Hardtop removal bracket and method of connecting the bracket to an automotive hardtop

In combination,

• a hardtop having:
• a shell;
• a protrusion;
• a window;
• and
• a hinge pivotally securing the window to the shell, said hinge having;
• a stationary piece having a first sidewall, a second sidewall and a bottom plate, the bottom plate being secured to the shell with a fastener having a shaft, said hinge having a hinge width between said first sidewall and said second sidewall, and said shaft being equidistant between said first sidewall and said second sidewall;
• and
• a pivoting piece;
• and
• a bracket, said bracket comprising:
• an upper piece, said upper piece having an upper piece passage;
• and
• a lower piece;
• said lower piece having a lower piece first side, a lower piece second side and a lower piece passage with an upper portion and a lower portion, said upper piece being angled with respect to said lower piece, said lower piece first side and said lower piece second side having a bracket width therebetween, said bracket width being smaller than said hinge width, said lower piece being connected to the hinge by placing the lower piece between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, and tightening the fastener when the piece is positioned within the lower portion of the lower shaft passage and the protrusion is within the upper portion of the lower piece passage.

A method of attaching a bracket to a hardtop to facilitate removal of the hardtop, said method comprising the steps:

• providing a vehicle with the hardtop, the hardtop having:
• a shell;
• a protrusion;
• a window;
• and
• a hinge pivotally securing the window to the shell, said hinge having;
• a stationary piece having a first sidewall, a second sidewall and a bottom plate, the bottom plate being secured to the shell with a fastener having a head and a shaft;
• a pivoting piece connected to the window;
• providing the bracket, said bracket comprising:
• an upper piece, said upper piece having an upper piece passage;
• and
• a lower piece;
• said lower piece having a lower piece first side, a lower piece second side and a lower piece passage with an upper portion and a lower portion, said upper piece being angled with respect to said lower piece;
• at least partially unfastening the fastener;
• placing the lower piece between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, wherein the head passes through the upper portion of the lower piece passage;
• raising the bracket with respect to the hinge wherein the shaft of the fastener is within the lower portion of the lower piece passage and the protrusion is through the upper portion of the lower piece passage;
• and
• tightening the fastener to secure the bracket to the hinge.

A method of removing a hardtop of a vehicle, said method comprising the steps:

• providing the vehicle with the hardtop, the hardtop having:
• a shell;
• a window;
• a first hinge pivotally securing the window to the shell;
• a second hinge pivotally securing the window to the shell;
• a first protrusion adjacent the first hinge;
• and
• a second protrusion adjacent the second hinge;
• providing a first bracket comprising:
• a first bracket upper piece, said first bracket upper piece having a first bracket upper piece passage;
• and
• a first bracket lower piece with a first bracket lower piece passage;
• providing a second bracket comprising:
• a second bracket upper piece, said second bracket upper piece having a second bracket upper piece passage;
• and
• a second bracket lower piece with a second bracket lower piece passage;
• attaching the first bracket to the first hinge wherein the first protrusion is received through the first bracket lower piece passage;
• attaching the second bracket to the second bracket hinge wherein the second protrusion is received through the second bracket lower piece passage;
• providing a lifting mechanism;
• attaching the lifting mechanism to the first bracket upper piece passage and to the second bracket upper piece passage;
• and
• having the lifting mechanism lift the hardtop.