Patent Publication Number: US-2023158870-A1

Title: Vehicle convertible top systems

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/124,853 filed on Dec. 17, 2020, which claims the benefit of U.S. Prov. App. No. 62/949,040, filed Dec. 17, 2019, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present application relates generally to vehicle convertible top systems and, more particularly, to rear window assemblies for vehicle multi-component hard top systems. 
     BACKGROUND 
     It is known in the motor vehicle art to provide a convertible top, which may be folded back or removed from the vehicle. In one example, the convertible top is constructed of a rigid/hard material (e.g., referred to as a hard top). Such convertible tops provide the user with the benefit of open air driving while affording available protection in the event of adverse weather conditions. However, hard tops typically must be removed as one or more large components, which can be very heavy, thus requiring multiple people or special equipment to completely remove those systems from the vehicle. Therefore, while such convertible tops work well for their intended purpose, it is desirable to provide improvements in the relevant art. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with one example aspect of the invention, a vehicle is provided. In one example implementation, the vehicle includes a vehicle body including a truck bed at least partially defining a cargo area, a vehicle interior with passenger seating, and a multi-component hard top assembly configured to selectively and removably couple to the vehicle body to provide an enclosed configuration at least partially enclosing the vehicle interior. The multi-component hard top assembly includes a rear window assembly configured to selectively and removably couple to the vehicle body. 
     In addition to the foregoing, the described vehicle may include one or more of the following features: wherein the rear window assembly includes a frame supporting a glass window; wherein the vehicle body further includes a wall separating the cargo area and the vehicle interior, wherein the wall includes a channel formed therein to slidingly receive the window assembly; wherein the multi-component hard top assembly further includes a pair of removable C-pillars each separately removable from the vehicle body, wherein removal of at least one C-pillar of the pair of removable C-pillars enables the rear window assembly to slide out of the channel and be removed from the vehicle; and wherein the multi-component hard top assembly is detachable from the vehicle body to provide an open air configuration for the vehicle interior. 
     In addition to the foregoing, the described vehicle may include one or more of the following features: wherein the hard top assembly includes a plurality of removable roof panels selectively coupleable to the vehicle body to create a substantially contiguous roof over the vehicle interior, wherein each removable roof panel of the plurality of removable roof panels is separately removable from the vehicle body to provide an open air configuration at that specific location of the hard top assembly while enabling a user to detach, remove, and transport a smaller portion of the hard top assembly without assistance or specialized equipment; and wherein the multi-component hard top assembly further comprises a pair of removable C-pillars each separately removable from the vehicle body to provide further open air configuration while enabling the user to detach, remove, and transport the C-pillars of the hard top assembly without assistance or specialized equipment. 
     In addition to the foregoing, the described vehicle may include one or more of the following features: wherein the removable rear window assembly is selectively detachable from the vehicle body to provide an open air configuration at the passenger seating while enabling the user to detach, remove, and transport the removable rear window assembly of the hard top assembly without assistance or specialized equipment; wherein the plurality of removable roof panels includes a left front removable roof panel configured to removably couple to the vehicle body in a location above a driver&#39;s side of front passenger seating, and a right front removable roof panel configured to removably couple to the vehicle body in a location above a front passenger side of the front passenger seating; and wherein the plurality of removable roof panels includes a rear removable roof panel configured to removably couple to the vehicle body in a location above rear passenger seating. 
     In addition to the foregoing, the described vehicle may include one or more of the following features: wherein the rear window assembly is further rotatably coupled to the vehicle body and movable between an upward closed position and a lowered open position that provides an open air configuration to the passenger seating; wherein the vehicle body further includes a wall separating the cargo area and the vehicle interior, wherein the rear window assembly is hingedly coupled to the wall by at least one hinge assembly; wherein the at least one hinge assembly comprises a hinge coupled to the rear window assembly, and a pair of knuckles coupled to the wall; wherein the hinge includes a pin coupled to the rear window via a hinge arm; wherein the pair of knuckles includes a first knuckle and a second knuckle, wherein the first knuckle includes first and second semi-circular portions with a gap defined therebetween, and wherein the second knuckle includes a bore configured to receive the pin; and wherein when the rear window is positioned in an intermediate position between the open and closed positions, the hinge arm aligns with the gap such that the rear window assembly can slide sideways with the hinge arm passing through the gap, to thereby detach the rear window assembly from the vehicle. 
     In accordance with another example aspect of the invention, a vehicle is provided. In one example implementation, the vehicle includes a vehicle body including a truck bed at least partially defining a cargo area, a vehicle interior with passenger seating, and a multi-component hard top assembly configured to selectively and removably couple to the vehicle body to provide an enclosed configuration at least partially enclosing the vehicle interior. The multi-component hard top assembly includes a rear window assembly rotatably coupled to the vehicle body. The rear window assembly is movable between an upward closed position and a lowered open position that provides an open air configuration to the passenger seating. 
     In addition to the foregoing, the described vehicle may include one or more of the following features: wherein the rear window assembly is rotatably coupled to the vehicle body by at least one hinge assembly; and wherein in an intermediate position between the open position and the closed position, the rear window assembly is selectively detachable from the vehicle body. 
     Further areas of applicability of the teachings of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description, claims and the drawings provided hereinafter, wherein like reference numerals refer to like features throughout the several views of the drawings. It should be understood that the detailed description, including disclosed embodiments and drawings referenced therein, are merely exemplary in nature intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, its application or uses. Thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the present disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a vehicle with an example modular multi-component hard top assembly in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is an exploded view of the example hard top assembly shown in  FIG.  1   , in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  3    is a rear view of the vehicle of  FIG.  1    during a first step to remove an example rear window assembly, in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  4    is a rear view of the vehicle of  FIG.  3    during a second step to remove the rear window assembly, in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  5    is a rear perspective view of a vehicle with another example rear window assembly, in a closed position, in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  6    is an enlarged view of a hinge assembly of the rear window assembly shown in  FIG.  5   , in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  7    is a rear perspective of the vehicle of  FIG.  5    with the rear window assembly in an open position, in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  8    is an enlarged view of the hinge assembly of the rear window assembly shown in  FIG.  7   , in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG.  9    is an enlarged view of the hinge assembly in a removal position, in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     According to the principles of the present application, systems and methods are described for vehicle convertible top systems. In the example embodiments, the convertible top systems include a modular, multi-piece hard top assembly that enables removal of one or more rigid hard top pieces above passengers to create a more open air experience, particularly for rear seat passengers. Additionally, the convertible top systems include a removable or foldable rear window assembly, which provides further increased open air driving and/or the ability for cargo to extend therethrough. Such a design advantageously breaks the hard top assembly into more manageable pieces, thereby making the removal of the hard top much easier. 
     With initial reference to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , a vehicle  10  having a convertible top system  12  in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure is illustrated. In the example embodiment, the vehicle  10  generally includes a vehicle body  14 , an interior with front passenger seating  16  and rear passenger seating  18 , and a storage or truck bed  20 . In the example embodiment, vehicle  10  is a pickup truck, but it will be appreciated that the systems described herein may be utilized with various other types of vehicles. The truck bed  20  provides a cargo area  22  defined at least partially by a floor  24 , a forward wall  26 , side walls  28 , and a tailgate  30 . As shown, the forward wall  26  separates the cargo area  22  and the vehicle interior along with an interior cabin rear wall  32 . 
     In the example embodiment, as shown in  FIG.  2   , a roll bar assembly  40  extends upwardly from the vehicle body  14  and includes a generally U-shaped main roll bar  42  formed by a pair of laterally spaced apart vertical members  44  interconnected by a transverse member  46 . A pair of rear roll bars  48  are coupled to the main roll bar  42  and extend rearward therefrom and downwardly to the vehicle body  14 . A pair of laterally spaced apart side bars  50  are coupled to the main roll bar  42  and extend forwardly to a vehicle windshield assembly  52 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG.  1   , in the example embodiment, the convertible top system  12  is a multi-component hard top assembly  60  that generally includes a plurality of removable front passenger roof panels  62   a - b , a removable rear passenger roof panel  62   c,  a pair of removable C-pillars  64 ,  66 , and a rear window assembly  68 . As shown in  FIG.  2   , each of the front passenger roof panels  62   a - b , rear passenger roof panel  62   c,  removable C-pillars  64 ,  66 , and rear window assembly  68  are separately and removably secured to the roll bar assembly  40  and/or windshield assembly  52 . In some examples, the roof panels  62   a - b  are a single panel. In other examples described herein, the rear window assembly  68  can be rotatably coupled to the rear wall  32  to enable the rear window assembly  68  to move between a closed, upward position ( FIG.  5   ) and an open, downward position ( FIG.  7   ). 
     With reference now to  FIGS.  3  and  4   , in one example embodiment, rear window assembly  68  is removable from the vehicle and generally includes a frame  80 , a glass window  82 , and one or more locking device  84  (shown schematically). The frame  80  is configured to receive and support the glass window  82 , and the locking device(s)  84  are coupled to an inner surface  86  of the frame  80 . The locking devices  84  are configured to move between a locked position that secures the rear window assembly  68  to the rear wall  32 , C-pillars  64 ,  66 , and/or rear passenger roof panel  62   c,  and an unlocked position that releases the rear window assembly  68 . In one example, locking devices  84  are locking levers configured to rotate (e.g., 90°) from a locked position that engages another component such that the panel is locked thereto, to an unlocked position where the locking lever does not engage the other component, thereby allowing separation of the rear window assembly  68  from the other component. 
     In the example embodiment, an upper edge  88  of the window assembly  68  is received within a slot or channel  90  formed in the rear passenger roof panel  62   c,  and a lower edge  92  of the window assembly  68  is received within a slot or channel  94  formed in an upper surface of the rear wall  32 . In alternative configurations, only one channel  90 ,  94  is present. As shown in  FIG.  3   , when in an installed position, rear window assembly  68  is disposed within the channels  90 ,  94  and bounded on either side by C-pillars  64 ,  66 . 
     With additional reference to  FIG.  4   , to remove rear window assembly  68 , one of C-pillars  64 ,  66  is removed. The rear window assembly  68 , which is held in place by the rear wall  32  and/or rear passenger roof panel  62   c,  is subsequently slid outward from the channels  90 ,  94 . The removed C-pillar  64 ,  66  may then be reattached to vehicle  10  to create a rear window opening  96  with an open air configuration where the rear window assembly  68  used to be. Alternatively, the other C-pillar  64 ,  66  can also be removed to create a further open air configuration. 
     Advantageously, removal of the rear window assembly  68  increases air circulation in the passenger compartment and adds more cargo room for the truck bed  20  by allowing a user to utilize the passenger compartment as well as the truck bed  20  for moving long objects that might otherwise hang over the tailgate  30 . As such, the complete back glass can be removed to create a full flow through design with reduced wind recirculation and wind noise, while allowing more cargo room for longer objects/cargo. 
     With reference now to  FIGS.  5 - 9   , another example removable rear window assembly  68  is shown and described. In the example embodiment, the removable rear window assembly  68  is hingedly coupled to the rear wall  32  and is movable between an upward closed position ( FIGS.  5  and  6   ), a folded-down open position ( FIGS.  7  and  8   ), and an intermediate, removal position ( FIG.  9   ). As illustrated, the rear window assembly  68  is hingedly coupled to the rear wall  32  by one or more hinge assemblies  100  (two shown). 
     In the example embodiment, the window assembly lower edge  92  includes one or more hinges  102  extending downwardly therefrom, and each hinge  102  includes an arm  104  and a transverse pin  106 . The upper surface  108  of rear wall  32  includes spaced apart first and second knuckles  110 ,  112 . In the example implementation, the first knuckle  110  includes a first semi-circular portion  114  and a second semi-circular portion  116  defining a slot or gap  118  therebetween. As shown in  FIG.  9   , the gap  118  is configured to enable hinge arm  104  to slide therethrough for coupling/uncoupling of the hinge assembly  100 . The second knuckle  112  defines a bore  120  (e.g.,  FIG.  9   ) configured to selectively receive transverse pin  106 , for example, as shown in  FIG.  6   . 
       FIGS.  5  and  6    illustrate the removable rear window assembly  68  in the upward closed position such that rear window assembly  68  encloses the rear window opening  96 . In this position, the transverse pin  106  is inserted into the knuckle bore  120  and the hinge arm  104  extends upwardly in the space  122  defined between the first and second knuckles  110 ,  112 , as shown in  FIG.  6   . Accordingly, the arm  104  is disposed between second knuckle  112  and first semi-circular portion  114  such that hinge arm  104  and thus rear window assembly  68  are prevented from transverse movement, thereby maintaining the coupling between the rear window assembly  68  and the vehicle  10 . 
       FIGS.  7  and  8    illustrate the removable rear window assembly  68  moved to the downward open position such that rear window assembly  68  no longer encloses the rear window opening  96 . In this position, the transverse pin  106  is inserted into the knuckle bore  120  and the hinge arm  104  extends rearwardly in the space  122  defined between the first and second knuckles  110 ,  112 , as shown in  FIG.  8   . Accordingly, the hinge arm  104  is disposed between second knuckle  112  and second semi-circular portion  116  such that hinge arm  104  and thus rear window assembly  68  are prevented from transverse movement, thereby maintaining the coupling between the rear window assembly  68  and the vehicle  10 . 
     With reference now to  FIG.  9   , when a user desires to remove the rear window assembly  68  from the vehicle  10 , the rear window assembly  68  is rotated to an intermediate position between the open and closed positions such that hinge arm  104  is aligned with the gap  118  between the first and second semi-circular portions  114 ,  116 . In this position, the rear window assembly  68  can be shifted or slid sideways (leftward, as seen in  FIG.  9   ). As the hinge arm  104  slides through the gap  118 , transverse pin  106  slides out of the knuckle bore  120 , thereby separating the hinge  102  from first and second knuckles  110 ,  112 . The rear window assembly  68  may then be removed from the vehicle  10  for subsequent storage. The process is repeated in reverse to reattach the rear window assembly  68  to the vehicle  10 . 
     Described herein are systems and methods for a vehicle having a rear window assembly removably coupled to a hard top assembly of the vehicle. In one example, the rear window assembly slides into and out of one or more channels formed in a vehicle rear to assist the user during installation/removal. In another example, the rear window assembly is removably and rotatably attached to the vehicle via one or more hinge assemblies. In an intermediate position between open and closed positions, the rear window assembly can be detached from the hinge assemblies, thereby enabling the user to remove the rear window assembly from the vehicle and provide an open air configuration. With a folding rear window, the rear window remains with the vehicle and can be quickly closed with adverse weather conditions. This allows the user to leave the hard top on the vehicle, but also have an open air feeling with a quick and reversible one-person operation. 
     It will be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, methodologies, systems and/or functions between various examples may be expressly contemplated herein so that one skilled in the art will appreciate from the present teachings that features, elements, systems and/or functions of one example may be incorporated into another example as appropriate, unless described otherwise above. It will also be understood that the description, including disclosed examples and drawings, is merely exemplary in nature intended for purposes of illustration only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, its application or uses. Thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the present disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the present disclosure.