Abstract:
A convertible roof for an automotive vehicle is provided. In one aspect of the present invention, a retraction mechanism couples first, second and third roof sections to a vehicle. Another aspect of the present invention employs a flexible cable interconnecting a rear linkage with a forward pivot assembly to pivot the first roof section relative to the second roof section. Another aspect of the present invention provides that the three roof sections are substantially horizontally oriented in a stowed position.

Description:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates generally to convertible roof structures for automotive vehicles and, more particularly, to a multi-part hard top convertible roof.  
           [0002]    Retractable roofs for convertible automotive vehicles presently exist. For example, one retractable hard top roof employs a plurality of rigid roof panels which slide rearwardly over one another during retraction. Typically, these retracting roof panels are mechanically stowed in the trunk of the automotive vehicle. Unfortunately, this system does not fully retract flush within the vehicle body and occupies a relatively large storage space within the trunk.  
           [0003]    Recently, various retractable roof systems have been developed with a rigid roof member which swings into a passenger compartment of the vehicle. These systems stow the retracted roof panels in a substantially vertical orientation behind either the front or rear seats. While these systems maintain storage space within the trunk, the retracted roof panels are often stored in an unsightly manner. Additionally, the vertical orientation of the retracted roof panels requires a relatively deep storage compartment. This orientation often precludes use of a retractable roof in vehicles having a usable cargo area such as sport utility vehicles and pick-up trucks. Therefore, it would be desirable to have a retractable hard top roof requiring a minimal packaging envelope to maximize storage space within the trunk or cargo area. To achieve this goal, multiple panels are stored in a substantially horizontal manner to minimize the depth of the required storage area.  
           [0004]    In accordance with the present invention, a hard top roof system includes at least three separate and generally rigid sections interconnected to one another to selectively cover the passenger compartment of a vehicle. In another aspect of the present invention, as the roof system is retracted, a middle roof section slides into a nested position with a rear roof section such that the outer surface of the middle roof section is positioned adjacent to the inner surface of the rear roof section. In a further aspect of the present invention, when the roof system is fully retracted, the front roof section is positioned substantially parallel to the ground such that the inner surfaces of the forward and middle roof section face one another. An additional aspect of the present invention provides a convertible roof including a flexible member interconnecting a rear linkage and a forward pivot assembly such that the flexible member selectively forces a first roof section to overcome a biasing force and rotate relative to a second roof section.  
           [0005]    The present invention is advantageous over traditional designs in that the roof panels are stacked in a horizontal manner which minimizes the packaging space required in both the fore-and-aft direction and the vertical direction. Furthermore, the present invention is advantageous because the roof sections may be retracted and stowed within the vehicle&#39;s trunk so as to maintain the space within the vehicle passenger compartment. The convertible roof of the present invention may also be stowed in a roof storage compartment separated from the passenger compartment and a miscellaneous storage area or trunk.  
           [0006]    The present invention also provides a self-covering feature in that when the convertible roof is in the stowed position, the uppermost stacked panel is oriented to display the outer finished surface of the panel. Additionally, the present invention is advantageous because the retracting mechanism is compact and lightweight. To accomplish this feature, the present invention includes a flexible member coupled to a first panel hingedly coupled to a second panel. Additional advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]    The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a convertible roof of the present invention in a raised position;  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the convertible roof of the present invention in the raised position;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 3 is a partial enlarged side elevational view of a portion of the convertible roof of the present invention;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of a portion of the convertible roof of the present invention;  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 5 is a plan view of a portion of the convertible roof of the present invention;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 6 is a partial side elevational view depicting the convertible roof of the present invention in an intermediate position;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 7 is a partial enlarged side elevational view of the convertible roof of the present invention in the intermediate position of FIG. 6;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 8 is a partial enlarged side elevational view of the convertible roof of the present invention in the intermediate position of FIG. 6;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 9 is a partial side elevational view depicting the convertible roof of the present invention in a stowed position; and  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 10 is an enlarged partial side elevational view depicting the convertible roof of the present invention in the stowed position. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0018]    The present invention is described for illustration purposes embodied in a hydro-mechanically actuated three-piece convertible roof for an automotive vehicle. It will be appreciated, however, that the principles of the present invention are readily adaptable to a number of other devices which can retract or deploy a multi-section roof top in a vehicle including a soft top, or flexible fabric covered roof where the actuator or retraction mechanisms are coupled to side rails, or any combined hard and soft top roof.  
         [0019]    With reference to FIGS.  1 - 5 , an exemplary automotive vehicle  10  includes a convertible roof  12  constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Vehicle  10  is constructed with a body  14  having a passenger compartment  16  and a miscellaneous storage area or cargo bed  18 . Passenger compartment  16  includes a windshield  20  and a header  22 . Header  22  spans transversely across the top of windshield  20 . A roof storage compartment or area  24  is located between passenger compartment  16  and miscellaneous storage area  18 . A tonneau cover  26  is pivotally coupled to body  14  to selectively enclose roof storage compartment  24 .  
         [0020]    Convertible roof  12  includes a first roof section  30 , a second roof section  32 , a third roof section  34  and a retraction mechanism  36 . Convertible roof  12  is movable from a raised position depicted in FIGS.  1 - 5  through intermediate positions such as the position depicted in FIGS.  6 - 8  to a stowed position depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10. Each of the first, second and third roof sections are substantially rigid members interconnected to one another by retraction mechanism  36 .  
         [0021]    First roof section  30  is preferably a substantially rigid panel having an outer surface  40 , an inner surface  42 , a leading edge  44  and a trailing edge  46 . First roof section  30  includes a conventional latching mechanism (not shown) which is disengageably attachable with header  22  when convertible roof  12  is in the raised position. Leading edge  44  sealingly engages header  22  when the latching mechanism secures first roof section  30  to windshield  20 .  
         [0022]    Second roof section  32  includes an outer surface  48 , an inner surface  50 , a leading edge  52  and a trailing edge  54 . Leading edge  52  sealingly engages trailing edge  46  of first roof section  30  when convertible roof  12  is in the raised position.  
         [0023]    Third roof section  34  includes an outer surface  56 , an inner surface  58 , a leading edge  60  and a trailing edge  62 . Leading edge  60  is sealingly engaged with trailing edge  54  of second roof section  32  when convertible roof  12  is in the raised position. Trailing edge  62  includes lip seals (not shown) which sealingly engage tonneau cover  26  when third roof section  34  is in the raised position. Third roof section  34  also includes a transparent window  63 . Preferably, window  63  is a three-dimensionally curved glass member matching the contour of the rear portion of third roof section  34 . Alternatively, window  63  may be a flexible translucent panel constructed from PVC or other suitable material.  
         [0024]    Retraction mechanism  36  is mounted in a cavity  64  of roof storage compartment  24 . Retraction mechanism  36  includes a pair of actuation assemblies  66  mounted near each outboard edge of vehicle  10 . Because each of actuation assemblies  66  are substantially identical mirror images of one another, only the passenger side actuation assembly will be depicted and described in greater detail.  
         [0025]    Actuation assembly  66  includes a linkage assembly  68  coupled to an actuator  70 . Actuator  70  is presently depicted as a hydraulic cylinder coupled to linkage assembly  68 . It should be appreciated that actuator  70  may alternately be constructed as an electric motor, a pneumatic cylinder, or any suitable power source for driving linkage assembly  68 . Actuator  70  is coupled to vehicle  10  and positioned within cavity  64  of roof storage compartment  24 .  
         [0026]    Linkage assembly  68  includes a pivot assembly  72  and a rear linkage  74  interconnected by a flexible member  76 . Flexible member  76  is preferably constructed in the form of a stainless steel cable. However, one skilled in the art will appreciate that flexible member  76  may be shaped as a chain, belt or any other suitable tensile member.  
         [0027]    Pivot assembly  72  includes a first bracket  78  rotatably coupled to a second bracket  80  via a pin  82 . First bracket  78  is coupled to first roof section  30 . Second bracket  80  is coupled to second roof section  32 . A spring  83  or other resilient member urges first roof section  30  toward the raised position. A first end  84  of flexible member  76  is coupled to first bracket  78 .  
         [0028]    Rear linkage  74  includes a first link  86 , a second link  88 , a third link  90 , a fourth link  92 , a fifth link  94 , a sixth link  96 , a seventh link  98 , an eighth link  100  and a ninth link  102 . First link  86  has one end coupled to second roof section  32  and another end coupled to second link  88 . A second end  89  of flexible member  76  is coupled to second link  88 . One end of third link  90  is pivotally interconnected to a mid-portion of first link  86 . The opposite end of third link  90  is pivotally coupled to a mid-portion of eighth link  100 . A mid-portion of link  90  is pivotally coupled to an end of fourth link  92  by ninth link  102 . The opposite end of fourth link  92  is pivotally coupled to a mid-portion of fifth link  94 . One end of fifth link  94  is pivotally coupled to one end of sixth link  96 . The opposite end of fifth link  94  is pivotally coupled to one end of seventh link  98 . The opposite end of sixth link  96  is pivotally coupled to one end of eighth link  100 . The opposite end of eighth link  100  is pivotally coupled to a mid-portion of fourth link  92 . The opposite end of seventh link  98  is pivotally coupled to a bracket  104  mounted to vehicle  10 . Actuator  70  is pivotally coupled to bracket  104  and a mid-portion of seventh link  98 . The attachment location of actuator  70  is merely exemplary and it should be appreciated that any number of locations on the various links may be chosen to drive convertible roof  12  between the stowed position and the raised position.  
         [0029]    Tonneau cover  26  is pivotally coupled to body  14  at a hinge  106 . Tonneau cover  26  is preferably operated by a separate control system capable of moving tonneau cover  26  from a closed position depicted in FIG. 2 to an open position depicted in FIG. 6. The control system functions to coordinate the movement of tonneau cover  26  with convertible roof  12  such that roof storage compartment  24  is accessible when moving convertible roof  12  between the raised and stowed positions. Alternately, tonneau cover  26  may be manually operated to selectively latch to body  14 . As such, roof storage compartment  24  is selectively enclosed or accessible. The manually operated tonneau cover  26  includes a biasing mechanism (not shown) for urging tonneau cover  26  toward the opened position depicted in FIG. 6.  
         [0030]    In operation, convertible roof  12  is moved from the raised position depicted in FIGS.  1 - 5 , through intermediate positions such as the one depicted in FIGS.  6 - 8 , to the stowed position depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10 by first unlatching first roof section  30  from header  22 . An operator engages a switch (not shown) located in passenger compartment  16 . The switch is connected electrically to actuator  70  to control the operation of retraction mechanism  36 . When convertible roof  12  is used in conjunction with a manually operated tonneau cover, a simple switch may be implemented without the need for sophisticated electronic controls, proximity switches and/or sensors. However, the convertible roof of the present invention may be operated in conjunction with a power operated tonneau cover as previously discussed. In this case, the switch is connected electrically to an electronic control unit, such as a microprocessor, that controls the operation of retraction mechanism  36 . The electronic control unit sends a signal to operate actuator  70  and an actuator coupled to tonneau cover  26 . Devices such as limit switches, sensors and potentiometers are coupled to body  14 , tonneau cover  26  and convertible roof  12  to inform the electronic control unit of the position of tonneau cover  26  and roof  12  to assure that convertible roof  12  does not interfere with tonneau cover  26  during movement toward the stowed or raised positions.  
         [0031]    Regardless of the type of control system implemented, actuator  70  is powered to drive seventh link  98  toward the position depicted in FIGS. 6 and 7. As rear linkage assembly  74  articulates, a tensile force is input from second link  88  to flexible member  76 . The tensile force produced is sufficient to overcome the biasing force generated by spring  83 . As depicted in FIG. 8, first roof section  30  pivots relative to second roof section  32  in a typical clam shell manner such that inner surface  42  of first roof section  30  approaches inner surface  50  of second roof section  32 . Rear linkage assembly  74  also begins to drive second roof section  32  toward a nested position by positioning trailing edge  54  of second roof section  32  toward third roof section  34 . Third roof section  34  begins to enter roof storage compartment  24 .  
         [0032]    With reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, convertible roof  12  is shown in the stowed position. In the stowed position, first roof section  30 , second roof section  32  and third roof section  34  are each positioned in a substantially horizontal manner within roof storage compartment  24 . Outer surface  40  of first roof section  30  is positioned beneath tonneau cover  26 . Outer surface  48  of second roof section  32  is positioned to face inner surface  58  of third roof section  34 . Leading edge  44  of first roof section  30  is positioned rearward of trailing edge  62  of third roof section  34  while the trailing edge  46  of first roof section  30  is positioned forward of leading edge  60  of third roof section  34 .  
         [0033]    To achieve a minimal packaging envelope, trailing edge  54  of second roof section  32  is positioned rearward of trailing edge  62  of third roof section  34 . At this time, leading edge  52  of second roof section  32  is positioned proximate leading edge  60  of third roof section  34 .  
         [0034]    As shown in FIG. 9, convertible roof  12  is completely packaged within roof storage area  24  separate from miscellaneous storage area  18 . A deck lid  108  is coupled to body  14  to allow access to miscellaneous storage area  18  without accessing roof storage area  24 . Therefore, convertible roof  12  does not obstruct access to miscellaneous storage area  18  while positioned in either the raised or stowed position.  
         [0035]    While it is apparent that the embodiments of the invention disclosed are well calculated to provide the advantages and features above stated, it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modification, variation and change without departing from the proper scope or fair meaning of the subsequent claims. For example, the convertible roof may include extra roof sections or additional members to the retraction mechanism. A soft top roof may also be used with the present device. While the device was described to include hydraulic actuators, an electric motor or other suitable power transfer mechanism may alternately be employed to deploy convertible roof  12 . Furthermore, the convertible roof can alternately be stored in a miscellaneous storage area such as a trunk of a conventional sedan or coupe rather than in a roof storage compartment as presently disclosed. Other materials and dimensions can be substituted for those disclosed. It is intended by the following claims to cover these and any other departures from the disclosed embodiments which fall within the true spirit of this invention.