Patents by Inventor Michael P. McGowan

Michael P. McGowan 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: 20110256418
    Abstract: An assembly for limiting corrosion between a first member made of a first material and a second member made of a second material, different from the first material, includes a plurality of cylindrical dimples defined in the first member. The cylindrical dimples are formed as a one-piece structure with the first member. The cylindrical dimples and the second member interact to define a plurality of galvanic contact zones. An electrocoat covers substantially all of the first member and the second member, but does not cover the galvanic contact zones. Therefore, the galvanic contact zones are not in contact with the electrocoat and are sealed to prevent contact with an electrolyte. A method of assembling a first member to a second member, to limit corrosion therebetween, is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2010
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael P. McGowan, Scott S. Moore, Nicholas M. Bosway
  • Patent number: 7690711
    Abstract: An endgate assembly connectable to a vehicle body for opening and closing a vehicle bed formed by the body includes an endgate supportable by the vehicle body at a pivot connection and openable and closable by pivoting about the pivot connection. A keyed support member is securable to the vehicle body. A damper and a cable are connected to the endgate. Both the damper and the cable have ends that are configured to be retained by the keyed support member when the endgate is pivoted between the open and closed position. The cable and damper ends can be removed from the keyed support member without tools when the cable end is rotated relative to the keyed support member. A method of modifying the vehicle bed by detaching or reattaching the endgate assembly is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael P. McGowan, Edward L. Schulte, Derek L. Patterson, Balakrishna Chinta
  • Publication number: 20100052355
    Abstract: An endgate assembly connectable to a vehicle body for opening and closing a vehicle bed formed by the body includes an endgate supportable by the vehicle body at a pivot connection and openable and closable by pivoting about the pivot connection. A keyed support member is securable to the vehicle body. A damper and a cable are connected to the endgate. Both the damper and the cable have ends that are configured to be retained by the keyed support member when the endgate is pivoted between the open and closed position. The cable and damper ends can be removed from the keyed support member without tools when the cable end is rotated relative to the keyed support member. A method of modifying the vehicle bed by detaching or reattaching the endgate assembly is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Michael P. McGowan, Edward L. Schulte, Derek L. Patterson, Balakrishna Chinta