초록 ▼

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

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. The hard top has formations to allow the stored soft top to nest within the hard top. Additionally, retainer members welded onto the body side section allow the hard top and soft top to function interchangeable.

대표청구항 ▼

[ We claim:] [1.] A top system for a motor vehicle having a body side panel, the top system comprising:a soft top removably attached to the motor vehicle, the soft top operable to articulate between an operative position and a stored position;a hard top removably attached to the motor vehicle when t

[ We claim:] [1.] A top system for a motor vehicle having a body side panel, the top system comprising:a soft top removably attached to the motor vehicle, the soft top operable to articulate between an operative position and a stored position;a hard top removably attached to the motor vehicle when the soft top is either removed from the motor vehicle or articulated to the stored position; anda retainer member fixedly attached to the body side panel, the retainer member including an upper horizontal surface having an aperture formed therein for receiving a fastener for supporting the hard top;wherein the retainer member integrally includes a first flange which downwardly extends from the upper horizontal surface, the first flange being adjacent an outboard side of the body side panel and being spaced apart from the outboard side of the body side panel so as to form a gap for receiving and retaining a portion of the soft top.