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:
Sep. 05, 2000
Filed:
Oct. 16, 1998
Michael A Porter, Southgate, MI (US);
Richard H Kruse, Farmington Hills, MI (US);
Samuel DiCesare, Glencoe, IL (US);
Kerry S Berland, Chicago, IL (US);
James M Helms, Southgate, MI (US);
George A Alderton, IV, Royal Oak, MI (US);
ASC Incorporated, Southgate, MI (US);
Abstract
This invention relates to a system and method for monitoring and controlling the operation of a motorized convertible top such that it may be extended and retracted automatically. The system and method of the present invention monitors the movement of the various components to provide fluid, simultaneous motion. It further detects and corrects improper alignments that may result in damage to the top due to overlapping elements or binding elements, and stores error information useful in diagnosing and repairing unrecoverable errors.