yet another windstop/stowage cover combo - Opinions?

[tweetdriver63]

Sorry about using your artwork, Simon. I'm just not as good, and don't have as good software as you do. I just needed a starting point to illustrate my idea.

Now, here's my idea, as pictured below. I imagine a fibreglass piece that is mounted to the hood stowage cover by brackets that attach to the latches at the front, and held tight against the lid by pressure. Maybe a spring system such as is also pictured below. That picture is an attempt to show how the thing would connect to the two stowage cover latches (the parts that are connected to the existing cover), and would have a built-in spring to hold the back part down firmly against the cover (That's the red part). This would mean no permanent "damage" to the car, it wouldn't restrict opening/closing the cover, and it wouldn't restrict access to the shelf. An important requirement for me, if I have a solid windblock, is that it doesn't block the sound of the Sub which is in the hood stowage area.

The hump would be even with the tops of the seats (at that height, it doesn't restrict the rear view at all), and the windstop would be mounted to the front surface and extend as high as possible without interfering with hood operation. Accomodation might be made for speakers mounted on the front/vertical surface.

My imagination is usually better than my skills, but I thought I'd ask for opinions. This is an option I'm looking at because I think the other being worked on (ABMunro's thread, where the artwork came from) may be out of the range of my budget, when combined with the structural roll hoops.

[addict]

can you still see out of the rear view mirror ?

[chrisP]

Its completely possible, as I have done it already with Aluminium brackets that link to the catches and then mount a 6mm piece of perspex. It makes a difference to the wind in the cabin, but you can't have it extending too high as it stops you using the soft top. I don't have any picture with me at the moment though.

Chris

[tweetdriver63]

can you still see out of the rear view mirror ?

looking in the rear view as it is, anything that doesn't extend above the top of the seat won't be seen, so won't block any view. I'll also be able to see over anything that high when backing. The extension above that would be clear, so yes, I would still be able to see out of the rear view mirror.

[Kuching]

Hmmm... I'll have a look at some ideas along these lines and post some pictures when I have them.

[tweetdriver63]

I envision attaching the unit to the hood cover via the four bolts that hold the latches to the underside of the cover. My thought is that brackets built into the hump would be shaped so that when the four bolts are tightened, it would cause sufficient downward force at the rear of the unit to hold it firmly in place against the hood cover. It would have a rubber gasket/seal to prevent damage and keep out water.

[F1 LOTUS]

I had a similar thought for some screen-holding brackets that use the same bolts as the hood cover latches, and allows the windblock to swing underneath the cover when the hood's up.

[tweetdriver63]

I had a similar thought for some screen-holding brackets that use the same bolts as the hood cover latches, and allows the windblock to swing underneath the cover when the hood's up.

I thought about that too (great minds think alike), but I'm lazy and figured I would like a permanently up solution. I also really like the looks of all of the "bubble" covers I've seen folks around here come up with, so I thought "why not kill 2 birds with 1 stone?"

I still think the idea you have would be a very popular product if it's kept simple. A good one for that project challenge thingy.

[F1 LOTUS]

I also really like the looks of all of the "bubble" covers I've seen folks around here come up with, so I thought "why not kill 2 birds with 1 stone?"

I still think the idea you have would be a very popular product if it's kept simple. A good one for that project challenge thingy.

Agreed, a neatly styled cover with integral roll hoops and wind block would be my first choice if I could find time to do it or, if someone else comes up with an affordable solution and buy theirs? Sadly the exchange rate tends to make Euro-produced stuff v.expensive by the time we get it over here

Meanwhile, I've quickly modeled what I think both of us had in mind - the brackets are somewhat crude and may require some massaging to clear the tops of the lid locks? But it looks like a couple of simple brackets and a sheet of Lexan or laminated glass could offer a neat simple windblocker?

The reflection shows how the new bracket would fit over the lids' hook brackets, and how the glass stows beneath the lid. The proof of course would be in the prototyping...

[tweetdriver63]

Nice artwork.

Do you think there's an existing bracket/hinge that could be used?

Did you envision a spring-loaded hinge, or an unsprung one with pegs to lock it into position? It occurs to me that a spring-loaded hinge that pushes in the direction to hold the screen up against the airflow might be a problem when the windstop is stowed.

[F1 LOTUS]

Initial thought is to have a spring-loaded detent plunger buried in the hinge, giving a positive lock for stowed and deployed.
It's unlikely we could find an existing hinge that wouldn't require adaptation. My design consists of just two (at the moment!) unique parts - perhaps an alternate could be found for the glass-holding hinge, but the one straddling the stock bracket...I doubt it???

[nitroman]

The reflection shows how the new bracket would fit over the lids' hook brackets, and how the glass stows beneath the lid. The proof of course would be in the prototyping...

Looks cool. I'm super in.

[Doug]

go Brian go! one project at a time . . .

as long as it makes that "Boing" sound as you release it!

As usual it looks like you have the mounting integrated into the side latch mount points, etc.

you could make a full width bulletproof glass one for the Elan they use in the next James Bond movie, eh?



how about another project: a revolving license plate, so everyone can flip it to Geoff's plate number when they see the speed cameras . . .

[F1 LOTUS]

It'll look so sexy you'll be making your own 'boing' sound

[dapinky]

Before i get accused of pi$$ing on your fireworks, i want to say that the concept here (although it doesn't appeal to me personally) is excellent.

However, is there enough room between the folded up hood (roof) and the stowage cover to get such a creation to fit without causing damage to something?

I only ask as it requires a fair amount of pushing the roof down into the cavity anyway just to get the cover to do up, without having to worry about scratching / breaking a windbreak.

[SteveB]

Not wishing to be a kill joy but why are you all afraid of a bit of wind ? no point in my view having a open top car if you don't like wind. Taking this one stage further what about rain ? my idear to get around the rain problem and I have not put anything on paper yet, would be for a kind of fabric roof streched over a folding frame that when folded would use that storage area behind the seats ! Hang on had a look in there and Lotus already fitted it, Oh well beaten to another design patent, no wonder I never get rich.

Tongue firmly stuffed into cheek SteveB

Keep up with the idears guys it's great to brain storm like that and really usefull to others. Just tiggled me, sorry.

[tweetdriver63]

Not wishing to be a kill joy but why are you all afraid of a bit of wind ? no point in my view having a open top car if you don't like wind. Taking this one stage further what about rain ? my idear to get around the rain problem and I have not put anything on paper yet, would be for a kind of fabric roof streched over a folding frame that when folded would use that storage area behind the seats ! Hang on had a look in there and Lotus already fitted it, Oh well beaten to another design patent, no wonder I never get rich.

Tongue firmly stuffed into cheek SteveB

Keep up with the idears guys it's great to brain storm like that and really usefull to others. Just tiggled me, sorry.

First off, some people have hair. When I have the top down, I put on a baseball cap and that pretty well keeps mine from getting messed up too much. My wife and my daughter, however, can't do that, and absolutely will not get in the car if the top will be down.

Second, I like to be able to hear my music while I drive. As it is, I have the stereo up so loud, if I pull into my neighborhood at night, I'll wake people up. Even though that's the case, when I'm driving over about 45 mph, I can barely hear it. I used to have a Porsche 914, and with a less powerful system, and only 2 speakers, I could always hear the music just fine. In my Elan, along with a more powerful (and better quality) head unit, there are six speakers and a sub, with its own amp.

Finally, if you block most of the wind, you can drive open in more extreme temperatures, and keep some of the heat/air inside with you. This is especially true when it's a bit on the cool side, cutting down on that wind-chill can make a 20+ degree difference inside the car, allowing top-down fun that wouldn't be possible (or at least, wouldn't be fun) otherwise.

Most of the wind that causes these problems in a convertible, comes from behind. That's why the windblocker is a good thing. That's why the Targa Porsche 914 had none of them. I could even drive in rain with the top off, and not get wet. (I once was driving from California to Texas in it, and when I saw it was raining in the distance ahead, I decided to wait until I started to feel a few drops before I would stop and put the top on. I drove right through that moderate rainfall for at least 5 minutes without a drop coming inside the car.)

[F1 LOTUS]

Seems to be a significant enough nuisance for the OEM's to take action

[algirdas]

Dear Brian:

One way to get around exchange rate and logistics problems is to produce the items in several locations around the world. As I found out last year, shipping large items from the UK can be expensive especially when you factor in how much "air" (dimensional volume) is associated with such an effort.

One way around this would be to do the design and development work in, say, the UK and then circulate the plans for local production in US, Canada, Australia and wherever else it makes sense.

Taking the concept one step further, with the weak dollar, it may make sense to outsource production to the US and then ship to the UK and the rest of the world.

Just an idea.

Simon-beautiful work! Bravo!

Sincerely,

Algirdas

[F1 LOTUS]

Dear Brian:

One way to get around exchange rate and logistics problems is to produce the items in several locations around the world. As I found out last year, shipping large items from the UK can be expensive especially when you factor in how much "air" (dimensional volume) is associated with such an effort.

One way around this would be to do the design and development work in, say, the UK and then circulate the plans for local production in US, Canada, Australia and wherever else it makes sense.

Taking the concept one step further, with the weak dollar, it may make sense to outsource production to the US and then ship to the UK and the rest of the world.

Just an idea.

Simon-beautiful work! Bravo!

Sincerely,

Algirdas

Yup! Already considered this. For the windblocker for sure it would make sense to source the 'glass' locally to the end user.
Simon and I did discuss the possibility of producing a set of hartop molds in the USA, at the time I couldn't make it happen, but things change and it may be worth revisiting this sometime. I now have a good source for 5-axis machining and, a good quality mold maker.
For the new double-bubble windstop it might be interesting to see if it's worth producing the master, molds and parts in the US (or another country?) - I'd be happy to get bids before he invests in tooling in the UK if Simon's interested?