SOFT FRONT COCKPIT COVER

Abstract

A foldable roof assembly having a soft panel top assembly for a vehicle in sealing engagement with a hard top portion of a roof. The soft panel top assembly has a fixed portion attached to the vehicle and a lightweight pivotal portion that folds back to provide the occupant a quick and easy open air effect. Two door rails of the soft panel top assembly are connected to the vehicle. Two side bows are attached to a first bow member, which is secured to a windshield frame when in a closed position, and are connected at a pivot point created with a bracket attached to the door rails to allow the pivotal portion to pivot to an open position. The soft panel top assembly includes a rear header that is a wireframe and engages with seals in the hard top roof portion to provide a weatherproof seal.

Claims

1-20. (canceled)

21. A soft top insert for a vehicle roof for inserting into an open space in the roof defined by a windshield frame, side members extending back therefrom over oppositely-disposed driver side and passenger side vehicle doors, and a cross member connecting the side members opposite the open space from the windshield frame and behind the doors, the insert including: two door rails adapted for attachment to the side members of the vehicle, with each door rail presenting an abutment surface for abutment with the vehicle doors; two side rails pivotally connected to the at least two door rails; a first bow member connected between the two side rails and including at least one latch disposed thereon, the bow member being adapted to selectively connect to the windshield frame with the at least one latch; a cover including fabric material, the cover connected at a front edge to the bow member, where pivoting the two side rails allows said cover to move between a deployed position closing the space and an open position opening the space; a rear header member connected to a rear edge of the cover and adapted to connect to the vehicle, where the rear header member includes a surface adapted to abut the roof adjacent the cross member to provide a weatherproof seal.

22. The soft panel top assembly of claim 21, further comprising two brackets, wherein a respective one of said brackets is each connected to a respective one of said two door rails to provide a pivot point on each of said two door rails.

23. The soft panel top assembly of claim 22, wherein said pivot points are provided with a bushing and screw arrangement allowing for the pivotal connection between each of said two brackets and said two side rails, such that said two side rails are pivotal about said pivot point.

24. The soft panel top assembly of claim 21, wherein said two door rails each further comprise a plurality of clamping surfaces adapted for extending toward the vehicle interior for connecting each said door rail at the roof opening of the vehicle using at least one fastener.

25. The soft panel top assembly of claim 21, wherein the two side rails and first bow member pivot with a portion of said cover between said deployed position and said open position to provide an open air feel of the soft panel top assembly without completely removing the soft panel top assembly from the vehicle.

26. The soft panel top assembly of claim 21, wherein the two door rails each extend between an A-pillar and a B-pillar of the vehicle and each provide a sealing surface for front doors of the vehicle.

27. The soft panel top assembly of claim 21, wherein a front edge of said cover wraps around said first bow member, is operably secured to said first bow member, and covers at least an outward portion of said first bow member.

28. The soft panel top assembly of claim 21, wherein a rear edge of said cover is operably secured to said rear header member and covers at least an outward portion of said rear header member.

29. The soft panel top assembly of claim 21, wherein said rear header member further comprises at least two attachment brackets for connecting to the cross member of the vehicle using at least two fasteners.

30. The soft panel top assembly of claim 21, wherein said rear header member further comprises at least two fasteners, and as said at least two fasteners are tightened against a surface of the cross member said rear header member is pressed against and seals with the hard top roof portion.

31. The soft panel top assembly of claim 21, further comprises at least two fasteners for connecting the rear header member to the cross member of the vehicle using the at least two fasteners.

32. The soft panel top assembly of claim 21, further comprising at least two fasteners, and as said fasteners are tightened said rear header member is pressed against and seals with the hard top roof portion.

33. A soft top insert for a vehicle roof for inserting into an open space in the roof defined by a windshield frame, side members extending back therefrom over oppositely-disposed driver side and passenger side vehicle doors, and a cross member connecting the side members opposite the open space from the windshield frame and behind the doors, the insert including: two door rails adapted for attachment to the side members of the vehicle, with each door rail presenting an abutment surface for abutment with the vehicle doors; at least one fabric management bow being adapted to selectively connect to the windshield frame and including first and second oppositely-disposed side rails pivotally connected one to each of the door rails; a cover including fabric material, the cover connected at a front edge to the fabric management bow, where pivoting the two side rails allows said cover to move between a deployed position closing the space and an open position opening the space; a rear header member connected to a rear edge of the cover and adapted to connect to the vehicle, where the rear header member includes a surface adapted to abut the roof adjacent the cross member to provide a weatherproof seal.

34. The soft panel top assembly of claim 33, further comprising two brackets, wherein a respective one of said brackets is each connected to a respective one of said two door rails to provide a pivot point on each of said two door rails.

35. The soft panel top assembly of claim 33, wherein said pivot points are provided with a bushing and screw arrangement allowing for the pivotal connection between each of said two brackets and said two side rails, such that said two side rails are pivotal about said pivot point.

36. The soft panel top assembly of claim 33, wherein said two door rails each further comprise a plurality of clamping surfaces adapted for extending toward the vehicle interior for connecting each said door rail at the roof opening of the vehicle using at least one fastener.

37. The soft panel top assembly of claim 33, wherein the two side rails and first bow member pivot with a portion of said cover between said deployed position and said open position to provide an open air feel of the soft panel top assembly without completely removing the soft panel top assembly from the vehicle.

38. The soft panel top assembly of claim 33, wherein the two door rails each extend between an A-pillar and a B-pillar of the vehicle and each provide a sealing surface for front doors of the vehicle.

39. The soft panel top assembly of claim 33, wherein a front edge of said cover wraps around said first bow member, is operably secured to said first bow member, and covers at least an outward portion of said first bow member.

40. The soft panel top assembly of claim 33, wherein a rear edge of said cover is operably secured to said rear header member and covers at least an outward portion of said rear header member.

41. The soft panel top assembly of claim 33, wherein said rear header member further comprises at least two fasteners for connecting to the cross member of the vehicle using at least two fasteners.

42. The soft panel top assembly of claim 33, further comprising at least two fasteners, and as said fasteners are tightened, said rear header member is pressed against and seals with the hard top roof portion.

43. A soft panel top assembly, comprising: two door rails for attachment in a roof opening of a vehicle; two brackets, wherein a respective one of said brackets are each connected to a respective one of said two door rails; two side rails pivotally connected to said at least two door rails using said two brackets creating a pivot point on each of said two door rails; a first bow member connected between said two side rails and adapted to selectively connect to the vehicle; a cover that is a soft skin roof top cover, said cover connected at a front edge to said first bow member, where pivoting said two side rails about said pivot points allows said cover to move between a deployed position and an open position; a rear header member connected to said cover and operable for being coupled at the roof opening of the vehicle, where said rear header member is adapted for sealing engagement with roof to provide a weatherproof seal at the roof opening.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a front left perspective view of a foldable roof assembly having a soft panel top cover assembly in a deployed position connected to the vehicle and in sealing engagement with a hard top portion, in accordance with the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a rear left perspective view of the foldable roof assembly having the soft panel top cover assembly in the deployed position, in accordance with the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a rear right perspective view of the soft panel top cover assembly in the deployed position, without the soft cover depicted for clarity, in accordance with the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 4 is a front left perspective view of the soft panel top cover assembly in an open position, without the soft cover depicted for clarity, in accordance with the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the soft panel top cover assembly in an open position, without the soft cover depicted for clarity, in accordance with the present invention;

[0015] FIG. 6 is a right side elevation view of the soft panel top cover assembly in a closed position, without the soft cover depicted for clarity, in accordance with the present invention;

[0016] FIG. 7 is a right side elevation view of the soft panel top cover assembly in an open position, without the soft cover depicted for clarity, in accordance with the present invention;

[0017] FIG. 8 is a right side elevation view of the soft panel top cover assembly in a partially open position, without the soft cover depicted for clarity, in accordance with the present invention; and

[0018] FIG. 9 is a side elevation view from the interior side of the soft panel top cover assembly of FIG. 6 in the closed position, without the soft cover and sport bar depicted for clarity, in accordance with the present invention; and

[0019] FIG. 10 is a side elevation view from the interior side of the soft panel top cover assembly of FIG. 9 in the closed position, without the soft cover depicted for clarity, in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses.

[0021] Referring generally to FIGS. 1-10, there is provided a foldable roof assembly, generally shown at 10, having a soft panel top assembly, generally shown at 12, sealable with a hard top roof portion, generally shown at 14. The soft panel top assembly 12 is connected to a vehicle 16. The vehicle 16 includes a windshield frame 18 with side members 20 extending therefrom and a crossmember 22 connecting the side members 20 substantially adjacent the rear of the driver/passenger compartment.

[0022] The soft panel top assembly 12 folds back to give the occupant a quick and easy open air effect, e.g., lightweight and easily operated at a short interval stop, without completely removing the soft panel top assembly 12 from the vehicle 16. Folding the soft panel top assembly 12 between a closed position and an open position is also achievable without the occupant needing to leave the vehicle and eliminates removal and storage of roof panels from the vehicle. Once cycled to the open position, the soft panel top assembly 12 also does not require strapping the assembly down to maintain open air positioning.

[0023] The soft panel top assembly 12 has a pivotal portion, shown generally at 24, for pivoting the soft panel top assembly 12 between the deployed or closed position and open position. When the soft panel top assembly 12 is cycled between the closed/open position, the soft panel top assembly 12 is in sealing engagement with the hard top roof portion 14 at a sealing portion, generally shown at 26. When the soft panel top assembly 12 is in the closed position, the soft panel top assembly 12 seals with the vehicle windshield frame 18, doors and/or the side members 20, and the hard top roof portion 14 at sealing portion 26.

[0024] The soft panel top assembly 12 has two door rails 28 connected to side sport bars of the vehicle 16. The door rails 28 provide a sealing surface for the driver/passenger doors of the vehicle 16 as well as pivot points for the pivotal portion 24 of the soft panel top assembly 12. Each door rail 28 has two pairs of clamping surfaces 30, each with an upper surface extending inwardly over the top of the sport bar and a bottom surface extending under the bottom of the sport bar for attaching to the vehicle 16 using at least two mushroom knob fasteners 32 extending through each pair of the clamping surfaces and sport bar. Each door rail 28 has a bracket 34 connected to the door rail 28 to provide the pivot points, generally shown at 36, for the pivotal portion 24 of the soft panel top assembly 12.

[0025] The pivotal portion 24 of the soft panel top assembly 12 has two side rails or bows 38 each connected at a first end to a respective end of a header or first bow member 40. The first bow 40 is adapted for releasable attachment to the windshield frame 18 for opening and closing the soft panel top assembly 12 of the foldable roof assembly 10. The first bow 40 has at least two latches connected thereto that have a hand actuated clamping arrangement to selectively connect to the windshield frame 18. The first bow 40 is preferably molded plastic with steel reinforcement on the bottom and comprises two latches, which when in the closed position are generally located under the visors of the vehicle, and when cycling to the open position, travel with the first bow 30. The latches provide for securing closure of the top to the windshield frame 18 and are readily released by an operator for opening of the soft panel top assembly 12.

[0026] The side rails 38 are connected toward the second end of the side rails 38 to the door rail pivot points 36 with the use of the brackets 34. A bushing and screw arrangement 42 provide for a pivotal connection between the brackets 34 fixed in place to the door rails 28 and the side rails 38 that freely pivot to allow the top to be cycled open or closed. The side rails 38 have a curved portion, generally shown at 44, to achieve the predetermined range of height needed for the first bow member 40 to lay above and near without touching the hard top portion 14 when in the open position. The curved portions 44 in combination with angled portions, generally shown at 46, at a predetermined angle provides a preferred predetermined clearance h to the hard top portion 14 to prevent scratches or damage. Preferably, a latch hook is additionally provided that functions as a stop that the side rails 38 hit to hold the first bow member off the surface of the hard top portion 14 to prevent scratches or damage.

[0027] The soft panel top assembly 12 has a soft skin or top cover 48 of fabric sewn into two extrusions 50 that are connected to the side rails 38. The cover 48 can wrap around the front of the first bow member 40 and is connected to the bow 30. The first bow member 40 provides additional mounting points for the cover 48 such as snaps for securing the cover 48 on the first bow member 40. The length of the side rails 38 in combination with the location of the pivot points 36 allows for moving the pivotal portion 24 to the open position without folding the fabric in a folded accordion like manner. The cover 48 is additionally connected to a rear header member, generally shown at 52. The rear header 52 has mounting provisions for snaps to mount the cover 48 to the rear header 52.

[0028] The rear header 52 is a wireframe that is a rear wireframe closeout that engages the seals 54, e.g., bulb seals, of the hard top portion 14 to provide a weatherproof seal. The rear header 52 has attachment brackets 56 for coupling to the vehicle and/or hard top cover portion 14. The rear header 52 is a bent wire frame welded together to generally match the shape of the hard top portion 14 and to seal against the seals 54 of the hard top portion 14.

[0029] The rear header 52 is secured in place with a plurality of fasteners 58. At least two fasteners 58, preferably, mushroom knobs, secure the rear header 52 and the hard top portion 14 to the cross member 22 of the vehicle 16. At least two additional fasteners 58, preferably, mushroom knobs, clamp the outer edges of the rear header 52 in place. FIG. 4 depicts a knob 58 clamped against the bottom surface of the cross member 22 and having a pin portion extending through the cross member 22 and through an aperture in the attachment bracket 56 of the rear header 52. As both knobs 58 are tightened and screwed into the cross member 22 of the vehicle 16, the knobs 54 help press the rear header 52 against the hard top cover seals 54 of the hard top portion 14.

[0030] The left half of the soft panel top cover assembly 12 and corresponding features are substantially mirror image/symmetrical to the right half of the soft panel top cover assembly 12 and corresponding features depicted in the figures.

[0031] A two door vehicle is depicted in FIG. 1. It is understood that the present invention is additionally suitable for a four door vehicle.

[0032] By utilizing the pivot points attached to the door rails this allows the operator to quickly cycle the top from the closed position to the open sunroof position without removing the top. The operator would then be able to cycle the top from the open position to the closed position and latch the top just as easily. The operator does not need to leave the vehicle in order to operate the top. The whole top is made lightweight by using the wireframe rear header and by using minimal frame and mostly soft goods. This helps with ease of installation and ease of cycle efforts. The soft panel top assembly enables the occupant to fold the top back to gain an open air experience without removing the top and can mount to the hardtop without modification to the vehicle. The soft panel top assembly has significant benefits over typical removable hard top cockpit panels and does not require modification to the vehicle or hard top roof portion in any way.

[0033] The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the essence of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.