Method and System for Removing and Storing Vehicle Hard Tops

Abstract

A method and system for removing and storing vehicle hard tops is disclosed. The hard top removal system is comprised of a rack with webbing straps, a ceiling anchor, a wall anchor, a lifting line, pulleys and a winch. An object of the invention is to provide an easy means to remove and store a vehicle hard top when the vehicle is parked in a typical residential garage.

Claims

1.) A system for raising and storing a vehicle hard top comprised of the following parts: a) straps for connecting to the vehicle hard top; b) a bar for connecting the straps; c.) a lifting line for raising and lowering the bar; d.) a ceiling-mounted pulley and a corner-mounted pulley for guiding the lifting line; e.) a ceiling rail for attaching the ceiling mounted pulley to a ceiling; and f.) a winch for raising and lowering the lifting line.

2.) The system for raising and storing a vehicle hard top of claim 1 wherein the bar having bail locking pins on distal ends to connect to loops in said straps.

3.) The system for raising and storing a vehicle hard top of claim 1 wherein the bar having a connection with aperture to receive a hook on the lifting line.

4.) The system for raising and storing a vehicle hard top of claim 1 wherein the ceiling—mounted pulley is connected to a ceiling by means of the ceiling rail.

5.) The system for raising and storing a vehicle hard top of claim 1 wherein the corner-mounted pulley is connected to a wall by means of L-shaped flanges and bolts.

6.) The system for raising and storing a vehicle hard top of claim 1 wherein the winch having a selectively-locking spool and handle that can be turned manually using hands or automatically using a drill.

7.) A method for raising and storing the vehicle's hard top comprised of the following steps: a) positioning a vehicle's hard top beneath the bar; b) attaching the hook to the connection on the bar; c) lowering the bar; d) affixing the straps to the bar; e) threading straps to the vehicle's hard top; f) raising the vehicle's hard top; and g) locking the vehicle's hard top.

8.) The method for raising and storing the vehicle's hard top of claim 5 wherein the attaching the hook includes the step of attaching the hook to an aperture in the connection on the bar.

9.) The method for raising and storing the vehicle's hard top of claim 5 wherein the lowering the bar includes the step of the turning the handle on the winch.

10.) The method for raising and storing the vehicle's hard top of claim 5 wherein the affixing the straps to the bar includes the steps of attaching the straps to bail locking pins on the bar.

11.) The method for raising and storing the vehicle's hard top of claim 5 wherein the raising the vehicle's hard top includes the step of turning the winch handle.

12.) The method for raising and storing the vehicle's hard top of claim 5 wherein the locking the hard top includes the step of locking the spool on the winch.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0011] FIG. 1 showing perspective view of the apparatus;

[0012] FIG. 2 showing a close up view of the apparatus; and

[0013] FIG. 3 showing a representative view of the method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0014] FIG. 1 showing a preferred embodiment of the apparatus comprised of bar 7 connected to vehicle 9's hard top 9A by means of at least two straps 8 and hook 6. Said bar 7 being connected to selectively-lockable winch 1 by means of hook 6 and lifting line 3 (made of a material including but not limited to metal wire rope, steel cable, nylon etc.), guided by corner-mounted pulley 2 with L-shaped flanges, and ceiling-mounted pulley 5 attached to ceiling rail 4. Said L-shaped flanges on corner-mounted pulley 2 allow corner-mounted pulley 2 to be bolted to a wall. FIG. 2 showing a close up view of the apparatus. Bar 7 being comprised of a triangular-shaped tube made of a rigid material such as but not limited to metal, plastic and the like and having cylindrical-shaped handles 10 with grips on each distal end. Bar 7 also having a triangular shaped connection 7A with aperture disposed proximally thereon. Said handles 10 being connected to bar 7 by means of anchor channel 11 and having at least two bail locking pins 9 disposed perpendicular to said channel 11 and connected to loops in straps 8. Straps 8 comprised of a flexible yet rigid material such as but not limited to nylon webbing, cable, rope, chains and the like and being adjustable with selective anchor methods including but not limited to Velcro, buckles, snaps and the like to accommodate different-size hard tops 9A therein.

[0015] The figure also showing ceiling-mounted pulley 5 being connected to U-shaped ceiling rail 4 by means of bolts 4A and rail 4 being connected to a ceiling rafter by means of bolts and washers passing through a plurality of apertures therein. Ceiling rail 4 being made of a rigid material such as but not limited to steel, aluminum and the like. FIG. 2 also showing corner-mounted pulley 2 having L-shaped plates 2A allowing it to be mounted to a wall stud with screws and winch 1 having a selectively-locking spool 1A and removable handle 1B allowing it to raise and lower lifting line3 by a user's hands or by an electric drill etc. FIG. 3 showing a representative view of the apparatus' method including but not limited to: positioning a vehicle's hard top 9A beneath bar 7; attaching hook 6 to an aperture on connection 7A on bar 7; lowering bar 7 by means of rotating winch 1; affixing straps to bar 7 by means of bail locking pins 9; threading straps 8 to vehicle's hard top 9A; lifting hard top 9a using winch 1; and locking hard top 9A by locking the spool on winch 1.

[0016] It is additionally noted and anticipated that although the device is shown in its most simple form, various components and aspects of the device may be differently shaped or slightly modified when forming the invention herein. As such those skilled in the art will appreciate the descriptions and depictions set forth in this disclosure or merely meant to portray examples of preferred modes within the overall scope and intent of the invention, and are not to be considered limiting in any manner. While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the invention have been shown and described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and it will be apparent that in some instances, some features of the invention may be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should also be understood that various substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.