Abstract:
A clamping arrangement for removably securing an elongated header for a vehicle soft top to the windshield frame of a sport utility or other vehicle. The arrangement includes first and second clamp sections. The first section is fixedly attached to the header and the second section is pivotally mounted or otherwise movable relative to the first. The first clamp section includes a downwardly open hook portion that is positionable over a catch member of a footman loop mounted to the main body of the windshield frame. In operation of the preferred embodiment, the second clamp section engages the main body of the windshield wherein the first section and attached header are then rotated forwardly about the axis of the catch member. This forces or drives the header downwardly against the sealing cap on the top of the windshield frame where it is then secured in place.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to the field of clamping arrangements for removably securing headers to the windshield frames of sport utility and other vehicles and more particularly to the field of such clamping arrangements for headers of frameless soft tops. 
         [0003]    2. Discussion of the Background 
         [0004]    Headers are widely used to removably attach tops including soft tops to the windshield frames of sport utility and other vehicles. In most cases, the header is removably secured to the windshield frame by manually operated clamps or latches. A very common way of doing so involves providing a protruding loop member on the windshield frame and hooking an arm of the clamp under the loop member. The base of the clamp is fixed to the header and as the clamp is closed, the header is drawn downwardly into engagement with the top of the windshield frame. In other arrangements such as in U.S. Pat. No. 6,932,423 at its  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the arm of the clamp is hooked under an edge of a recess in the windshield frame rather than under a protruding loop member. However, the basic operation is otherwise essentially the same. 
         [0005]    In both such arrangements, the closing action of the clamp draws the header downwardly into engagement with the top of the windshield frame also creates an undesirable rearward rotational force on the header. This rotational force tends to rock or pivot the header rearwardly on the windshield frame, reducing the effectiveness of the weather seal between them. In some cases, the rotational force may actually lift and separate the front of the header from the windshield frame creating a gap into which dust, water, and other elements may penetrate and collect. In addition to these sealing problems, the esthetic look or lines between the header and windshield frame may also be detrimentally affected giving the impression the members are poorly designed or misfit. Further, with soft tops in particular, the fabric of the top may then be looser than desired detracting from the top&#39;s overall neat and taut appearance and causing the soft top to flap or otherwise create wind noise. 
         [0006]    The most pronounced problems caused by such prior art clamps and the rearward rotational forces on the header they create are with frameless soft tops. That is, if the soft top has an underlying frame, the frame is normally affixed to the header and pivotally or otherwise mounted to the body of the vehicle. Such mountings to the vehicle body are typically more than strong enough to counter any rearward rotational force on the header by the manual clamps. The header engagement with the top of the windshield frame is then nearly ideal with a strong weather seal and a trim fit. However, with frameless soft tops, the rearward rotational forces created by conventional clamping arrangements remain a problem. 
         [0007]    With these and other drawbacks in mind, the present invention was developed. In it, a clamping arrangement is provided that creates a forward rather than a rearward rotational force on the header. The forward rotational force then actually enhances the weather seal and fit between the header and the windshield frame. This is advantageous for all soft tops whether or not they have a frame. However, it is particularly desirable for frameless soft tops to help maintain the seal of their header against the windshield frame and their overall clean and taut appearance. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    This invention involves a clamping arrangement for removably securing an elongated header for a vehicle soft top to the windshield frame of a sport utility or other vehicle. The arrangement includes first and second clamp sections. The first section is fixedly attached to the header and the second section is pivotally mounted or otherwise movable relative to the first. The first clamp section includes a downwardly open hook portion that is positionable over a catch member of a footman loop mounted to the main body of the windshield frame. The catch member is spaced from the main body of the windshield frame and preferably extends along a substantially horizontal axis. 
         [0009]    In operation of the preferred embodiment and with the catch member received in the downwardly open hook portion and the hook portion extending over both the catch member and its axis, the second clamp section is manipulated to engage the main body of the windshield frame. This movement of the second clamp section in the preferred embodiment is in a first rotational direction (e.g., clockwise) generally about the axis of the catch member. Once the second clamp section engages the windshield frame, further closing of the arrangement will rotate the first clamp section and attached header in an opposite direction (e.g., counterclockwise) about the axis of the catch member. This will force or drive the header downwardly against the sealing cap on the top of the windshield frame where it will be secured in place. 
         [0010]    In this manner, a forward torque or rotational force is created by the clamping arrangement on the header that presses or biases the header against the windshield frame and its sealing cap. This forward rotational force actually enhances the seal between the header and windshield frame. It also helps to align the header on the windshield as intended for a trim fit as well as giving the attached soft top the desired neat and taut appearance. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a sport utility vehicle with a soft top according to the present invention covering the cabin area. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the soft top and vehicle of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a view similar to  FIG. 2  with the soft top shown in its secured position on the vehicle. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a view essentially from the driver&#39;s seat looking up at the front left corner of the vehicle showing a prior art clamping arrangement used to secure a soft top header to the vehicle windshield. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4  but showing the prior art clamp in its open position initially engaging the windshield. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 5  showing the undesirable rearward rotation of the header relative to the vehicle windshield that can occur due to the operation of the prior art clamp. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 7-9  illustrate another prior art clamping arrangement in views similar to  FIGS. 4-6 . 
           [0018]      FIGS. 10-14  sequentially illustrate how the clamping arrangement of the present invention secures the header to the windshield frame in a manner that creates a forward rotational force on the header rather than a rearward one as in the prior art approaches of  FIGS. 4-9 . 
           [0019]      FIGS. 15-18  sequentially illustrate a second embodiment of the clamping arrangement of the present invention that also creates a forward rotational force on the header rather than a rearward one as in the prior art approaches of  FIGS. 4-9 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]      FIG. 1  illustrates a vehicle  1  with a soft top  2  according to the present invention secured to the vehicle  1  over the cabin area  3 . In use, the soft top  2  can be easily and quickly removed ( FIG. 2 ) or attached ( FIG. 3 ) in place above the cabin area  3 . In the position of  FIG. 3 , the illustrated soft top  2  extends from side-to-side between the members  9  of the safety bar arrangement of  FIG. 2  and from front-to-back between the windshield frame  11  and the member  23  of the safety bar arrangement. The member  23  in this regard is immediately behind the driver&#39;s and passenger&#39;s seats  25  and  27 . In mounting the soft top  2  on the vehicle  1  as seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the main body  4  of the elongated header  6  attached to the soft top  2  is releasably secured by clamping arrangements  8  to the windshield frame  11  of the vehicle  1 . 
         [0021]    In prior art approaches such as the one illustrated in  FIGS. 4-6 , the soft top header  60  to which the fabric  100  (e.g., canvas, vinyl) of the top  20  is attached (e.g., by screws, snaps, or adhesives) is commonly secured to the windshield frame  111  by clamping arrangements such as  80 . The prior art clamping arrangement  80  as shown essentially has a first clamp section  80 , ( FIG. 5 ) fixedly attached to the header  60  and a second clamp section  80 ″ pivotally mounted to the first clamp section  80 ′. In operation, the second clamp section or arm  80 ″ is hooked at  84  under the upper edge  91  of the recess  93  in the windshield frame  111 . The clamp handle  80 ′″ is then manipulated to the lowered position of  FIG. 6  to close the clamping arrangement  80  and bring the header  60  into tight engagement with the windshield frame  111  at its seal  111 ′. In doing so, an undesirable rearward rotational problem can occur as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0022]    More specifically, this illustrated problem of  FIG. 6  can develop because the clamp assemblies  80  used to releasably secure the header  60  to the vehicle windshield  111  create a rearward torque or rotational force F (see  FIG. 6 ). The rearward rotational force F in turn tends to lift or rotate the main body  40  of the header  60  relative to the windshield  111  and its seal  111 ′. This rotation is generally about an axis or location  118  (see  FIG. 6 ) and not only can compromise the seal between the main body  40  of the header  60  and the windshield sealing cap  111 ′ but also may even cause a distinct separation or crack to appear such as  119  in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0023]    The resulting drawbacks of such rearward rotation (even if only slight) can be quite significant from both an appearance standpoint and a structural one. As for example, the rotation tends to create an undesirable dip and looseness in the fabric portion  100  of the top  20  ( FIG. 6 ). This can greatly detract from the desired neat and taut appearance of the top  20 . Additionally, this looseness or slack can cause the fabric  100  to flutter when the vehicle  1  is driven creating undesirable cabin noise. Structurally, as previously mentioned, the rotation of the header  60  in  FIG. 6  can compromise the normal seal between the main body  40  of the header  60  and the sealing cap  111 ′ of the windshield  111 . This in turn can allow water, dust, and air to actually enter the cabin onto the occupants in the vehicle  1  as well as create whistling noises when the vehicle  1  is driven. 
         [0024]    The same rearward rotation problem occurs in other prior art clamping arrangements such as  90  in  FIGS. 7-9 . In contrast to the prior art arrangement  80  of  FIGS. 4-6 , the prior art clamping arrangement  90  of  FIGS. 7-9  hooks its clamp arm  90 ′ at  94  ( FIG. 8 ) under a catch member  13  of the footman loop  15  (see also  FIG. 7 ). The footman loop  15  as shown protrudes from the main body  111 ″ of the windshield  111 . Otherwise, the prior art clamping arrangement  90  operates essentially in the same manner as the arrangement  80  of  FIGS. 4-6 , including creating the undesirable rearward torque or rotational force F tending to rock or lift the header  60  as in  FIG. 9 . 
         [0025]    To overcome these problems, the clamping arrangement  8  of the present invention was developed. In it as illustrated in  FIGS. 10-14 , a clamping arrangement  8  is provided that creates a forward rotational force F′ ( FIGS. 13 and 14 ) on the header  6  rather than a rearward one as in the prior art approaches. The forward rotational force F′ then actually enhances the weather seal and fit of  FIG. 14  between the header  6  at its main body  4  and the windshield frame  11  at its sealing member  11 ′. As discussed above, this design is particularly advantageous for frameless soft tops and other tops that do not have a stiff frame or other structure to counter the rearward rotational force created by the prior art clamps. 
         [0026]    More specifically as illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the clamping arrangement  8  of the present invention has a first clamp section  8 ′ fixedly attached to the header  6  and a second clamp section  8 ″. The second clamp section  8 ″ as shown in  FIG. 10  is mounted at  16  to the first clamp section  81  for pivotal movement relative thereto between the open position of  FIG. 10  and the closed position of  FIG. 14 . The first clamp section  8 ′ ( FIG. 10 ) has a downwardly open hook portion  18 . The hook portion  18  as shown is spaced from the main body  4  of the header  6  that engages the windshield frame  11  including its seal  11 ′ ( FIG. 14 ). 
         [0027]    In operation, the header  6  is first manually manipulated from the position of  FIGS. 10 and 11  to the position of  FIG. 12 . In the position of  FIG. 12 , the downwardly open hook portion  18  extends over the catch member  13  of the footman loop  15  that protrudes from the main body  11 , of the windshield frame  11 . The catch member  13  is then received ( FIG. 12 ) in the downwardly open hook portion  18  with the header portion  4  adjacent the windshield frame  11 . The catch member  13  establishes the substantially horizontal pivotal axis  17  and is preferably an elongated bar extending along the axis  17 . The pivotal axis  17  is fixed relative to the windshield frame  11  and in the position of  FIG. 12 , the hook portion  18  extends over both the catch member  13  and the axis  17 . The part  181  of the hook portion  18  as in  FIG. 12  is also positioned between the catch member  13  and the main body  11 ″ of the windshield frame  11 . In this manner, the hook portion  18  essentially straddles the catch member  13  in the illustrated embodiment. 
         [0028]    The clamp lever  24  can then be manipulated to move or drive the second clamp section  811  generally about the axis  17  ( FIG. 12 ) to engage the brace member  26  of the second clamp section  811  with the windshield frame  11  ( FIG. 13 ). In doing so, the second clamp section  8 ″ is moved or driven as shown in a rotational direction R (e.g., clockwise in the orientation of  FIGS. 12 and 13 ) about the pivotal axis  16  of the clamp  8  to engage the windshield frame  11 . This pivotal movement of the second clamp section  8 ″ is also generally about the pivotal axis  17  of the catch member  13 . In turn, the header  6  is forced or driven in an opposite rotational direction R′ (counterclockwise in  FIGS. 12 and 13 ) about the axis  17  of the catch member  13  toward the brace member  26  to engage the header portion  4  with the windshield frame  11  ( FIG. 13 ). The clamp lever  24  can then be further moved to its overcenter position of  FIG. 14  to secure the header  6  to the windshield  11  in a fixed relationship. In this fixed or secured position, the header portion  4  is engaged and pressed or biased under a force F′ against the windshield frame  11  including its seal  11 ′ and main body  11 ″. 
         [0029]    It is noted that the fabric  10  of the soft top  2  can be wrapped about the header portion  4  as illustrated or not so wrapped and the windshield frame  11  can be provided with any number of designs of sealing caps at  11 ′ or none at all. The header portion  4  may then engage the main body  11 ″ of the windshield  11  directly in the sense of an abutting relationship or engage in a manner with other structure such as the fabric top  10  or seal  11 ′ pressed or pinched therebetween as in  FIGS. 12-14 . The hooking of the first clamp section  8 ′ has also been illustrated in  FIGS. 10-14  as being over an elongated catch or bar member  13  of a footman loop  15 . However, it could also hook over the lower edge or catch member  91 ′ of a recess such as  93  in the windshield frame  111  of  FIG. 6  or other catch structure including a more circular loop (e.g., eyebolt). Additionally, the soft top  2  could have other designs than those illustrated covering all or other portions of the vehicle  1 . Further, the clamping arrangement of the present invention as discussed above has particular value for frameless soft tops that are essentially or predominately attached to the windshield frame by the clamps  8 . However, the invention also has desirable applications to soft tops with frames and other tops or accessories attachable to the windshield frame to reduce or eliminate the undesirable rearward torque created by prior art approaches. 
         [0030]      FIGS. 15-18  illustrate a second embodiment of the present invention in which the first clamp section  8 ′ is still hooked at  18  over the catch or bar member  13  ( FIGS. 17 and 18 ). However, the second clamp section  8 ″ of this embodiment can be physically separable as in  FIG. 15  from the first clamp section  8 ′ if desired. In operation, the threaded bolt  30  of the second clamp section  8 ″ can be passed between the legs  19  of the footman loop  15  (see  FIGS. 15 and 16 ) into the threaded nut  32  on the header  6  ( FIG. 17 ). Tightening of the bolt  30  will then engage the plate  34  against the footman loop  15  forcing or drawing the header  6  along the axis  36  toward the second clamp section  8 ″. This action as in the first embodiment will create a forward rotational force F′ ( FIG. 17 ) driving or causing the header  6  and first clamp section  8 ′ affixed thereto to rotate about the catch member  13  and axis  17  to engage the header portion  4  and windshield  11 . Further tightening of the bolt  30  to the position of  FIG. 18  will then secure the header portion  4  in a fixed relationship. In this fixed or secured position as in the first embodiment, the header portion  4  is engaged and pressed or biased under a force F′ against the windshield frame  11  including its seal  11 ′ and main body  11 ″. 
         [0031]    The bolt  30  in this second embodiment could be off to one side of the footman loop  15  if desired. Either way, it will still create the rotation and forward force F′ on the header  6  as the header portion  4  is forced or drawn along the axis  36  of the bolt  30  to engage the windshield frame  11 . The bolt axis  36  in this regard as illustrated in  FIGS. 17 and 18  is spaced from and substantially perpendicular to the pivotal axis  17 . The axis  36  is also forward of the axis  17  of the catch member  13  and substantially between the pivotal axis  17  and the windshield frame  11 . 
         [0032]    The above disclosure sets forth a number of embodiments of the present invention described in detail with respect to the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in this art will appreciate that various changes, modifications, other structural arrangements, and other embodiments could be practiced under the teachings of the present invention without departing from the scope of this invention as set forth in the following claims.