US3328073A - Winter top for convertible cars - Google Patents

Winter top for convertible cars Download PDF

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Publication number
US3328073A
US3328073A US468507A US46850765A US3328073A US 3328073 A US3328073 A US 3328073A US 468507 A US468507 A US 468507A US 46850765 A US46850765 A US 46850765A US 3328073 A US3328073 A US 3328073A
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United States
Prior art keywords
shell
textile
textile top
winter
ledge
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Expired - Lifetime
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US468507A
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English (en)
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Einhorn Otto
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Individual
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Individual
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
    • B60J7/00—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs
    • B60J7/08—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs of non-sliding type, i.e. movable or removable roofs or panels, e.g. let-down tops or roofs capable of being easily detached or of assuming a collapsed or inoperative position
    • B60J7/10—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs of non-sliding type, i.e. movable or removable roofs or panels, e.g. let-down tops or roofs capable of being easily detached or of assuming a collapsed or inoperative position readily detachable, e.g. tarpaulins with frames, or fastenings for tarpaulins
    • B60J7/106—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs of non-sliding type, i.e. movable or removable roofs or panels, e.g. let-down tops or roofs capable of being easily detached or of assuming a collapsed or inoperative position readily detachable, e.g. tarpaulins with frames, or fastenings for tarpaulins readily detachable hard-tops

Definitions

  • Tops of this kind have been used for some years with convertibles in the higher price brackets.
  • the tops comprise a conventionally rigid unit having a self-supporting steel-sheet shell or jacket forming the outside of the top, the steel-sheet shell being equipped with an inner lining corresponding with the lining of the textile top.
  • This winter top called generally a hard-top, is equipped with clamp closures, with the help of which it can be secured as rigid top to the front frame of the wind shield and to the body of the convertible car, upon lowering of the textile top.
  • Hard-tops are characterized by an increased resistance to inclement weather during winter, as compared with the conventional textile tops, and additionally bring about an appreciably improved heat insulation.
  • the use of a hard-top for the cold season amounts to a desirable improvement of the travelling comfort, in addition to the protection afforded to the textile top.
  • the present invention is based on the recognition that a shell of synthetic material constituting a hard-top can be mounted on a textile top by means of suitable securing means effective in the manner of clamping closures,
  • a particularly effective ventilation can be achieved such, that the shell of synthetic material has at its front end face slots open to the bottom only, and under certain circumstances also lateral slots.
  • the stifiening ribs In connection with the ventilation of the textile top, it is advisable to dispose the stifiening ribs in longitudinal direction of the shell, because the ribs serve thus simultaneously the purpose of guiding the air stream.
  • the front support is suitable to limt the front support to the two front cornersof the shell, and to provide therefor preferably elastic elements, for instance rubber blocks.
  • the rear support can, in turn, be provided by a ledge of elastic material having preferably multiple interruptions and disposed at the rear lower edge of the shell.
  • a ledge-formed rear support has proven particularly advantageous for convertible cars, the textile top of which has at least one decorative ledge at the rear window within the range of the rear upper support bow, as it is found by example on the Volkswagen 1200, Karman Ghia, and/or at the rear end of the textile top, whereby the rigid shell can be mounted in a simple manner on the decorative ledge by means of securing ledges.
  • the front securing means includes two steel bands secured by means of hinges to both sides of the front-end side of the shell, whereby the steel bands project through the frame of the wind shield and the corresponding front bow of the textile top and engage with their free angularly bent ends, preferably formed as spring clamps on the inside of the car, the frame of the wind shield or the front support bow of the textile top. If, in a certain car type, greater tolerances-are encountered between individual vehicles of the same series, it is advisable to equip the angularly bent ends of the steel bands with an adjustable abutment. In this manner, the tolerances can be easily compensated in each case with a view to a proper clamping of the shell relative to the textile top.
  • the rear securing means can, in turn, comprise advantageously lateral openings provided'at the rear lower por tion of the shell, through which the shell is secured to the vehicle body by means of threadedholts or similar fastening means.
  • adjustable thread guides for example, in the form of cross guides.
  • FIGURE 1 is an exploded side elevation of a portion of a convertible car having a textile top, and a rigid shell to be mounted on the textile top;
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective bottom view of the rigid shell disclosed in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a section along lines 33 of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective top view of the car, with parts broken away in order to show front attaching means for the shell according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 a portion of the car body 20 is disclosed, which is equipped with a textile top 1 of conventional design.
  • a rear view window 2 is fitted in the rear portion of the textile top 1.
  • a shell 3, for instance of synthetic material, is mounted on top of the textile top 1, which shell is shown in FIG. 1 in lifted position,
  • the shell or winter top 3 is substantially complementary to the textile top 1 as to its configuration.
  • the winter top or shell 3 has also a rear view window 4 which is aligned with the rear view window 2, when the two tops 1 and 3 are in superposed operative positions.
  • the shell 3 has a relatively thin wall and is provided on its side with stiffening ribs 6 disposed in longitudinal direction.
  • the front portion of the shell 3 has slots 7 open downwardly, the position of the slots 7 being chosen such, that they are flanked on both sides by a rib 6. These slots 7 serve the purpose of ventilating the textile top 1, whereby the stiffening ribs 6 are used for an air flow in longitudinal direction.
  • the shell 3 has, within the range of the rear upper support bow of the textile top 1 (not shown), marked by decorative ledge (FIG. 1), at its inside an interrupted securing ledge 8 (FIG. 2) of elastic material.
  • the securing ledge 8 is mounted at this point on the decorative ledge 5 of the textile top 1.
  • Another interrupted securing ledge 9 of elastic material extends along the rear bottom edge of the shell 3.
  • the ledge 9 serves as support within the range of the rear edge of the textile top 1. If a decorative ledge 6 is likewise provided at this location, as for. instance in the Volkswagen convertible car 1200, Karman Ghia, the shell 3 can be mounted with its securing ledge 9 on this decorative ledge.
  • the interruptions of the ledges 8 and 9 serve the purpose of rendering most favorably the ventilation of the intermediate space between the rear view window 2 of the textile top 1 and the rear view window 4 of the shell 3 for preventing the rear view windows 2 and 4 from getting fogged.
  • the front support of the shell 3 on the textile top 1 is brought about by two blocks 10 of preferably soft rubber.
  • the shell 3 For the rear securing of the shell 3, the latter is equipped with two openings 11 disposed at the rear lower lateral edge (FIG. 1).
  • the shell 3 is secured by means of screw bolts to the car body of the convertible car, which screw bolts extend through the openings 11 of the shell 3.
  • the securing means of the securing clamps can be used directly for the rearward securing of the shell 3. This possibility presents itself likewise in the Volkswagen cars.
  • the front support for the shell 3 is formed like a clamping closure and comprises substantially two steel bands 12 secured to the two sides at the end face of the shell 3 by means of hinges 22 and terminating at their free ends in an angularly bent spring member 13.
  • the shell is fortified within the range of the forward and rearward securing means. Concerning the rearward securing means, the fortification is brought about in a simple manner by an inner fortification ring 14 (FIG. 2) disposed concentrically to the openings 11 of the shell 3.
  • FIG. 4 discloses the steel bands 12 with the mounted shell, a portion of which is broken away, in operative position, that means the shell 3 being clamped to the textile top 1.
  • the steel bands 12 project thereby between the frame 15 of the wind shield and the forward bow 16 of the textile top 1 and engage with the spring members 13 of their angularly bent ends at the inner side of the frame 15 of the wind shield. They amount practically to a bent-over connection and in particular to a so-called catch.
  • the angularly bent free ends 13 of the steel bands 12 can also be equipped with an adjustable abutment, by means of which the amount of the pretension is individually adjustable in suitable manner.
  • front and rear securing means 12 can be supplemented by a lateral anchoring means of the shell 3 on the steel frame of the textile top 1 by means of appropriate clamps (not shown).
  • a winter top for convertible cars comprising a textile top adapted to be secured to a car body and including means shifting said textile top from an upright position to a collapsed position,
  • front and rear means for supporting said shell on top of and close to said textile top in spaced relationship therebetween providing an air space between said textile top and said shell, and front and rear securing means adapted to be mounted on the car body and retaining said shell removably on said textile top.
  • the winter top as set forth in claim 1, which includes stiffening ribs on the side of said shell facing said textile top.
  • said front supporting means comprises resilient mem bers disposed at the front corners of said shell, and
  • said rear supporting means comprises an interrupted ledge secured to the lower rear edge of said shell.
  • said rear securing means comprises a fixed-point suspension means.
  • said clamping closure comprises two thin steel bands and hinges securing said steel bands on both sides to the front end face of said shell, and said steel bands having angularly bent free ends to constitute spring members,
  • said steel bands being adapted to extend between the topside of the Windshield frame and the corresponding front bow of said textile top and said bent free ends being adapted to engage on the inside one of the frame of the windshield and of the front bow of the textile top.
  • stiffening ribs on the side of said shell facing said textile top and disposed substantially in the longitudinal direction of said shell

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Air-Conditioning For Vehicles (AREA)
  • Specific Sealing Or Ventilating Devices For Doors And Windows (AREA)
US468507A 1964-10-16 1965-06-30 Winter top for convertible cars Expired - Lifetime US3328073A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DEE0027967 1964-10-16

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3328073A true US3328073A (en) 1967-06-27

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ID=7073036

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US468507A Expired - Lifetime US3328073A (en) 1964-10-16 1965-06-30 Winter top for convertible cars

Country Status (4)

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US (1) US3328073A (de)
CH (1) CH453103A (de)
DE (1) DE1530674A1 (de)
NL (1) NL6513402A (de)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3926471A (en) * 1974-05-15 1975-12-16 City Auto Upholstering Co Construction and process for ornamental car top
USD249497S (en) 1976-03-24 1978-09-19 John Slider Three piece convertible hardtop
FR2436043A1 (fr) * 1978-09-12 1980-04-11 Nissan Motor Structure de montage du bord lateral avant d'un element de finition de toit d'un vehicule
US4699420A (en) * 1986-09-02 1987-10-13 Chrysler Motors Corporation Preformed ornamental cap or automotive vehicle
US5033788A (en) * 1990-03-06 1991-07-23 Evans Automotive, Division Of Evans Industries Inc. Combined hard top and convertible top car
US5489146A (en) * 1993-06-21 1996-02-06 Dura Convertible Systems, Inc. Substitute top for convertibles
US5904392A (en) * 1998-02-20 1999-05-18 Mainwal; Leo Motorcycle canopy
US5992917A (en) * 1996-10-22 1999-11-30 Chrysler Corporation Top system for a motor vehicle
US6007146A (en) * 1997-03-19 1999-12-28 Dr. Ing. H.C.F. Porsche Ag Removable hardtop for an automobile
US6120087A (en) * 1998-04-03 2000-09-19 Lake; Martha H. Aesthetic cover for convertible tops
US20060284445A1 (en) * 2005-06-16 2006-12-21 Magarl, Llc Method and apparatus for washing convertible automobile without damaging the convertible top

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4595230A (en) * 1983-06-10 1986-06-17 Top Off Corp. Method and apparatus for converting a hardtop vehicle to a removable top vehicle
FR2734210B1 (fr) * 1995-05-15 1998-03-06 Pin Michel Emile Auguste Toit amovible pour vehicule decapotable

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2479825A (en) * 1947-11-05 1949-08-23 Gerald G Fleischhauer Convertible top cover
US2602406A (en) * 1948-04-15 1952-07-08 Ralph H Orter Sun shield roof for house trailers
US2629347A (en) * 1950-06-03 1953-02-24 Herbert P Wittrien Heat protector roof construction for vehicles
US2765192A (en) * 1953-04-16 1956-10-02 Blake George Replaceable cover for convertible automobile top

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2479825A (en) * 1947-11-05 1949-08-23 Gerald G Fleischhauer Convertible top cover
US2602406A (en) * 1948-04-15 1952-07-08 Ralph H Orter Sun shield roof for house trailers
US2629347A (en) * 1950-06-03 1953-02-24 Herbert P Wittrien Heat protector roof construction for vehicles
US2765192A (en) * 1953-04-16 1956-10-02 Blake George Replaceable cover for convertible automobile top

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3926471A (en) * 1974-05-15 1975-12-16 City Auto Upholstering Co Construction and process for ornamental car top
USD249497S (en) 1976-03-24 1978-09-19 John Slider Three piece convertible hardtop
FR2436043A1 (fr) * 1978-09-12 1980-04-11 Nissan Motor Structure de montage du bord lateral avant d'un element de finition de toit d'un vehicule
US4699420A (en) * 1986-09-02 1987-10-13 Chrysler Motors Corporation Preformed ornamental cap or automotive vehicle
US5033788A (en) * 1990-03-06 1991-07-23 Evans Automotive, Division Of Evans Industries Inc. Combined hard top and convertible top car
US5489146A (en) * 1993-06-21 1996-02-06 Dura Convertible Systems, Inc. Substitute top for convertibles
US5992917A (en) * 1996-10-22 1999-11-30 Chrysler Corporation Top system for a motor vehicle
US6007146A (en) * 1997-03-19 1999-12-28 Dr. Ing. H.C.F. Porsche Ag Removable hardtop for an automobile
US5904392A (en) * 1998-02-20 1999-05-18 Mainwal; Leo Motorcycle canopy
US6120087A (en) * 1998-04-03 2000-09-19 Lake; Martha H. Aesthetic cover for convertible tops
US20060284445A1 (en) * 2005-06-16 2006-12-21 Magarl, Llc Method and apparatus for washing convertible automobile without damaging the convertible top

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NL6513402A (de) 1966-04-18
CH453103A (de) 1968-05-31
DE1530674A1 (de) 1969-04-17

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