Background

On conventional convertible top vehicles, a retractable top assembly is movable between a lowered "open" position and a raised "closed" position to selectively open or cover a passenger compartment in the vehicle body. Other types of convertible vehicles (i.e. "Targa" and "T-top" vehicles) are also known, in which one or more usually rigid panels may selectively be removed or fastened to a fixed roof structure of the vehicle body in order to partially open or cover the passenger compartment. One or more latching mechanisms are typically employed to clamp the retractable top or removable panel(s) into place and to compress one or more pliable gaskets so as to provide a water-tight junction when the top or panel is in the closed position.

In the case of a retractable top, the top assembly (which may comprise either rigid roof panels or a flexible fabric or vinyl cover supported on a collapsible, articulated framework) normally occupies a storage compartment or well behind the passenger compartment of the vehicle when in the open position, and extends to engage and seal against the windshield header (i.e. the top cross member of the windshield) when in the closed position. A sealing gasket may be associated with either or both of the windshield header and the header bow of the retractable top, and a corresponding channel or furrow is typically also provided in the header opposite the gasket(s) in order to facilitate sealing when the top is in the closed position. Removable roof panels conventionally employ a similar configuration of seals and corresponding channels to ensure a water-tight fit.

Various types of manual and powered convertible top latching mechanisms are known, and in most cases these comprise a linearly moving or pivoting catch or hook mounted generally symmetrically adjacent each end of one of the windshield header and the header bow, with a corresponding bracket or receptacle for each catch/hook being provided in the opposite header. Guide pins and corresponding sockets are also commonly provided to facilitate proper alignment of the header bow against the windshield header. In the case of a flexible retractable top, engagement of the latch mechanism to secure the top into the closed position not only compresses the pliable gaskets to provide a water-tight junction, but typically also stretches the fabric cover over the articulated framework to provide a snug fit to resist ballooning of the top due to the pressure differential between the inside and outside of the vehicle caused by the aerodynamics of the vehicle at speed, and to present a smooth, sleek appearance. Although ballooning of the closed top is generally not a significant issue in the case of rigid retractable top vehicles, Targa vehicles or T-top vehicles, the top or panels of such vehicles are also generally shaped so as to present a smooth, sleek exterior finish when the top is closed.

The latching mechanism, gasket, channel, pin and socket components of a convertible top assembly are all normally concealed by the top or panel(s) when the top is closed and the passenger compartment is covered. However, at least those components of a retractable convertible top assembly that are associated with the windshield header are typically left exposed to the elements when the top is open, and may thus deteriorate due to exposure to the weather, and/or may become clogged or dirty, thereby potentially causing leaks, cracks, fading or a generally unsightly finish. The exposed latching and sealing components associated with the fixed roof structure of an open Targa or T-top vehicle suffer from exposure to the elements in the same way.

Summary

In aspects of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is provided a cap for a convertible vehicle windshield header formed so as to generally follow the contours of the windshield header and to conceal those components of the convertible top assembly that are associated with the windshield header from exposure to the weather and deterioration when the convertible top is in the open position. The cap comprises catch means configured to cooperate with the latch/bracket (and/or with the pin/socket) components of the convertible top assembly that are associated with the windshield header (or with the fixed roof structure of a Targa or T-top vehicle) in order that the cap may be releasably but securely retained in place when the convertible top is open. In use, the cap is affixed to the windshield header via the catch means after the convertible top has been lowered to the open position, and the cap is removed (and optionally stored within the vehicle) before the convertible top is to be raised.

In the case of a Targa convertible vehicle, in addition to a windshield header cap, an additional cap that generally follows the contours of the rear fixed roof structure of the open Targa vehicle, but otherwise shares the characteristics of the windshield header cap, may be provided. In the case of a T-top vehicle, two generally U-shaped caps may be provided to cover the exposed latching and sealing components associated with the left and right U-shaped apertures in the fixed roof structure of the open T-top vehicle.

The cap may be constructed entirely or partially from selected suitable resilient materials such as plastic composite and/or from rigid materials such as molded fibreglass, carbon fibre, metals or alloys, and in order to encourage persistent use of the cap (and thus the protection of the exposed convertible top assembly components from deterioration) whenever the convertible top is in the open position, the cap body is preferably configured to match, complement and/or extend the surface appearance of the A-pillars of the vehicle across the windshield header, thereby enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the capped windshield header in combination with the performance of its protective function. For example, if the A-pillars of a given vehicle are chromed and have a generally squared-off convex outward appearance, then the body of a corresponding cap may be similarly chromed and configured.

In some embodiments, the height of the cap may be increased by a selected amount beyond what is required to follow the contours of the windshield header and/or to achieve a complementary surface appearance in order to create an augmented sun visor that extends substantially across the full width of the vehicle. Additionally or alternatively, the cap may extend rearwardly beyond what is required to follow the contours of the windshield header and/or to achieve a complementary surface appearance in order to achieve the same function. In either case, however, the height and/or rearward extension of the cap is generally not so great as to significantly interfere with the movement of the standard vehicle sun visors through their full range of motion. Brief Description of the Drawings

For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the disclosed subject matter, as well as the preferred mode of use thereof, reference should be made to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the following drawings, like reference numerals designate like or similar parts or steps. Components of the drawings are not necessarily to scale.

Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of a representative convertible top vehicle with a retractable top assembly in the closed position.

Figure 2 is a partial perspective view of the vehicle of Figure 1 with the retractable top assembly in the open position.

Figure 3 is a partial perspective view of the vehicle of Figure 1 with the retractable top assembly in the open position and showing a cap in accordance with embodiments of the disclosed subject matter affixed to the windshield header and the vehicle's sun visors in the lowered position.

Figure 4 is a partial perspective view of the vehicle of Figure 1 with the retractable top assembly in the open position and showing the affixed cap of Figure 3 and the vehicle's sun visors in the raised position.

Figure 5 is an alternate partial perspective view of the vehicle of Figure 1 with the retractable top assembly in the open position and showing the affixed cap of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is an enlarged transverse sectional view of the windshield header of the vehicle of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a partial perspective view of a alternate representative convertible top vehicle with a retractable top assembly in the open position and showing a cap in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the disclosed subject matter affixed to the windshield header. Figure 8 is an exploded partial perspective view of the vehicle and cap of Figure 7. Figure 9A is a perspective view of the top side of the cap of Figure 3. Figure 9B is a perspective view of the underside of the cap of Figure 3. Figure 1 OA is a perspective view of the top side of the cap of Figure 7. Figure 10B is a perspective view of the underside of the cap of Figure 7.

Figure 11 is a plan view of a further alternate representative convertible top vehicle with a retractable top assembly in the open position.

Figure 12 is a plan view of the vehicle of Figure 11 and showing a cap in accordance with a further alternate embodiment of the disclosed subject matter affixed to the windshield header.

Figure 13 is a left side elevation of the vehicle of Figure 11, the right side elevation being a mirror image thereof.

Figure 14 is a is a left side elevation of the vehicle and cap of Figure 12, the right side elevation being a mirror image thereof.

Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments

The following description of preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. Furthermore, it will be understood that the vehicles illustrated in the drawings are only exemplary, and that the teachings of the present disclosure are applicable to a wide range of vehicles (including T-top and Targa vehicles) and related applications. Figures 1 and 2 show representative convertible top vehicle 10 with a retractable top assembly 12 in the closed and open positions, respectively. Retractable top 12 comprises fabric cover 14 stretched over an articulated framework (not shown), and when in the closed position extends to engage and seal against windshield header 16 (Fig. 2). Fabric cover 14 is stretched over the framework when in the closed position in order to provide a snug fit that resists ballooning of the top 12 when vehicle 10 is at speed, and to present a smooth, sleek outward appearance.

A furrow 18 extends across substantially the Ml width of windshield header 16 for mating engagement with a sealing gasket that extends across substantially the full width of the header bow (not shown) of the retractable top 12. Windshield header 16 also comprises latches 20 and guide sockets 22 located generally symmetrically adjacent each end of the windshield header 16 for mating engagement with corresponding latch brackets and guide pins (not shown) of the header bow. When retractable top 12 is in the closed position, latch means 20 engage the latch brackets of top 12 to secure top 12 into the closed position, and to compress the sealing gasket of top 12 in order to provide a water-tight junction.

Figures 3 - 5 illustrate representative vehicle 10 with a cap 24 in accordance with embodiments of the presently described subject matter affixed to and substantially covering windshield header 16 as well as the constituent retractable top components of header 16, including furrow 18, latches 20 and guide sockets 22. As is best seen in Figure 6, these constituent components of header 16 are exposed to the sun and weather when top 12 is open and no cap has been affixed, and may therefore deteriorate and/or become clogged and/or dirty as illustrated in Figure 6 by representative cracking 25.

Cap 24 extends laterally across substantially the full width of windshield header 16, and comprises a skyward top surface 26 and a rearward surface 28 that may be visible from the passenger compartment. The forward aspect of skyward surface 26 meets and generally follows the contours of windshield header 16, and surface 26 terminates rearwardly at and/or flows into surface 28. Cap 24 may be constructed entirely or partially from selected suitable resilient materials such as plastic composite and/or from rigid materials such as molded fibreglass, carbon fibre, metals or alloys, and in order to encourage persistent use of the cap (and thus to encourage the protection of the exposed convertible top assembly components from deterioration) whenever the convertible top is in the open position, cap surfaces 26 and 28 are configured to generally match and extend the surface appearance of A-pillars 27 of the vehicle 10 across the windshield header 16.

The height of rearward surface 28 is selected such that when the cap 24 is in place on header 16, the cap 24 may act as an augmented sun visor that extends substantially across the full width of the vehicle. Rearward surface 28 of cap 24 further comprises bilateral recesses 30 to accommodate the vehicle's conventional sun visors 32 when in the raised position (Fig. 4).

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate an alternate representative vehicle 1 10, and a cap 124 in accordance with alternate embodiments of the presently described subject matter. Cap 124 functions in essentially the same way as cap 24 described above. However, in this embodiment, windshield header 116 of vehicle 110 comprises a sealing gasket 119 extending across substantially the full width of header 116 for mating engagement with a corresponding furrow in the header bow of the retractable top (not shown), as well as having latch brackets 121 and guide sockets 122 located generally symmetrically adjacent each end of the windshield header 116 for mating engagement with corresponding latches and guide pins (not shown) of the header bow.

As with cap 24 of Figures 1 - 6, cap 124 extends laterally across substantially the full width of windshield header 116, and comprises a skyward top surface 126 and a rearward surface 128 that may be visible from the passenger compartment and that hides the constituent retractable top components of header 116 from view. The forward aspect of skyward surface 126 meets and generally follows the contours of windshield header 116, and surface 126 terminates rearwardly at and/or flows into surface 128. Cap surfaces 126 and 128 are configured to generally match and extend the surface appearance of A-pillars 127 of the vehicle 110 across the windshield header 16, and the height of rearward surface 128 is again selected such that when the cap 124 is in place on header 116, cap 124 may act as an augmented sun visor that extends substantially across the full width of the vehicle. Figures 9 A and 9B illustrate the surface and underside, respectively, of cap 24, and figures 10A and 10B illustrate the surface and underside, respectively, of cap 124. As seen in Figures 9B and 10B, the underside of caps 24, 124 are formed to generally follow the contours of the windshield header 16, 116. However, so long as suitable clearance is provided to accommodate the contours of the windshield header, the underside of caps 24, 124 may be of any suitable configuration.

Caps 24, 124 comprise catch means 34, 134 that are configured to cooperate with the latch/bracket (and/or with the pin/socket) components of the convertible top assembly of the vehicle. In the case of cap 24 (Figure 9B), catch means 34 are located generally symmetrically adjacent each end of the cap 24 for releasable engagement of latches 20 and guide sockets 22. Cap 124 (Figure 10B) comprises catch means 134 located generally symmetrically adjacent each end of the cap 124 for releasable engagement of latch brackets 121 and guide sockets 122, and additionally comprises prongs 136 to support the cap 124 when in position on the header 116 without crashing sealing gasket 11 .

Figures 11 - 14 illustrate a further alternative representative vehicle 210 with a retractable top assembly in the open position. The retractable top components of windshield header 216 comprise a sealing gasket 219, latches 220 and guide sockets 222, each of which engage a corresponding furrow, latch brackets and guide pins (not shown) of the header bow when the retractable top is closed. As seen in Figures 12 and 14, cap 224, which functions in essentially the same manner as caps 24, 124 described above, extends laterally across substantially the full width of the windshield header 216 and comprises a skyward top surface 226 and a rearward surface 228, which may be visible from the passenger compartment and which hides the constituent retractable top components of header 216 from view. In this embodiment, in addition to having a height selected to create an augmented sun visor that extends substantially across the full width of the vehicle, cap 224 extends rearwardly beyond what is required to follow the contours of the windshield header 216 and/or to achieve a complementary surface appearance in order to further augment the sun visor (see Fig. 12). In some embodiments, cap 24, 124, 224 may be configured or dimensioned to have a complementary surface appearance, such as a fabric surface resembling the smooth, sleek outward appearance of a header bow of a closed retractable top.

The present description is of the best presently contemplated mode of carrying out the subject matter disclosed and claimed herein. The description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the subject matter and is not be taken in a limiting sense; the claimed subject matter can find utility in a variety of implementations without departing from the scope of the invention made, as will be apparent to those of skill in the art from an understanding of the principles that underlie the invention.