Patent US3765716A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3765716A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Entensible top for open vehicle body
Assignee: American Capital Financial Services Inc
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Filing: 1972-03-27
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Granted: 1973-10-16
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Expires: 1992-03-27
Abstract
Abstract A vehicle, such as a pickup truck, having an open body and a top movable between an upper position spaced above the body and a lower position forming an enclosure therewith. A pair of spaced extensible mechanisms respectively interconnect the body and top. Each of the mechanisms comprises a pair of spaced toggle linkages each having four link elements pivotally connected together at first and second opposite pivot points and at a third and fourth opposite pivot points to form a parallelogram, the first pivot points being connected to the top and the second pivot points being connected to the body. The third pivot points are interconnected for movement in unison on an axis and the fourth pivot points are guided for movement on the axis.
Inventors
- 👤 Gompel J Van
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 12:22
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60J; B60J7/00; B60J7/08; B60J7/16; B60J7/1607; B60J7/1614; B62; B62D; B62D33/00; B62D33/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
202 words
In a vehicle having an open body, a top movable between an upper position spaced above said body and a lower position forming an enclosure therewith, and a pair of spaced extensible mechanisms respectively interconnecting said body and said top for supporting said top and for moving the same between said positions thereof, each of said mechanisms comprising a pair of spaced toggle linkages; each of said linkages comprising four link elements pivotally connected together at first and second opposite pivot points and at third and fourth opposite pivot points to form a parallelogram, means for connecting said first pivot points to said top and means for connecting said second pivot points to said body, means interconnecting said third pivot points in a predetermined fixedly spaced relation for movement in unison on an axis, and means for guiding said fourth pivot points for movement along said axis, each of said linkages comprising a first pair of said link elements connected by said first pivot point and a second pair of link elements connected by said second pivot point, and at least one spring connecting a respective pair of link elements for biasing the same to move said top toward its upper position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
202 words
In a vehicle having an open body, a top movable between an upper position spaced above said body and a lower position forming an enclosure therewith, and a pair of spaced extensible mechanisms respectively interconnecting said body and said top for supporting said top and for moving the same between said positions thereof, each of said mechanisms comprising a pair of spaced toggle linkages; each of said linkages comprising four link elements pivotally connected together at first and second opposite pivot points and at third and fourth opposite pivot points to form a parallelogram, means for connecting said first pivot points to said top and means for connecting said second pivot points to said body, means interconnecting said third pivot points in a predetermined fixedly spaced relation for movement in unison on an axis, and means for guiding said fourth pivot points for movement along said axis, each of said linkages comprising a first pair of said link elements connected by said first pivot point and a second pair of link elements connected by said second pivot point, and at least one spring connecting a respective pair of link elements for biasing the same to move said top toward its upper position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
152 words
The vehicle of claim 1 wherein said interconnecting means comprises a first elongated, rIgid element, said third pivot points being respectively connected to said first element adjacent the opposite ends thereof, said first element having a portion spanning said third and fourth pivot points of one of said linkages, said guiding means including a second elongated, rigid element mounted on said first element for relative lateral movement thereon, the fourth pivot point of the other of said linkages being connected to said second element adjacent one end thereof, said second element having a portion spanning said third and fourth pivot points of said other linkage, each of said springs being an elongated coil spring having its opposite ends connected to the respective pair of link elements intermediate their ends, each of said linkages further comprising means for clamping said spring intermediate its ends to the spanning portion of the respective elongated element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The vehicle of claim 1 wherein each of said springs has its opposite ends respectively selectively connected to the respective pair of link elements at a plurality of points.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The vehicle of claim 1 wherein each of said linkages comprises two of said springs respectively connecting said first and second pairs of link elements.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-15 | 1977-04-16 | 1977-10-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-15 | 1981-04-16 | 1981-10-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-15 | 1985-04-16 | 1985-10-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |