U.S. patent application number 17/340900 was filed with the patent office on 2021-11-25 for soft front cockpit cover.
This patent application is currently assigned to Bestop, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Bestop, Inc.. Invention is credited to William H. Haberkamp, Duane C. Junkin, George C. Stickles.
Application Number | 20210362573 17/340900 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005754913 |
Filed Date | 2021-11-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210362573 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Haberkamp; William H. ; et
al. |
November 25, 2021 |
SOFT FRONT COCKPIT COVER
Abstract
A foldable roof assembly having a soft panel top assembly for a
vehicle in sealing engagement with a hard top portion of a roof.
The soft panel top assembly has a fixed portion attached to the
vehicle and a lightweight pivotal portion that folds back to
provide the occupant a quick and easy open air effect. Two door
rails of the soft panel top assembly are connected to the vehicle.
Two side bows are attached to a first bow member, which is secured
to a windshield frame when in a closed position, and are connected
at a pivot point created with a bracket attached to the door rails
to allow the pivotal portion to pivot to an open position. The soft
panel top assembly includes a rear header that is a wireframe and
engages with seals in the hard top roof portion to provide a
weatherproof seal.
Inventors: |
Haberkamp; William H.;
(Rochester Hills, MI) ; Stickles; George C.;
(Thornton, CO) ; Junkin; Duane C.; (Madison
Heights, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Bestop, Inc. |
Louisville |
CO |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Bestop, Inc.
Louisville
CO
|
Family ID: |
1000005754913 |
Appl. No.: |
17/340900 |
Filed: |
June 7, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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17033139 |
Sep 25, 2020 |
11046158 |
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17340900 |
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16786721 |
Feb 10, 2020 |
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17033139 |
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16554806 |
Aug 29, 2019 |
10596886 |
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16786721 |
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15981542 |
May 16, 2018 |
10434853 |
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16554806 |
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15344140 |
Nov 4, 2016 |
10046630 |
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15981542 |
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14808011 |
Jul 24, 2015 |
9517684 |
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15344140 |
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14243359 |
Apr 2, 2014 |
9139073 |
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14808011 |
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61807506 |
Apr 2, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60J 7/1291 20130101;
B60J 7/10 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B60J 7/12 20060101
B60J007/12; B60J 7/10 20060101 B60J007/10 |
Claims
1. A soft panel top assembly adapted for a vehicle having a
windshield frame with side members extending therefrom and a cross
member connecting said side members adjacent to the rear of a front
cockpit of said vehicle, said soft panel top assembly comprising:
two door rails adapted to be attached to said side members of said
vehicle; two side rails pivotal with respect to said at least two
door rails; a first bow member connected between said two side
rails and adapted to selectively connect to said windshield frame;
a cover that is a soft skin roof top cover, said cover connected at
a front to said first bow member, where pivoting said two side
rails allows said cover to move between a deployed position and an
open position; a rear header member arrangement adapted to connect
to a rear of said cover and adapted to connect to said cross
member, where said rear header member is adapted to seal to a hard
top roof portion to provide a weatherproof seal.
2. The soft panel top assembly of claim 1, further comprising at
least two extrusions, wherein a respective one of said extrusions
are each connected to a respective one of said two side rails.
3. The soft panel top assembly of claim 2, wherein said cover is
coupled to said at least two extrusions.
4. The soft panel top assembly of claim 1, further comprising at
least two brackets, wherein a respective one of said brackets are
each connected to a respective one of said two door rails to
provide at least one pivot point on each of said two door
rails.
5. The soft panel top assembly of claim 4, wherein said pivot
points are provided with a bushing and screw arrangement allowing
for the pivotal connection between each of said two brackets and
said two side rails, such that said two side rails are pivotal
about said pivot point.
6. The soft panel top assembly of claim 1, wherein said two door
rails further comprises a plurality of clamping surfaces extending
toward the vehicle interior for adapted for connecting each of said
two door rails to a respective one of said side members, using at
least two fasteners, said side members being sport bars of said
vehicle.
7. The soft panel top assembly of claim 1, wherein the two side
rails and first bow member pivot with a portion of said cover
between said deployed position and said open position to provide an
open air feel of the soft panel top assembly without completely
removing the soft panel top assembly from said vehicle.
8. The soft panel top assembly of claim 1, wherein the two door
rails each extend between an A-pillar and a B-pillar of said
vehicle and each are adapted to provide a sealing surface for front
doors of said vehicle.
9. The soft panel top assembly of claim 1, wherein said front of
said cover wraps around said first bow member, is secured to said
first bow member, and covers at least an outward portion of said
first bow member when connected to said windshield frame.
10. The soft panel top assembly of claim 1, wherein said rear of
said cover is operably secured to said rear header member and
covers at least an outward portion of said rear header member.
11. The soft panel top assembly of claim 1, wherein said rear
header member further comprises at least two attachment brackets
adapted for connecting said rear header member to said cross member
of said vehicle using at least two fasteners.
12. The soft panel top assembly of claim 11, wherein said at least
two fasteners are turnable fasteners and as said fasteners are
tightened against a bottom surface of said cross member said rear
header member is pressed against said hard top roof portion.
13. A soft panel top assembly adapted for a vehicle, comprising:
two door rails adapted to be attached to side members of said
vehicle; two brackets, wherein a respective one of said brackets
are each connected to a respective one of said two door rails; at
least two side rails pivotally connected for pivotal movement with
respect to said at least two door rails using respective pivot
points on said two door rails; a first bow member connected between
said two side rails and adapted to selectively connect to a
windshield frame; a cover that is a soft skin roof top cover, said
cover connected to said first bow member, where pivoting said two
side rails about said pivot points moves said cover between a
deployed position and an open position, and where said two side
rails provide clearance between a hard top roof portion and said
first bow when said cover is in said open position; a rear header
member arrangement adapted to connect to a said cover and adapted
to connect to a cross member, where said rear header member seals
against a hard top roof portion to provide a weatherproof seal.
14. The soft panel top assembly of claim 13, further comprising at
least two extrusions, wherein a respective one of said extrusions
are each connected to a respective one of said two side rails.
15. The soft panel top assembly of claim 14, wherein said cover is
coupled to said at least two extrusions.
16. The soft panel top assembly of claim 13, wherein said pivot
points are provided with a bushing and screw arrangement allowing
for the pivotal connection between each of said two brackets and
each of said two side rails, such that each one of said two side
rails are pivotal about each respective one of said pivot
points.
17. The soft panel top assembly of claim 13, wherein said two door
rails further comprises a plurality of clamping surfaces extending
toward the vehicle interior adapted for connecting each of said two
door rails to a respective one of said side members using at least
two removable fasteners, said side members being sport bars of said
vehicle.
18. The soft panel top assembly of claim 13, wherein the two side
rails and first bow member pivot with a portion of said cover
between said deployed position and said open position to provide an
open air feel of the soft panel top assembly without completely
removing the soft panel top assembly from said vehicle and without
an operator exiting the vehicle to deploy or open the soft panel
top assembly.
19. The soft panel top assembly of claim 13, wherein said rear
header member further comprises at least two attachment brackets
adapted for connecting said cross member of said vehicle to said
rear header member using at least two fasteners, wherein said at
least two fasteners are tightened against a surface of said cross
member causing said rear header member to press against said hard
top roof portion.
20. A soft panel top assembly adapted for a vehicle having a
windshield frame with side members extending therefrom and a cross
member connecting said side members adjacent to the rear of a front
cockpit of said vehicle, said soft panel top assembly comprising:
two door rails adapted to attach to said side members of said
vehicle; two brackets, wherein a respective one of said brackets
are each connected to a respective one of said two door rails; two
side rails pivotally connected to said at least two door rails
using said two brackets creating a pivot point on each of said two
door rails; a first bow member connected between said two side
rails and adapted to selectively connect to said windshield frame;
a cover that is a soft skin roof top cover, said cover connected at
a front edge to said first bow member, wherein the two pivot points
create a pivotal portion comprising at least said two side rails
and said first bow member where pivoting said two side rails about
said pivot points moves said cover between a deployed position and
an open position, and where said two side rails provide clearance
with said hard top roof portion when said cover is in said open
position; a rear header member adapted for connecting a rear of
said cover to said rear header member and adapted to connect to a
top surface of said cross member, wherein the shape and connection
of said rear header member to said cross member brings said rear
header member into sealing engagement with said hard top roof
portion to provide a weatherproof seal.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 17/033,139, filed Sep. 25, 2020, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/786,721, filed
Feb. 10, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 16/554,806, filed Aug. 29, 2019, issued as U.S. Pat. No.
10,596,886, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 15/981,542, filed May 16, 2018, issued as U.S. Pat. No.
10,434,853, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 15/344,140, filed Nov. 4, 2016, issued as U.S. Pat. No.
10,046,630 on Aug. 14, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/808,011, filed Jul. 24, 2015, issued as
U.S. Pat. No. 9,517,684 on Dec. 13, 2016, which is a continuation
of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/243,359, filed Apr. 2, 2014,
issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,139,073 on Sep. 22, 2015, which claims
the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/807,506, filed
Apr. 2, 2013. The disclosures of the above applications are
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a foldable roof assembly
having a soft panel top cover that seals against a hard top portion
of the roof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Foldable stowable roof soft tops are commonly used in
sport-utility vehicles for recreational purposes. The foldable roof
is typically moved between a stowed position, and a deployed
position. When in the deployed position, the foldable roof protects
the occupants of the vehicle from various weather conditions. The
foldable roof also includes various sections which are made of a
clear material to essentially function as a window, allowing the
occupant of the vehicle to see outside of the vehicle. However,
there are occasions where the weather is pleasant, and it is
desired by the occupants of the vehicle to move the foldable roof
to an open position such that the vehicle essentially functions
without part of a roof or essentially functions without a roof, and
the passenger compartment of the vehicle is exposed to the
atmosphere. This allows the occupants of the vehicle to enjoy more
favorable weather conditions while driving.
[0004] An alternative to the convertible soft top is to use a hard
top that is bulky and does not provide any open air feel without
removing the entire top. If the entire hard top is removed, it then
must be stored, which is often difficult because of the size of the
top. Other convertible roofs use a hard top that is large and bulky
and does not provide any open air feel without removing two front
top panels, which is also laborious, difficult, time consuming, and
ergonomically disadvantageous. If one or more of the front top
panels are removed, they then must be stored, which is often
difficult because of the size of the panels. While this will give
the occupant an open air feel, the panels are large and bulky. If
the occupant wants to gain the open air feel they need to exit the
vehicle and remove the panels using multiple knobs and latches and
then store the panels. This makes for a time consuming operation as
well as a potential storage issue due to the size of the panels.
They are also hard to handle due to their size and weight and due
to the fact they must be installed and removed over the operators
head. In the event of inclement weather, the panels cannot be
quickly put back in place.
[0005] Accordingly, there exists a need for a more manageable and
easily foldable top made of soft material to provide a top that can
be opened quickly to provide what is often referred to as an open
air feel, where a portion of the top of the roof is moved from a
closed or deployed position to an open or stowed position exposing
a portion of the inside vehicle cockpit/passenger compartment to
the outside without removing the top.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention is directed to a foldable roof
assembly having a soft panel top assembly that is in sealing
engagement with a hard top portion of the roof. The soft panel top
assembly has a pivotal portion that is lightweight and folds back
without the operator needing to leave the vehicle to give the
occupant a quick and easy sunroof/open air feeling in the front
cockpit. This is done more easily than with typical two-panel hard
top systems that are more time consuming to disengage from the
vehicle and are bulky to handle and remove. The present invention
also eliminates storage issues since the soft panel top folds back
rather than having to be removed entirely and stored as with
conventional hard top panels.
[0007] The soft panel top assembly has two door rails connected to
side sport bars of the vehicle providing a sealing surface for the
doors of the vehicle as well as pivot points for the pivotal
portion of the soft panel top assembly. The soft panel top assembly
has two side bows connected to a first bow member that is secured
to a windshield frame with quick release latches. The side bows are
connected at a second end to a fixed bracket connected to the side
rails creating the pivot points with the use of the brackets. The
soft panel top assembly includes a rear header that is a rear
wireframe closeout for sealing engagement with seals of the hard
top roof portion. The soft panel top assembly is made lightweight
by using the wireframe rear header and by using minimal frame and
mostly soft goods. This further helps with ease of installation and
ease of cycle efforts of the pivotal portion.
[0008] Further areas of applicability of the present invention will
become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter.
It should be understood that the detailed description and specific
examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the
invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are
not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The present invention will become more fully understood from
the detailed description and the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a front left perspective view of a foldable roof
assembly having a soft panel top cover assembly in a deployed
position connected to the vehicle and in sealing engagement with a
hard top portion, in accordance with the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a rear left perspective view of the foldable roof
assembly having the soft panel top cover assembly in the deployed
position, in accordance with the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a rear right perspective view of the soft panel
top cover assembly in the deployed position, without the soft cover
depicted for clarity, in accordance with the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a front left perspective view of the soft panel
top cover assembly in an open position, without the soft cover
depicted for clarity, in accordance with the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the soft panel top cover
assembly in an open position, without the soft cover depicted for
clarity, in accordance with the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a right side elevation view of the soft panel top
cover assembly in a closed position, without the soft cover
depicted for clarity, in accordance with the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a right side elevation view of the soft panel top
cover assembly in an open position, without the soft cover depicted
for clarity, in accordance with the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a right side elevation view of the soft panel top
cover assembly in a partially open position, without the soft cover
depicted for clarity, in accordance with the present invention;
and
[0018] FIG. 9 is a side elevation view from the interior side of
the soft panel top cover assembly of FIG. 6 in the closed position,
without the soft cover and sport bar depicted for clarity, in
accordance with the present invention; and
[0019] FIG. 10 is a side elevation view from the interior side of
the soft panel top cover assembly of FIG. 9 in the closed position,
without the soft cover depicted for clarity, in accordance with the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is
merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the
invention, its application, or uses.
[0021] Referring generally to FIGS. 1-10, there is provided a
foldable roof assembly, generally shown at 10, having a soft panel
top assembly, generally shown at 12, sealable with a hard top roof
portion, generally shown at 14. The soft panel top assembly 12 is
connected to a vehicle 16. The vehicle 16 includes a windshield
frame 18 with side members 20 extending therefrom and a crossmember
22 connecting the side members 20 substantially adjacent the rear
of the driver/passenger compartment.
[0022] The soft panel top assembly 12 folds back to give the
occupant a quick and easy open air effect, e.g., lightweight and
easily operated at a short interval stop, without completely
removing the soft panel top assembly 12 from the vehicle 16.
Folding the soft panel top assembly 12 between a closed position
and an open position is also achievable without the occupant
needing to leave the vehicle and eliminates removal and storage of
roof panels from the vehicle. Once cycled to the open position, the
soft panel top assembly 12 also does not require strapping the
assembly down to maintain open air positioning.
[0023] The soft panel top assembly 12 has a pivotal portion, shown
generally at 24, for pivoting the soft panel top assembly 12
between the deployed or closed position and open position. When the
soft panel top assembly 12 is cycled between the closed/open
position, the soft panel top assembly 12 is in sealing engagement
with the hard top roof portion 14 at a sealing portion, generally
shown at 26. When the soft panel top assembly 12 is in the closed
position, the soft panel top assembly 12 seals with the vehicle
windshield frame 18, doors and/or the side members 20, and the hard
top roof portion 14 at sealing portion 26.
[0024] The soft panel top assembly 12 has two door rails 28
connected to side sport bars of the vehicle 16. The door rails 28
provide a sealing surface for the driver/passenger doors of the
vehicle 16 as well as pivot points for the pivotal portion 24 of
the soft panel top assembly 12. Each door rail 28 has two pairs of
clamping surfaces 30, each with an upper surface extending inwardly
over the top of the sport bar and a bottom surface extending under
the bottom of the sport bar for attaching to the vehicle 16 using
at least two mushroom knob fasteners 32 extending through each pair
of the clamping surfaces and sport bar. Each door rail 28 has a
bracket 34 connected to the door rail 28 to provide the pivot
points, generally shown at 36, for the pivotal portion 24 of the
soft panel top assembly 12.
[0025] The pivotal portion 24 of the soft panel top assembly 12 has
two side rails or bows 38 each connected at a first end to a
respective end of a header or first bow member 40. The first bow 40
is adapted for releasable attachment to the windshield frame 18 for
opening and closing the soft panel top assembly 12 of the foldable
roof assembly 10. The first bow 40 has at least two latches
connected thereto that have a hand actuated clamping arrangement to
selectively connect to the windshield frame 18. The first bow 40 is
preferably molded plastic with steel reinforcement on the bottom
and comprises two latches, which when in the closed position are
generally located under the visors of the vehicle, and when cycling
to the open position, travel with the first bow 30. The latches
provide for securing closure of the top to the windshield frame 18
and are readily released by an operator for opening of the soft
panel top assembly 12.
[0026] The side rails 38 are connected toward the second end of the
side rails 38 to the door rail pivot points 36 with the use of the
brackets 34. A bushing and screw arrangement 42 provide for a
pivotal connection between the brackets 34 fixed in place to the
door rails 28 and the side rails 38 that freely pivot to allow the
top to be cycled open or closed. The side rails 38 have a curved
portion, generally shown at 44, to achieve the predetermined range
of height needed for the first bow member 40 to lay above and near
without touching the hard top portion 14 when in the open position.
The curved portions 44 in combination with angled portions,
generally shown at 46, at a predetermined angle provides a
preferred predetermined clearance "h" to the hard top portion 14 to
prevent scratches or damage. Preferably, a latch hook is
additionally provided that functions as a stop that the side rails
38 hit to hold the first bow member off the surface of the hard top
portion 14 to prevent scratches or damage.
[0027] The soft panel top assembly 12 has a soft skin or top cover
48 of fabric sewn into two extrusions 50 that are connected to the
side rails 38. The cover 48 can wrap around the front of the first
bow member 40 and is connected to the bow 30. The first bow member
40 provides additional mounting points for the cover 48 such as
snaps for securing the cover 48 on the first bow member 40. The
length of the side rails 38 in combination with the location of the
pivot points 36 allows for moving the pivotal portion 24 to the
open position without folding the fabric in a folded accordion like
manner. The cover 48 is additionally connected to a rear header
member, generally shown at 52. The rear header 52 has mounting
provisions for snaps to mount the cover 48 to the rear header
52.
[0028] The rear header 52 is a wireframe that is a rear wireframe
closeout that engages the seals 54, e.g., bulb seals, of the hard
top portion 14 to provide a weatherproof seal. The rear header 52
has attachment brackets 56 for coupling to the vehicle and/or hard
top cover portion 14. The rear header 52 is a bent wire frame
welded together to generally match the shape of the hard top
portion 14 and to seal against the seals 54 of the hard top portion
14.
[0029] The rear header 52 is secured in place with a plurality of
fasteners 58. At least two fasteners 58, preferably, mushroom
knobs, secure the rear header 52 and the hard top portion 14 to the
cross member 22 of the vehicle 16. At least two additional
fasteners 58, preferably, mushroom knobs, clamp the outer edges of
the rear header 52 in place. FIG. 4 depicts a knob 58 clamped
against the bottom surface of the cross member 22 and having a pin
portion extending through the cross member 22 and through an
aperture in the attachment bracket 56 of the rear header 52. As
both knobs 58 are tightened and screwed into the cross member 22 of
the vehicle 16, the knobs 54 help press the rear header 52 against
the hard top cover seals 54 of the hard top portion 14.
[0030] The left half of the soft panel top cover assembly 12 and
corresponding features are substantially mirror image/symmetrical
to the right half of the soft panel top cover assembly 12 and
corresponding features depicted in the figures.
[0031] A two door vehicle is depicted in FIG. 1. It is understood
that the present invention is additionally suitable for a four door
vehicle.
[0032] By utilizing the pivot points attached to the door rails
this allows the operator to quickly cycle the top from the closed
position to the open sunroof position without removing the top. The
operator would then be able to cycle the top from the open position
to the closed position and latch the top just as easily. The
operator does not need to leave the vehicle in order to operate the
top. The whole top is made lightweight by using the wireframe rear
header and by using minimal frame and mostly soft goods. This helps
with ease of installation and ease of cycle efforts. The soft panel
top assembly enables the occupant to fold the top back to gain an
open air experience without removing the top and can mount to the
hardtop without modification to the vehicle. The soft panel top
assembly has significant benefits over typical removable hard top
cockpit panels and does not require modification to the vehicle or
hard top roof portion in any way.
[0033] The description of the invention is merely exemplary in
nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the essence of
the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention.
Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the
spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *