Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Tops – Let-down type top
Reexamination Certificate
2001-02-08
2001-09-04
Pape, Joseph D. (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Tops
Let-down type top
C296S146140
Reexamination Certificate
active
06283532
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a convertible top for a vehicle.
BACKGROUND ART
Convertible tops are popular options on vehicles. A convertible top forms the roof over the passenger compartment when it is extended and is retracted into a storage compartment behind the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Soft top convertible tops have a plurality of bows supported by a top stack linkage. The top stack and bows are covered by a flexible cover.
Convertible tops generally have a back lite that may be formed of glass or transparent plastic that permit occupants of the vehicle to see through the rear portion of the convertible top. Some convertible tops have soft back lites that fold with the top but this type of back lite is easily scratched that causes a loss of transparency. For this reason, rigid glass or plastic back lites are generally preferred even though they are difficult to incorporate in the kinematic of a convertible top.
Many convertible top systems also include a tonneau cover for covering the convertible top when it is in its stored position. Tonneau covers may take many different forms. One form of a tonneau cover is a flexible canvas cover that is connected by snaps around the perimeter of the storage compartment in which the convertible top is stored when retracted. Flexible, snap-on canvas tonneau covers are inconvenient to attach and remove.
Another type of tonneau cover is a rigid tonneau cover panel that is linked to the vehicle and is either power driven or is manually operated. A disadvantage associated with a rigid tonneau cover is that it adds weight to the vehicle, particularly if it has an independent drive system.
What is needed is a simple and effective automatic tonneau cover wherein the back lite of the convertible top also functions as a tonneau cover. The back lite may form the entire tonneau cover or only a portion of the tonneau cover. If the back lite panel forms only a portion of the tonneau cover, additional retractable panels may be used to cover other portions of the retracted convertible top.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention, a convertible top is provided that has a back lite that is lifted by the top stack linkage to allow the other portions of the top to be folded under the back lite into a retracted position of the convertible top. After the other portions of the top stack and the convertible top cover are folded into the convertible top storage compartment, the back lite is folded down over the top of the retracted convertible top to function as all or part of the tonneau cover.
According to the invention, a convertible top is provided for a vehicle having a passenger compartment and a storage area for storing the top. A top stack linkage is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position. The top stack linkage has a plurality of bows that extend transversely between a right side and a left side of the top stack linkage. The bows define a roof line of the vehicle when the top stack linkage is in the extended position. A flexible cover is secured to the top stack linkage that encloses the passenger compartment when the top stack linkage is extended and is stored in the storage area when the top stack linkage is retracted. According to the invention, a relatively rigid back lite spans an opening in the flexible cover when the top stack linkage is extended. The back lite is connected to a back lite control link that is also connected to the top stack linkage. Upon moving the top stack linkage from the extended position to the retracted position, the back lite control link shifts the back lite to permit at least some of the bows to pass below the back lite. The back lite is positioned over at least some of the bows when the top stack linkage is in its retracted position.
According to another aspect of the invention, the top stack linkage is connected to the vehicle at a main pivot bracket. The back lite control link is formed in first and second parts that are connected by a pivot. The first part of the back lite control link is connected to the main pivot bracket while the second part of the back lite control link is connected to the back lite.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the plurality of bows includes a first bow that is detachably secured to the windshield header when the top stack is extended. A second bow is provided rearward of the first bow. A third bow is located rearward of the second bow and a fourth bow is located rearward of the third bow. The back lite is rearward of the fourth bow when the top stack is extended. A rear portion of the convertible top cover is secured to the vehicle on the opposite side of the back lite from the fourth bow.
According to another aspect of the invention, the cover may be secured to the first bow and second bow but not secured to the third and fourth bows so that the back lite may move while remaining attached to the cover as the third and fourth bows move relative to the cover to permit them to move below the back lite.
According to another aspect of the invention, the back lite is preferably maintained in a generally rearwardly facing angular orientation when the top stack is extended. The back lite is maintained in a generally horizontal orientation when the top stack is in the retracted position and is disposed over one or more of the bows as previously described.
According to another aspect of the invention, a four bar link may be provided that pivots at one point on the main pivot bracket and has one leg that is formed by part of the back lite control link. The four bar link connects the back lite control link to the top stack linkage to be operative to control movement of the back lite as the top stack linkage is extended and retracted.
These and other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be better understood in view of the attached drawings and following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4741571 (1988-05-01), Godette
patent: 5209544 (1993-05-01), Benedetto et al.
patent: 5246262 (1993-09-01), Schrader et al.
patent: 5769483 (1998-06-01), Danzl et al.
patent: 5788316 (1998-08-01), Rothe
patent: 6019416 (2000-02-01), Beierl
patent: 6123381 (2000-09-01), Schenk
patent: 6123382 (2000-09-01), Lorenz
Brooks & Kushman P.C.
CTS Fahrzeug - Dachsysteme GmbH
Pape Joseph D.
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