Patents by Inventor Carolyn J. Thor
Carolyn J. Thor 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).
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Patent number: 11098507Abstract: A door handle assembly includes a bracket having a retention feature, an end cap connected to the bracket, and a handle pivotally connected to the bracket and moveable between a closed position and an open position, the handle having a pivot arm disposed within the bracket, the pivot arm having a pivot point and a lower portion, wherein the pivot arm engages the bracket and the lower portion is disposed on a side of the pivot point opposite the handle. The retention feature engages the lower portion when the handle is in the closed position and applies a force on the pivot arm in a rearward direction to maintain a gap distance between the handle and the end cap.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2018Date of Patent: August 24, 2021Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Robert Jerry Edwards, Carolyn J. Thor, Steven J. Briggs
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Publication number: 20190368241Abstract: A door handle assembly includes a bracket having a retention feature, an end cap connected to the bracket, and a handle pivotally connected to the bracket and moveable between a closed position and an open position, the handle having a pivot arm disposed within the bracket, the pivot arm having a pivot point and a lower portion, wherein the pivot arm engages the bracket and the lower portion is disposed on a side of the pivot point opposite the handle. The retention feature engages the lower portion when the handle is in the closed position and applies a force on the pivot arm in a rearward direction to maintain a gap distance between the handle and the end cap.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2018Publication date: December 5, 2019Inventors: Robert Jerry Edwards, Carolyn J. Thor, Steven J. Briggs
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Patent number: 9227558Abstract: A vehicle includes a body that defines an opening and a door configured to selectively open and close the opening. The vehicle also includes a lock that operatively connects the door to the body and can be either unlatched or latched for maintaining closure of the opening. The vehicle also includes a control device positioned on the door for unlatching the lock, and also a vehicle electric system and a lighting system. The lighting system includes a light-emitting element arranged on the control device and in electric communication with the electric system. The lighting system also includes a portable transmitter configured to transmit a signal and thereby commence an unlatching sequence for the lock. The lighting system additionally includes a controller configured to receive the signal and activate the light-emitting element in response to the received signal to display a visual lighting sequence signifying the status of the lock.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2013Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Graham J. Spence, Carolyn J. Thor, Panayiotis J. Karras, So Yon Park
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Publication number: 20140197730Abstract: A vehicle includes a body that defines an opening and a door configured to selectively open and close the opening. The vehicle also includes a lock that operatively connects the door to the body and can be either unlatched or latched for maintaining closure of the opening. The vehicle also includes a control device positioned on the door for unlatching the lock, and also a vehicle electric system and a lighting system. The lighting system includes a light-emitting element arranged on the control device and in electric communication with the electric system. The lighting system also includes a portable transmitter configured to transmit a signal and thereby commence an unlatching sequence for the lock. The lighting system additionally includes a controller configured to receive the signal and activate the light-emitting element in response to the received signal to display a visual lighting sequence signifying the status of the lock.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2013Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLCInventors: Graham J. Spence, Carolyn J. Thor, Panayiotis J. Karras, So Yon Park
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Patent number: 8671623Abstract: A door of a vehicle having a door inner panel, a door latch assembly mounted to the inner panel adjacent to a fish mouth opening, with the latch assembly having a lock lever; and a door trim panel mounted on the inner panel including a lock hole on a surface of the trim panel. A manual lock assembly has a mounting bracket, a button cap, a main shaft and a cam. The mounting bracket is mounted to the door trim panel. The button cap telescopically slides in the bracket and has an end extending through the lock hole. The main shaft slides in the bracket, engages with the button cap and extends into contact with the cam. The cam engages the lock lever to cause locking of the latch assembly when the button cap is pushed.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2012Date of Patent: March 18, 2014Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Lisa J. Dodson, Jeffrey L. Konchan, Richard K. Mette, Carolyn J. Thor, Frank J. Arabia, Jr.
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Publication number: 20130263517Abstract: A door of a vehicle having a door inner panel, a door latch assembly mounted to the inner panel adjacent to a fish mouth opening, with the latch assembly having a lock lever; and a door trim panel mounted on the inner panel including a lock hole on a surface of the trim panel. A manual lock assembly has a mounting bracket, a button cap, a main shaft and a cam. The mounting bracket is mounted to the door trim panel. The button cap telescopically slides in the bracket and has an end extending through the lock hole. The main shaft slides in the bracket, engages with the button cap and extends into contact with the cam. The cam engages the lock lever to cause locking of the latch assembly when the button cap is pushed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2012Publication date: October 10, 2013Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Lisa J. Dodson, Jeffrey L. Konchan, Richard K. Mette, Carolyn J. Thor, Frank J. Arabia, JR.
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Patent number: 8333415Abstract: A door handle assembly for use with a vehicle door comprising a door paddle including an actuation arm, supported to pivot about a first axis such that lateral acceleration of the paddle and actuation arm relative to the door produces a first moment about the first axis, and masses engaged with the actuation arm and supported to pivot about a second axis, the masses being arranged such that lateral acceleration of the masses relative to the door produces a second moment about the first axis that is substantially equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the first moment.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2009Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Houng Yue Chang, Ching-Hui Chiang, Ian S. Buckley, Chu M. Tai, Michael J. Wightman, Carolyn J. Thor
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Publication number: 20100276949Abstract: A door handle assembly for use with a vehicle door comprising a door paddle including an actuation arm, supported to pivot about a first axis such that lateral acceleration of the paddle and actuation arm relative to the door produces a first moment about the first axis, and masses engaged with the actuation arm and supported to pivot about a second axis, the masses being arranged such that lateral acceleration of the masses relative to the door produces a second moment about the first axis that is substantially equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the first moment.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2009Publication date: November 4, 2010Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.Inventors: Houng Yue Chang, Ching-Hui Chiang, Ian S. Buckley, Chu M. Tai, Michael J. Wightman, Carolyn J. Thor