Abstract:
An automotive convertible top is provided having a side bow which in a storage position is placed on top of a forward folding backlite bow. In a preferred embodiment, the convertible top stores on top of a rear storage area of a vehicle in a small space.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to automotive convertible tops and vehicles with such tops. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    To allow for greater vehicle occupant comfort it has been known to provide convertible top on vehicles. It is desirable that the top in a storage position take up as little space as possible. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The convertible top of the present invention provides a convertible top that folds in a small available space in a manner that is an alternative to convertible tops revealed previously. In a preferred embodiment, the convertible top of the present invention includes generally parallel connected and spaced side bows. Generally parallel spaced rear link bows are also provided. Each rear link bow has a first end pivotably connected with respect to a respective side bow. Each rear link bow also has a mid portion pivotably connected with respect to a portion of the vehicle. Generally parallel spaced backlite links are provided. Each backlite link has one end pivotably connected with respect to a respective rear link bow. A backlite bow is provided. The backlite bow is pivotably connected with respect to the vehicle adjacent ends of the backlite bow. The backlite bow has mid portions pivotably connected with respect to the backlite links. When folding for storage, the backlite bow folds underneath the side bows in a forward direction over a rear storage area of the vehicle. When folded, a vertical distance from an apex of the backlite bow to the backlite bow&#39;s pivotal connection with the vehicle is less than or equal to 10% of a vertical distance of the storage space underneath the backlite bow. 
         [0004]    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 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment vehicle top of the present invention in an upright position; 
           [0006]      FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  9  and  10  are operational views illustrating folding the convertible top of  FIG. 1  into a storage position; 
           [0007]      FIGS. 5-8  are enlargements of portions of the vehicle top encircled in  FIG. 4 ; and 
           [0008]      FIG. 11  is a schematic side view of a vehicle having a convertible top of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0009]    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. 
         [0010]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-10 , a convertible top  7  for a vehicle  10  is provided. For purposes of illustration the fabric portion of the convertible top  7  has been removed. The convertible top  7  has a front transverse member, commonly referred to as a first bow  12 . The first bow  12  spans over the header between A pillars  14  of the vehicle. The first bow  12  is fixably connected at its extreme ends to two parallel spaced front side bows  16 . The front side bows  16  are pivotably connected at their rear ends with mid side bows  18 . 
         [0011]    The mid side bows  18  are joined by a mid-transverse bow commonly referred to a second bow  20 . The mid side bows  18  at their rearward ends are pivotably connected with parallel spaced rear side bows  22 . The rear side bows  22  are connected adjacent their rearward ends by a transverse third bow  24 . The rear side bows  22  rearward ends are closely adjacent rear C pillars  26  of the vehicle. The front side bows  16 , mid side bows  18 , rear side bows  22 , first, second and third bows  12 ,  20 , and  24 , combine to provide the frame work for a fabric top (not shown) that covers a cabin area  74  of the vehicle  10 . 
         [0012]    At a first elevation, each rear side bow  22  adjacent its rearward end is pivotably connected with respect to a front or first end of a curvilinear rear link bow  28 . The rear link bow  28  about a mid portion  30  is pivotably connected with respect to a portion of the vehicle  10  at a second elevation via a main pivot bracket  32 . At a third elevation, the rear link bow  28  at its rearward end is pivotably connected with respect to a curvilinear backlite link  34 . When the top  7  is in an upright position the third elevation is above the second elevation and below the first elevation. The backlite link  34  at a fourth elevation has its rearward end pivotably connected with an inboard side of a mid portion  37  of a backlite bow  36 . The fourth elevation is typically greater than the third elevation. The backlite bow  36  generally adjacent its ends is pivotably connected with the vehicle  10  via a backlite pivot bracket  38 . The backlite bow  36  supports a backlite  40 . The backlite  40  can be formed from a rigid or hard material such as glass or a polycarbonate. The backlite  40  can be a flexible vinyl. The backlite can be held in place by a flexible fabric framing (not shown) or connected by hinges  42  (shown in phantom). The hinged attachment allows the backlite to be opened for access to the rear of the vehicle. In an embodiment (not shown), if the backlite is a polycarbonate or other rigid polymeric material, the backlite can be intergral with the backlite bow. 
         [0013]    When the convertible top  7  is upright the sides  44  of the backlite bow project generally vertically upward. To store the convertible top  7 , a latch (now shown) is activated to release the first bow  12  from the vehicle header. The front side bow  16  is grasped and lifted and rotated rearward to pivot with respect to the rear side bow  22  ( FIG. 2 ). The front side bow  16  is rotated back until it rests on top of the rear side bow  22  placing the first bow  12  generally on top of the third bow  24  ( FIG. 3 ). The rear side bow  22  is then grasped and rotated about its pivot with the rear link bow  28  causing the combined side bows  16 ,  22  to move rearward and downwardly ( FIG. 4 ). The above action causes the rear end of the rear link bow to pivot downwardly pulling the pivotal connection  50  with the backlite link  34  down and forward ( FIG. 9 ). The continued downward and rearward movement of the folded side bows  16 ,  22  pivots the backlite bow  36  to place the backlite bow  36  in a generally horizontal position underneath the folded front and rear side bows  16 ,  22  in the storage position. The top  7  in the storage position is rearward of the head rests  60  and forward of the pivot bracket  38 . 
         [0014]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , a movable boundry folding rear seat  73  provides access to an adjacent rear storage area  74  from the cabin  72 . The rear seat  73  when folded down expands the total storage area. The backlite bow  36  in the storage position is placed above the rear storage area  74  in a generally horizontal position or slightly slanted position. A maximum vertical distance  76  from an apex  78  of the backlite bow to the backlite pivot bracket  38  is equal or less than 10% of a vertical distance  80  of the rear storage area  74 . To protect the backlite  40 , the rear storage area  74  is bordered on top by a rigid panel  82 . 
         [0015]    The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist 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.