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:
Sep. 03, 2013
Filed:
Jun. 04, 2012
James D. Pettus, Grand Blanc, MI (US);
Michael J. Green, Waterford, MI (US);
James D. Pettus, Grand Blanc, MI (US);
Michael J. Green, Waterford, MI (US);
GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US);
Abstract
A panel assembly for a vehicle and a method of supporting the panel assembly is disclosed. The panel assembly includes a first wall and a bracket adjacent to the first wall. The bracket has a first platform facing the first wall. The panel assembly further includes a first support member attached to the first platform and defining an initial state and a final state. The first support member and the first wall define a first gap therebetween when in the initial state. The first support member is expandable to contact the first wall to remove the first gap when in the final state for supporting the first wall to prevent deformation of the first wall.