Patents by Inventor Michael C Stevens

Michael C Stevens 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).

  • Patent number: 6932423
    Abstract: A removable header for a soft top or similar accessory for a sport utility vehicle. The header has a main body that is releasably securable to the vehicle windshield using just clamps. The header also includes short extensions on each side of the main body that extend rearwardly of it. In use, the extensions abut portions of the safety bar arrangement immediately adjacent the windshield of the vehicle and prevent the header from rotating beyond a predetermined position relative to the windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Bestop, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C Stevens, Rick H. Troeger, James A. Robertson
  • Publication number: 20040130188
    Abstract: A removable header for a soft top or similar accessory for a sport utility vehicle. The header has a main body that is releasably securable to the vehicle windshield using just clamps. The header also includes short extensions on each side of the main body that extend rearwardly of it. In use, the extensions abut portions of the safety bar arrangement immediately adjacent the windshield of the vehicle and prevent the header from rotating beyond a predetermined position relative to the windshield.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Publication date: July 8, 2004
    Inventors: Michael C. Stevens, Rick H. Troeger, James A. Robertson
  • Patent number: 6688668
    Abstract: A retainer system for vehicle soft tops and tonneau covers. The system includes a belt attached to the edge of the fabric of the top or tonneau cover and a channel member mounted on the vehicle to selectively receive the belt. The belt is provided with a stop mechanism to positively prevent the belt from peeling out of the retaining channel member farther than desired. In the preferred embodiments, the stop mechanism is a notch or cutout in the belt. With the present retainer system, the notch will effectively stop the peel or withdrawal of the belt from the retaining channel at a predetermined location along the channel. In this manner, the belt and attached top or tonneau cover can be partially removed from engagement along the channel member to make it easier and quicker for the operator to perform a number of desirable tasks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Bestop, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael C. Stevens, Rick H. Troeger, Nancy L. Brunner, Timothy J. Gile
  • Publication number: 20030102698
    Abstract: A retainer system for vehicle soft tops and tonneau covers. The system includes a belt attached to the edge of the fabric of the top or tonneau cover and a channel member mounted on the vehicle to selectively receive the belt. The belt is provided with a stop mechanism to positively prevent the belt from peeling out of the retaining channel member farther than desired. In the preferred embodiments, the stop mechanism is a notch or cutout in the belt. With the present retainer system, the notch will effectively stop the peel or withdrawal of the belt from the retaining channel at a predetermined location along the channel. In this manner, the belt and attached top or tonneau cover can be partially removed from engagement along the channel member to make it easier and quicker for the operator to perform a number of desirable tasks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Inventors: Michael C. Stevens, Rick H. Troeger, Nancy L. Brunner, Charles A. Brunner, Timothy J. Gile
  • Patent number: 4792179
    Abstract: This invention attaches a flexible truck bed cover to the truck, by means of a plastic strip sewn into the cover, fitting inside a gap at the top of the bed, created by a supporting frame or a bed liner. The stretch in the flexible cover allows the plastic strip into the gap on all four sides of the bed and the contracting of the fabric keeps it in there, plus while the vehicle is in motion, the downward motion of the slipstream increases the forces holding the strip into the gap. A zip out access panel facilitates a separate opening within the cover itself for one-handed opening and ease of access by means of a U shaped panel behind the cab of the truck. Being the full width of the bed and 25 inches down the bed, it gives 10 square feet of access.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1986
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1988
    Inventor: Michael C. Stevens