The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 06, 1996
Filed:
Sep. 13, 1994
Roderick C Fischbach, Ann Arbor, MI (US);
Dura Convertible Systems, Inc., Adrian, MI (US);
Abstract
A substitute top is provided to close the passenger compartment of a convertible vehicle when the folding soft top is lowered. The soft top has a pair of J-hook latches for engaging the windshield header to latch the top in sealing engagement with the windshield header. The substitute top comprises a rigid shell that has a front edge which engages the windshield header when the shell is installed. The substitute top mounts a pair of J-hook latches for engaging the header in the same manner as the soft top when the substitute top is installed to latch the substitute top in sealing engagement with the windshield header. The substitute top includes a bottom portion having a rear edge that mounts a seal strip which engages the vehicle body adjacent the top storage compartment. A C-shaped clip engages the storage well rear edge to secure the bottom portion to the vehicle body and compress the seal strip. Side flanges engage the soft top storage well side edges to locate the substitute top laterally of the vehicle. The substitute top is installed by positioning the shell over the passenger compartment, moving the shell rearward to engage the C-clip with the well periphery, dropping the shell front edge into engagement with the windshield header, and latching the J-hook latches.