Abstract:
There is disclosed a system for suspending a rigid panel in an opening formed in a barrier structure. The system comprises a sleeve of flexible material having an anchor portion attachable to the perimeter of the opening and a grip portion opposite the anchor portion. The grip portion is contoured so as to form a channel disposed between an anterior extension and a posterior extension of the grip portion. Each of the anterior extension and the posterior extension comprises a fold of the flexible material having an apex at its inner end. A first elongated tensioning member received within the apex of the anterior extension and a second elongated tensioning member received within the apex of the posterior extension. The edges of the panel are received within the channel and the first and second elongated tensioners may be made sufficiently taut to prevent easy removal of the panel from the channel. Also disclosed is a method of suspending a rigid panel in a barrier structure employing structure as disclosed.

Description:
PRIORITY  
       [0001]     This application is a continuation of prior application Ser. No. 10/967,653, filed Oct. 18, 2004, titled WINDOW SUSPENSION FOR VEHICLE SOFT TOP, which is a continuation of prior application Ser. No. 10/414,246 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,810,937), filed Apr. 15, 2003, titled WINDOW SUSPENSION FOR VEHICLE SOFT TOP, which is a continuation of prior application Ser. No. 10/016,480 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,546,988), filed Oct. 30, 2001, titled WINDOW SUSPENSION FOR VEHICLE SOFT TOP, which is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/592,631 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,338,223), filed Jun. 13, 2000, titled WINDOW SUSPENSION FOR VEHICLE SOFT TOP. The entire contents of each of the above-noted patents and prior applications are hereby incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this specification. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates generally to soft or folding structures and more particularly to a device and method for securely attaching a rigid panel or window to a vehicle soft top or other similar structure.  
         [0004]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0005]     In the construction of soft convertible tops for automobiles or other vehicles such as boats or in the construction of “soft” static structures such as tents, it is often necessary to attach a window made of glass or other rigid material such as Plexiglas to a main structure of fabric or some other flexible material. It is currently known to use gluing or other substantially permanent techniques to attach the window directly to the soft top. Another known technique is to provide a metal frame to hold the window and then glue the metal frame to the soft top. These methods have certain limitations in that replacement of the entire top is often required when the window either breaks or works loose from its position in the top over the years, as the top is raised and lowered many times. Replacement of a window when using currently known mounting techniques is thus frequently time consuming, expensive, and wasteful. In addition, currently known window mountings do not permit the user to tighten the mounting to better secure and/or seal a loosened window.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     In accordance with one preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided a system for suspending a rigid panel in an opening formed in a barrier structure. The system comprises a sleeve of flexible material having an anchor portion attachable to the perimeter of the opening and a grip portion opposite the anchor portion. The grip portion is contoured so as to form a channel disposed between an anterior extension and posterior extension of the grip portion. Each of the anterior extension and the posterior extension comprises a fold of the flexible material having an apex at its inner end. A first elongated tensioning member received within the apex of the anterior extension and a second elongated tensioning member is received within the apex of the posterior extension. The edges of the panel are receivable within the channel and the first and second elongated tensioning members may be made sufficiently taut to prevent easy removal of the panel from the channel.  
         [0007]     In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided a barrier structure which comprises a generally flexible wall having an opening, a sleeve of flexible material having an anchor portion attached to the perimeter of the opening and grip portion opposite the anchor portion. The grip portion is contoured so as to form a channel disposed between an anterior extension and a posterior extension of the grip portion. Each of the anterior extension and the posterior extension comprises a fold of the flexible material having an apex at its inner end, a first elongated tensioning member received within the apex of the anterior extension and a second elongated tensioning member received within the apex of the posterior extension. The barrier structure also has a panel structure. The edges of the panel structure are received within the channel and the first and second elongated tensioning members are sufficiently taut to prevent easy removal of the panel structure from the channel.  
         [0008]     In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method for suspending a rigid panel in a barrier structure. The method comprises the steps of attaching an anchor portion of a sleeve of flexible material to the perimeter of the opening. The sleeve also has a grip portion opposite the anchor portion. The grip portion is contoured so as to form a channel disposed between an anterior extension and a posterior extension of the grip portion. Each of the anterior extension and the posterior extension comprises a fold of the flexible material having an apex at its inner end. The method also comprises providing a first elongated tensioning member within the apex of the anterior extension and a second elongated tensioning member within the apex of the posterior extension, placing the panel in relation to the sleeve such that the edges of the panel are received within the channel, and tensioning the first and second elongated members sufficiently to prevent easy removal of the panel from the channel.  
         [0009]     For purposes of summarizing the invention and the advantages achieved over the prior art, certain objects and advantages of the invention have been described hereinabove. Of course it is to be understood that not necessarily all such objects or advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example one skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.  
         [0010]     All these embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the invention herein disclosed. These and other embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiments having reference to the attached figures. The invention not being limited to any particular preferred embodiment(s) disclosed. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     Having thus summarized the general nature of the invention and its essential features and advantages, certain preferred embodiments and modifications thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description here and having reference to the figures that follow, of which:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a vehicle having a soft convertible top employing a window suspension in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of a soft side portion employing a window suspension in accordance with the invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of another soft top portion employing a window suspension in accordance with the invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4A  is a cross-section view of a window suspension in accordance with the invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 4B  is a detailed view of the cross section of the window grip portion of the window suspension;  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a detailed view of a first type of tensioning device used with the window suspension; and  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a schematic view of a quick release tensioner for use with the window suspension. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0019]     The system of the present invention will be described and its use exemplified in the context of an automotive soft top as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The system is particularly desirable for convertible automotive tops. It will be understood, however, that the invention described and claimed herein may be used in connection with many types of barrier structures having at least one “soft” portion including, but not limited to, soft tops for boats, folding travel trailers, tents, porch coverings, and the like. Consequently the description which follows should not be considered as limited only to automobiles.  
         [0020]      FIG. 1  shows a vehicle  20  having a soft top or convertible top  22  enclosing the passenger area. Typically, the soft top  22  may be folded into or deployed on the vehicle  20  either by hand or an automated mechanism (not shown). When in the deployed or erected position as shown in  FIG. 1 , the soft top  22  serves as a weatherproof enclosure for the vehicle&#39;s passengers, fulfilling substantially the same role as a steel hard top. However the soft top, being retractable or removable, enables the vehicle user to select between an open and an enclosed vehicle at any time. The soft top  22  is generally constructed of canvas, leather, rubber or some other relatively lightweight, durable, flexible material.  
         [0021]     The soft top  22  usually has a number of windows  24 . The windows  24  are usually constructed of a soft flexible material such as clear vinyl, but for best optical performance the windows  24  usually comprise a generally flat panel of a rigid material such as safety glass, Lexan or Plexiglas. As seen in  FIG. 1 , the vehicle  20  may have one or more removable doors  26  which have a soft side portion  28  constructed from a flexible material similar to that used to make the soft top  22 . The soft side portion  28  also mounts a window  24  and can make the removable door  26  lighter and easier to handle. Furthermore, the soft side portion  28  (together with its window  24 ) may itself be removable from the door  26  or folded down as a further option for providing an open passenger compartment for the vehicle  20 .  
         [0022]      FIGS. 2, 3 ,  4 A and  4 B show a preferred embodiment of a window suspension  30  which may be used to mount the window  24  in the soft side portion  28 . However, it will be appreciated that the suspension  30  can be used to mount the window in other portions of the soft top  22 , such as the rear or even on the roof. The window suspension  30  comprises a window grip  32 , preferably formed from a flexible, durable material such as canvas or other high-strength fabric, which surrounds the perimeter of the window  24  and holds the edges of the window  24  between two layers or extensions  52 ,  54  (best seen in  FIG. 4B ). Each extension  52 ,  54  comprises a fold of the material making up the grip  32 , and forms an apex  64  at an inner edge  34 , opposite an outer edge  36  of the grip  32 . A cable  38 , made of stainless steel, nylon, kevlar, or other suitable material, is disposed within each extension  52 ,  54  of the window grip  32  near the apex  64 . Each cable  38  is tensioned by use of a turnbuckle  40  or some other tensioning device, and applies tension to the inner edge  34  of the grip  32  in a manner which tends to contract the perimeter of the grip  32  at the inner edge  34 , i.e. in the manner of a drawstring. Thus, under the tension of the cables  38  each extension  52 ,  54  is drawn tightly against the corresponding face of the window  24 , the edges of which are thereby firmly retained between the extensions  52 ,  54 .  
         [0023]     A cover flap  42  is provided to permit selective access to the turnbuckle  40  as seen in  FIG. 3 . When the turnbuckle  40  is not in use, the end of the cover flap  42  may be tucked under the window grip  32  so as to promote a neat appearance for the window suspension  30 . In addition, the window grip  32  may have a series of cutouts  44  at its corners to facilitate proper attachment of the grip  32  to the soft side portion  28  or other part of the soft top  22 . To permit accumulated moisture to drain from the window grip  32  a number of drain holes  45  may be cut into the either of the extensions  52 ,  54 .  
         [0024]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  show a cross-section of the window suspension system  30  along the line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 3 . The window grip  32  has a grip portion  46  which receives the window  24  as described above, an anchor portion  48  which is bonded to the soft side portion  28  or any other part of the soft top  22  by stitching, gluing, or other suitable attachment. As best seen in  FIG. 4B , the window grip  32  is preferably formed from a sleeve  50  of the window grip material which is folded back upon itself several times to form an anterior extension  52  and a posterior extension  54 . The two extensions form a channel  56  therebetween, that receives the edges of the window  24 . Thus the anchor portion  48  and the grip portion  46  of the window grip  32  attain a Y-shaped cross section suitable for holding the window  24  and attaching to the soft top  22 . To retain this Y configuration, the window grip  32  is preferably bonded, by stitching, gluing, or other suitable techniques, at an anchor bond  58  on the anchor portion  48 , and an anterior bond  60  and a posterior bond  62  on the anterior and posterior extensions  52 ,  54 , respectively. Thus bonded, the window grip  32  will maintain its shape (especially as regards the relative lengths of the extensions  52 ,  54 ) if the cables  38  are unevenly tensioned with respect to each other, as is often the case when replacing the window  24 . A gasket  65  of rubber or other suitable material may be placed between the window  24  and the window grip  32  to provide a substantially weatherproof, fluid-tight seal.  
         [0025]      FIG. 5  shows the preferred arrangement of the cable  38 , turnbuckle  40  and cover flap  42  in greater detail. The cable  38  may be attached to either end of the turnbuckle  40  via a loop  66  that is formed at either end of the cable and fastened with a cable crimp  68 . A screw  70  or other suitable fastener may be used to connect the loop  66  to either end of the turnbuckle  40 . Alternatively, the cable can be crimped directly into either end of the turnbuckle  40 . With the cable  38  connected to both ends of the turnbuckle  40 , the user can tighten or loosen the cable by operating the main bolt  71  of the turnbuckle  40  to draw the ends of the turnbuckle  40  together or push them apart. Thus the turnbuckle  40  is suitable for removing/replacing the window  24  entirely, or tightening the cable  38  and grip  32  as needed from time to time. The cover flap  42  lays over the turnbuckle  40  and may be tucked under the grip portion or the window grip  32  to promote a neat appearance.  
         [0026]      FIG. 6  shows a quick release tensioner  72  which may be used as an alternative to the turnbuckle  40 , for applying tension to the cable  38 . The quick release tensioner  72  preferably has a generally rigid base  74  having a cable attachment  76  at one end and a hinge support  78  opposite the cable attachment  76 . The hinge support  78  cooperates with an axle  80  to pivotally attach a quick release lever  82  to the base  74 . The quick release lever  82  may rotate as necessary on the axle  80  between a loosened position A and a tensioned position B against the base  74 , in the direction marked by the arrow C. The cable  38  is attached to the quick release lever  82  at a point  84  between the axle  80  and the end of the quick release lever  82 . When the user rotates the quick release lever  82  from the loosened position A to the tensioned position B, the cable  38  is stretched by a tension distance D, applying the necessary tension to the cable  38 . The tension in the cable  38  holds the quick release lever  82  in the tensioned position B against the base  74 , as in the tensioned position B the attachment point  84  of the cable  38  is located on a side of the axle  80  adjacent the base  74 . This arrangement of the attachment point  84  and axle  80  causes the quick release handle to press firmly against the base  74  under a tension F in the cable  38 . To permit occasional tightening of the cable  38  and grip  32 , the cable attachment  76  may comprise a threaded fitting that allows lateral movement of an endpoint of the cable  38  as is done at either end of the turnbuckle  40 .  
         [0027]     As described above the suspension system permits quick, easy mounting or replacement of a window  24  in the soft top  22 . To replace the window  24 , the user operates the turnbuckle  40 , quick release tensioner  72 , or other tensioning device to loosen one or both of the cables  38 . Upon loosening the cable(s)  38 , one or both of the extensions  52 ,  54  becomes sufficiently slack to permit easy removal of the edges of the window  24  from the channel  56  between the extensions. After removing the original window  24 , the user can then place a second window in the channel  56  and apply a tension to the cable(s)  38  by using any of the tensioning devices detailed above, to securely retain the window in the grip  32 .  
         [0028]     Those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the mounting of windows in a “soft” barrier structure. Rather, the invention is equally useful for mounting many other substantially flat, rigid panel-like structures, such as a screen or a sheet of clear vinyl having a substantially rigid perimeter frame, or an opaque or translucent decorative or protective panel made of stiff plastic, stained glass, wood, metal, or the like.  
         [0029]     Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.