Sport Utility Vehicle Mobile Hard Top Removal, Store, and Install Device

• US 20160257535A1
• Filed: 01/25/2016
• Published: 09/08/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fredrick Hall
• Original Assignee: Fredrick Hall
• Inventors: Hall, Fredrick
• Granted Patent: US 9,643,823 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B66C 23/48 Manually-movable jib cranes for use in workshops

Abstract

A device designed for the removal, storage, and installation of convertible hardtops from sport utility vehicles. The device is floor level and mounted on casters for portability. The device utilizes a platform and ratcheted gear apparatus to assist provide leverage and assist a single operator to remove or install a convertible hardtop form an SUV. The device also utilizes a tilting assembly to allow the operator to reduce the footprint of the device with the hardtop loaded, making it simpler to maneuver and store.

Claims

1. An apparatus for removing, storing, and installing removable hardtop devices from automobiles comprising:

a movable base unit which is sufficiently long and wide to support the apparatus from longitudinal and axial moments with and without the hardtop installed;

a vertical support structure having a lower and upper end, wherein said lower end is affixed to said movable base and said upper end is attached to the vertical lifting means;

a means for vertical lifting which is connected to said vertical support beams and allows the apparatus to exert force in the vertical direction for removing the hardtop from the automobile, sustaining the hardtop at a fixed height once the hardtop has been removed from the automobile, and allowing the hardtop to be controllably lowered onto the automobile during installation;

a platform structure attached to said vertical lifting means which interfaces with the hardtop to distribute lifting forces evenly throughout the hardtop and is capable of securing and supporting the hardtop longitudinally and axially while it is installed on the apparatus;

wherein the apparatus may be positioned to the hardtop while is installed on the automobile and selectively raised or lowered by said vertical lifting means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said vertical lifting means comprises:

a lift lever allowing the operator to forcibly control the upward and downward movement of said platform around a hinged connection to said vertical support beam(s);

one or more vertical platform push rods, each having an lower and upper end, wherein said lower end is affixed to said lift lever and said upper end is attached to said platform;

a semi-circular gear affixed to either the vertical support beam(s) or the vertical platform push rods;

a pawl attached to either the vertical support beam(s) or the vertical platform push rods, whichever one said gear is not attached to, incorporating a spring loading mechanism which engages the pawl into the teeth of said gear, preventing downward movement of said vertical support beam(s) when said pawl is engaged with said gear;

a means for a release mechanism which will disengage said pawl from said gear teeth, allowing downward movement of said vertical support beam(s) when said pawl is disengaged with said gear teeth.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said platform structure comprises:

an upper platform section constructed of hollow tube having a topside and underside which upon the topside the hardtop will rest;

one more hollow grip rail tubes affixed to the underside of said upper platform section with inner cross sectional segments slightly larger than the representative profile of the cross-section of the outer surface of the grip rail which is inserted into it;

one more long tube members which are slideable into said hollow grip rail tubes where the outer cross sectional segments of the tube members provides a smaller larger representative profile of the cross-section of the inner surface of the grip rail sleeve which it is inserted into;

a means for securing the long tube members to the hollow grip rail tubes once the long tube members have been inserted into the hollow grip rail;

a means for securing said long tube members to the hardtop.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said apparatus further incorporates a tilting mechanism comprising:

one or more hinged connections between the said platform and said vertical platform push rods;

a means for a locking mechanism which when engaged will prevent the rotation of the platform said platform to rotate around said vertical platform push rods;

a means for a release mechanism which will disengage said locking mechanism, allowing said platform to rotate around said vertical platform push rods.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said vertical lifting means comprises:

a motor which allows the operator to control the upward and downward movement of said platform around a hinged connection to said vertical support beam(s);

one or more vertical platform push rods, each having an lower and upper end, wherein said lower end is affixed to said lift lever and said upper end is attached to said platform;

a semi-circular gear affixed to either the vertical support beam(s) or the vertical platform push rods;

a gear mounted to the end of the motor which meshes with said semi-circular gear which when rotated drives said vertical platform push rods in the upward or downward direction.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said platform structure comprises:

an upper platform section constructed of hollow tube having a topside and underside which upon the topside the hardtop will rest;

one more hollow grip rail tubes affixed to the underside of said upper platform section with inner cross sectional segments slightly larger than the representative profile of the cross-section of the outer surface of the grip rail which is inserted into it;

one more long tube members which are slideable into said hollow grip rail tubes where the outer cross sectional segments of the tube members provides a smaller larger representative profile of the cross-section of the inner surface of the grip rail sleeve which it is inserted into;

a means for securing the long tube members to the hollow grip rail tubes once the long tube members have been inserted into the hollow grip rail;

a means for securing said long tube members to the hardtop.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the apparatus further incorporates a tilting mechanism comprising:

one or more hinged connections between the said platform and said vertical platform push rods;

a locking mechanism which when engaged will prevent the rotation of the platform said platform to rotate around said vertical platform push rods;

a release mechanism which will disengage said locking mechanism, allowing said platform to rotate around said vertical platform push rods.