Active material based concealment devices for seams

US7905538B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC · US

Inventors

• Ukpai I. Ukpai · Beverly Hills, US
• Alan L. Browne · Grosse Pointe, US
• Mark A. Kramarczyk · Sterling Heights, US
• Nancy L. Johnson · Northville, US
• John C. Ulicny · Oxford, US
• Gary L. Jones · Farmington Hills, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 31, 2007
• Grant date: Mar 15, 2011
• Expiry date: Oct 21, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B60R2013/0293
• WIPO field: Transport
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A device for concealing a seam between a first surface and a second surface includes a moveable body fixedly attached to a selected one of the first surface and the second surface, wherein the moveable body is configured to transition between a first position and a second position to conceal and expose the seam, and an active material in operative communication with the moveable body, wherein the active material is configured to undergo a change in at least one property upon receipt of an activation signal, wherein the change in at least one property is effective to transition the moveable body from the first position to the second position.