Apparatus and method of a convertible top with hard glass with bottom sealing

A vehicle convertible top for a vehicle having cam surfaces, said top having a first upright position, a second intermediate folded position and a third stored position, said top in combination comprising:

• a cover for covering said top;
• a forward linkage for supporting a portion of said cover;
• a pair of first links each formed as a loop and pivotally connected with said vehicle providing side windows for said top, said first links each having a pivotal axis generally transverse to a longitudinal axis of said cover, and said first links having attached thereto a first rear bow for supporting a rearward portion of said cover;
• a crescent shaped trim link extending rearwardly from and pivotally connected with said first links provided an inclined lower sealing surface orientated generally parallel with said pivotal axis of said first links;
• trim link extensions pivotally connected with said trim link and separated from one another by said lower sealing surface and each resting on one of said cam surfaces;
• an upper link pivotally connected with each said respective first link above the pivotal connection of said first link with said vehicle, said upper links being connected with a second rear bow for supporting a portion of said cover rearward of said first rear bow;
• and
• a substantially rigid back window connected adjacent a top edge with said cover and being pivotally connected with said upper links and said trim link extensions whereby sequentially said back window in said first position is urged to mate with said lower sealing surface of said trim link and whereby pivotal movement of said trim link from said first top position to said second top position causes said back window to assume an intermediate generally vertical position separated from said lower sealing surface and whereby sequential rotation of said first link from said second top position to said third top position causes said back window to be stored into said vehicle.

A method of assembling, folding, and storing a vehicle convertible top including a cover and a substantially rigid back window wherein the back window seals against a lower surface, said method in combination comprising:

• pivotally connecting a first link to said vehicle generally transverse to a longitudinal dimension of said cover;
• pivotally connecting to said first link a trim link extending rearwardly of said first link and trim link pivotal connection;
• pivotally connecting to said first link above the pivotal connection of said first link with said trim link an upper window link;
• pivotally connecting said substantially rigid back window to said upper link and to a trim link extension pivotally connected with said trim link whereby said back window is urged to mate with a lower sealing surface of said trim link;
• pivoting said trim link from a first top upright position to a second intermediate top folded position whereby said back window is brought to a generally vertical position;
• and
• pivoting said first link with respect to said vehicle whereby said top is pivoted to a third stored position within said vehicle.