Mechanism for the retractable top of an open automobile

• US 20010030443A1
• Filed: 12/28/2000
• Published: 10/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arthur S. Beir
• Original Assignee: Dennis G. Barker
• Inventors: Barker, Dennis G.
• Granted Patent: US 6,439,643 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 296/107.01
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/1265 characterised by kinematic movements, e.g. using parallelogram linkages B60J7/126 takes precedence

Abstract

A retractable top for a Jeep® CJ-7® or Wrangler® or other vehicle with an open passenger compartment and an open rear compartment. The top attaches to the floor of the open rear compartment. A number of expanding linkage arms allow the cover to be deployed forwardly over both the rear compartment and the passenger compartment. Windscreen brackets fasten the cover to the vehicle'"'"'s windscreen.

Claims

1. A retractable top for a vehicle, the vehicle resting on the ground, the vehicle having an open passenger compartment with a windscreen and door openings and an open rear compartment rearward of the passenger compartment, the rear compartment having a floor, the retractable top comprising:

a) means for attaching the retractable top to the floor of the open rear compartment;

b) a plurality of expanding linkage arms adapted to moving the retractable top from a fully retracted position in which the retractable top is folded upon itself within the open rear compartment to a fully deployed position covering the passenger compartment; and

c) means for removably locking the retractable top to the vehicle'"'"'s windscreen.

2. The retractable top of

claim 1

, wherein the means for attaching to the floor of the rear compartment further comprises a pair of substantially horizontal support plates attachable to the floor of the rear compartment and a substantially vertical base plate attachable to each of the substantially horizontal support plates.

3. The retractable top of

claim 1

, wherein the plurality of linkage arms are so arranged that one of the plurality of linkage arms remains substantially parallel to the ground as the retractable top is moved from the fully retracted position to the fully deployed position.

4. The retractable top of

claim 1

, further comprising left and right door brackets attachable to the vehicle adjacent the door openings, one of the plurality of the linkage arms sealingly engaging the left and right door brackets.

5. The retractable top of

claim 2

, wherein the substantially vertical base plates have adjustment slots allowing the retractable top to be adjustably positioned forwardly and rearwardly within the rear compartment.

6. The retractable top of

claim 2

, wherein the substantially vertical base plates have adjustment slots allowing the retractable top to be adjustably positioned vertically within the rear compartment.

7. The retractable top of

claim 1

, wherein the means for removably locking the retractable top to the vehicle'"'"'s windscreen further comprises right and left windscreen brackets attachable to the vehicle'"'"'s windscreen and right and left windscreen clips locking the retractable top to the respective right and left windscreen brackets.

8. A retractable top for a vehicle, the vehicle resting on the ground, the vehicle having an open passenger compartment with a windscreen and door openings and an open rear compartment rearward of the passenger compartment, the rear compartment having a floor, the retractable top comprising:

a) a pair of substantially horizontal support plates attachable to the floor of the rear compartment and a substantially vertical base plate attachable to each of the substantially horizontal support plates;

b) a plurality of expanding linkage arms adapted to moving the retractable top from a fully retracted position in which the retractable top is folded upon itself within the open rear compartment to a fully deployed position covering the passenger compartment; and

c) right and left windscreen brackets attachable to the vehicle'"'"'s windscreen and right and left windscreen clips locking the retractable top to the respective right and left windscreen brackets.

9. The retractable top of

claim 8

, wherein the plurality of linkage arms are so arranged that one of the plurality of linkage arms remains substantially parallel to the ground as the retractable top is moved from the fully contracted position to the fully deployed position.

10. The retractable top of

claim 8

, further comprising left and right door brackets attachable to the vehicle adjacent the door openings, one of the plurality of the linkage arms sealingly engaging the left and right door brackets.

11. The retractable top of

claim 8

, wherein the substantially vertical base plates have adjustment slots allowing the retractable top to be adjustably positioned forwardly and rearwardly within the rear compartment.

12. The retractable top of

claim 8

, wherein the substantially vertical base plates have adjustment slots allowing the retractable top to be adjustably positioned vertically within the rear compartment.

13. A retractable top for a vehicle, the vehicle having an open passenger compartment with a windscreen and door openings and an open rear compartment rearward of the passenger compartment, the rear compartment having a floor, the retractable top comprising:

a) a pair of substantially horizontal support plates attachable to the floor of the rear compartment;

b) a substantially vertical base plate attachable to each of the support plates;

c) first and second linkage arms pivotally attached to each of the substantially vertical base plates at first and second pivot points, the first and second linkage arms being in spaced parallel relation to one another;

d) a third linkage arm pivotally attached to the first and second linkage arms at third and fourth pivot points, the third linkage arm having a first end and a second end;

e) a fourth linkage arm pivotally attached to the third linkage arm intermediate the first and second ends, the fourth linkage arm having a first end and a second end;

f) a fifth linkage arm pivotally attached to the fourth linkage arm intermediate the first end and second end of the fourth linkage arm, and to the first linkage arm;

g) a sixth linkage arm pivotally attached to the fourth linkage arm at the second end of the fourth linkage arm;

h) a windscreen and top frame pivotally attached to the sixth linkage arm and to the third linkage arm;

i) right and left windscreen brackets attachable to the vehicle'"'"'s windscreen;

j) right and left windscreen clips locking the windscreen and top frame to the respective right and left windscreen brackets; and

k) a fabric cover attachable to the windscreen and top frame;

whereby the retractable top is movable between a fully retracted position in which the retractable top is folded upon itself into the rear compartment and a fully deployed position in which the retractable top covers the passenger compartment.

14. The retractable top of

claim 13

, wherein the plurality of linkage arms are so arranged that one of the plurality of linkage arms remains substantially parallel to the ground as the retractable top is moved from the fully contracted position to the fully deployed position.

15. The retractable top of

claim 13

, further comprising left and right door brackets attachable to the vehicle adjacent the door openings, one of the plurality of the linkage arms sealingly engaging the left and right door brackets.

16. The retractable top of

claim 13

, wherein the substantially vertical base plates have adjustment slots allowing the retractable top to be adjustably positioned forwardly and rearwardly within the rear compartment.

17. The retractable top of

claim 13

, wherein the substantially vertical base plates have adjustment slots allowing the retractable top to be adjustably positioned vertically within the rear compartment.

18. The retractable top of

claim 13

, wherein the third linkage arm remains substantially parallel to the ground as the retractable top is moved from the fully retracted position to the fully deployed position.

19. The retractable top of

claim 15

, wherein the third linkage arm has a curved portion, the left and right door brackets have curved portions, and the curved portion of the third linkage arms sealingly engage the curved portions of the left and right door brackets.