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US 6,866,322 B2Granted
Automotive vehicle roof system having a detachable convertible roof
AssigneeASC Incorporated
InventorMichael T Willard
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A preferred embodiment of an automotive vehicle roof system includes a detachable convertible roof that covers a rear storage compartment and at least a portion of a passenger compartment of the vehicle. In another aspect of the present invention, the retracted convertible roof may be removed entirely from the vehicle by disengaging quick release attachment devices. Yet another aspect of the present invention provides the ability to operate the convertible roof independently of the vehicle's rear backlite. In a further aspect of the present invention, an adjustable tensioning device is employed.
Claims64
An automotive vehicle roof system comprising:
- a soft-top convertible roof having a linkage assembly supporting a pliable roof cover, the linkage assembly being pivotable;
- a back window movable from a raised position to an open position even if the convertible roof remains stationary;
- and
- a back window frame coupled to the linkage assembly, the back window frame being movable mechanically independent of the back window;
- the convertible roof and the back window frame being removable from the vehicle.
2 more elements
An automotive vehicle roof system comprising:
- a soft-top convertible roof having a linkage assembly supporting a pliable roof cover;
- a back window movable from a raised position to an open position even if the convertible roof remains stationary;
- a back window frame coupled to the linkage assembly, the back window frame being movable mechanically independent of the back window;
- the convertible roof and the back window frame being removable from the vehicle;
- a first link pivotally attached to the vehicle at a first pivot;
- and
- a base link coupling the first link to the back window frame.
4 more elements
An automotive vehicle roof system comprising:
- a soft-top convertible roof having a linkage assembly supporting a pliable roof cover, the linkage assembly being pivotable, the linkage assembly including a roof bow;
- a back window movable from a raised position to an open position even if the convertible roof remains stationary;
- a back window frame coupled to the linkage assembly, the back window frame being movable mechanically independent of the back window;
- the convertible roof and the back window frame being removable from the vehicle;
- a first roof bow;
- a front roof section substantially covering at least a front seating area;
- a front connector disengagably connecting the roof bow to the front roof section;
- and
- a central pair of connectors disengagably connecting the convertible roof to the vehicle, at least one of the connectors being a pivotable coupling of the linkage assembly to the vehicle.
6 more elements
An automotive vehicle roof system comprising:
- a soft-top convertible roof having a linkage assembly supporting a pliable roof cover;
- a back window movable from a raised position to an open position even if the convertible roof remains stationary;
- and
- a back window frame coupled to the linkage assembly, the back window frame being movable mechanically independent of the back window, the convertible roof and the back window frame being removable from the vehicle;
- wherein the back window frame is pivotably coupled to the vehicle and the convertible roof is movable from an open position to a closed position while attached to the vehicle.
2 more elements
An automotive vehicle roof system comprising:
- a soft-top convertible roof having a linkage assembly supporting a pliable roof cover;
- a back window movable from a raised position to an open position even if the convertible roof remains stationary;
- and
- a back window frame coupled to the linkage assembly, the back window frame being movable mechanically independent of the back window;
- the convertible roof and the back window frame being removable from the vehicle;
- a front latch;
- the linkage assembly including a front roof bow, the front latch being rotatably mounted to the roof bow;
- and
- the convertible roof being forwardly retractable.
6 more elements
An automotive vehicle system comprising:
- a convertible roof cover;
- a forward most roof bow;
- at least a second roof bow coupled to the forward most roof bow, the roof bows supporting the roof cover;
- and
- a rigid back window frame coupled to at least one of the roof bows;
- the second roof bow and the back window frame being movable about at least one pivot to a forwardly collapsible position.
3 more elements
A convertible roof system for an automotive vehicle body, the system comprising:
- a removable and forward opening soft-top roof;
- a removable hard-top roof;
- multiple first attachment devices adapted to connect the soft-top roof to the vehicle body;
- and
- multiple second attachment devices adapted to connect the hard-top roof to the vehicle body at the same connection locations as used by the first attachment devices.
2 more elements
A convertible roof system for an automotive vehicle body, the system comprising:
- a removable soft-top roof;
- a removable hard-top roof;
- multiple first attachment devices adapted to connect the soft-top root to the vehicle body;
- and
- multiple second attachment devices adapted to connect the hard-top roof to the vehicle body at the same connection locations as used by the first attachment devices;
- a set of front latches disengagably connectable with a forward section of the soft-top roof;
- and
- a set of rear latches disengagably connectable with a rear section of the soft-top roof.
5 more elements
A convertible roof system for an automotive vehicle body, the system comprising:
- a removable soft-top roof;
- a removable hard-top roof;
- multiple first attachment devices adapted to connect the soft-top roof to the vehicle body;
- and
- multiple second attachment devices adapted to connect the hard-top roof to the vehicle body at the same connection locations as used by the first attachment devices;
- a forward most roof bow;
- a second roof bow;
- and
- a pliable roof cover supported by the roof bows, the soft-top roof being retractable;
- a front latch being engageable with the forward most roof bow.
7 more elements
A convertible roof system for an automotive vehicle body, the system comprising:
- a removable soft-top roof;
- a removable hard-top roof;
- multiple first attachment devices adapted to connect the soft-top roof to the vehicle body;
- and
- multiple second attachment devices adapted to connect the hard-top roof to the vehicle body at the same connection locations as used by the first attachment devices;
- at least one of the first attachment devices including a removable pin which also serves as a pivot point for a portion of the soft-top roof when being retracted.
3 more elements
A convertible roof system for an automotive vehicle body, the system comprising:
- a removable soft-top roof;
- a removable hard-top roof;
- multiple first attachment devices adapted to connect the soft-top roof to the vehicle body;
- multiple second attachment devices adapted to connect the hard-top roof to the vehicle body at the same connection locations as used by the first attachment devices;
- and
- at least one of the first and second attachment devices including manually pivotable handles.
3 more elements
An automotive vehicle convertible roof comprising:
- a soft-top roof cover;
- a first roof bow supporting the soft-top roof cover;
- a member spanning in a substantially cross-vehicle direction supporting the soft-top roof cover, wherein the member at least partly acts as a second roof bow;
- and
- a linearly adjustable tensioner to vary the spacing between the roof bow and the member.
2 more elements
An automotive vehicle convertible roof comprising:
- a soft-top roof cover;
- a first roof bow supporting the soft-top roof cover;
- a member spanning in a substantially cross-vehicle direction supporting the soft-top roof cover;
- and
- a linearly adjustable tensioner to vary the spacing between the roof bow and the member wherein the tensioner includes:
- a first structure having a proximal end attached to the first roof bow;
- a second structure attached to the member;
- and
- a fastener operably securing the structures together when in a desired relative position, wherein the structures are elongated shafts extending in a fore-and-aft direction of the roof.
6 more elements
A method of operating a roof system in an automotive vehicle having a stationary roof covering at least a majority of a passenger compartment, a soft-top convertible roof covering at least a majority of a storage compartment, and a removable hard top roof, the method comprising:
- (a) forwardly moving the soft-top convertible roof between a covering position and a collapsed position while attached to the vehicle;
- (b) disconnecting the soft-top convertible roof from the vehicle;
- (c) removing substantially the entire soft-top convertible roof from the vehicle;
- (d) positioning the removable hard top roof over at least a majority of the storage compartment;
- and
- (e) connecting the removable hard top roof to the vehicle at least four of the same locations as those employed for connecting the soft-top convertible roof to the vehicle.
3 more elements
An automotive vehicle convertible roof comprising:
- a soft-top cover;
- at least one bow supporting the soft-top roof cover;
- and
- a linearly moveable tensioner being substantially rigid and operable to move a roof bow and change tautness of the cover;
- wherein the tensioner is securable at least one intermediate position inwardly spaced between end positions.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.