Abstract
A non-motorized panoramic retractable hard panel roof, desirable for most sport vehicle owners is disclosed. A manually operated, rear retractable hard panel roof assembly is capable of being manually opened and closed without a need to leave the driver compartment. The present design is a semi-permanent driver compartment enclosure, easy to install and remove by the driver without requiring any outside assistance, and one that can easily be modified from the factory roof panels to the configuration of the present invention, as well as being easily changed back to the original configuration from the factory. Because it is semi-permanent, the roof panel does not need to be removed, thereby alleviating any need to store the panel away from the vehicle. The present retractable assembly can easily be attached to the vehicle without interrupting any of the original functionality of the vehicle, and without the need for any special tools. By relatively simple attachments, the roof panel assembly may be used to attach it to the vehicle without any need to modify the original factory vehicle roof.
Claims
1. A retractable roof assembly for sport vehicles with a factory vehicle roof, a cabin interior and a factory vehicle structure, comprising: a non-motorized hard panel retractable roof that is removably mountable to the factory vehicle structure of the sport vehicle, said hard panel retractable roof being capable of operation from inside the vehicle, and wherein said non-motorized hard panel retractable roof is capable of self storing on the vehicle.
2. The retractable roof assembly of claim 1, wherein the hard panel retractable roof is a rearwardly retractable hard panel capable of being manually opened and closed from inside the driver compartment and also being capable of being semi-permanently installed on the sport vehicle without interrupting any of the original functionality of the vehicle, or without any modification to the original factory vehicle roof.
3. The retractable roof assembly of claim 1, further comprising vehicle structure attachment brackets mountable to the sport vehicle, and said attachment brackets also being attached to the hard panel retractable roof, whereby the hard panel retractable roof is semi-permanently attached to the sport vehicle by the attachment members.
4. The retractable roof assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one non-motorized articulating mechanism for lifting and retracting the hard panel retractable roof rearwardly to expose a portion of the interior of the sport vehicle to the outer elements.
5. The retractable roof assembly of claim 1, wherein said hard panel retractable roof is made of suitable materials including clear glass, opaque, transparent, translucent hard composite polycarbonates, glass, tempered glass, Gorilla Glass®, metal, fiberglass and combinations thereof.
6. The retractable roof assembly of claim 5, wherein said hard panel retractable roof is made of clear tempered glass.
7. The retractable roof assembly of claim 1, wherein said hard panel retractable roof is surrounded by an encapsulating member to enable attachment to the vehicle structure attachment brackets.
8. The retractable roof assembly of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism to secure the hard panel retracting roof in an open position once retracted.
9. The retractable roof assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one securing mechanism to secure the hard panel sliding roof in a closed position.
10. The retractable roof assembly of claim 4, wherein said non-motorized articulating mechanism includes roof rails that are adapted to be attached to the existing vehicle structure as well as being pivotally connected to the hard panel retractable roof panel by extension rail struts.
11. The retractable roof assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one locking mechanism to secure the hard panel sliding roof in an open position.
12. The retractable roof assembly of claim 11, wherein the locking mechanism includes a magnetic locking mechanism for securing the retractable roof assembly in an open position.
13. The retractable roof assembly of claim 11, wherein the locking mechanism includes a lock latch mechanism.
14. The retractable roof assembly of claim 11, wherein the locking mechanism includes a toggle locking mechanism.
15. The retractable roof assembly of claim 11, wherein the locking mechanism includes a draw latch mechanism.
16. The retractable roof assembly of claim 4, wherein the at least one non-motorized articulating mechanism for lifting and retracting the hard panel retractable roof rearwardly to expose a portion of the interior of the sport vehicle to the outer elements includes a torsion spring mechanism to assist lifting and retracting.
17. The retractable roof assembly of claim 4, wherein the at least one non-motorized articulating mechanism for lifting and retracting the hard panel retractable roof rearwardly to expose a portion of the interior of the sport vehicle to the outer elements includes at least one lifting strut to assist lifting and retracting.
18. The retractable roof assembly of claim 4, wherein the at least one non-motorized articulating mechanism for lifting and retracting the hard panel retractable roof rearwardly to expose a portion of the interior of the sport vehicle to the outer elements includes a hydraulic strut to assist lifting and retracting.
19. The retractable roof assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one rearwardly folding rigid roof panel hingedly mounted to the roof of the vehicle.
20. The retractable roof assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one bearing for retracting the hard roof panel rearwardly to expose the cabin interior.
21. The retractable roof assembly of claim 1, further comprising at least one handle secured to the hard roof panel for a driver in the cabin interior to retract the hard roof panel.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] For a further understanding of the nature and advantages of the expected scope and various aspects of the present invention, reference shall be made to the following detailed description, and when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and wherein:
[0021] FIG. 1A is an environmental view of a sport type vehicle with a retracted hard roof panel made in accordance with the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 1B is an environmental view of the sport type vehicle of FIG. 1A with the hard roof panel partially retracted;
[0023] FIG. 1C is an environmental view of the sport type vehicle of FIG. 1A with the hard roof panel in a fully closed position;
[0024] FIG. 1D is a top plan view of the sport type vehicle of FIG. 1A with the hard roof panel in the fully closed position;
[0025] FIG. 1E is a top plan view of the sport type vehicle of FIG. 1A with the hard roof panel in the fully closed position, illustrating the hard roof panel in phantom in an open position, and the relative placement of a first aspect of latches to secure the roof panel in a closed position;
[0026] FIG. 2A is a perspective view from underneath of a non-motorized panoramic retracting hard roof panel made in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 2B is a bottom plan view from underneath of the non-motorized panoramic retracting hard roof panel made in accordance with the aspect of the present invention shown in FIG. 2A;
[0028] FIG. 2C is a perspective view from underneath the non-motorized panoramic retracting hard roof panel made in accordance with an aspect of the present invention shown in FIG. 2A, detailing an open position;
[0029] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one aspect of a handle for operating the opening and closing of the hard roof panel;
[0030] FIG. 4 is a perspective cutaway view of retracting and lifting struts;
[0031] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the lifting struts;
[0032] FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the underside;
[0033] FIG. 6B is a side elevational view of the lifting struts;
[0034] FIG. 7 is a perspective cutaway view of one aspect of the retracting and lifting struts;
[0035] FIG. 8A is a perspective view of another aspect of retracting and lifting struts in an open position;
[0036] FIG. 8B is a perspective view of another aspect of retracting and lifting struts in a closed position;
[0037] FIG. 9A is a side elevational view of a locking mechanism;
[0038] FIG. 9B is a side elevational view of the locking mechanism in an unlocked position;
[0039] FIG. 10A is a perspective view of another aspect of retracting and lifting struts with a torsion spring in an open position;
[0040] FIG. 10B is a perspective view of another aspect of retracting and lifting struts with a variant torsion spring in an open position;
[0041] FIG. 10C is a perspective view of another aspect of retracting and lifting struts with yet a different type of torsion spring in an open position;
[0042] FIG. 11A is a perspective view of a retracting handle;
[0043] FIG. 11B is a cross sectional view of a spring plunger;
[0044] FIG. 11C is a cross sectional view of a magnet plunger;
[0045] FIG. 12 shows a compression hook latch;
[0046] FIG. 13 illustrates a toggle clamp latch configuration;
[0047] FIG. 14 details a shock absorbing spring roller;
[0048] FIG. 15A shows a toggle clamp latch;
[0049] FIG. 15B is a bottom plan view of the aspect of FIG. 15A;
[0050] FIG. 16A is a bottom perspective view of another aspect of a squeeze release;
[0051] FIG. 16B is a bottom perspective view of another aspect of a squeeze release;
[0052] FIG. 17A is a bottom plan view of another aspect of the squeeze release;
[0053] FIG. 17B is a side elevational view of a T-shaped locking mechanism in an unlocked position;
[0054] FIG. 18A is a top plan view of another aspect of a folding hard roof panel in a closed position;
[0055] FIG. 18B is a top plan view of another aspect of a folding hard roof panel in an open position;
[0056] FIG. 19A shows a single center rail retracting system;
[0057] FIG. 19B shows a double center rail retracting system;
[0058] FIG. 20 is a side perspective view of a pair of panel catcher clips;
[0059] FIG. 21 is a side elevational view of another aspect of the present invention with a hard roof panel on pivot arms for retraction;
[0060] FIG. 22 shows an aspect for the retracting handle with lock from underneath;
[0061] FIG. 23 shows a detail of a rolling shock absorber;
[0062] FIG. 24A is a side elevational view with a single roller slide retracting rail;
[0063] FIG. 24B is a side elevational view with a double roller slide retracting rail;
[0064] FIG. 25A shows a retracting handle with magnetic positioners;
[0065] FIG. 25B shows a retracting handle with magnetic positioners in a partial cutaway;
[0066] FIG. 26A is a perspective view a magnetic drop down locking support in its closed position;
[0067] FIG. 26B is a perspective view a magnetic drop down locking support in its open position;
[0068] FIG. 27A is a side elevation view of yet another aspect of a locking mechanism while in its closed position;
[0069] FIG. 27B is a side elevational view of yet another aspect of the locking mechanism of FIG. 27A while in its open position;
[0070] FIG. 28A is a side elevational view of another aspect with a sliding latch;
[0071] FIG. 28B is a side perspective view of the sliding latch aspect of FIG. 28A in greater detail;
[0072] FIG. 28C is a side perspective view of the sliding latch aspect of FIG. 28A in greater detail during operation; and
[0073] FIG. 28D is a side perspective view of the sliding latch aspect of FIG. 28A covering a locking arm.
[0074] A more complete and full understanding of the aspects and nature of the present invention will become apparent upon considering the following detailed description, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
[0075] Although the invention will be described by way of examples hereinbelow for specific aspects having certain features, it must also be realized that minor modifications that do not require undo experimentation on the part of the practitioner are covered within the scope and breadth of this invention. Additional advantages and other novel features of the present invention will be set forth in the description that follows and in particular will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination or may be learned within the practice of the invention. Therefore, the invention is capable of many other different aspects and its details are capable of modifications of various aspects, which will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art all without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the rest of the description will be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0076] Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, disclosed is a new non-motorized retractable panoramic hard roof panel for sport vehicles. Now we look at this innovation in the present invention. The present design is a semi-permanent driver compartment enclosure, easy to install and removable by the driver without requiring any outside assistance, and one that can easily be modified from the factory roof panels to the configuration of the present invention, as well as being easily changed back to the original configuration from the factory.
[0077] As can also be seen clearly from the appended drawings, various aspects of the present invention are particularly amenable to attaching the present retractable hard roof panel assembly to a sport vehicle by its supporting brackets. This feature means that the present retractable assembly can easily be attached to the vehicle without interrupting any of the original functionality of the vehicle. By relatively simple attachments, the present hard roof panel assembly may be used to attach it to the vehicle without any need to modify the original factory vehicle roof.
[0078] Referring collectively now to the drawings, FIGS. 1A-1E, illustrating a non-motorized retractable hard roof panel made in accordance with the present invention generally known by the numeral 10 including a hard roof panel 12 removably mounted to vehicle structure 14. Roof panel support rails 16 are capable of being lifted by struts 18 to retract the hard roof panel over vehicle structure 14. FIG. 1B shows hard roof panel 12 in an intermediate position, proceeding toward the closed position. Struts 18 are synchronized to effect efficient lifting and retracting. FIG. 1C shows the hard roof panel in its closed position on top of vehicle structure 14. FIG. 1D is a top plan view of the hard roof panel in its retracted position over vehicle roof 26, exposing cabin interior 28. FIG. 1E illustrates a clear hard roof panel in phantom, showing relative placement of roof panel securement latches 30, which are utilized to secure the hard roof panel in the closed position.
[0079] FIGS. 2A-2C provide views from inside the cabin interior of the sport vehicle underneath hard roof panel 42 and vehicle roof 48. wherein the assembly is generally denoted by numeral 40, including hard roof panel 42 in a closed position, supported by first and second struts 44 and 46 respectively. A handle 56 is used to open the hard panel roof 42 and can be secured by latches 50 when in the closed position. Receiving post 54 will secure handle 56. FIG. 2B is a bottom plan view illustrating the relative placement of the latches 50. Support rails 58 in FIG. 2C provide retractability when handle 56 is urged rearwardly by an occupant in the cabin interior of the vehicle. Handle 56 is adhered to hard roof panel 42 by handle support blocks 52.
[0080] FIG. 3 provides a cutaway view of handle 64 as it is adhered and secured to hard roof panel 60. Handle 64 is proximate vehicle roof 62 when the retractable hard roof panel assembly is in its most rearward position.
[0081] FIG. 4 provides greater detail with respect to first and second struts 72 and 74, synchronized by synchronizing connector arm 76. Attachment brackets 80 connect struts 72 and 74 to hard roof panel 70. A release handle 78 acts to maintain the hard roof panel 70 in position.
[0082] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of hard roof panel 90 in a retracted position secured by lock latch 94. First and second struts 96 and 98, respectively, are synchronized by connecting arm 100 and locked in place by lock latch 102.
[0083] FIGS. 6A and 6B are respectively, a perspective view and a side elevational view, of a preferred aspect of the present invention. Collective references are made to like element numbers for clarity. Hard roof panel 110 includes first and second struts 112 and 114, respectively, which are synchronously connected by connector arm 118, capable of being locked in place by hockey stick shaped handle latch 116. Attachment brackets 128 connect first and second struts 112 at 114 to hard roof panel 110. Vehicle structure 120 supports hard to panel 110 when it is in a closed position, and secured to vehicle structure 120 by lock latch 122. Receiving post 124 secures handle 126 when handle 126 is swung upwardly and attached to receiving post 124, either by press fitting or by a magnetic connection. As such, handle 126 is pivotally connected to hard panel 110, preferably by an adhesive, or by attachment to a header which is part of an encapsulating member surrounding the periphery of hard roof panel 110.
[0084] FIG. 7 shows another aspect of the present invention, generally denoted by numeral 130, wherein front and rear struts, 132 and 134, respectively are supported by cross strut 136. Hydraulic strut 140 assists the lifting operation for slide support rail 138, which receives hard roof panels as described more fully hereinabove. This aspect is shown in phantom to indicate relative movement by struts 132 and 134 placing a hard roof panel into position.
[0085] FIGS. 8A and 8B show first and second struts 154 and 156 supported by cross arm 158 in a lifted position. Lifting is assisted by hydraulic struts 164. In this aspect, a locking arm 160 is received by lock plate 162, while a positioning slide lock latch 166, which is tensioned by a spring (not shown), is adapted to secure slide support rail 152 in various positions due to a multitude of position indents. In operation, locking arm 160 is urged upwardly, allowing positioning slide lock latch 166 to be moved away from the indents by the attached spring. Support rail 152, which receives hard roof panels as described more fully hereinabove is thereby retracted and locked in place. FIG. 8B shows relative placement of the hydraulic strut 164, the positioning lock 166, and the support rail 152 in the closed position.
[0086] FIGS. 9A-9B Illustrate simplified views of a strut 170 with a locking arm 172 engaged in locking plate 174, both in an engaged position and a disengaged position. This mechanism becomes integral in the retractable hard roof panel assembly.
[0087] FIGS. 10A-10C illustrates various aspects and positions possible for tension spring 180 in various locations with respect to front and rear struts, 182 and 184, respectively. Again, cross arm support 190 is diagonally attached to first and second struts 182 and 184, while positioning slide lock latch 186 is engaged in lock plate 188. Spring 180 is attached to the bottom of front strut 182 in FIG. 10A, while spring 180 is attached to the bottom of rear strut 184 in FIG. 10B and elongated torsion spring 180 is attached to the cross arm 190 in FIG. 10C. Torsion spring 180 aids in assisting the position of first and second struts 182 and 184.
[0088] FIGS. 11A-11C show various aspects of the present invention wherein retraction handle 202 is pivotally connected to and secured underneath hard roof panel 200 by T-shaped plunger 206 including a magnetic connection. Various aspects of pull handle 208 are shown in a cross-sectional description in FIGS. 11B and 11C. FIG. 11B includes an aspect with a positioning spring 212 contained within handle body 202. T-shaped pin 206 is urged into position and may be twisted for securement. FIG. 11C includes a illustration of a magnetic configuration with magnets 210, which when turned, disengages magnets 210 for release and securement.
[0089] FIG. 12 is yet another aspect of the present invention with a compression latch 226 engageable with compression latch hook 228 pivotally connected to hard roof panel attachment member 224. Hard roof panel attachment member 224 is secured to hard roof panel 220. Compression latch 226 secures hard roof panel 220 to pull handle 229.
[0090] FIG. 13 is still another aspect of the present invention with a toggle clamp 236 utilizing a plunger 238 to secure hard roof panel attachment member 234, thereby securing hard roof panel 230 in place. Pull handle 239 is operable by the occupant in the cabin interior of the vehicle.
[0091] FIG. 14 is yet still another aspect of the present invention generally denoted by the numeral 250, including a shock absorbing guide wheel 256 that rides on top of vehicle roof 257 to prevent damage while driving the vehicle. Hard roof panel 240 is secured to support rail 258 and retractable by first and second struts 244 and 246, respectively. Synchronizing connector arm 248 is also secured by latch handle 252. Handle 254 is secured to the underside of hard roof panel 240. Shown in the retracted position, Securement post 242 also secures a lock latch.
[0092] Looking next to FIGS. 15A and 15B, two views of a toggle clamp latch 262 is held within latch housing 263, which is in turn, secured to the underside of hard roof panel 260. As toggle clamp latch 262 is activated, plunger 264 extends into a detente in the adjoining sliding rail 265 to secure and compress a seal to the side of the vehicle, thereby preventing rattles and wind noise while driving.
[0093] FIGS. 16A and 16B show yet two variations of an aspect for securement of hard roof panel 286 by squeezably releasing a release bar 280 from a plate 282, or in the alternative, an elongated release bar 284 of FIG. 16B. Latch 288 is secured to hard roof panel 286. FIG. 16C is a bottom plan view of the relative placement of latches 288 and squeeze release 280.
[0094] FIGS. 17A and 17B include a T-shaped latch 290 as still another aspect for applying compression pressure to effect a seal against outer elements. T-shaped latches 290 are permanently affixed to support rail 296, and include T-shaped handles 292 adapted to be received by latch key 294. Once T-shaped handle 292 is in place, pressure is exerted by compression to provide a tight seal.
[0095] FIGS. 18A and 18B illustrate another aspect of the hard roof panel configuration with a hard roof panel 300 pivotally mounted permanently to vehicle roof 304. Anti-rattle components 306 may have several possibilities, including magnets or elastomeric bumpers. When the hard roof panel 300 is folded back on top of vehicle roof 304, anti-rattle components 306 provide protection both to vehicle roof 304 and minimize rattle while driving.
[0096] FIGS. 19A and 19B provide various aspects for support rails, either as a single rail 324 for retracting a single hard roof panel 322, or in the instance of two hard roof panels 325 and 327 in FIG. 19B, a pair of support rails 328 and 330 are to be utilized. A single hard roof panel may be retracted for a total retraction, or, in the alternative, only one half of the cabin interior may be exposed to the outer elements, if so desired.
[0097] FIG. 20 discloses hard roof panel clips 344 secured to vehicle roof 340 to receive the hard roof panel 342 once retracted. Hard roof panel clips 344 are adapted to add securement to prevent shifting of hard roof panel 342 once retracted.
[0098] FIG. 21 illustrates yet another aspect in keeping with the scope of the present invention, wherein a hard roof panel 350 is to be attached on either side by pivot arms 352. Hard roof panel 350 is lifted by pivot arms 352 and laid on top of vehicle roof 354. Securement to vehicle roof 354 may be accomplished in any suitable manner.
[0099] FIG. 22 is a close up illustration of yet another aspect of a handle 362 to be used to retract hard roof panel 360. Retracting handle 362 is attached to at least one T-shaped plunger component 366 capable of being received within receiving bracket 368 that is mounted on a pre-existing factory installed plate (not seen in this FIG.). After hard roof panel 360 has been moved to the open, or retracted, position, T-shaped plunger component 366 is urged upwardly through receiving bracket 368 and pressed into place.
[0100] FIG. 23 details a shock absorbing spring tensioned roller unit denoted generally by numeral 370, including as roller wheel 374 in a housing arm 376. Spring 378 is connected to an attachment member 375, which is affixed to hard roof panel 372, thereby acting as a spring tensioned roller unit riding on top of vehicle roof 380. As the vehicle moves, roller 374 rides on the vehicle roof top 380, absorbing vibration.
[0101] FIGS. 24A and 24B show a single rolling slide 392 or a double roller slide 396 in a track 394 or formed in a receiving track 398, respectively sized to accommodate the single roller of FIG. 24A or the double roller slide 396 of FIG. 24B. Such roller slides 392 and 396 may reduce resistance and drag. Due to the location within the mechanism, dirt and road dust will be less likely to become clogged or otherwise be damaged so as to impede smooth gliding during retraction and re-closing.
[0102] Looking toward FIGS. 25A and 25B, several views of retracting handle 400 show the pivotal attachment to the underside of hard roof panel 406. In order to swing handle 400 out of the way, magnets 404 located therein are located to mate with magnets 402 adhered to the underside of hard roof panel 406, holding retracting handle 400 up and out of the way. FIG. 25B is a different view 410 of retracting handle 400 with finger catch 412 and magnets 415 (shown as cross sectioned within a partial cutaway) Mounting bracket 416 is an installed bracket into pre-existing factory installed cavities. Note that no modifications need to be made to the factory vehicle configuration, rather, mounting bracket 416 has been manufactured in accordance with the present invention and adapted to fit to the pre-existing cavities from the factory. Mounting bracket can be bolted into the pre-existing factory cavities with common hand tools.
[0103] FIGS. 26A and 26B show two views of the lifting assembly in first a closed position of FIG. 26A, then the lifted and open position of 26B. A mounting rail 420 shown in phantom in FIG. 26A is shown on top of attachment brackets 422. A hard roof panel in accordance with the present invention is not shown, but is located on top of mounting rail 420. In the lifted and retracting position of FIG. 26B, lifting struts 424 are connected with cross member arm 426. Cross member arm 426 includes a drop down locking support 428 having magnets 427 that find their way to connect with mating magnets 429 underneath. When the hard roof panel atop mounting rail 420 is moved toward the closed position, drop down locking support 428 separates the magnets and it automatically folds up under cross member arm 426, ready for the next retraction.
[0104] FIGS. 27A and 27B show yet another aspect of the present invention with a sliding arm 430 having a protruding handle 432 that an occupant within the cabin interior of the vehicle can easily reach and push upwardly to unlock cross member arm 431, allowing lifting struts 436 to be lifted. Attachment brackets 434 are connected to a hard roof panel (not shown on top), thereby retracting the hard roof panel into an open position for the open air experience, capable of quickly locking closed in the event of a sudden rainstorm, all without the occupant having to get out of the vehicle, but rather activating from within the cabin interior while in a seated position.
[0105] Looking lastly to the sequence of FIGS. 28A-28D, there can be seen yet another aspect of the present invention with a novel sliding latch lock mechanism 442 working in conjunction with the sliding arm 430 of the previous FIG. 27A-27B. Lifting struts 446 are maintained in an upward position when the hard roof panel is retracted by a sliding latch lock 442. Sliding arm 440 is caught in place by abutting against slide catch 441. FIG. 28B shows sliding latch lock mechanism in its downward position with a side cover portion 450 having magnets 452 maintaining its position with relation to track 454. FIG. 28C shows side cover 450 with magnets 452 being lifted by occupant, leveling out and being slid backward into track 4454. Thereafter, sliding latch locking mechanism 442 is slid back into position over top of sliding arm 440, without covering protruding handle 448, thereby keeping sliding arm 440 from disengaging, and locking it against slide catch 441.
[0106] Clearly, this design can be modified to be adapted for retractable hard roof panel assemblies on other types of vehicles, including boats, rail cars, subways, trains, or any other vehicles that might desire a non-motorized self-storing retractable roof. Such modifications can be envisioned by one of ordinary skill in the art and adapted for each type of those vehicles without undue experimentation.
[0107] The foregoing description of a number of preferred aspects of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings with regards to the specific aspects. The aspect was chosen and described in order to best illustrate the principles of the invention and its practical applications to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to best utilize the invention in various aspects and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0108] The present invention finds utility in the sport vehicle industry for providing a retractable hard roof panel for sport vehicles that can be installed easily without tools.
