US968894A

US968894A - Folding top for vehicles.

Info

Publication number: US968894A
Application number: US48230409A
Authority: US
Inventors: Joseph Teppert
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1909-03-09
Filing date: 1909-03-09
Publication date: 1910-08-30
Anticipated expiration: 1927-08-30

Description

J. TEPPERT.

FOLDING TOP FOR VEHICLES.

nPLIoATIoN iILnn MAB. s, 1909.

Patented Aug.3o, 1910.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WneS-ses.

J. TEPPERT.

FOLDING TOP FOR VEHICLES. Aumentan FILED nu.. 9, 1909.

wfneses. I

J TEPPERT FOLDING TOP FOR VBHIGLES.

APPLICATION IILBD HAB. 9, 1909.

Patented Aug. 30,1910.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

J. TEPPERT.

FOLDING TOP FOR VEHICLES.

APPLIOATION FILED MAB. 9. 1909.

. Patented Aug.30, 1910.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

v fefgm 3 w Y,

www .-1

im came /l E and folded positions;

JOSEPH TEPPERT, 0F BUFFALO, NEW YORK.

FOLDING TOP FOR VEHICLES.

To all whom 'it-may concern:

Be i't known that I, JOSEPH TEPPERT, a subject of the Emperor of Germany, residing at Buffalo, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Folding Tops for Vehicles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates more particularly to improvements in folding extension tops for automobiles.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide a folding automobile top of a novel construction having concealed joints or braces which hold the top rigid and st-able when extended over t-he seats, without the use of front straps, and which enable the top to be readily folded back into compact form around the rear seat when not in use and also hold it from motion and prevent play between the joints or parts thereof when folded, so as to avoid wear at the joints and in the covering material and prevent rattling.

Other objects of the invention are to provide hinge pieces for joining the braces `to the bows of the top, which enable the braces to be located between the covering and head lining of the top in the vertical planes of the sides of 'the bows and insure strong connections, and which also positively hold the parts of the top from lateral play when folded; also to provide means for locking the arms of the braces both in their extended also to provide the brace joints with guards which prevent injury 'to the hands of a person when straining the braces in raising the top; also to provide back stay braces and coupling irons therefor which positively hold the top from vertical and lateral mot-ion when folded; and also to improve folding automobile tops in the respects hereinafter described and set forth in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting of four sheets: Figure l is a side elevation of an automobile body provided with a top embodying the invention, showing the top raised and the top covering partially broken away to expose the concealed braces. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the top folded, the covering being' omitted for the sake of clear1 ness. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation thereof, on an enlarged scale. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional elevation thereof, in line 4-4, F ig. l, on an enlarged scale. Fig. 5 is Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed March 9, 1909.

Patented Aug. 30, 1910. Serial No. 482,304.

a perspective view, on

an enlarged scale, of one of the top braces larged, of a port-ion of one of the brace arms.

Fig. ll is a detached perspective View, enlarged, of the guard for the brace joints.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

A represents the body of an automobile, l, 2, 3 and 4 the supporting bows of the top, B the top covering of leather or other suitable fleXible material, b the head lining, C, D and E the braces which are arranged between and connect the bows, and F one of the rear stay braces which connect the rear bow 4 with the rear portion of the vehicle body. Four bows are used in t-he top shown in the drawings, but the improvements are not limited to the number of bows employed.

The

intermediate bows

2 and 3 are hinged at their lower ends to brackets or irons secured on the sides of the vehicle body, and the rear bow 4 is hinged to the lower port-ion of the third bow 3, in the usual manner. The front bow l is preferably providedwith hinge eyes at its lower end adapted to be pivoted to upper eyes o on the second bow j 2 whenthe top is raised, see Fig. 1, and lto be detached from the upper eyes and pivoted to lower eyes a on the second bow when the top is to be folded, see Figs. 2 and 3. A removable pivot pin a2 of any suitable sort is connected to each leg of the front bow for connecting the hinge eyes. By this arrangement the front bow is located higher when the top is up and gives more room for entering the front seat of the vehicle and does not project rearwardly so far when the top is folded, thus lessening the distance which the top projects to the rear of the body when folded.

The braces C, D and E are arranged between the upper Vportions of the legs of the bows in the vertical planes thereof so that they are located between the depending side portions of the covering B and head lining b of the top and are thereby concealed. Each brace consists, asusual, of two arms hinged together, but the braces are arranged to bend or fold downward or toward the pivoted ends of the bows so that they eX- tend forwardly instead of rearwardly when the top is folded, thus leaving unobstructed spaces between the rear or outer portions of the bows to receive the plaits or folds of the covering B and head lining Z). This arrangement permits the top to fold compactly and without projecting far to the rear, and greatly improves the appearance of the folded top as well as preventing wear on the covering by contact with the braces. The ends of the braces are pivoted to hinge pieces or irons G, Figs. 1, 2 and 5, which are firmly secured to the front and rear edges of the bows and have parallel side plates g between which the ends of the braces are pivoted and which straddle the ends of the braces for a. considerable distance when the braces are folded, see Figs. 2 and 5. These hinge pieces G afford a very strong and secure connection between the braces and the bows, and rigidly hold the braces from sidewise motion or play when they are folded.

Each brace is provided with the following means, see Figs. 7-10, for locking its arms from movement both when the brace `is straightened and folded: A sliding bolt H `is arranged in a longitudinal pocket h in one arm of the brace and is adapted, when the brace is straightened, to be projected by a spring 71,' into a notch h2 in the hinge lug of the other arm of the brace, as shown in Fig. 7. The bolt is provided with a pin ha extending out through a slot in one side of the brace arm by which itcan be retracted to permit the brace to be bent or folded. Wvhcn the brace is folded the bolt bears against the circular edge of the hinge lug having the notch h2, and when straightening the brace the bolt rides over this edge until the brace is fully straightened7 when the bolt springs into the notch h2 and locks the arms of the brace against folding. One arm of each brace is provided at a distance from the brace joint with a projecting lug I, Fig. 9, which is adapted to enter an opening z' in the other arm of the brace, in which it is held by a bevel-ended latch bolt a" which is arranged to slide in a pocket in the latter brace arm and is adapted to be proj ected into a notch 2 in the lug 1 by a spring 3. The latch bolt a" has a. pin t extending out through a slot 5 in one side of the brace arm for retracting the bolt, and the slot 275, see Fig. 10, preferably has an angular portion at one end into which the pin 4 can be turned for holding the bolt retracted. 'Vhen the brace is closed or folded, the lug 1, entering the opening c', holds the two brace arms rigidly in the same plane, and the latch bolt, engaging the lug I, locks the brace arms against being opened without first releasing the latch. One arm of each brace is alsov preferably provided near the brace joint with a recess to receive a stud K, Fig. 3, projecting from the adjacent bow to supplement the hinge pieces G in holding the braces and legs of the bows in the same planes and prevent lateral motion between braces and bows when the top is folded. It will thus be seen that when the top is folded and t-he arms of the braces locked by the latches the bows are held spaced apart and the movement thereof toward and from each other is prevented, and the bows and braces being connected near the ends and joints of the braces by the hinge pieces G and the studs K, the parts are also held against relative side motion, so that the several parts of the top when folded are united and mutually act in holding each other rigid and stationary, which prevent-s rattling and wear in the various joints, and also prevents the frame parts from rubbing or chafing and wearing the covering. The unsightly straps ordinarily used to tie the bows together are also eliminated.

The joint of each brace is preferably provided with a guard, see Figs. 7-9 and 11, consisting of a ieXible metal strip L arranged along the lower or outer edge of the brace across the joint with its opposite ends confined in pockets Z in the brace arms, and a bent U-shaped piece which straddles and is secured to the guard strip L and has circular side plates Z located at opposite sides of the joint and secured to the opposite ends of the pivot pin of the joint. One end of the pivot pin is square and enters a square hole Z2, Fig. 11, in one of the side plates Z to secure the guard strip L to one brace arm and cause the side plates to turn with this arm when working the joint. Then the brace is opened and closed, the other end of the guard strip slid-es in the pocket Z of the other arm of the brace. rfhe guard strip L and side plates Z cover the opening between shoulders of the joint, both at the outer edge and opposite sides of the brace, and eifectually prevent the hand being caught and pinched in the oint when operating the brace, As the braces are concealed between the cover and head lining and a person cannot see just where the joint is, the guard is especially desirable in preventing injury to the hands.

Each rear stay brace F is pivoted at its lower end to a coupling M which is secured to the usual bracket on the side of the vehicle body. This coupling has spaced side plates between which the end of the brace is pivoted and between which the brace is held rigidly from side motion when the top is folded. These rear stay braces are so arranged that when the top is folded down the braces can be straightened in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 3, in which they will hold the top from lifting or bouncing in the motion of the vehicle. The upper end of each brace is adapted to be pivoted by a removable pin in either of a plurality of holes in a hinge piece on the rear bow 4L. The brace can be pivoted in one or another of the holes as may be necessary to hold the top rigid. This rear stay brace is preferably provided like the other braces, with a lock for locking its arms when straightened, and with a hand guard, such as described, for its joint.

IVhen folding the top the front bow l is disconnected from the upper hinge eyes a of the second bow 2 and hinged to the lower eyes a thereof, and the second bow is disconnected from its brackets on the body and hinged to eyes at the lower ends of the legs of the third bow 3 in the usual manner.

I claim as my invention:

l. In a folding vehicle top, the combination of pivoted bows, jointed braces connecting said pivoted bows, and hinge pieces which are secured to said bows and to which said braces are hinged, said hinge pieces having portions which straddle the arms of the braces at a considerable distance from their' hinged ends and confine them laterally when the top is folded, and interlocking parts on the arms of said braces for securing said arms together between the ends and the joints of the braces when the top is folded, substantially as set forth.

2. In a folding vehicle top, the combination of pivoted bo'ws, jointed braces con- Anecting said bows and arranged between the legs of the bows in the vertical planes thereof, hinge pieces which are secured to the front and rear edges of said bows and to which said bracesI are hinged, said hinge pieces having side Hanges which straddle the arms of the braces and confine them laterally when the top is folded, and parts on the arms of the braces between their joints and ends of the braces which interlock when the top is folded, substantially as set forth.

3. In al folding vehicle top, the combination of pivoted bows, jointed braces connecting said bows and arranged to break downwardly for folding the top, parts on the arms of the several braces which interlock when the top is folded for securing said brace arms together, and parts on the braces and bows near the joints of the braces which engage when the top is folded to prevent relative lateral motion of the braces and bows, substantially as set forth.

4. In a folding vehicle top, the combination of pivoted bows, jointed braces connecting said bows and arranged to break downwardly for folding the top, means for securing' the brace arms together when folded, and parts on the braces and bows near the ends and the joints of the braces which engage when the top is folded to prevent relative lateral motion of the braces and bows, substantially as set forth.

5. In a folding vehicle top, the combina` tion of pivoted bows, jointed braces between said bows arranged to break downwardly for folding the top, hinge pieces on the bows to which said braces are hinged and which have parts which engage the end portions of the braces and confine them laterally when the top is folded, and parts on the several braces adjacent to the joints of the braces which engage parts on the bows when the top is folded to hold the braces from lateral motion, substantially as set forth.

6. In a folding vehicle top, the combination of pivot-ed bows, jointed braces connecting the bows and arranged in the vertical planes of the legs of the bows to break downwardly for folding the top, interlocking parts consisting of lugs and latches on the arms of the several braces for securing the arms of each brace together when folded, and parts on the several braces adjacent to the brace joints which interlock with parts on the bows when the top is folded to hold the braces from lateral motion, substantially as set forth.

7. In a folding vehicle top, the combination of pivoted bows, jointed braces between said bows, a lug on one arm of each brace adapted to enter an opening in the other arm of the brace when the top is folded, and a latch foi` locking said lug in said opening, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination of a vehicle body, a folding top having pivoted bows, braces between said bows, rear stay braces arranged between the rear top bow and the body which brace the rear bow when the top is opened and swing to a downwardly inclined position and securely hold the top when it is folded, and coupling pieces on the body to which said rear stay braces are pivoted and which have portions that incline rearwardly beyond the pivots for the stay braces and embrace said stay braces at a considerable distance from their pivots and conne them laterally when the top is folded, substantially as set forth.

9. In a folding vehicle top, the combination of a jointed brace, and a guard for the brace joint comprising a iieXible strip eX- tending along the edge of the brace across the joint, and side plates located at opposite sides of the joint, substantially as set forth. W'itness my hand, this 2d day of March,

JOSEPH TEPPERT. IVitnesses:

C. WV. PARKER, E. C. HARD.