Patents by Inventor George C. Stickles
George C. Stickles has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11135905Abstract: A side door assembly is provided for an automotive vehicle body having a side opening. The side door assembly includes a front casting for hinged connection to the vehicle body. A rear casting is also provided for latch connection of the vehicle door assembly to the vehicle. An extrusion and/or extrusions connect the front and rear castings providing a side door assembly that is extremely light, enhancing the ability of the driver to enjoy the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2018Date of Patent: October 5, 2021Assignee: BESTOP, INCInventors: Eric D. Getzschman, George C. Stickles, William H. Haberkamp
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Patent number: 11124053Abstract: A soft panel top assembly for a vehicle in sealing engagement with a hard top portion of a roof. The soft panel top assembly has a fixed portion attached to the vehicle and a lightweight pivotal portion that folds back to provide a quick and easy open air effect. Two door rails of the soft panel top assembly are connected to the vehicle. Two side rail linkage assemblies are attached to the header, which is secured to a windshield frame when in a closed position, and are connected at pivot points created with a bracket attached to the door rails to allow the pivotal portion to pivot to an open position. The soft panel top assembly includes a rear header that is lightweight and has a sealing arrangement that engages with the hard top roof portion and existing seal of the hard top roof portion to provide a weatherproof seal.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2019Date of Patent: September 21, 2021Assignee: Bestop Inc.Inventors: William H. Haberkamp, George C. Stickles, Duane C. Junkin
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Patent number: 11077743Abstract: A soft panel top assembly for a vehicle in sealing engagement with a hard top portion of a roof. The soft panel top assembly has a fixed portion attached to the vehicle and a lightweight pivotal portion that folds back to provide the occupant a quick and easy open air effect. Two door rails of the soft panel top assembly are connected to the vehicle. Two side rail linkage assemblies are attached to header, which is secured to a windshield frame when in a closed position, and are connected at pivot points created with a bracket attached to the door rails to allow the pivotal portion to pivot to an open position. The soft panel top assembly includes a rear header that is lightweight and engages with the existing seal of the hard top roof portion to provide a weatherproof seal.Type: GrantFiled: August 30, 2019Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: Bestop Inc.Inventors: William H. Haberkamp, George C. Stickles, Duane C. Junkin
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Patent number: 11046158Abstract: A foldable roof assembly having a soft panel top assembly for a vehicle in sealing engagement with a hard top portion of a roof. The soft panel top assembly has a fixed portion attached to the vehicle and a lightweight pivotal portion that folds back to provide the occupant a quick and easy open air effect. Two door rails of the soft panel top assembly are connected to the vehicle. Two side bows are attached to a first bow member, which is secured to a windshield frame when in a closed position, and are connected at a pivot point created with a bracket attached to the door rails to allow the pivotal portion to pivot to an open position. The soft panel top assembly includes a rear header that is a wireframe and engages with seals in the hard top roof portion to provide a weatherproof seal.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2020Date of Patent: June 29, 2021Assignee: BESTOP, INCInventors: William H. Haberkamp, George C. Stickles, Duane C. Junkin
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Publication number: 20210129760Abstract: A universally mountable articulating step for a vehicle which includes a bypass linkage set which is common to mounting in a plurality of vehicles. The linkage set includes front and rear casting members that enable the step to collapse on itself. An independent mounting adapter which is unique to a particular vehicle is provided including a mounting configuration adapted to be attached to a vehicle and attachment mounting locations on which the bypass linkage set is to be mounted.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 13, 2021Publication date: May 6, 2021Applicant: Bestop, Inc.Inventors: George C. Stickles, Frank A. Borke
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Patent number: 10919454Abstract: A universally mountable articulating step for a vehicle which includes a bypass linkage set which is common to mounting in a plurality of vehicles. The linkage set includes front and rear casting members that enable the step to collapse on itself. An independent mounting adapter which is unique to a particular vehicle is provided including a mounting configuration adapted to be attached to a vehicle and attachment mounting locations on which the bypass linkage set is to be mounted.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2020Date of Patent: February 16, 2021Assignee: Bestop, Inc.Inventors: George C. Stickles, Frank A. Borke
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Publication number: 20210008967Abstract: A foldable roof assembly having a soft panel top assembly for a vehicle in sealing engagement with a hard top portion of a roof. The soft panel top assembly has a fixed portion attached to the vehicle and a lightweight pivotal portion that folds back to provide the occupant a quick and easy open air effect. Two door rails of the soft panel top assembly are connected to the vehicle. Two side bows are attached to a first bow member, which is secured to a windshield frame when in a closed position, and are connected at a pivot point created with a bracket attached to the door rails to allow the pivotal portion to pivot to an open position. The soft panel top assembly includes a rear header that is a wireframe and engages with seals in the hard top roof portion to provide a weatherproof seal.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2020Publication date: January 14, 2021Applicant: Bestop, Inc.Inventors: William H. Haberkamp, George C. Stickles, Duane C. Junkin
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Publication number: 20200406818Abstract: An accessory lighting assembly for vehicles. The accessory lighting assembly includes at least one attachment portion for selectively attaching the assembly to the vehicle wherever lighting is desired. The accessory lighting assembly includes at least one integrated lighting portion for selectively providing lighting to the interior of the vehicle. The accessory lighting assembly incorporates a grab handle for attaching to the at least one attachment portion for allowing a vehicle occupant a grip/handle for grabbing onto inside of the vehicle when desired.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2020Publication date: December 31, 2020Applicant: Bestop, Inc.Inventors: Rick H. Troeger, Jose N. Vigil, George C. Stickles, Ronald Manzanares, Eric D. Getzschman
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Publication number: 20200361390Abstract: A control system incorporated with a power running board assembly. In particular, incorporating a radio frequency control system for a retractable power running board assembly to move the assembly between a stowed or retracted position and a deployed or extended position. The present invention uses a transmit/acknowledge scheme of door transceivers and receivers to reduce transmissions necessary to monitor door status changes and operation of the retraction and deployment of the running board, which significantly reduces the number of transmissions and wear on the door transceivers battery to extend battery lifetime.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2020Publication date: November 19, 2020Applicant: Bestop, Inc.Inventors: George C. Stickles, Frank A. Borke
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Patent number: 10793064Abstract: An accessory lighting assembly for vehicles. The accessory lighting assembly includes at least one attachment portion for selectively attaching the assembly to the vehicle wherever lighting is desired. The accessory lighting assembly includes at least one integrated lighting portion for selectively providing lighting to the interior of the vehicle. The accessory lighting assembly incorporates a grab handle for attaching to the at least one attachment portion for allowing a vehicle occupant a grip/handle for grabbing onto inside of the vehicle when desired.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2017Date of Patent: October 6, 2020Assignee: Bestop, Inc.Inventors: Rick H. Troeger, Jose N. Vigil, George C. Stickles, Ronald Manzanares, Eric D. Getzschman
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Publication number: 20200282915Abstract: A universally mountable articulating step for a vehicle which includes a bypass linkage set which is common to mounting in a plurality of vehicles. The linkage set includes front and rear casting members that enable the step to collapse on itself. An independent mounting adapter which is unique to a particular vehicle is provided including a mounting configuration adapted to be attached to a vehicle and attachment mounting locations on which the bypass linkage set is to be mounted.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2020Publication date: September 10, 2020Applicant: Bestop, Inc.Inventors: George C. Stickles, Frank A. Borke
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Publication number: 20200282815Abstract: An articulating front top cover assembly for a vehicle in sealing engagement with a hard top portion of a roof. The articulating portion is operably connected to a frame. An articulating portion movable between at least a closed position over the front vehicle compartment and open position for an open air feel.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 26, 2020Publication date: September 10, 2020Applicant: Bestop, Inc.Inventors: William H. Haberkamp, George C. Stickles, Duane C. Junkin, Stephen J. Lewis
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Patent number: 10766424Abstract: A control system incorporated with a power running board assembly. In particular, incorporating a radio frequency control system for a retractable power running board assembly to move the assembly between a stowed or retracted position and a deployed or extended position. The present invention uses a transmit/acknowledge scheme of door transceivers and receivers to reduce transmissions necessary to monitor door status changes and operation of the retraction and deployment of the running board, which significantly reduces the number of transmissions and wear on the door transceivers battery to extend battery lifetime.Type: GrantFiled: April 13, 2018Date of Patent: September 8, 2020Assignee: Bestop, Inc.Inventors: George C. Stickles, Frank A. Borke
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Publication number: 20200262280Abstract: A vehicle arrangement is provided including a vehicle body having at least a partially open top and transverse window with a ferromagnetic frame, a flexible membrane sunscreen cover for at least a portion of the vehicle. A magnetic member connected with the sunscreen cover holds an end of the cover with the window frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 18, 2020Publication date: August 20, 2020Applicant: Bestop, Inc.Inventor: George C. STICKLES
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Publication number: 20200207190Abstract: A side door assembly is provided for an automotive vehicle body having a side opening. The side door assembly includes an upper door half incorporating a unique outer panel coupled to or integrally formed with a structural portion. Soft goods are operably coupled to the structural portion of the upper door half. The side door assembly includes a one-piece casting for hinged connection to the vehicle body. The casting forms a frame. At least one panel insert is selectively connected from the interior of the vehicle outward by a plurality of rotary attachment features to the frame. The frame includes a plurality of reinforcement features to add structure and rigidity, while reducing weight, to the side door assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2020Publication date: July 2, 2020Applicant: Bestop, Inc.Inventors: Eric D. Getzschman, George C. Stickles, William H. Haberkamp, Stephen J. Lewis
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Patent number: 10696146Abstract: An articulating front top cover assembly for a vehicle in sealing engagement with a hard top portion of a roof. The articulating portion is operably connected to a frame. An articulating portion movable between at least a closed position over the front vehicle compartment and open position for an open air feel.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2017Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: Bestop, Inc.Inventors: William H. Haberkamp, George C. Stickles, Duane C. Junkin, Stephen J. Lewis
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Patent number: 10696233Abstract: A universally mountable articulating step for a vehicle which includes a bypass linkage set which is common to mounting in a plurality of vehicles. The linkage set includes front and rear casting members that enable the step to collapse on itself. An independent mounting adapter which is unique to a particular vehicle is provided including a mounting configuration adapted to be attached to a vehicle and attachment mounting locations on which the bypass linkage set is to be mounted.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2019Date of Patent: June 30, 2020Assignee: Bestop, Inc.Inventors: George C. Stickles, Frank A. Borke
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Publication number: 20200189369Abstract: A foldable roof assembly having a soft panel top assembly for a vehicle in sealing engagement with a hard top portion of a roof. The soft panel top assembly has a fixed portion attached to the vehicle and a lightweight pivotal portion that folds back to provide the occupant a quick and easy open air effect. Two door rails of the soft panel top assembly are connected to the vehicle. Two side bows are attached to a first bow member, which is secured to a windshield frame when in a closed position, and are connected at a pivot point created with a bracket attached to the door rails to allow the pivotal portion to pivot to an open position. The soft panel top assembly includes a rear header that is a wireframe and engages with seals in the hard top roof portion to provide a weatherproof seal.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 10, 2020Publication date: June 18, 2020Applicant: Bestop, Inc.Inventors: William H. Haberkamp, George C. Stickles, Duane C. Junkin
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Publication number: 20200180411Abstract: An articulating slanted back soft top assembly for 4-door and 2-door SUVs. A fabric cover is supported by a frame that is at least partially articulatable from at least a closed position to at least one open air position. The frame includes at least one forward fabric support bow member and at least one rearward fabric support bow member. The rear fabric support bow member being positioned when in the closed position in a manner which allows the fabric to clear a sport bar or “roll bar” member of a vehicle in the closed position such that a rear portion of the top is angled from the vertical when viewing the vehicle from the side.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2020Publication date: June 11, 2020Applicant: Bestop, Inc.Inventors: William H. Haberkamp, Eric D. Getzschman, Jose N. Vigil, Andy Waite, Rick H. Troeger, Blake A. Jensen, James A. Robertson, Ronald Manzanares, George C. Stickles
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Patent number: 10596886Abstract: A foldable roof assembly having a soft panel top assembly for a vehicle in sealing engagement with a hard top portion of a roof. The soft panel top assembly has a fixed portion attached to the vehicle and a lightweight pivotal portion that folds back to provide the occupant a quick and easy open air effect. Two door rails of the soft panel top assembly are connected to the vehicle. Two side bows are attached to a first bow member, which is secured to a windshield frame when in a closed position, and are connected at a pivot point created with a bracket attached to the door rails to allow the pivotal portion to pivot to an open position. The soft panel top assembly includes a rear header that is a wireframe and engages with seals in the hard top roof portion to provide a weatherproof seal.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2019Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: Bestop, Inc.Inventors: William H. Haberkamp, George C. Stickles, Duane C. Junkin