Abstract: A vehicle is described herein that includes a body structure such as a windshield and/or a windshield frame, a compartment such as a passenger compartment, one or more body panels around the compartment, and an at least partially floating cover, such as a roof, disposed over the compartment. The floating cover includes one or more body structure mounts and an overhang extending from the body structure over the compartment to an aft portion of the compartment. Other similar embodiments include features such as support structures, support structure mounts that mount the floating cover to the support structures, and various aerodynamic features incorporated into the floating cover. For example, some embodiments include roll bars and roll bar mounts, aerodynamic arcs, and aerodynamically continuous surfaces.

Abstract: A road vehicle: provided with a coachwork; an interior compartment, delimited by a windscreen supported by a frame; and a convertible roof, which can be connected to the coachwork for closing, at the top, the interior compartment and is provided with a covering cloth comprising two side beams at respective side ends; and a supporting frame, which can be mechanically connected to the coachwork for supporting the covering cloth; each side beam is provided with: a rigid side panel, which rises in cantilever fashion from a rear end of the side beam and, in the position for closing the interior compartment, is set substantially vertical; and engagement means for connecting the covering cloth to the frame and for connecting the two side panels to a portion of the coachwork that delimits the interior compartment at the rear and at the sides.

Abstract: A vehicle provided with a coachwork; an interior compartment surrounded by the coachwork and frontally delimited by a windscreen surrounded by an U-shaped molding; and a detachable convertible top, which can be connected to the coachwork in order to close the interior compartment on the top and comprises, in turn, a covering cloth and a frame which is mechanically connectable to the coachwork and supports the covering cloth; the frame comprises a rear cross member, which can be coupled to a rear portion of the coachwork arranged immediately behind the interior compartment; and an arch, which is hinged to the rear cross member in order to rotate around a first axis, can be frontally coupled to the molding of the windscreen, and determines the locking of the rear cross member to the rear portion of the coachwork due to its rotation around the first axis.

Abstract: An enhanced mobility device is disclosed. The device has an enclosure defining an interior and an exterior and having a floor defining an opening therein. At least one access opening allows passage between the exterior and interior. A plurality of clamps attach to the interior of the enclosure. The access opening is sized to allow passage of a personal mobility device from the exterior to the interior where the mobility device may be secured to the enclosure for transport by the plurality of clamps.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing and reinstalling the detachable hardtop of an automobile; the hardtop comprising a pair of opposite side panels, each panel comprising a downwardly extending pin at its bottom. The apparatus comprises a bracket for engaging the pins, an overhead winch for elevating and lowering the hardtop about the bracket, and adjustable straps for balancing the hardtop such that the hardtop is maintained in the same horizontal position as on the automobile when elevated and/or lowered.

Abstract: A hard top and soft top convertible system for a Jeep-like vehicle which includes, in one embodiment, a replacement for the conventional roll-bar cage with a roll-bar frame that is aligned with the outer edges of the vehicle. The roll-bar frame is made of high strength metal, acting as a substitute for the conventional roll bar. The top includes removable outer hard top, side windows and rear window. The top includes pliable inner soft top, side windows, and rear window, each of which may be rolled into a stored position within the frame using electric motors for open air use of the vehicle. Another embodiment employs a similarly configured frame which is provided in a set of pieces which are assembled over an existing roll bar frame of the Jeep-like vehicle.

Abstract: A device (6) for producing a folding top (2) of a convertible, which comprises a frame region (4) for gripping a windowpane (3), especially a rear window, at least partially, a part (5) of the folding top (2), including the frame region (4) being holdable and connectable with the windowpane (3), wherein the device (6) comprises a fixing device (8) for holding the windowpane (3) in an accurately fitting manner with respect to the frame region (4).

Abstract: A removably attachable top for vehicles. The top is preferably composed of five panels: one front top panel, one rear top panel, one rear side panel, one right side panel and one left side panel. When fully assembled, the top creates a rigid, weather-tight cover enclosing the driver, passenger, and cargo compartments. The individual panels of top are easily removably attachable to each other and to structural portions of the vehicle. The panels are also easily manageable during assembly and disassembly and storable, allowing the top to be selectively removed. The removable top may also be made using four panel or six or more panels.

Abstract: A removable hardtop including inner and outer roof panels made of molded fiber reinforced sheet molding compound. An integral roll bar is formed in the inner roof panel. A hold down clamp and bracket having horizontal, vertical and transverse flanges mounted on a horizontal edge, vertical surface and transverse surface of a B pillar of a vehicle. A method of molding the inner and outer roof panels and assembling component parts to the inner and outer roof panels is also disclosed.

Abstract: A removably attachable top for vehicles. In a preferred embodiment, the top is composed of six panels: one front top panel, one rear top panel, one rear side panel, one front side panel, one right side panel, and one left side panel. When fully assembled, the top creates a rigid, weather-tight cover enclosing an open compartment of a vehicle. The individual panels of the top are easily removably attachable to each other and to the vehicle. The panels are also easily manageable during assembly and disassembly and storable, allowing the top to be selectively removed.

Abstract: A two-piece hardtop for sport utility vehicles. The hardtop has front and rear roof sections removably securable to each other. The front and rear sections have overlapping portions, each of which has an inverted U-shape with vertically extending legs and a horizontally extending base between them. The U-shapes nest together with side latches being provided between adjacent legs of the front and rear sections to draw the two pieces vertically together and secure them in place. Other features include a sealing member that is provided between the nested roof sections and a gutter that is created between the sealing member and the rear roof section. The gutter helps to effectively direct water away from between the two roof sections and the vehicle. Additionally, an improved air vent is provided that allows air to flow out from the interior of the vehicle without letting water enter the vehicle through it.

Abstract: A two-piece hardtop for sport utility vehicles. The hardtop has front and rear roof sections removably securable to each other. The front and rear sections have overlapping portions, each of which has an inverted U-shape with vertically extending legs and a horizontally extending base between them. The U-shapes nest together with side latches being provided between adjacent legs of the front and rear sections to draw the two pieces vertically together and secure them in place. Other features include a sealing member that is provided between the nested roof sections and a gutter that is created between the sealing member and the rear roof section. The gutter helps to effectively direct water away from between the two roof sections and the vehicle. Additionally, an improved air vent is provided that allowing air to flow out from the interior of the vehicle without letting water enter the vehicle through it.

Abstract: A vehicle comprises a vehicle body, an electric folding roof housed in the vehicle body in a folded state, an electric motor operate to unfold the folded electric folding roof, and a rigid roof designed to be attached to the vehicle body when the electric folding roof is folded and housed in the vehicle body. The vehicle also includes an inhibiting device for inhibiting operation of the electric motor upon detection of the attachment of the rigid roof to the vehicle body. With this arrangement, it becomes possible to prevent unfolding of the folded electric folding roof when the rigid roof is attached to the vehicle body. This leads to the further advantage that failure of the motor can be prevented.

Abstract: A removable hardtop including inner and outer roof panels made of molded fiber reinforced sheet molding compound. An integral roll bar is formed in the inner roof panel. A hold down clamp and bracket having horizontal, vertical and transverse flanges mounted on a horizontal edge, vertical surface and transverse surface of a B pillar of a vehicle. A method of molding the inner and outer roof panels and assembling component parts to the inner and outer roof panels is also disclosed.

Abstract: A roof arrangement has two roof parts which are divided in the transverse direction of the roof, are plate-shaped, and can be removed individually. Receptacles are provided on the roof frame and therebetween. The receptacles on the roof frame limit the lowering movement of the roof parts, which are initially guided in the receptacles located therebetween. Latching devices located in the transitional area between two roof parts secure the two roof parts while aligning the vertically.

Abstract: A canopy apparatus is provided for a vehicle and includes inner and outer canopy support assemblies which include inner and outer top transverse canopy beams. The canopy support assemblies are pivotally connected to the vehicle. A flexible sheet assembly is supported by the top transverse canopy beams. Outer rider members are in sliding engagement with the outer canopy struts. Inner rider members are in sliding engagement with the inner canopy struts, wherein each of the outer rider members is placed adjacent to one of the inner rider members. A pair of rotatable rider connector assemblies are provided, wherein each rotatable rider connector assembly is connected between an outer rider member and an adjacent inner rider member. With the vehicle canopy apparatus of the invention, when the vehicle is moving forward and the top transverse inner canopy beam bumps into a tree limb, the vehicle canopy apparatus yields to the tree limb and flexes backward.

Abstract: A control device for a vehicle having two roofs; a first roof which is permanently attached to the vehicle, and a second roof which can be removed from the vehicle. In order for the control device to no longer operate the first roof when the second roof is mounted and connected to a locking mechanism which serves as a releasable connection of both roofs with a windshield frame of a vehicle, a transmitter is arranged such that it sends a signal if the locking mechanism is in the proper locked position. A second transmitter is provided which sends a signal when the first roof is open. As a result, the control device suppresses the operation of the first roof if signals from both transmitters are received simultaneously.

Abstract: A top system includes a hard top which may be operatively installed over a folded soft top. The top system allows delivery of both the hard top and the soft top to the customer. Additionally, the top system allows for an expanded range of uses of the associated motor vehicle. The owner/user can have the hard top on for greater comfort and less noise on long trips and on arrival, take the hard top off and have the soft top for local use with the benefit of open air driving. The soft top is ready to be moved to its operative position or retained in the stored position for available protection from the element from adverse weather conditions. The ability of the top system to allow the hard top to be operatively installed over the folded soft top is made possible largely in part due to the several unique aspects. For example, the soft top folds back and is contained within the boundaries of the body side of the motor vehicle and the tailgate area while having a low stack height.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively mounting a hard top and a soft top to a motor vehicle includes a retainer member which mounts to an upper surface of a body side panel. The retainer element preferably includes an intermediate portion fixedly attached to the body side panel. An upper side of the intermediate portion is adapted to support the hard top. An outboard flange downwardly extends from the intermediate portion and terminates in an inner curled edge. The inner curled edge is spaced apart from the body side panel.

Abstract: A tractor canopy attachment system includes a pair of vertical mounting brackets which are attachable on respective upright posts of a tractor roll bar and a horizontal mounting bracket which is attachable to a cross member of the roll bar. A canopy attachment frame includes a cross member attached to the canopy near the rear thereof, with a mounting flange attached to the cross member which cooperates with the horizontal mounting bracket to hold the canopy in place on the roll bar. A pair of angled braces are attached to respective ends of the cross member, with each brace being removably attachable to a respective one of the vertical mounting brackets. A plurality of easily removable pins hold the canopy mounting flange in position on the horizontal bracket and a single pin holds each angled brace in position on its respective vertical mounting bracket. With the inventive installation system, the entire canopy structure is easily installed or removed in a few minutes by a lone operator.

Abstract: A storage rack for storing an automobile top of the type having a roof, opposed sides, an angled rear section, and a sealing member mounted along the rear edge of the rear section. The storage rack includes at least one upright, horizontal member mounted thereto and extending at right angles with respect thereto, a J-shaped seal protecting member adapted to receive the sealing member of the top disposed on the front of the horizontal member and oriented with the foot extending rearwardly, and means disposed on the upright for supporting at least a portion of the rear section of the roof.

Abstract: A convertible pickup truck has the lower cab portion and a bed portion with a convertible cab top pivotally mounted on the lower cab portion which is movable between a raised position covering the lower cab portion and a stored position within the bed behind the front wall of the bed. The cab top is releasably secured to the windshield frame in the raised position and has a roof portion extending from the windshield rearwardly and downwardly over the lower cab portion and is pivotally attached to the rear wall of the lower cab portion. Latch members at the rear portion of the cab top and the lower cab portion releasably secure the cab top to the lower cab portion in the raised position. Resilient seals between the lower cab portion, the cab top, and the windshield form a weather-tight seal between the abutting surfaces of the members in the raised position.

Abstract: A canopy for use with an open vehicle to protect the driver and/or occupants of the vehicle from sun rays, etc. The canopy includes a plurality of base members attached to the vehicle at spaced locations thereon; a portable, rigid, transparent shield member for covering at least a portion of the vehicle, the shield member including a body member and including a plurality of head members attached to the body member at spaced locations thereon; and a plurality of elongated post members removably attaching the shield member to the base members, each of the post members having a lower end removably attached to a respective one of the base members and having an upper end removably attached to a respective one of the head members.