Patents by Inventor Thomas G. Fischer

Thomas G. Fischer 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).

  • Convertible top having a common pivot for a pivot link for two bows and a tensioning link for a rear rail
    Patent number: 8398147
    Abstract: A convertible top having a pivot link is provided that supports two bows. A main spring is secured to a pivot pin and connected to a main pivot bracket on the vehicle to provide a counterbalancing force on the balance link that assists in lifting the top stack linkage as the convertible top is retracted and extended. A five bow extends between and is attached to right and left pivot links by right and left pressure links, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Jan Just, Thomas G. Fischer
  • Convertible top stack having a triple pivot for a pivot link, center rail, and rear rail
    Patent number: 8302311
    Abstract: A convertible top stack linkage is provided that is formed, in part, in a thixotropic magnesium molding process. Many structural parts of the convertible top stack linkage may be thixotropically molded. A pivot link of the top stack linkage is pivotally connected to two bows, for example, the three and four bows of the top stack. A five bow extends between and is attached to right and left pivot links by right and left pressure links, respectively. A pivot link is provided that has a triple pivot connection to a tensioning link, a center rail and a rear rail. A main spring is secured to a pivot pin and connected to a main pivot bracket on the vehicle to provide a counterbalancing force on the balance link that assists in lifting the top stack linkage as the convertible top is retracted and extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Jan Just, Thomas G. Fischer
  • Convertible Top Stack Having a Triple Pivot for a Pivot Link, Center Rail, and Rear Rail
    Publication number: 20100109375
    Abstract: A convertible top stack linkage is provided that is formed, in part, in a thixotropic magnesium molding process. Many structural parts of the convertible top stack linkage may be thixotropically molded. A pivot link of the top stack linkage is pivotally connected to two bows, for example, the three and four bows of the top stack. A five bow extends between and is attached to right and left pivot links by right and left pressure links, respectively. A pivot link is provided that has a triple pivot connection to a tensioning link, a center rail and a rear rail. A main spring is secured to a pivot pin and connected to a main pivot bracket on the vehicle to provide a counterbalancing force on the balance link that assists in lifting the top stack linkage as the convertible top is retracted and extended.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: MAGNA CAR TOP SYSTEMS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Jan Just, Thomas G. Fischer
  • Convertible Top Having a Common Pivot for a Pivot Link for Two Bows and a Tensioning Link for a Rear Rail
    Publication number: 20100109374
    Abstract: A convertible top having a pivot link is provided that supports two bows. A main spring is secured to a pivot pin and connected to a main pivot bracket on the vehicle to provide a counterbalancing force on the balance link that assists in lifting the top stack linkage as the convertible top is retracted and extended. A five bow extends between and is attached to right and left pivot links by right and left pressure links, respectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Publication date: May 6, 2010
    Applicant: MAGNA CAR TOP SYSTEMS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Jan Just, Thomas G. Fischer
  • Injection molded magnesium convertible top stack
    Patent number: 7658008
    Abstract: A convertible top stack linkage is provided that is formed, in part, in a thixotropic magnesium molding process. Many structural parts of the convertible top stack linkage may be thixotropically molded. A pivot link of the top stack linkage is pivotally connected to two bows, for example, the three and four bows of the top stack. A five bow extends between and is attached to right and left pivot links by right and left pressure links, respectively. A pivot link is provided that has a triple pivot connection to a tensioning link, a center rail and a rear rail. A main spring is secured to a pivot pin and connected to a main pivot bracket on the vehicle to provide a counterbalancing force on the balance link that assists in lifting the top stack linkage as the convertible top is retracted and extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Jan Just, Thomas G. Fischer