Abstract:
A top for a vehicle having a roll cage. The top includes a rigid cover, and a flexible cover having a first end and a second end defining a length of the flexible cover therebetween. The first end of the flexible cover is attached to the rigid cover. The second end of the flexible cover has at least one fastener for attaching the second end to the roll cage. The flexible cover has an open configuration and a storage configuration. In the open configuration, the flexible cover extends along the roll cage from the first end attached to the rigid cover to the second end attached to a portion of the roll cage spaced from the rigid cover. In the storage configuration, the entire length of the flexible cover including the second end is removably secured against the rigid cover. Roll cage and top assemblies, and vehicles are also disclosed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/720,656 filed on Oct. 31, 2012, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to tops for vehicles. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Vehicles in which the cockpit area is not enclosed by the vehicle body are commonly provided with tops to protect the riders of the vehicle from sun, rain and snow. Two different versions of tops are used—hard tops and soft tops. Both types of tops are typically removable from the vehicle. 
         [0004]    Hard tops offer more protection and can also be integrated with other accessories, such as lights, storage compartments, and the like. Hard tops, however, are cumbersome to remove, and once removed, cannot be easily stored on the vehicle. 
         [0005]    Soft tops, on the other hand, are relatively easily stored on the vehicle since they can be rolled up or folded for convenient storage. Soft tops, however, cannot support much weight and therefore cannot be used to mount other accessories. 
         [0006]    There is a need for a top for a vehicle that is easily assembled and disassembled, that provides adequate protection from the elements to the riders, that can support vehicle accessories, and that, when not in use, can be stored on the vehicle without much inconvenience to the riders or requiring much space. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    It is an object of the present invention to ameliorate at least some of the inconveniences present in the prior art. 
         [0008]    In one aspect, the present provides a top for a vehicle having a roll cage disposed over a seat of the vehicle. The top includes a rigid cover; and a flexible cover having a first end and a second end defining a length of the flexible cover therebetween. The first end of the flexible cover is attached to the rigid cover. The second end of the flexible cover has at least one fastener for attaching the second end to the roll cage. The flexible cover has an open configuration and a storage configuration. In the open configuration, the flexible cover extends along the roll cage from the first end attached to the rigid cover to the second end attached to a portion of the roll cage spaced from the rigid cover. In the storage configuration, the entire length of the flexible cover including the second end is removably secured against the rigid cover. 
         [0009]    In a further aspect, the top includes an accessory bar attached to the rigid cover. The accessory bar is adapted for the installation of at least one vehicle accessory. 
         [0010]    In another aspect, in the storage configuration, the flexible cover is secured against the rigid cover in one of a rolled and a folded configuration. 
         [0011]    In another aspect, the rigid cover is adapted to be disposed along the forward portion of the roll cage with the flexible cover extending rearwardly therefrom. 
         [0012]    In an additional aspect, the flexible cover is attached to a top surface of the rigid cover. 
         [0013]    In yet another aspect, the flexible cover has a left side portion and a right side portion extending downwards at least partially between the first and second ends of the flexible cover. 
         [0014]    In a further aspect, the flexible cover has a second end portion extending downward from the second end between a left side and a right side of the flexible cover. 
         [0015]    In a further aspect, the flexible cover is removably attached to the rigid cover. 
         [0016]    In an additional aspect, the top includes a C-shaped adaptor attached to the rigid cover. A loop is defined by the first end of the flexible cover. One of a rod, tube and rope extends in the loop, thereby retaining the loop in the C-shaped adaptor to attach the flexible cover to the rigid cover. 
         [0017]    In another aspect, the top includes at least one first end fastener to attach the first end of the flexible cover to at least one of: the roll cage and the rigid cover. In some embodiments, the at least one first end fastener is two first end fasteners, each first end fastener being attached to one of the left and right ends of the first end of the flexible cover. In some embodiments, the at least one first end fastener is an adjustable strap having an adjustable length to removably secure the entire length of the flexible cover, when in the storage configuration, to the at least one of the roll cage and the rigid cover. 
         [0018]    In another aspect, the top includes a flexible cover fastener removably securing the entire length of the flexible cover, in the storage configuration, to the rigid cover and/or the roll cage. 
         [0019]    In another aspect, each of the at least one fastener is an adjustable strap having an adjustable length to permit tightening of the flexible cover extended over the roll cage in the open configuration. 
         [0020]    In yet another aspect, the at least one fastener is two fasteners, each of the two fasteners being attached at one of a left corner and a right corner of the second end of the flexible cover to attach the corresponding one of the left and right corners to the roll cage. 
         [0021]    In another aspect, the present provides a roll cage and top assembly for a vehicle. The roll cage includes a left side support structure and a right side support structure connected to the vehicle frame. The roll cage also includes a front arm connecting a forward portion of the left side support structure and a forward portion of the right side support structure, and a rear arm connecting a rearward portion of the left side structure and a rearward portion of the right side structure. The top has at least one of the aspects described above. The rigid cover is attached to the front arm and/or the rear arm. 
         [0022]    In a further aspect, the rigid cover is disposed over the front arm and fastened thereto. In the open configuration, the at least one fastener of the flexible cover is removably fastened to the rear arm and/or the rearward portion of each of the right and left side support structures. 
         [0023]    In an additional aspect, the second end of the flexible cover has a portion extending over the rear arm and downward therefrom when the flexible cover is in the open configuration. 
         [0024]    In another aspect, the present provides a vehicle including a frame. A cockpit area is defined by the frame and has at least one seat. A roll cage is disposed above the cockpit area and connected to the frame. The vehicle also has a top having at least one of the aspects mentioned above. 
         [0025]    In a further aspect, the at least one seat is two seats disposed side-by-side to accommodate two riders seated side-by-side. For purposes of the present application, terms related to spatial orientation when referring to the vehicle and components in relation to the vehicle, such as “forwardly”, “rearwardly”, “left”, “right”, “above” and “below”, are as they would be understood by a driver of the vehicle, with the vehicle in a straight ahead orientation (i.e. not steered left or right), and in an upright position (i.e. not tilted). The explanations provided above regarding the above terms take precedence over explanations of these terms that may be found in any one of the documents incorporated herein by reference. 
         [0026]    Embodiments of the present invention each have at least one of the above-mentioned object and/or aspects, but do not necessarily have all of them. It should be understood that some aspects of the present invention that have resulted from attempting to attain the above-mentioned object may not satisfy this object and/or may satisfy other objects not specifically recited herein. 
         [0027]    Additional and/or alternative features, aspects, and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]    For a better understanding of the present invention, as well as other aspects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which is to be used in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where: 
           [0029]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view, taken from a front, left side, of a vehicle; 
           [0030]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view, taken from a front, left side, of the roll cage and top of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 , showing the top in an open configuration; 
           [0031]      FIG. 3A  is a left side elevation view of the roll cage and top of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 3B  is a left side elevation view of the roll cage and top of  FIG. 2 , with the flexible cover of the top shown in a storage configuration; 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  is a rear elevation view of the roll cage and top of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 5  is a left side elevation view of the roll cage and top of  FIG. 2 , with the flexible cover removed for clarity; 
           [0035]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the roll cage and top of  FIG. 2 , with the flexible cover removed for clarity; 
           [0036]      FIG. 7A  is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line A-A of  FIG. 6 , showing the roll cage and top of  FIG. 2  with the flexible cover removed for clarity; 
           [0037]      FIG. 7B  is an enlarged cross-sectional view, taken along the line A-A of  FIG. 6 , showing a portion of the roll cage and top of  FIG. 7A  with the flexible cover removed for clarity; 
           [0038]      FIG. 7C  is an enlarged cross-sectional view, taken along the line A-A of  FIG. 6 , showing the portion of the roll cage and top of  FIG. 7B , with the flexible cover shown in the storage configuration; 
           [0039]      FIG. 8  is a bottom plan view of elevation view of the roll cage and top of  FIG. 2 , with the flexible cover removed for clarity; and 
           [0040]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view, taken from a front, left side, of the roll cage of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0041]    The present invention will be described below with respect to a side-by-side vehicle (SSV) designed to accommodate two riders seated side-by-side. However, it is contemplated that some aspects of the invention could be adapted for use on other kinds of vehicles, such as golf carts and the like, having an open cockpit area with a roll cage disposed thereabove. It is further contemplated that the top could also be adapted for use on boats. 
         [0042]      FIG. 1  illustrates a vehicle  10  having a front end  5 , a rear end  6 , a left side  7 , and a right side  8 , consistently defined with the forward travel direction. The vehicle  10  includes a frame  12  to which a vehicle body is mounted. 
         [0043]    A pair of front wheels  14  is suspended from the front portion of the frame  12  via front suspension  13 . A pair of rear wheels  16  is suspended from the rear portion of the frame  12  via rear suspension  13 . Each of the four wheels  14 ,  16  has a tire  15 . It is contemplated that the vehicle  10  could have six or more wheels. 
         [0044]    A cockpit area  22  is disposed in the middle portion of the frame  12 . The cockpit area  22  comprises two seats  18  (left and right). The seats  18  are mounted laterally beside each other to accommodate a driver and a passenger (riders) of the vehicle  10 . The seats  18  are bucket seats. It is contemplated that the seats  18  could be other types of recumbent seats. 
         [0045]    An engine (not shown), is mounted to the middle portion of frame  12  between the right and the left seats  18 . The engine is operatively connected to the four wheels  14  to power the vehicle  10 . It is contemplated that the engine could be operatively connected only to the front wheels  14  or only to the rear wheels  16 . 
         [0046]    A cargo box  11  is pivotally mounted to the frame  12  rearward of the seats  18 . It is contemplated that the cargo box  11  could be omitted. 
         [0047]    A steering assembly includes a steering wheel  20  disposed in front of the left seat  18 . It is contemplated that the steering wheel  20  could be disposed in front of the right seat  18 . The steering assembly is operatively connected to the two front wheels  14  to permit steering of the vehicle  10 . 
         [0048]    The cockpit area  22  has openings  24  on the left and right sides  7  of the vehicle  10  through which the riders can enter and exit the vehicle  10 . A lateral cover  26 , made of flexible straps and flexible panels of meshed material, is selectively and partially disposed across each opening  24 . The lateral covers  26  are intended to be disposed across the openings  24  when the riders are riding the vehicle  10  and to be opened when the riders desire entry into or exit from the cockpit area  22 . It is contemplated that only one of the left and right side openings  24  could be selectively partially covered by a lateral cover  26 . 
         [0049]    A roll cage  30  is connected to the frame  12  and disposed above the cockpit area  22 . The roll cage  30  is constructed from metal tubes and contributes to protecting the riders in the event that the vehicle  10  rolls over. 
         [0050]    A top  50 , extending above the cockpit area  22 , protects the riders seated underneath in the cockpit area  22  from sun, rain, snow and wind. The top  50  can also be used for mounting accessories on the vehicle  10 . The top  50  is supported by the roll cage  30  and is selectively extended above the seats  18  depending on the riders&#39; preferences. 
         [0051]    The top  50  has a rigid cover  52  and a flexible cover  54 . The rigid cover  52  of the top  50  extends above the forward portion of the cockpit area  22  and functions as a sun visor partially shading the riders when the sun is disposed above or ahead of the vehicle  10 . The rigid cover  52  can also be used to mount vehicle accessories such as a set of lights. The flexible cover  54 , disposed rearward of the rigid cover  52 , functions as a roof for the riders, shielding the riders from sun, wind, rain and snow. 
         [0052]    The vehicle  10  has other features and components such as an exhaust, a transmission and the like. As it is believed that these features and components would be readily recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art, further explanation and description of these components will not be provided herein. 
         [0053]    The roll cage  30  and the top  50  will now be described in further detail with reference to  FIGS. 2 to 9 . 
         [0054]    As can be seen in  FIG. 9 , the roll cage  30  has a left side support structure  31  and a right side support structure  31  extending longitudinally on the left side  7  and right side  8 , respectively, of the vehicle  10 . A front arm  38  and a rear arm  37 , each extending laterally across the vehicle  10  between its right and left sides  7 ,  8  between the left and right side support structures  31 . 
         [0055]    Each of the left and right side support structures  31  is formed as an inverted U-shaped structure. The left side support structure  31  has a front left arm  32  and a rear left arm  33 , each extending generally vertically, and a left lateral arm  36  extending generally horizontally between the upper ends of the front and rear left arms  32 ,  33 . The right side support structure  31  has a front right arm  32  and a rear right arm  33 , each extending generally vertically, and a right lateral arm  36  extending generally horizontally between the upper ends of the front and rear right arms  32 ,  33 . The front left arm  32  and the front right arm  32  are connected to the frame at their respective lower ends  34 . The rear left arm  33  and the rear right arm  33  are connected to the frame at their respective lower ends  35 . 
         [0056]    The front arm  38  connects to the left and right lateral arms  36  just rearward of the forwardmost point  31   a  of the upper portion of the side support structures  31 . The front arm  38  is connected to the left and right lateral arms  36  near their respective connections to the corresponding front left and front right arms  32 . It is contemplated that the front arm  38  could be connected to the front left and right arms  32  of the side support structures  31 . An additional support member  40  is provided at the connection between the left side support structure  31  and the left front arm  38 . An additional support member  40  is also provided at the connection between the right side support structure  31  and the right front arm  38 . 
         [0057]    The rear arm  37  connects to each of the left and right side support structures  31  at the connections between the respective left and right lateral arms  36  and their respective rear left and right arms  33 . A left reinforcement member  39  extends between the left lateral arm  36  and the lower end  35  of the rear left arm  33 . A right reinforcement member  39  extends between the right lateral arm  36  and the lower end  35  of the rear right arm  33 . A pair of rear reinforcement members  41  is also provided in the rear end of the roll cage  30 . Each rear reinforcement member  41  is connected between the rear arm  37  and one of the rear left and right arms  33 . It is contemplated that the support members  40  and the reinforcement members  39 ,  41  could be omitted. 
         [0058]    The lateral arms  36  connect the forward and rearward portions of the roll cage  30 . Each of the left and right side support structures  31  is formed as two pieces joined together by complementary flanges  42  riveted to each other. The connection  42  between the forward and rearward portion of the each side support structure  31  is made along the lateral arm  36  forward of the location where the reinforcement member  39  is connected thereto. The front left arm  32  and the rear left arm  33  are each integrally formed with the respective forward and rearward portions of the left lateral arm  36 . Similarly, the front right arm  32  and the rear right arm  33  are each integrally formed with the respective forward and rearward portions of the right lateral arm  36 . It is contemplated that each side support structure  31  of the roll cage  30  could be formed as a single integral piece or as more than two pieces. 
         [0059]    The upper portion of the roll cage  30 , generally defined by the left and right lateral arms  36 , the front arm  38  and the rear arm  37 , slopes downwards towards the forward end  5  of the vehicle  10 . The front left and right arms  31  slope forward and downward from the upper portion of the roll cage  30 . The rear left and right arms  33  extend rearward and downward from the upper portion of the roll cage  30  but in the lower portion of the roll cage  30 , the arms  33  bend forward and downward to their lower ends  35  connected to the frame  12 . It is contemplated that the upper portion of the roll cage  30  could not slope forward and downward. It is contemplated that the roll cage  30  could have a structure other than as shown in the illustrated embodiment, with an upper portion extending generally horizontally. 
         [0060]    With reference now to  FIGS. 2 to 8 , the top  50  will be described in more detail. 
         [0061]    The rigid cover  52  is disposed over the forward portion of the roll cage  30 . The rigid cover  52  has a top surface  57 , a bottom surface  58 , left and right sides  59 , a front end  63  and a rear end  65 . The rigid cover  52  is made of plastic HMWPE BA 50-100. It is contemplated that the rigid cover  52  could be made of any suitable material. 
         [0062]    As best seen in  FIGS. 3B and 8 , the front end  63  of the rigid cover  52  is disposed forward of the front arm  38  and the forwardmost point  31   a  of the upper portion of the roll cage  30 . The left and right lateral arms  36  are disposed along the inner edge of the sides  59  of the rigid cover  52 . The rear end  65  of the rigid cover  52  is disposed rearward of the front arm  38  of the roll cage  30 . 
         [0063]    With reference to  FIGS. 2 to 4 , the top surface  57  of the rigid cover  52  slopes downward and forward towards the front end  63 . The front end  63  and the sides  59  of the rigid cover  52  extend downward from the top surface  57 . This configuration helps to direct rain and snow off the top surface, away from the riders seated in the cockpit area  22  underneath, and in some situations, also helps to more effectively shade the riders from the sun. 
         [0064]    With reference to  FIGS. 5 and 8 , the rigid cover  52  is rigidly attached to the roll cage  30  by clamps  60  and  62 . As best seen in  FIG. 8 , the clamps  60  fix the middle portion of the rigid cover  52  to the front arm  38 , and the clamps  62  fix the rear portion  64  of the rigid cover  52  to the left and right lateral arms  36 . The clamps  60  and  62 , bolted to the bottom surface  58  of the rigid cover  52 , can be removed with the aid of a screwdriver to remove the rigid cover  52  from the vehicle  10 . The rigid cover  52  can similarly be reinstalled when desired/needed. 
         [0065]    An accessory bar  56  is attached to the top surface  57  of the rigid cover  52  to facilitate the mounting of accessories on the top  50 . The accessory bar  56  is formed of hollow metal tubes but it is contemplated that it could be made of other suitable material. 
         [0066]    The accessory bar  56  extends upwards from the top surface  57  of the rigid cover  52 . The accessory bar  56  is bolted to the bottom surface  58  (as best seen in  FIG. 8 ) of the rigid cover  52 . Wires and other such connections needed for operation of the vehicle accessories mounted on the rigid cover  52  can be extended through the hollow metal tubes of the accessory bar  56 . 
         [0067]    The accessory bar  56  includes an inverted U-shaped bar  56   a  connected to the rigid cover  52  longitudinally forward of the front arm  38 . Two rear support bars  56   b  extend rearward from the U-bar  56   a  to connect to the rigid cover  52  rearward of the front arm  38 . It is contemplated that the accessory bar  56  could have a different structure. It is also contemplated that the accessory bar could be formed integrally with the rigid cover  52 . 
         [0068]    The accessory bar  56  of the illustrated embodiment can be selectively installed when or where needed, and based upon the preferences of the riders. It is contemplated that vehicle accessories could also be attached to the rigid cover  52  directly and/or by means other than the accessory bar  56 . It is contemplated that the accessory bar  56  could be omitted. 
         [0069]    As best seen in  FIGS. 5 , and  7 A to  7 C, the top surface  57  of the rigid cover  52  is discontinuous. A rear portion  64  of the top surface  57 , extending rearward of the accessory bar  56  is disposed vertically lower than the top surface  57  just forward of the rear portion  64 . It is contemplated that the top surface  57  of the rigid cover  52  could be continuous and that the top surface  57  of the rear portion  64  could not be disposed vertically lower than the top surface  57  just forward of the accessory bar  56 . 
         [0070]    With reference to  FIGS. 1 to 4 , the flexible cover  54  is attached to the rear portion  64  of the rigid cover  52 . An adaptor  66  attaches a front end  71  of the flexible cover  54  to the rear end  64  of the rigid cover  52 , as will be described below. The adaptor  66  extends laterally along the top surface  57  of the rigid cover  52 , between the sides  59 . 
         [0071]    With reference to  FIGS. 7B and 7C , the adaptor  66  has a C-shaped portion  67  which retains the flexible cover  54  and a portion  68  that is riveted to the rigid cover  52 . The opening of the C-shaped portion  67  is disposed facing forwardly and the portion  68  extends rearwardly from the C-shaped portion  67 . The front end  71  of the flexible cover  54  forms a loop  72 . The looped end  72  of the flexible cover  54  is inserted inside the C-shaped portion  67  of the adaptor  66 . A rod  74 , having a diameter larger than the opening of the C-shaped portion  67 , is inserted inside the loop  72  to retain the looped front end  72  of the flexible cover  54  inside the C-shaped portion  67  of the adaptor  66 . The rod  74  is prevented from sliding laterally out of the adaptor  66  by friction. It is contemplated that the ends of the loop  72  extending outside the C-shaped portion  67  on the left and right sides could be plied and sewed to form a bulge, thereby preventing the rod  74  held inside the loop  72  from sliding out. It is contemplated that a tube or a rope could be used instead of the rod  74  to retain the looped front end  72  in the C-shaped portion  67 . The adaptor  66  is made of aluminum, although it is contemplated that it could be made of any suitable material. 
         [0072]    The flexible cover  54  has the front end  71  mentioned above, a rear end  73  opposite to the front end  71 , and left and right sides  75  each extending between the front and rear ends  71 ,  73 . The front and rear ends  71 ,  73  of the flexible cover define its length. The flexible cover  54  is made of solution dyed 600D polyester. It is contemplated that the flexible cover  54  could be made of any suitable material. 
         [0073]    The rear end  73  extends downwards from the rear arm  37 , just below the rear reinforcement arm  41  of the roll cage  30 . The rear end  73  extends lower at the corners near the rear left and rear right arms  33  than in the middle between the arms  33 . 
         [0074]    Each of the left and right sides  75  extends downwards below the respective left and right lateral arms  36  of the roll cage  30 . The sides  75  extend lower in the rearward portion near the rear end  73  than in the forward portion near the front end  71 . 
         [0075]    It is contemplated that the flexible cover  54  could extend lower or higher than as shown along the rear end  73 , and along the left and right sides  75 . It is contemplated that the downwardly extending rear end and sides  73 ,  75  could be omitted and that the flexible cover  54  could have only a horizontally extending portion between its front and rear ends  71 ,  73  and left and right sides  75 . 
         [0076]    With reference to  FIG. 2 ,  3 A and  4 , the flexible cover  54  has an open configuration where the flexible cover  54  extends across the cockpit area  22  to the rear of the roll cage  30  where the rear end  73  of the flexible cover  54  is fastened to the roll cage  30 . 
         [0077]    When the riders wish to leave the cockpit area  22  uncovered, the flexible cover  54  can be placed in a storage configuration as shown in  FIG. 3B . In the storage configuration, the rear end  73  of the flexible cover  54  is detached from the roll cage  30  and the flexible cover  54  is rolled from the rear towards the front. The rolled-up flexible cover  54  is tucked in under the front end  73  and secured against the rigid cover  52  for storage. It is contemplated that the rolled-up flexible cover  54  could be placed above the front end  71  and secured against the rigid cover  52  for storage. It is also contemplated that the flexible cover  54  could be folded instead of being rolled-up in the storage configuration. 
         [0078]    The rolled-up flexible cover  54  is supported on the top surface  57  of the rear portion  64  and does not extend substantially above the top surface  57  of the rigid cover  52  just forward of the rear portion  64 . The top  50  therefore appears to have a generally level top surface even with the flexible cover  54  being rolled up in the storage configuration. 
         [0079]    Although the rigid cover  52  is also removable, it is typically left in place without causing any inconvenience to the riders as it is disposed only over the front portion of the cockpit area  22 . Conveniently as well for the riders, with this configuration of the rigid cover  52 , it is not necessary to remove any accessories that may be mounted on the rigid cover  52 , either on the accessory bar  56  or elsewhere on the rigid cover  52 . At the same time, such a configuration of the top  50  allows the cockpit area  22  to be quickly and easily covered or uncovered as needed by changing the flexible cover  54  between the open and storage configuration. As the top  50  remains fixed above the roll cage  30  even when it is not being used, the existing limited storage space (such as the cargo box  11 ) of the vehicle is not used up, and no additional storage space, specifically configured to fit the top  50  or any portion of the top  50 , need be provided on the vehicle  10 . 
         [0080]    As best seen in  FIGS. 2 to 3B , a strap  76  is attached at each of the left and right corners of the front end  71  of the flexible cover  54  (only the left side strap  76  is seen in the Figures). Each of the left and right straps  76  extends around the corresponding side  59  of the rigid cover  52  and the corresponding lateral left and right arm  36  to secure the flexible cover  54  against the rear portion  64  of the rigid cover  52  and the roll cage  30 . 
         [0081]    The straps  76  are adjustable straps that can be tightened or loosened as needed i.e. the strap lengths can be adjusted by pulling on the end of the strap (not shown) inserted through a buckle (not shown). In the open configuration ( FIG. 3A ) the straps  76  are pulled short to tightly secure the front end  72  of the flexible cover  54  against the rear portion  64  of the rigid cover  52 . In the storage configuration ( FIG. 3B ), straps  76  are slightly lengthened to secure the left and right ends of the rolled-up flexible cover  54 , tucked under the front end  71 , against the rear portion  64  of the rigid cover  52 . It is contemplated that the straps  76  could be elastic straps that could stretch to secure the roll-up flexible cover  54  against the rigid cover  52 . 
         [0082]    A strap  70  (as best seen in  FIGS. 4 and 8 ) is attached to bottom surface  58  of the rear portion  64  of the rigid cover  52 . The strap  70  secures the middle portion of the rolled-up flexible cover  54  to the rigid cover  52  when the flexible cover  54  is placed in a storage configuration. 
         [0083]    As best seen in  FIG. 4 , a strap  80  is attached to each of the left and right corners of the rear end  73  of the flexible cover  54 . The straps  80  fasten the flexible cover  54  to the rear end of the roll cage  30 . In the storage configuration, the straps  80  are held inside the rolled up flexible cover  54 . Each strap  80  has a hook-and-loop fastener band  81  and an adjustable strap  82  attaching the hook-and-loop fastener band  81  to the flexible cover  54 . The hook-and-loop fastener band  81  attaches to the corresponding rear left and rear right arm  33  just below the corresponding rear reinforcement arm  41 . The flexible cover  54  can be tightened by pulling on the strap  82  to shorten it. The hook-and-loop fastener band  81  is prevented from sliding upwards along the rear left and rear right arm  33  by the rear reinforcement arm  41  extending outward therefrom. 
         [0084]    It is contemplated that the rear end  73  of the flexible cover  54  could be attached to the rear arm  37  and/or the rear reinforcement arm  41  of the roll cage  30  instead of, or in addition to, the rear left and rear right arm  33  as shown in the illustrated embodiment. It is also contemplated that the rear end  73  of the flexible cover  54  could be attached to the roll cage  30  by other suitable means. It is contemplated that the flexible cover  54  could be made of stretchable material that stretches to fit around the roll cage  30  when in an open configuration. 
         [0085]    It is also contemplated that additional straps could be provided on the flexible cover  54 , for example, along the sides between the front and rear ends  71 ,  73  to secure the flexible cover  54  to the roll cage  30 . It is contemplated that the flexible cover  54  could have other partially open configurations between the open and closed configurations of  FIGS. 3A and 3B  where it covers a portion of the cockpit area  22 . It is also contemplated that the rigid cover could be attached at the rear end of the roll cage  30 , and the flexible cover  54  could extends towards the front therefrom. 
         [0086]    Modifications and improvements to the above-described embodiments of the present invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art. The foregoing description is intended to be exemplary rather than limiting. The scope of the present invention is therefore intended to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.