Patents by Inventor Rodney Heiple

Rodney Heiple 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).

  • Structural component for vehicle body-in-white
    Patent number: 6116680
    Abstract: An integral structural element particularly well suited as a component of a body-in-white comprises an elongated hollow member with a first end and a second end opposite thereto. A first region, a second region, and a third region extend between a first end and a second end of the hollow member. A first flange extends substantially the length of the elongated hollow member. A second flange extends substantially the length of the elongated hollow member's first region. A first socket or connecting structure is adapted to receive therein a roof header and is disposed on the elongated hollow member between the first region and the second region. A second socket is adapted to receive therein a B-post disposed on the elongated hollow member between the second region and the third region. This integral structural element is a component of a motor vehicle's body-in-white.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Aluminum Company of America
    Inventors: Daniel E. Hunter, Rodney Heiple, Jeffrey M. Shoup, Dirk Schnapp, Klaus Ruehle