Patents by Inventor William C. Bisnack

William C. Bisnack 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: 8864323
    Abstract: A mirror assembly includes a reflective surface disposed within a housing, and an actuator in operative communication with at least a portion of the housing, wherein the actuator and/or housing comprises an active material element configured to cause or selectively enable the housing and surface to be manipulated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, William C. Bisnack, Kenneth A. Lucas, Charles R. Quinn
  • Publication number: 20110222176
    Abstract: A mirror assembly includes a reflective surface disposed within a housing, and an actuator in operative communication with at least a portion of the housing, wherein the actuator and/or housing comprises an active material element configured to cause or selectively enable the housing and surface to be manipulated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Inventors: Alan L. Browne, Nancy L. Johnson, William C. Bisnack, Kenneth A. Lucas, Charles R. Quinn
  • Patent number: 7954985
    Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly for use on a vehicle, comprises a housing configured to be coupled to the vehicle, a mirror coupled within the housing, and a first optical fiber coupled to the housing and visible from the exterior thereof for providing a warning that indicates that the vehicle is turning, braking, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: William C. Bisnack
  • Patent number: 7861464
    Abstract: A vehicle window glass mounted in a vehicle component and movable to open and close a window is disclosed. The window glass may comprise a generally vertical first side edge; a generally vertical second side edge in opposed relation to the first side edge; and a bottom edge extending between the first side edge and the second side edge and including a first downward sloping portion extending from the first side edge in a downward sloping direction and a first drip notch recessed into the bottom edge along the first downward sloping portion, whereby water wicking along the first downward sloping portion of the bottom edge will drop from the window glass when the water makes contact with the first drip notch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: William C. Bisnack
  • Patent number: 7837173
    Abstract: According to various exemplary embodiments, an apparatus is provided for mounting a rearview display and one or more electronic components in a vehicle. An example of the apparatus comprises an inside rearview assembly for mounting an electronic component near a windshield of a vehicle including a mirror and an adjustable support connected to the mirror. The rearview assembly also includes a bracket configured to mount on the windshield, including an attaching structure configured to attach the bracket to the windshield and a support frame coupled to the attaching structure. The support frame has a portion set off from the windshield to accommodate the electronic component between the windshield and the set off portion. The support frame is connected to the adjustable support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig H. Zinser, Dennis B. Kazensky, James J. Czewski, William C. Bisnack, Nicholas P. Nagrant, Thomas D. Hagen, Kent S. Lybecker, Ryan M. Frakes, Mark R. Willey, Benjamin H. Baker, Patrick D. Walmsley
  • Publication number: 20100194150
    Abstract: A vehicle window glass mounted in a vehicle component and movable to open and close a window is disclosed. The window glass may comprise a generally vertical first side edge; a generally vertical second side edge in opposed relation to the first side edge; and a bottom edge extending between the first side edge and the second side edge and including a first downward sloping portion extending from the first side edge in a downward sloping direction and a first drip notch recessed into the bottom edge along the first downward sloping portion, whereby water wicking along the first downward sloping portion of the bottom edge will drop from the window glass when the water makes contact with the first drip notch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: William C. Bisnack
  • Publication number: 20100177523
    Abstract: A rearview mirror assembly for use on a vehicle, comprises a housing configured to be coupled to the vehicle, a mirror coupled within the housing, and a first optical fiber coupled to the housing and visible from the exterior thereof for providing a warning that indicates that the vehicle is turning, braking, and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventor: WILLIAM C. BISNACK
  • Publication number: 20100090086
    Abstract: According to various exemplary embodiments, an apparatus is provided for mounting a rearview display and one or more electronic components in a vehicle. An example of the apparatus comprises an inside rearview assembly for mounting an electronic component near a windshield of a vehicle including a mirror and an adjustable support connected to the mirror. The rearview assembly also includes a bracket configured to mount on the windshield, including an attaching structure configured to attach the bracket to the windshield and a support frame coupled to the attaching structure. The support frame has a portion set off from the windshield to accommodate the electronic component between the windshield and the set off portion. The support frame is connected to the adjustable support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: CRAIG H. ZINSER, DENNIS B. KAZENSKY, JAMES J. CZEWSKI, WILLIAM C. BISNACK, NICHOLAS P. NAGRANT, THOMAS D. HAGEN, KENT S. LYBECKER, RYAN M. FRAKES, MARK R. WILLEY, BENJAMIN H. BAKER, PATRICK D. WALMSLEY
  • Publication number: 20080289259
    Abstract: A vehicle door that may include a latch/window regulator module and rear and forward integrated channel/regulators, is disclosed. The rear integrated channel/regulator may include a glass run channel that is integral with a window regulator guide rail, and may also have a door latch assembly mounted to it. Other features may be integral with and extend from the rear integrated channel/regulator. The forward integrated channel/regulator may include a glass run channel that is integral with a window regulator guide rail, and may include an integral flange to which a cable drum and motor are mounted. The latch/window regulator module may be pre-assembled before being assembled into the vehicle door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Terrence P. Costigan, Charles H.G. Henderson, John D. Caron, Michael D. Youngblood, Henry J. Nykiel, William C. Bisnack
  • Patent number: 5537781
    Abstract: A modular window regulator system is provided for controlling the movement of a window which includes first and second cross arms pivotally joined to one another, each cross arm having first and second ends, the first cross arm first end being geared; a back plate mounting a driver gear for torsional engagement with the geared end of the first cross arm, the back plate mounting the first end of the second cross arm for linear movement; first and second channels extending generally vertically and transverse to the back plate and fixably joined thereto at opposite ends of the back plate; a sash slidably mounting the second end of the cross arms, the sash having first and second ends extending toward the first and second channels, respectively; a first guide block fixably connected to the sash first end and to the window, the first guide block having a vertical bearing connection with the first channel; a second guide block fixably connected to the sash second end and to the window, the second guide block having
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: William C. Bisnack, Jesse J.-S. Jou, Timothy A. Wirsing, Alex N. Draper