# US 8,465,065 B2 · Active material enabled self-presenting handles > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,465,065 B2 - Document ID: US8465065B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/043,883 - Filed: 2008-03-06 - Published: 2008-09-11 - Granted: 2013-06-18 - Earliest claimed: 2007-03-07 - Assignees: GM Global Technology Operations LLC - Applicants: Alan L. Browne; Nancy L. Johnson - Inventors: Alan L. Browne; Nancy L. Johnson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8465065B2 ## CPC - B60N 3/023: {movable} - Y10T 292/57: Operators with knobs or handles - B60N: SEATS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES; VEHICLE PASSENGER ACCOMMODATION NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A self-presenting handle assembly, comprising a handle portion in operative communication with an axle rotatably mounted in a housing of a rigid support, and an active material in operative communication with the axle or the handle portion, 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 provide rotation of the axle in a first direction and move the handle in the first direction from a first position to a second position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A self-presenting handle assembly, comprising: a handle portion operatively connected with an axle rotatably mounted in a housing of a rigid support; and an active material in operatively connected with the axle or the handle portion, 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 provide rotation of the axle in a first direction and move the handle in the first direction from a stowed position to a presented position; a return mechanism operatively connected with the axle or the handle portion configured to provide rotation of the axle in a second direction counter to the first direction upon discontinuation of the activation signal, wherein rotation of the axle is effective to move the handle portion from the presented position to the stowed position; and an activation device communicatively coupled to the material and operable to selectively generate the signal. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The self-presenting handle assembly of claim 1, wherein the return mechanism comprises a second active material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The self-presenting handle assembly of claim 2, wherein the second active material comprises a shape memory alloy wire, wherein the shape memory alloy wire has a superelastic shape memory effect which is effective to move the handle portion from the second position to the first position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The self-presenting handle assembly of claim 1, wherein the active material comprises a shape memory alloy, a ferromagnetic shape memory alloy, a shape memory polymer, a magnetorheological elastomer, an electrorheological elastomer, an electroactive polymer, a piezoelectric material, or combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing active materials. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The self-presenting handle assembly of claim 1, wherein the change in the at least one property comprises a change in a shape, a dimension, a phase, a shape orientation, a stiffness, or combinations comprising at least one of the foregoing properties. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The self-presenting handle assembly of claim 1, wherein the activation signal comprises a thermal activation signal, an electric activation signal, a magnetic activation signal, a chemical activation signal, a mechanical load, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing activation signals. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The self-presenting handle assembly of claim 1, further comprising an activation device configured to provide the activation signal to the active material. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The self-presenting handle assembly of claim 1, wherein in the first position the handle portion is stowed relative to a surrounding surface and in the second position the handle portion is presented relative to the surrounding surface. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The self-presenting handle assembly of claim 1, wherein in the first position the handle portion is presented relative to a surrounding surface and in the second position the handle portion is stowed relative to a surrounding surface. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The self-presenting handle assembly of claim 1, further comprising a detent operatively connected with the handle portion configured to hold the handle portion in a selected one of the first and second positions. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The self-presenting handle assembly of claim 7, where the detent comprises: a catch in slidable communication with a complimentary cavity, wherein in the catch is configured to frictionally engage an end of the handle portion; a compression spring operatively connected with the catch and the cavity, wherein the compression spring is configured to force the catch outward from the cavity; an active material operatively connected with the catch and the cavity, 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 retract the catch downward into the cavity, such that the cavity is no longer in frictional engagement with the end of the handle portion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The self-presenting handle assembly of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism configured to lock the handle portion in a selected one of the first and second positions.