GB2636996A

GB2636996A - Detachable vehicle roof lifting device

Info

Publication number: GB2636996A
Application number: GB2400013.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Melody Dumouchelle Joanne
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2024-01-02
Filing date: 2024-01-02
Publication date: 2025-07-09
Also published as: GB202400013D0

Abstract

A vehicle roof lifting device 200 comprising: a shaft 204; at least two arms 208 extending away from the shaft wherein at least one end of each of the two arms is distal from the shaft and configured to detachably engage with the inside of a vehicle roof; and a lift arm 216 offset from the shaft. The lift arm is attachable to an actuator 508 (figure 5D) for transmitting a force to lift or lower the vehicle roof 104 (figure 5A). Preferably the ends of the arms comprise cushioning members 212 made of a resilient material. The lifting device may be ground engaging, or vehicle mounted. Also disclosed is a method for lifting or lowering a vehicle roof device comprising: engaging at least two ends of the lifting device with the vehicle roof; attaching an actuator to the lifting device; and transmitting a force to the roof via the device thereby lifting or lowering the vehicle roof.

Description

DETACHABLE VEHICLE ROOF LIFTING DEVICE

FIELD

[0001] The specification relates generally to detachable vehicle roofs, and specifically to devices for lifting or lowering detachable vehicle roofs.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Vehicles with detachable roofs provide pleasurable driving experiences when their roofs are removed for driving during good weather conditions. However, removing a detachable vehicle roof can be a difficult manual task, often requiring more than two persons and considerable physical strength.

SUMMARY

[0003] An aspect of the specification provides a vehicle roof lifting device comprising: a shaft; at least two arms extending away from the shaft, each of the at least two arms including: at least one end distal from the shaft, the at least one end configured to engage with a vehicle roof for supporting the vehicle roof on the vehicle roof lifting device; and a lift arm offset from the shaft, the lift arm attachable to an actuator for transmitting a force from the actuator to the vehicle roof to lift or lowered the vehicle roof.

[0004] Another aspect of the specification provides a method for lifting a vehicle roof with a vehicle roof lifting device comprising: supporting the vehicle roof on the vehicle roof lifting device by placing the vehicle roof lifting device proximal to the vehicle roof so that at least two ends of the vehicle roof lifting device engage with the vehicle roof; attaching an actuator to the vehicle roof lifting device; and transmitting a force from the actuator to the vehicle roof through the vehicle roof lifting device thereby lifting the vehicle root

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Embodiments are described with reference to the following figures.

[0006] FIG. 1 depicts a vehicle with a detachable root [0007] FIG. 2 depicts a rear, top and left-side perspective view of an example vehicle roof lifting device.

[0008] FIGS. 3A to 3C depict a top view of a sequence for attaching an arm to a shaft of an example vehicle roof lifting device.

[0009] FIGS. 4A and 4B depict a right-side view of a sequence for attaching a lift arm to an example vehicle roof lifting device.

[0010] FIGS. 5A to 5E depict a right-side view of a sequence for lifting a vehicle roof with an example vehicle roof lifting device [0011] FIG. 6 depicts a rear view of a vehicle with a vehicle roof lifted by an example vehicle roof lifting device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] FIG. 1 depicts an example vehicle 100 with a detachable vehicle roof 104. The example vehicle 100 is a four-wheel terrestrial vehicle but other types of vehicles with detachable roofs, such as, for example, three-wheel terrestrial vehicles, two-wheel terrestrial vehicles, maritime vehicles, etc. may be serviced with a vehicle roof lifting device according to the present specification. The example vehicle roof 104 is a detachable hardtop roof, but other types of detachable vehicle roofs or portions of detachable vehicle roofs, such as, for example, detachable modular vehicle roofs, detachable vehicle roof panels, detachable vehicle roofs including windows, doors, etc. may be lifted or lowered with respect to the vehicle 100 with the vehicle roof lifting device according to the present specification.

[0013] FIG. 2 depicts a rear, top and left-side perspective view of an example vehicle roof lifting device 200. The vehicle roof lifting device 200 comprises a shaft 204, and two arms 208-1 and 208-2 (collectively referred to as the arms 208 and generally referred to as an arm 208) extending away from the shaft 204 at a substantially perpendicular angle to a longitudinal direction of the shaft 204. The arms 208 traverse the shaft 204. Each of the arms 208 includes two ends distal from the shaft 204 configured to engage with the vehicle roof 104 for supporting the vehicle roof 104 on the vehicle roof lifting device 200, the ends of the arms 208-1 and 208-2 comprise cushioning members 212-1 and 212-2, and 212-3 and 212-4 (collectively referred to as the cushioning members 212 and generally referred to as a cushioning member 212), respectively, for engaging with the vehicle roof 104. The vehicle roof lifting device 200 further comprises a lift arm 216 offset from the shaft 204. The lift arm 216 is vertically offset from the shaft 204 by means of an offsetting portion 220 of the lift arm 216. The lift arm 216 is attachable to an actuator for transmitting a force to the vehicle roof 104 to lift or lower the vehicle roof 104.

[0014] The shaft 204, the arms 208, and the lift arm 216 may be made of any load-bearing material capable of withstanding a weight of the vehicle roof 104, typically between about 40 to about 70 kg. (about 90 to 150 lbs.), for example, steel, aluminum, etc. Additionally, the shaft 204, the arms 208, and the lift arm 216 may be hollow or solid members. The cushioning members 212 may be made of any resilient material, preferably, of a material that is elastically resilient in a range of stress effected by the weight of the vehicle roof 104 upon an area of contact between the vehicle roof 104 and the ends of the arms 208. For example, the cushioning members 212 may be made of high-density insulation pipe foam. The stress effected by the weight of the vehicle roof 104 can be managed by changing a number of ends in contact with the vehicle roof 104, by changing the area of contact, etc. The cushioning members 212 prevent the vehicle roof 104 from getting damaged, for example, by scratches from the ends in contact with the vehicle roof 104, when being lifted or lowered by the vehicle roof lifting device 200.

[0015] While the example vehicle roof lifting device 200 depicted in FIG. 2 comprises two arms 208, a different number of arms 208 may be provided, for example, three arms, four arms, six arms, etc. A bigger number of arms 208 can help distribute the weight of the vehicle roof 104 but can also result in a vehicle roof lifting device 200 of higher complexity. Additionally, while the arms 208 depicted in FIG. 2 extend away from the shaft 204 at a substantially perpendicular angle from the longitudinal direction of the shaft 204, the arms 208 may alternatively extend away from the shaft 204 at a different angle, for example, at about 30°, 45°, 60°, etc. from the longitudinal direction of the shaft 204. Additionally, the arms 208 may further also be vertically offset from the shaft 204, for example, if they extend away from the shaft 204 at two non-parallel angles to the longitudinal direction of the shaft 204, each of the two non-parallel angles orthogonal to each other. Furthermore, while each of the arms 208 has two ends distal from the shaft 204 configured to engage with the vehicle roof 104, a different number of ends may be provided on each arm 208, for example one end, three ends, four ends, etc. distal from the shaft 204 and configured to engage with the vehicle roof. At least one end may be provided on each arm 208 to engage with the vehicle roof 104; however, as discussed above, increasing the number of ends configured to engage with the vehicle roof 104 can reduce the stress effected by the weight of the vehicle roof 104 on each of the ends. Furthermore, while the cushioning members 212 are provided on the ends of the arms 208 so that the ends are configured to engage with the vehicle roof 104 without damaging the vehicle roof 104, as discussed above, the ends may alternatively be configured differently, for example, the ends may be provided with a vehicle roof engaging surface, for example a flat surface that may be optionally covered with a protective layer, for example a woven or non-woven fibrous layer. As a further alternative, the ends may be configured to engage with the vehicle roof 104 by means of additional elements such as, for example, a spring or a set of springs.

[0016] The arms 208 may be detachable from the shaft 204 of the vehicle roof lifting device 200. FIGS. 3A to 3C depict a top view of a sequence for attaching an arm 208, in this case the arm 208-1, to the shaft 204.

[0017] FIG. 3A shows that the shaft 204 may be provided with a channel 300 so that the arm 208-1 may be mounted on the shaft 204 by traversing the shaft 204. An angle between a longitudinal direction of the channel 300 and the longitudinal direction of the shaft 204 determines the angle at which the arm 208-1 extends away from the shaft 204.

[0018] FIG. 3B shows the arm 208-1 mounted on the shaft 204. FIG. 3B additionally depicts two arm channels 304-1 and 304-2 (collectively referred to as the arm channels 304 and generally referred to as an arm channel 304) spaced apart from each other to mount the arm 208-1 at a desired position with respect to the shaft 204. The arm channels 304 are spaced apart from each other at a distance equal to about a length of the channel 300 so that each of the arm channels 304 is located exterior to the shaft 204 when the arm 208-1 is mounted at the desired position. Additionally, a center of the distance between the arm channels 304 may be located at a center of the arm 208-1 with respect to its longitudinal direction, so that the ends of the arm 208-1 distal from the shaft 204 may be evenly spaced from each other when the arm 208-1 is mounted at the desired position.

[0019] FIG. 3C shows securing members 308-1 and 308-2 (collectively referred to as the securing members 308 and generally referred to as a securing member 308) mounted on the arm channels 304-1 and 304-2, respectively, to secure the arm 208-1 to the shaft 204 at the desired position. The securing members 308 may be any type of mechanically securing members such as, for example, securing pins, securing wires, nut-and-bolt arrangements, etc. FIG. 3C further shows the cushioning members 212-1 and 212-2 attached to the ends of the arm 208-1 distal to the shaft 204. The cushioning members 212 may be detachable and re-attachable from and to the ends of the arms 208, for example, by having an interior of dimensions smaller than corresponding dimensions of the ends, to provide a tight fit between the ends and the interior of the cushioning members 212. Alternatively, the ends of the arms 208 may be provided with a profile, for example a threaded profile, and the interior of the cushioning members 212 may be provided with a matching profile. Alternatively, the cushioning members 212 may be attached to the ends of the arms by further securing members 308 if the ends of the arms are provided with further arm channels 304; additionally, the cushioning members 212 may also be provided with cushioning member channels aligned to the further arm channels 304. As a further alternative, the ends of the arms 208 and the interior of the cushioning members 212 may be provided with matching adhering components, for example with hook and loop components of a Velcro TM system.

[0020] While FIGS. 3A to 3C illustrate an arm 208 that is mounted on the shaft 204 by traversing the shaft 204, alternatively, the arms 208 may be attached to the shaft 204 without traversing it, for example, the shaft 204 may be provided with protrusions extending away from the shaft upon which the arms 208 may be mounted. Additionally, while FIGS. 3A to 3C illustrate an arm 208 that is detachable from the shaft 204, alternatively, any arm 208 may be permanently attached to the shaft 204, for example, by using an adhesive, by welding, by brazing, by an interference fit, etc. As a further alternative, the shaft 204 may be manufactured with integral arms 208, for example, by a sintering process, a die casting process, etc. Additionally, while the cushioning members 212 may be detachable, they may be permanently attached to the ends of the arms 208, for example, by using an adhesive, by ultrasonic welding, by chemical bonding, by heat staking, etc. [0021] The lift arm 216 may be detachable from the shaft 204 of the vehicle roof lifting device 200. FIGS. 4A and 4B depict a right-side view of a sequence for attaching the lift arm 216 to the shaft 204.

[0022] FIG. 4A shows that the shaft 204 may additionally be provided with an offsetting channel 400 so that the offsetting portion 220 of the lift arm 216 can be attached to the shaft 204. The offsetting channel 400 extends at an angle with respect to a horizontal plane defined by the longitudinal direction of the shaft 204 and the longitudinal direction of the arms 208, so that the lift arm 216 may be vertically offset from the shaft 204, the angle may be, for example, about 30°, 45°, 60°, or 90° with respect to the horizontal plane. The offsetting portion 220 extends away from the lift arm 216 at a matching angle to the angle of the offsetting channel 400. Additionally, FIG. 4A shows that the shaft 204 has a securing channel 404 intersecting the offsetting channel 400, the securing channel 404 extends through the shaft 204 along the horizontal plane, for example in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the arms 208. The offsetting portion 220 has a channel 408 aligned to the securing channel 404 when the offsetting portion 220 is fully inserted into the shaft 204 through the offsetting channel 400, as shown in FIG. 4B.

[0023] FIG. 4B shows the offsetting potion 220 fully inserted into the shaft 204 through the offsetting channel 400. To secure the lift arm 216 to the vehicle roof lifting device 200, a securing member 412 may be installed through the securing channel 404 and the channel 408. The securing member 412 may be any type of mechanically securing member such as, for example, a securing pin, a securing wire, a nut-and-bolt arrangement, etc. [0024] The offsetting portion 220 of the lift arm 216 may further be detachable from the lift arm 216, for example, with a similar mechanism by which the offsetting portion 220 is attached to the shaft 204. Alternatively, the offsetting portion 220 may be permanently attached to the lift arm 216, for example, by using an adhesive, by welding, by brazing, by an interference fit, etc. As a further alternative, the offsetting portion 220 may be manufactured integral to the lift arm 216, for example, by a sintering process, a die casting process, etc. Additionally, while FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a lift arm 216 that is detachable from the shaft 204, alternatively, the lift arm 216 may be permanently attached to the shaft 204, for example, by using an adhesive, by welding, by brazing, by an interference fit, etc. As a further alternative, the shaft 204 may be manufactured integral to the lift arm 216, for example, by a sintering process, a die casting process, etc. [0025] The lift arm 216 of the example vehicle roof lifting device 200 extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the shaft 204, however, the lift arm 216 may alternatively extend at any non-parallel angle to the longitudinal direction of the shaft 204. The vertical offset of the lift arm 216 from the shaft 204 facilitates supporting the vehicle roof 104 on the vehicle roof lifting device 200 and attaching the lift arm 216 to an actuator for transmitting a force to the vehicle roof 104 to lift or lower the vehicle roof 104 without obstructions from a geometry of the vehicle roof 104, as discussed further below, with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5E.

[0026] FIGS. 5A to 5E depict an example sequence of an example method for lifting or lowering the vehicle roof 104 with the example vehicle roof lifting device 200. The example method comprises: supporting the vehicle roof 104 on the vehicle roof lifting device 200 by placing the vehicle roof lifting device 200 proximal to the vehicle roof 104 so that at least two ends of the vehicle roof lifting device 200 engage with the vehicle roof 104; attaching an actuator to the vehicle roof lifting device 200; and transmitting a force from the actuator to the vehicle roof 104 through the vehicle roof lifting device 200 thereby lifting or lowering the vehicle roof 104.

[0027] FIG. 5A depicts the vehicle roof lifting device 200 positioned directly below the vehicle roof 104. The vehicle roof 104 is shown at a first height H1. The vehicle roof lifting device 200 depicted in FIG. 5A has the arms 208 already attached to the shaft 204, and the cushioning members 212 already attached to the ends of the arms 208. If the arms 208 are detachable from the vehicle roof lifting device 200, as previously discussed, the example method may additionally further comprise attaching at least two arms 208 to the shaft 204 of the vehicle roof lifting device 200, each of the at least two arms 208 comprising at least one end of the at least two ends of the vehicle roof lifting device 200.

Additionally, if the cushioning members are detachable from the ends of the arms 208, the example method may additionally further comprise attaching the cushioning members 212 to the at least two ends of the vehicle roof lifting device 200 for engaging with the vehicle roof 104.

[0028] The vehide roof 104 depicted in FIG. 5A has a lower surface 500 and a lower frame 504 protruding downwards from the lower surface 500. The lower frame 504 may be provided with means to secure the vehicle roof 104 to the vehicle 100. Additionally, as discussed above, the vehicle roof 104 may be any type of detachable vehicle roof which may also comprise additional members such as, for example, windows or doors, that may be detached from the vehicle 100 while remaining attached to the vehicle roof 104. Edges or corners between the lower surface 500 and the lower frame 504, or alternatively, other geometries of the vehicle roof 104, such as, for example, recesses in the lower surface 500, or additional edges or corners between the vehicle roof 104 and any additional members attached to the vehicle roof 104, may be used to securely support the vehicle roof 104 on the vehicle roof lifting device 200 if the vehicle roof lifting device 200 is dimensioned so that the at least two ends of the vehicle roof lifting device 200 can engage with the recesses, the corners or the edges of the vehicle roof 104.

[0029] FIG. 5B shows that the ends of the arms 208, covered by the cushioning members 212, engage in a tight fit with corners between the lower surface 500 and the lower frame 504 when the vehicle roof lifting device 200 is placed proximal to the vehicle roof 104. A length of the shaft 204 may be selected to be equal to about a typical length of the lower surface 500, additionally a length of the arms 208 may be selected to be equal to about a typical width of the lower surface 500 so that the ends of the arms 208 reach the corners between the lower surface 500 and the lower frame 504. Alternatively or additionally, the length of the shaft 204 or the length of the arms 208 may be adjustable so that different vehide roofs of different dimensions may be securely supported on the vehicle roof lifting device 200.

[0030] FIG. 5C shows the lift arm 216 attached to the vehicle roof lifting device 200.

If the lift arm 216 is detachable from the vehicle roof lifting device 200, as discussed above, attaching the actuator to the vehicle roof lifting device, according to the example method may further comprise attaching the lift arm 216 to the vehicle roof lifting device 200 and attaching the lift arm 216 to the actuator. In FIG. 5C, the lift arm 216 is shown vertically offset from the shaft 204 by means of the offsetting portion 220, and the lift arm 216 is also shown extending beyond the length of the vehicle roof 104. Being vertically offset from the shaft 204 and extending beyond the length of the vehicle 100 can facilitate attaching the lift arm 216 to an actuator that may be located exterior to the vehicle 100 without obstructions from the vehicle roof 104 or from the vehicle 100. Alternatively, if at least a portion of the actuator to which the lift arm 216 is attached is configured to extend to an interior of the vehicle 100, the lift arm 216 may not extend beyond the length of the vehicle 100. Optionally, a length of the lift arm 216 may be adjustable.

[0031] FIG. 5D shows the lift arm 216 attached to an actuator 508, only a part of which is visible. The actuator 508 may be any type of actuator capable of imparting a vertical lifting or lowering force, such as, for example, a motorized lift crane, an hydraulic lift crane, a manual lift actuator, etc. The lift arm 216 may be provided with any type of mechanical securing members such as, for example, securing pins, securing wires, nut-and-bolt arrangements, etc. for securing the lift arm 216 to the actuator 508. Alternatively, an end of the lift arm 216 may be dimensioned for a tight fit with a corresponding end of the actuator 508 and may additionally optionally be provided with a resilient member to secure the lift arm 216 to the actuator 508. In a further alternative, the lift arm 216 may be permanently attached to the actuator 508 for example, by using an adhesive, by welding, by brazing, by an interference fit, etc. As a further alternative, the actuator 508 may be a specialized actuator for lifting the vehicle roof 104 and may be manufactured with the lift arm 216 integral to the actuator 508.

[0032] FIG. 5E shows the actuator 508 transmitting a force F to the vehicle roof 104 through the vehicle roof lifting device 200 to position the vehicle roof 104 at a second height H2. The second height H2 may be larger or lower than the first height H1 [0033] While FIGS. 5A to 5E depict an example sequence in which the example method may be carried out, the example method may be carried out in a different sequence. For example, while FIG. 5D may depict that the actuator 508 is attached to the lift arm 216 after the vehicle roof 104 is supported on the vehicle roof lifting device 200, the lift arm 216 may be attached to the actuator 508 before the vehicle roof 104 is supported on the vehicle roof lifting device 200. Further possible different sequences to carry out the example method may be apparent to a person skilled in the ad.

[0034] FIG. 6 depicts a rear view of the vehicle 100 with the vehicle roof 104 lifted from the vehicle 100 the vehicle roof lifting device 200. The actuator 508 is also shown in FIG. 6. The vehicle 100 can be driven into and out of position relative to the actuator 508 by vehicle wheels 600. Additionally, the actuator 508 can be placed into and out of position relative to the vehicle 100 by actuator wheels 604. In this way, the vehicle roof 104 can be removed from the vehicle 100 after being lifted from the vehicle 100, and can also be positioned in alignment with the vehicle 100 before being lowered to the vehicle 100 to be attached to the vehicle 100.

[0035] While the actuator 508 depicted in FIG. 6 is positioned at least partially exterior to the vehicle 100, an alternative actuator may be configured to be positioned in an interior of the vehicle and to be supported on the vehicle 100. To remove the vehicle roof 104 from the vehicle 100 after lifting the vehicle roof 104 from the vehicle by a vehicle roof lifting device 200 attached to the alternative actuator, additional actuator removal means such as, for example, a guide rail, a conveyor belt, etc., may be provided to remove the alternative actuator from the vehicle 100 while supporting the vehicle roof 104 after the vehicle roof 104 has been lifted from the vehicle 100.

[0036] Although the invention has been described with reference to certain specific embodiments, various modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as outlined in the claims appended hereto.

[0037] The vehicle roof lifting device described herein can advantageously be used to lift or lower a detachable vehicle roof for removing or attaching the detachable vehicle roof from or to a vehicle. As detachable vehicle roofs have big dimensions and a considerable weight, the vehicle roof lifting device described herein can enable an easy removal and attaching of the vehicle roof by a single person, without requiring the person to perform physically demanding work such as the work that would be required to perform the removal or attaching of the vehicle roof manually, without the use of the vehicle roof lifting device.

[0038] The scope of the claims should not be limited by the embodiments set forth in the above examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

Claims

CLAIMS1 A vehicle roof lifting device comprising: a shaft; at least two arms extending away from the shaft, each of the at least two arms including: at least one end distal from the shaft, the at least one end configured to engage with a vehicle roof for supporting the vehicle roof on the vehicle roof lifting device; and a lift arm offset from the shaft, the lift arm attachable to an actuator for transmitting a force from the actuator to the vehicle roof to lift or lower the vehicle roof.
2. The vehicle roof lifting device of claim 1 wherein the at least one end comprises a cushioning member for engaging with the vehicle roof
3. The vehicle roof lifting device of claim 1 or 2 wherein the at least two arms traverse the shaft.
4. The vehicle roof lifting device of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein each of the at least two arms further includes a second end distal from the platform shaft configured to engage with the vehicle roof for supporting the vehicle roof on the vehicle roof lifting device.
5. The vehicle roof lifting device of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the at least two arms extend away from the shaft at a substantially perpendicular angle to a longitudinal direction of the shaft.
6. The vehicle roof lifting device of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the at least two arms are detachable from the vehicle roof lifting device.
7. The vehicle roof lifting device of any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the lift arm is detachable from the vehicle roof lifting device.
8. The vehicle roof lifting device of any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein a length of the shaft, of the at least two arms or of the lift arm is adjustable.
9. A method for lifting or lowering a vehicle roof with a vehicle roof lifting device comprising: supporting the vehicle roof on the vehicle roof lifting device by placing the vehicle roof lifting device proximal to the vehicle roof so that at least two ends of the vehicle roof lifting device engage with the vehicle roof; attaching an actuator to the vehicle roof lifting device; and transmitting a force from the actuator to the vehicle roof through the vehicle roof lifting device thereby lifting or lowering the vehicle roof.
10. The method of claim 9 further comprising: attaching at least two arms to a shaft of the vehicle roof lifting device, each of the at least two arms comprising at least one end of the at least two ends of the vehicle roof lifting device.
11. The method of claim 9 or 10 further comprising: attaching cushioning members to the at least two ends of the vehicle roof lifting device for engaging with the vehicle roof.
12. The method of any one of claims 9 to 11 wherein supporting the vehicle roof on the vehicle roof lifting device further comprises engaging the at least two ends with recesses, edges or corners of the vehicle roof
13. The method of any one of claims 9 to 12 wherein attaching the actuator to the vehicle roof lifting device further comprises attaching a lift arm to the vehicle roof lifting device and attaching the lift arm to the actuator.