Convertible sliding top

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016236556-A1
Application number	US-201615040941-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 10, 2016
Priority date	Feb 12, 2015
Publication date	Aug 18, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

Disclosed herein are embodiments of a convertible sliding top assembly for use with a vehicle. The convertible sliding top assembly can create an opening on the top of the vehicle by rotating a plurality of arms and folding over a soft cover. The assembly can be designed and shaped to improve aerodynamics when the vehicle is moving and prevent the buildup of water on the soft cover.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A folding top assembly for covering an opening of a vehicle, the folding top assembly comprising a folding frame assembly and a cover attached to the folding frame assembly and the vehicle, the folding frame assembly comprising:
a frame support including a base; a rear link rotatably coupled to the frame support; a front link rotatably coupled to the frame support proximal of the rear link; and a cover support extending from adjacent a first side of the cover to adjacent a second side of the cover and rotatably coupled to both the rear link and the front link, the cover support is movable between a closed position and an open position; wherein in the open position, the opening is exposed and the cover folds upon itself; and wherein in the closed position, the opening is covered.

2 . The folding top assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cover support is sloped downwards from back to front in the open position.

3 . The folding top assembly of claim 1 , wherein the rear link comprises a pair of rotatable arms and the front link comprises a pair of rotatable arms.

4 . The folding top assembly of claim 1 , wherein the folding frame assembly comprises a parallelogram linkage.

5 . The folding top assembly of claim 1 , wherein the front link pivots about on an axis a shorter distance from the base than a distance between an axis about which the rear link pivots and the base.

6 . The folding top assembly of claim 1 , wherein the cover support comprises a single-piece bar configured to form the front and side perimeters of the folding frame assembly.

7 . The folding top assembly of claim 6 , wherein the single-piece bar is bowed on both the front perimeter and side perimeters.

8 . The folding top assembly of claim 6 , further comprising a pair of cover attachment components connected to the side perimeters of the single-piece bar, the cover attachment components each having a channel configured to retain a portion of the cover.

9 . A method for using a soft cover and folding top assembly covering an opening of a vehicle, the method comprising:
unlatching the folding top assembly comprising:
a frame support attached adjacent the opening of the vehicle;
a rear link rotatably coupled to the frame support;
a front link rotatably coupled to the frame support proximal of the rear link; and
a cover support assembly rotatably coupled to both the rear link and the front link, the center link assembly being movable between a closed position and an open position;
pressing the folding top assembly upwards; and moving the folding top assembly backwards to expose the opening and fold the soft cover upon itself

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the cover support is sloped downwards from back to front in the open position.

11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the rear link comprises a pair of rotatable arms and the front link comprises a pair of rotatable arms.

12 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the folding frame assembly comprises a parallelogram linkage.

13 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the front link pivots about on an axis a shorter distance from the base than a distance between an axis about which the rear link pivots and the base.

14 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the cover support comprises a single-piece bar configured to form the front and side perimeters of the folding frame assembly.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the single-piece bar is bowed on both the front perimeter and side perimeters.

16 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising a pair of cover attachment components connected to the side perimeters of the single-piece bar, the cover attachment components each having a channel configured to retain a portion of the cover.

17 . A foldable soft cover assembly for use on a vehicle, the assembly comprising:
a first pair of arms; a second pair of arms; a pair of base platforms defining a surface to face the vehicle, each of the pair of base platforms rotatably attached to one of the first pair of arms and one of the second pair of arms; and a top assembly rotatably connected to the first pair of arms and the second pair of arms and a soft cover; wherein the top platform is configured to rotate between an open and closed position; wherein the assembly comprises a parallelogram linkage.

Assignees

• Lund Motion Products Inc

Inventors

• Smith Anthony
• Gutierrez Carlos
• Schumacher Chris
• Cover Scott

Classifications

• B60J7/1291

  Soft tops for closed vehicle bodies · CPC title

• B60J7/1851 Primary

  for locking the foldable soft- or hard-top to the windshield header · CPC title

• B60J7/1265 Primary

  characterised by kinematic movements, e.g. using parallelogram linkages (B60J7/126 takes precedence) · CPC title

• B60J7/123

  characterised by means for fastening the soft top cloth to the arches or vehicle body work · CPC title