pointe, MI (US);
Ukpai I. Ukpai, West Bloomfield, MI (US);
Mark A. Kramarczyk, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
Nancy L. Johnson, Northville, MI (US);
Gary L. Jones, Farmington Hills, MI (US);
John C. Ulicny, Oxford, MI (US);
GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
A device for concealing a seam between a first and second surface includes a seam concealment body having a body surface, the body overlaying and attached to a first surface and a second surface, the body surface being substantially co-planar with a portion of the first and second surfaces, the seam concealment body configured to transition between a first shape and a second shape, wherein the transition permits movement of one or both of the first surface and the second surface such that the seam concealment body forms a hinge. The device also includes an active material in operative communication with the seam concealment body, wherein the active material is configured to undergo a change in at least one property upon receipt of an activation signal, wherein the change in at least one property is effective to transition the seam body from the first shape to the second shape.