Patents by Inventor Warren J. Meidinger

Warren J. Meidinger 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).

  • Lockable vehicle closure bumpers
    Patent number: 8955890
    Abstract: A closure assembly and method of operation for a vehicle closure includes a latch for selectively securing the closure to the vehicle, and a lockable bumper assembly that includes an electronic locking mechanism that can selectively secure the bumper in a pocket of the base to add an additional mechanism for securing the closure to the vehicle. The locking mechanism may be controlled to secure the bumper to the base after a controller detects that the latch is latched and the bumper is seated in the pocket of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Warren J. Meidinger, Andrew J. Novajovsky, Andrew G. Fox, Paul R. Meernik, James H. Shoemaker, Scott W. Thorpe
  • Damping assembly for reducing vibrations in a latch for a vehicle door
    Patent number: 8123262
    Abstract: A damping assembly is disposed within a housing of a latch assembly to slow rotation of a forkbolt as the forkbolt rotates between an over-travel position and a latched position within the housing. The damping assembly includes a first passage and a second passage that are each configured to allow a fluid to flow therein. A restriction passage fluidly connects the first passage and the second passage and increases the pressure of the fluid within the passages. A check valve is configured to allow unidirectional flow of the fluid through the passages. An engagement mechanism is operatively connected to the passages and is configured to engage the forkbolt as the forkbolt rotates between the over-travel position and the latched position. The fluid within the passages reacts against the engagement mechanism to slow rotation of the forkbolt as the forkbolt rotates between the over-travel position and the latched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Paul R. Meernik, Andrew J Novajovsky, Warren J. Meidinger, Scott W. Thorpe, James H. Shoemaker
  • LOCKABLE VEHICLE CLOSURE BUMPERS
    Publication number: 20110127781
    Abstract: A closure assembly and method of operation for a vehicle closure includes a latch for selectively securing the closure to the vehicle, and a lockable bumper assembly that includes an electronic locking mechanism that can selectively secure the bumper in a pocket of the base to add an additional mechanism for securing the closure to the vehicle. The locking mechanism may be controlled to secure the bumper to the base after a controller detects that the latch is latched and the bumper is seated in the pocket of the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Warren J. Meidinger, Andrew J. Novajovsky, Andrew G. Fox, Paul R. Meernik, James H. Shoemaker, Scott W. Thorpe
  • DAMPING ASSEMBLY FOR REDUCING VIBRATIONS IN A LATCH FOR A VEHICLE DOOR AND A METHOD
    Publication number: 20100154307
    Abstract: A damping assembly is disposed within a housing of a latch assembly to slow rotation of a forkbolt as the forkbolt rotates between an over-travel position and a latched position within the housing. The damping assembly includes a first passage and a second passage that are each configured to allow a fluid to flow therein. A restriction passage fluidly connects the first passage and the second passage and increases the pressure of the fluid within the passages. A check valve is configured to allow unidirectional flow of the fluid through the passages. An engagement mechanism is operatively connected to the passages and is configured to engage the forkbolt as the forkbolt rotates between the over-travel position and the latched position. The fluid within the passages reacts against the engagement mechanism to slow rotation of the forkbolt as the forkbolt rotates between the over-travel position and the latched position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Publication date: June 24, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Paul R. Meernik, Andrew J. Novajovsky, Warren J. Meidinger, Scott W. Thorpe, James H. Shoemaker