Patents by Inventor Darrel M. Alton

Darrel M. 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).

  • Patent number: 6863317
    Abstract: A latch assembly for a swinging panel hinged to a vehicle body includes a latch body that is adapted to be attached to the vehicle body, a striker adapted to be attached to the swinging panel and engage the latch body in a closed position of the swinging panel, and a lever having first and second ends. The lever is pivotably attached to the latch body at a pivot point intermediate the first and second ends. The first end of the lever is operable to engage the striker. The latch assembly also includes a spring having one end attached to the lever between the second end and the pivot point and an opposite end fixed relative to the latch body for rotating the lever about the pivot point. A solenoid is attached to the second end of the lever. The solenoid is operable to rotate the lever about the pivot point to move the first end of the lever from a panel unlatched position to a panel latched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Darrel M. Alton, James M. Stanick, Todd H. Fast, James Herbert Shoemaker
  • Publication number: 20040189013
    Abstract: A latch assembly for a swinging panel hinged to a vehicle body includes a latch body that is adapted to be attached to the vehicle body, a striker adapted to be attached to the swinging panel and engage the latch body in a closed position of the swinging panel, and a lever having first and second ends. The lever is pivotably attached to the latch body at a pivot point intermediate the first and second ends. The first end of the lever is operable to engage the striker. The latch assembly also includes a spring having one end attached to the lever between the second end and the pivot point and an opposite end fixed relative to the latch body for rotating the lever about the pivot point. A solenoid is attached to the second end of the lever. The solenoid is operable to rotate the lever about the pivot point to move the first end of the lever from a panel unlatched position to a panel latched position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2003
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Inventors: Darrel M. Alton, James M. Stanick, Todd H. Fast, James Herbert Shoemaker
  • Patent number: 6247732
    Abstract: A vehicle closure has a compartment latch and a handle for operating the compartment latch. The compartment latch includes a reset member that is automatically engaged to disable the compartment latch when the compartment latch is unlatched. The reset member must be reset manually to restore normal operation of the compartment latch. Manual resetting is difficult to avoid inadvertent operation by children.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Darrel M. Alton