Automobile convertible roof system having a flat-fold boot cover
AssigneeASC Incorporated
InventorsCarol Grunow, Rhynhardt Weimer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A preferred embodiment of an automotive convertible roof system has a flat-fold boot cover. In another aspect of the present invention, the boot cover includes various pliable fabric materials that are laminated together to form an integrated material. A further aspect of the present invention provides that flexible stiffeners be placed between the flexible sheets during the manufacturing process. Still another aspect of the present invention employs flexible stiffeners having a non-uniform thickness, which cause the flexible stiffeners to bend asymmetrically when subjected to a bending load.
Claims56
A boot cover comprising:
- at least one flexible stiffener having a variable thickness which enables the flexible stiffener to bend asymmetrically when subjected to a bending load;
- and
- a flexible sheet having a section positioned adjacent to the flexible stiffener, such that flexing the flexible stiffener causes the section of the flexible sheet adjacent to the flexible stiffener to acquire substantially the same curvature as the flexed flexible stiffener.
An automotive convertible roof system comprising:
- a convertible roof movable from an open position to a stored position;
- and
- a convertible roof boot cover operable to cover at least a portion of the convertible roof when the convertible roof is in its stored position, the boot cover having at least one flexible stiffener that flexes when subjected to a bending load and returns to a substantially flat configuration when the bending load is removed, and a flexible sheet positioned adjacent to the at least one flexible stiffener.
An automotive convertible roof system comprising:
- a convertible roof movable from an open Position to a stored position;
- and
- a convertible roof boot cover operable to cover at least a portion of the convertible roof when the convertible roof is in its stored position, the boot cover having at least one flexible stiffener that flexes when subjected to a bending load and returns to a substantially flat configuration when the bending load is removed, and a flexible sheet positioned adjacent to the at least one flexible stiffener wherein the at least one flexible stiffener has a substantially constant thickness, wherein the at least one flexible stiffener has elongated side edges, such that applying a compressive load to the side edges of the at least one flexible stiffener causes the at least one flexible stiffener to bend symmetrically.
An automotive convertible roof system comprising:
- a convertible roof movable from an open position to a stored position;
- and
- a convertible roof boot cover operable to cover at least a portion of the convertible roof when the convertible roof is in its stored position, the boot cover having at least one flexible stiffener that flexes when subjected to a bending load and returns to a substantially flat configuration when the bending load is removed, and a flexible sheet positioned adjacent to the at least one flexible stiffener, wherein the at least one flexible stiffener has a substantially constant thickness, wherein the flexible sheet can be folded between the at least one flexible stiffener.
An automotive convertible boot cover comprising:
- a pliable cover;
- and
- at least one flexible stiffener attached to the pliable cover and which bends asymmetrically when subjected to a bending load.
An automotive convertible boot cover comprising:
- a “C” shaped pliable cover;
- and
- at least one flexible stiffener attached to the pliable cover, wherein the at least one flexible stiffener flexes when the cover is installed and returns to a substantially flat configuration when the cover is removed.
A method for using a boot cover, having at least one flexible stiffener, to cover a convertible roof of an automotive vehicle that is movable between extended and retracted positions, the method comprising:
- (a) placing the boot cover over the fully retracted convertible roof;
- (b) applying a compressive load to opposed ends of the at least one flexible stiffeners so to cause the at least one flexible stiffeners to bend asymmetrically in an upward direction away from the retracted convertible roof;
- and
- (c) attaching a periphery of the boot cover to a body of the automotive vehicle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.