Patents by Inventor Bobbi E. Alton

Bobbi E. Alton 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).

  • Closure latch and release mechanism
    Patent number: 8801053
    Abstract: A latch assembly includes a forkbolt movable between a released position, allowing opening of a closure, and a restrained position, preventing opening of the closure. A forkbolt spring is configured to bias the forkbolt toward the released position. A primary detent is mounted with respect to the forkbolt and movable between an open position, allowing the forkbolt to move into the released position, and a closed position, not allowing the forkbolt to move into the released position. A secondary detent is movable between an unlocked position, allowing the primary detent to move into the open position, and a locked position, preventing the primary detent from moving into the open position. An actuator selectively moves the secondary detent from the locked position to the unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC, Dynalloy, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Joseph P. Fannon, Bobbi E. Alton, James Holbrook Brown, Brian W. Bowling, Alan L. Browne
  • CLOSURE LATCH AND RELEASE MECHANISM
    Publication number: 20120126551
    Abstract: A latch assembly includes a forkbolt movable between a released position, allowing opening of a closure, and a restrained position, preventing opening of the closure. A forkbolt spring is configured to bias the forkbolt toward the released position. A primary detent is mounted with respect to the forkbolt and movable between an open position, allowing the forkbolt to move into the released position, and a closed position, not allowing the forkbolt to move into the released position. A secondary detent is movable between an unlocked position, allowing the primary detent to move into the open position, and a locked position, preventing the primary detent from moving into the open position. An actuator selectively moves the secondary detent from the locked position to the unlocked position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicants: DYNALLOY, INC., GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Paul W. Alexander, Joseph P. Fannon, Bobbi E. Alton, James Holbrook Brown, Brian W. Bowling, Alan L. Browne