Flexible top with air cells

A flexible top for a motor vehicle is provided. The flexible top includes an outer surface, an inner surface, a plurality of air cells coupled between the inner and outer surfaces along the length of the flexible top and a plurality of air inlet ports coupled to the plurality of longitudinal air cells. Operation of the vehicle above a predetermined speed causes air to be forced over an air scoop device which directs a portion of the air over the outer surface as well and another portion of the air into the plurality of air inlet ports. Air flowing into the plurality of air inlet ports flows and into the plurality of longitudinal air cells, inflating and pressurizing the plurality of air cells and tending to separate the outer and inner surfaces to provide the flexible top with increased rigidity. When inflated, the plurality of air cells provide the outer surface with an air foil-like longitudinal cross-section that further enhances the resistance of the flexible top to vibration and flapping.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Technical Field 
The present invention relates generally to motor vehicles. More 
particularly, the present invention relates to flexible vehicle body 
panels. More specifically, but without restriction to the particular 
embodiment and/or use which is shown and described for the purposes of 
illustration, the present invention relates to a flexible top for a motor 
vehicle. 
2. Discussion 
The use of convertible tops is well documented in the automotive industry. 
Convertible tops permit the vehicle occupants to raise and lower a vehicle 
cover structure depending upon the weather and the conditions under which 
the vehicle is to be operated. While the ability to lower the vehicle 
cover structure greatly enhances the pleasure one may obtain from 
operating a vehicle, several drawbacks have been noted. 
One such drawback concerns the material from which such cover structures 
are fabricated. The materials that are frequently employed are flexible 
woven or non-woven fabrics having a single-ply, which permit the 
convertible top to be folded or rolled so as to occupy minimal space when 
it is not raised. As these materials are highly flexible, they typically 
do not provide the cover structure with any significant rigidity in and of 
themselves. Consequently, these materials are highly susceptible to wind 
forces, which cause the cover structure to vibrate and flap, which in turn 
creates a substantial amount of noise within the vehicle passenger 
compartment. 
Sophisticated convertible tops have been developed which include a 
plurality of cross-members and supports which apply tension to various 
areas of the cover structure. While this approach has provided some 
reduction in the amount of noise created by the vibration and flapping of 
the cover structure, the resulting convertible top is typically bulkier 
and more costly to manufacture. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is one object of the present invention to provide a flexible top for a 
motor vehicle that is resistant to vibration and flapping which results 
from wind forces. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a flexible top for 
a motor vehicle that utilizes ram air to improve the rigidity of the cover 
structure. 
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a flexible top 
for a motor vehicle that utilizes an air scoop structure to provide a 
source of ram air. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a flexible top 
for a motor vehicle that utilizes an inflatable cover structure having an 
airfoil shape when inflated. 
A flexible top for a motor vehicle is provided. The flexible top includes 
an outer surface, an inner surface, a plurality of air cells coupled 
between the inner and outer surfaces along the length of the flexible top 
and a plurality of air inlet ports coupled to the plurality of 
longitudinal air cells. Operation of the vehicle above a predetermined 
speed causes air to be forced over an air scoop device which directs a 
portion of the air over the outer surface as well and another portion of 
the air into the plurality of air inlet ports. Air flowing into the 
plurality of air inlet ports flows into the plurality of longitudinal air 
cells, inflating and pressurizing the plurality of air cells and tending 
to separate the outer and inner surfaces to provide the flexible top with 
increased rigidity. When inflated, the plurality of air cells provides the 
outer surface with an air foil-like longitudinal cross-section that 
further enhances the resistance of the flexible top to vibration and 
flapping. 
Additional advantages and features of the present invention will become 
apparent from the subsequent description and the appended claims, taken in 
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, a motor vehicle 
constructed in accordance with the teachings of the preferred embodiment 
of the present invention is generally identified at reference numeral 10. 
As will be discussed in greater detail below, vehicle 10 includes a 
vehicle body 14 and a closure structure 18, which may be articulated 
between an open position as illustrated in FIG. 1 and a closed position as 
illustrated in FIG. 2. While the drawings illustrate a particular vehicle, 
it will be understood that the teachings of the present invention have 
applicability to other types of vehicles. 
In FIG. 1, vehicle body 14 is shown to include a windshield assembly 20, 
first and second lateral body members 24a, 24b and an a cargo box 28 
having a pair of laterally spaced apart side members 32 and a rear side 
member 34 coupled thereto. Windshield assembly 20 includes a frame 
structure 40 and a windshield 44. First and second lateral body members 
24a, 24b each include a raised horizontal structural member 50 which 
extend along axes parallel to the longitudinal axis of vehicle 10. A 
plurality of vertical structural members 54 extend downwardly from the 
horizontal structural members 50, coupling the horizontal structural 
members 50 to cargo box 28. As illustrated, vehicle body 14 is shown to be 
container-like, having an open top and partially open sides. 
Closure structure 18 is shown in a lowered condition wherein it is rolled 
and fastened to rearward vertical structures 54a. With additional 
reference to FIGS. 2 through 4, closure structure 18 is shown to include a 
cover structure 60 and an air scoop structure 64. Cover structure 60 is 
shown to include an outer surface 70, an inner surface 74 and a plurality 
of longitudinal air cells 78. Outer and inner surfaces 70 and 74 are each 
formed from one or more flexible woven or non-woven materials and may be 
dissimilar. Outer surface 70 may be formed from a breathable material, 
such as GORTEX.RTM., which inhibits a flow of liquid water therethrough 
but permits a flow of water vapor therethrough. In the particular 
embodiment illustrated, each of the plurality of longitudinal air cells 78 
extends along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of vehicle 10. 
Each of the plurality of longitudinal air cells 78 are open at their 
forward end 82 and closed at their rearward end 86. Cover structure 60 is 
coupled at its forward edge 90 to air scoop structure 64. 
Air scoop structure 64 is a rigid member having a plurality of air inlet 
ports 100 which are in fluid communication with the plurality of 
longitudinal air cells 78. Air scoop structure 64 is releasably coupled to 
windshield assembly 20 through latch mechanism 104 and is operable for 
directing first and second air flows A and B, respectively. First air flow 
A is directed over windshield assembly 20 in a predetermined manner. This 
function of air scoop structure 64 is largely conventional in nature and 
need not be discussed in detail. Second air flow B is directed into the 
plurality of longitudinal air cells 78, causing them to pressurize and 
inflate, thereby separating outer surface 70 from inner surface 74 when 
vehicle 10 is moving in a forward direction. 
Preferably, each of the plurality of longitudinal air cells 78 includes an 
upper cell surface 110 and a generally horizontal lower cell surface 112. 
Upper cell surface 110 is shown in FIG. 4 to have an aerodynamically 
curved convex profile. Typically, the profile of upper cell surface 110 is 
determined by the vehicle air flow characteristics. Construction of the 
plurality of longitudinal air cells 78 in this manner provides cover 
structure 60 with a contoured air foil-like cross-section when inflated 
which further reduces wind noise, vibration and flapping. 
In use, operation of the vehicle 10 above, a predetermined speed causes air 
to be forced over air scoop structure 64. Air scoop structure 64 directs a 
portion of the air into the plurality of inlet ports 100 and into the 
plurality of longitudinal air cells 78. As a result, air cells 78 inflate 
and pressurize tending to separate outer and inner surfaces 70 and 74 to 
provide increased rigidity. 
While the closure structure 18 has been described thus far as having a 
plurality of longitudinal air cells which extend along an axis generally 
parallel the longitudinal axis of vehicle 10, those skilled in the art 
will appreciate that the invention, in its broader aspects, may be 
constructed somewhat differently. For example, the plurality of 
longitudinally extending air cells may be formed as shown in FIG. 5. As 
shown, a lateral air cell 120 may be formed in cover structure 18 which is 
in fluid connection with one or more of the plurality of longitudinal air 
cells 78' along rearward end 86'. 
Similarly, while the longitudinal air cells 78 have been described thus far 
as being in open fluid communication with the air outside vehicle 10, 
those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention, in its 
broader aspects, may be constructed somewhat differently. For example, 
check valves 150 may be incorporated into air scoop structure 64' as shown 
in FIG. 6. 
In this arrangement, check valves 150 are operable for permitting air to 
flow through the plurality of air inlet ports 100' when vehicle 10' is 
operated in a forward direction. However, check valves 150 are also 
operable for inhibiting air from flowing out of the plurality of 
longitudinal air cells 78 through air inlet ports 100'. Construction of 
closure structure 18' in this manner permits closure structure 18' to 
retain its shape at varying operating conditions, such as when vehicle 10' 
is stopped or operated in reverse. If the vehicle operator desires to 
place closure structure 18' in the retracted position, a release valve 154 
may be operated to purge pressurized air from the plurality of 
longitudinal air cells 78. 
While the invention has been described in the specification and illustrated 
in the drawings with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be 
understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made 
and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing 
from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. In addition, 
many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material 
to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential 
scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited 
to the particular embodiment illustrated by the drawings and described in 
the specification as the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out 
this invention, but that the invention will include any embodiments 
falling within the description of the appended claims.