Folding top for a convertible

Details Folding top for a convertible Folding top for a convertible

1999-02-12

2001-02-06

Dayoan, D. Glenn (Department: 3612)

Land vehicles: bodies and tops

Tops

Let-down type top

C296S107010

Reexamination Certificate

active

06183037

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This application claims the priority of German application No. 198 05 657.5, filed Feb. 12, 1998, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
The present invention relates to a folding top for a convertible, and more particularly, to a folding top which consists of a folding top linkage and a folding top covering carried by the folding top linkage, the folding top covering comprising at least one folding top material segment.
In conventional folding tops, the folding top material is processed as flat merchandise from rolls which permits a deformation only within certain limits. In order to achieve the three-dimensional shape of the later folding top covering, the complete folding top covering must be fitted together from several flat segments which are connected with one another by seams. In order to ensure water tightness, the seams must subsequently be sealed off.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a folding top covering in which connection seams and sealing measures can be at least considerably reduced or completely eliminated. Thereby, the manufacturing costs are considerably reduced and, in addition, an improvement of the appearance of the folding top covering is achieved.
According to the present invention, this object has been achieved by providing a folding top wherein the at least one folding top material segment is shaped by means of thermal deforming to a three-dimensional shape adapted to the contour of the folding top.
Principal advantages achieved with the invention are that, because of the thermal deformation of the folding top material segments, the number of the connection seams as well as the sealing measures can be significantly reduced which results in lower manufacturing costs.
A folding top covering is particularly advantageous which consists only of a single, thermally deformable folding top material segment, because connecting seams and sealing measures can then be eliminated completely. The thermal deformation preferably takes place by deep-drawing the folding top material. In the case of a multilayer folding top material with an intermediate layer of synthetic caoutchouc or rubber, the thermal deformation preferably takes place in a joint operation with the vulcanizing of the intermediate layer.


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