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:
Apr. 08, 2008
Filed:
Nov. 05, 2004
Craig M. Zimmerly, Maumee, OH (US);
Donald J. Denewith, Onsted, MI (US);
Kenneth David Edelman, Rochester, MI (US);
Craig M. Zimmerly, Maumee, OH (US);
Donald J. Denewith, Onsted, MI (US);
Kenneth David Edelman, Rochester, MI (US);
Magna Cartop Systems of America, Inc., Rochester Hills, MI (US);
Abstract
Many vehicles use convertible tops that raise and lower. Most often these vehicles use 'soft' convertible tops. Unfortunately, it is often very difficult to achieve uniform tensioning of the cover material as it is attached to the rear bow, or to achieve uniform tensioning from top to top. The disclosed apparatus and method of making a convertible top comprises maintaining a portion of the frame member in a substantially fixed position, grasping the cover with a plurality of clamping members, pulling the cover over the portion of the frame member, applying a predetermined amount of force to the cover as it is pulled over the portion of the frame member, and fixing the cover to the portion of the frame member thereby creating a predetermined tension to the convertible top.