Patents by Inventor Edward G. Podolan

Edward G. Podolan has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4241542
    Abstract: A hard-top type vehicle door window assembly having a tape drive window regulator mechanism with a connector device which is guided on a straight slide pole and permits a change in angularity of the window as it is moved therealong with the window laterally stabilized as it approaches its closed position by cooperation of a stabilizing arrangement between the window and the door's inner panel and also between the connector device and the inner door panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 30, 1980
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Edward G. Podolan, Francis C. Przybysz
  • Patent number: 4068407
    Abstract: A swingable and slidable vehicle door assembly opened by an initial laterally outward swinging movement followed by a sliding movement along the exterior side of the vehicle. The vehicle door assembly is supported at three points with a suspension mechanism on the leading edge combined with a lateral guide mechanism to produce the aforementioned lateral movement of the door, followed by sliding movement. A pivotal support member is mounted on the side of the door opening adjacent the door's leading edge and has rollers mounted thereon adapted to engage track means on the door. The pivotal member rotates from an initial closed-door position characterized by substantial fore and aft alignment with the plane of the door to a laterally outward position, thereby moving the leading edge of the door laterally outward from the vehicle body to permit subsequent sliding movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1978
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Edward G. Podolan, Francis C. Przybysz, Thadius F. Jozefczak
  • Patent number: 4004371
    Abstract: An automotive window regulator mechanism including a track having two substantially vertical track-sections and an interconnecting laterally extending section, a perforated plastic tape slidably mounted in the track, an actuator including a clutch and a sprocket for driving the perforated tape along the track, and a bracket arrangement secured to a window pane at the midpoint of the bottom edge thereof and connecting same to an end of the perforated tape for travel therewith up or down adjacent one of the two vertical track-sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1975
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1977
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Edward G. Podolan, Lawrence A. Surhigh
  • Patent number: 3960403
    Abstract: A retractable roof closure for a vehicle body having a windshield header spaced from a fixed rear roof panel to provide an unobstructed roof opening. The closure panel has its rearward end supported and guided by the cooperation of a guide track extending along each side of the vehicle body beneath the fixed roof panel and guide rollers mounted on the rear end of the closure panel and engaged within the guide track. The forward end of the closure panel is supported by a telescopable extension device on each end of the vehicle body. Each telescopable extension device includes a first member mounted along the fixed roof panel and a second member having its forward end pivotally connected to the forward end of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1974
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1976
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Richard F. Carella, Edward G. Podolan, Francis C. Przybysz