Patent US5225747A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5225747A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Single-button actuated self-correcting automatic convertible top
Assignee: Specialty Vehicle Acquisition Corp
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Filing: 1992-01-06
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Granted: 1993-07-06
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Expires: 2012-01-06
Abstract
Abstract A system for lowering and raising an automotive convertible top includes a motor for moving the convertible top, a potentiometer for sensing the position of the convertible top throughout its range of movement, and a controller for actuating the motor in response to the sensed position of the potentiometer.
Inventors
- 👤 James M. Helms
- 👤 George A. Alderton, IV
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 15:51
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60J; B60J7/00; B60J7/02; B60J7/06; B60R; B60R16/00; B60R16/02; B60R16/037; B60J7/04; B60J7/057; B60J7/0573; B60J7/08; B60J7/12; B60J7/1226; B60J7/1265
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A system for lowering and raising an automotive convertible top, said system comprising: motive means connected to said convertible top for moving said convertible top to open and close the convertible top; position sensing means connected to said convertible top for sensing the position of said convertible top throughout its range of motion; and control means, responsive to said position sensing means, for actuating said motive means in response to input from said position sensing means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
76 words
A system for lowering and raising an automotive convertible top, said system comprising: motive means connected to said convertible top for moving said convertible top to open and close the convertible top; position sensing means connected to said convertible top for sensing the position of said convertible top throughout its range of motion; and control means, responsive to said position sensing means, for actuating said motive means in response to input from said position sensing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said convertible top is rigid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said convertible top is comprised of a plurality of articulable structural elements forming an articulable support structure over which a flexible top is mounted.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said motive means associated with said convertible top moves said articulable elements to open and close said convertible top.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said position sensing means senses the instantaneous position of at least one of said articulable elements throughout its range of motion.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
138 words
A system for retracting and extending an automotive convertible top comprised of a plurality of articulating structural elements over which a cover is supported where the convertible top, when fully retracted, is stored beneath a tonneau cover pivotally attached to the automobile, the system comprising: motive means, connected to said articulating structural elements and said tonneau cover, for moving said articulating structural elements and said tonneau cover to retract and extend the convertible top; position sensing means, connected to said articulating structural elements and said tonneau cover, for sensing the instantaneous positions of said articulating structural elements and said tonneau cover throughout their range of movement; and control means, responsive to said position sensing means, for controlling the movements of said motive means based upon said sensed instantaneous positions of said articulating structural elements and said tonneau cover.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
138 words
A system for retracting and extending an automotive convertible top comprised of a plurality of articulating structural elements over which a cover is supported where the convertible top, when fully retracted, is stored beneath a tonneau cover pivotally attached to the automobile, the system comprising: motive means, connected to said articulating structural elements and said tonneau cover, for moving said articulating structural elements and said tonneau cover to retract and extend the convertible top; position sensing means, connected to said articulating structural elements and said tonneau cover, for sensing the instantaneous positions of said articulating structural elements and said tonneau cover throughout their range of movement; and control means, responsive to said position sensing means, for controlling the movements of said motive means based upon said sensed instantaneous positions of said articulating structural elements and said tonneau cover.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for retracting and extending an automotive convertible top, the method including: sensing a command, issued by an automobile user, to retract or extend the convertible top; initiating movement of said convertible top in accordance with said sensed command; and monitoring the instantaneous position of said convertible top as it moves to ensure said convertible top is moving properly.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
60 words
A method for retracting and extending an automotive convertible top, the method including: sensing a command, issued by an automobile user, to retract or extend the convertible top; initiating movement of said convertible top in accordance with said sensed command; and monitoring the instantaneous position of said convertible top as it moves to ensure said convertible top is moving properly.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 7 further including the steps of: initiating the movement of a tonneau cover in conjunction with said initiation of movement of said convertible top; and monitoring the instantaneous positions of said tonneau cover and said convertible top as they move to ensure said tonneau cover and said convertible top are moving properly.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said convertible top has at least one pivot point and wherein the instantaneous position of said convertible top is measured and monitored at said pivot point.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 9 further including the step of initiating remedial action when said monitored instantaneous position of said convertible top indicates said top is not moving properly.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said remedial action includes: initiating movement of said convertible top to correct said indicated improper movement; and ceasing movement of said convertible top if said improper movement cannot be corrected.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
65 words
The method of claim 7 wherein said convertible top comprises an articulating support structure over which a flexible cover is supported, said articulating support structure having a plurality of pivotally linked structural elements and wherein the instantaneous position of said convertible top is determined by determining the instantaneous position of at least one of said structural elements as measured at the structural element's pivot point.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for retracting and extending an automotive convertible top pivotally attached to the automobile, the method including: sensing a command, issued by an automobile user, to retract or extend the convertible top; initiating movement of said convertible top in accordance with said sensed command; monitoring the instantaneous position of said convertible top as it moves to ensure said convertible top is moving properly; and initiating remedial movement of said convertible top in the event that said monitored instantaneous positions indicate that said convertible top is not moving properly.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for retracting and extending an automotive convertible top pivotally attached to the automobile, the method including: sensing a command, issued by an automobile user, to retract or extend the convertible top; initiating movement of said convertible top in accordance with said sensed command; monitoring the instantaneous position of said convertible top as it moves to ensure said convertible top is moving properly; and initiating remedial movement of said convertible top in the event that said monitored instantaneous positions indicate that said convertible top is not moving properly.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
114 words
A system for retracting and extending an automotive convertible top where the convertible top, when fully retracted, is stored beneath a tonneau cover pivotally attached to the automobile, the system comprising: motive means, connected to said convertible top and said tonneau cover, for moving said convertible top and said tonneau cover to retract and extend the convertible top; position sensing means, connected to said convertible top and said tonneau cover, for sensing the instantaneous positions of said convertible top and said tonneau cover; and control means, responsive to said position sensing means for controlling the movements of said motive means based upon said sensed instantaneous positions of said convertible top and said tonneau cover.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
114 words
A system for retracting and extending an automotive convertible top where the convertible top, when fully retracted, is stored beneath a tonneau cover pivotally attached to the automobile, the system comprising: motive means, connected to said convertible top and said tonneau cover, for moving said convertible top and said tonneau cover to retract and extend the convertible top; position sensing means, connected to said convertible top and said tonneau cover, for sensing the instantaneous positions of said convertible top and said tonneau cover; and control means, responsive to said position sensing means for controlling the movements of said motive means based upon said sensed instantaneous positions of said convertible top and said tonneau cover.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
11 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said convertible top is rigid.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said convertible top is comprised of a plurality of articulating structural elements over which a flexible cover is supported.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 16 wherein said motive means moves said articulating structural elements and said tonneau cover to retract and extend said convertible top.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 16 wherein said position sensing means indicates the instantaneous position of at least one of said articulating structural elements and of said tonneau cover.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 18 wherein said control means controls the movements of said motive means based upon said indicated instantaneous position of said articulating structural element and said tonneau cover.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system as set forth in claim 1, wherein said convertible top pivots with respect to an automobile, and wherein said position sensing means senses the position of said convertible top with respect to said automobile where said convertible top pivots.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
A system as set forth in claim 20, wherein said position sensing means comprises a potentiometer.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
43 words
A system as set forth in claim 20, wherein said convertible top further comprises at least two elements pivotally joined to form said convertible top, and wherein said position sensing means further senses the position of said elements with respect to each other.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system as set forth in claim 22, wherein said position sensing means comprises a plurality of potentiometers, at least one said potentiometer mounted at each pivot point.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-07-05 | 1997-01-04 | 1997-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-05 | 2001-01-04 | 2001-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-05 | 2005-01-04 | 2005-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |