초록 ▼

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 locat

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.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A small vehicle comprising a frame assembly, a front wheel and a rear wheel supporting said frame assembly, a top assembly mounted to said frame assembly, said top assembly comprising a roof member, a front strut and a rear strut, said roof member comprising an outer perimeter and a handle, and s

1. A small vehicle comprising a frame assembly, a front wheel and a rear wheel supporting said frame assembly, a top assembly mounted to said frame assembly, said top assembly comprising a roof member, a front strut and a rear strut, said roof member comprising an outer perimeter and a handle, and said handle being connected to said roof member and being disposed inside of said outer perimeter such that an outboard elbow would be completely positioned within said outer perimeter when an outboard hand grasps said handle, wherein said roof member comprises a generally horizontal portion and a downwardly extending circumferential flange, said flange extending downward a first distance, said handle extending downward from said generally horizontal portion a distance less than said first distance such that said handle is recessed into said roof member relative to a plane define by a lower lip of said flange.2. A small vehicle comprising a frame assembly, a front wheel and a rear wheel supporting said frame assembly, a top assembly mounted to said frame assembly, said top assembly comprising a roof member, a front strut and a rear strut, said roof member comprising an outer perimeter and a handle, and said handle being connected to said roof member and being disposed inside of said outer perimeter such that an outboard elbow would be completely positioned within said outer perimeter when an outboard hand grasps said handle, wherein said handle comprises a substantially cylindrical portion adapted for grasping, said substantially cylindrical portion comprising a longitudinal axis, said longitudinal axis extending at an angle relative to a generally vertical, plane that extends in a longitudinal direction of the roof member.3. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein said angle is about 23 degrees.4. The vehicle of claim 2, wherein said handle is integrally formed with said roof member.5. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said front strut is pivotally connected to said roof member by a front foot and said rear strut is pivotally connected to said roof member by a rear foot.6. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein said roof member comprises a generally horizontal portion and a downwardly extending circumferential flange, said flange extending downward a first distance, and said front foot and said rear foot extend downward from said generally horizontal portion a distance greater than said first distance.7. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein a rear foot supporting wall extends inboard of said rear foot and said supporting wall is adapted to receive an information holder.8. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein said rear foot supporting wall is adapted to receive two information holders arranged side by side.9. The vehicle of claim 7, wherein a front information holder wall is disposed at a location inboard of said front foot and said front information holder wall is adapted to receive an information holder such that at least two information holders can be attached to said roof member with said at least two information holders being longitudinally separated.10. The vehicle of claim 5, wherein said roof member further comprises an upwardly extending protrusion with at least one antennae mounting pad being defined on an upper surface of said protrusion.11. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein a lip extends upward from a forward portion of said antennae mounting pad.12. The vehicle of claim 11, wherein said lip wraps rearward around a portion of said antennae mounting pad and tapers in height in a rearward direction.13. The vehicle of claim 10, wherein two accessory mounting pads are defined along a lower surface of said protrusion.14. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said roof member further comprises a rain gutter that extends around only three sides of said roof member.15. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein a drain hole is positioned adjacent said front strut such that water passing through said drain hole is directed onto an exterior surface of said front strut.16. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein said front strut is square and said exterior surface is forwardly disposed.17. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein said vehicle is a golf car.18. A method of manufacturing and shipping an assembled top for a small vehicle, said method comprising forming a roof member, pivotally attaching supports to said roof member and securing said supports in a lowered position to said roof member and shipping said assembled top separate from the small vehicle.19. The method of claim 18 further comprising forming a stack of between three and ten assembled tops and shipping said stack of assembled tops.20. The method of claim 19, wherein said stack is strapped together for shipping.21. A top assembly for a small vehicle, said top assembly comprising a roof member, a front strut and a rear strut, said roof member comprising downwardly depending feet to which said front strut and said rear strut are pivotally attached, said roof member further comprising an upper surface and contact pads formed on said upper surface at a location that aligns with said downwardly depending feet such that a first roof member can be stacked on a second roof member with said feet positioned on said contact pads, said front strut and said rear strut being pivotally connected to said roof member, said roof member, and said front strut and said rear strut each comprising a securing configuration adapted to secure said front strut and said rear strut in an extended position.22. The top assembly of claim 21, wherein said securing configuration comprises a set of holes that are aligned when said front strut and said rear strut are extended.23. The top assembly of claim 22, wherein said securing configuration further comprises a set of threaded fasteners that can extend through said set of holes when aligned.24. The top assembly of claim 21, wherein roof member comprises a drainage system formed on said upper surface and said contact pads are connected to said drainage system.25. The top assembly of claim 21, wherein said roof member further comprises an upper surface and an antennae mounting pad is disposed on said upper surface.26. The top assembly of claim 25, wherein a protective lip at least partially surrounds said antennae mounting pad.27. The top assembly of claim 25, wherein said roof member further comprises a lower surface, at least one accessory mounting pad being disposed on said lower surface at a location proximate to the location of said antennae mounting pad on said upper surface.28. A small vehicle comprising a frame assembly, a front wheel and a rear wheel supporting said frame assembly, a top assembly mounted to said frame assembly, said top assembly comprising a roof member, a front strut and a rear strut, said roof member comprising an outer perimeter and a handle, and said handle being connected to said roof member and being disposed inside of said outer perimeter such that a hand grasping said handle would be completely positioned within said outer perimeter, said roof member comprising a generally horizontal portion and a downwardly extending circumferential flange, said flange extending downward a first distance, said handle extending downward from said generally horizontal portion a distance less than said first distance such that said handle is recessed into said roof member relative to a plane define by a lower lip of said flange.29. A small vehicle comprising a frame assembly, a front wheel and a rear wheel supporting said frame assembly, a top assembly mounted to said frame assembly, said top assembly comprising a roof member, a front strut and a rear strut, said roof member comprising an outer perimeter and a handle, and said handle being connected to said roof member and being disposed inside of said outer perimeter such that a hand grasping said handle would be completely positioned within said outer perimeter, said handle comprising a substantially cylindrical portion adapted for grasping, said substantially cylindrical portion comprising a longitudinal axis, said longitudinal axis extending at an angle relative to a generally vertical plane that extends in a longitudinal direction of the roof member.30. The vehicle of claim 29, wherein said angle is about 23 degrees.31. A small vehicle comprising a frame assembly, a front wheel and a rear wheel supporting said frame assembly, a top assembly mounted to said frame assembly, said top assembly comprising a roof member, a front strut and a rear strut, said roof member comprising an outer perimeter and a handle, and said handle being connected to said roof member and being disposed inside of said outer perimeter such that a hand grasping said handle would be completely positioned within said outer perimeter, a rear foot supporting wall extending inboard of a rear foot and said supporting wall being adapted to receive an information holder.32. The vehicle of claim 31, wherein said rear foot supporting wall is adapted to receive two information holders arranged side by side.33. The vehicle of claim 31, wherein a front information holder wall is disposed at a location inboard of said front foot and said front information holder wall is adapted to receive an information holder such that at least two information holders can be attached to said roof member with said at least two information holders being longitudinally separated.34. A small vehicle comprising a frame assembly, a front wheel and a rear wheel supporting said frame assembly, a top assembly mounted to said frame assembly, said top assembly comprising a roof member, a front strut and a rear strut, said roof member comprising an outer perimeter and a handle, and said handle being connected to said roof member and being disposed inside of said outer perimeter such that a hand grasping said handle would be completely positioned within said outer perimeter, said front strut being pivotally connected to said roof member by a front foot and said rear strut being pivotally connected to said roof member by a rear foot, said roof member further comprising an upwardly extending protrusion with at least one antennae mounting pad being defined on an upper surface of said protrusion.35. The vehicle of claim 34, wherein a lip extends upward from a forward portion of said antennae mounting pad.36. The vehicle of claim 35, wherein said lip wraps rearward around a portion of said antennae mounting pad and tapers in height in a rearward direction.37. The vehicle of claim 34, wherein two accessory mounting pads are defined along a lower surface of said protrusion.38. A small vehicle comprising a frame assembly, a front wheel and a rear wheel supporting said frame assembly, a top assembly mounted to said frame assembly, said top assembly comprising a roof member, a front strut and a rear strut, said roof member comprising an outer perimeter and a handle, and said handle being connected to said roof member and being disposed inside of said outer perimeter such that a hand grasping said handle would be completely positioned within said outer perimeter, said roof member further comprising a rain gutter that extends around only three sides of said roof member.39. A small vehicle comprising a frame assembly, a front wheel and a rear wheel supporting said frame assembly, a top assembly mounted to said frame assembly, said top assembly comprising a roof member, a front strut and a rear strut, said roof member comprising an outer perimeter and a handle, and said handle being connected to said roof member and being disposed inside of said outer perimeter such that a hand grasping said handle would be completely positioned within said outer perimeter, and a drain hole being positioned adjacent said front strut such that water passing through said drain hole is directed onto an exterior surface of said front strut.40. The vehicle of claim 39, wherein said front strut is square and said exterior surface is forwardly disposed.41. The vehicle of claim 39, wherein said vehicle is a golf car.42. A top assembly for a small vehicle, said top assembly comprising a roof member, a front strut and a rear strut, said roof member further comprising an upper surface and an antennae mounting pad being disposed on said upper surface, said front strut and said rear strut being pivotally connected to said roof member, said roof member, and said front strut and said rear strut each comprising a securing configuration adapted to secure said front strut and said rear strut in an extended position.43. The top assembly of claim 42, wherein said securing configuration comprises a set of holes that are aligned when said front strut and said rear strut are extended.44. The top assembly of claim 43, wherein said securing configuration further comprises a set of threaded fasteners that can extend through said set of holes when aligned.45. The top assembly of claim 42, wherein said roof member comprises downwardly depending feet to which said front strut and said rear strut are pivotally attached.46. The top assembly of claim 45, wherein said roof member further comprises an upper surface and contact pads formed on said upper surface at a location that aligns with said downwardly depending feet such that a first roof member can be stacked on a second roof member with said feet positioned on said contact pads.47. The top assembly of claim 46, wherein roof member comprises a drainage system formed on said upper surface and said contact pads are connected to said drainage system.48. The top assembly of claim 42, wherein a protective lip at least partially sw-rounds said antennae mounting pad.49. The top assembly of claim 42, wherein said roof member further comprises a lower surface, at least one accessory mounting pad being disposed on said lower surface at a location proximate to the location of said antennae mounting pad on said upper surface.50. A small vehicle comprising a frame assembly, a front wheel and a rear wheel supporting said frame assembly, a top assembly mounted to said frame assembly, said top assembly comprising a roof member, said roof member comprising a generally horizontal portion and a downwardly extending circumferential flange, said flange extending downward a first distance from said horizontal portion, a front strut and a rear strut being connected to said roof member, said roof member comprising an outer perimeter and a handle, and said handle being connected to said roof member and being disposed inside of said vertical plane, said handle having a vertical dimension and about ⅛ of said vertical dimension extending downward more than said first distance from said horizontal portion.51. A small vehicle comprising a frame assembly, a front wheel and a rear wheel supporting said frame assembly, a top assembly mounted to said frame assembly, said top assembly comprising a roof member, said roof member comprising a front foot and a rear foot, a front strut and a rear strut being connected to said front foot and said rear foot respectively, a generally vertical plane extending in a longitudinal direction of said roof and intersecting said front foot, said roof member comprising an outer perimeter and a handle, and said handle being connected to said roof member and being disposed inside of said vertical plane.52. The vehicle of claim 3, wherein said handle is integrally formed with said roof member.53. The vehicle of claim 3, wherein said front strut is pivotally connected to said roof member by a front foot and said rear strut is pivotally connected to said roof member by a rear foot.54. The vehicle of claim 53, wherein said roof member comprises a generally horizontal portion and a downwardly extending circumferential flange, said flange extending downward a first distance, and said front foot and said rear foot extend downward from said generally horizontal portion a distance greater than said first distance.55. The vehicle of claim 53, wherein a rear foot supporting wall extends inboard of said rear foot and said supporting wall is adapted to receive an information holder.56. The vehicle of claim 55, wherein said rear foot supporting wall is adapted to receive two information holders arranged side by side.57. The vehicle of claim 55, wherein a front information holder wall is disposed at a location inboard of said front foot and said front information holder wall is adapted to receive an information holder such that at least two information holders can be attached to said roof member with said at least two information holders being longitudinally separated.58. The vehicle of claim 53, wherein said roof member further comprises an upwardly extending protrusion with at least one antennae mounting pad being defined on an upper surface of said protrusion.59. The vehicle of claim 58, wherein a lip extends upward from a forward portion of said antennae mounting pad.60. The vehicle of claim 59, wherein said lip wraps rearward around a portion of said antennae mounting pad and tapers in height in a rearward direction.61. The vehicle of claim 58, wherein two accessory mounting pads are defined along a lower surface of said protrusion.62. The vehicle of claim 3, wherein said roof member further comprises a rain gutter that extends around only three sides of said roof member.63. The vehicle of claim 3, wherein a drain hole is positioned adjacent said front strut such that water passing through said drain hole is directed onto an exterior surface of said front strut.64. The vehicle of claim 63, wherein said front strut is square and said exterior surface is forwardly disposed.65. The vehicle of claim 63, wherein said vehicle is a golf car.