Patents by Inventor John Fickes

John Fickes 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).

  • Publication number: 20070261786
    Abstract: A method is provided for attaching together a larger tube and a smaller tube in a T-shaped intersecting joint. A hole is formed in the larger tube with a flange surrounding the hole. A circumferential extending flange is formed on the outside of the smaller tube. Adhesive is placed on either the outside of the smaller tube or the inside of the flange of the larger tube. The smaller tube is inserted into the hole in the larger tube so that the adhesive is interposed between the inside of the flange of the larger tube and the outside of the smaller tube and the flange on the outside of the smaller tube comes into electrical conducting contact with the flange of the larger tube. Electrical current is applied to flow between the large tube and the small tube so that electrical resistance heating is obtained to cure the adhesive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Inventors: Pei-Chung Wang, John Fickes, Charles Bruggemann, Sanjay Shah, Joseph Lendway
  • Publication number: 20070212188
    Abstract: A nut and a method of attaching the nut to a work piece includes the nut having a top side with a threaded bore therein to receive a bolt and the nut having an underside with a skirt depending from the outer periphery thereof. A shank depends from the nut and extends into a hole in the work piece to which the nut is to be attached. A heat curable adhesive coats the shank and also coats the underside of the nut between the depending shank and the depending skirt so that upon curing of the heat curable adhesive the nut is adhesively secured to the work piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Publication date: September 13, 2007
    Inventors: Pei-Chung Wang, John Fickes, James Hengel, Mark Gugel
  • Publication number: 20070187469
    Abstract: In an assembly of facing metal sheets separated by a polymer layer, welded metallurgical bonds are formed between the metal sheets by use of a friction stir weld tool. A rotating tool penetrates the first sheet, locally displaces the encountered portion of polymer film and penetrates into the second sheet. The affected metal of the two sheets is momentarily plasticized and stirred, and the plasticized metal of the two sheets combines to form a weld between the metal sheets. The interposed polymer film may be intended to serve as an adhesive or a vibration damping medium or the like. The facing metal sheets can be layers of facing laminated metal sheet structures that each comprise two metal sheets bonded by an adhesive interlayer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Publication date: August 16, 2007
    Applicant: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Yen-Lung Chen, Douglas Faulkner, Peter Parlow, Mark Verbrugge, Xiaohong Gayden, John Fickes, Peter Foss
  • Publication number: 20070175568
    Abstract: An improved method for joining together the edge portions of first and second panels includes applying a heat curable adhesive along the edge portion of the first panel and then abutting the edge portion of the second panel with the edge portion of the first panel so that the adhesive is interposed between the edge portions of the first and second panels and the adhesive spaces the panels apart and provides a gap between the panels. A brazing material is melted and fills the gap and the heating of the panels by the brazing causes at least partial curing of the adhesive so that the panels are joined together by both brazing and adhesive bonding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Publication date: August 2, 2007
    Inventors: Pei-Chung Wang, John Fickes, Anthony Minatel, Dean Quaderer
  • Publication number: 20070158312
    Abstract: According to the invention a pair of tubes are provided, one of greater diameter than the other so that the tubes can be telescoped together. An annular inward facing projection is formed on the outer tube for contact with the outside surface of the inner tube when the tubes are telescoped together. An annular outer facing projection is formed on the inner tube for contacting with the inside surface of the outer tube when the tubes are telescoped together. An adhesive-sealer is placed on one of the tubes for contacting with the other tube when the tubes are telescoped together. After the tubes are telescoped together weld current is conducted through the tubes to weld the annular projections to the respective opposing tube in contact therewith and at least partially cure the adhesive-sealer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventors: Pei-Chung Wang, James Hengel, John Fickes, John Cantalin, Timothy Roggenkamp