Patents by Inventor D. James Zimmerman

D. James Zimmerman 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).

  • Manufacturing process for roll-formed vehicle panels
    Patent number: 7703208
    Abstract: An improved vehicle box assembly with an upright front or side panel defined by a monolithic one-piece roll-formed steel sheet member having a desired three-dimensional configuration. The sheet steel member is roll-formed in the lengthwise direction thereof. The panel has a channel, preferably a closed tubular channel on the front panel, roll-formed along one edge of the sheet steel during forming of the panel. The closed tubular edge rail is preferably closed by a seam weld which extends lengthwise therealong and is performed in line with the roll-forming operation. The roll-formed panel is preferably provided with a flat shelf deformed horizontally to extend lengthwise along the panel downwardly from the top rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Pullman Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank G. McNulty, D. James Zimmerman, Edward J. Engler
  • Processes for roll forming a bed assembly for a pickup truck including horizontally floor panel and right and left upright inner side panels
    Patent number: 7430806
    Abstract: A vehicle box assembly wherein a bed floor and the inner right and left side wall panels are defined by and assembled from two monolithic one-piece integrated side/floor panel members. The two panel members are preferably formed by roll forming a thin metal sheet so that only a single roll-formed panel configuration is required. Subsequent forming operations, such as punching or die forming, are carried out on the roll-formed configuration to create right and left panel members which are assembled to define the floor and opposed inner side panels of the box assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Noble Advanced Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank G. McNulty, D. James Zimmerman, Edward J. Engler
  • Integrated roll-formed front and bed panel for vehicle box assembly
    Patent number: 7290827
    Abstract: An improved vehicle box assembly with an upright front panel part and a horizontal floor panel part defined by a monolithic one-piece roll-formed steel sheet member having a desired three-dimensional configuration. The sheet steel member is roll-formed in the lengthwise direction thereof to define a plurality of parallel stiffening ribs. The roll-formed member is thereafter transversely bent to define both front and floor panel parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Pullman Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank G. McNulty, D. James Zimmerman, Michael David Lund
  • Roll-formed panels for vehicle box assembly
    Patent number: 7284787
    Abstract: An improved vehicle box assembly with an upright front or side panel defined by a monolithic one-piece roll-formed steel sheet member having a desired three-dimensional configuration. The sheet steel member is roll-formed in the lengthwise direction thereof. The panel has a channel, preferably a closed tubular channel on the front panel, roll-formed along one edge of the sheet steel during forming of the panel. The closed tubular edge rail is preferably closed by a seam weld which extends lengthwise therealong and is performed in line with the roll-forming operation. The roll-formed panel is preferably provided with a flat shelf deformed horizontally to extend lengthwise along the panel downwardly from the top rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Pullman Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank G. McNulty, D. James Zimmerman, Edward J. Engler
  • Two-piece side and floor panel arrangement for box assembly
    Patent number: 7275784
    Abstract: An improved vehicle box assembly with an upright front or side panel defined by a monolithic one-piece roll-formed steel sheet member having a desired three-dimensional configuration. The sheet steel member is roll-formed in the lengthwise direction thereof. The panel has a channel, preferably a closed tubular channel on the front panel, roll-formed along one edge of the sheet steel during forming of the panel. The closed tubular edge rail is preferably closed by a seam weld which extends lengthwise therealong and is performed in line with the roll-forming operation. The roll-formed panel is preferably provided with a flat shelf deformed horizontally to extend lengthwise along the panel downwardly from the top rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Pullman Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank G. McNulty, D. James Zimmerman, Edward J. Engler