Phillip C Ruehl

6619533, Sep 16, 2003

Sep 22, 2000

09/667909

Jon Hootman - Oak Creek WI
John F. Hinrichs - Menomonee Falls WI
Jeffrey S. Noruk - Mequon WI
Mike Gall - LaCrosse WI
Phillip C. Ruehl - Elm Grove WI

Tower Automotive Technology Products, Inc. - Grand Rapids MI

B23K 2012

2281121, 228160

Link arms for use in suspension systems are produced through an extrusion and friction stir welding process. Blocks having an eye and a planar body section are formed through an extrusion process. These sections are then paired together and joined through friction stir welding. The welded joint(s) is/are positioned in such a location so as to not impact the structural integrity of the completed component. Through this process it is possible to construct cost competitive link arms having the same or better structural integrity as previously employed steel link arms while achieving dramatic weight reductions.

8484930, Jul 16, 2013

Apr 11, 2006

11/279321

Phillip C. Ruehl - Elm Grove WI, US

E04B 1/00
E04G 21/00
E04G 3/00
E04H 12/00

5274517, 52843, 52849, 526501, 280797

A box-type frame member assembly, and a method for assembling the box-type frame member. A first section, having a web, a pair of flanges and a number of holes with locators, is placed onto a fixture assembly with the holes fitting onto pilots. A spacer is placed over each of the pilots and engaged with the locator of the respective hole in the first section. A second section, having a web, a pair of flanges, and a number of holes with locators, is then placed onto the fixture assembly with the holes fitting onto the pilots, and second end of each spacer is engaged with the locator associated with the web of the second section. Finally, the flanges of the first and second sections are secured together.

20010039712, Nov 15, 2001

Apr 15, 1999

09/295104

PHILLIP C. RUEHL - ELM GROVE WI, US
STEPHEN L. KRETSCHMER - MEQUON WI, US

B23P021/00
B23P011/00

029/469000, 029/897200

A rear vehicle frame is formed by placing a plurality of sheet members in a die in a press. At least some of the sheet members partially overlap other of the members. The press is then closed, thereby interlocking the members to form a rear vehicle frame having first and second siderails and at least one crossmember extending between the siderails. The method may include other steps and/or features. After the step of forming a rear vehicle frame, the respective rear siderails may be attached to first and second front siderails. The first and second siderails may overlap a portion of the first and second front rails, at least one of the first and second front rails comprising a scallop at the overlapped portion. The front siderails may each have an upper front siderail and a lower front side rail. There may be a step in between the center siderails and the lower front siderails. At least one of the upper front siderails has a scallop at one edge. The front siderails may be lipped, and the front siderails may be open. The front upper siderails may have tapered walls. The center siderail may have a lip that rolls out at a transition to the front siderail. The front siderail may have a tongue that is adapted to be attached to the center siderail. The frame may be a three-part frame, with rear, center and front sections, or it may be a two part frame, with rear and front sections. In a three-part frame, the rear section may connect with the center section in a manner analogous to the manner in which the center section interconnects with the front section.

20020163173, Nov 7, 2002

May 7, 2001

09/850569

Phillip Ruehl - Elm Grove WI, US
Gian Perello - Strambino, IT

B62D021/00
B62D024/00

280/781000, 180/311000

A versatile vehicle frame and method of making which includes a plurality of substantially straight, horizontal members connected with connecting hips having complex geometries. All contours and curves are incorporated into these hips, thus allowing the remainder of the frame to utilize substantially straight members. The vehicle frame permits a variety of frame lengths and widths by providing a variety of straight members having differing lengths. This versatility results in significantly reduced manufacturing costs and model flexibility mid-program.

20070108718, May 17, 2007

Oct 31, 2006

11/554885

Phillip Ruehl - Elm Grove WI, US

B60R 3/00

280163000, 280166000

A helper step for a vehicle, such as a tractor, trailer or truck. The helper step has at least one mounting portion, a horizontal step member, and a pair of side supports extending between the at least one mounting portion and the horizontal step member. The helper step of the present invention can be formed as a single part from a single piece of material, and has a universal receiving slot configuration on the mounting portion that allows the helper step to be installed in connection with most any such vehicle and by one person using common home tools.

20070176406, Aug 2, 2007

Feb 1, 2007

11/670217

Phillip C. Ruehl - Elm Grove WI, US

AM General LLC - South Bend IN

B62D 21/12

280785

A frame rail assembly configured for use in various applications, including automotive vehicles. The frame rail assembly includes two rail portions. The rail portions include apertures each encompassed by a mounting boss. In addition, the frame rail includes spacers sized and configured to receive the mounting bosses in a snug fit to help with alignment. The spacers include at least one dimple in order to guide a mounting bolt though the apertures. The mounting bolt may be employed to hold the frame rail assembly together and attach other components to the frame rail assembly.

20090322052, Dec 31, 2009

Jun 30, 2009

12/494931

Phillip C. Ruehl - Elm Grove WI, US

P.C. Ruehl Engineering, Inc. - Elm Grove WI

B60R 3/02
B60R 3/00
B60R 99/00

280166, 280163, 296 102

An auxiliary step and hand hold system for accessing a vehicle. The system includes at least one auxiliary step, at least one hand hold shaped to assist a climb into the trailer, and at least one pocket shaped to removably receive the at least one hand hold. The auxiliary step may be a rotating-retractable step that rotates between a use position and a stowed position. The hand hold is shaped to assist a climb into the cargo bay and may be inserted into the pockets in a use position and a stowed position. One or more stationary steps can also be used in connection with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The hand holds, pockets and auxiliary steps may be used alone or in combination to assist with access to a vehicle.

20090322110, Dec 31, 2009

Mar 25, 2009

12/410583

PHILLIP C. RUEHL - Elm Grove WI, US

P.C. RUEHL ENGINEERING, INC. - ELM GROVE WI

B60J 9/00

296 102

A pocket mounts just below a trailer's rear door to securely anchor a post. This mounting provides a solid three or four-point-contact when climbing into a trailer. A second pocket mounted to the inside of the trailer door provides easy and convenient storage. The handle-post may simply be lifted from one pocket, and dropped into the other, thus clearing passage for the door swing, while storing the handle post right at the point-of-use.