I recently got a new hardtop and I wanted some way to simply lift it
above the car when unwanted and then drop it down when cold or
rainy.
Well, dad came over and designed a cool little gizmo that I thought
someone here might be able to use.
Here it goes:
/O--------------------------O
/ | |
/ | |
/ | |
/ | |
/ || ||
[ ===================
|| ++++++++++++++++ ||
===================
~~ ~~
pulley = O (you need three. two on the left, one on the right)
| = single strand rope
/ = double strand rope
|| = 10" eye bolt
= = 1" X 4" X 4' board
+ = hard top top
~~ = wing nut
[ = clevice
All contact with the hardtop has foam rubber to prevent scratches and
weather stripping damage. Also, my hardtop is aftermarket and only
weighs around 50lbs.
We put a spacer made of PVC to hold the top board up at all times. The
bottom board may be slotted or whatever you choose to make it work for
you. The top board exists to provide a little stability with the top
sandwiched in with light pressure.
The pulleys are held by eye screws. A double pulley doesn't work well
because of the forces being in such opposing directions.
All parts are less than $50. The eye bolts themselves were $23 (Yikes!),
but can hold 2200lbs per bolt.
I hope someone can use this. I am very blessed by having it in the air
and not on the ground.
Lastly, improvement ideas are welcome, but please don't tell me how I
screwed up mechanical laws or anything. I'm not out to win a prize.
Thanks,
Kevin
Another systems administrator/analyst, not a mechanical engineer
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