Abstract: Conversion of a hard top or half-hard top auto to an open-top auto is accomplished with a frame assembly and optional hatchback cap of the invention. The frame assembly is permanently mounted to the auto. It comprises a set of mounting plates for attachment to inside sidewalls of the auto, a stabilizer bar secured to the mounting plates and extending laterally across the auto, a set of main frame rails pivotally attached to the mounting plates and extending generally vertically, a pivot bar attached to the main frame rails and extending laterally across the auto, a set of secondary rail extensions with each pivotally attached to the pivot bar and a secondary cross rail secured to the secondary rail extensions and extending laterally across the auto. The frame assembly is collapsible about the pivot points into a seating area of the auto to give an open-top auto. The stabilizer bar helps to hold the hatchback cap in position.

Abstract: A method of molding a plastic-backed carpet blank to a desired shape uses a minimum of work force and carpet material. The method utilizes a portable frame assembly having an open rack with yieldable holding clamps. The holding clamps are used to suspend a plastic-backed carpet blank in the rack. The frame assembly has a set of wheeled legs which allows it to be readily transported between work stations such as a heating zone and a molding zone. The yieldable holding clamps maintain the carpet under constant tension during the molding zone to result in a high quality molded carpet.

Abstract: Molded carpet for use in motor vehicles is made by a method which allows the molding of carpet having deep well areas. The method comprises the steps of heating a plastic backed carpet blank to a degree to make its backing pliable and thereafter molding the heated carpet in a set of specially constructed molds. The molds generally have the shape of the floor area to be covered. However, they are arch-shaped from edge to edge at those portions of the mold where draws are needed to accommodate specially contoured well areas of the motor vehicle's floor area.

Abstract: A carpet mat is produced for use on a floor carpet. The carpet mat is comprised of a carpet component with at least one gripping member of its underside. The gripping member is a thin plate having a first set of vertically extending protrusions which extend into a fibrous portion of the carpet component. Substantially all the tips of the protrusions are distorted in a random fashion to interlock with the fibrous portion of the carpet component to cause a permanent attachment thereto. A second set of vertically extending protrusions extend from an opposite side of the thin plate and are for the purpose of interacting with the floor carpet to prevent a shifting of the carpet mat when placed onto the floor carpet.

Abstract: A subflooring composite is especially useful in a van. The composite comprises a plastic core having a thin planar bottom surface layer, a thin planar top surface layer and a series of substantially equi-spaced and generally vertically extending support walls connecting the bottom and top surface layers. A foam underlay is adhered to the plastic core's underside. The subflooring composite has good structural strength, insulation properties, and acoustic qualities. It is readily precut to abut against the interior vertical walls of the van.