GB2159776A

GB2159776A - Vehicle with a convertible top

Info

Publication number: GB2159776A
Application number: GB08414278A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Milton C Kaltz; Michael P Alexander; Howard Lehr
Original assignee: ASC Inc
Current assignee: ASC Inc
Priority date: 1983-04-29
Filing date: 1984-06-05
Publication date: 1985-12-11
Also published as: GB2159776B; GB8414278D0

Abstract

A vehicle having a convertible top includes a header 120 mounted to the upper edge of the vehicle windshield (34) provided with a recessed portion 128 for receiving the front cross-bow 18 of the convertible top in a flush alignment with the upper surface 124 of the header. The convertible top includes a flexible cover 14 mounted on a frame work of side rails 16, and interconnecting cross bows 18,20,22,24. First and seconds seals 130, 132 are provided and a clamping strip 138 secures a headliner 136 to the header. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Vehicle with a convertible top BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field Of The Invention This invention relates, in general, to automobiles and, more specifically, to automobiles having a convertible top.

Description Of The Prior Art Vehicles, such as automobiles, have been provided with a convertible top comprised of a fabric covered framework formed of articulatable side rails, interconnecting cross bows and an operating linkage typically powered by hydraulic cylinders for raising and lowering the top between an erected position over the vehicle body and a retracted or lowered position within a storage compartment behind the rear seat of the vehicle. Due to the lack of a rigid roof structure in such vehicles when the convertible top is in the lowered position, the thickness of the vehicle body panels must be increased or additional reinforcements or braces added to the vehicle body panels to provide the necessary structured strength for the body.

A common reinforcement added to increase the structural integrity of a vehicle body having a convertible top is a rigid cross panel member mounted within the passenger compartment behind the rear seat and extending between and joined to the quarter panels of the vehicle. The cross panel is typically solid in form and extends vertically between the compartment floor pan and the top of the rear seat of the vehicle. The cross panel member is spaced from the rear trunk support member and forms a well or storage space for the convertible top when the top is in the lowered position. While the cross panel member is effective in providing sufficient structural strength to the vehicle body, it necessarily adds considerable weight to the vehicle and, therefore, increases the cost of the convertible top option.

While the additional support structure required for a vehicle body having a convertible top can easily be provided during the design stages of the vehicle, difficulties are encountered when a vehicle having a rigid or hard top is to be converted into a vehicle with a convertible top. Since the required structural strength is not designed into the vehicle body itself, many additional support members and reinforcements are required which necessarily increases the cost and complexity of the convertible top conversion.

Thus, it would be desirable to provide a vehicle having a convertible top which overcomes the problems of previously devised vehicles having convertible tops relating to the number and size of the components needed to be added to the vehicle to provide'the requisite structural strength for the vehicle body. It would also be desirable to provide a convertible top which can be installed as a conversion assembly on a vehicle initially having a rigid hard top.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a vehicle having a convertible top. Reinforcement members are secured to certain interior body panels of the vehicle to provide the requisite structural support for the vehicle body. The reinforcement members include an upper belt line reinforcement joined to and extending across the upper portion of the body quarter panels and the rear upper back panel. Reinforcement members are also secured between the vehicle quarter panels and the wheel house. The belt line and quarter panel reinforcement members define a box-like structure with an aperture formed therein which provides communication between the trunk and passenger compartments of the vehicle so as to enable the elongated objects to be stored within the vehicle when the rear seats of the vehicle are folded down.

A header mounted on the upper edge of the ewindshield of the vehicle includes a laterally extending edge portion recessed below the top surface of the header. First and second seat members are mounted on the header for sealing the front edge of the convertible top.

The front edge of the first cross bow of the convertible top is received in the recessed edge portion of the header such that the convertible top is mounted in a flush alignment with the top edge of the vehicle windshield.

Latches mounted on the front cross bow of the convertible top releasably engages apertures formed in the structure surrounding the windshield to lock the top in position on the vehicle. The apertures are located at the intersection of the header and windshield pillar.

The unique vehicle with a convertible top of the present invention provides several features and advantages not found with previously devised vehicles having convertible tops. The support structure added to the interior body panels of the vehicle provides the necessary structural integrity for the vehicle and uniquely enables an opening to be formed between the trunk and passenger compartments so as to enable elongated articles to be disposed within the interior of the vehicle when the rear seat of the vehicle is folded down.

Such a capability has previously not been provided in vehicles with convertible tops due to the support panels previously utilized to provide the necessary structural strength for the vehicle body.

Furthermore, the unique header attached to the top edge of the windshield enables the first cross-bow of the convertible top to be disposed in-line with the top edge of the header so as to provide a flush, smooth appearance to the front edge of the convertible top. This compares favorably with previously devised attachment methods in which the front edge of the convertible top overlays the upper edge of the windshield of header mounted thereto.

The header and adjoining structure are provided with apertures for releasably receiving latches mounted on the front cross-bow of the convertible top. This unique arrangement eliminates the need for the costly casting that was previously mounted on the top edge of the windshield for aligning and latching the top in the raised position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The various features, advantages and other uses of the present invention will become more apparent by referring to the following detailed description and drawing in which: Figure 1 is a partial, perspective view of a vehicle constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention having a convertible top mounted therein; Figure 2 is a partial, perspective view of the vehicle shown in Fig. 1 illustrating the reinforcement structure added to the vehicle; Figure 3 is an enlarged, partial, perspective view of the reinforcement structure shown in Fig. 2; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view generally taken along line 4-4 in Fig. 2; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view generally taken along 5-5 in Fig. 2; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view generally taken along line 6-6 in Fig. 2;; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional veiw generally taken along line 7-7 in Fig. 1; and Figure 8 is a partial, perspective view of the means for latching the convertible top to the vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODI MENT Throughout the following desription and drawing, an identical reference number is used to refer to the same component shown in multiple figures of the drawing.

Referring now to the drawing and to Figs. 1 and 2 in particular, there is illustrated a vehicle 10 having a convertible top 1 2 mounted therein which is adapted for movement between an erected position over the vehicle 10 and a retracted or lowered position in which the top 1 2 is stored in a compartment or storage space formed in the vehicle 10. The vehicle 10 may be initially designed to receive the convertible top 1 2 or, in a preferred embodiment, the top 1 2 is mounted on the vehicle 10 as a conversion. In this embodiment the rigid roof of the vehicle 10 is removed and the top 1 2 and reinforcement members described hereinafter mounted on the vehicle.

The convertible top 10 includes a fabric cover 14 formed of a flexible material, such as vinyl, cloth, etc. The fabric cover 14 is mounted on a frame work comprising a pair of spaced articulatable side rails 16, interconnecting cross-bows, such as front cross-bows 18, first and second central cross-bows 20 and 22 and a rear cross bow 24. The crossbows 18, 20, 22 and 24 extend between and are joined to the side rails 16.

An operating linkage, not shown, is connected to the rear end of the side rails 1 6 and certain of the cross-bows and disposed within the interior of the body of the vehicle 10.

Typically, as shown in U.S. Patent Number 3,180,675; 3,251,625 and 3,328,072, the contents of which relating to the linkage is incorporated herein by reference, and pivotal members which are driven by a pair of hydraulic cylinder, to extend or retract the convertible top framework.

As the framework of the convertible top 10 does not form a part of the present invention and its construction, number of elements, etc., may vary depending upon the size of the vehicle and shape of the top 10, a detailed description of the convertible top 10 and pivotal framework will not be included herein.

As is conventional, the vehicle 10 includes a body having a passenger compartment 28 defined by a floor pan 29. A front end assembly comprising a front deck or hood 30 is mounted between a pair of spaced fenders 32. A windshield 34 is mounted above the front deck or hood 30 and is supported between an upper frame 36 and side body pillars 37. A pair of opposed rocker panels 38 and 40 extend rearward from the front end assembly and are each comprised of a boxlike section formed of interconnected members.

A pair of vertically extending lock pillar 42 and 44 are mounted on top of the rocker panels 38 and 40, respectively, and define a door opening with the rocker panels 38 and 40 and the front end assembly. Opposed quarter panels 46 extend rearward from the lock pillars 42 and 44. Wheelhouse panels 48 are mounted interiorally of the quarter panels 46.

The vehicle 10 is also provided with a trunk compartment 50 which is formed by a rear compartment pan or floor 52, an upper back panel 54 extending between and connected to the quarter panels 46 and a rear deck lid 56.

In order to provide the necessary structural strength for vehicle 10, a plurality of reinforcement members are mounted to the interior body panels of the vehicle 10, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Ouarter panel reinforcement means including a quarter inner panel member 70 and a lock pillar reinforcement member 72 is provided for strengthening the vehicle quarter panels. The quarter panel inner member 70 is mounted to the inner side of each quarter panel 46 and extends between the body lock pillars 42 or 44 and the wheelhouse panels 48.

The lock pillar reinforcement member 72 is secured to each corner panel inner member 70 and provides inboard and outboard stability for the doors of the vehicle 10. The lock pillar reinforcement 72 extends between each rocker panel at the intersection of the rear seat riser section of the floor pan 29 and the rocker panel diagonally upward to the top of the lock pillar.

A diagonal brace 73 extends between and is secured to the lock pillar reinforcement member and the wheelhouse.

The interconnected quarter panel inner members 70, the lock pillar reinforcements 72 and braces 73 provide structural stability for the vehicle 10 and stabilize the quarter panels 46 from lateral movement. Further, the quarter panel inner members 70 and the body lock pillar reinforcements 72 are connected to the wheelhouse members 48 hy the braces 73. This provides increase seat width in the vehicle 10.

A belt line reinforcement means 80 is also provided in the vehicle 10. The belt line reinforcement means 80 comprises a channelshaped member which is mounted on the belt line of the vehicle 10. In a preferred embodiment, the belt line reinforcement assembly 80 includes first and second quarter rail belt members 82 and 84 which are secured to the inward side of the upper ends of the quarter panels 46 and extend rearward from the lock pillars 42 and 44 respectively. The belt line reinforcement member 86 is secured to the forward edge of the upper back panel 54 of the vehicle 10 and is spaced above the compartment floor. As shown in Fig. 4, an upper back panel reinforcement member 86 extends between and is secured to the belt line reinforcement member 82 and the upper back panel member 54.

Means are provided for attaching the belt line reinforcement means 80 to the quarter panel reinforcement means. Preferably, the attaching means includes first and second side rail reinforcement members 82 and 84 which are secured to the belt line member 86 and the lock pillar member 72.

The belt line reinforcement assembly 80, the quarter panel inner members 70 and the lock pillar reinforcements 72 cooperate to form a box-like section having an aperture 92 formed therebetween. The aperture 92 provides communication between the trunk compartment 50 and the passenger compartment 28 in the vehicle 1 0.

Additional support for the vehicle 10 is provided by a cross panel 100 which is mounted on and extends across the rear seat riser within the passenger compartment 28 as shown in Figs. 3 and 5. The cross panel member 100 has the lower ends of the body lock pillar reinforcements 72 disposed thereover.

The vehicle 10 is also provided with rocker panel reinforcements. The rocker panel reinforcements comprises inner and outer panel members, such as panel members 110 and 11 2 shown in Fig. 6, which are secured about the box-like rocker panels, such as rocker panel 40. Further details concerning the construction of the rocker panel reinforcements may be had by referring to pending United States Patent application serial number 362,629, filed March 29, 1982, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Referring now to Fig. 7, there is depicted construction of front header assembly 1 20 which is used to attach the front edge of the front cross-bow 1 8 of the convertible top 1 2 to the upper edge of windshield 34 of the vehicle 10. The front header assembly 1 20 includes a header 1 22 in the form of a boxlike section having an upper panel 1 24 and a spaced, bottom panel 126. The front edge of the header 1 22 is mounted on the frame 36 secured to the upper edge of the windshield 34.

The upper panel 1 24 of the header 1 22 has a recessed rearward end portion 1 28 which forms a laterally extending groove across the front edge of the vehicle windshield 34. The groove 1 28 serves as a ledge for receiving the front end of the front cross-bow 1 8 of the top 12 such that the facric cover 14 attached to the front cross-bow 18 is disposed in an inline or flush arrangement with the upper panel 1 24 of the header 122.

A first seal member 1 30 is secured to the rearward edge of the header 122 for sealing the front cross-bow 1 8 on the header 1 22. A second seal member 1 32 is secured to the upper panel 124 of the header 1 22 by means of a belt 1 34. The second seal 1 32 is engaged by the front end of the front cross-bow 1 8 when the convertible top is moved to the raised position and serves to sealingly close the front edge of the top 1 0.

A front headliner portion 1 36 is also secured to the header portion 1 22 by means of a clamping strip 1 38. The clamping strip 1 38 is mounted about the ends of the first and second panels 1 24 and 1 26 of the header 122 and has the first seal 1 30 mounted thereon.

The convertible top 1 2 is also provided with a latch mechanism for latching the forward end of the top 1 2 to the vehicle 10 when the top 1 2 is in the raised position closing the vehicle body. As is conventional, a pair of pivotal handles are mounted on the front cross-bow 1 8 of the top 1 2 and operate a pivotal latch member. As shown in Fig. 8, the latch member 1 50 includes a depending hook-like portion 1 52 the latch member 1 50 is raised or lowered upon pivotal movement of the handle, not shown.

An aperture 1 54 is formed in the upper end of each of the windshield side pillars 37 upward of the end of the header 122. The hook-like portion 1 52 of the latch member 1 50 is adapted to be releasably inserted into the aperture 1 54 to engage the surrounding sheet metal of the windshield side pillar 37 to latch the top 12 to the vehicle 10. The latch member 1 50 may be released from engagement with the side pillar 57 to enable the top 1 2 to be moved to the retracted, lowered position.

The vehicle 10 of the present invention is also provided with other features to complete the installation of the convertible top 1 2 therein. A flexible headliner, not shown, is mounted interally on the top 12 underneath the side rails 1 6 and the cross-bows 18, 20, 22 and 24. The flexible headliner functions to cover the interior of the top 1 2 from the view.

Further, latch means are provided for releasably latching the rear seat backs in an upright position. The latch means operates to retain the seat back in an upright position to enable it to be folded down to a forward facing position. The latch means includes retainers, not shown, mounted on the outboard edges of the rear seat back. Suitable releasable latch means mounted on the wheelhouse panels of the vehicle 10 releasably engage the retainers. Control means is utilized to control the operation of the latching means.

Control means may comprise a cable or, preferably, an electrically-operated solenoid which is selectively energizable to move the latching means to the unlatched position and enable the rear seat back to the folded down.

In summary, there has been disclosed a vehicle having a convertible top which includes many features and advantages not previously provided. The vehicle of the present invention is provided with a reinforcement structure which provides structural stability for the vehicle, and, at the same time, provides an aperture between the trunk and passenger compartments to enable elongated articles to be disposed completely within the interior of the vehicle when the rear seat of the vehicle is folded down. The vehicle of the present invention is also provided with a front header which is adapted to receive the forward end of the convertible in a flush, aligned arrangement to provide a smooth exterior appearance for the convertible top.

Claims

1. In a vehicle having a folding top comprised of articulatable side ride members and a plurality of cross bows interconnected between the side rails and movable between a raised position covering the vehicle and latched to the windshield of the vehicle and a lowered position, the improvement comprising: header means secured to and extending across the upper edge of the windshield, the header means including: a transversely extending recessed portion spaced rearward of the vehicle windshield, the recessed portion receiving the forward most cross bow of the folding top to dispose the upper survace of the folding top in line with the upper surface of the header means.

2. The improvement of Claim 1 wherein the header means comprises: first and second members, each having a central portion, side portions extending away from the central portion and flanges extending outwardly from the ends of the side portions; the first and second members being joined together at theflanges in an inverted configuration.

3.

first seal means mounted on the rear edge of the recessed portion of the header means and engagable by the forward most cross bow of the folding top; and second seal means mounted on the top surface of the header means and extending over and spaced above the recessed portion of the header means, the second seal means being engagable by the forward edge of the forward most corss bow for sealing the forward edge of the folding top.

4. A vehicle having a folding roof substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

4. A vehicle folding top substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

CLAIMS Amendments to the claims have been filed, and have the following effect: Claims 1-4 above have been deleted or textually amended.

New or textually amended claims have been filed as follows:-

1. A vehicle having a folding roof comprising: a plurality of cross bows extending between side rails of the roof and movable between a raised position in which the roof is latched to a windscreen of the vehicle and a lowered position; an elongate member being secured to, and extending across, the upper edge of the windscreen, which member has a transversely extending recessed portion spaced rearward of the vehicle windscreen, the recessed portion terminating in a rearwardly extending flange, the recessed portion and the flange being disposed below the upper surface of the member to support the forwardmost cross bow of the foliding roof with the upper surface of the folding roof flush with the upper surface of the member; and means for sealingly engaging the forwardmost cross bow of the folding roof to the rearwardly extending flange.

2. A vehicle according to Claim 1, wherein the elongate member comprises first and second elements, each having a central portion, side portions extending away from the central portion and flanges extending out wardly from the ends of the side portions, the first and second elements being joined together at the flanges in an inverted configuration.

3. A vehicle according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the means for sealingly engaging the forward most cross bow of the roof to the said rearwardly extending flange comprises: a first seal means mounted on the rear edge of the recessed portion of the member and engageable by the forward most cross bow of the folding roof; and a second seal means mounted on the top surface of the member and extending over and spaced above the recessed portion of the member, the second seal means being engageable by the forward edge of the forward most frosts bow for sealing the forward edge of the folding roof.