IP Library Granted Patent US 11,203,257
Granted Patent B2
US 11,203,257 · App. 16/584,364 · Granted Dec 21, 2021

Multi configurable half top assembly

Inventors: George C. Stickles (Thornton, CO); Eric D. Getzschman (New Baltimore, MI); Stephen J. Lewis (Harrison Township, MI)
Assignee: Bestop, Inc.
B60J10/70B60J7/1291B60J7/146B60R2021/132B60Y2200/141
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,203,257
App. No.
16/584,364
Granted
Dec 21, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

A top for a Jeep type vehicle is provided having a rear cargo area and parallel spaced roll bars. The top includes parallel spaced apart C pillars, each C pillar including front and rear vertical columns, the rear columns having a perpendicularly connected seat belt pass-through. The C pillars also have bottom plates connecting the front and rear columns that extend beyond the rear column. A top plate connects the front and rear columns together. The C pillars include pivotally connected sealing plates for sealing a top end of a rear door, the sealing plates being connected to the roll bars. A vertical rear window extending between said C pillar rear columns is provided, the rear window having a cutout portion for allowance of passage of a seat belt therethrough. A fabric cover providing a top deck extends over said front and rear seating portion of said vehicle and also covers the C pillars. A tonneau cover is provided for covering the rear cargo area providing a flat surface enclosure over the cargo area.

Claims (14)

1. A top system for a four-door Jeep type vehicle having a cargo area rear of a rear seating portion of said vehicle, said cargo area juxtaposing rear wheel wells of said vehicle, said cargo area being closed by a pivotal rear cargo gate, said vehicle having parallel spaced roll bars with a horizontal portion adjacent at least a rear seating portion of said vehicle and said roll bars having an inclined portion slanted towards said cargo area, said top comprising:

parallel spaced apart C pillars, said C pillars including a front vertical column and a rear vertical column, said rear column having a perpendicularly connected seat belt pass-through extending towards a longitudinal centerline of said vehicle, said C pillars also having longitudinal extending bottom plates connecting said front and rear columns, said bottom plate extending beyond said rear column, and said C pillar also including a top plate connecting said front and rear columns along a top end of said front and rear columns and said C pillars including connected sealing plates for sealing a top end of a rear door, said sealing plates also being connected to said roll bars;

a vertical rear window extending between said C pillar rear columns, said rear window having a cutout portion for allowance of passage of a seat belt;

a fabric cover providing a top deck extending over a front and said rear seating portion of said vehicle, said cover also covering said C pillars and said rear window;

a rear bow connecting said C pillars' rear columns adjacent a bottom end of said columns; and

a tonneau cover for said rear cargo area providing a flat surface enclosure of said rear cargo area.

2. The top system as provided in claim 1 wherein said top deck has an openable panel.

3. The top system as provided in claim 2 further including a front panel openable over the front seating portion and a rear panel openable over said rear seating portion.

4. The top system as provided in claim 3 having a hard mid deck between said front and rear panels.

5. The top system as provided in claim 1 having a sliding top deck.

6. The top system as provided in claim 1 having a hard tonneau cover.

7. The top system as provided in claim 1 having a soft fabric tonneau cover.

8. The top system as provided in claim 7 having a rolled soft fabric tonneau cover.

9. The top system as provided in claim 6 having a sliding opening top deck.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 20, 2024
From: BESTOP, INC.; BESTOP ALUMINESS, LLC; BESTOP BAJA, LLC; BESTOP TUFFY, LLC; BESTOP PRP, LLC; MGP CALIPER COVERS, LLC
To: TWIN BROOK CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVEAGENT
Reel/Frame 067173/0229 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 4, 2019
From: STICKLES, GEORGE C.; GETZSCHMAN, ERIC D.; LEWIS, STEPHEN J.
To: BESTOP, INC.
Reel/Frame 051171/0188 →