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:
Apr. 18, 2017
Filed:
Nov. 14, 2013
Applicant:
GM Global Technology Operations Llc, Detroit, MI (US);
Inventors:
Alan L. Browne, Grosse Pointe, MI (US);
Nancy L. Johnson, Northville, MI (US);
Assignee:
GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Detroit, MI (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
B29C 65/00 (2006.01); B60R 13/04 (2006.01); B29C 65/70 (2006.01); B29C 61/04 (2006.01); B29C 61/06 (2006.01); B29K 101/00 (2006.01); B29L 31/30 (2006.01);
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
B60R 13/04 (2013.01); B29C 61/04 (2013.01); B29C 61/06 (2013.01); B29C 65/00 (2013.01); B29C 65/70 (2013.01); B29K 2101/00 (2013.01); B29L 2031/3005 (2013.01);
Abstract
Fit and finish methods using shape memory polymers ('SMP') are disclosed herein. In an example of the fit and finish method, a first part and a second part are positioned adjacent to one another such that a shape memory polymer in a temporary shape is adjacent to a gap between the first part and the second part. The SMP is heated to a switching temperature of the SMP, which causes the SMP to initiate conversion to a permanent shape so that the SMP extends into the gap to close the gap between the first part and the second part.