Automotive convertible top attaching construction

• US 6,206,450 B1
• Filed: 04/15/1998
• Issued: 03/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
• Original Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
• Inventors: Kamo, Mitsuhiro, Ide, Kuniteru
• Primary Examiner(s): Dayoan, D. Glenn
• Assistant Examiner(s): Murray, Mickki D.
• Application Number:
  US09/060,571
• Time in Patent Office: 1,077 Days
• Field of Search: 296/107.09, 296/107.11, 296/107.15, 296/107.16, 296/121, 296/122, 296/217
• US Class Current: 296/107.09
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/1291 Soft tops for closed vehicle bodies

Abstract

There is provided an automotive convertible top attaching construction in which a roof is opened, and an open portion is covered with a top cloth, characterized in that the front end portion of the top cloth 12 is mounted to a top fixing panel 15, a frame 16 supporting the top fixing panel 15 is pivotally mounted on both sides of the open portion rotatably in the longitudinal direction of vehicle body, and the top fixing panel 15 is mounted to the frame 16 rotatably with respect to the axis in the vehicle width direction. Therefore, the flattering of the top cloth 12 can be prevented when the top cloth 12 is open. Thereby, the entrance of wind into the folded top cloth can be prevented when a sun roof portion is open, and the appearance can be improved.

Claims

1. An automotive convertible top attaching construction for attachment to a vehicle having a roof which is opened at an open portion thereof, and comprising:

a top fixing panel;

a top cloth adapted to cover the open portion, a front end portion of said top cloth being mounted to the top fixing panel;

a panel support frame supporting said top fixing panel and adapted to be pivotally mounted to a body of the vehicle on both sides of said open portion such that the panel support frame is pivotally movable for rotatably moving the top fixing panel in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, the panel support frame comprising a transverse frame portion having opposed ends and a frame arm engaging each end, each frame arm extending from the transverse frame portion to be pivotally mounted to the vehicle body, such that the transverse frame portion is supported with respect to the vehicle body by only the frame arms; and

said top fixing panel being mounted to said panel support frame so as to be rotatably movable with respect to the panel support frame about an axis which is oriented in the vehicle width direction.

2. An automotive convertible top attaching construction for attachment to a vehicle having an open portion which is divided into a sun roof portion over a passenger compartment and a deck portion over a luggage compartment, the sun roof portion and deck portion being located on opposite sides of a roof center pillar portion connecting center pillar portions of the vehicle, the vehicle including side roof portions on opposite sides of the open portion, and comprising:

a top fixing panel;

a top cloth having a front end portion mounted to the top fixing panel;

a panel support frame adapted to be mounted on the side roof portions of the open portion so that the panel support frame is rotatably movable in the longitudinal direction of vehicle, the panel support frame comprising a transverse frame portion having opposed ends and a frame arm engaging each end, each frame arm extending from the transverse frame portion to be pivotally mounted to the vehicle, such that the transverse frame portion is supported with respect to the vehicle by only the frame arms; and

the top fixing panel being supported by said panel support frame such that said top fixing panel is rotatable relative to said panel support frame about an axis which is oriented in the vehicle width direction.

3. An automotive convertible top attaching construction for attachment to a vehicle having an open portion which is divided into a sun roof portion over a passenger compartment and a deck portion over a luggage compartment, and comprising:

a top adapted to cover both said sun roof portion and deck portion and including a front top adapted to cover said sun roof portion and being configured so as to be capable of being opened; and

a movable top bow mechanism for opening said top, said movable top bow mechanism including a top fixing panel supporting a tip end portion of said front top and a panel support frame comprising a transverse frame portion having opposed ends and a frame arm engaging each end, each frame arm extending from the transverse frame portion to a panel support frame hinge adapted to be mounted on a body of the vehicle such that the transverse frame portion is supported with respect to the vehicle body by only the frame arms, the panel support frame hinge rotatably supporting said panel support frame such that said panel support frame is rotatably movable in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body, and wherein said top fixing panel is rotatably supported by a pivot mounted on the transverse frame portion.

4. An automotive convertible top attaching construction according to claim 3 further comprising a protector mounted on each frame arm of said panel support frame.