Patents by Inventor Ronald Zimmer

Ronald Zimmer 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: 11771022
    Abstract: An assembly of fluid conduit parts is disclosed along with a method of assembling, a method of manufacturing and an apparatus for manufacturing the one of the fluid conduit parts. The assembly includes a blow molded part having a first portion. A second part includes a tapered section and a sealing flange extends from the first portion towards a central axis of the first portion at a distance, an end of the sealing flange defines an opening. The second part inserts into the opening and at least part of the tapered section is of a size larger than the opening. The sealing flange flexes upon insertion of the second part into the opening to define a contact surface between the tapered section and the sealing flange that extends around a perimeter of the tapered section where the sealing flange contacts the tapered section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Custom-Pak, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Zimmer, Rick Braasch, Mitch Gravert, Michael Grinnall, Craig J. Bormann
  • Publication number: 20230058887
    Abstract: An assembly of fluid conduit parts is disclosed along with a method of assembling, a method of manufacturing and an apparatus for manufacturing the one of the fluid conduit parts. The assembly includes a blow molded part having a first portion. A second part includes a tapered section and a sealing flange extends from the first portion towards a central axis of the first portion at a distance, an end of the sealing flange defines an opening. The second part inserts into the opening and at least part of the tapered section is of a size larger than the opening. The sealing flange flexes upon insertion of the second part into the opening to define a contact surface between the tapered section and the sealing flange that extends around a perimeter of the tapered section where the sealing flange contacts the tapered section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2022
    Publication date: February 23, 2023
    Inventors: Ronald A. Zimmer, Rick Braasch, Mitch Gravert, Michael Grinnall, Craig J. Bormann
  • Patent number: 11516975
    Abstract: An assembly of fluid conduit parts is disclosed along with a method of assembling, a method of manufacturing and an apparatus for manufacturing the one of the fluid conduit parts. The assembly includes a blow molded part having a first portion. A second part includes a tapered section and a sealing flange extends from the first portion towards a central axis of the first portion at a distance, an end of the sealing flange defines an opening. The second part inserts into the opening and at least part of the tapered section is of a size larger than the opening. The sealing flange flexes upon insertion of the second part into the opening to define a contact surface between the tapered section and the sealing flange that extends around a perimeter of the tapered section where the sealing flange contacts the tapered section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: Custom-Pak, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Zimmer, Rick Braasch, Mitch Gravert, Michael Grinnall, Craig J. Bormann
  • Patent number: 11141639
    Abstract: A blow molded basketball goal having an inner post, an outer post, a rim, and a backboard. The inner post having a top end, a bottom end, a length measured from the top end to the bottom end, and a plurality of protrusions positioned near the bottom end. The outer post having a bottom end, a hollow interior defined by an interior wall, an open top end adapted to receive the inner post, and at least one protuberance on the interior wall. When the inner post is received in the outer post, the plurality of protrusions of the inner post bear against the interior wall of the outer post and the at least one protuberance of the outer post bears against the inner post. The rim is securable to the inner post, and the backboard is securable to the rim. The components are easily removable for disassembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Custom-Pak, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Zimmer, Steven Dean Eggers, Alan Walter Knapper
  • Patent number: 11019952
    Abstract: A kit for assembling a blow molded post cover including a sleeve and a base. The sleeve having an open bottom end and a hollow interior for receiving a post. The base including a top cap having a first through-hole for receiving the sleeve; a bottom cap having a second through-hole for receiving the sleeve; and a plurality of side panels securable to the top and bottom caps. Each of the plurality of side panels having a first side end, a second side end, and one or more protrusions on a rear surface such that each of the one or more protrusions bears against the sleeve when the base is installed on the sleeve. The first side end of any one of the plurality of side panels is configured to interlock with the second side end of any other one of the plurality of side panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Custom-Pak, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Machande, Rick Braasch, Ronald A. Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20200323375
    Abstract: A kit for assembling a blow molded post cover including a sleeve and a base. The sleeve having an open bottom end and a hollow interior for receiving a post. The base including a top cap having a first through-hole for receiving the sleeve; a bottom cap having a second through-hole for receiving the sleeve; and a plurality of side panels securable to the top and bottom caps. Each of the plurality of side panels having a first side end, a second side end, and one or more protrusions on a rear surface such that each of the one or more protrusions bears against the sleeve when the base is installed on the sleeve. The first side end of any one of the plurality of side panels is configured to interlock with the second side end of any other one of the plurality of side panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2019
    Publication date: October 15, 2020
    Inventors: Joshua Machande, Rick Braasch, Ronald A. Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20200306604
    Abstract: A blow molded basketball goal having an inner post, an outer post, a rim, and a backboard. The inner post having a top end, a bottom end, a length measured from the top end to the bottom end, and a plurality of protrusions positioned near the bottom end. The outer post having a bottom end, a hollow interior defined by an interior wall, an open top end adapted to receive the inner post, and at least one protuberance on the interior wall. When the inner post is received in the outer post, the plurality of protrusions of the inner post bear against the interior wall of the outer post and the at least one protuberance of the outer post bears against the inner post. The rim is securable to the inner post, and the backboard is securable to the rim. The components are easily removable for disassembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Publication date: October 1, 2020
    Inventors: Ronald A. Zimmer, Steven Dean Eggers, Alan Walter Knapper
  • Publication number: 20200222776
    Abstract: A blow molded basketball goal having an inner post, an outer post, a rim, and a backboard. The inner post having a top end, a bottom end, a length measured from the top end to the bottom end, and a plurality of protrusions positioned near the bottom end. The outer post having a bottom end, a hollow interior defined by an interior wall, an open top end adapted to receive the inner post, and at least one protuberance on the interior wall. When the inner post is received in the outer post, the plurality of protrusions of the inner post bear against the interior wall of the outer post and the at least one protuberance of the outer post bears against the inner post. The rim is securable to the inner post, and the backboard is securable to the rim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Publication date: July 16, 2020
    Applicant: Custom-Pak, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Zimmer, Steven Dean Eggers, Alan Walter Knapper
  • Patent number: 10709948
    Abstract: A blow molded basketball goal having an inner post, an outer post, a rim, and a backboard. The inner post having a top end, a bottom end, a length measured from the top end to the bottom end, and a plurality of protrusions positioned near the bottom end. The outer post having a bottom end, a hollow interior defined by an interior wall, an open top end adapted to receive the inner post, and at least one protuberance on the interior wall. When the inner post is received in the outer post, the plurality of protrusions of the inner post bear against the interior wall of the outer post and the at least one protuberance of the outer post bears against the inner post. The rim is securable to the inner post, and the backboard is securable to the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Custom-Pak, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Zimmer, Steven Dean Eggers, Alan Walter Knapper
  • Publication number: 20190274265
    Abstract: An assembly of fluid conduit parts is disclosed along with a method of assembling, a method of manufacturing and an apparatus for manufacturing the one of the fluid conduit parts. The assembly includes a blow molded part having a first portion. A second part includes a tapered section and a sealing flange extends from the first portion towards a central axis of the first portion at a distance, an end of the sealing flange defines an opening. The second part inserts into the opening and at least part of the tapered section is of a size larger than the opening. The sealing flange flexes upon insertion of the second part into the opening to define a contact surface between the tapered section and the sealing flange that extends around a perimeter of the tapered section where the sealing flange contacts the tapered section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Inventors: Ronald A. Zimmer, Rick Braasch, Mitch Gravert, Michael Grinnall, Craig J. Bormann
  • Patent number: 10299446
    Abstract: An assembly of fluid conduit parts is disclosed along with a method of assembling, a method of manufacturing and an apparatus for manufacturing the one of the fluid conduit parts. The assembly includes a blow molded part having a first portion. A second part includes a tapered section and a sealing flange extends from the first portion towards a central axis of the first portion at a distance, an end of the sealing flange defines an opening. The second part inserts into the opening and at least part of the tapered section is of a size larger than the opening. The sealing flange flexes upon insertion of the second part into the opening to define a contact surface between the tapered section and the sealing flange that extends around a perimeter of the tapered section where the sealing flange contacts the tapered section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Custom-Pak, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Zimmer, Rick Braasch, Mitch Gravert, Michael Grinnall, Craig J. Bormann
  • Patent number: 10294018
    Abstract: A blow molded runner having a bottom wall and a top wall forming a double wall blow molded configuration, at least one compressed double wall structure defined by fusion an inner surface of the bottom wall to an inner surface of the top wall. At least two columns spaced apart at a distance wherein each of the at least two columns defines one of the at least one compressed double wall structure and has a top surface and the compressed double wall structure corresponding to each of the at least two columns extends from the top surface to a bottom surface of the runner at the at least two columns wherein the bottom surface is defined by an outer surface of the bottom wall. A width of the runner varies along a length thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Custom-Pak, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Machande, Ronald A. Zimmer
  • Patent number: 9651080
    Abstract: A method for joining a plastic part to a second part with an insert adapted to thread into the plastic part. The insert includes a longitudinal body with outer threads, a hole in the longitudinal body with female threads, and an annular flange. Protrusions and recesses on the bottom of the annular flange alternate in a radial pattern. The insert is threaded into an opening in the plastic part. The protrusions and recesses of the insert interact with the plastic part to resist over rotation of the insert. The opening in the plastic part may include a hole and a counter bore portion. The counter bore includes protrusions and recesses. The protrusions and recesses alternate in a radial pattern. When the insert is threaded into the opening, the protrusions and recesses of the insert interact with the protrusions and recesses of the plastic part and resist over rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Custom-Pak, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Dean Eggers, Ronald A. Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20170082238
    Abstract: A blow molded runner having a bottom wall and a top wall forming a double wall blow molded configuration, at least one compressed double wall structure defined by fusion an inner surface of the bottom wall to an inner surface of the top wall. At least two columns spaced apart at a distance wherein each of the at least two columns defines one of the at least one compressed double wall structure and has a top surface and the compressed double wall structure corresponding to each of the at least two columns extends from the top surface to a bottom surface of the runner at the at least two columns wherein the bottom surface is defined by an outer surface of the bottom wall. A width of the runner varies along a length thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Joshua Machande, Ronald A. Zimmer
  • Patent number: 9512956
    Abstract: A blow molded runner having a bottom wall and a top wall forming a double wall blow molded configuration, at least one compressed double wall structure defined by compression of the bottom and top walls against each other such that an inner surface of the bottom wall is in contact with an inner surface of the top wall. At least two columns spaced apart at a distance wherein each of the at least two columns defines one of the at least one compressed double wall structure and has a top surface and the compressed double wall structure corresponding to each of the at least two columns extends from the top surface to a bottom surface of the runner at the at least two columns wherein the bottom surface is defined by an outer surface of the bottom wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Custom-Pak, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Machande, Ronald A. Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20160265711
    Abstract: A blow molded runner having a bottom wall and a top wall forming a double wall blow molded configuration, at least one compressed double wall structure defined by compression of the bottom and top walls against each other such that an inner surface of the bottom wall is in contact with an inner surface of the top wall. At least two columns spaced apart at a distance wherein each of the at least two columns defines one of the at least one compressed double wall structure and has a top surface and the compressed double wall structure corresponding to each of the at least two columns extends from the top surface to a bottom surface of the runner at the at least two columns wherein the bottom surface is defined by an outer surface of the bottom wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Joshua Machande, Ronald A. Zimmer
  • Publication number: 20160249540
    Abstract: An assembly of fluid conduit parts is disclosed along with a method of assembling, a method of manufacturing and an apparatus for manufacturing the one of the fluid conduit parts. The assembly includes a blow molded part having a first portion. A second part includes a tapered section and a sealing flange extends from the first portion towards a central axis of the first portion at a distance, an end of the sealing flange defines an opening. The second part inserts into the opening and at least part of the tapered section is of a size larger than the opening. The sealing flange flexes upon insertion of the second part into the opening to define a contact surface between the tapered section and the sealing flange that extends around a perimeter of the tapered section where the sealing flange contacts the tapered section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2015
    Publication date: September 1, 2016
    Inventors: Ronald A. Zimmer, Rick Braasch, Mitch Gravert, Michael Grinnall, Craig J. Bormann
  • Patent number: 9387556
    Abstract: Assembling blow molded parts to form cantilevered structures incorporating a joint among three blow molded parts. A joint incorporates connector components from each part. One part comprises a cantilever, and has a tab with a through hole disposed substantially at the fixed end. The other two parts are assembled using a barbed post-and-hole joint, such that the post is inserted through the hole in the tab. The tab acts in tension at an angle to oppose the moment and shear generated by the weight of the cantilever. Other aspects of the invention include an additional dovetail joint connecting the cantilever part and the other part or parts, The dovetail joint may be blind, and may contribute to supporting the weight of, as well as opposing the moment and shear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Custom-Pak, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Zimmer, Alan W. Knapper
  • Patent number: 9289940
    Abstract: A method for creating a blow molded article includes providing a first mold portion and a second mold portion, each having an inner molding surface against which a wall of the blow molded article is blown, positioning a first cutting device moveably disposed in the first mold portion and a second cutting device moveably disposed in the second mold portion into an activated position, whereby the first and second cutting devices extend beyond the molding surface by a predetermined amount, disposing a parison of molten material between the first and second mold portions, positioning the first and second mold portions adjacent each other along a seam to enclose a mold cavity, introducing pressurized fluid into parison to expand it against the molding surface, thereby forming a final shape of the article, and displacing the first and second cutting devices to create a cut in the blow molded article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: CUSTOM-PAK, INC.
    Inventors: Ronald A. Zimmer, John Ahlers
  • Patent number: D829404
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Custom-Pak, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua Machande, Ronald A. Zimmer