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:
Dec. 15, 1998
Filed:
Feb. 13, 1997
Robert H Sautter, Jr, Jackson, MI (US);
Dura Convertible Systems, Inc., Adrian, MI (US);
Abstract
A vehicle convertible topstack comprises transverse bows and a header supported by spaced, articulated pivotally-interconnected front, center and rear side rails. The front and center side rails are aluminum extrusions each having a right-angle triangular hollow cross section in one embodiment. A C-shaped channel is formed on each triangle's outer hypotenuse and has inwardly-turned, facing flanges for mechanically retaining elongated window seals. The rear rail has a vertical I-shape, and can include a similar window seal retainer. In another embodiment, the front, center and rear rails each have a base and a C-shaped external seal retainer formed on a vertical leg, which forms a slot for receiving a wedge-shaped shims to adjust the angle of the leg and seal to the main body. The shims are formed of frangible sections that can be broken at the top of the slot to remove excess shim material. The vertical leg on both embodiments includes a thickened section having an outer groove for locating self-drilling and self-tapping screws which are used to attach stamped hinges and brackets which connect the rails and the bows. This improves dimensional control which enables a better fit of the topstack on the vehicle.