Patent Publication Number: US-11660942-B2

Title: Lift assist lock-down for a soft top

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     
         
         
           
             The instant application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/935,919, filed Mar. 26, 2018, which is a non-provisional of 62/476,145, filed Mar. 24, 2017, and the instant application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/354,663, filed Nov. 17, 2016, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/256,482, filed Nov. 17, 2015. The disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference. 
           
         
       
    
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a lift assist locking mechanism for soft tops for vehicles. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Foldable soft tops for vehicles are known in the art. These tops provide a vehicle with an open air experience with the top folded back or provide protection from the elements with the top closed. Such tops are typically manually retractable and during retraction the operator has to perform a series of manipulations of the top. Additionally, manual management and stowage of the fabric materials of the top during folding must be accomplished. 
     In recent years a soft top “sunroof” has become a well-received option for folding SUV soft tops. This “sunroof” typically folds back such that the operator can readily provide an open air experience to the front cockpit area without stowing the entire soft top. While this sunroof option has become a very desirable feature, it does require considerable force at the start of the deployment due to the operator&#39;s angle of attack. The mass of the frame mechanism for folding the top cover fabric and fabric becoming trapped in the frame mechanism linkage are additional concerns. Also, fabric management is occasionally problematic in that the fabric can become entangled or interfere with the frame mechanism of the top. Another problem is that current systems do not latch the soft tops in the sunroof position at all and/or do not quickly and effectively lock the soft tops in the open sunroof position. 
     In addition, at times an operator may desire an even greater open air experience where the soft top is moved rearward to an open/downward or stowed positions or removed from the vehicle. Current systems do not latch the soft tops in the open/downward position at all and/or do not quickly and effectively lock the soft tops in the open/sunroof position. 
     Therefore, there remains a need in the art to provide a lift-assist lockdown mechanism that locks the soft top in the open/sunroof position and also allows the soft top to be selectively rotated into an open/downward position and selectively held in the position. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a locking lift assist assembly for a soft top, such as a soft top for SUVs, foldable soft tops for SUVs and folding/sliding or otherwise retractable soft tops for SUVs. The locking lift assist assembly is preferably a rearward mounted mechanism, for selectively locking the soft top in position when in at least the open/sunroof position and the open/downward position. 
     The lift assist locking mechanism is lockable in a first direction to hold the soft top in the open/sunroof position, preferably, by a cam that prevents the soft top from moving rearward to the open/downward position. The locking mechanism is also selectively releasable by an operator to allow the soft top to be operably moved from the open/sunroof position to the open/downward, when desired, preferably, by moving the cam out of a locking position to allow rotation generally rearward/down to the open/downward position. A cam lockout prevents the soft top from rotating back to the open/sunroof position when not desired. Preferably, when in the open/downward position and locked, the soft top can be selectively released to a stowed position or released and removable from the vehicle. 
     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 
       The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a side elevation view of a locking lift assist assembly for a soft top in an open/sunroof position, depicting a first upward bow and also a second upward bow in an upward position and, in phantom, rotated to a downward position, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG.  2    is a side elevation view of the locking lift assist assembly, with a first half of the housing removed, depicting a handle member in an unlocked position, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG.  3    is a side elevation view of the locking lift assist assembly, with the first half of the housing removed, depicting the handle member in a locked position, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIGS.  4 - 10    are side elevation views of the locking lift assist assembly in sequence, with the first half of the housing removed, illustrating operation of the assembly between unlocked and locked positions, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG.  11    is a perspective view of an exemplary soft top assembly, depicted in an exemplary closed position, incorporating the locking lift assist assembly, and with a cover material omitted for clarity, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG.  12    is a perspective view of the exemplary soft top assembly, depicted rotating rearward from the closed position to the exemplary open/sunroof position, with the locking lift assist assembly in a first locked position, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG.  13    is a perspective view of the exemplary soft top assembly, depicted in an exemplary open/sunroof position, with the locking lift assist assembly in the first locked position, in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG.  14    is a side elevation of a segment of the locking lift assist assembly depicting the first upward bow rotated to a downward position, in accordance with the present invention; and 
         FIG.  15    is a perspective view of the exemplary soft top assembly, depicted in an exemplary open/downward position, with the locking lift assist assembly in a second locked position and the first upward bow omitted for clarity, in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     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. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 - 15    generally, there is provided a locking lift assist assembly shown generally at  10  (or “assembly”), in accordance with the present invention, for a soft top assembly shown generally at  14  for a vehicle  15 . The locking lift assist assembly  10  is operably connected to the vehicle, preferably, connected to a roll bar or sport bar, most preferably, to a rear sport bar  12 . The locking lift assist assembly  10  selectively holds the soft top assembly  14  in predetermined positions, as desired. Preferably, the soft top assembly  14  incorporates at least two lift assist assemblies  10 , each connected to a respective rear sport bar  12 . 
     A first upward bow  16  (or “first arm member”) is operably rotatably connected toward its one end to the locking lift assist assembly  10  and is operably connected to a first rear bow  18  toward the other end. The first upward bow  16  is broken along its length in the figures to illustrate that the first upward bow  16  can be any suitable length. 
     The first rear bow  18  is a cross car bow, and one first upward bow  16  is operably connected toward both ends of the first rear bow  18 . Preferably, the first upward bow  16  is operably rotatably connected to a housing  20  of the assembly  10  to allow rotation of the first rear bow  18  between a generally raised position when the soft top assembly  14  is in the closed or open/sunroof positions and a generally lowered position when the soft top assembly  14  is in the open/downward position. 
     A second upward bow  22  (or “second arm member”) is operably rotatably connected toward its one end to the locking lift assist assembly  10  and is operably connected to a second rear bow  24  toward the other end. The second upward bow  22  is broken along its length in the figures to illustrate that the second upward bow  22  can be any suitable length. 
     The second rear bow  24  is a cross car bow. One second upward bow  22  is operably connected toward both ends of the second rear bow  24 . Preferably, the second upward bow  22  is operably rotatably connected to the housing  20  of the assembly  10  to allow rotation of the second upward bow  22  between a generally raised position when the soft top assembly  14  is in the closed or open/sunroof positions and a generally lowered position when the soft top assembly  14  is in the open/downward position. Most preferably, the second upward bow  22  is operably rotatably connected to the housing  20  of the assembly  10  at a joint shown generally at  23   a  to provide rotation of the second upward bow  22  between a generally upward position when the soft top assembly  14  is to be closed or is functioning in the sunroof position and a generally downward position when functioning in the open/downward position when a more open air feel is preferred. 
     Preferably, the housing  20  has at least a first half  19  operably connected to a second half  21 , where the second half  21  is most preferably a cover with at least one opening  25  to accommodate the joint  23   a  for the second upward bow  22 . The housing  20  has a second opening  27  which allows rotation of the first upward bow  16  generally raised/lowered between the open/sunroof position and the open/downward position. Preferably, the second opening  27  is provided by a gap between the first and second halves  19 , 21  of the housing  20 . Most preferably, the first upward bow  16  is pivotally connected to the housing  20  at pivot point  29  on the side wall of the opening  27 . 
     It is most desirable that the soft top assembly  14  be selectively lockable in both the sunroof position and in the stowed position. Accordingly, the lift assist assembly  10  provides lock-down capabilities for the downward position, and, additionally, locking capabilities for the sunroof position (and closed position), when desired. When in the downward position, the user can operate the vehicle without locking the soft top stack. But if the user desires to lock the stack instead, such as when taking the vehicle off-road to prevent too much stack bouncing, the user can lock the soft top stack. In addition, when locked, the user is able to then remove the whole stack from the vehicle, if desired. 
     At least one cable  26  is operably coupled to the first upward bow  16 , preferably, located within the first upward bow  16 . The at least one cable  26  is operated by a user, preferably using a handle mechanism  28  on the first rear bow  18  (however, other locations and mechanisms are contemplated depending on the application without departure from the scope of the present invention) to move at least one cam  30 , e.g., to cause rotation of the cam  30 . Preferably, the cam  30  keeps the soft top assembly  10  in the open/sunroof position. 
     The cam  30  is operably connected to the housing  20 , most preferably, operably rotatably connected within the housing  20  at pivot point  31 . The cam  30  includes a connection feature  32  operably connected to the cable  26  (e.g., connection feature such as a pin, roller, guide feature, and/or boss, etc) extending generally transverse to the body of the cam  30 , or aperture. Operating the handle mechanism  28  causes the cable  26  to pull the connection feature  32  within a slot  34  formed in the housing  20  (i.e., see  FIGS.  1 - 2   ) to thereby rotate the cam  30  in a first direction (indicated by arrow ‘a’ in  FIG.  4   ), e.g., counterclockwise. Preferably, at rest, the cam  30  is operably biased toward a direction with a spring or any other suitable biasing feature. Pulling the cable  26  overcomes that bias to move the cam  30  in the first direction ‘a’. Preferably, a biasing member  38 , e.g., spring member or other suitable feature hooks at one end to the cam  30  and the other end  40  at a cam lockout  42  and/or to the housing  20 . 
     The cam lockout  42  is operably rotatably connected to the housing  20  at pivot point  43 . Preferably, the cam lockout  42  is a spring loaded tang. Preferably, the cam lockout  42  keeps the soft top assembly  10  from rotating. 
     The assembly  10  also includes a rotatable member  44  operably rotatably connected to the housing  20  at inner joint  23   b . Preferably, the rotatable member  44  is operably coupled to the second upward bow  22 . Most preferably, the inner joint  23   b  is within the housing  20  between the first and second halves  19 , 21  of the housing  20 . 
     The rotatable member  44  is rotatable in first and second directions (indicated by arrows ‘b’ and ‘e’), e.g., ‘b’ counterclockwise and ‘e’ clockwise. The cam  30  abuts against a first surface  48  of the rotatable member  44 , which prevents further rotation of the rotatable member  44  and soft top assembly  10 . But when the cam  30  is rotated in the first direction ‘a’ away from the rotatable member  44  to rotate out of engagement with the first surface  48 , the rotatable member  44  is allowed to rotate in the first direction ‘b’. When the rotatable member  44  rotates in the second direction ‘e’ and the cam lockout  42  rotates in a first direction (indicated by arrow ‘d’), e.g., counterclockwise, a second surface  50  of the rotatable member  44  abuts against a surface  36  of the cam lockout  42 , which prevents further rotation of the rotatable member  44  and soft top assembly  10 . 
     A handle member  46  is also operably rotatably connected to the housing  20  at inner joint  23   b . The handle member  46  is rotatable in both directions. Preferably, rotatable member  44  and handle member  46  are mounted at inner joint  23   b  within the housing  20  having the same axis of rotation. Most preferably, the rotatable member  44  and handle member  46  are rotatably mounted within the housing at inner joint  23   b  located between the first and second halves  19 , 21  of the housing  20 , and having the same axis of rotation, and the second upward bow  22  is rotatably mounted, having the same axis of rotation relative to the rotatable member  44  and handle member  46 , at joint  23   a  outside of the housing  20 . The joints  23   a , 23   b  including common axis of rotation and arm  60  or shaft upon which the rotatable member  44 , handle member  46  and second upward bow  22  are rotatably mounted. Optionally, the arm  60  has at least one keyed feature  62  for coordinated rotation of elements. 
     The handle member  46  has a first portion  52  integrally formed with a second portion  54 . The cam lockout  42  includes a protrusion  56  that is generally guided by the second portion  54  of the handle member  46  to cause rotation of the cam lockout  42  in either direction. 
     The handle member  46  is selectively caused to rotation in a second direction (as indicated by arrow ‘c’), e.g., clockwise, from an unlocked position (upward location; see  FIG.  2   ) to a lockout position (downward location; see  FIG.  3   ). When the first portion  52  of the handle member  46  is up (unlocked position), the second portion  56  of the handle member  56  keeps the cam lockout  46  from abutting against the rotatable member  44 . When the first portion  52  is down (locked position), the second portion  56  has rotated enough out of the way of the cam lockout  42  so that the cam lockout  42  can rotate in the first direction ‘d’ into engagement with the rotatable member  44 . Thus, as the handle member  46  is rotated ‘c’ to the locked position, the cam lockout  42  can rotate in the first direction ‘d’ and the rotatable member  44  can rotate in the second direction ‘e’ until the second surface  50  of the rotatable member  44  abuts against the surface  36  of the cam lockout  42 , which prevents further rotation. 
     Referring more particularly to  FIGS.  4 - 10   , with the handle member  46  beginning in the unlocked position (see  FIGS.  4 - 7   ) and then rotating in the second direction ‘c’ (see  FIG.  8   ) causes the first portion  52  rotation generally downward until reaching the locked position (see  FIGS.  9 - 10   ). Once the handle member  46  rotates in the second direction ‘c’—the second portion  54  of the handle  46  clears the protrusion  56  and the cam lockout  42  is free to rotate in the first direction ‘d’. As the cam lockout  42  rotates in the first direction ‘d’, the rotatable member  44  rotates in the second direction ‘e’ until the abutting surface  36  of the cam lockout  42  and the second surface  50  of the rotatable member  44  meet (see  FIGS.  10  and  3   ). Thus, the cam lockout  42  stops the rotatable member  44  from being able to rotate any further in that direction. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 - 10    generally, when the cam  30  is in a first position the cam  30  abuts against the surface  48  on the rotatable member  44  preventing rotation of the rotatable member  44  in that direction (See  FIG.  2   ). In this first locked position (or “cam locked position”), where the cam  30  prevents rotation of the rotatable member  44  in one direction (e.g., counterclockwise), the handle  46  can remain in an unlocked position (see  FIG.  2   ). When the cam  30  is rotated out of engagement with the rotatable member  44  by the cable  26 , the rotatable member  44  is then able to rotate to any intermediate position (e.g., see  FIG.  8   ). Once the handle member  46  rotates a predetermined amount to a locked position, as set forth previously, the rotatable member  44  rotates back in the other direction until the second surface  50  of the rotatable member  44  abuts against the surface  36  of the lockout cam  42  (see  FIGS.  3  and  10   ). Thus, the handle member  46  is also rotatable to a respective locked position (or “handle locked position”) (See  FIGS.  3  and  10   ) where the position is then selectively held. 
     Preferably, when the assembly  10  is in a first position, where the cam  30  abuts against the surface  48  of the rotatable member  44  (see  FIG.  2   ), the second upward bow  22  is held in place, thereby holding the soft top assembly  14  in the open/sunroof position. This stops the whole soft top system from rolling down. However, preferably, the cam  30  can be rotated out of engagement with the rotatable member  44  and the handle mechanism  46  can be rotated to the locked position, and, preferably, the second upward bow  22  can be rotated into the downward position (indicated in phantom in  FIG.  1   ) along with the first upward bow  16  rotated (as indicated by arrow ‘f’) into the downward position (see  FIG.  13   ), and the cam lockout  42  abuts against the second surface  50  of the rotatable member  44  (see  FIG.  3   ). 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the assembly  10  is in a second position, where the surface  36  of the cam lockout  42  abuts against the opposite surface  50  of the rotatable member  44  (see  FIG.  3   ), the first and/or second upward bows  16 , 22  is/are prevented from rotating back up to the open/sunroof position. 
     Preferably, the lift assist locking mechanism is a spring lift assist assembly incorporating a coil spring arrangement. Most preferably, a clock spring  58  is operably coupled to at least the housing  20  and about at least the joint  23   b  area. The clock spring  58  is operably coiled and mounted relative to the rotating features of the joint  23   a , 23   b . Preferably, one end of the clock spring  58  is operably mounted to the housing  20 . The clock spring  58  is windable about the joint area  23   a  and/or  23   b . The clock spring  58  torque or torsional force stops from unwinding or rotating movement. Other springs or suitable torsion mechanisms are contemplated depending on the application without departure from the scope of the present invention. 
     In accordance with the present invention, lift assist lockdown faction is inside of the lockdown mechanism, which has advantageous over outside the mechanism. Previously, the lockdown position only could be locked from one position. In accordance with the present invention, the handle member  46  can move to be locked in any position.  FIGS.  4  to  10    illustrate exemplary lockdown rotation. 
     Referring more particularly to  FIGS.  11 - 12  and  14 - 15   , an exemplary soft top assembly is shown generally at  14 . It is understood, however, that the locking lift assist assembly  10  of the present invention is adaptable for use with any other soft top depending on the application without departing from the scope of the present invention, e.g., folding soft top for an SUV, folding/sliding soft top for an SUV, soft top for 2-door SUV, soft top for 4-door SUV, etc. Preferably, the soft top assembly  14  is foldable rearward (see  FIG.  14   ) to move the top between the closed position (see  FIG.  11   ) and the open/sunroof position (see  FIG.  12   ). The closed position closes off a roof top opening. The open/sunroof position uncovers the roof top opening, e.g., generally over the front cockpit or generally over the front and rear cockpits). The soft top assembly  14  is further operably moveable to an open/downward position (see  FIG.  15   ), e.g., via guide rollers carried in tracks that are connected to opposing sport bars for controlled motion of the soft top between the open/sunroof position ( FIG.  12   ) and the open/downward position ( FIG.  15   ). 
       FIG.  13    illustrates the first upward bow  16  rotated downward in a stowed position (e.g., the soft top assembly  14  has been folded and slid rearward and rotated downward thereby causing the first and second upward bows  16  and  22  to rotate to the downward position, along with the rest of the top/cover/bows/linkages/fabric management bows/side rails/rollers, etc). 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1 - 15    generally, it is understood that the right hand lift assist assembly is substantially a mirror image to the left hand lift assist assembly. The assemblies  10 , 10  are preferably connected to opposing sport bars  12 , 12 . Preferably, a single pull of the handle mechanism  28  can unlock both assemblies  10 , 10  simultaneously. 
     The lift assist assembly  10  is adaptable and utilizable with any soft top assembly for a convertible roof, four-door sport-utility vehicles, two-door sport-utility vehicles or any other vehicle of any kind depending on the application without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     The lift assist locking mechanism is adaptable to any articulating soft top assembly where controlling the movement of the soft top between a sunroof position and at least one further rearward opened position is desired. 
     When locked in the down position, it is also contemplated that the soft top assembly  14  can be removed from the vehicle. 
     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.