Multi configurable half top assembly

Abstract

A top for a Jeep type vehicle is provided having a rear cargo area and parallel spaced roll bars. The top includes parallel spaced apart C pillars, each C pillar including front and rear vertical columns, the rear columns having a perpendicularly connected seat belt pass-through. The C pillars also have bottom plates connecting the front and rear columns that extend beyond the rear column. A top plate connects the front and rear columns together. The C pillars include pivotally connected sealing plates for sealing a top end of a rear door, the sealing plates being connected to the roll bars. A vertical rear window extending between said C pillar rear columns is provided, the rear window having a cutout portion for allowance of passage of a seat belt therethrough. A fabric cover providing a top deck extends over said front and rear seating portion of said vehicle and also covers the C pillars. A tonneau cover is provided for covering the rear cargo area providing a flat surface enclosure over the cargo area.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of providing a top system for a four-door Jeep type vehicle having a cargo area rear of a rear seating portion of said vehicle, said cargo area juxtaposing rear wheel wells of said vehicle, said cargo area being closed by a pivotal rear cargo gate, said vehicle having parallel spaced roll bars with a horizontal portion adjacent at least a rear seating portion of said vehicle and said roll bars having an inclined portion slanted towards said cargo area, said method comprising:
 providing parallel spaced apart C pillars, said C pillars including a front vertical column and a rear vertical column, said rear column having a perpendicularly connected seat belt pass-through extending towards a longitudinal centerline of said vehicle, said C pillars also having longitudinal extending bottom plates connecting said front and rear columns, said bottom plate extending beyond said rear column, and said C pillar also including a top plate connecting said front and rear columns along a top end of said front and rear columns and said C pillars including connected sealing plates for sealing a top end of a rear door, said sealing plates also being connected to said roll bars;   providing a vertical rear window extending between said C pillar rear columns, said rear window having a cutout portion for allowance of passage of a seat belt;   providing a fabric cover providing a top deck extending over a front and said rear seating portion of said vehicle, said cover also covering said C pillars and said rear window;   providing a rear bow connecting said C pillars' rear columns adjacent a bottom end of said columns; and   providing a tonneau cover for said rear cargo area providing a flat surface enclosure of said rear cargo area.   
     
     
         2 . The top method as provided in  claim 1  wherein said top deck has an openable panel. 
     
     
         3 . The top method as provided in  claim 1  further including providing a front panel openable over the front seating portion and a rear panel openable over said rear seat seating portion. 
     
     
         4 . The top system as provided in  claim 3  having a hard mid deck between said front and rear panels. 
     
     
         5 . The top method as provided in  claim 1  having a sliding top deck. 
     
     
         6 . The top method as provided in  claim 1  having a hard tonneau cover. 
     
     
         7 . The top method as provided in  claim 1  having a soft fabric tonneau cover. 
     
     
         8 . The top method as provided in claim  17  having a rolled soft fabric tonneau cover. 
     
     
         9 . The top method as provided in claim  17  having a sliding opening top deck.