Method for attaching a soft top to a motor vehicle body
US6295713A · kind A · utility
41Cited by
44References
7Claims
0Family size
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 22, 1997 |
| Grant date | Oct 2, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 22, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49863
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method for attaching a soft top to a motor vehicle body tensions the soft top without a separate tensioning device. The method includes the general steps of attaching a support member to the motor vehicle for pivotal movement about a transverse pivot axis, supporting an upper rear corner of the top with the support member, and tensioning the top by upwardly and rearwardly biasing the upper rear corner of the top with the support member. The support member functions to provide a spring load for tensioning the top. In the preferred method, the support member is elastically deformed for tensioning the top.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.