Zipper less removable windows for a folding SUV soft top

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11338652-B2
Application number	US-202117558219-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 21, 2021
Priority date	Mar 22, 2013
Publication date	May 24, 2022
Grant date	May 24, 2022

Abstract

A zipper less removable window system having removable windows for use with a foldable, stowable roof for a vehicle. A plurality of attachment devices of the zipper less removable window system connect the windows to the foldable, stowable roof and to the vehicle without the use of zippers. The operator zipper effort caused by traditional windows is thereby eliminated and misalignment issues present with traditional zippered windows is eliminated or reduced. The stress placed on the portions of the windows connectable to the foldable roof during installation and removal, including around curved portions of the removable window, is eliminated or reduced.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A removable window for a vehicle including:
an elongated window panel having top and bottom spaced apart edges, and left and right spaced apart edges;
an elongated carrier attached to the panel and extending a predetermined length along the top edge, the carrier defining an elongated channel portion having a C-shape and adapted to receive an elongated P-shaped welt retainer disposed on the vehicle for supporting the window panel in a predetermined location on the vehicle;
an elongated belt retainer attached to the panel in a predetermined position and extending a predetermined length along the bottom edge, the belt retainer being adapted to engage an elongated belt rail disposed on the vehicle in order to draw the panel into tension between the elongated carrier and the belt retainer along the length of the window panel.

2. The window of claim 1 further including an elongated belt retainer disposed along at least one of the left and right edges of the panel for engaging a support structure.

3. The window of claim 1 wherein the panel includes a substantially rectangular piece of flexible fabric defining a central opening, and a piece of transparent plastic disposed in the opening and attached to the fabric.

4. The window of claim 1 wherein the belt retainer is an elongated piece of plastic sewn onto the window panel adjacent the bottom edge.

5. The window of claim 2 wherein the belt retainer is an elongated piece of plastic sewn onto the window panel adjacent the edge.

6. The window of claim 1 further including a window flap extending up from the top edge adjacent one of the left and right edges.

7. The window of claim 1 wherein the elongated channel portion extends in line with the window panel.

8. The window of claim 1 wherein the elongated carrier extends along most of the length of the top edge, and wherein the elongated belt retainer extends along most of the length of the bottom edge.

9. A removable panel assembly for a vehicle comprising:
a panel having a first edge and a second edge, the first edge being disposed opposite the second edge;
a first retainer comprising an attachment portion and an engagement portion, the attachment portion coupled to the first edge, and the engagement portion extending from the attachment portion; the engagement portion selected from one of a channel having a C-shape adapted to receive a P-shaped welt and a P-shaped welt adapted to be received by C-shape channel;
a second retainer coupled adjacent the second edge, the second retainer adapted to engage a receiving feature disposed on a vehicle;
wherein the first retainer and the second retainer cooperate to maintain the panel in tension between the first retainer and the second retainer along a length of the panel when installed on the vehicle.

10. The removable panel assembly of claim 9 wherein the panel comprises a transparent panel portion having a width and a height; and wherein the first retainer is an elongated first retainer extending a first length along the first edge corresponding to the width of the transparent panel portion proximate the first edge.

11. The removable panel assembly of claim 10 wherein the second retainer is an elongated second retainer extending a second length along the second edge at least equal to the first length.

12. A method for installing a window panel onto a vehicle where:
the vehicle defines at least one side window opening with an elongated P-shaped welt retainer disposed in a predetermined location on the vehicle above the window opening, the vehicle further including an elongated belt rail disposed in a predetermined location on the vehicle below the window opening;
and where the window panel is an elongated window panel having top and bottom spaced apart edges, and left and right spaced apart edges, the window panel including an elongated carrier extending a predetermined distance along the top edge, the carrier defining an elongated channel portion having a C-shape and adapted to receive the elongated P-shaped welt retainer disposed on the vehicle and an elongated belt retainer attached to the panel along the bottom edge, the belt retainer being adapted to engage the elongated belt rail disposed on the vehicle;
the method including the steps of:
engaging an end of the C-shaped channel portion with an end of the P-shaped welt retainer;
sliding the window along the retainer until it is oriented longitudinally with the C-shaped channel portion surrounding the P-shaped welt retainer;
inserting the belt retainer into the belt rail on the vehicle and thereby placing the panel in tension between the belt rail and the P-shaped welt retainer.

Assignees

• Bestop Inc

Inventors

• Hanson Eric John

Classifications

• B60J1/085

  removably mounted · CPC title

• B60J7/10

  readily detachable, e.g. tarpaulins with frames, or fastenings for tarpaulins (covering of loads on vehicles by tarpaulins B60P7/04) · CPC title

• B60J1/004

  Mounting of windows · CPC title

• B60J1/1807 Primary

  movable for vehicles with convertible top · CPC title