Process for replacing a motor-vehicle convertible top
A process for replacing a first soft-top of a convertible-top of a motor vehicle with a second soft-top includes removing the first soft-top from the convertible-top. The first soft-top is separated from a headliner of the convertible-top. The second soft-top is selected. The second soft-top has a window larger than a window of the first soft-top. A plurality of receptacles are fixed to an edge of the larger window. The second soft-top is attached to the motor vehicle. The larger window is connected directly to the headliner by engaging headliner anchors with the receptacles fixed to the larger window.
1. A process for replacing a first soft-top of a convertible-top of a motor vehicle with a second soft-top, comprising the steps of:
removing the first soft-top from the convertible-top;
separating the first soft-top from a headliner of the convertible-top;
selecting the second soft-top having a window larger than a window of the first soft-top;
fixing a plurality of receptacles to an edge of the larger window;
attaching the second soft-top to the motor vehicle; and
connecting the larger window directly to the headliner by engaging headliner anchors with the receptacles fixed to the larger window.
2. The process of claim 1 , wherein the fixing step includes the step of aligning the receptacles with the headliner anchors.
3. The process of claim 2 , wherein the aligning step includes the step of aligning a pocket of each receptacle with a respective one of the anchors.
4. The process of claim 1 , wherein the fixing step includes the step of integrally forming the receptacles with the larger window.
5. The process of claim 1 , wherein the fixing step includes the step of adhering the receptacles to the larger window.
6. The process of claim 1 , wherein the selecting step includes the step of selecting the larger window and securing the larger window to the second soft-top.
7. The process of claim 1 , wherein the connecting step includes the step of mechanically connecting the receptacles and anchors utilizing a plurality of fasteners.
8. The process of claim 7 , wherein each fastener comprises a flexible clip for gripping and elastically retaining the anchor within a pocket of the respective receptacle.
9. The process of claim 7 , wherein each fastener comprises a threaded shaft for matingly engaging a threaded pocket of the respective receptacle.
10. The process of claim 7 , wherein each anchor includes a base connected to the headliner and an inverted U-shaped bar connected to the base, and each fastener includes a flexible clip for hooking a respective anchor; wherein free ends of the clip are frictionally retained within a pocket of the receptacle.
11. A process for replacing a first soft-top of a convertible-top of a motor vehicle with a second soft-top, comprising the steps of:
removing the first soft-top from the convertible-top;
separating the first soft-top from a headliner of the convertible-top;
selecting the second soft-top having a window larger than a window of the first soft-top;
fixing a plurality of receptacles to an edge of the larger window;
attaching the second soft-top to the motor vehicle; and
connecting the larger window directly to the headliner by engaging headliner anchors with the receptacles fixed to the larger window; wherein the fixing step includes the step of aligning the receptacles with the headliner anchors, and the connecting step includes the step of mechanically connecting the receptacles and anchors utilizing a plurality of fasteners.
12. The process of claim 11 , wherein the aligning step includes the step of aligning a pocket of each receptacle with a respective one of the anchors.
13. The process of claim 11 , wherein the fixing step includes the step of integrally forming the receptacles with the larger window.
14. The process of claim 11 , wherein the fixing step includes the step of adhering the receptacles to the larger window.
15. The process of claim 11 , wherein the selecting step includes the step of selecting the larger window and securing the larger window to the second soft-top.
16. The process of claim 11 , wherein each fastener comprises a flexible clip for gripping and elastically retaining the anchor within a pocket of the respective receptacle.
17. The process of claim 11 , wherein each fastener comprises a threaded shaft for matingly engaging a threaded pocket of the respective receptacle.
18. The process of claim 11 , wherein each anchor includes a base connected to the headliner and an inverted U-shaped bar connected to the base, and each fastener includes a flexible clip for hooking a respective anchor; wherein free ends of the clip are frictionally retained within a pocket of the receptacle.
19. A process for replacing a first soft-top of a convertible-top of a motor vehicle with a second soft-top, comprising the steps of:
removing the first soft-top from the convertible-top;
separating the first soft-top from a headliner of the convertible-top;
selecting the second soft-top having a window larger than a window of the first soft-top;
fixing a plurality of receptacles to an edge of the larger window;
attaching the second soft-top to the motor vehicle; and
connecting the larger window directly to the headliner by engaging headliner anchors with the receptacles fixed to the larger window; wherein the fixing step includes the step of aligning a pocket of each receptacle with a respective one of the headliner anchors, the selecting step includes the step of selecting the larger window and securing the larger window to the second soft-top, and the connecting step includes the step of mechanically connecting the receptacles and anchors utilizing a plurality of fasteners; each fastener comprising a flexible clip for hooking, gripping and elastically retaining a respective anchor within a pocket of the respective receptacle with free ends of the clip frictionally retained within the pocket, and each anchor includes a base connected to the headliner and an inverted U-shaped bar connected to the base.
20. The process of claim 19 , wherein the fixing step includes the step of integrally forming the receptacles with the larger window.
21. The process of claim 19 , wherein the fixing step includes the step of adhering the receptacles to the larger window.