Patents by Inventor William L. Gobart

William L. Gobart 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: 5992918
    Abstract: A vehicle body has front and rear door openings defined by front, middle and rear pillars and by the vehicle roof. A bi-fold door includes upper and lower door portions, each of which extends full length from the front pillar to the rear pillar. An upper hinge acts between the roof and the upper edge of the upper door portion. A door panel hinge acts between the adjacent edges of the upper and lower door portions. A track extends vertically along the middle pillar and a track follower is carried by the lower door portion at the lower edge adjacent the bottom thereof and is engaged in the track. A door beam is mounted within the lower door portion and extends the full length of the door from the front to the rear pillar. A first door latch is mounted on the front pillar and a second door latch is mounted on the rear pillar. Latch strikers are mounted respectively on the front and rear ends of the lower door portion to engage with the first and second door latches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1999
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: James George Gobart, William L. Gobart, Edward Aloysius Jedrzejczak