Abstract:
A zipper less removable window system having removable windows for use with a foldable, stowable roof for a vehicle. A plurality of attachment devices of the zipper less removable window system connect the windows to the foldable, stowable roof and to the vehicle without the use of zippers. The operator zipper effort caused by traditional windows is thereby eliminated and misalignment issues present with traditional zippered windows is eliminated or reduced. The stress placed on the portions of the windows connectable to the foldable roof during installation and removal, including around curved portions of the removable window, is eliminated or reduced.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/804,471, filed Mar. 22, 2013. The disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is directed to a window attachment system suited for selectively connecting removable windows to a foldable roof of a foldable, stowable roof. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Foldable stowable roof tops are commonly used in sport-utility vehicles for recreational purposes. The foldable roof is typically moved between a stowed position, and a deployed position. When in the deployed position, the foldable roof protects the occupants of the vehicle from various weather conditions. The foldable roof also includes various sections which are made of a clear material to essentially function as a window, allowing the occupant of the vehicle to see outside of the vehicle. It is also sometimes desirable to open these clear window sections when weather conditions are favorable, but the occupant(s) of the vehicle may not desire to change the foldable roof to the stowed position. 
         [0004]    Because these window sections are also foldable and/or removable, typical window crank devices and electric motors used for opening and closing a window made of glass (which is rigid and not foldable) are not suitable for use with a foldable roof. Therefore, other methods of opening the foldable window have been developed. 
         [0005]    One of these methods is a zipper which is typically one continuous zipper that surrounds all sides of the window but one. The one side of the window which is not surrounded by the zipper is the foldable side, allowing the window to be folded from the closed to the open position. One of the drawbacks to this type of design is that typical zippers are designed for connecting two sheets of material along a substantially straight surface. These zippers are difficult to align and misalignment results in higher zipper effort. In addition, both sides of the zipper are in the same plane and the difference between the radius of the outer window connected to the zipper and the radius of the foldable roof connected to the zipper is typically the width of the zipper. This makes the zipper difficult to use around the corners of the window because there is an imbalanced amount of stress placed on the portion of the zipper connected to the window and the portion of the zipper connected to the foldable roof. Another one of the drawbacks is that the window is not removable, which necessitates clear, foldable, window sections that must be folded and secured out of the way taking up space within the vehicle and can create noise from vibrating in the wind when the vehicle is moving. 
         [0006]    Another of these methods for opening the window is employing a removable window. Current soft windows are attached to the soft top via zippers. These prove to be quite cumbersome to use. It is difficult to align the zipper end into the box end of the corresponding zipper on the soft top. Secondly, the zipper can be difficult to close and/or open as the efforts can be quite high due to zipper misalignment between the soft top and window assembly. This is caused by manufacturing issues and/or tolerances such as in alignment during the sewing process that is used to attach the zippers to the soft top and windows. Misalignment can cause the zipper teeth to skip thereby making the zipping motion efforts high. Any variation of the zipper alignment can result in higher zipper efforts around at least the upper rear corner where the curved portion of the window is connectable to the roof resulting in installation difficulty of the window. Another issue from zipper teeth skipping and/or misalignment of zipper halfs is that this can cause the window to not be closed all the way resulting in gaps where water and air can enter the vehicle. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, there exists a need for removable windows including zipper less attachments which are suitable for providing a selective connection between a foldable roof and the removable windows having various straight and curved areas. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention is directed to a zipper less removable window assembly having window attachment devices for eliminating zippers for use with a foldable, stowable roof for a vehicle, where the foldable roof includes one or more removable windows made of a plastic material such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The window attachment devices are easier to use and reduce the stress/effort caused by conventional zippers which are difficult to operate. 
         [0009]    The foldable, stowable roof is connected to a vehicle, and has at least one curved portion and at least one straight portion. Additionally, the removable window is also connected to the vehicle, and the removable window has at least one curved portion and at least one straight portion. The curved portion of the foldable, stowable roof generally corresponds to the shape of the curved portion of the removable window. The removable window comprises a plurality of attachment devices selectively connecting the foldable, stowable roof to the removable window. Each of the plurality of attachment devices is zipper less and has a first half connected to the foldable, stowable roof and a second half connected to the removable window. The plurality of window attachment devices connect the left side quarter window, right side quarter window, and rear window to the vehicle and the foldable, stowable roof. 
         [0010]    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 the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is an elevation view of a first half of a zipper on a deck side strip connected to a foldable roof used for a window; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is an elevation view of a second half of the zipper connected to a quarter window used for connecting the window to the deck side strip/foldable roof of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the first half of the zipper of  FIG. 1  connected to the second half of the zipper of  FIG. 2  along a straight portion; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a rear side perspective view of a curved portion of the quarter window and the foldable roof of  FIGS. 1-3  showing the zipper as it nears the curved portion as the zipper is zipped closed; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a schematic for a vehicle incorporating zipper less removable windows, for selectively connecting a foldable roof and removable windows, according to the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged sectional view taken along section A-A of  FIG. 5 , according to the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged sectional view taken along section B-B of  FIG. 5 , according to the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged sectional view taken along section C-C of  FIG. 5 , according to the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a schematic for the vehicle of  FIG. 5  incorporating zipper less removable quarter and rear windows, for selectively connecting a foldable roof and the removable windows showing additional cross sections, according to the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is an enlarged sectional view taken along section D-D of  FIG. 9 , according to the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is an enlarged sectional view taken along section E-E of  FIG. 9 , according to the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is an enlarged sectional view taken along section F-F of  FIG. 9 , according to the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is a rear right side perspective view of a rear window carrier slid onto a rear deck valance, according to the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  is a front side perspective view of a quarter window carrier slid onto the deck side strip, according to the present invention; and 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  is a rear left side perspective view of an installed rear window and a quarter window connected to the foldable roof, according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0027]    The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. 
         [0028]    Referring generally to  FIGS. 1-4 , a typical zipper, shown generally at  10 , is connected to a deck side strip/foldable roof  12  and a window  14 , e.g., a quarter window. Such conventional windows with zippers are problematic. The zipper  10  can be connected to the foldable roof  12  and the window  14  by a first seam of a first half  16  and can be connected to the window  14  through the use of a second seam of a second half  18 . The zipper start location is critical in relation to the corresponding start on the window and yet variation is common such as at least +/−10 millimeters of variation. This is caused by sewing tolerances during manufacturing and other manufacturing issues. In addition, the placement of the zipper  10  on the deck side strip is critical to the corresponding zipper half on the window  14  and yet variation is common such as at least +/−10 millimeters of variation. Another issue with typical zipper systems is that the alignment of the zipper to the quarter window  14  can vary, such as at least +/−5 millimeters of variation, and does not align perfectly with a “V” notch indicator in the window fabric reinforcement. In particular, there is misalignment with the second seam/zipper and the concentric window fabric reinforcement in the corner area of the window  14 .  FIG. 1  illustrates a conventional first half  16  of a zipper on a foldable roof  12  having a zipper start location that can vary by at least +/−5 mm from the edge.  FIG. 2  illustrates a conventional second half  18  of a zipper on a window  14  having a zipper start location that can vary by at least +/−5 mm. 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  illustrates installation of the window  14  zipper start into the deck side box end of the foldable roof  12 . This can be difficult, compounded by the variations and misalignment of these features, resulting in the zipper teeth to skipping, thereby making the zipper  10  motion efforts high. Further, any variations of the zipper manufacturing alignment can result in high zipper  10  efforts around the corner portions, e.g., around the upper rear corner depicted in  FIG. 4 , shown generally at  20 , resulting in installation difficulty of the window  14 . 
         [0030]    Referring generally to  FIGS. 5-15 , there is provided a zipper less removable window assembly, shown generally at  100 , connected to a vehicle  11 . The zipper less removable window assembly  100  includes a plurality of removable windows, shown generally at  102 , having a plurality of window attachments, where the plurality of removable windows  102  includes a rear window  104 , a left quarter window  106 , and a right quarter window  108 . The plurality of window attachments allows for selectively connecting the plurality of removable windows  102  to a foldable, stowable roof when it is desired to close off the vehicle interior from the outside environment. 
         [0031]    Referring more particularly to  FIG. 5  is a schematic incorporating a foldable, stowable roof  110  connected to the zipper less removable window assembly  100  without the use of zippers. The plurality of removable windows  102  are connectable to the foldable, stowable roof  110  and to the vehicle  11  using the plurality of window attachments having no zippers. 
         [0032]    Referring more particularly to  FIG. 6 ,  FIG. 6  is an enlarged sectional view taken along section A-A of  FIG. 5  depicting the left quarter window  106  coupled to the foldable, stowable roof  110 . The left quarter window  106  is a zipper less removable window that connects to the vehicle and connects to the top deck  110   a  curved area of the foldable, stowable roof  110  and connects to a deck side strip  116 . The left quarter window  106  has a quarter window glass  112 , most preferably, made of PVC. A quarter window carrier  114  is connected along the upper longitudinal edge of the quarter window glass  112 . Most preferably, a longitudinal recess or notch  113  is provided in the quarter window carrier  114  and the quarter window glass  112  is affixed to one or more abutting surfaces in the recess, e.g., using adhesive and/or a film adhesive, most preferably, sewing and/or combinations thereof. Preferably, the quarter window carrier  114  is formed of molded plastic, e.g., composite material, reinforced fibers, etc. 
         [0033]    The quarter window carrier  114  has a first channel portion, shown generally at  115 , that is generally C-shaped. The first channel portion  115  is open on at least one end to slidably receive a bulb portion of a first ‘P’ welt retainer therein. A deck side strip  116  of fabric is connected to the top deck  110   a  of the foldable, stowable roof  110 , most preferably, sewn to the top deck  110   a  at one end, and is connected to the first ‘P’ welt retainer  118  toward the other end. The deck side strip  116  is wrapped around the first ‘P’ welt retainer  118  and connected thereto, e.g., using adhesive and/or, most preferably, sewing the first ‘P’ welt retainer  118  in a pocket formed by the deck side strip  116 . The first channel portion  115  of the quarter window carrier  114  is suitably sized to allow selective sliding of the elongated channel  115  along the length of the first ‘P’ welt retainer  118  and to retain the first ‘P’ welt retainer  118  longitudinally within the channel  115  while preventing undesirable lateral movement of the first ‘P’ welt retainer  118  out of the channel  115 , including, moving laterally out of the channel  115 . 
         [0034]    The quarter window carrier  114  further has a second channel portion  119  that is generally U-shaped forming an elongated open channel that is generally angled downward and outward from the first channel portion  115 . The end of the top deck  110   a  is connected to a top deck retainer  120  and binding top deck  122  portion. The top deck retainer  120  is selectively received within the second channel portion  119 . When it is desired to connect the quarter window glass  112  to the foldable, stowable roof  110 , the top deck  110   a  is folded down over the outward side of the quarter window carrier  114  and the top deck retainer  120  is snapped into the second channel portion  119 . When it is desired to remove the quarter window glass  112 , an operator disengages the top deck retainer  120  from the second channel portion  119 . Preferably, the quarter top deck retainer  120  is formed of molded plastic, e.g., composite material, reinforced fibers, etc. 
         [0035]    The right quarter window  108  and corresponding features are substantially mirror image to the left quarter window  106  and corresponding features. 
         [0036]    Referring more particularly to  FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 7  is an enlarged sectional view taken along section B-B of  FIG. 5  depicting the rear window  104  coupled to the foldable, stowable roof  110 . The rear window  104  is a zipper less removable window that connects to the vehicle and connects to a rear valence top deck  132  curved rear area of the rear top deck  110   b  of the foldable, stowable roof  110 . The rear window  104  also connects to a rear side strip  128 . The rear window  104  has a rear window glass  124 , most preferably, made of PVC. A rear window carrier  126  is connected along the upper longitudinal edge of the rear window glass  124 . Most preferably, a longitudinal recess or notch  125  is provided in the rear window carrier  126  and the rear window glass  124  is affixed to one or more abutting surfaces in the recess, e.g., using adhesive and/or a film adhesive. 
         [0037]    The rear window carrier  126  has a third channel portion, shown generally at  127 , that is generally C-shaped. The third channel portion  127  is open on at least one end to slidably receive a bulb portion of a second ‘P’ welt retain therein. The rear side strip  128  of fabric is connected to the rear top deck  110   b  of the foldable, stowable roof  110 , most preferably, sewn to the rear top deck  110   b  at one end, and is connected to the second ‘P’ welt retainer  130  toward the other end. The rear side strip  128  is wrapped around the second ‘P’ welt retainer  130  and connected thereto, e.g., using adhesive and/or sewing the second ‘P’ welt retainer  130  in a pocket formed by the rear side strip  128 . The third channel portion  127  of the rear window carrier  126  is suitably sized to allow selective sliding of the elongated channel  127  along the length of the second ‘P’ welt retainer  130  and to retain the second ‘P’ welt  130  longitudinally within the channel  127  while preventing undesirable lateral movement of the second ‘P’ welt retainer  130  out of the channel  127 , including, moving laterally out of the channel  127 . 
         [0038]    The end of the rear top deck  110   b  is connected to a rear valance top deck  132 . Most preferably, an end of the rear valance top deck  132  and an end of the rear side strip  128  are sandwiched between an end of the rear top deck  110   b  and a liner of the upper horizontal rear support bar of the vehicle, and connected together, e.g., sewn together. 
         [0039]    The rear window carrier  126  further has a fourth channel portion  134  that is generally U-shaped forming an elongated open channel that is generally angled downward and outward from the third channel portion  127 . The lower end of the rear valance top deck  132  is connected to a rear top deck retainer  136  and rear binding top deck  138  portion. The rear top deck retainer  136  is selectively received within the fourth channel portion  134 . When it is desired to connect the rear window glass  104  to the foldable, stowable roof  110 , the rear valance top deck  132  is folded down over the rearward side of the rear window carrier  126  and the rear top deck retainer  136  is snapped into the fourth channel portion  124 . When it is desired to remove the rear window glass  104 , an operator disengages the rear top deck retainer  134  from the fourth channel portion  134 . Preferably, the rear window carrier  126  and rear binding top deck  138  is formed of molded plastic, e.g., composite material, reinforced fibers, etc. 
         [0040]    Referring more particularly to  FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 8  is an enlarged sectional view taken along section C-C of  FIG. 5  depicting the left quarter rear window  106  coupled to the rear window  104  toward the left rear corner of the vehicle. A rear window side carrier  140  is connected along the vertical edge of the rear window glass  124 . Most preferably, an elongated recess or notch  141  is provided in the rear window side carrier  140  and the rear window glass  124  is affixed to one or more abutting surfaces in the recess, e.g., using adhesive and/or a film adhesive. The left quarter window  106  has a quarter window panel  144  of fabric connected to a rear quarter window retainer  142 . The rear quarter window retainer  142  is received in a fifth channel portion  143  formed in the rear window side carrier  140  that is generally U-shaped forming an elongated open channel to selectively receive and retain the elongated rear quarter window retainer  142  therein. Preferably, the rear window side carrier  140  and/or rear rear quarter window retainer  142  is formed of molded plastic, e.g., composite material, reinforced fibers, etc. 
         [0041]    The right hand side of the rear window  104  coupled to the right quarter window  108  and all of the corresponding features are substantially mirror image to the left quarter window  106  and corresponding features coupled to the rear window  104  and corresponding features depicted in  FIG. 8 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 9  is a schematic for the vehicle of  FIG. 5  identifying additional cross sections depicted in  FIGS. 10-12 . 
         [0043]    Referring more particularly to  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 10  is an enlarged sectional view taken along section D-D of  FIG. 9  depicting the left quarter rear window  106  coupled to a removable door rail  148 . This provides the vertical connection along the front leading edge of the left quarter window  106  adjacent the rear edge of the door of the vehicle. The quarter window panel  144  of the left quarter window  106  is wrapped around and connected to a front quarter window retainer  146 , e.g., using adhesive and/or sewing the front quarter window retainer  146  in a pocket formed by the quarter window panel  144  leading edge. The front quarter window retainer  146  is L-shaped and elongated. A sixth channel portion  145  that is in the removable door rail  148  that is generally U-shaped forming an elongated open channel to selectively receive and retain one of the legs of the L-shaped front quarter window retainer  146 . 
         [0044]    The right quarter window  108  and right removable door rail and corresponding features are substantially mirror image to the left quarter window  106  and removable door rail  147  and corresponding features depicted in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0045]    Referring more particularly to  FIG. 11 ,  FIG. 11  is an enlarged sectional view taken along section E-E of  FIG. 9  depicting the quarter window panel  144  of the left quarter window  106  connected, e.g., by adhesive and/or sewing a quarter window belt retainer  150 . The quarter window belt retainer  150  is located along the bottom of the left quarter window  106  for engaging between, and being retainable by, a belt rail  152  of the vehicle body and a quarter panel outer  154  of the vehicle body. The belt rail  152  is connected to the quarter panel outer  154  and a quarter panel inner  156 . The outward end of the belt rail  152  is curved to create a recess that is elongated for receiving and retaining the corresponding elongated quarter window belt retainer  150 . This provides the horizontal connection along the bottom edge of the left quarter window  106  to the vehicle. 
         [0046]    The right quarter window  108  and corresponding features are substantially mirror image to the left quarter window  106  and corresponding features depicted in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0047]    Referring more particularly to  FIG. 12 ,  FIG. 12  is an enlarged sectional view taken along section F-F of  FIG. 9  depicting the rear window  104  for selectively coupling to a rear panel swing gate inner  158 . The rear window  104  comprises a rear window lower valence  162  connected to a third ‘P’ welt retainer  164  and a binding rear window  166 . The seventh channel portion is generally C-shaped and open on at least one end to slidably receive a bulb portion of the third ‘P’ welt retainer  164  therein. The rear window lower valence  162  of fabric is connected to the ‘P’ welt retainer  164 , e.g., using adhesive and/or sewn and/or sewing the third ‘P’ welt retainer  164  in a pocket formed by the fabric of the rear window lower valence  162 . The seventh channel portion  165  of the tailgate bar  167  is suitably sized to allow selective sliding and retention of the elongated third ‘P’ welt retainer  164  longitudinally within the channel  165  while preventing undesirable lateral movement of the third ‘P’ welt retainer  164  out of the channel  165 , including, moving laterally out of the channel  165 . This provides the horizontal connection along the bottom edge of the rear window  104  adjacent to the rear swing gate of the vehicle. A swing gate weather strip  168 , e.g., a bulb seal, is also provided to provide a sealing function between the tailgate bar  167  and a panel swing gate outer of the vehicle body  160 . 
         [0048]    Referring generally to  FIGS. 5-15 , in an embodiment of the present invention, the installation of the zipper less removable window assembly  10  will now be explained. When it is desired to close the removable rear window  104  a user aligns and slidably engages the rear window carrier  126  on the top of the window onto the rear side strip  128  where the second ‘P’ welt retainer  126  is located. The user slides the removable window  104  on the rear valance top deck  132  until the window is fully engaged across the length of the valance  132 . The user pre-engages the tail gate bar  167  onto the third ‘P’ welt retainer  164  at the bottom of the rear window  104 . The user slides the tail gate bar  167  on the front window ‘P’ welt retainer  164  until the tail gate bar  167  is fully engaged across the length of the third window ‘P’ welt retainer  164 . Then the user rolls the tail gate bar  167  into the tail gate bar clip  170  on the vehicle body. The user aligns the rear window corner retainer, e.g., binding rear window  166  with the tailgate clip  170  and snaps the rear window corner retainer into the tailgate clip. If the quarter windows do not require installation, the top deck  110   b / 132  can then be installed at the rear window  104 , as explained in greater detail below. 
         [0049]    The installation of a quarter window will now be explained, e.g., left side quarter window  106 . When it is desired to close the removable left quarter window  106  (and/or right rear quarter window  108 ) a user aligns the quarter window carrier  114  on the top of the quarter window onto the deck side strip  116  at the upper rear corner. The user slides the quarter window carrier  114  along the deck side strip  116  until the left quarter window  106  is fully engaged along the length of the deck side strip  116 . The user pre-engages the front quarter window retainer  146  into the removable door rail  148  until the front quarter window retainer  146  is fully engaged into the removable door rail  148 . The user then tucks the upper quarter window flaps between the deck side strip  116  and the top deck  110   a  at the front, e.g., toward direction of vehicle hood. The user aligns and engages the top deck retainer  120  to a quarter window upper front corner retainer. Then aligns and engages the top deck retainer  120  to the quarter window carrier  114  from the front corner across the top of the window. The top deck retainer  120  is engaged to the quarter window carrier  114  along the entire length. The user folds down the roof edge  110 . 
         [0050]    The user then aligns and inserts the quarter window belt retainer into the vehicle body belt rail at the lower front corner, e.g., in the direction toward vehicle hood, until the quarter window belt retainer is fully inserted into the vehicle body belt rail  152 . The user aligns and engages the quarter window retainer  150  into the vehicle body belt rail  152  at a lower front corner of the quarter window  106 . The user inserts the quarter window retainer  150  until the quarter window retainer  150  is fully engaged into the vehicle body belt rail  152 . 
         [0051]    The user aligns and engages the rear quarter window retainer  142  into the rear window side carrier  140 . The user aligns and engages the quarter rear belt rail retainer  150  into the vehicle body belt rail  152  at the lower rear corner of the vehicle. 
         [0052]    The installation of the top deck at the rear window will now be explained. The user aligns and engages the rear top deck retainer  136  into the rear window carrier  126  at the upper corner, e.g., upper right corner on the rear of the vehicle. The user engages the rear top deck  136  retainer into the rear window carrier  126  along the entire length thereof. 
         [0053]    In the fully installed position, the top deck is folded down over the top of the removable windows to help create a weather tight seal. 
         [0054]    When it is desired to open at least one of the windows the steps described above can be facilitated in reverse to disconnect and remove the window(s) from the foldable, stowable roof. 
         [0055]    It is understood that one or more removable windows can be selectively installed and removed. By way of non-limiting example, when it is desired by the user that the rear window be removed the quarter windows can selectively remain connected to the foldable, stowable roof. 
         [0056]    The removable window having the zipper less attachment design of the present invention facilitates the opening and closing of the removable window. Accordingly, there is a significant benefit to the positioning of the attachment devices and along all the edges of the removable windows that are zipper less. 
         [0057]    The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the essence 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.