Patents by Inventor Michael L. Thoma

Michael L. Thoma 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).

  • Patent number: 11554708
    Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed having a composite cargo body assembled in a manner that may improve thermal efficiency, fuel efficiency, and costs of manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Wabash National, L.P.
    Inventors: Jeffrie Scott Bauer, Scott A. Storz, Andrzej Wylezinski, Michael L. Thoma
  • Patent number: 10967920
    Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed having a composite cargo body. A floor of the cargo body is constructed of a first composite material. A roof, a right sidewall, a left sidewall, and a nose of the cargo body are constructed of a second composite material different from the first composite material. Various components of the composite cargo body are bonded together with an adhesive. Mechanical fasteners also may be used to join other components of composite cargo body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Wabash National, L.P.
    Inventors: Jeffrie Scott Bauer, Michael L. Thoma, Scott A. Storz
  • Patent number: 10829970
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a header for enclosing a counterbalance assembly for use with an overhead door assembly. The header comprises a top surface, a rear surface coupled to a rear end of the top surface, a bottom surface coupled to a bottom end of the rear surface, and at least one reinforcement member disposed rearward of the counterbalance assembly and forward of the rear surface. The at least one reinforcement member provides necessary reinforcement to the header while allowing for a vertical height of the header to be minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Wabash National, L.P.
    Inventors: Rodney P. Ehrlich, Michael L. Thoma
  • Publication number: 20200180497
    Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed having a composite cargo body assembled in a manner that may improve thermal efficiency, fuel efficiency, and costs of manufacturing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2020
    Publication date: June 11, 2020
    Applicant: Wabash National, L.P.
    Inventors: Jeffrie Scott Bauer, Scott A. Storz, Andrzej Wylezinski, Michael L. Thoma
  • Patent number: 10596950
    Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed having a composite cargo body assembled in a manner that may improve thermal efficiency, fuel efficiency, and costs of manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: Wabash National, L.P.
    Inventors: Jeffrie Scott Bauer, Scott A. Storz, Andrzej Wylezinski, Michael L. Thoma
  • Publication number: 20190176905
    Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed having a composite cargo body. A floor of the cargo body is constructed of a first composite material. A roof, a right sidewall, a left sidewall, and a nose of the cargo body are constructed of a second composite material different from the first composite material. Various components of the composite cargo body are bonded together with an adhesive. Mechanical fasteners also may be used to join other components of composite cargo body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2019
    Publication date: June 13, 2019
    Applicant: Wabash National, L.P.
    Inventors: Jeffrie Scott Bauer, Michael L. Thoma, Scott A. Storz
  • Patent number: 10239566
    Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed having a composite cargo body. A floor of the cargo body is constructed of a first composite material. A roof, a right sidewall, a left sidewall, and a nose of the cargo body are constructed of a second composite material different from the first composite material. Various components of the composite cargo body are bonded together with an adhesive. Mechanical fasteners also may be used to join other components of composite cargo body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Wabash National, L.P.
    Inventors: Jeffrie Scott Bauer, Michael L. Thoma, Scott A. Storz
  • Publication number: 20180171692
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a header for enclosing a counterbalance assembly for use with an overhead door assembly. The header comprises a top surface, a rear surface coupled to a rear end of the top surface, a bottom surface coupled to a bottom end of the rear surface, and at least one reinforcement member disposed rearward of the counterbalance assembly and forward of the rear surface. The at least one reinforcement member provides necessary reinforcement to the header while allowing for a vertical height of the header to be minimized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Publication date: June 21, 2018
    Inventors: Rodney P. Ehrlich, Michael L. Thoma
  • Publication number: 20180037151
    Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed having a composite cargo body assembled in a manner that may improve thermal efficiency, fuel efficiency, and costs of manufacturing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Publication date: February 8, 2018
    Applicant: Wabash National, L.P.
    Inventors: Jeffrie Scott Bauer, Scott A. Storz, Andrzej Wylezinski, Michael L. Thoma
  • Publication number: 20170240216
    Abstract: A vehicle is disclosed having a composite cargo body. A floor of the cargo body is constructed of a first composite material. A roof, a right sidewall, a left sidewall, and a nose of the cargo body are constructed of a second composite material different from the first composite material. Various components of the composite cargo body are bonded together with an adhesive. Mechanical fasteners also may be used to join other components of composite cargo body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2017
    Publication date: August 24, 2017
    Applicant: Wabash National, L.P.
    Inventors: Jeffrie Scott Bauer, Michael L. Thoma, Scott A. Storz
  • Publication number: 20110260500
    Abstract: A roof assembly for a storage container, such as a truck trailer, includes a sheet having a plurality of laterally-extending corrugations formed therein. Illustratively, each corrugation is configured to progressively flatten outwardly from a longitudinal centerline of the roof assembly towards an outer end of the sheet. The longitudinal centerline of the roof assembly extends perpendicular to each corrugation. The outer end of the sheet is configured to be coupled to a sidewall of the truck trailer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: October 27, 2011
    Inventors: Brett Allen Brooks, Patrick M. Griffin, David Pickup, Rodney P. Ehrlich, Andrzej Wylezinski, Michael L. Thoma, Dwaine D. Speer
  • Patent number: 7931328
    Abstract: A logistics panel includes a composite panel that is formed of inner and outer skins and a core member secured therebetween. The composite panel has top and bottom end portions and first and second side end portions. The composite panel further has an aperture set provided therethrough which defines at least one aperture which extends through the inner and outer skins and the core member and between the end portions. Multiple logistics panels can be used to form a sidewall of a trailer by joining the first side end portion of one panel to the second side end portion of an adjacent panel. Top and bottom rails are secured to the top and bottom end portions, respectively, of the panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: Wabash National, L.P.
    Inventors: Wilfred E. Lewallen, Michael L. Thoma, Danny L. Gilbert
  • Patent number: 7878574
    Abstract: A skylight is provided for mounting to a wall of a vehicle to allow passage of light through the wall. The skylight may include a frame having a window that is configured to allow passage of light through at least a portion of the frame, and the frame may define an inner periphery about the window. A wall member may extend away from the frame adjacent to and about the inner periphery of the frame. A plurality of spaced apart gripping arms may extend away from one of the wall member and the frame adjacent to the inner periphery of the frame with the plurality of gripping arms extending beyond the wall member. Each of the plurality of gripping arms may be configured to engage the wall of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Wabash National, L.P.
    Inventors: Michael L. Thoma, Danny L. Gilbert
  • Publication number: 20100259068
    Abstract: A logistics panel includes a composite panel that is formed of inner and outer skins and a core member secured therebetween. The composite panel has top and bottom end portions and first and second side end portions. The composite panel further has an aperture set provided therethrough which defines at least one aperture which extends through the inner and outer skins and the core member and between the end portions. Multiple logistics panels can be used to form a sidewall of a trailer by joining the first side end portion of one panel to the second side end portion of an adjacent panel. Top and bottom rails are secured to the top and bottom end portions, respectively, of the panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventors: Wilfred E. Lewallen, Michael L. Thoma, Danny L. Gilbert
  • Patent number: 7762618
    Abstract: A logistics panel includes a composite panel that is formed of inner and outer skins and a core member secured therebetween. The composite panel has top and bottom end portions and first and second side end portions. The composite panel further has an aperture set provided therethrough which defines at least one aperture which extends through the inner and outer skins and the core member and between the end portions. Multiple logistics panels can be used to form a sidewall of a trailer by joining the first side end portion of one panel to the second side end portion of an adjacent panel. Top and bottom rails are secured to the top and bottom end portions, respectively, of the panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Wabash National, L.P.
    Inventors: Wilfred E. Lewallen, Michael L. Thoma, Danny L. Gilbert
  • Publication number: 20100089917
    Abstract: A foldable mobile storage container includes a floor assembly, first and second sidewall assemblies, a rear frame assembly, a front end assembly, and a roof assembly. The first and second sidewall assemblies, the rear end assembly, and the front end assembly are each pivotally coupled to the floor assembly to allow the mobile storage container to be moved between a use configuration for storing items therein and a stowed configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 12, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Danny L. Gilbert, Francis S. Smidler, Michael L. Thoma, Robert L. Hancock, Jeremy M. Schrader
  • Patent number: 7588286
    Abstract: A logistics panel of the invention is formed of a composite panel, a logistics plate and a splicing plate. The composite panel is formed of inner and outer skins and a core member secured therebetween. The composite panel has top and bottom end portions and first and second side end portions. The composite panel further has an aperture set provided therethrough which defines at least one aperture which extends through the inner and outer skins and the core member and between the end portions. The logistics plate has a plurality of logistics apertures provided therethrough. The logistics plate is secured to the composite panel such that the plurality of logistics apertures are in alignment with the aperture set such that the aperture set is accessible through the logistics plate. The splicing plate is positioned to cover the aperture set such that the aperture set is inaccessible through the splicing plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Wabash National, L.P.
    Inventors: Wilfred E. Lewallen, Michael L. Thoma, Danny L. Gilbert
  • Publication number: 20090206631
    Abstract: A logistics panel includes a composite panel that is formed of inner and outer skins and a core member secured therebetween. The composite panel has top and bottom end portions and first and second side end portions. The composite panel further has an aperture set provided therethrough which defines at least one aperture which extends through the inner and outer skins and the core member and between the end portions. Multiple logistics panels can be used to form a sidewall of a trailer by joining the first side end portion of one panel to the second side end portion of an adjacent panel. Top and bottom rails are secured to the top and bottom end portions, respectively, of the panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2009
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventors: Wilfred E. Lewallen, Michael L. Thoma, Danny L. Gilbert
  • Publication number: 20090189416
    Abstract: A skylight is provided for mounting to a wall of a vehicle to allow passage of light through the wall. The skylight may include a frame having a window that is configured to allow passage of light through at least a portion of the frame, and the frame may define an inner periphery about the window. A wall member may extend away from the frame adjacent to and about the inner periphery of the frame. A plurality of spaced apart gripping arms may extend away from one of the wall member and the frame adjacent to the inner periphery of the frame with the plurality of gripping arms extending beyond the wall member. Each of the plurality of gripping arms may be configured to engage the wall of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Publication date: July 30, 2009
    Inventors: Michael L. Thoma, Danny L. Gilbert
  • Patent number: D619505
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Wabash National, L.P.
    Inventors: Michael L. Thoma, Danny L. Gilbert