US1494433A

US1494433A - Top for vehicles and the like

Info

Publication number: US1494433A
Application number: US271937A
Authority: US
Inventors: Fred K Lewis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1919-01-20
Filing date: 1919-01-20
Publication date: 1924-05-20
Anticipated expiration: 1941-05-20

Description

May 20- 1924. v I F. K. LEWIS Tor' FOR VEHECLES AND THE LIKE Filed Jan. 20 1919 Patented May 20, 1924.

UNITED STATES FRED x. LEWIS, or 'AsHTABULA, OHIO.

TOP FO'R VEHICLES AND THE LIKE,

Application filed January 20, 1919. Serial No. 271,937.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I. FRED K. LEWIS, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Ashtabula, county of Ashtabula, and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Tops for Vehicles and the like, of which the following is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein explained and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

The present improvements relate more particularly to tops of the so-called one man type, such as are now extensively used on automobiles. In this type of top, the extreme forward, or outrigger bow as it is called, is carried by means of swinging arms pivotally attached to the main bow at some distance from the point of pivotal attachment of the latter to the vehicle body, so that such arms, with such'outrigger bow,

extend substantially horizontally in theopen position of the top, and together constitute what may be termed an articulated auxiliary bow. To each of these arms, or the rear portions of such articulated auxiliary bow, there is in turn usually attached an intermediate or supplemental how, the function of which is to support the stretch of cover material between the main bow and the outrigger bow proper.

Where, in tops of the construction iridi: cated, it is desired to use a single rearwardly inclining main bow to support the entire top through the outrigger structure, doing away with the necessity of a second main bow, it is desirable to provide another intermediate or supplemental bow between the outrigger bow and such single main.

bow. The object of the present invention, accordingly, is to provide such an additional supplemental bow in a structure of the kind in hand, together with suitable connections between the same and the main bow, as also with the other supplemental bow and the outrigger bow, so that these several bows will not only be supported in proper rela tion when the top is in open or extended position, but so that they will be moved in unison in the folding and unfolding of the to T0 the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawing and the 01 lowing description setting. forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention,

such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in whiph the principle of the invention may be use In said annexed drawing:

Fig.1 is a side elevational view of a top supporting structure embodying my present improvements, such top being shown as mounted on an automobile body or tonneau of conventional form; Fig. 2 is a similar side elevational view, but showing such supporting structure in partially folded con dition; and Fig. 3 is a side elevation of'a detail viewed in the opposite directionfrom that illustrated in, Fig. 1. p i

It is of course a matter, of indifference whether the top is used on automobile, motor-boat or otherwise, and, depending upon its longitudinal extent, a smaller or larger number of bows, in addition to the out rigger, structure of present interest, may be utilized. It will also be understood that the term ,bow is used: herein inclusively to designate not merely thewooden bow proper, but also the metallic sockets carrying the same, these parts when regarded in side elee I vation constituting the equivalent of the so:

called sticks, as they are called, in the old wood structure. It is accordingly a matter of convenience to refer to the parts in the singular, as though the structure all lay in a single vertical plane, since the parts do actually liein such a plane.

As previouslyindicated, the top covering 1 is designed to be entirely supported through an appropriate outrigger structure from a singlemain how 2. The latter, which is of substantial construction, in viewof the weight it is thus designedto carry, is pivotally supported upon or attached to the body at the point 3 in the usual manner, so that it may be laid down and carried in a substantially horizontal plane when the top is not in use. Normally, in the extended or open condition of the top, said mainbow 2 inclines rearwardly at an angle of approximately forty-five degrees to the horizontal,

being heldfrom rising higher by the top covering or rather by special straps v(not shown), or extensions of the longitudinal strainers, which, as is well known, are used to connect the bows together and provide supporting means for the top covering intermediately between said bows. For the purpose in hand such straps or strainers may be regarded as a part of the covering material.

The outrigger structure comprises a main articulated auxiliary bow, or, as it is sometimes called, outrigger bow 6, the latter term referring more particularly to the outer portion or bow 7 proper, which is secured to the main bow 2 by means of an arm 8 (one on each side of course) pivotally attached to said main bow and to the rear end of such outrigger bow, and so constituting the inner portionof said articulated auxiliary bow 6. The point of attachment of this arm to the main bow is preferably in line with, or just above, the sideedge of the cover, so as to be hidden by the latter, and the joint 9 between said arm and thebutrigger bow is a rule or lock joint disposed so as to prevent further bending of the arm in question,

' whose angular positions in the open condition of the top are so adjusted, by means presently to be described, as to support the top covering 1 at suitably spaced intervals between main how 2 and outrigger bow 7.

The rearmost supplemental bow 11 is provided with an extension or short arm 12 that is connected, through the medium of a link 13, with the main bow 2 at a point somewhat" below the point of attachment of the side arm 8 to said main bow. The joint 14 between said link 13 and extension 12 of supplemental bow 11 is a lock joint "50 formed as toconstitute a rigid connection of the parts in question under the weight of the arms 8 and parts carried thereby when the top is extended. Upon breaking the joint 14, however, the arms8 can be swung downwardly against the main bow 2, and

the link 13 and supplemental bow 11" at the same time brought into parallel relation yond the joint 9 between the same and the swinging arm 8, said links being directly pivotally connected together and also operatively connected with said supplemental bow 10. Two

links

15 and 16 are shown as comprising the connection in the construction illustrated, the first named link extending from the supplemental bow 10 to the previously indicated point on the outrigger The result of the foregoing construction is that when joint 14 is broken, joint 9 will simultaneously be broken, and the two supplemental bows will be folded up in unison as the outrigger bow 7 is swung back in parallel relation with the main bow 2, the reverse operation occurring when the top is being unfolded or opened. The structure, in open condition of the top, presents an unusually rigid and stable support, yet, owing to the relative fewness of parts and their disposition, the structure folds up in very compact form when it is desired to have the top out of the way. Operation, either in opening or closing, issimple, rendering the top capable of manipulation by one person.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or .the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention 1. In a top for vehicles and the like, the combination of a main bow; a two-part articulated auxiliary bow having its rear portion pivotally attached to' said 'main ow andadapted to project horizontally therefrom in the open position of the top; a supplemental bow pivotally attached to the rear portion of said auxiliary bow and having an extension, said supplemental bow inclining forwardly in such open top position; a link connecting such extension-with said main bow below the point of attachmentof said auxiliary bow thereto; means adapted to prevent further bending of the joint between such extension and said link in the open position of the top; asecond supplemental bow pivotally attached to the rear portion of said auxiliary bow forwardly of said first-named supplemental bow and inclining in the same direction; and a plurality of links interconnecting said auxiliary bow and said two supplemental bows, the points of attachmentof said links being such as to permit relative oscillation thereof, whereby said bows may be brought into substantially parallel relation'when the topis folded.

2. In a top for vehicles and the like, the combination of a main. bow; a two-part articulated auxiliary bow having its rear portion pivotally attached to said main bow; a supplemental bow pivotally attached to the rear portion of said auxiliary bow and having an extension; a link connecting such extension with said main bow below ther bending of the joint between such extension and said link in the open position of the top; a second supplemental bow pivotally attached to the rear portion of said auxiliary bow forwardly of said first-named supplemental bow; and two links, one connecting one of said supplemental bows with the outer portion of said auxiliary bow and the other connecting such first link with the other supplemental bow.

3. In a top for vehicles and the like, the combination of a main bow; a two part articulated auxiliary bow having its rear portion pivotally attached to said main bow; a supplemental bow pivotally attached to the rear portion of said auxiliary bow and having an extension; a link connecting such extension with said main bow below the point of attachment of said auxiliary bow thereto, the joint between such extension and said link being formed to lock in open position of top; a second supplemental bow pivo-tally attached to the rear portion of said auxiliary bow forwardly of said first-named supplemental bow; and two links, one connecting one of said supplemental bows with the outer portion of said auxiliary bow and the other connecting such first link with the other supplemental bow.

4. In a top for vehicles and the like, the combination of a single main bow arranged to incline rearwardly in of the top; a two-part articu bow having its rear portion piv tached to said main bow and adapproject horizontally therefrom in the ope position of the top; a supplemental bow carried by the rear portion of said auxiliary bow and having an extension, said supplemental bow inclining forwardly in such open top position; a link connecting such extension with said main bow below the point of attachment of said auxiliary bow thereto, said link lying at approximately right angles to said main bow when the top is open; means adapted to prevent further bending of the joint between such extension and said link in the open position of the top; a second supplemental bow pivotally attached to the rear portion of said auxiliary bow forwardly of said first-named supplemental bow and inclining in the same direction; and a plurality of links interconnecting said auxiliary bow and said two supplemental bows, the points of attachment of said links being such as to permit relative oscillation thereof, whereb said bows may be brought into substantial y parallel relation, when the top is folded.

Signed by me, this 18th day of January, 00

FRED K. LEWIS.