Claims
- 1. A retractable top system for a vehicle having a passenger compartment and a storage area behind the passenger compartment, the vehicle having a body and a windshield defining the forward end of the passenger compartment, the windshield having a header, the top system having an extended position wherein the top system defines a roof over the passenger compartment and interconnects with the windshield header and a retracted position wherein the top system does not cover the passenger compartment and at least a portion of the top system is disposed in the storage area, the top system comprising:
a front section having a forward edge and a rearward edge, the forward edge of the front section interconnecting with the windshield header and the front section defining at least part of the front portion of the roof when the top system is in the extended position, the front section having an inner surface and an opposed outer surface, the inner surface facing the passenger compartment when the top system is in the extended position; a middle section disposed rearwardly of the front section when the top system is in the extended position, the middle section having a forward edge and a rearward edge, the forward edge being disposed adjacent the rearward edge of the front section when the top is in the extended position, the middle section having an inner surface and an opposed outer surface, the inner surface facing the passenger compartment when the top system is in the extended position; a rear section disposed rearwardly of the middle section when the top system is in the extended position, the rear section having a forward edge, an opposed rearward edge and a pair of opposed side edges extending between the forward and rearward edges, the forward edge of the rear section being disposed adjacent the rearward edge of the middle section when the top system is in the extended position, the rear section being a rigid panel extending generally continuously between the opposed side edges and between the forward and rearward edges; and a flexible roof membrane having a forward edge proximate the forward edge of the front section, the roof membrane extending rearwardly so as to cover at least the outer surfaces of the front section and the middle section when the top system is in the extended position; wherein when the top system is in the retracted position, the outer surface of the front section is directed upwardly and the outer surface of the middle section is directed downwardly.
- 2. The top system according to claim 1, wherein:
the front section has a pair of opposed sides extending between the forward and rearward edges, the front section being a rigid panel extending generally continuously between the opposed sides and between the forward and rearward edges; and the middle section has a pair of opposed sides extending between the forward and rearward edges, the front section being a rigid panel extending generally continuously between the opposed sides and between the forward and rearward edges.
- 3. The top system according to claim 2, wherein a rear window forms a portion of the rear section.
- 4. The top system according to claim 3, wherein the flexible roof membrane covers substantially all of the front, middle, and rear sections, except for the rear window.
- 5. The top system according to claim 1, wherein:
the front section is an open frame for supporting part of the flexible membrane; and the middle section is an open frame for supporting another part of the flexible membrane.
- 6. The top system according to claim 2, wherein a rear window forms a portion of the rear section.
- 7. The top system according to claim 6, wherein the flexible roof membrane covers substantially all of the front, middle, and rear sections, except for the rear window.
- 8. The top system according to claim 2, wherein the front section includes a pair of side members with at least one transverse bow extending between the side members.
- 9. The top system according to claim 8, wherein the front section further includes a rigid header portion extending transversely between the side members adjacent the forward edge of the front section.
- 10. The top system according to claim 2, wherein the middle section includes a pair of side members with at least one transverse bow extending between the side members.
- 11. The top system according to claim 10, wherein the middle section includes two transverse bows extending between the side members.
- 12. The top system according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of first links and a pair of second links, each of the links having one end pivotally interconnected with the rear section and another end pivotally interconnected with the middle section, the links and the middle and rear sections forming a pair of parallel four bar linkages operable to articulate the middle section with respect to the rear section such that when the top system is in the retracted position the middle section nests with the rear section and the outer surface of the middle section is adjacent the inner surface of the rear section.
- 13. The top system according to claim 12, further comprising a pair of balance links each having a first end pivotally interconnected with the vehicle body and a second end pivotally interconnected with one of the first links between the one end and the other end of the first link.
- 14. The top system according to claim 1, wherein the rearward edge of the front section is pivotally interconnected to the forward edge of the middle section.
- 15. The top system according to claim 1, wherein the outer surface of the rear section is directed downwardly when the top system is in the retracted position.
- 16. The top system according to claim 1, wherein the rear section is pivotally interconnected with the vehicle body adjacent the rearward edge of the rear section.
- 17. A retractable top system for a vehicle having a passenger compartment and a storage area behind the passenger compartment, the vehicle having a body and a windshield defining the forward end of the passenger compartment, the windshield having a header, the top system having an extended position wherein the top system defines a roof over the passenger compartment and interconnects with the windshield header and a retracted position wherein the top system does not cover the passenger compartment and at least a portion of the top system is disposed in the storage area, the top system comprising:
a rear section defining the rearmost portion of the roof when the top system is in the extended position, the rear section having a forward edge, an opposed rearward edge and a pair of opposed side edges extending between the forward and rearward edges, the rear section having an inner surface and an opposed outer surface, the inner surface facing the passenger compartment when the top system is in the extended position, the rear section being a rigid panel extending generally continuously between the opposed side edges and between the forward and rearward edges; and a forward section disposed forwardly of the rear section when the top is in the extended position, the forward section being an open frame, the forward section having an inner surface and an opposed outer surface, the inner surface facing the passenger compartment when the top system is in the extended position; a pair of first links and a pair of second links, each of the links having one end pivotally interconnected with the rear section and another end pivotally interconnected with the forward section, the links and the forward and rear sections forming a pair of parallel four bar linkages operable to articulate the forward section with respect to the rear section such that when the top system is in the retracted position the forward section nests with the rear section and the outer surface of the forward section is adjacent the inner surface of the rear section; and a flexible roof membrane covering at least the outer surface of the forward section when the top system is in the extended position.
- 18. The top system according to claim 17, further comprising a front section disposed forwardly of the forward section when the top system is in the extended position, the front section having a forward edge and a rearward edge, the forward edge of the front section interconnecting with the windshield header and the front section defining at least part of the front portion of the roof when the top system is in the extended position, the front section having an inner surface and an opposed outer surface, the inner surface facing the passenger compartment when the top system is in the extended position;
the flexible roof membrane further covering the outer surface of the front section when the top is in the extended position.
- 19. The top system according to claim 18, wherein the front section is an open frame for supporting part of the flexible membrane.
- 20. The top system according to claim 19, wherein the front section includes a pair of side members with at least one transverse bow extending between the side members.
- 21. The top system according to claim 20, wherein the front section further includes a rigid header portion extending transversely between the side members adjacent the forward edge of the front section.
- 22. The top system according to claim 17, wherein a rear window forms a portion of the rear section.
- 23. The top system according to claim 22, wherein the flexible roof membrane covers substantially all of the forward and rear sections, except for the rear window.
- 24. The top system according to claim 17, wherein the forward section includes a pair of side members with at least one transverse bow extending between the side members.
- 25. The top system according to claim 24, wherein the forward section includes two transverse bows extending between the side members.
- 26. The top system according to claim 17, further comprising a pair of balance links each having a first end pivotally interconnected with the vehicle body and a second end pivotally interconnected with one of the first links between the one end and the other end of the first link.
- 27. The top system according to claim 17, wherein the outer surface of the forward section is directed downwardly when the top system is in the retracted position.
- 28. The top system according to claim 17, wherein the rear section is pivotally interconnected with the vehicle body adjacent the rearward edge of the rear section.
- 29. A retractable top system for a vehicle having a passenger compartment and a storage area behind the passenger compartment, the vehicle having a body and a windshield defining the forward end of the passenger compartment, the windshield having a header, the top system having an extended position wherein the top system defines a roof over the passenger compartment and interconnects with the windshield header and a retracted position wherein the top system does not cover the passenger compartment and at least a portion of the top system is disposed in the storage area, the top system comprising:
a front section having a forward edge and a rearward edge, the forward edge of the front section interconnecting with the windshield header and the front section defining at least part of the front portion of the roof when the top system is in the extended position, the front section having an inner surface and an opposed outer surface, the inner surface facing the passenger compartment when the top system is in the extended position; a rear section disposed rearwardly of the front section when the top system is in the extended position, the rear section having a forward edge an opposed rearward edge and a pair of opposed side edges extending between the forward and rearward edges, the rear section being a rigid panel extending between the opposed side edges and between the forward and rearward edges; and a flexible roof membrane having a forward edge proximate the forward edge of the front section, the roof membrane extending rearwardly so as to cover at least the upper surface of the front section when the top system is in the extended position; wherein when the top system is in the retracted position, the outer surface of the front section is directed upwardly and the outer surface of the rear section is directed downwardly.
- 30. The top system according to claim 29, wherein:
the front section has a pair of opposed sides extending between the forward and rearward edges, the front section being a rigid panel extending generally continuously between the opposed sides and between the forward and rearward edges.
- 31. The top system according to claim 30, wherein a rear window forms a portion of the rear section.
- 32. The top system according to claim 31, wherein the flexible roof membrane covers substantially all of the front and rear sections, except for the rear window.
- 33. The top system according to claim 29, wherein:
the front section is an open frame for supporting part of the flexible membrane.
- 34. The top system according to claim 33, wherein a rear window forms a portion of the rear section.
- 35. The top system according to claim 34, wherein the flexible roof membrane covers substantially all of the front and rear sections, except for the rear window.
- 36. The top system according to claim 33, wherein the front section includes a pair of side members with at least one transverse bow extending between the side members.
- 37. The top system according to claim 36, wherein the front section further includes a rigid header portion extending transversely between the side members adjacent the forward edge of the front section.
- 38. The top system according to claim 29, wherein the rear section is pivotally interconnected with the vehicle body adjacent the rearward edge of the rear section.
- 39. A retractable top system for a vehicle having a passenger compartment and a storage area behind the passenger compartment, the vehicle having a body and a windshield defining the forward end of the passenger compartment, the windshield having a header, the top system having an extended position wherein the top system defines a roof over the passenger compartment and interconnects with the windshield header and a retracted position wherein the top system does not cover the passenger compartment and at least a portion of the top system is disposed in the storage area, the top system comprising:
a rear section defining the rearmost portion of the roof when the top system is in the extended position, the rear section having a forward edge, an opposed rearward edge and a pair of opposed side edges extending between the forward and rearward edges, the rear section having an inner surface and an opposed outer surface, the inner surface facing the passenger compartment when the top system is in the extended position, the rear section being a rigid panel extending generally continuously between the opposed side edges and between the forward and rearward edges; a middle section disposed forwardly of the rear section when the top system is in the extended position, the middle section having a forward edge, an opposed rearward edge and a pair of opposed side edges extending between the forward and rearward edges, the rearward edge being disposed adjacent the forward edge of the rear section when the top is in the extended position, the middle section having an inner surface and an opposed outer surface, the inner surface facing the passenger compartment when the top system is in the extended position, the middle section being a rigid panel extending generally continuously between the opposed side edges and between the forward and rearward edges; a front section disposed forwardly of the middle section when the top system is in the extended position, the middle section having a forward edge, an opposed rearward edge and a pair of opposed side edges extending between the forward and rearward edges, the rearward edge being disposed adjacent the forward edge of the middle section and the forward edge of the front section interconnecting with the windshield header when the top is in the extended position, the front section having an inner surface and an opposed outer surface, the inner surface facing the passenger compartment when the top system is in the extended position, the front section being a rigid panel extending generally continuously between the opposed side edges and between the forward and rearward edges; a pair of first links and a pair of second links, each of the links having one end pivotally interconnected with the rear section and another end pivotally interconnected with the middle section, the links and the middle and rear sections forming a pair of parallel four bar linkages operable to articulate the middle section with respect to the rear section such that when the top system is in the retracted position the middle section nests with the rear section and the outer surface of the middle section is adjacent the inner surface of the rear section; the rearward edge of the front section being pivotally interconnected with the forward edge of the middle section, the front section being articulated with respect to the middle section such that the inner surface of the front section faces the inner surface of the middle section when the top system is in the retracted position; and a flexible roof membrane covering at least the outer surfaces of the front section and the middle section when the top system is in the extended position.
- 40. The top system according to claim 39, wherein a rear window forms a portion of the rear section.
- 41. The top system according to claim 40, wherein the flexible roof membrane covers substantially all of outer surfaces of the front, middle, and rear sections, except for the rear window.
- 42. The top system according to claim 39, further comprising a pair of balance links each having a first end pivotally interconnected with the vehicle body and a second end pivotally interconnected with one of the first links between the one end and the other end of the first link.
- 43. The top system according to claim 39, wherein the outer surface of the middle section is directed downwardly when the top system is in the retracted position.
- 44. The top system according to claim 39, wherein the rear section is pivotally interconnected with the vehicle body adjacent the rearward edge of the rear section.
- 45. A retractable top system for a vehicle having a passenger compartment and a storage area behind the passenger compartment, the vehicle having a body and a windshield defining the forward end of the passenger compartment, the windshield having a header, the top system having an extended position wherein the top system defines a roof over the passenger compartment and interconnects with the windshield header and a retracted position wherein the top system does not cover the passenger compartment and at least a portion of the top system is disposed in the storage area, the top system comprising:
a rear section defining the rearmost portion of the roof when the top system is in the extended position, the rear section having a forward edge, an opposed rearward edge and a pair of opposed side edges extending between the forward and rearward edges, the rear section having an inner surface and an opposed outer surface, the inner surface facing the passenger compartment when the top system is in the extended position, the rear section being a rigid panel extending generally continuously between the opposed side edges and between the forward and rearward edges; a middle section disposed forwardly of the rear section when the top system is in the extended position, the middle section having a forward edge, an opposed rearward edge and a pair of opposed side edges extending between the forward and rearward edges, the rearward edge being disposed adjacent the forward edge of the rear section when the top is in the extended position, the middle section having an inner surface and an opposed outer surface, the inner surface facing the passenger compartment when the top system is in the extended position, the middle section being a rigid panel extending generally continuously between the opposed side edges and between the forward and rearward edges; a front section disposed forwardly of the middle section when the top system is in the extended position, the middle section having a forward edge, an opposed rearward edge and a pair of opposed side edges extending between the forward and rearward edges, the rearward edge being disposed adjacent the forward edge of the middle section and the forward edge of the front section interconnecting with the windshield header when the top is in the extended position, the front section having an inner surface and an opposed outer surface, the inner surface facing the passenger compartment when the top system is in the extended position, the front section being a rigid panel extending generally continuously between the opposed side edges and between the forward and rearward edges; a pair of first links and a pair of second links, each of the links having one end pivotally interconnected with the rear section and another end pivotally interconnected with the middle section, the links and the middle and rear sections forming a pair of parallel four bar linkages operable to articulate the middle section with respect to the rear section such that when the top system is in the retracted position the middle section nests with the rear section and the outer surface of the middle section is adjacent the inner surface of the rear section; and the rearward edge of the front section being pivotally interconnected with the forward edge of the middle section, the front section being articulated with respect to the middle section such that the inner surface of the front section faces the inner surface of the middle section when the top system is in the retracted position.
- 46. The top system according to claim 45, wherein a rear window forms a portion of the rear section.
- 47. The top system according to claim 45, further comprising a pair of balance links each having a first end pivotally interconnected with the vehicle body and a second end pivotally interconnected with one of the first links between the one end and the other end of the first link.
- 48. The top system according to claim 45, wherein the outer surface of the middle section is directed downwardly when the top system is in the retracted position.
- 49. The top system according to claim 45, wherein the rear section is pivotally interconnected with the vehicle body adjacent the rearward edge of the rear section.
- 50. A retractable top system for providing either a retractable hard top or a retractable soft top during manufacturing of a plurality of vehicles having substantially common body structures, each of the vehicles having a passenger compartment and a storage area behind the passenger compartment, each of the vehicles further having a body and a windshield defining the forward end of the passenger compartment and a plurality of attachment points for connecting a retractable top thereto, the system comprising:
a retractable soft top version, the soft top version having an extended position wherein the top version defines a roof over the passenger compartment and interconnects with the windshield header and a retracted position wherein the top version does not cover the passenger compartment and at least a portion of the top version is disposed in the storage area, the soft top version comprising:
a plurality of roof sections, at least one section being an open frame, each of the sections having an inner surface and an opposed outer surface, the inner surfaces facing the passenger compartment when the soft top version is in the extended position; and a flexible membrane covering at least a portion of the outer surfaces of each of the roof sections; and a retractable hard top version, the hard top version having an extended position wherein the top version defines a roof over the passenger compartment and interconnects with the windshield header and a retracted position wherein the top version does not cover the passenger compartment and at least a portion of the top version is disposed in the storage area, the hard top version comprising:
a plurality of roof sections, each of the roof sections having a forward edge, an opposed rearward edge, and a pair of opposed side edges extending between the forward and rearward edges, each roof section being a rigid panel extending generally continuously between the forward and rearward edges and between the opposed side edges; wherein a vehicle with a retractable hard top is manufactured by assembling the hard top version to one of the vehicle bodies and a vehicle with a retractable soft top is manufactured by assembling the soft top version to one of the vehicle bodies.
- 51. The retractable top system according to claim 50, wherein each of the plurality of roof sections of the hard top version has an inner surface and an opposed outer surface, the inner surface facing the passenger compartment when the top version is in the extended position, the hard top version further comprising a flexible membrane covering at least a portion of the outer surface of each of the roof sections when the hard top version is in the extended position.
- 52. The retractable top system according to claim 50, wherein one of the roof sections of the soft top version is a rear section, the rear section having a forward edge, an opposed rearward edge, and a pair of opposed side edges extending between the forward and rearward edges, the rear section being a rigid panel extending generally continuously between the forward and rearward edges and between the opposed side edges.
- 53. The retractable top system according to claim 50, wherein the plurality of roof sections of the retractable soft top version comprises a front roof section, a middle roof section, and a rear roof section.
- 54. The retractable top system according to claim 50, wherein the plurality of roof sections of the retractable hard top version comprises a front roof section, a middle roof section, and a rear roof section.
- 55. A retractable top system for providing either a retractable hard top or a retractable soft top during manufacturing of a plurality of vehicles having substantially common body structures, each of the vehicles having a passenger compartment and a storage area behind the passenger compartment, each of the vehicles further having a body and a windshield defining the forward end of the passenger compartment and a plurality of attachment points for connecting a retractable top thereto, the system comprising:
a retractable soft top version, the soft top version having an extended position wherein the top version defines a roof over the passenger compartment and interconnects with the windshield header and a retracted position wherein the top version does not cover the passenger compartment and at least a portion of the top version is disposed in the storage area, the soft top version comprising:
a front section having a forward edge and a rearward edge, the forward edge of the front section interconnecting with the windshield header and the front section defining at least part of the front portion of the roof when the soft top version is in the extended position, the front section having an inner surface and an opposed outer surface, the inner surface facing the passenger compartment when the soft top version is in the extended position; a middle section disposed rearwardly of the front section when the soft top version is in the extended position, the middle section having a forward edge and a rearward edge, the forward edge being disposed adjacent the rearward edge of the front section when the top is in the extended position, the middle section having an inner surface and an opposed outer surface, the inner surface facing the passenger compartment when the soft top version is in the extended position; a rear section disposed rearwardly of the middle section when the soft top version is in the extended position, the rear section having a forward edge an opposed rearward edge and a pair of opposed side edges extending between the forward and rearward edges, the forward edge of the rear section being disposed adjacent the rearward edge of the middle section when the soft top version is in the extended position, the rear section being a rigid panel extending between the opposed side edges and between the forward and rearward edges; and a flexible roof membrane having a forward edge proximate the forward edge of the front section, the roof membrane extending rearwardly so as to cover at least the upper surfaces of the front frame and the middle frame when the soft top version is in the extended position; wherein when the soft top version is in the retracted position, the outer surface of the front frame is directed upwardly; and a retractable hard top version, the hard top version having an extended position wherein the top version defines a roof over the passenger compartment and interconnects with the windshield header and a retracted position wherein the top version does not cover the passenger compartment and at least a portion of the top version is disposed in the storage area, the hard top version comprising:
a plurality of roof sections, each of the roof sections having a forward edge, an opposed rearward edge, and a pair of opposed side edges extending between the forward and rearward edges, each roof section being a rigid panel extending generally continuously between the forward and rearward edges and between the opposed side edges; wherein a vehicle with a retractable hard top is manufactured by assembling the hard top version to one of the vehicle bodies and a vehicle with a retractable soft top is manufactured by assembling the soft top version to one of the vehicle bodies.
- 56. A retractable top system for providing either a retractable hard top or a retractable soft top during manufacturing of a plurality of vehicles having substantially common body structures, each of the vehicles having a passenger compartment and a storage area behind the passenger compartment, each of the vehicles further having a body and a windshield defining the forward end of the passenger compartment and a plurality of attachment points for connecting a retractable top thereto, the system comprising:
a retractable soft top version, the soft top version having an extended position wherein the top version defines a roof over the passenger compartment and interconnects with the windshield header and a retracted position wherein the top version does not cover the passenger compartment and at least a portion of the top version is disposed in the storage area, the soft top version comprising:
a rear section defining the rearmost portion of the roof when the soft top version is in the extended position, the rear section having a forward edge, an opposed rearward edge and a pair of opposed side edges extending between the forward and rearward edges, the rear section having an inner surface and an opposed outer surface, the inner surface facing the passenger compartment when the soft top version is in the extended position, the rear section being a rigid panel extending between the opposed side edges and between the forward and rearward edges; and a forward section disposed forwardly of the rear section when the top is in the extended position, the forward section being an open frame, the forward section having an inner surface and an opposed outer surface, the inner surface facing the passenger compartment when the soft top version is in the extended position; a pair of first links and a pair of second links, each of the links having one end pivotally interconnected with the rear section and another end pivotally interconnected with the forward section, the links and the forward and rear sections forming a pair of parallel four bar linkages operable to articulate the forward section with respect to the rear section such that when the soft top version is in the retracted position the forward section nests with the rear section and the outer surface of the forward section is adjacent the inner surface of the rear section; and a flexible roof membrane covering at least the outer surface of the forward section when the soft top version is in the extended position; and a retractable hard top version, the hard top version having an extended position wherein the top version defines a roof over the passenger compartment and interconnects with the windshield header and a retracted position wherein the top version does not cover the passenger compartment and at least a portion of the top version is disposed in the storage area, the hard top version comprising:
a plurality of roof sections, each of the roof sections having a forward edge, an opposed rearward edge, and a pair of opposed side edges extending between the forward and rearward edges, each roof section being a rigid panel extending generally continuously between the forward and rearward edges and between the opposed side edges; wherein a vehicle with a retractable hard top is manufactured by assembling the hard top version to one of the vehicle bodies and a vehicle with a retractable soft top is manufactured by assembling the soft top version to one of the vehicle bodies.
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application Serial No. 60/445,094, filed Feb. 5, 2003; and U.S. provisional patent application Serial No. 60/403,601, filed Aug. 14, 2002, both of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.
Provisional Applications (2)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60445094 |
Feb 2003 |
US |
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60403601 |
Aug 2002 |
US |