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).

  • Publication number: 20170072776
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 4, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: William H. Haberkamp, George C. Stickles, Duane C. Junkin
  • Publication number: 20170021706
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: William H. Haberkamp, George C. Stickles, Duane C. Junkin
  • Publication number: 20170021705
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Publication date: January 26, 2017
    Inventors: William H. Haberkamp, George C. Stickles, Duane C. Junkin
  • Publication number: 20160304024
    Abstract: A tonneau cover assembly with a top cover connected to a cable tensioning system that eliminates the need for side rails to both locate and tension the top cover. The cable tension system seals out environmental elements and holds the tonneau cover and fabric management bows of the assembly in place. The assembly includes a front attachment assembly and rear attachment assembly connected to cables, where the front attachment provides a forward mounting location and seals a front bow to the vehicle. The rear attachment assembly holds the top cover in a closed tensioned state until the cover is opened by an operator. The tonneau cover assembly reduces weight and complexity, while eliminating the need for side rails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventors: Michael Beltowski, George C. Stickles, Rick H. Troeger, Richard Essig, Tavis Lutzka
  • Publication number: 20160280139
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Inventors: George C. Stickles, Frank A. Borke
  • Patent number: 9452713
    Abstract: A modular mounting system for running board assemblies including at least one universal mounting bar and at least one universal mounting arrangement for connecting to a body panel of a motor vehicle. The universal mounting bar includes at least a first plurality of apertures which correlate to mounting apertures in the vehicle body panel, and a second plurality of apertures which correspond to mounting apertures in a second discreet vehicle body panel, and a third plurality of apertures which correspond to mounting apertures in a third discreet vehicle body panel. The universal mounting bar provides a single bar that accommodates various aperture locations for body panels on any number of predetermined vehicles brands/models. Each universal mounting arrangement has at least one fifth plurality of apertures for connecting to each of a fourth plurality of apertures at predetermined locations on the universal mounting bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Bestop, Inc.
    Inventor: George C. Stickles
  • Publication number: 20160031376
    Abstract: A modular mounting system for running board assemblies including at least one universal mounting bar and at least one universal mounting arrangement for connecting to a body panel of a motor vehicle. The universal mounting bar includes at least a first plurality of apertures which correlate to mounting apertures in the vehicle body panel, and a second plurality of apertures which correspond to mounting apertures in a second discreet vehicle body panel, and a third plurality of apertures which correspond to mounting apertures in a third discreet vehicle body panel. The universal mounting bar provides a single bar that accommodates various aperture locations for body panels on any number of predetermined vehicles brands/models. Each universal mounting arrangement has at least one fifth plurality of apertures for connecting to each of a fourth plurality of apertures at predetermined locations on the universal mounting bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2015
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Inventor: George C. Stickles
  • Patent number: 8342550
    Abstract: An adjustable step arrangement for a vehicle to assist a user to get into and out of the vehicle. The arrangement includes a U-shaped, tube member supported on a guide system. The tube member has two leg portions with a step section extending between them. The leg portions of the tube members have slots in their undersides that slidably receive vertical guide plates attached to the vehicle. The plates have guide channels in them and the leg portions of the tube member are secured to the guide plates by bolts passing through the channels wherein the adjustable step arrangement can be selectively moved either manually or by a powered assembly between its raised and lowered positions. The step arrangement is accessible to the user for assistance getting into and out of the vehicle in both its raised and lowered positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Bestop, Inc.
    Inventors: George C. Stickles, Rex W. Stevens
  • Publication number: 20100102528
    Abstract: An adjustable step arrangement for a vehicle to assist a user to get into and out of the vehicle. The arrangement includes a U-shaped, tube member supported on a guide system. The tube member has two leg portions with a step section extending between them. The leg portions of the tube members have slots in their undersides that slidably receive vertical guide plates attached to the vehicle. The plates have guide channels in them and the leg portions of the tube member are secured to the guide plates by bolts passing through the channels wherein the adjustable step arrangement can be selectively moved either manually or by a powered assembly between its raised and lowered positions. The step arrangement is accessible to the user for assistance getting into and out of the vehicle in both its raised and lowered positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: BESTOP, INC.
    Inventors: George C. Stickles, Rex W. Stevens
  • Publication number: 20040195818
    Abstract: The reverse shackle system is designed to reverse the OEM leaf spring mounting design by moving the stationary mount to the front of the leaf spring in the front suspension increasing steering and handling stability. The roller bumper is designed to enable ascending on boulders utilizing a steel tube shafted by another steel tube creating a front roller. The front mounting component for reverse shackle system and roller bumper is a one piece unit providing a ridgidness of the portion of the vehicle frame. The front and rear suspension drop-arm shackle mounts are a system to increase front and rear independent suspension drop or wheel articulation. The drop-arm shackle mount pivots and drops allowing increase independent wheel travel. The rear leaf spring mounting system allows for movement of rear axle rearward for large tire applications as well as increased independent drop and wheel travel. The mounting front and rear mounting system allows for a 2″ or 4″ suspension lift.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2003
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Frank A. Borke, George C. Stickles
  • Patent number: 6690802
    Abstract: A speaker box for a sport utility vehicle. The speaker box is pivotally mounted to the sports bar of the vehicle and can be selectively pivoted relative to the bar to a plurality of positions. In one position, the sound from the speakers of the speaker box is directed downwardly as in convention designs. However, unlike conventional designs, the speaker box and its sound can also be directed rearwardly of the vehicle for parties and other gatherings such as at campsites or on the beach. Further, the speaker box and its sound can be directed slightly forward toward the front of the vehicle if desired. In doing so, a saddle or cutout is provided in the middle of the speaker box so as not to unduly inhibit the driver's vision through the rear view mirror.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Bestop, Inc.
    Inventors: George C. Stickles, Frank A. Borke
  • Publication number: 20030076964
    Abstract: A speaker box for a sport utility vehicle. The speaker box is pivotally mounted to the sports bar of the vehicle and can be selectively pivoted relative to the bar to a plurality of positions. In one position, the sound from the speakers of the speaker box is directed downwardly as in convention designs. However, unlike conventional designs, the speaker box and its sound can also be directed rearwardly of the vehicle for parties and other gatherings such as at campsites or on the beach. Further, the speaker box and its sound can be directed slightly forward toward the front of the vehicle if desired. In doing so, a saddle or cutout is provided in the middle of the speaker box so as not to unduly inhibit the driver's vision through the rear view mirror.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: George C. Stickles, Frank A. Borke
  • Patent number: D461436
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Bestop, Inc.
    Inventors: George C. Stickles, Frank A. Borke
  • Patent number: D469421
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Bestop, Inc.
    Inventors: George C. Stickles, Frank A. Borke
  • Patent number: D432076
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2000
    Assignee: Bestop, Inc.
    Inventors: George C. Stickles, Frank A. Borke