Abstract:
A convertible roof and tonneau cover system having a retractable convertible roof and a tonneau cover selectively enclosing the retractable convertible roof. The tonneau cover extends upward to obstruct a backwash of wind during vehicle travel, thereby serving as a wind deflector. A backlite is mounted within the tonneau cover and a drive mechanism is provided that is operable to simultaneously move the retractable convertible roof and the tonneau cover each between raised and lowered positions.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to convertible roofs for automotive vehicles and, more particularly, to a convertible roof having a motorized drive system, and an integrated tonneau cover and backlite assembly.  
         BACKGROUND &amp; SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Convertible automotive vehicles commonly employ a soft top or a hard top roof which is retractable from a fully raised position covering a passenger compartment to a lowered and retracted position being stowed on top of a rear seat, behind a rear seat, in a boot well, or in a trunk of the vehicle. A hard top roof typically consists of two or more entirely rigid panels which fold or slide against each other when retracted by a multi-linkage mechanism. The soft or hard top multi-linkage mechanisms are often manually operable or driven by a hydraulic or electric motor actuator. The majority of electric motor systems employ worm gear, jackscrew, or pulley and cable drive mechanisms.  
           [0003]    Conventional convertible tops further include a back window, also known as a backlite, incorporated into the moving panels of the convertible roof assembly. This backlite enables the driver to have a clear and unobstructed view behind the vehicle during operation. Traditionally, this backlite is pivoted and stored into a stowed position as a single unit with the moving panels of the convertible roof assembly. Many conventional backlites are made of a flexible polymeric or acrylic material to be folded during the retraction of the convertible roof. However, it is preferable that the backlite be made of glass to provide improved viewing therethrough.  
           [0004]    A disadvantage of many conventional convertible roof assemblies is the lack of wind deterrence for protecting the vehicle occupants from the backrush of wind traveling over the vehicle. This backrush of wind is most commonly a result of vehicle aerodynamics. However, such backrush of wind is preferably eliminated or at least minimized to improve occupant comfort. Unfortunately, many conventional convertible vehicle designs suffer from this backrushing effect due to the unobstructed path behind the occupant&#39;s head.  
           [0005]    In an effort to overcome this disadvantage, there has been a move toward incorporating separate wind deflectors or other structure behind the occupants to eliminate or at least minimize the backrush of wind flow that occurs when the convertible roof is in the collapsed and stowed position. Traditionally, such wind deflectors may include a fixed or moveable screen positioned behind the occupants&#39; heads. However, this arrangement adds additional cost to the vehicle since it requires various parts to be added that are separate from the convertible roof assembly. Other constructions are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,560 entitled “Convertible Vehicle” which issued to Rothe on Apr. 25, 2000, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,979,970 entitled “Roof Assembly for a Convertible Vehicle” which issued to Rothe et al. on Nov. 9, 1999; both of these patents are incorporated herein by reference.  
           [0006]    Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved convertible roof and tonneau cover system that is capable of eliminating or at least reducing the backrush of wind traveling over the vehicle. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved convertible roof and tonneau cover system having a rigid backlite fixedly mounted within a tonneau cover so as not to obstruct the driver&#39;s rearward line of sight. It is still further an object of the present invention to provide an improved convertible roof and tonneau cover system that minimizes the complexity of the system, including minimizing the number of linkages and drive motors necessary to activate the roof and tonneau cover mechanisms. Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved convertible roof and tonneau cover system that overcomes the disadvantages of the prior systems.  
           [0007]    In accordance with the broad teachings of the present invention, a convertible roof and tonneau cover system having an advantageous design is provided. The convertible roof and tonneau cover system includes a retractable convertible roof and a tonneau cover. The tonneau cover selectively encloses the retractable convertible roof and extends upward to obstruct a backwash of wind during vehicle travel, thereby serving as a wind deflector. Another aspect of the present invention provides a backlite mounted within the tonneau cover. Still another aspect of the present invention provides a drive mechanism that is operable to simultaneously move the retractable convertible roof and the tonneau cover between raised and lowered positions.  
           [0008]    Unlike known designs, the integration of a tonneau cover and wind deflector provides additional packaging, aesthetic, and cost-related advantages. Moreover, the integration of the top stack mechanism for use with driving the convertible roof and the tonneau cover provides still further benefits in providing a simplified control system.  
           [0009]    Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]    The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the preferred embodiment convertible roof and tonneau cover system of the present invention coupled to an automotive vehicle;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is a side diagrammatic view showing the preferred embodiment convertible roof and tonneau cover system in a fully raised position;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 is a side diagrammatic view showing the preferred embodiment convertible roof and tonneau cover system in a first intermediate position;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 is a side diagrammatic view showing the preferred embodiment convertible roof and tonneau cover system in a second intermediate position;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5 is a side view showing the preferred embodiment convertible roof and tonneau cover system in a fully lowered and retracted position;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view showing a drive mechanism and tonneau cover locking mechanism employed in the preferred embodiment convertible roof and tonneau cover system; and  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the tonneau cover locking mechanism employed in the preferred embodiment convertible roof and tonneau cover system. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0018]    The following description of the preferred embodiment is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.  
         [0019]    Referring to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of a convertible roof and tonneau cover system  10  of the present invention includes a single retractable and rigid roof panel  12 , a tonneau cover  14 , a top stack mechanism  16 , a tonneau cover locking mechanism  18 , and a top stack drive motor  20 . Another actuating mechanism, tonneau cover locking mechanism, and top stack drive motor are disposed and synchronously operated on the opposite side of the automotive vehicle in mirrored symmetry with those shown in FIGS.  1 - 5 , which, in the interest of brevity, will not be described in detail. Top stack mechanism  16  further includes an electrical circuit  22  for controlling the motors.  
         [0020]    The operation of convertible roof and tonneau cover system  10  is shown in FIGS.  2 - 5 . FIG. 2 illustrates roof panel  12  in its fully raised position against a front header  24  with tonneau cover  14  lowered and locked generally above a boot well or storage compartment  26  (FIG. 1). FIG. 3 illustrates roof panel  12  and tonneau cover  14  in a first articulated position. FIG. 4 illustrates roof panel  12  and tonneau cover  14  in a second articulated position. Specifically, tonneau cover  14  is illustrated in a fully raised position in which tonneau cover  14  is pivoted about a rear axis  28  and roof panel  12  is partially retracted from front header  24 . The specific operation of roof panel  12 , tonneau cover  14 , top stack mechanism  16 , and top stack drive motor  20  will be described in detail below. FIG. 5 illustrates convertible roof and tonneau cover system  10  in its fully retracted and stowed position in which roof panel  12  is generally stacked within boot well  26  and tonneau cover  14  is lowered and locked against boot well  26 .  
         [0021]    As seen in the figures, tonneau cover  14  is preferably made of rigid and solid construction having a generally downwardly sloping profile extending from a height generally equal to an occupant&#39;s head or thereabove downward toward the trunk of the vehicle. This height of tonneau cover  14  provides improved redirection of wind travelling over the vehicle in order to eliminate or at least reduce the backrush of wind against the occupant. It should be appreciated, however, that the specific shape of tonneau cover  14  is primarily dependent upon the styling of the vehicle so long as it extends high enough to modify the wind flow above the vehicle to prevent such back wash.  
         [0022]    In order to prevent obstructing the driver&#39;s rearward line of sight, a backlite  15  is fixedly mounted within tonneau cover  14 . Backlite  15  is preferably made of three-dimensionally curved glass in order to provide improved clarity and integrity against environmental elements. However, any backlite material conventionally used in the art may be employed in the present invention.  
         [0023]    It is anticipated that tonneau cover  14  may further include a rigid rollover protection member integrally formed therein. Such a rollover protection member would serve to protect the occupant during a rollover of the vehicle. The rollover protection member would span between opposing tonneau cover locking mechanisms  18 . Alternatively, a rollover protection member may be positioned separate from and below tonneau cover  14 .  
         [0024]    As described above, roof panel  12  is preferably a single, rigid, retractable roof panel, such as one made of metal, that spans the distance between front header  24  and a rear header  25  defined by tonneau cover  14 . Alternatively, roof panel  12  may include a fixed, pivotable, or removable glass panel for additional ventilation options.  
         [0025]    Top stack drive motor  20  is coupled to a main bracket  30  which is in turn coupled to support structure (not shown), such as an inner quarter panel, within the automotive vehicle. Preferably, top stack drive motor  20  is a direct-current (DC) motor, which is selectively driven in response to a signal produced by an electrical circuit  22 . Top stack drive motor  22  enmeshingly engages a toothed section  32  of a sector gear  34 . Sector gear  34  is pivotally coupled to main bracket  30  at pivot  36  for pivotal movement in response to top stack drive motor  22 .  
         [0026]    Top stack mechanism  16  further includes a first balance link  38  pivotally coupled at one end to roof panel  12  at pivot  40  and at an opposing end to a bracket  42  at pivot  44 . Bracket  42  is coupled to supporting structure of the vehicle to provide a rigid supporting base. Likewise, a second balance link  46  is pivotally coupled at one end to roof panel  12  at pivot  48  and at the opposing end to bracket  42  at pivot  50 . It should be understood that bracket  42  may be formed integrally with a side body panel of the vehicle or any other structural member within the vehicle depending on the availability of adjoining structure in the particular vehicle. The particular shape of first balance link  38  and second balance link  46  are dictated by the particular geometry required to retract, stow, and raise roof panel  12  and the associated loading forces.  
         [0027]    Still referring to FIGS.  2 - 5 , top stack mechanism  16  further includes a tonneau cover drive linkage  52  pivotally coupled at one end to tonneau cover  14  at pivot  54  and at the opposing end to an intermediate section of second balance link  46  at pivot  56 . Tonneau cover drive linkage  52  is particularly adapted to raise tonneau cover  14  to a fully open position simultaneously as roof panel  12  is raised or retracted during operation. As can be appreciated from the figures and the above description, the particular arrangement of the present invention enables simple, quick, and convenient simultaneous operation of the roof panel  12  and the tonneau cover  14  by a single drive motor, which will be further described below.  
         [0028]    Still referring to FIGS.  2 - 5 , top stack mechanism  16  further includes a drive linkage  58  coupled to sector gear  34  via a pair of fasteners  60 . Accordingly, drive linkage  58  is adapted to rotate in fixed relationship with sector gear  34  during actuation of top stack drive motor  20 . Drive linkage  58  is coupled to second balance link  46  via an intermediate link  62 . Intermediate link  62  is pivotally coupled at one end to drive linkage  58  at pivot  64  and pivotally coupled at an opposing end to a collar bracket  66  at pivot  68 . Collar bracket  66  is coupled to second balance link  46  to prevent movement relative thereto. It should be appreciated that intermediate link  62  may be coupled directly to second balance link  46 , thereby eliminating collar bracket  66 .  
         [0029]    As best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, tonneau cover locking mechanism  18  includes a striker  70 , a latch assembly  72 , a double hook latch  74 , and a cable release  76 . Specifically, striker  70  is fastened to tonneau cover  14  via a pair of suitable fasteners  78 , such as bolts. Striker  70  includes a striker arm  80  that is generally U-shaped and extends downwardly from tonneau cover  14 . Latch assembly  72  generally includes a pair of opposing plate members  82 , each having a coaxially aligned aperture  84  (only one shown). Similarly, double hook latch  74  includes a pair of generally hooked shaped members, each having an aperture  86  formed therein. Apertures  86  of double hook latch  74  are coaxially aligned with apertures  84  of plate members  82  such that a pin  83  extends through aperture  84  of plate member  82  and double hook latch  74  to enable double hook latch  74  to pivot thereabout. Lastly, cable release  76  is coupled to each of the hook members of double hook latch  74  to facilitate the release of striker arm  80  during an unlocking movement. Latch assembly  72  is mounted on opposing sides of the automotive vehicle generally adjacent boot well  26  and in general alignment with striker arm  80  to receive and lock tonneau cover  14  in a lowered position. It should be understood that cable release  76  may be coupled to electrical circuit  22  so as to facilitate a fully automatic locking and unlocking operation. Alternately, either double hook latch  74  and/or cable release  76  may be spring biased to automatically release or engage striker arm  80 .  
       Operation  
       [0030]    In operation, raising and retracting of roof panel  12  is accomplished through a simple and cost effective method which concurrently provides ample protection from the backwash of wind during travel and minimizes the number of linkages and drive motors necessary to actuate the rigid roof panel and tonneau cover. During a retracting operation, electrical circuit  22  is actuated via an occupant switch (not shown). Electrical circuit  22  provides a control signal to top stack drive motor  20 , which drives top stack drive motor  20  and thus rotates sector gear  34  in a clockwise direction about pivot  36 . This clockwise movement of sector gear  34  drives drive linkage  58  about pivot  36 , thereby applying a retracting force to intermediate link  62  and second balance link  46 . Moreover, this retracting force is transmitted to tonneau drive linkage  52 , which acts to pivot tonneau cover  14  upwardly about rear axis  28  and, thus raising tonneau cover  14  into a raised position. Simultaneously, this retracting force further acts to retract roof panel  12  from header  24 . Specifically, second balance link  46  applies a retracting force at pivot  48  which causes a rotational movement between roof panel  12 , first balance link  38 , and main bracket  42 .  
         [0031]    The particular geometric relationship between first balance link  38 , main bracket  42 , second balance link  46 , and roof panel  12  promotes a generally arcuate and descending movement of roof panel  12  until reaching a generally inclined position within boot well  26 . Moreover, this geometric relationship between second balance link  46  and tonneau cover drive linkage  52  causes tonneau cover  14  to be raised into a raised position to prevent interference between roof panel  12  and tonneau cover  14 . That is, in a single action, tonneau cover  14  is raised a sufficient amount to permit the start of the retraction of roof panel  12  to allow both actions to occur simultaneously to affect a quick and efficient retraction.  
         [0032]    At this point, it should be understood that the simultaneous operation of the tonneau cover  14  and roof panel  12  through mechanical means ensures a consistent operation of the convertible roof and tonneau cover system. Accordingly, additional logic devices and/or control circuits which would control the specific timing and operation of the tonneau cover and roof panel are unnecessary since the mechanical linkages prevent any occurrence of retraction of roof panel  12  prior to opening of tonneau cover  14 . Therefore, advantages in design and cost effectiveness may be realized.  
         [0033]    Further driving of top stack drive motor  20  further rotates sector gear  34  about pivot  36 , thereby further raising tonneau cover  14  and retracting roof panel  12 . This motion continues until tonneau cover  14  reaches an apex in its motion at which point tonneau cover  14  will begin to retract. Roof panel  12  will continue to be driven into boot well  26  in response to the driving of top stack drive motor  20  while tonneau cover  14  begins to be drawn back to a lowered position under the retracting force of tonneau cover drive linkage  52  until roof panel  12  is fully stowed within boot well  26 . Once tonneau cover  14  is in a fully lowered position once again, striker arm  80  will engage double hook latch  74 , thereby locking tonneau cover  14  in the lowered position. In this lowered position of tonneau cover  14  and retracting roof panel  12 , tonneau cover  14  is generally in a locked position wherein it is positioned to generally cover or generally enclose storage compartment  26 . Retracting roof panel  12  is positioned within storage compartment  26  in a generally forwardly inclining position. As seen in FIG. 5, a front end of retracting roof panel  12  may extend above the belt line of storage compartment  26 .  
         [0034]    It should be apparent from the foregoing discussion that the convertible roof and tonneau cover system of the present invention provides a number of unique and useful advantages. For instance, the convertible roof and tonneau cover system of the present invention is capable of eliminating or at least minimizing the backrush of wind traveling over the vehicle. Furthermore, the convertible roof and tonneau cover system of the present invention provides a rigid backlite fixedly mounted within a tonneau cover so as not to obstruct the driver&#39;s rearward line of sight. Still further, the convertible roof and tonneau cover system of the present invention minimizes the number of linkages and drive motors necessary to activate the roof and tonneau cover mechanisms compared to traditional construction. This arrangement enables the roof panel and tonneau cover to be actuated by a single drive mechanism.  
         [0035]    While various materials and linkages have been disclosed, other materials and linkages may be employed. The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.