Gary Lee Walters

US Patent:

8146979, Apr 3, 2012

Filed:

Oct 7, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/574759

Inventors:

David T. Renke - Macomb MI, US
Thomas D. Hagen - Grand Blanc MI, US
Gulam Mohiuddin - Troy MI, US
Gary L. Walters - Ortonville MI, US

Assignee:

GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B60J 1/02

US Classification:

296 93, 296 841, 296201

Abstract:

A seal molding configured for minimizing a first perceivable gap having a first width between a vitreous element and a body panel of a vehicle includes a first portion configured for abutting the vitreous element and a second portion configured for abutting the body panel and including an elongated flexible segment and a protrusion projecting away from the segment. The second portion is configured for flexing toward the first portion to define an alternative gap having a second width that is smaller than the first width to thereby minimize the first perceivable gap between the vitreous element and the body panel. A vehicle includes a body panel, a vitreous element having an outer surface and spaced apart from the body panel to define the first perceivable gap, and the seal molding disposed between and in contact with the vitreous element and the body panel.

US Patent:

20130115435, May 9, 2013

Filed:

Nov 4, 2011

Appl. No.:

13/289037

Inventors:

Thomas D. Hagen - Grand Blanc MI, US
Gary L. Walters - Ortonville MI, US

Assignee:

GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC - Detroit MI

International Classification:

B32B 7/02
B32B 3/00
B32B 17/10

US Classification:

428213, 428441, 428332

Abstract:

A laminated glass assembly includes an annealed outer glass panel and an inner glass panel. A first Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB) layer is disposed adjacent the outer glass panel, and a second PVB layer is disposed adjacent the inner glass panel. A polymeric film layer of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) is disposed between the first PVB layer and the second PVB layer. The outer glass panel, the first PVB layer, the polymeric film layer, the second PVB layer and the inner glass panel are bonded together to form the laminated glass assembly. The polymeric film layer may include a deformation control mechanism, such as scoring, cuts or perforations disposed therein, to alter a mechanical elongation characteristic of the polymeric film layer.