Z-Fold Convertible Top With Pressurized Rear Bow

Abstract

A convertible top and method of operating the convertible top is disclosed. The top has a power cylinder that is mounted to the top stack linkage that lifts the one bow from the windshield header on a four bar link and also simultaneously releases the pressure applied by a pressure link to the rear bow. The pressure link includes an upper link and a lower link that are locked together in an over-center relationship when the top is extended to eliminate vibration of the rear bow or lifting the rear bow off of the rear deck.

1 . A method of operating a convertible top that has a front bow that engages a windshield header when the top is extended, the front bow is connected to a top stack linkage by a four bar link, a pressure link connects the top stack linkage to a rear bow, the pressure link having an upper link and a lower link that are locked into an over-center relationship to apply pressure to the rear bow when the top is extended, and a power cylinder that is operatively connected to the four bar link and the pressure link with respect to the top stack linkage, the method comprising:
 actuating the power cylinder in a first direction when the top is being retracted to unlock the upper link and the lower link from the over-center relationship, and to simultaneously raise the front bow off of the windshield header; and   actuating the power cylinder in a second direction when the top is being extended to lock the upper link and the lower link into the over-center relationship, and to simultaneously lower the front bow onto the windshield header.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein continued actuation of the power cylinder raises the rear bow to provide clearance. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the convertible top further comprises a main power cylinder that is operatively connected to the top stack, the method further comprising:
 actuating the main power cylinder in a first direction to move the top into a storage compartment after the rear bow is raised to provide clearance; and 
 actuating the main power cylinder in a second direction to move the top out of the storage compartment after the rear bow is raised to provide clearance when the top is extended. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the convertible top further comprises a main power cylinder that is operatively connected to the top stack, the method further comprising:
 actuating the main power cylinder in one direction to move the top into a storage compartment after the actuating the power cylinder in the first direction; and 
 actuating the main power cylinder in a second direction to move the top out of the storage compartment when the top is extended. 
 
     
     
         5 . The invention as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein activating said power cylinder in a second direction displaces one of said upper link and said lower link. 
     
     
         6 . A Z-fold convertible top for a vehicle that has a windshield header, the convertible top comprising:
 a front section that includes a front bow and front side rails of a top stack, wherein the front bow engages the windshield header when the convertible top is extended;   a rear section that includes a rear bow that is operatively connected to the top stack;   a central section that includes at least one intermediate bow disposed between the front section and the rear section;   an upper power cylinder secured to the central portion of the top stack, for displacement of the front section and the rear sections relative to the central section;   a main power cylinder secured to the vehicle and the central portion of the top stack; and   wherein the front section is not inverted as the convertible top is extended and retracted, and wherein the upper power cylinder simultaneously raises the rear bow off of the vehicle and the front bow off of the wind shield header to provide an air flow path over the windshield header, under the convertible top, and between the rear bow and the vehicle when the top is partially retracted while the vehicle is in motion; and   a pressure linkage having an upper link and a lower link that may be aligned in an over center relationship to apply pressure to the rear bow, wherein the upper power cylinder is extended to lock the upper link and the lower link in the over center relationship, and wherein the upper power cylinder is retracted to release the upper link and the lower link from the over center relationship.   
     
     
         7 . The Z-fold convertible top of  claim 9  further comprising a four bar link connecting the front section to the upper power cylinder, wherein the upper power cylinder lifts the front section off of the windshield header. 
     
     
         8 . The Z-fold convertible top of  claim 6  wherein the upper power cylinder is connected at a single pivot point to the front section and the rear section. 
     
     
         9 . The invention as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein said power cylinder is coupled for displacing one of said upper link and said lower link.