Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Tops – Let-down type top
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-25
2001-11-27
Pape, Joseph D. (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Tops
Let-down type top
C296S107030, C296S107070, C296S107090, C296S147000, C280S756000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06322130
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a car top mechanism as defined in the claims. Furthermore, the invention relates to a rollover protection mechanism as defined in the claims. In addition, the invention relates to a convertible as defined in the preamble of claims.
In prior art, e.g. specifications U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,284,360, 5,094,478, 5,056,816, 5,236,219, 5,393,093 present different solutions for rollover protection of convertibles using a rollover bar which turns or is drawn into a concealed position and emerges when needed.
On the other hand, there are conventional multi-link top mechanisms used in convertibles, by means of which a soft flexible covering can be stretched over the passenger compartment and removed from this position. Similarly, there are multi-link top mechanisms used in conjunction with substantially rigid roof panel components forming a folding hard top.
In prior-art convertibles, the structures, actuating devices and functions of the rollover bar and those of the top mechanism are completely separate from each other because the rollover bar has been so designed that it will work in both the open and the closed positions of the folding top. The structures are therefore complicated and expensive.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to disclose a completely new type of top mechanism with an integrated rollover protection which is safer than previously known top mechanisms in the case of a rollover accident.
As for the features characteristic of the top mechanism, rollover protection system and convertible of the invention, reference is made to the claims.
According to the invention, the top mechanism is combined with a rollover bar for rollover protection which is linked with the top mechanism so that it turns in synchronism with the latter. The rollover bar forms a frame to which the rear window is connected.
In an embodiment of the top mechanism, the top mechanism is the-top mechanism of a so-called soft top structure, which comprises top bows for supporting a flexible covering in the closed position of the roof. In the top mechanism, the rollover bar is the rearmost bow, to which the rear edge of the covering is fixed and which determines the shape of the rear edge of the roof.
In an embodiment of the top mechanism, the top mechanism is the top mechanism of a folding hard top structure which comprises at least one substantially rigid roof panel component.
The rollover protection system for a convertible according to the invention comprises a rollover bar extending in the transverse direction of the convertible in the rear part of the passenger compartment. The rollover bar is pivotally connected to the body of the convertible so that it can turn about a horizontal transverse axis of the convertible between a substantially horizontal lowered position and a raised position. The system further comprises means for supporting the rollover bar and locking it in the raised position rigidly with respect to the body.
According to the invention, the rollover bar has been arranged to be turnable in synchronism with the top mechanism of the folding top of the convertible. The rollover bar forms a frame to which the rear window is connected.
In an embodiment of the system, the top mechanism is the top mechanism of a so-called soft top structure, which comprises top bows for supporting a flexible covering in the closed position of the roof. The rollover bar is the rearmost bow in the top mechanism, to which the rear edge of the covering is fixed and which determines the shape of the rear edge of the roof.
In an embodiment of the system, the top mechanism is the top mechanism of a folding hard top structure comprising at least one substantially rigid roof panel component.
The convertible of the invention comprises a folding top fitted to cover at least part of the passenger compartment. The roof comprises a multi-link top mechanism which can be moved by means of an operating device between a closed position in which the roof extends over the passenger compartment and an open position in which the roof has been folded up from its position over the passenger compartment. The convertible further comprises a rollover bar extending in a transverse direction of the vehicle in the rear part of the passenger compartment, forming a rollover protector. The rollover bar is pivotally connected to the body of the convertible so that it can turn about a horizontal transverse axis of the convertible between a substantially horizontal lowered position and a raised position. In addition, the convertible is provided with means for supporting the rollover bar and locking it in the raised position so as to make it rigid with respect to the body.
According to the invention, the rollover bar has been arranged to be turnable in synchronism with the top mechanism. The rollover bar forms a frame to which the rear window is connected.
In an embodiment of the convertible, the top mechanism is the top mechanism of a so-called soft top structure, which comprises top bows for supporting a flexible covering in the closed position of the roof. In the top mechanism, the rollover bar is the rearmost bow, to which the rear edge of the covering is fixed and which determines the shape of the rear edge of the roof.
In an embodiment of the convertible, the top mechanism is the top mechanism of a folding hard top structure which comprises at least one substantially rigid roof panel part.
In an embodiment of the convertible, the rear window is attached to the rollover bar e.g. by gluing. The rear window may be made of prestressed or laminated glass, plastic or some other suitable window material.
In an embodiment of the convertible, the rear window is openable. In this case, the when the top is in its closed position, the side windows as well as the rear window can be open at the same time so that an air flow can pass from the side into the compartment and out through the rear window opening bordered by the rollover bar.
In an embodiment of the convertible, the rear window is connected to the rollover bar via hinges at its lower edge so that it can be turned between a closed and an open position. In its closed position, the rear window can be locked by means of a suitable locking device disposed e.g. at the upper edge of the rear window.
In an embodiment of the convertible, the rollover bar comprises window guide tracks. The rear window can be moved along the window guide tracks between an open and a closed position. The convertible may be provided with a manual or powered operating mechanism for moving the rear window.
In an embodiment of the convertible, the part of the rollover bar comprising the rear window is placed in a plane inclined by 10°-25° with respect to the vertical plane, preferably in the rearward direction. The rearward inclination of the rear window gives the vehicle a different appearance and also provides more space for the heads of passengers on the rear seat.
An embodiment of the convertible comprises a connecting lever pivotally connected by one end to the rollover bar and by the other end to at least one turnable part of the top mechanism to cause the rollover bar to move together with the top mechanism.
In an embodiment of the convertible, the means for supporting and locking the rollover bar comprise supporting legs, which are fixedly connected to the rollover bar and whose lower ends in the raised position of the rollover bar rest on a back stop provided on the body at a distance from a fulcrum of the rollover bar, and a releasable and lockable locking device for locking the supporting legs to the body.
In an embodiment of the convertible, the locking device comprises a pivoted lever pivotally connected to the body so that it can turn between a releasing position and a locking position, said pivoted lever comprising a locking clutch for engaging the end of the supporting leg in the raised position of the rollover bar; a spring for applying a load to the pivoted lever to turn it to the locking position, and a power means for turnin
Kinnanen Matti
Wandén Ari
Andrus Sceales Starke & Sawall LLP
Coletta Lori L
Pape Joseph D.
Valmet Automotive Oy
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