Patents by Inventor Jeffrey D. Heath

Jeffrey D. Heath 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).

  • Gooseneck hinge assembly for vehicles
    Patent number: 7815241
    Abstract: A gooseneck hinge assembly for a closure of a vehicle includes a body side strap adapted to be connected to a vehicle body of the vehicle and a closure side strap having a gooseneck shape adapted to be connected to a closure for closing an opening in the vehicle body. The gooseneck hinge assembly also includes a pivot pin pivotally connecting the closure side strap and the body side strap to allow rotational movement therebetween. The gooseneck hinge assembly further includes a wedge bumper interconnecting the body side strap and the closure side strap to allow the decklid to free rise to a fully open position and to dampen an impact of the closure side strap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: David T. Renke, Jeffrey D. Heath, Martin R. Manley, Andrew R. McIntyre, Robert A. Woods
  • Gooseneck hinge assembly for vehicle
    Patent number: 7469953
    Abstract: A gooseneck hinge assembly for a closure of a vehicle includes a body side bracket adapted to be connected to a vehicle body of the vehicle and a closure side bracket having a gooseneck shape adapted to be connected to a closure for closing an aperture in the vehicle body. The gooseneck hinge assembly also includes a pivot pin to pivotally connect the closure side bracket to the body side bracket to allow rotational movement therebetween. The gooseneck hinge assembly further includes a torque rod adapted to be connected to another one of the closure side bracket, and a torque rod assembly connected to the body side bracket and the torque rod and being infinitely adjustable to counterbalance a weight of the closure when opening and closing the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Heath, David T. Renke
  • Gooseneck Hinge Assembly for Vehicle
    Publication number: 20080018131
    Abstract: A gooseneck hinge assembly for a closure of a vehicle includes a body side bracket adapted to be connected to a vehicle body of the vehicle and a closure side bracket having a gooseneck shape adapted to be connected to a closure for closing an aperture in the vehicle body. The gooseneck hinge assembly also includes a pivot pin to pivotally connect the closure side bracket to the body side bracket to allow rotational movement therebetween. The gooseneck hinge assembly further includes a torque rod adapted to be connected to another one of the closure side bracket, and a torque rod assembly connected to the body side bracket and the torque rod and being infinitely adjustable to counterbalance a weight of the closure when opening and closing the aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey D. Heath, David T. Renke