Patent US5025608A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5540476A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5540476A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Convertible top covering retainer with method for using the same
Assignee: ASC Inc
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Filing: 1992-04-15
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Granted: 1996-07-30
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Expires: 2012-04-15
Abstract
Abstract A convertible top having improved supporting means (16, 36, 46, 50, 56 and 58) for securing pliable covering (10, 12, and 14) to the linkage assembly. The means for securing the pliable covering (10, 12, and 14) includes one or more grooves (18, 20 and 22) supporting means (16, 36, 46, 50, 56 and 58) and attaching means (24, 26, 28) on the pliable covering (10, 12 and 14) which engages a groove (18, 20 or 22) in the supporting means (16, 36, 46, 50, 56 and 58) to secure the pliable covering (10, 12 and 14) in place. A method of assembly is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Lendell E. Cowsert
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 06:10
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60J; B60J7/00; B60J7/08; B60J7/12; B60J7/1226; B60J7/1234; B60J7/1243; B60J1/00; B60J1/18; B60J1/1807; B60J1/1815; B60J7/123; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/45; Y10T24/45225; Y10T24/45471; Y10T24/45524; Y10T24/45545; Y10T24/45581
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
An apparatus for use with a convertible top linkage assembly of an automotive vehicle comprising: a pliable cover; a barbed member having a base affixed to said cover by chemical bonding, said barbed member further having at least one barbed portion, said at least one barbed portion having at least one substantially flat surface and an abutting surface which intersect at a substantially acute angle; a movable roof bow having an upper portion extending in a cross-car manner with an undercut groove disposed along said bow, said at least one barbed portion insertable within said groove for securing said cover to said bow; and bottom, upstanding walls and at least one undercut flange defining said groove and substantially surrounding a cross section of said at least one barbed portion, said abutting surface of said at least one barbed portion directly contacting against said undercut flange without said cover being disposed between said at least one barbed portion and said undercut flange.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
161 words
An apparatus for use with a convertible top linkage assembly of an automotive vehicle comprising: a pliable cover; a barbed member having a base affixed to said cover by chemical bonding, said barbed member further having at least one barbed portion, said at least one barbed portion having at least one substantially flat surface and an abutting surface which intersect at a substantially acute angle; a movable roof bow having an upper portion extending in a cross-car manner with an undercut groove disposed along said bow, said at least one barbed portion insertable within said groove for securing said cover to said bow; and bottom, upstanding walls and at least one undercut flange defining said groove and substantially surrounding a cross section of said at least one barbed portion, said abutting surface of said at least one barbed portion directly contacting against said undercut flange without said cover being disposed between said at least one barbed portion and said undercut flange.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said at least one barbed potion includes a pair of barbed portions oppositely extending outward from each other, a slot separating said pair of barbed portion, a longitudinally elongated and substantially polygonally cross-sectionally shaped strip fitting within said slot after said pair of barbed portions have engaged said groove of said bow.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said bow has at least one substantially flat external surface, at least one curved external surface and a cross-sectionally enclosed cavity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said bow is elongated and extruded such that said bow has a substantially uniform cross-sectional shape.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said cover is defined as an exterior top covering.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said groove is generally parallel to a central longitudinal axis of said bow.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said barbed member is elongated in a cross-car direction and extends from an intermediate portion of said cover.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention of claim 1 further comprising an elongated welt that slidingly engages with a correspondingly shaped second groove in said bow.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention of claim 8 wherein said elongated welt extends from a transparent window.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention of claim 8 wherein said welt is also retained within said second groove by at least one screw.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
92 words
An apparatus for use with a convertible top linkage assembly of an automotive vehicle comprising: a transparent and entirely flexible, plastic window; a welt permanently fastened to said window and extending in a longitudinally elongated manner along an edge of said window; and a movable roof bow having a longitudinally elongated and grooved element disposed along an external surface of said bow, said grooved element being substantially rigid, an enlarged portion of said welt engagable within a groove of said grooved element for securing said edge of said window to said bow.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
92 words
An apparatus for use with a convertible top linkage assembly of an automotive vehicle comprising: a transparent and entirely flexible, plastic window; a welt permanently fastened to said window and extending in a longitudinally elongated manner along an edge of said window; and a movable roof bow having a longitudinally elongated and grooved element disposed along an external surface of said bow, said grooved element being substantially rigid, an enlarged portion of said welt engagable within a groove of said grooved element for securing said edge of said window to said bow.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention of claim 11 wherein said enlarged portion of said welt has a solid core integrally formed with a remainder of said welt.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
10 words
The invention of claim 11 wherein said welt is flexible.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention of claim 11 wherein said bow is extruded such that said bow has a substantially uniform cross-sectional shape and said welt also has a substantially uniform cross-sectional shape.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 11 wherein said grooved element is a separate piece which attaches to said bow.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
The invention of claim 11 wherein said groove has an opening at an exterior surface of said bow that is narrower in transverse cross-section than a portion of the groove that is located at a radially inward position within said bow.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 11 further comprising means for attaching a cover to said convertible top linkage assembly, said cover being defined as an exterior top covering.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claim 11 wherein said bow movably extends from said convertible top linkage assembly.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention of claim 11 wherein said grooved element is integrally formed as part of said bow in said convertible top linkage assembly.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention of claim 11 wherein said groove is generally parallel to a central longitudinal axis of said bow.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention of claim 11 wherein said welt is retained within said groove by at least one screw that passes through said bow and engages with said welt.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
108 words
An apparatus for use with a convertible top linkage assembly of an automotive vehicle comprising: a headliner; a welt permanently fastened to said headliner and extending in a longitudinally elongated manner along a peripheral edge of said headliner, said welt being defined as a single piece and uniform material part having an enlarged portion and a single integrally formed tail, said tail being fastened to said headliner; and a movable roof bow having a longitudinally elongated and grooved element disposed along an external surface of said bow, said enlarged portion of said welt engagable within a groove of said grooved element for securing said headliner to said bow.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
108 words
An apparatus for use with a convertible top linkage assembly of an automotive vehicle comprising: a headliner; a welt permanently fastened to said headliner and extending in a longitudinally elongated manner along a peripheral edge of said headliner, said welt being defined as a single piece and uniform material part having an enlarged portion and a single integrally formed tail, said tail being fastened to said headliner; and a movable roof bow having a longitudinally elongated and grooved element disposed along an external surface of said bow, said enlarged portion of said welt engagable within a groove of said grooved element for securing said headliner to said bow.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention of claim 22 wherein said headliner is characterized as a flexible covering material having uniform thickness.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention of claim 23 wherein said tail of said welt is permanently mounted against and secured to a lower and visible surface of said headliner.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention of claim 22 wherein said enlarged portion of said welt has a solid core integrally formed with a remainder of said welt.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
10 words
The invention of claim 22 wherein said welt is flexible.
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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) | 1999-07-30 | 2000-01-29 | 2000-07-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-07-30 | 2004-01-29 | 2004-07-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-07-30 | 2008-01-29 | 2008-07-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |