Convertible top frame with quarter windows

A convertible top frame installation including a foldable top frame for enclosing the passenger compartment of an automobile when in a raised position and adapted to be stowed in a generally U-shaped storage space extending to the rear of said passenger compartment and having a pair of side wells each extending alongside the rear portion of said passenger compartment when in a lowered stowed position, the installation comprising:

• a foldable top frame including a pair of forward side rails extending above and along either side of the forward region of said passenger compartment with said top frame in a raised position;
• a pair of rear side rails each pivoted to the trailing end of a respective forward side rail, extending above and alongside the rear region of said passenger compartment;
• a plurality of bows connected at either end to said forward and rear side rails to extend across said passenger compartment, including a header bow connected to the forward end of each forward side rail;
• a pair of forward pillar members and pivot mounting means for pivotally mounting each of said forward pillar members at the lower end thereof in a respective one of said pair of side wells about a substantially horizontal pivot axis extending generally transversely to the longitudinal axis of said automobile to be swingable from a generally vertical raised position to a generally horizontal stowed position extended rearwardly in said respective side well;
• a pair of rear pillar members each spaced to the rear of a respective one of said pair of forward pillar members;
• an intermediate space, between each of said forward and rear pillar members;
• each of said rear pillar members pivotally mounted at the lower end thereof to be swingable between a generally vertical raised position to a generally horizontal, rearward extending stowed position;
• each of said spaced forward and rear pillar members having a pivotal connection at the upper end to a respective rear side rail to establish a linkage system moved as a unit during raising and lowering of said top frame;
• a quarter window mounted to each of said forward pillar members to be raised and lowered therewith and configured to fit into said space between said forward and rear pillar members;
• and actuator means causing movement of said top frame between said raised and lowered position;
• a pair of secondary linkage systems, each drivingly interconnecting a respective one of said rear pillar members and associated forward side rail members, causing folding back of said forward side rail onto the associated rear side as said rear pillar member is pivoted to the rear when said top frame is lowered;
• each of said secondary linkage system including a rear pillar member extension fixed to the upper end of said rear pillar member and extending above the upper end thereof with said top frame raised;
• an operating link pivotally connected at one end to said rear pillar member extension upper end, an intermediate link pivotally mounted at one end to said operating link, and a drive link pivotally connected at one end to said forward side rail and at the other end to the other end of said intermediate link, and a swing link pivoted at one end to said rear side rail member, and at the other end to said intermediate link, each of said links lying above said forward and rear side rails, whereby folding of said rear side rail onto said rear pillar member causes said operating link to move said swing link, and pull said intermediate and drive link to the rear, causing said forward side rail to be pivoted over onto said rear side rail member.