Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Tops – Let-down type top
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-27
2001-11-20
Pape, Joseph D. (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Tops
Let-down type top
C296S136070
Reexamination Certificate
active
06318792
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to tonneau covers for convertible tops.
BACKGROUND ART
Vehicles having convertible tops are enjoying a substantial increase in popularity. The increase in popularity has been fostered by developments such as automatic convertible top extension and retraction and improvements in durability and appearance.
One type of automatic convertible top that is currently available is secured to the beltline of the vehicle at the rear edge of the convertible top and covered by a soft detachable tonneau cover, or “boot.” Another type of automatic convertible top has a one piece hard tonneau cover that is provided with a bottom rear edge that is not attached to the vehicle but is instead attached to a movable bow that is pivoted to allow for opening and closing of the convertible top and hard tonneau cover.
Soft tonneau covers are inconvenient and time consuming to attach and detach. They are generally secured by snap fasteners around their entire parameter. In some cases it may be necessary to snap or unsnap twenty or more snap fasteners to attach or detach a soft tonneau cover. Faced with this inconvenience, many drivers elect to leave the soft tonneau cover in the trunk. If the soft tonneau cover is not attached, the vehicle is both less aerodynamic and less attractive.
One disadvantage associated with automatic convertible tops that are not secured on the lower edge to the vehicle permanently, or “stitched in,” is that the rear edge of the convertible top may provide an additional air or water leakage path. This type of convertible top is also more noisy than a stitched in top. In addition, movement of the bow at the rear edge of the convertible top requires a complex mechanical mechanism that pivots the bow up and down to permit opening and closing of the one piece hard tonneau cover. The complexity of such structures adds to their cost and is a potential maintenance problem.
One objective in providing a hard tonneau cover is to provide a durable and strong cover that is capable of supporting at least 350 pounds. Another objective is to provide a hard tonneau cover that can be used to cover an automatic convertible top and its operating mechanism that has its rear edge stitched in or otherwise secured to the vehicle body permanently. Another objective is to reduce the complexity of the convertible top mechanism including the tonneau cover while providing completely automatic and reversible operation.
These and other problems presented by prior art devices and objectives in the design of hard tonneau covers are addressed by the present invention.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
According to the present invention, a tonneau cover is provided that is formed of multiple panels that are connected together in an articulated arrangement so that portions of the tonneau cover may be retracted automatically as the top is raised and lowered.
According to the present invention, a tonneau cover for a vehicle is provided that includes a center panel. Right and left corner panels are connected to the center panel and are moveable between an extended position in which the corner panels are adjacent to right and left edges of the center panel and a retracted position in which the right and left corner panels are at least particularly inboard of the center panel. A drive system is provided for moving the corner panels between their extended and retracted positions.
According to another aspect of the invention, pivot connectors connect each of the right and left corner panels to the center panel. The pivot connectors are preferably cam ramp pivots that shift the corner panels vertically as they are pivoted. The corner panels are substantially coplanar with the center panel when the corner panels are in their extended position and are parallel to the center panel when the corner panels are in their retracted position.
The drive system is an electrical motor that is secured to the center panel and includes a rotary drive disk that is rotated by the motor through a gear reducer. A pair of links connect the drive disk to the corner panels with one link being connected to each of the corner panels.
According to another aspect of the invention, right and left side tonneau panels are provided adjacent to and forward of a front edge of the right and left corner panels when the corner panels are in their extended position. The side tonneau panels are connected in a four bar link arrangement with the center panel. The four bar link is connected to a bracket that is secured to the vehicle. A drive cylinder is operatively connected by the four bar link to pivot the center panel and the side panels upwardly to thereby provide clearance for raising and lowering a convertible top of the vehicle.
The above objects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood in view of the attached drawings and detailed description of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2992042 (1961-07-01), Gilson et al.
patent: 4799729 (1989-01-01), Muscat
patent: 5064241 (1991-11-01), Ohrle
patent: 5067768 (1991-11-01), Fischbach
patent: 5100195 (1992-03-01), Patel
patent: 5219200 (1993-06-01), Orth et al.
patent: 5322337 (1994-06-01), Rawlings et al.
patent: 5558388 (1996-09-01), Furst et al.
patent: 5593202 (1997-01-01), Corder et al.
patent: 5620226 (1997-04-01), Sautter, Jr.
patent: 5769483 (1998-06-01), Danzl et al.
patent: 5775766 (1998-07-01), Schaible et al.
patent: 5921608 (1999-07-01), Schmitt et al.
patent: 5967593 (1999-07-01), Schuler et al.
patent: 6039382 (2000-03-01), Mather et al.
patent: 9200808.9 (1992-07-01), None
patent: 19637005 (1997-12-01), None
Matter Siegbert
Neubrand Frank G.
Brooks & Kushman P.C.
CTS Fahrzeug - Dachsysteme GmbH
Pape Joseph D.
LandOfFree
Articulated tonneau cover does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Articulated tonneau cover, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Articulated tonneau cover will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2607020