Abstract: A top for a small vehicle, such as a golf car, has a roof member and a set of struts that are pivotally attached to the roof member. The struts can be folded for shipping and storage. The top also has features that accommodate stacking of tops for shipping and storage. In addition, a handle is located inboard of an outer periphery of the roof member so that a hand grasping the handle is not exposed outside of the periphery. Furthermore, in one arrangement, the handle is mounted at a location that keeps an occupant's arm within the periphery if the handle is properly grasped. An improved drainage system also is provided to minimize splashing toward occupants.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 10, 2003
Date of Patent:
April 26, 2005
Assignee:
YamahaMotor Manufacturing Corporation of America
Inventors:
Joel A. Cheek, Louis R. Doucette, Kendall A. Fisher, Keisuke Yoshida