James H Shoemaker

US Patent:

6863317, Mar 8, 2005

Filed:

Mar 27, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/400857

Inventors:

Darrel M. Alton - Royal Oak MI, US
James M. Stanick - Rochester Hills MI, US
Todd H. Fast - Huntington Woods MI, US
James Herbert Shoemaker - White Lake MI, US

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation - Detroit MI

International Classification:

E05C001/06

US Classification:

292144, 292177, 292201, 292DIG 23, 292DIG 61

Abstract:

A latch assembly for a swinging panel hinged to a vehicle body includes a latch body that is adapted to be attached to the vehicle body, a striker adapted to be attached to the swinging panel and engage the latch body in a closed position of the swinging panel, and a lever having first and second ends. The lever is pivotably attached to the latch body at a pivot point intermediate the first and second ends. The first end of the lever is operable to engage the striker. The latch assembly also includes a spring having one end attached to the lever between the second end and the pivot point and an opposite end fixed relative to the latch body for rotating the lever about the pivot point. A solenoid is attached to the second end of the lever. The solenoid is operable to rotate the lever about the pivot point to move the first end of the lever from a panel unlatched position to a panel latched position.

US Patent:

7705722, Apr 27, 2010

Filed:

Feb 6, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/671477

Inventors:

James H. Shoemaker - White Lake MI, US
Warren J. Miedinger - Lansing MI, US
Andrew J. Novajovsky - Grand Blanc MI, US
Douglas V. Melonson - Detroit MI, US
Heather A. Cochran - White Lake MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

G08B 19/00

US Classification:

340521, 340449, 49 31, 296147, 454 75

Abstract:

An active body ventilation system which is dynamically responsive to vehicle status parameters, including for example the door open/closed status and the HVAC system status. An active ventilation unit is attached with a body wall which includes a portal housing defining a portal, a portal cover and a portal cover actuator for selectively adjusting the portal cover to thereby increase or decrease the unobstructed size of the opening of the portal. The active ventilation unit is interfaced electronically to various sensors of the motor vehicle, in which programming of an electronic control module determines optimum positioning of the portal covering via selective actuation of the portal cover actuator.

US Patent:

7731262, Jun 8, 2010

Filed:

Nov 5, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/265144

Inventors:

James H. Shoemaker - White Lake MI, US
Paul R. Meernik - Redford MI, US
Scott W. Thorpe - Milford MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B62D 25/10

US Classification:

296 76

Abstract:

A closure assembly for a vehicle pivotable between a closed position and a full open position, and a method of controlling its movement includes a closure, a hinge mechanism attached to the closure, and a damper assembly. The damper assembly includes a damper actuator and a pneumatic closure damper, with the closure damper including a hollow bellows extending from a support base, an orifice and an end opposite the support base. The damper actuator is attached to the hinge mechanism and the support base is attached to the body structure such that the damper actuator is spaced from the end when the closure is in the closed position and the damper actuator is in contact with the end and compresses the bellows when the closure is in the full open position.

US Patent:

7971393, Jul 5, 2011

Filed:

Oct 30, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/929226

Inventors:

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

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

E05F 1/10

US Classification:

49386, 49379, 29614611, 292DIG 72, 16290

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.

US Patent:

8056183, Nov 15, 2011

Filed:

Feb 8, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/028076

Inventors:

James H. Shoemaker - White Lake MI, US
Mark W. Ruesink - Grand Blanc MI, US
Hitesh R. Desai - Rochester MI, US
Andrew G. Fox - Farmington Hills MI, US
Scott W. Thorpe - Milford MI, US
Paul R. Meernik - Redford MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

E05F 3/14

US Classification:

16 58, 2961468

Abstract:

A multiple position ball stud assembly for a closure strut supporting a closure pivotally attached adjacent to an opening, and a method of operation, is disclosed. The ball stud assembly may comprise a ball stud and a ball stud actuator. The ball stud may have a socket portion mounted on a closure lift assist strut and a guide pin extending from the socket portion. The ball stud actuator assembly may include a housing, a guide for receiving the guide pin, and an actuator for moving the guide pin along the guide to thereby cause the ball stud to move relative to the housing. The multiple position ball stud assembly may also include a control assembly that engages the actuator for selectively causing the actuator to move the guide pin along the guide.

US Patent:

8123262, Feb 28, 2012

Filed:

Dec 24, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/343536

Inventors:

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

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

E05C 3/06

US Classification:

292201, 292DIG 23, 292DIG 56

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.

US Patent:

8414366, Apr 9, 2013

Filed:

Oct 20, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/254692

Inventors:

Alan L. Browne - Grosse Pointe MI, US
Paul W. Alexander - Ypsilanti MI, US
Nancy L. Johnson - Northville MI, US
James H. Shoemaker - White Lake MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60H 1/24

US Classification:

454162

Abstract:

An active pressure relief valve adapted for selectively regulating a condition within an interior compartment generally includes a housing fluidly coupling the compartment to an external environment and defining an opening, an actuator including an active material element operable to effect movement of a flap relative to the opening, a load limit protector coupled to and configured to present a secondary output path for the element, when the flap is unable to move, and/or a latching mechanism coupled to, and configured to engage the flap, so as to retain the flap in a modified condition.

US Patent:

20100092238, Apr 15, 2010

Filed:

Oct 13, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/250148

Inventors:

PABLO D. ZAVATTIERI - ANN ARBOR MI, US
XIUJIE GAO - TROY MI, US
WILLIAM B. CARTER - VENTURA CA, US
ELENA SHERMAN - CULVER CITY CA, US
ALAN L. BROWNE - GROSSE POINTE MI, US
NANCY L. JOHNSON - NORTHVILLE MI, US
PAUL W. ALEXANDER - YPSILANTI MI, US
NILESH D. MANKAME - ANN ARBOR MI, US
WILLIAM R. RODGERS - WARREN MI, US
ROBIN STEVENSON - WARREN MI, US
JAMES H. SHOEMAKER - WHITE LAKE MI, US

Assignee:

GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC. - DETROIT MI

International Classification:

F16G 11/02

US Classification:

403274

Abstract:

An active material assembly for interconnecting with at least one structural member of a structure, sustaining a load over a predetermined period, and selectively effecting a change in the structure, includes at least one active material element, such as a shape memory wire, and a reinforcing connector, such as a ring terminal crimp fixedly secured to the wire, and more preferably including the use of one or more tube or shim intermediate the wire and crimp, wave form imparting configurations, collets, or ferrules.