US1829146A - Top structure for vehicles - Google Patents

Description

Patented Oct. 27, 1931 ALEXIS KELLNER, or BERLIN, GERMANY TOP STRUCTURE FOR VEHICLES Application filed October 23; 1e29, Serial No.

This invention relates to folding top struc-- tures for vehicles preferably for the called convertible type of motor car, the object be ing to produce a simple and efficient top structure which may be easily and rapidly raised when so desired.

One feature provides an efficient structure having a front portion to span the-usual side exposures or windows. Said front portion is to constitute an essentially self-sustaining or cantilever contruction very much desirable for instance in cases where said front portion is doubled up by means of hinges or the like. The cantilever construction will not require intermediate supporting means generally found to prevent sagging of said hinges or joints.

Another feature employs individual telescopic or encased spring members at each side to expedite the raising of said front portion, preferably in addition to other customary springs applied to the basic rear portion of the top, all to allow quick handling of the entire structure.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the front portion extends with the aid of the associated novel spring-arrangement, while the telescopic members anchored upon the rear portion or main frame will reach their limit of expansion, so as to take over the function of a strut which will brace the said front portion.

Another feature provides means for easily lowering the top to inactive position.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear. I

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 shows a motor-car with the top structure in raised position.

Fig. 2 shows the initial operation when folding the top structure.

Fig. 3 shows the initial operation when raising the top structure.

Figs. 4: and 5 are parts sectional details of 5 the telescope members showing the encased spring in two difierent states of expansion.

Fig. 6 shows a latch constituting a refinement of the construction.

The numeral 1 indicates the vehicle body 50 upon which is mounted the novel folding top 401,761, and in Germany January 11, 1929.

structure. Swingably arranged on either side of the vehicle body are the main sup porting members or columns 2, each having fastened to its lower end a rearwardl inclined arm 3 by means of which to be pivoted at 4 upon the body. lVhile in raised position i the columns 2 may be secured by usual coach joints'5. The 'rear of the top covering is held in place by the well known swingable rear bows 6 and 7. Linked to each of the two swingable columns 2 are the rear elements 8 of two cant rail members forming the front structure of the top, said elements 8 being connected through hinges 9 with the front elements 10 of said cant rail members. Moreover there are provided links 11 and 12 of a parallel link connection, said links 11 having extensions to terminate in the cross members 13 to support the top covering.

According to the invention there is provided a telescopic member orspring between each of the swingable columns 2 and the associated cant rail members. The telescope members or springs may include a tube member 1 pivoted upon the swingable column 2 and an associated plunger 15 to be pivoted upon the'front element 10 of said cant rail members. Thread 16 is provided upon the front end of the tube member 14: upon which fits the nut or cap 17. VVit-h the top being in full active position, the piston 18 fixed upon the plunger 15 will abut against the inside of cap 17, while now the spring element 19 proper is left practically without tension, all the conditions as just described being ex- 8 plained more clearly hereinafter.

The function of a swingable member or latch 26 coupled with the hinge 9 between the elements 8 and 10 also is to be explained in the following.

} Thefront ledge of the top structure when inactive position will rest upon columns 20. By; virtue of its particular construction, the topstructure needs no support at the joint between the elements 8 and 10, hence even with the top up, thereis no need for usual window gu'id'es:21 and 22to be turned up to form a support.

-Usual' spring means or a preferred tele- 100 Min-.4

scope springs 23 m'ay also serve as an aid in raismg the columns 2.

Tension upon the top structure is a suitable top covering 2 L made up of. fabric, leather or the-like. "A strapf allows the top structure to be pulled from its active to its folded position.

lows

ii Inorder to raise. the top, first the front element 10 of the cant rail members as well as the" members 11 and 12 of the ,parallel link connection are to be brought into the Figure :3 position, this operation being effectively aided by the telescope members'l l and 15 At this. point it should be noted that the "telethe rear-portion the front portion also reaches 7 its extended position, the telescope spring member '14:, 15 effectively causing the front I The mechanism is'to be handled as fol-.

scope spring reaches a dead: centre position tor is now enabled to completely fold the entire top structure. 1 7

Having thus described my invention,'what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

Folding top structure for a vehicle having a windshield comprising columns pivotally connectedto the body ofthe. vehicle to fold thereon, cant rails each comprising a member hinged at one end to one of said columns and a second member hinged'at one :endto the free end of said first member' and adapted to' be secured at its other {end to the windshield, telescoping -memberseach hinged at one end to one of said columns and at the other endto one of'sa d second cant rail members, a spring housed in one of sa d telescoping members tending to hold said members in extended relation, and means for limiting the relative separating movement of said telescoping members whereby said members act as a tension member when in extended relation to support said second cant rail members 7 r In testimony whereofI-aflix my signature.

- ALEXIS KELLNER.

part of the .niembers 10. to rest upon the 1 columns 20. This being accomplished, the

telescope-spring member 15,14takes the posi tionas per Fig. 4. r The spring 19 then has noztension while: the tube member '14 and the plunger 15 take the part of a strut preventin the members 8 and 10 from sagging throng downwardly,

The arrangement of this 40 strut does away w1th the centre support which normally is employed to carry the r I hinges 9 when the top is up. That is to say the window guides 21, '22 mag remain in their lowered position even wit the topstructure beingraised. To adjust the length of the telescope members 14, 15 in their function as a strut, the nut 17 threaded upon said tube member 14: may be adjusted. The

further the nut 17 proceeds upon the tube against nut 17 thus shortening the strut '14,.15. l

Fig. Bishows an intermediate position of the telescope spring 14, 15,.whe'rethe spring ,-first the front vis held under some tension. p In orderto lower the to members. 10 are to be slig tly lifted to be broughtintofthe Figure '2 position, :jInthis member, the quicker thepiston' 18 will abut 1 position the said latch or support-261mm mallyswung down, is now to be turned'up'so as 'to engage under link 12 of the parallel link connection. This will prevent the mem- 7 l here 10 from collapsin'gwhen the operator 7 i I i has turned his attention to the rearpartiof ["65 'the topu By pulling the strap 25 th 4 i

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