MULTI CONFIGURABLE HALF TOP ASSEMBLY

• US 20180297456A1
• Filed: 04/11/2018
• Published: 10/18/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bestop Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Bestop Incorporated
• Inventors: Stickles, George C., Getzschman, Eric D., Lewis, Stephen J.
• Granted Patent: US 10,457,129 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/70 specially adapted for windows or windscreens
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/1291 Soft tops for closed vehicle bodies
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/146 all elements being folded in same orientation and stacked fashion
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/132 Roll bars for convertible vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/141 Light trucks

Abstract

A top for a Jeep type vehicle is provided having a rear cargo area and parallel spaced roll bars. The top includes parallel spaced apart C pillars, each C pillar including front and rear vertical columns, the rear columns having a perpendicularly connected seat belt pass-through. The C pillars also have bottom plates connecting the front and rear columns that extend beyond the rear column. A top plate connects the front and rear columns together. The C pillars include pivotally connected sealing plates for sealing a top end of a rear door, the sealing plates being connected to the roll bars. A vertical rear window extending between said C pillar rear columns is provided, the rear window having a cutout portion for allowance of passage of a seat belt therethrough. A fabric cover providing a top deck extends over said front and rear seating portion of said vehicle and also covers the C pillars. A tonneau cover is provided for covering the rear cargo area providing a flat surface enclosure over the cargo area.

Claims

1. A top system for a four-door Jeep type vehicle having a cargo area rear of a rear seating portion of said vehicle, said cargo area juxtaposing rear wheel wells of said vehicle, said cargo area being closed by a pivotal rear cargo gate, said vehicle having parallel spaced roll bars with a horizontal portion adjacent at least a rear seating portion of said vehicle and said roll bars having an inclined portion slanted towards said cargo area, said top comprising:

parallel spaced apart C pillars, said C pillars including a front vertical column and a rear vertical column, said rear column having a perpendicularly connected seat belt pass-through extending towards a longitudinal centerline of said vehicle, said C pillars also having longitudinal extending bottom plates connecting said front and rear columns, said bottom plate extending beyond said rear column, and said C pillar also including a top plate connecting said front and rear columns along a top end of said front and rear columns and said C pillars including pivotally connected sealing plates for sealing a top end of a rear door, said sealing plates being pivotally connected to said C pillar front column and also being connected to said roll bars;

a vertical rear window extending between said C pillar rear columns, said rear window having a cutout portion for allowance of passage of a seat belt;

a fabric cover providing a top deck extending over a front and said rear seating portion of said vehicle, said cover also covering said C pillars and encircling said rear window;

a rear bow connecting said C pillars'"'"' rear columns adjacent a bottom end of said columns; and

a tonneau cover for said rear cargo area providing a flat surface enclosure of said rear cargo area.

2. The top system as provided in claim 1 wherein said top deck has an openable panel.

3. The top system as provided in claim 2 further including a front panel openable over a front seat portion and a rear panel openable over said rear seat portion.

4. The top system as provided in claim 3 having a hard mid deck between said front and rear panels.

5. The top system as provided in claim 1 having a sliding top deck.

6. The top system as provided in claim 1 having a hard tonneau cover.

7. The top system as provided in claim 1 having a soft fabric tonneau cover.

8. The top system as provided in claim 7 having a rolled soft fabric tonneau cover.

9. The top system as provided in claim 1 having a sliding opening top deck.