Patents by Inventor John F. Mitchener

John F. Mitchener 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: 5263762
    Abstract: A vehicle such as a van has a sliding door movable between open and closed positions. An electric power source, a door drive switch and electric door drive apparatus are connected in series on the vehicle body to move the door when the switch is closed. Contacts on the vehicle body and door engage as the door nears its closed position; and the door contacts are connected through circuitry, such as an unlatch motor armature, having a first resistance. One of the body contacts is connected to ground and the other is connected, through circuitry including a resistor of greater resistance than the unlatch motor armature, to a junction of the door drive switch and the electric door drive apparatus. An output terminal connected between the resistor and the other body contact provides a signal voltage having different levels depending on engagement of the body and door contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1993
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph D. Long, Robert S. Strother, John F. Mitchener, Gary D. Bree