Patents by Inventor David T. Renke

David T. Renke 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).

  • Publication number: 20090188169
    Abstract: A window assembly for a vehicle having a body structure with a window enclosure, and a method of installing a window, is disclosed. The window assembly includes a window and a window regulator bracket assembly. The window is slidable into the window enclosure. The window regulator bracket assembly includes a support rod having an upper end mounted to the body structure and a lower end with threads. The window regulator bracket assembly also includes a spring housing slidably received on the lower end of the support rod, a compression spring, a support nut threadably received on the threaded portion in engagement with the spring plate, and a support jaw engaging the bottom edge of the window. The support nut is screwed onto the support rod against the bias of the spring to secure the window in its closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2008
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Terrence P. Costigan, David T. Renke
  • Patent number: 7536748
    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 aperture in the vehicle body. The gooseneck hinge assembly also includes a pivot pin to pivotally connect the closure side strap to the body side strap to allow rotational movement therebetween. The gooseneck hinge assembly further includes a spring interconnecting the body side strap and the closure side strap to counterbalance a weight of the closure when opening and closing the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: David T. Renke, David E. Wheeler, David E. Thomas, Mark A. Seiler, Robert D. Flatley
  • Publication number: 20090100627
    Abstract: An automatic debris removal apparatus for a wiper system that removes soluble and insoluble debris trapped between the wiper blade and the glass surface by lifting the wiper blade off the glass surface and then causing the wiper blade to drop onto the glass surface as a shake under urge of the biasing spring of the wiper arm, so as to thereby provide a shaking action which frees any trapped debris. An actuator selectively interacts with the pivotal portion of the wiper arm to effect shaking of the wiper arm to thereby free the wiper blade of the debris.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: David T. Renke
  • Publication number: 20090079231
    Abstract: The invention concerns a window assembly in a vehicle having a window pane that is fixed in a window frame that is also used for movable windows, and a method for mounting the fixed window pane in the window assembly. The method may include: mounting a window mounting assembly to a vehicle structure adjacent to the window opening; sliding the window pane into run channels of the vehicle window frame; mounting a lower edge of the window pane onto a peripheral support surface of a window support cam of the window mounting assembly; rotating a cam lobe of the window support cam into contact with the lower edge of the window pane until the window pane slides upward into a fully closed position; and locking the window support cam, against rotation allowing the window pane to lower, as the window pane is lifted into the fully closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Randy C. Allen, David T. Renke, Obadiah Fitzpatrick
  • Publication number: 20090050614
    Abstract: In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a heating system for a side window of a vehicle is provided. The heating system comprises a belt seal and a resistive element. The belt seal is configured to be installed on the vehicle at a location at least partially surrounding the side window. The resistive element is embedded within the belt seal. The resistive element is configured to receive power from a power source and to heat the side window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: DAVID T. RENKE, JERRY MALLARD
  • 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
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20070294950
    Abstract: The invention concerns a window assembly in a vehicle having a window pane that is fixed in a window frame that is also used for movable windows. The window assembly may have a window mounting bracket assembly including a support plate mounted to the vehicle structure; a window support cam mounted to the support plate and pivotable about a cam axis, the window support cam having a lobe portion extending away from the cam axis and a peripheral window support surface for receiving and supporting a lower edge of the window pane; and a cam lock operatively engaging the window support cam to selectively prevent the window support cam from rotating relative to the support plate. The invention also concerns a method of mounting the fixed window pane in the vehicle window assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2006
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Randy C. Allen, David T. Renke