US 9,216,632 B2 · Sliding/folding soft top assembly for SUV

Abstract

A sliding/folding soft top assembly having opposing first and second linkage assemblies with a plurality of guide rollers located within a first and second guide track for selectively moving the soft top assembly between a deployed position to a first stowed position or a retracted stowed position. A first bow and second bow are coupled to each of the first and second linkage assemblies, which include a first pivot joint for rotating the first bow to the first stowed position. A rear pivot joint allows a rear link of the first and second linkage assemblies to rotate in an area where the first and second guide tracks curve. A third bow is rotatably connected to first and second pivot brackets, and a fourth bow is pivotably connected to the third bow, to allow rotation of the third and fourth bow between the deployed position and retracted stowed position.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A sliding/folding soft top assembly for a vehicle comprising:

first and second guide tracks;
first and second linkage assemblies slidably coupled to said first and second guide tracks, said first and second linkage assemblies including a plurality of guide rollers for moving said first and second linkage assemblies along said first and second guide tracks;
first and second pivot brackets;
a first bow connected to said first and second linkage assemblies;
a second bow coupled to said first and second linkage assemblies;
a third bow pivotably coupled to said first and second pivot brackets;
and
a fourth bow operably coupled to said third bow;
said sliding/folding soft top assembly configured to selectively move between a deployed position, first stowed position, and retracted stowed position.

6 more elements

A sliding/folding soft top assembly for a vehicle comprising:

first and second guide tracks each having a track recess;
first and second linkage assemblies comprising a plurality of guide rollers slidably coupled to said track recess;
first and second pivot brackets coupled to opposing sport/roll bars;
a first bow connected to said first and second linkage assemblies and rotatable to a first stowed position;
a latch mechanism assembly having a pair of plungers for selectively engaging said first and second linkage assemblies to prevent sliding of said first and second linkage assemblies when in said first stowed position;
a second bow connected to said first and second linkage assemblies;
a third bow pivotably coupled to said first and second pivot brackets;
and
a fourth bow pivotably coupled to said third bow;
said sliding/folding soft top assembly configured to move between a deployed position, said first stowed position, and retracted stowed position using said first and second linkage assemblies and first and second pivot brackets.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Sliding/folding soft top assembly for SUV

Life of this patent

Sliding/folding soft top assembly for SUV

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19