US Patent Issued to Bestop on May 12 for "Rear hard enclosure for a soft top" (Michigan, Ohio Inventors)

ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 12 -- United States Patent no. 12,623,522, issued on May 12, was assigned to Bestop Inc. (Westminster, Colo.).

"Rear hard enclosure for a soft top" was invented by David A. Smith (Macomb Township, Mich.) and Charles C. Turney (Toledo, Ohio).

According to the abstract* released by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office: "A panel top assembly adapted for a vehicle including a pivotal portion that is rotatable between a closed position and open sunroof position, the pivotal portion is coupled to guide assemblies to selectively slide rearward to another top open position. There is provided a removable hard rear window, a rear hard drip rail; and a pair of removable hard rear side window assemblies on the side of the vehicle t...