Automotive vehicle open air system
View Patent ↗In accordance with the present teachings, an automotive vehicle open air system includes a pair of tracks connected to the vehicle, a flexible roof that is coupled to the tracks, one or more movement mechanisms that are integrated in the tracks and connected to the roof, an automatic actuator and a rear header that is connected to the roof and is movable with the roof. Other aspects of the teachings, the rear header may include a stop light that is mounted in the header or it may include a rear windshield wiper system.
1. An open air system for an automotive vehicle, the system comprising:
a vehicle roof comprising an aperture spanning at least two elevations and a step between the at least two elevations;
first and second vehicle side frames extending in a substantially fore and aft direction;
first and second tracks connected to the frames and extending along the step; and
a flexible roof coupled to the tracks and moveable between a closed position and at least one open position, the roof being moveable along the elevations and the step.
2. An open air system according to claim 1 further comprising an automated actuator energizable to drive the at least one movement mechanism between a closed position and a plurality of open positions.
3. An open air system for an automotive vehicle, the system comprising:
a vehicle roof comprising an aperture spanning at least two elevations and a step between the at least two elevations;
first and second vehicle side frames extending in a substantially fore and aft direction;
first and second tracks connected to the frames;
a flexible roof coupled to the tracks and moveable between a closed position and at least one open position, the roof being moveable along the elevations and step; and
a lift mechanism that is shaped to fit in the step when the roof is in a closed position.
4. An open air system according to claim 3 , wherein the lift mechanism operably holds the flexible roof substantially taut and sealed at the step.
5. An open air system according to claim 3 , wherein the lift mechanism further comprises a flag which is curved to the shape of the vehicle roof at the step.
6. An open air system according to claim 3 , wherein the lift mechanism further comprises a slider element and an arm connected to the slider element at a pivot point wherein the arm is moveable from a neutral position to a lift position.
7. An open air system according to claim 6 , wherein the arm further comprises at least one cross bow connector.
8. An open air system according to claim 6 , wherein the slider element further comprises a cross bow connector.
9. An open air system according to claim 1 further comprising a lift mechanism that is shaped to fit in the step when the roof is in a closed position.
10. An open air system according to claim 9 , wherein the lift mechanism operably holds the flexible roof substantially taut and sealed at the step.
11. An open air system according to claim 9 , wherein the lift mechanism further comprises a flag which is curved to the shape of the vehicle roof at the step.
12. An open air system according to claim 9 , wherein the lift mechanism further comprises a slider element and an arm connected to the slider element at a pivot point wherein the arm is moveable from a neutral position to a lift position.
13. An open air system according to claim 12 , wherein the arm further comprises at least one cross bow connector.
14. An open air system according to claim 12 , wherein the slider element further comprises a cross bow connector.
15. An open air system for an automotive vehicle, the system comprising:
a vehicle roof comprising an aperture spanning at least two essentially planar areas and a step between the at least two essentially planar areas;
first and second tracks connected to opposite sides of the aperture;
a cover coupled to the tracks and moveable along the tracks over the essentially planar areas and the step, the cover moveable between a closed position and at least one open position; and
a lift mechanism that is shaped to fit in the step when the cover is in the closed position.
16. An open air system for an automotive vehicle, the system comprising:
a vehicle roof comprising an aperture spanning at least two essentially planar areas and a step between the at least two essentially planar areas;
first and second tracks connected to opposite sides of the aperture;
a cover coupled to the tracks and moveable along the tracks over the essentially planar areas and the step, the cover moveable between a closed position and at least one open position; and
a lift mechanism operable to hold the cover substantially taut and sealed at the step.
17. An open air system according to claim 16 , further comprising automated actuator energizable to drive the at least one movement mechanism between a closed position and a plurality of open positions.
18. An open air system according to claim 16 , wherein the lift mechanism further comprises a flag which is curved to the shape of the vehicle roof at the step.
19. An open air system according to claim 16 , wherein the lift mechanism further comprises a slider element and an arm connected to the slider element at a pivot point wherein the arm is moveable from a neutral position to a lift position.
20. An open air system according to claim 19 , wherein the arm further comprises at least one cross bow connector.
21. An open air system according to claim 19 , wherein the slider element further comprises a cross bow connector.
22. An open air system according to claim 16 , wherein the cover is a roof member.
23. An open air system according to claim 16 , wherein the cover operably seals the aperture.