Abstract:
A cockpit cover for a convertible vehicle comprising a sheet of pliable material shaped to cover the cockpit. A first lever is provided on a first edge portion of the sheet and a second lever is provided on a second edge portion of the sheet. Connectors are provided for the respective first and second levers to pull the lever toward the vehicle cockpit.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to a cockpit cover for a convertible motor vehicle, and more particularly to a securing system for the cockpit cover. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Attaching the typical cockpit cover over the cockpit of a convertible vehicle is difficult and time consuming, particularly when many snap connectors must be aligned and snapped in place. Moreover, the use of snap connectors on the exterior of the vehicle adjacent painted surfaces can result in scratched paint. What is needed is a securing system which is fast and simple to operate and provides a more secure attachment for the cover than other systems now in use. A further need exits for such a system which eliminates the use of snap type connectors adjacent painted surfaces and which obviates modifications or additions to the vehicle which could create styling concerns. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention, a cockpit cover for a convertible vehicle is provided, comprising a sheet of pliable material shaped to cover the cockpit. A first lever is provided on a first edge portion of the sheet and a second lever is provided on a second edge portion of the sheet. Connectors are provided for the respective first and second levers to pull the levers toward the vehicle cockpit. 
     More specifically, the first edge portion of the sheet is alignable with a first hollow side portion of the vehicle and the second edge portion of the sheet is alignable with a second hollow side portion of the vehicle. A first tongue is provided on the first edge portion of the sheet which is insertable within the first hollow side portion. A second tongue on the second edge portion of the sheet is insertable within a second hollow side portion of the vehicle. The tongues may be portions of the levers previously described. The first and second connectors are connected to the tongue to anchor the tongues within the hollow side portions of the vehicle. Preferably, at least one of the connectors may comprise a strap attachable to an anchor of a belt assembly. Another connector may be attached to an edge portion of the cover and engage a rear view mirror assembly of the vehicle. Still another connector may be attached to an interior door handle of the vehicle. 
     One object of this invention is to provide a cockpit cover and securing system for a convertible motor vehicle having the foregoing features and capabilities which substitutes levers for a series of snap connectors. 
     Another object is to provide a cockpit cover and securing system which is composed of a relatively few simple parts, is rugged and durable in use, and is capable of being inexpensively manufactured and easily installed over the cockpit. 
     These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent as the following description proceeds, especially when considered with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a cockpit cover installed over the cockpit of a convertible motor vehicle. 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view taken in the direction of the arrow 2 in FIG. 1, showing the cockpit cover in the process of being installed over the cockpit of the vehicle. 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view taken in the direction of the arrow 3 in FIG. 1, with part of the cover broken away. 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4--4 in FIG. 3. 
     FIG. 4A is a sectional view similar to FIG. 4 but showing a different attachment. 
     FIG. 5 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view taken in the direction of the arrow 5 in FIG. 1, with parts broken away. 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view taken in the direction of the arrow 6 in FIG. 1, with parts broken away and showing the cover in the process of installation. 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view taken in the direction of the arrow 7 in FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary perspective view showing one portion of the cockpit cover installed and the other portion removed. 
     FIG. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view taken in the direction of the arrow 9 in FIG. 8. 
     FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the cockpit cover. 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 5, but showing one of the straps attached to a different seat belt anchor. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now more particularly to the drawings, a cockpit cover 20 is shown covering the cockpit 22 of a convertible motor vehicle 24. The cover 20 is in the form of a sheet of flexible pliable material such as a suitable waterproof cloth or plastic, for example, and is in two parts, namely, a first body portion 26 and a second body portion 28. The body portions 26 and 28 are removably attached to one another along a seam line 30 by a zipper 32. The outline of the cover when laid flat is best seen in FIG. 10. This view shows that there are pockets 34 and 36 in the body portions 26 and 28 to receive the top portions of the two seat backs 38 and 40, and a pocket 42 to receive the top of the steering wheel 44. 
     One side edge portion 46 of the cover is folded over on itself and has a semi-rigid stiffening member 48 of plastic sheeting or the like within the fold (See FIGS. 4 and 10). The opposite side edge portion 50 of the cover is folded over on itself and has a stiffening member 52 secured within the fold. 
     Strap attachments 54 are provided to secure the opposite side edge portions of the cover to the vehicle. Each attachment 54 comprises a lever 56 and an elongated, flexible strap 58 which is adjustable in length. The lever 56 is a relatively stiff tab, the configuration of which is best seen in FIG. 4. As there shown, the lever 56 has a main body portion 59 which is of generally inverted V-shape when in the installed position, having a strap-attaching inner end portion or arm 60 and a tongue 62 which form a fulcrum 64 at the curved apex of the V. The tongue 62 has an upwardly bent terminal portion 66. 
     The lever 56 is pivotally attached to the cover 20 by a row of stitching 69 extending through both layers of the fold of the body portion of cover 20, through the intervening stiffening member 48, and through lever 56 adjacent fulcrum 64. The tongue 62 is insertable through the slot 68 at the top of a window opening in the hollow side portion 70 of a door of the vehicle, between the inner and outer door panels 72 and 74 and down alongside the upper edge of a retracted window 76 when the edge portion of the cover is aligned with the slot 68. The fulcrum 64 of the lever is secured to the bottom of a side edge portion of the cover and when installed as in FIG. 4 rests on a sealing strip 78 at the top of the window opening. 
     As shown in FIG. 5, one end of the strap 58 is secured to the inner end portion 60 of the lever 56 and the other end has a buckle 82 of the type adapted to engage the anchor 83 of a seat belt assembly. As shown in FIG. 10, there are two such strap attachments 54, one for each side portion of the cover. In FIGS.1, 5, 6 and 8 the buckles 82 on the ends of the straps 80 are releasably snapped into the seat belt anchors 83 adjacent to the center console 84. In FIG. 11, the buckle on the strap on the passenger side of the vehicle is shown releasably snapped into a seat belt anchor 86 adjacent to the passenger side door. The same arrangement may also be provided on the driver&#39;s side. 
     To further secure the cover over the cockpit, an attachment 90 is provided on the passenger side of the cover. (See FIGS. 3, 4 and 10). The attachment 90 consists of a lever 56 and an elongated, flexible strip 92 of the hook and loop type commonly referred to as a Velcro strip. The strip 92 is secured to the inner end portion 60 of the lever and is adapted to loop under a handle 94 on the door and be folded back on itself so that the Velcro surfaces of the strip provide a releasable connection. In FIGS. 3 and 4, the handle 94 is in the form of a release lever for the door latch. FIG. 4A shows a modification in which the strip 92 loops under a fixed door pull 96 just beneath the lever 94. 
     As shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, for additional securement on the driver&#39;s side of the cover, two elongated, flexible Velcro-type strips 98 are secured at one end to the adjacent side edge portion of the cover and are adapted to extend around a side view mirror 100 on the door at the driver&#39;s side and their opposite ends releasably secured together. 
     Additional securement along the seam line 30 between the two body portions 26 and 28 of the cover includes an elongated, flexible strap 102 of adjustable length having one end permanently secured to the body portion 26 and a buckle or hook 104 on the opposite end releasably engageable in an inner seat belt anchor or hooked under the lower edge of the center console 84 (See FIGS. 8 and 10). 
     If desired, snap fasteners 108 may be provided along the front and rear edge portions of the cover to releasably engage mating snap fastener parts on the instrument panel and at the rear of the cockpit but removed from the painted door surfaces adjacent the levers 56. 
     The entire cover may be installed over the cockpit or, if desired, only the body portion 26 may be installed as in FIG. 8 so that the driver&#39;s seat can be occupied. The tension on the strap attachment 54 may be adjusted by adjusting the length of the strap with a conventional buckle 109 (FIG. 8). This tension will determine the pulling force applied to the levers 56 and provide adequate anchoring force by the abutment of tongue 62 against the interior of the door panels.