Golf car top
AssigneeYamahaMotor Manufacturing Corporation of America
InventorsJoel A. Cheek, Louis R. Doucette, Kendall A. Fisher, Keisuke Yoshida
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A top for a small vehicle, such as a golf car, has a roof member and a set of struts that are pivotally attached to the roof member. The struts can be folded for shipping and storage. The top also has features that accommodate stacking of tops for shipping and storage. In addition, a handle is located inboard of an outer periphery of the roof member so that a hand grasping the handle is not exposed outside of the periphery. Furthermore, in one arrangement, the handle is mounted at a location that keeps an occupant's arm within the periphery if the handle is properly grasped. An improved drainage system also is provided to minimize splashing toward occupants.
Claims30
A small vehicle comprising a frame assembly, a front wheel and a rear wheel supporting said frame assembly, a top assembly mounted to said frame assembly, said top assembly comprising a roof member, a front strut and a rear strut, said roof member comprising an outer perimeter and a handle, and said handle being connected to said roof member and being disposed inside of said outer perimeter such that a hand grasping said handle would be completely positioned within said outer perimeter.
A method of manufacturing and shipping an assembled top for a small vehicle, said method comprising forming a roof member, pivotally attaching supports to said roof member and securing said supports in a lowered position to said roof member and shipping said assembled top.
A top assembly for a small vehicle, said top assembly comprising a roof member, a front strut and a rear strut, said front strut and said rear strut being pivotally connected to said roof member, said roof member, and said front strut and said rear strut each comprising a securing configuration adapted to secure said front strut and said rear strut in an extended position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.