Patents by Inventor William George Heckman

William George Heckman 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).

  • Tailgate hinge clip
    Patent number: 11077889
    Abstract: A disclosed tailgate hinge clip is mountable within a gap between a tailgate and a cargo bed and provides a surface for engaging a seal. The disclosed tailgate hinge clip includes a main body portion including a seal surface and a clip portion extending from the main body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William George Heckman, Vince Anthony Chimento, Derek Matthew Poston
  • TAILGATE HINGE CLIP
    Publication number: 20210078646
    Abstract: A disclosed tailgate hinge clip is mountable within a gap between a tailgate and a cargo bed and provides a surface for engaging a seal. The disclosed tailgate hinge clip includes a main body portion including a seal surface and a clip portion extending from the main body portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2019
    Publication date: March 18, 2021
    Inventors: William George Heckman, Vince Anthony Chimento, Derek Matthew Poston
  • Sheet metal bead
    Patent number: 8985632
    Abstract: A bracket has an elongate portion of a predetermined length. The elongate portion terminates in a clamp end that includes a downward sloping portion connected to a curved contact portion. The curved contact portion is configured to contact a tunable bead of a sheet metal portion of a vehicle body structure such as a pillar. The sheet metal portion comprises a generally planar mating surface, an opening in the depression, and a bead rising from the mating surface, wherein the height of the bead is configured for a top surface of the bead to contact a bottom portion of a clamp when the clamp is in a secured position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: William George Heckman, Darrin Neil Wagner, Sone Sadakhom, Joshua Walters