Sarah S Pearson

US Patent:

7597374, Oct 6, 2009

Filed:

Apr 8, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/099186

Inventors:

James M. Townson - Clarkston MI, US
Michael K. Zelek - Canton MI, US
Tanya J. Klain - Novi MI, US
John B. Morley - Troy MI, US
Sarah Pearson - Novi MI, US
Patrick O. McGee - Bloomfield Hills MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B62D 33/027

US Classification:

296 51

Abstract:

An assembly for opening and closing a passageway into the body of a vehicle includes a post secured to the body at a lateral side of the passageway, an endgate for opening and closing the passageway and able to swing alternately about a lateral axis and an upright axis, a pivot support secured to the first post and aligned with the lateral axis, and a pivot secured to the endgate and aligned with the lateral axis, for alternately engaging and disengaging the pivot support, with the engagement supporting the endgate for pivoting about the lateral axis, and with the disengagement permitting the endgate to pivot about the upright axis.

US Patent:

7690710, Apr 6, 2010

Filed:

Apr 8, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/099182

Inventors:

James M. Townson - Clarkston MI, US
Michael K. Zelek - Canton MI, US
Sarah Pearson - Novi MI, US
Patrick O. McGee - Bloomfield Hills MI, US
John B. Morley - Troy MI, US
Tanya J. Klain - Novi MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B62D 33/03

US Classification:

296 571, 296 51, 296 50

Abstract:

An assembly for opening and closing a passageway into the body of a motor vehicle includes a post secured to the body at a lateral side of the passageway, an endgate for opening and closing the passageway, and a hinge secured to the endgate and the post. The hinge defines a lateral axis and supports the endgate for pivoting about the lateral axis relative to the post, and the hinge defines an upright axis and supports the endgate for pivoting about the upright axis relative to the post.

US Patent:

7481479, Jan 27, 2009

Filed:

Apr 8, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/099185

Inventors:

James M. Townson - Clarkston MI, US
Michael K. Zelek - Canton MI, US
Tanya J. Klain - Novi MI, US
John B. Morley - Troy MI, US
Sarah Pearson - Novi MI, US
Patrick O. McGee - Bloomfield Hills MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations, Inc. - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B62D 33/03

US Classification:

296 51, 296 571, 29614612, 292DIG 29, 49192, 16367, 16223, 16231, 16321

Abstract:

An assembly for opening and closing a passageway into a motor vehicle includes a post secured to the body at a lateral side of the passageway, an endgate for opening and closing the passageway, a hinge-striker that includes a first plate secured to the post and including mutually spaced first lugs, with each first lug being formed with a hole; a second plate including mutually spaced second lugs, with each second lug being formed with a hole, the holes of the first plate being aligned with the holes of the second plate; a hinge pin located in the holes and aligned with an upright axis; and a striker, secured to and extending from one of said plates, and a latch secured to the post for releasably engaging the hinge-striker, where the engagement secures the endgate in a position that closes the passageway and prevents pivoting about a lateral axis.