Retractable hardtop with two-piece rear section and removable front roof panels

A top for a vehicle that has a stationary support disposed between removable panels forward of the support and a multiple section retractable hardtop rearward of the support. The detachable roof panels are provided in front of the stationary support and extend across the vehicle laterally and to the windshield header when installed. A two piece retractable hardtop is provided rearward of the stationary support that has a back light that is disposed to cover a back light opening in an extended position and is detached from the back light opening in a retracted position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a top for a vehicle that has a stationary intermediate support between removable panels forward of the support and a multiple section retractable hardtop rearward of the support.

2. Background Art

A wide variety of vehicle tops are available, ranging from conventional hardtops to retractable convertible tops. Recently, retractable hardtops have become more popular for high-end vehicles. Retractable hardtops require substantial storage space. The amount of storage space required for retractable hardtops increases as the size of the retractable hardtop panels increase and as the number of retractable sections increases.

Most retractable hardtops are designed to be used in a fully extended position or a fully retracted position. There is a need for a retractable hardtop that provides additional operational positions that adds versatility to the top.

The present invention is directed to overcoming the above problems by providing a simple, cost-effective and versatile retractable hardtop.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of this development, a retractable hardtop for a vehicle is provided that has a stationary support rail that is attached to and extends in a cross-car direction on the vehicle. A pair of detachable front roof panels are provided in front of the stationary support rail and extend across the vehicle laterally and to the windshield header when installed. A two piece retractable hardtop is provided rearward of the stationary support rail and has a back light that is disposed to cover a back light opening in an extended position and is detached from the back light opening in a retracted position.

According to another aspect of this development, a rear retractable hardtop is provided for a vehicle that includes a front roof section and a rear roof section. The rear roof section defines a back light opening that is selectively closed by a back light that is detachably received in the back light opening. A linkage articulately connects the front roof section, rear roof section and back light together. The front roof section is articulately connected to the rear roof section to move from an extended position in front of and contiguous with the rear roof section to a retracted position in a storage compartment. The rear roof section is articulately connected to the vehicle and the front roof section to move from an extended position extending from the front roof section to the vehicle to a retracted position in which the rear roof section is in the storage compartment. The back light is articulately connected to the rear roof section to move from an extended position in which the back light is received in the back light opening to a retracted position in which the back light is separated from the back light opening in the storage compartment.

In one illustrative embodiment, in the retracted position, the front roof section is disposed behind the rear roof section, the rear roof section is inverted and the back light is disposed forward of the front roof section and overlies the back roof section. A window guide flange may be assembled to the rear roof section that defines an arcuate slot and at least one guide pin is assembled to the back light that guides the movement of the back light relative to the rear roof section. A main link may be secured to a main bearing flange and to the front roof section. A back section extension may be fixedly secured to the back section and pivotally connected to the front roof section. A lower link may be pivotally attached to the main bearing flange and the at least one guide pin to shift the at least one guide pin through the arcuate slot as the hardtop is moved between the extended position and the retracted position.

In another illustrative embodiment, in the retracted position, the front roof section is disposed over the back light and rear roof section and the back light is disposed between the front roof section and the rear roof section in the retracted position. A window separating link and a back section link separate the back light from the back light opening of the rear roof section and guides the movement of the back light relative to the rear roof section. A front link may be pivotally connected to the front roof section, an intermediate link and a main link. A forward flange may be secured to the rear roof section and a rearward flange may be secured to the front roof section such that the forward flange lifts the front roof section above the rear roof section as the hardtop is moved from the extended position to the retracted position.

According to yet another aspect of this development, a hardtop is provided for a vehicle that defines a roof opening. The hardtop comprises a right front roof panel having a right side rail and a right panel center rail and a left front roof panel having a left side rail and a left panel center rail. A support is affixed to one of the center rails and detachably assembled to the other of the center rails. A latching mechanism is incorporated in each of the right and left side rails. The right and left roof panels are detachably assembled to the vehicle to cover the roof opening in an closed position with the support assembled to the other center rail and with the latching mechanisms being secured to the vehicle. The right and left roof panels are removed from the opening to leave the opening unobstructed. The latching mechanisms are not secured to the vehicle and the support is disassembled from the other center rail when the panels are removed.

The hardtop may further comprise a seal assembled to the support on the one center rail and engaging the other of the center rails to establish a seal with the other center rail. A fascia panel may be assembled to an inner lower side of the other of the center rails to trim out an area between the right and left roof panels when the panels are in the closed position. The roof opening may be defined, in part, by a stationary support extending above a passenger compartment of the vehicle in a cross-car direction.

These and other aspects of this development will be better understood in view of the attached drawings and the following detailed description of the illustrated embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

Referring toFIG. 1, a vehicle10is illustrated that includes a passenger compartment12and a storage compartment14. The storage compartment14is covered by a tonneau16. A roof, generally indicated by reference numeral18, includes a stationary support20that extends laterally across the vehicle10and above the passenger compartment12. As shown inFIG. 1, the roof18is in its position in which it fully covers the passenger compartment12. A pair of front rigid roof panels22are provided in front of the stationary support20. The front rigid roof panels22are manually removable. A rear retractable hardtop is generally identified by reference numeral26. The rear retractable hardtop26includes a front section28and a back section30.

Referring toFIG. 2, the vehicle shown with the front rigid roof panels22covering the forward part of the passenger compartment12. The rear retractable hardtop26is shown with the front section28partially retracted to a position above the back section30. The tonneau16is raised to permit the rear retractable hardtop26to be retracted into the storage compartment14.

Referring toFIG. 3, the roof18is shown with the front rigid roof panels22in place above the passenger compartment12. The rear retractable hardtop26is stowed in the storage compartment14below the tonneau16. In this configuration, the rear retractable hardtop26is fully retracted so that the passenger compartment12above the rear seat passengers is open.

Referring toFIG. 4, the vehicle10is shown with the front rigid roof panels22removed and the rear retractable hardtop (not shown) stored in the storage compartment14below the tonneau16. The stationary support20remains in the same position regardless of the position of the front roof panels22and the rear retractable hardtop26.

Referring toFIG. 5, the vehicle10is shown with the rear retractable hardtop (not shown) stowed below the tonneau16. The front rigid roof panels22are shown with the rigid roof panel above the right side passenger in place and the rigid roof panel above the left front seat passenger being partially detached.

Referring toFIG. 6, the vehicle10is shown with the passenger compartment completely open with the front roof panels22and the rear retractable hardtop (not shown) are removed. The rear retractable hardtop is stowed below the tonneau16while the front roof panels22are shown with the decklid34in a raised position exposing the trunk36of the vehicle. The front roof panels22are stowed within the trunk36.

Referring toFIGS. 7A-7D, the rear retractable hardtop26is shown in a sequence of views beginning with the rear retractable hardtop26in its closed, or extended position, inFIG. 7A. The roof is in the early retraction phase inFIG. 7B, late retraction stage inFIG. 7C, and in its fully retracted position inFIG. 7D. The rear retractable hardtop26includes the front section28and the back section30that is disposed above and forward of the decklid34. A back light38is separated from the back section30during the retraction cycle to reduce the space required for storage of the top26in the storage compartment14.

Referring specifically toFIG. 7A, the front roof section28is disposed in front of the back section30. The back section30extends from the front section28to the decklid34. The back light38is disposed within a window opening39defined in the back section30. The roof is supported on a main bearing flange40. The main bearing flange40is connected by a main link42to the front section28. A back section extension44is fixedly connected to the back section30and pivotally connected to the front section28. A lower link46is pivotally connected to the main bearing flange40and extends to an arcuate slot48formed in a window guide flange50. A pair of guide pins52connect the window guide flange50to the lower link46and the back section30. A lower rear roof flange54is fixedly connected to the back section30and is pivotally connected to the main bearing flange40.

Referring toFIG. 7B, the rear retractable hardtop26is shown partially retracted with the main link42being pivoted to a nearly vertical orientation moving the front section28rearwardly as it rotates in a counter-clockwise rotation as shown inFIG. 7B. The front section28moves above the back section30. The back light38is separated from the back section30and guided by the window guide flange50and guide pins52through the arcuate slot48. The back section30pivots on the lower rear roof flange54.

Referring toFIG. 7C, the top26is shown in a further retracted position in which the main link42is pivoted on the main bearing flange in a counter-clockwise direction compared toFIG. 7Bto a nearly horizontal position. In this position, the front section28is above and rearward of the back section30. The back light38has been guided through the arcuate slot48of the window guide flange50on the pins52to a position in which the back light38is inclined rearwardly and upwardly.

Referring toFIG. 7D, the top26is shown in its fully retracted position in which the front section28is disposed rearward of the back section30and the back light38is disposed above the back section30. In this position, the guide pins52are at the opposite end of the arcuate slot40in the window guide flange50as compared toFIG. 7A. The main link42extends rearwardly and slightly downwardly from the main bearing flange40. The rear retractable hardtop26is now stored in a compact manner in the storage compartment14.

Referring toFIG. 8, the rear retractable hardtop26is shown in its stored position with the front section28stored behind and above the back section30. The back light38is disposed above the back section30. The rear retractable hardtop26is stored below the tonneau16in the storage compartment14. The tonneau16is disposed in front of the decklid34. The top26′ is also shown in the extended position inFIG. 8(with a prime (′) added to the reference numerals) wherein the front section28′ is disposed between the stationary support20and the back light38′.

Referring toFIG. 9, the front rigid roof panels22are shown in greater detail. Right front roof panel22′ is shown separated from left front roof panel22″ in an inverted orientation to better illustrate the interlocking parts thereof. The right panel22′ has a right side rail56. The left front roof panel22″ has a left side rail58. A front locking rod60is shown protruding from the right side rail56that is used to lock the roof panel22′ to the windshield header (not shown inFIG. 9). A right panel center rail64and a left panel center rail66are shown separated from each other and are more specifically described with reference toFIG. 10.

Referring toFIG. 10, the right panel center rail64includes a support68to which a seal70is secured to seal the area between the right and left panel center rails64,66. A fascia panel72covers the inner lower side of the right panel center rail64to trim out the interior of the roof panel22′. Left panel center rail66is shown separated from the right side panel center rail64. The left panel center rail66includes a channel74to which a fascia panel76is secured to trim the interior portion of the roof panel22″.

Referring toFIG. 11, a latching mechanism, generally indicated by reference numeral80, uses a pivotable lever82, or other type of operator, to extend and retract the front locking rod60and a rear locking rod84. A handle86is operatively connected to the lever82to extend and retract the front locking rod60and the rear locking rod84. Handle86is grasped by a user to extend and retract the front and rear locking rods60and84.

Referring toFIG. 12, a vehicle100having a passenger compartment102is shown with the roof generally indicated by reference numeral104covering the passenger compartment102. A stationary support106extends above the passenger compartment102. Front rigid roof panels108are attached to the vehicle100in front of the stationary support106. Panels108are identical to the rigid roof panels22described above and for brevity will not be described again with regard to this embodiment. A rear retractable hardtop110extends rearwardly from the stationary support106to the vehicle100. The rear retractable hardtop110includes a front section114and a back section116that completes the structure of the roof104.

Referring toFIG. 13, the vehicle100is shown with the rear retractable hardtop110partially retracted. The front section114is shifted rearwardly and the back section116is rotated in a clockwise direction to a position in which it is inclined rearwardly.

Referring toFIG. 14, the rear retractable hardtop110is shown fully retracted into the vehicle100. The front section114of the rear retractable hardtop110is in a covering position above the belt line of the vehicle110and partially covering the storage compartment (not shown) in which the rear retractable hardtop110is stored.

Referring toFIG. 15, the vehicle100is shown with the front rigid roof panels108removed and the rear retractable hardtop110fully retracted into the storage compartment with the front section114disposed over the storage compartment in a covering orientation. The vehicle100can be operated in the position shown inFIGS. 12,13and14to provide a vehicle owner with increased flexibility for driving the vehicle.

Referring toFIG. 16A, the rear retractable hardtop110is shown in its extended, or passenger compartment covering, position from the inside. The front section114is disposed between the stationary support106and the back section116. A back light118is shown disposed within an opening119in the back section116. The main link120is connected to the vehicle100at a main body pivot122. A front link126is pivotally connected to the main link120and an intermediate link128. A forward flange130on the back section116is pivotally connected to a rearward flange132on the front section114. The front link126is secured to a front section pivot134in front of the forward flange130. A rear section bracket136extends downwardly from the back section116and is pivotally connected to the intermediate link128. A back section link138connects to the intermediate link128on its forward end and to the back section116on its back end. A window separating link140is operatively connected between the back section116and back light118to separate the back light118from the back section116, as will be more particularly described with reference toFIGS. 16B-16Dbelow.

Referring toFIG. 16B, the rear retractable hardtop110is shown slightly retracted so that it has disengaged the stationary support106. The front link126is rotated in the counter-clockwise direction to lift the front section114upwardly and rearwardly separating the front section114from the back section116. The front section114and back section116are pivotally connected by the forward flange130and the rearward flange132which causes the front section114and back section116to fold in a clam-shell fashion. The intermediate link128controls the movement of the back section116and also cooperates with the window separating link140and back section link138to separate the back light118from the back section116.

Referring toFIG. 16C, the rear retractable hardtop110is shown further retracted toward the storage compartment. In this position, the front section114is shifted rearwardly until it is over the back section116with the forward flange130and rearward flange132allowing the sections to fold over one another in a clam-shell configuration. The back light118is separated from the back section116on the window separating link140. The front link126controls the movement of the front section114as it is folded rearwardly.

Referring toFIG. 16D, the rear retractable hardtop110is shown in its fully stowed position with the front roof section114disposed over the back light118and the back section116. The back light118is positioned intermediate the front roof section114and back section116and is supported by the window separating link140. The front link126extends downwardly from the intermediate link128and remains in pivotal connection with the front section114at the front section pivot134.

Referring toFIG. 17, a diagrammatic cross-sectional view is provided to show the major panels of the retractable hardtop110in their extended position (with a prime (′) added to the reference numerals) and retracted position. The front roof section114′ in the extended position is forward of the back section116′ and is, in turn, forward of the back light118. In the retracted position, the front section114is disposed above the back light118, which in turn is disposed above the back section116.