Retractable folding top assembly
US7370597B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 6, 2007 |
| Grant date | May 13, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 6, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB63B17/02
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A retractable top assembly for a vehicle, commonly referred to as a bimini top, includes a covering mounted on a pair of struts which are movable relative to one another to move the covering between a deployed position covering at least a portion of the vehicle and a retracted position. In the retracted position, the covering is wound upon a spindle rotatably mounted within a housing mounted on one of the struts. The housing has a slot through which the covering extends, so that the covering is attached to the other strut. A torsion spring within the housing biases the spindle in a direction winding the covering onto the spindle and thereby maintaining tautness of the covering as it unwinds from the spindle and is moved into the deployed position.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.