Top construction

1,600,533

Sept. 21,1926.

J. H. BOURGON _s TOP CONSTRUCTION

Filed Dec. 13, 1924

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BY

Patented Sept. 21, 1926.

1,600,533

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

.JOSEPH H BOURGON. OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO -THE STUDEBAKER COR= BORATION. OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA, AND DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A -CORPORATION OF-NEW· JERSEYTOP -CONSTRUCTION.

Application “filed December 13, 1924. Serial No. 755,728.

This ’invention relates to tops ‘for motor vehicles and the like ’and particularly to tops of the permanent type and has for one of its Objects to provide a top frame cqm5 rposed -of sheet metal of such a construction that the top of which it forms a part will not be subject to the drumming usually associated with tops previously used. .

Another object is to .provide a permanent 10 top frame shaped from a continuous sheet Of metal to which the various other top frame members may be applied to form a permanent unitary structure.

Another object is to provide a permanent 15 top frame formed from a continuous sheet oFmetal with transverse trough-like depressions spaced at frequent intervals which extend substantially across the same along tlje upper portion thereof.

²⁰ -A further object is to provide a permanent top frame formed from a continuous piece of sheet metal and having a plurality of troughlike depressions formed therein extending substantially across the same, with a plu25 rality of ’wooden cross ribs which are securecl to the bottom of the ‘trough-like depressions to strengthen the same and to provide a tacking strip for securing the top lining 'thereto.

A still further object is'to provide a ’permanent top shaped from a continuous sheet raf metal having the bottom edges of -the metal bent inwardly at the sides and rear iportion substantially perpendicularly 'to the 35 Same forming a horizontally disposed flange, 'the frame also having-a continuous wooden -tacking member secured to ’the flange extending around the sides and rear portion thereof for securing the top covering thereto.

The above -being among the objects of the present invention the same consists of certain features of construction and combination of parts to be hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawing, and 45 then claimed, having the above and other objects in view.

In the accompanying drawing which illustrates a suitable . embodiment of the present invention and in which like numerals.

refer to like parts throughout ‘the several 50 views,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the finished top as it appears assembled on an ’automobile. body.

Figure 2 is a perspective view -of -the fop 55 frame as it appears before the top lining, covering and other finishing parte have been assembled thereto.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of . the top frame showing 60 ’the depressions formed therein, the wooden cross rib secured to ‘the under surface -of the bottom of the depression and the lop ‘lining 'tacked to the -cross ‘rib.

Figure -4 is a transverse section -taken os through the top frame -at a point adjacent one of the cross ribs.

Figure '5 is a longitudinal section taken ‘through the central portion raf -the top and showing the top lining secured To the inside o' of the top frame.

In tops heretofore’used, wherein the central portion was bridged by sheet metal or where the ’top frame was formed from .-a -continuous piece of sheet metal, drumming 75 has‘been much in-evidence, ’which was-caused ’by the tendency raf the. sheet metal forming ‘the frame to vibrate in harmony’with rather ‘ vibrations present in ‘the automobile .’or. with ‘the explosions · of the-engine-similar to the so manner in which a drum head mayjbe ’made to vibrate in -unison with rather vibration's. The present invention overcomes this dbjsction and also provides a structure which is strong and serviceable, yet raf relatively light S5 weight·, and economical ‘to manufacture.

The top frame 11 is formed from a continuous ‘piece of sheet metal To ithe desired shape, that is to the shape raf The ‘usual fop constructions as shown in Figures T and'.2, oo 'but preferably such that mo fiat spots care present at any place on its surface to assist in eliminating any drumming sound that may develop, as it is well known that a curved surface will not vibrate as much as a 95 flat surface.

A wooden front cross member 12, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, is secured to the front end

1,600,533 of the top and provides a means for more easily securing the front top supports 13, rainshield 14 and windshield 15 thereto, but if it is desired this cross member may be 0 eliminated and tire front edge of the metal may be formed to provide an attaching means.

At frequent intervals depressions 16 are provided in the central portion of the top 10 frame 11 extending substantially across the same. These depressions are preferably formed to provide ribs, which strengthen the top in a plane perpendicular to its surface to eliminate the “drumming” above referred 15 to. To further insure against “drumming” wooden strips or ribs 17 are secured to. the . under surface of the bottoms of the depressions 16-which also constitute a convenient means for securing the top lining 18 thereto. 20 Another disagreeable . feature previously encountered in tops of this general character is the crackling or: snapping sound which is caused by the “weaving” of the top 'when the automobile,-of which it forms a part, 25 is passing over rough or uneven roads, which is caused by a change or reversal of stresses set-up in the different portions of top .when the same is weaving, which stresses may tend to buckle the metal in one direction or por³⁰ tion and to pull it apart in ano'her direction or portion, there having been no provision to absorb these stresses. The depressions 16 mentioned in. the preceding paragraph absorb and break up these shifting stresses 35 and accomplish this result by reason of their vertical walls which give, slightly to stresses acting in the longitudinal plane of the top, and which walls, although giving flexibility to the top in. the plane of its surface, act at 40 the same time to give the top greater strength perpendicular to its plane.

The bottom edge of the. metal at the sides and rear portion is bent inwardly substantially perpendicular to the same to form a 45 continuous horizontal flange 19 extending around the sides and back thereof to which a wooden member 20 may be suitably secured which may be. utilized in several ways, such as a tacking strip for the outer covering or 50 the like.

Although in the foregoing description and in the following claims the frame is referred to as being formed from a. continuous piece of sheet metal, it is to be understood 55 that the present invention is not limited to a construction formed from a single sheet of metal as it applies equally as well t o and includes those constructions made up of a plu rality of metal units welded, riveted or otherwise suitably secured together to form 60 a continuous sheet of metal.

It is also to be understood that, although the drawing shows the frame 11 as being applied to an open type of automobile body, it may equally 'well be applied to bodies of the 65 closed type with equal advantages.

Formal changes may be made in the specific embodiment of the invention without departing from the spirit or substance of the broad invention, the scope of which is com- 70 mensurate with the appended claims. ^: