GB2271088A

GB2271088A - Vehicle convertible top.

Info

Publication number: GB2271088A
Application number: GB9315831A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Donald R Varner; Robert E Hennessy
Original assignee: MASCOTECH AUTOMOTIVE OPERATION
Current assignee: MASCOTECH AUTOMOTIVE OPERATION
Priority date: 1992-08-19
Filing date: 1993-07-30
Publication date: 1994-04-06
Also published as: JPH06316219A; DE4327729A1; DE4327729C2; CA2101898A1; FR2695355A1; GB9315831D0; FR2695355B1

Abstract

A retractable convertible top (22, fig. 6) for a vehicle 10 incorporates one-piece header and side rails 32 forming part of a linkage mechanism 30 allowing the top to pivot at the rear rail for compact storage of the top rearward of the passenger seats for maximum interior comfort. Rigid rear quarter windows 40 are included to add strength and rigidity to the top. The windows pivot into the side panels of the vehicle body as the top is folded rearward. The single piece side rails of the top require only a single pivot allowing all the bows 28 supporting the top material 26 to store behind the rear passenger seat. As an additional feature, the rear-most bow 52 can be lifted to expose the luggage area behind the passenger seat. The tonneau (24, fig. 2) used to cover the lowered top may be used to cover the luggage area when the top is raised. <IMAGE>

Description

2271088 TOP ST-kcx Tap WT-TR ONE-PIECE Backcwound Of The:,-ivent.on

1. field of the invent4on

This invention relates 'Co a ret=ac--able conver-,ible tom for vehicles and, in part-4cular, to a c:mnver--:.ble top incorporating single-piece header and side rails with a single civet for compact storage of the convertible tom =ear of the.Veticle passenger seat to il",ize room, and comfort.

I=. Desc-lipt,on of the Prior Art,

TracUtionally, vehicle convertible tops incorporate articulating ralls associated with the suouort bows for the top- and a primary pivot point behind the front seat. As a result, the conversion process requires the elimInation of a substantial portion of the rear seating area to allow the top fold along the sides and a=ess the back of the seat. TILis was a result of the n=a=c:us sections of linkage and the pivc:C position of the top. Z= these prior known convertible tions, the side rails which support the top over the side rails wkL,,.c!i s=nort the tolp over the gidw windows comprised at least two articulating segments. The main bow supporting the top material pivots downwardly to alongside the rear seat and makes up a portion of the massive three-bow reinforcement ot the top. An additional limitation of traditional conve=tible tops is the requirement that the windows be in their lowered position during retraction or closing of the top.

Summaz-r Of The 'Present Invention, The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior known convertible tops by providing a bifold ton stack top incorporating a one- piece header and side rails for compact storage of the top with minimal d:is,".-=b;ince of the rear.seating area.. - _ The main f eatura of the present invention is'the single-pivot, single piece side rails which carry the header rail to a llow =are rearward storage of top- within the vehicle. Unlike prior known top const--uc---ons which, incorporate articilat-,4ng si - de rails, thetop linkage of the present invention -1.zac:!!-4--ates compact storage of the top. The ccnver--ible t= of the presen-m invention also includes a rigid rear cuar--er window which pivots into the side panels of the vehicle body as the ton -4s folded rear-wardly. The r4gid wi ndow provides rigidity to the in the closed -mcsit-4cn. A single bow is provided at the re= window t= sup-Port the tcu. The side rails pivot at the rea quarter window allowing the - entire assembly to store behind the rear passenger seat. in addit.4io= to the linkage associated with the side rails and quarter window, f ourth and f bows supporting the top are provided. The fifth or rearmost bow can be raised to provide access to a rear luggage area of the vehicle. Thus, the present invention provides a simple, manually folded top with large at,."- ached quarter window that lowers with the top for improved sealing and ease of operation. The compact storage is made possible as a result of the rigid side rails which pivot on the rear rail.

Othe= objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent f== the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Brief j2e!sc--imtion of The Drawincr The present invention will be =era fully upderstood by reference to the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention when read in conjunction with. the accompanying drawing, in which like reference c-h:g acters refer to like parts throughout the views and in whict:

FIG= 1 is an elevated pe=specl.:lve of a vehicle in=rporati:g the convertible top of the present invention; PIG= 2 is an elevated perspective of the vehicle showing the top in the lowered stored position exposing the passenger c=part=ent; FIG=:3 through 5 are schematic views of the forward linkage for the top in different positions of retraction; FIG= 6 is a perspective view of the convertible top shown in both the raised and the lowered position.

2 Detailed Descrimzion of A Preferred E=todiment Of The Present invention Rete=ing f-4=st to Figures 1 and 2 there is shown a vehicle 10 wit.t an,:, -itar.4or passenger compart=ent including front seats 14 and rear seat 16. The passenger c==-ar=ent 12 Is enclosed by a.10.1xed windsh.ield 13, side windows 20 and a ret=actable conve--.ible ton 22 embodying the present invention. As is well known, the convertible top 22 is f oldable to a stored or lowe-red position (Fig. 2) in the rea portion of the vehicle 10. A boot or tonneau 24 is used to cover the f olded top 22 in the stored position behind the rear passenger seat - 16. The top 22, preferably includes a vinyl or similar top material 26 which f olds into the rear of the vehicle and a series at support bows 2S extending across the top 22. The configuration of the underlying rails and linkage of the convext-ible t= 22 of the present invention allows it to conveniently f old to the rear of the passenger compartment 12 as will be more fully described herein.

Ref e=ing now to Figures 3 through 5, the =nvextible tzp .--assembly 22 incorporates a folding tolp-stack mechanism 30 which.

.:facil.itatas folding of the tan 22 earward of the rear passenger scat 16. The top-stack zechani= 30 is a bi-fold linkage as opposed to the t-. :i-fold assemblies of the prior known taps. The bi-fold top-stack mechanism includes a one-olece, integral gide rail and header 32 articulatively co=ected to a pivntable =all 34. The integral side. rail and header 32 includes a pair of substantlally parallel side rails 36 rigidly c=ected tz the header rail 38 extending therehetween. The side rails 3 6 are rigidly formed and extend over the entire front passenger section of the vehicle 10. The side rails 36 are pivotably connected to r. ; id rear quarter windows 40 whic.1% are thela elves pivotably connected to the body of the vehicle 10 in order to pivot downwardly into the side body panels of the vehicle 10. A connective linkage 42 operatively connects the pivotable rails 34, the pivctable quarter windows 40 and the integral side rail and header 32. Although thd linkage.42 may take many for=s to kink the 3 operating components of the t:ZP-S'.'-'ac.k mechanism, 30, a 04=5- fa= 1S shown in Figs. 3-5 while an a!4,.,e=at-4ve fa= is shown in F The c:m=ec----; ve linkage 42 allows the Intagral side rail and Ileader 32 to move rearward as the pivatable ralls 34 and cluart-ar windows 40 pivat downwa--dld.Y into the side body panels of the veJI-4cle.

nef a=ing now to %q4-g=e 6, t!2ere is shown the convertible t== 22 in bort the closed an omen positions. C=css-bows 23 are used to suppert- and carry the to= material 26 of the convertible to= 22. Mle fl=5r- boW 44 is associated wit!% the header 38 and retains the front edge of the top material 26. A second bow 46 is preferably attached to the one-place side rails 36 at approximately a midpoint thereof. A third or intermediate bow 48 may be mounted to the rear end of the side rails 36 or preferably to the connective linkage 42 of the top-stack mechanism 30. Thus, the topstack mechanism 30 preferably carries the front three =ass bows 28 such that as the top 22 is folded open tte cover material 26 will be -folded completely rearw=dly of the passenger compartment 12. A fourth -or penultimate =053 bow 50 is pivatably mounted to the vehicle body-to fold the rear portion of the top downwardly. A fift!% or rea=cot cross bow 52 retains the rear edge of the ton zaterial 26 and is typically maintained in. flush engagement with the vehicle boody. The fifth lbow 52 is locked against the body by well kncnm locking means. However, to provide selective acces.s to a rear storage or luggage area of the vehicle 100 the rearmost bow 52 may be unlocked and pivoted upward while the convexo-ible ton 22 is in the closed position. T2iis allows tte user the convenience to storing groceries, etz. in the rear c r_artment from, the rear of the vehicle. 10. In a preferred emibodizent. the boot or tonneau 24 used to store the top 22 is also used to conceal the storage comparl=ent when the to= 22 is raised.

Operation of the convertible top 22 provides a simple means of exposing the passenger compar=ent 12 while maximizing passenger comfort, particularly Ln the rear seating area 16, by folding the top 22 rearwardly of the rear seat 16. The rigid quarter window 40 pivots into side panels of the vehicle io. Because of the single 4 piece side rails 36 and header 38 and t_he pivot bar 34, the side rails 36 do not obstruct the rear seat patsengers in bott room and visibility as is of prior known ccnvert-4.ble toms whereln the side rails fold alongside the sea=. The single piece side ra41 36 whict pivots at t!ie quar--e-- glass 40 eliminates t-te reclui=e=enr of massive three bow reinforcement found on other tops. In addition, the quarter windows 40 provide added rigidity to the convertible toin 22. The ton stack mec-lt=.is= 30 creates a single pivot at the pivotable rail 34 of a single-plece side rall/header 36,,38.

The interconnective movement of the top 22 from the closed to an open position ls shown scliezaatically in Figs. 35 and in both positions in Fig. 6. The header 38 is first unlatched from the v:inclzhield 13 of the vehicle 10. The one-pieca header 381side rail 36 can then. be raised away from the windshleld 18. In a preferred cdjzent, springs assist the raising the header 38. The headerlside rail will move up before the quarter windows 40 begin to pivot downwardly. As the header 38 is pivoted rearward, the pivot rail 3 4 wi 11 also move rearward car-- ying the headerlside rail to a position rear of the passenger compartment. As the quarter windows,40 pivot into the side panels of the vehicle and the rail 34 pivots rearwardly into the vehicle, the foureli bow 50 will pivot downwardly folding the t= material, 26 into the vehicle 10 opening the p assenger c=apartment 12.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only and no unnecessary limitations should he understood therefrom as some modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope ---.d of the appended claims.

What -'s- elaimed =AMYS i.:n a convertible top - assembly f or a vehicle having a passenger on=ma=ent, the assembly including a foldable cover material supported by a plurality of =ass bows, a reA=cst how in ngagement, with the vehicle body to enclose a rear Portion of the velLic. le and a penultimate tow pivctable rearward upon f olding apen the c:mnve=ible top assembly, the improvement d=prizing:

a folding t=p stack mechanism carrying at least one cross bow for supporting - the cover material and including a cne-plece, integral side rail and header articulatively connected to a pivotable rail movable rearwardly carrying said integral - side rail and header to a stored position rearward of the passenger compartment.

2. The improvement as defined in cla= 1 wherein said folding top stac.7c han ism further comprises rigid quarter windows at:.-,acrJ%ed to said pivctable rail, said quarter windows p:Lvctably attached to the vehicle for storage within a side panel of the cle upon folding open the ccnvert., ble..top assembly.

3. The improvement as defined in claim, 2 wherein said pivla rail is cz=e to said quarter windows and said integral side rail and header by connector bars pivotably -extending bet-ween said side rails,:said quarter windows and said pivotable rails.

4. The improvement as defined in claim, 3 wherein said cannector bars car-y an intermediate =ass how supporting the cover material.

5. The improvement as defined in claim, 1 wherein said rearmost =ass bow is pivotable upwardly to provide selective access to the rear portion of the vehicle.

6 6. In a convertible t=m assembly f or a vehicle having a passenger compart=ent, the assembly including a foldable cover material supported by a plurality of cross bows, a raA=cst bow in locting engagement with the vehicle body to enclose a rear portion at the vehicle and a penult=ate bow pivotable rea=.;ard. uncz,:folding open the c:mnver",-:. ble top assembly, the jimr=veinant c=apris =g:

a f olding tzi: start mechanism. caz--yincl at least: one cross bow:Car supporting the cover material and including a one-piece integral side rail and header articulatively connected to a pivotable rail -attached to the vehicle and rigid side quarter windows pivotably attached to the vehicle and connected to said pivcta.ble rail, said rail pivotable rearwardly moving sald quarter windows into side panels of the vehicle and carrying said integral side rail and header to a stored position rearward of the passenger c=part=ent.

7. The improvement as defined in claim 6 wherein said pivotable rall., said quarter windows and said integral side rail and header a=e: arIticulatively interconnected by. connector bars.

=c i=proyezent as. defined in claim. 7 wherein said connector bars car--y an intermediate =ass bow supporting the cover 9. The Improvement as defined in claim 6 wherein said. ro=ost ==55 bow is selectively unlockable f== the vehicle to pivot said rea=cat bow upwardly to provide selective access to the roe portion of tha vehicle.

10. The improvement as defined in claim 6 wherein said onpiece integral side rail and header comprises a paix of parallel side rails and a header rail fixedly attached to forward ends of said side rails, said cover material secured to said header rail, 7 1 said header rail selectively c:z=ec--able ",--a a header partion of the vehicle.

I.i. A convertible ton assembly witt a foldatle cover material for a vehicle having a passenger cammar=enz including & rear passenger seat and a rea storage area, said convertible top assembly selecl.-.-vely foldable into a stored position behind the rea passenger comfort, said convert:Lble ton assembly cc=ria:Lng:

a rearmnse =oss bow supporting the cover material and connected to tte vehicle, said rea=oz4%. =ass bow selectively pivetable upwardly to expose the rear storage area; a penultimate =ass bow pivotably connected to the vehicle and supporting the cover material said penulti=ata cross bow pivatable rearward upon:folding the convertible ton asseaLtly; support rails pivotably at:"..acted to the vehicle, said pivotatle support rails a=i=alatively connected to a cne-plece, integral side =11 and header assembly, said side rall and header assembly Including a pair of substantially parallel side rails and a header rail fixedly attacted to:fo=o-ard ends of said side rails whereby upon folding said convertible ton assembly to the stored position sa-id support raj-Is carry said integral side =all and he assly rea=dard of the rea passenger seat to m=. ilnizla pazsenger c=Ltcrt.

12. The convertible top assembly as defined in claim, 11 and:1i,vrt-lier comprising rigid rear quarter windows pivetably connected tz the vehicle and to said support rails suet that said quarter windows pivot downwardly into side panels of the vehicle upon folding said convertible top assembly to the stored position.

1:3. The convertible top assembly as defined In claim, 12 wherein said quarter windows, said support rails and said one piece, integral side rail and header 4ssembly are art ticulatively Interconnected bv connector bars, said connector bars car---.ling an intermediate =ass bow supporting the cover material.

14. A convertible top assembly for a passenger vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figures 1 to S; or Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings.

15. A passenger vehicle including a convertible top assembly as in any preceding claim.

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