An apparatus and method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, providing a vehicle with a hard top option where a hard top can be attached to the vehicle, a soft top option where a soft top can be attached to the vehicle, and a dual top option where either the hard top or the soft top can be attached to the vehicle. A hard top applique is provided for the hard top and a soft top applique is provided for the soft top, and a common set of fasteners is used to attach the hard top applique and the soft top applique to a pillar as needed to attach the hard top or soft top to the vehicle.

The present invention is directed to a hardtop for a vehicle that has an exterior thermoplastic roof panel and sides. The hardtop includes a top frame formed of at least two longitudinal sides and at least one cross vehicle piece formed from fiber reinforced polymer. Connected to the top frame is at least one roof panel forming an outer surface of the hardtop. There are also one or more side frames each having a side panel connected thereto. The roof panel and side panel are all formed of thermoplastic, so it is possible to have a Class A finish paint surface or mold in color finish.

A structure, for example a vehicle roof, may define an opening receiving one or more removable panels. The removable panels may each include a panel body configured to cover the opening, and a plurality of latches. The latches may each be positioned adjacent a respective edge of the body and configured to translate between different positions. The removable panel may also include an actuator and a plurality of latch links, with each latch link having a first end connected to a corresponding one of the latches, and each latch link having a second end operably linked with the actuator. Rotation of the actuator may drive each of the latches from an open position of the latch to a closed position, while rotation of the actuator in an opposite direction may drive each of the latches from the closed position of the latch to the open position of the latch.

A utility vehicle including a cab assembly, a roof assembly, a windshield assembly, a rear window assembly, and two or more couplers attached to one or more ROPS members. The couplers are each aligned with and are releasably connected with a buckle insert attached to one or more of the roof assembly, windshield assembly, rear window assembly and doors of the cab assembly.

A hard top removal assist system for a vehicle. The system includes a vehicle body having a plurality of rails mounted to the vehicle body. A hard top has a connection that is used to connect the hard top to the plurality of rails. There is at least one connection on the hard top that is slidable in the one or more rails between an installed position and a removed position. The hard top can be fully removed from the vehicle body and the one or more rails.

A roof assembly for a convertible motor vehicle includes a roof to be placed in contact with a frame of the motor vehicle in a closed roof position, a manual locking device carried by the roof and capable of being operated by hand when the roof is in the closed roof position according to a first operating mode, in which the manual locking device cooperates with the frame to carry out a first constraining action in order to secure the roof to the frame in the closed roof position, and according to a second operating mode, in which the locking device refrains from cooperating with the frame, thus removing the first constraining action, characterized in that it further includes an additional locking device carried by the roof to automatically exert a second constraining action to secure the roof to the frame at least in response to a positioning or a movement of the roof in/to the closed roof position, the additional locking device having release means capable of being operated by hand in order to remove the second constraining action.

A structure, for example a vehicle roof, may define an opening receiving one or more removable panels. The removable panels may each include a panel body configured to cover the opening, and a plurality of latches. The latches may each be positioned adjacent a respective edge of the body and configured to translate between different positions. The removable panel may also include an actuator and a plurality of latch links, with each latch link having a first end connected to a corresponding one of the latches, and each latch link having a second end operably linked with the actuator. Rotation of the actuator may drive each of the latches from an open position of the latch to a closed position, while rotation of the actuator in an opposite direction may drive each of the latches from the closed position of the latch to the open position of the latch.

A utility vehicle including a cab assembly, a roof assembly, a windshield assembly, a rear window assembly, and two or more couplers attached to one or more ROPS members. The couplers are each aligned with and are releasably connected with a buckle insert attached to one or more of the roof assembly, windshield assembly, rear window assembly and doors of the cab assembly.

An apparatus and method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, providing a vehicle with a hard top option where a hard top can be attached to the vehicle, a soft top option where a soft top can be attached to the vehicle, and a dual top option where either the hard top or the soft top can be attached to the vehicle. A hard top applique is provided for the hard top and a soft top applique is provide for the soft top, and a common set of fasteners is used to attach the hard top applique and the soft top applique to a pillar as needed to attach the hard top or soft top to the vehicle.

The present invention is directed to a rigid cover for a dump trailer tank having a storage region with an open top used to transport bulk material. The rigid cover includes cover side walls having a top wall perimeter and a bottom wall perimeter and is configured along the bottom wall perimeter to correspond in shape with the open top of the trailer tank. The rigid cover includes a cover top connected to the cover side walls along the top wall perimeter and includes one or more ports in the top. The rigid cover includes cover fasteners mounted along the bottom wall perimeter configured to secure the plurality of cover side walls to the trailer tank so the traditional storage region of the trailer tank is transformed into an expanded storage region that allows storage of more bulk material than could otherwise be stored in the trailer tank alone.