Patent Publication Number: US-11643304-B1

Title: Hardtop removal bracket and methods of use thereof

Description:
This United States utility patent application is a continuation application of pending application Ser. No. 16/269,494 filed on Feb. 6, 2019, which itself is a continuation of patented application 15/246,782, filed Aug. 25, 2016 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,246,307 patented Apr. 2, 2019), which itself claims priority on and the benefit of provisional application 62/211,542 filed Aug. 28, 2015, the entire contents of each being hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a hardtop removal bracket and to the methods of use thereof and in particular to a bracket attaching to or integrated with a window hinge. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Many vehicles make use of removable hard tops. One such vehicle is made by Jeep. While this particular type of vehicle is described as an example, there are many other vehicles that have removable hardtops. 
     Over the years, there have been many attempts to facilitate the removal of hardtops. Some examples include: 
     United States Patent Number (“USPN”) U.S. Pat. No. 4,576,542 to Brasell et al. is titled Device for Lifting Removable Automobile Tops. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,600,177 to Fritz is titled Method of Hoisting an Automobile Hard Top. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,263,687 to Garbiso is titled Automobile Hardtop Storage Apparatus. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,492,385 to Champion is titled Automobile Roof Harness. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,897,104 to Garbiso is titled Overhead Hoist and Sling Apparatus for Removing, Storing and Replacing a Removable Automobile Hardtop. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,936 to Gordon is titled Sport-Utility Vehicle Top. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,152,427 to Hoslett is titled Truck Cap Hoisting System. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,386,515 to Sachtleben is titled Device to Install/Remove Truck Cap. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,568,678 to Hammond is titled Apparatus for Removing and Reinstalling the Hardtop of an Automobile. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,408,623 to McAuliff is titled Vehicle with Multiple Elevation Removable Hard Top and Secure Storage Underneath. 
     United States Patent Application Publication 2003/0184106 to Windecker is titled Vehicular hardtop Lifting Yoke. 
     United States Patent Application Publication 2009/0309079 to Lacina is titled Jeep Hard-Top Remover. 
     United States Patent Application Publication to Surkin is titled Apparatus for Connecting a Carrier to a Hardtop. 
     United States Patent Application Publication 2013/0280020 to O&#39;Brien et al. is titled Hard Top Removal Hitch Attachment. 
     United States Patent Application Publication 2014/0138983 to Haberkamp et al. is titled Composite Soft Top Assembly for SUV, Both 2 and 4 Door. 
     While the products shown in each of these publications may work well for their intended purposes, none show the unique advantages of the present invention. 
     Thus there exists a need for a hardtop removal bracket and to the methods of use thereof that solves these and other problems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention includes brackets having a base and an arm. The base can be connected to a rear window hinge support of a hardtop with the hinge bolts used to secure a rear window hinge. The base has slots that provide for an increased flexibility of bolt patterns or widths. The top of the slots are open with necks to allow for easy insertion and removal of the brackets without removal of the rear window and allows the brackets to be used with multiple models. The base has a central void. An arm having an eye upstands from the base. A relief is provided at the area where the arm is connected to the base. Two brackets (a left and a right bracket) are secured to a hardtop before use. A hoist or lift can connect to the eyes to facilitate removal and storage of the hardtop. 
     According to one advantage of the present invention, a bracket is provided for use in removing a hardtop from a vehicle. Two brackets (either two of the same or a dedicated left and right bracket—mirror images of each other) can be used and are connected immediately adjacent the two hinges of the rear window. The brackets can be connected to the hinge mounts outside of the existing hinge hardware. These mounts are structurally strong and are already present on the hardtops. This allows the present invention to be used without making any additional holes or other modifications to the hardtop. 
     According to another advantage of the present invention, oval slots are provided to advantageously increase flexibility or range of widths that the present invention can be used with. Related, the slots have a neck at the top (open top) to allow the brackets to be inserted adjacent the hinge without full removal of the hinge bolts and while the window remains in place attached to the shell. The bottoms of the slots are solid and continuous wherein the weight of the hardtop is fully supported when hoisted or lifted and stored. Still further, the slots allow for the brackets to be adjusted laterally relative to the bolts, thereby allowing the lateral location of the arms to be tailored to the desired location relative to the hinges and window. 
     According to a further advantage of the present invention, two brackets are used resulting in laterally equal rear weight distribution of the hardtop as it is being removed and stored. This is accomplished by using a bracket to form rigid connections at each hinge location. It is appreciated that the present invention can also be used in combination with conventional front end lifting mechanisms. 
     Related, the brackets are fixed in relation to the hardtop thereby preventing shifting or sliding of the hardtop relative to a hoist or harness during lifting and storage. 
     According to a still further advantage of the present invention, the brackets are unobtrusive. In this regard, they extend beyond the hardtop a minimal amount and can be left in place when not in use. The unobtrusiveness is achieved as reliefs are present thereby allowing the arm to be bent relative the base in a manner to reduce offset of the eye center relative to the plane of the body. 
     According to a still further advantage of the present invention, a clearance or void can be provided in the center or middle of the bracket base. This allows for clearance with some hinges that have protruding structures between the bolt holes. 
     According to a still further advantage yet of the present invention, the brackets are operable and readily accessible by a user regardless of whether the window is open or closed. Further, the window freely opens and closes with the brackets in place. 
     According to a still further advantage yet of the present invention, use of the brackets causes no interference with or damage to the vehicle or hardtop weather-stripping. Related, the bracket eyes extend behind the hardtop allowing for a hoist or lift to fully clear the hardtop without causing damage thereto. 
     According to a still further advantage yet of the present invention, the brackets can be used with any type of hard top hoist or lift. 
     According to a still further advantage yet of the present invention, the hardtop can be removed by a single individual. 
     According to other embodiments of the present invention, the eye can be integrated into a hinge. In this regard, the integrated hinge can replace the original hinge in both OEM and aftermarket situations. 
     Other advantages, benefits, and features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the detailed description of the invention and studying the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a preferred bracket of the present invention. 
         FIG.  2    is a top view of the bracket illustrated in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a side view of the bracket illustrated in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  4    is a close up view taken along circle  4  in  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  5    is an end view of the bracket illustrated in  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view of an oppositely oriented bracket. 
         FIG.  7    is a side view of the bracket illustrated in  FIG.  6   . 
         FIG.  8    is figure showing a bracket connected to a hinge support. 
         FIG.  9    is similar to  FIG.  8    but shows one bolt removed exposing a hinge hole. 
         FIG.  10    is a figure showing the bracket extending from a hardtop with a window in a closed position. 
         FIG.  11    is a figure showing the bracket extending from a hardtop with a window in an open position. 
         FIG.  11 A  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  11 A- 11 A in  FIG.  11   . 
         FIG.  12    is a figure showing two brackets (left and right which are mirror images of each other) with a window in the closed position. 
         FIG.  13    is similar to  FIG.  12    but shows the window in the open position. 
         FIG.  14    is a view showing a harness connected to the bracket to facilitate removal of the hardtop. 
         FIG.  15    is a perspective view of an integrated hinge and bracket. 
         FIG.  16    is a side view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  15   . 
         FIG.  17    is a top view of a further alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG.  18    is a front view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  17   . 
         FIG.  19    is a side view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG.  17    with the second piece in an alternative pivotal location with respect to the first piece. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     While the invention will be described in connection with one or more preferred embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to those embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     The present invention is useful for use with a vehicle  5  having a body  10  with a removable hardtop  20 . One exemplary vehicle is made by Jeep. However, the present invention is suitable for use with other vehicles as well. 
     The hardtop  20  has a shell  30  having a front and a rear  32 . Two hinge supports  33  each comprising two holes  34  (four holes total) is provided in the rear  32  of the shell. A window  40  is pivotally connected to the shell  30  with hinges  45 . Four hinge bolts  46  are used to secure the hinges  45  to the shell via insertion into the hinge holes  34 . The structure of the shell at the hinge holes  34  is strong as it is designed to withstand the stress of the use of the hinges. 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  1 - 5   , it is seen that a bracket  50  is provided. The bracket  50  is preferably made of a strong material such as metal. However, other materials may be used without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     The bracket  50  has a base  60  having a first end  61 , a second end  62 , a top  63 , a bottom  64 , a first side  65  and a second side  66 . The base  60  or body is preferably generally planar and lies in a base plane. Two holes  70  and  80  pass through the base  60 . Necks  71  and  81 , respectively, are further provided. The holes  70  and  80  are each preferably generally slot shaped in that they are longer than they are tall. Each slot has a longitudinal axis. The longitudinal axis of each slot is parallel to each other, respectively. While linearly oriented slots are shown, it is appreciated that slots with other orientations or shapes could be used without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. The necks are at the top  63  of the base and provide an opening into the respective holes  70  and  80 . The necks are preferably relieved to avoid sharp edges. Also, the relieved necks facilitate insertion of the bolts through the necks, in particular in situations where visual guidance is impaired by the head of the bolt. The necks are preferably generally centrally aligned relative to the respective slots. This allows for maximum flexibility in placing the bolts through the necks. 
     The bracket  50  can be laterally moved relative to the bolts, and is constrained by the ends of the slots. This allows the bracket to be laterally adjusted as necessary for clearance reasons. 
     A central void  90  is also provided. The void  90  provides clearance for some applications wherein hardtop hinges protrude outwards between the hinge bolts. 
     The bracket  50  further has an arm  100  upstanding from the base  60 . The arm  100  has a top end  101  (distal end), a bottom end  102  (proximal end), a forward edge  103 , a rearward edge  104 , a first side  105  and a second side  106 . The arm lies in an arm plane. The arm plane is generally perpendicular to the base plane. An eye  110  passes through the arm  100  adjacent the top end  101  between the sides. As seen in  FIG.  10   , this allows the eye to be accessible when the rear window is closed. The eye (or eyelet) is preferably generally round. The rearward edge  104  is preferably vertically oriented. The forward edge is vertically divergent from the rearward edge. The top end  101  is generally round so as to reduce the chance of an object getting snared or trapped on the bracket. While an eye is illustrated, it is appreciated that other structures or connectors could be used without departing from the broad aspects of the present invention. 
     A relief  120  is further provided. The relief allows for the manufacturability of the bracket wherein the arm can be folded in a manner minimizing or eliminating the offset of the rearward edge  104  relative to the back side  66  of the base  60 . In a preferred embodiment, the rearward edge  104  generally lies in or near the same plane as the back side  66  of the base  60 . 
     The base  60  has a longitudinal axis. The eye has an eye axis that is generally parallel to (albeit offset from) the base longitudinal axis. The base has a plane that is preferably generally perpendicular to a plane of the arm. 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  6  and  7   , it is seen that a second bracket  150  is shown. The bracket  150  is a mirror image structurally compared to bracket  50 . Bracket  150  has a base  160  with ends  161  and  162 . Bracket  150  further has an arm  200  with an eye  210  that upstands from the base. 
     In use, it is preferred that one of each of brackets  50  and  150  are used to ensure equal weight distribution. However, even if two of the same brackets are used on the left and right side of the hardtop, a quasi-equal weight distribution will still be present at the rear of the hard top. 
     Use of the present invention is illustrated in  FIGS.  8 - 14   . It is seen that brackets  50  and  150  can be used to connect to the hardtop  20 . Looking now in particular at  FIGS.  8  and  9   , it is seen how the hinge bolts  46  secure the bracket  50  to the hardtop  20  at the hinge location outside of the existing hinge hardware. The bracket can be installed by simply loosing and partially unthreading the bolts  46  and then passing the bracket  50  upwards so that the shaft of the bolt passes through the neck wherein it is received in the respective slot. The bracket is then adjusted laterally as necessary for the arm to clear the hinge, and the bolt is then tightened down. Each of the four bolts can be loosened and retightened when the respective brackets are in place. The forward edge of the arm is oriented away from the base piece of the hinge. It is seen that the bracket remains stationary regardless of the position of the window relative to the shell. 
     The weight of the shell is transferred through the bolts to the brackets, wherein it is then supported by a harness or hoist  47 . 
     The harness or hoist  47  can connect to the eye as seen in  FIG.  14    as an attachment point. In this regard, the harness is securely connected to an eye that is stationary relative to the hardtop, thereby preventing the harness or hoist from being able to slip or slide off of the hardtop. It is appreciated that the necks are open to the top of the base. In this regard, the weight of the removable top can be supported by the bottom of the slots when the harness lifts the top from the vehicle. 
     A front strap can be used to hoist the front of the hardtop in a conventional manner. 
     The window opens and closes with the brackets in place. This is possible as the arm lies in a plane that is parallel to a swing plane of the hinge (and perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the hinge). Therefore, the bracket does not interfere with the swinging of the hinge and window. 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  15  and  16   , it is seen that an alternative embodiment is illustrated of an integrated hinge and bracket  350 . The integrated piece  350  has a first piece  360  with a base  370  having bolt holes  371  there through and an arm  380  with an eye  381  upstanding from the base  370 . A second piece  390  with glass connecting holes  391  is pivotally connected to the first piece. In this embodiment, it is noted that the eye is supportable by the hinges holes of the hardtop with bolts. The first piece has a pivot  372  that is pivotally connected to a pivot  392  of a second piece. 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  17 - 19   , it is seen that a further alternative embodiment is illustrated of an integrated hinge and bracket  450 . The integrated piece  450  has a first piece  460  with a base  470  having bolt holes  471  there through and an arm  480  with an eye  481  upstanding from the base  470 . A second piece  490  with glass connecting holes  491  is pivotally connected to the first piece. In this embodiment, it is noted that the eye is supportable by the hinges holes of the hardtop with bolts. The first piece has a pivot  472  that is pivotally connected to a pivot  492  of a second piece. 
     It is appreciated that integrated hinges with eyes are useful as both OEM and aftermarket replacements to traditional hinges. The integrated hinges serve the functions of the OEM hinges with the additional benefit of having eyes for use with hoists. 
     Thus it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the invention, a hardtop removal bracket and to the methods of use thereof that fully satisfies the objects, aims and advantages as set forth above. While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.