Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Tops – Let-down type top
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-01
2001-05-08
Dayoan, D. Glenn (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Tops
Let-down type top
C296S107010, C296S107130, C296S117000, C296S121000, C296S122000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06227604
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a frame assembly for use in an auto body-style conversion. More particularly, the invention relates to a frame assembly for converting a hard top or half-hard top auto to an open-top auto.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Different styles of autos have been sold over the years. Hard top autos are the most common. The body of the auto can be viewed as one piece with a permanent hard top body panel extending over a driver and passenger seating area. Open-top autos are also well known. Most have a flexible canvas top which extends over the seating area, but additionally have the capability to be folded back to fully reveal the seating area. The canvas top can be on a frame assembly which itself is collapsible and can be retracted into a cavity of the auto. The canvas top can also be made to be manually removed and temporarily stored in a trunk area of the auto.
A limited number of autos have also been produced which have a half-hard top, variously referred to as targa tops, T-tops, and removable sun-roof tops. For example, a sports car of this type will have a rigid immovable back windshield and a canvas top which extends from a rigid front windshield to the rigid back windshield. The canvas top essentially covers the front seating area. It is attached to a frame of the auto by snap buttons or some other manually attaching means such that the canvas top is readily removed and reinstalled. A T-top auto has removable roof panels which are removed and temporarily stored to give an open-top auto. Autos with removable sun-roof tops are essentially the same in purpose and operation as the T-top autos. Still other auto styles are known which have a basic purpose of a removable roof to give the driver an open-air feel associated with a full convertible auto.
Some owners of certain auto makes desire to convert their auto from a hard top or half-hard top auto to a open-top auto. Generally, a more aesthetically pleasing or stylistic look is wanted. In accord with this need, there has now been developed a frame assembly for use in converting a hard top auto or half-hard top auto to an open-top auto. The frame assembly is readily attached to the auto with minimal alteration of the original auto. The conversion can be accomplished with ordinary skills and commonplace shop tools. The frame assembly of the invention permits a new look for the original auto.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A frame assembly is configured for converting a hard top or half-hard top auto to an open-top auto. The frame assembly is intended for permanent installation on the auto. It comprises a set of mounting plates for attachment to inside sidewalls of the auto. The frame assembly also comprises a stabilizer bar secured to the mounting plates, a set of main frame rails pivotally attached to the mounting plates, a pivot bar attached to the main frame rails, a set of secondary rail extensions with each pivotally attached to the pivot bar and a secondary cross rail secured to the secondary rail extensions. The frame assembly is collapsible about the pivot points into a seating area of the auto to give an open-top auto. An optional hatchback cap can be installed over the back seat area and pivotally attached to the stabilizer bar. When the frame assembly is fully erected, it provides a support for a canvas top to again enclose the passenger area.
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Blankenship G
Dayoan D. Glenn
RKR Manufacturing, Inc.
Wilson Charles R.
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