Abstract: A retractable hardtop assembly is provided for a vehicle. A retractable hardtop assembly includes a front section that is connected by a linkage to a vehicle and a rearward portion that is connected by a separate linkage to a decklid of the vehicle. A package shelf/tonneau is secured by a linkage to the back section of the linkage. The package shelf/tonneau is moved from a package/shelf position below the rearward portion of the roof to a tonneau position above the retractable roof when the retractable roof is disposed in the storage compartment. The package shelf/tonneau is moved between the front portion of the roof and rearward portion of the roof during the extension and retraction cycles. The package shelf/tonneau may be rotated 360° as it is moved between the package shelf and tonneau positions.

Abstract: A roof for a passenger motor vehicle is disclosed that comprises at least a first roof element extending above the vehicle's passengers in the front seats of the vehicle. The first roof element may be moved along side roof frames and has a first transverse section that borders a second transverse of a second roof element. Recessed areas are provided between the first transverse section of the roof element and the second transverse section of the roof element. The recessed areas provide the front seat passengers with enlarged viewing areas.

Abstract: A motor vehicle roof having at least two laterally adjacent parts with respect to the motor vehicle's longitudinal axis when the parts are in a closed position. The laterally adjacent parts may be moved between the closed position and an open position by moving one or both of the laterally adjacent parts in a translational movement parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The laterally adjacent parts are retained between and parallel to two side roof frames that are permanently connected to the body. The laterally adjacent parts may be moved to an open position above or below a rear roof panel. The rear roof panel extends across the vehicle in a transverse direction between the side roof frames and is movable in a longitudinal direction to a position above or below the laterally adjacent roof panels. A front roof panel may be provided that may be raised on a back edge to provide a wind deflector.

Abstract: An adjustable vehicle roof has a flexible cover supported by a cover rod assembly that may be moved between a raised position and a stored position. The cover rod assembly includes a first arch and a second arch. A rigid rear window is integrated into the cover material. The rear window is stored between the first support element and the second support element in the stored position.

Abstract: A passenger car having a roof opening and a rear opening that are selectively covered by a segmented dimensionally stable roof and a rear lid, respectively. A linkage and actuator drive are common to the roof and rear lid. A supporting structure of the rear lid is connected to a rear roof section. The roof sections are connected by four bar linkages to adjacent sections. The angular position of a supporting link relative to the vehicle body is changed by the actuator drive.

Abstract: A rear window for a flexible rear roof section of an openable roof vehicle. The rear window is comprised of a transparent plastic material such as a polycarbonate material, and a fastening section that connects the rear window to the flexible covering of the open roof vehicle. The fastening section forms a single piece with the rear window and is offset relative to the plane of the rear window.

Abstract: In an attachment system for elongated, transversely stiff fastening elements, the fastening elements are centered and rotatably fixed in place on fastening bolts of connecting units by terminal eyelets. The terminal eyelets open in the transverse direction and have insertable bushings that receive the bolts.

Abstract: A roof for a passenger motor vehicle is disclosed that comprises at least a first roof element extending above the vehicle's passengers in the front seats of the vehicle. The first roof element may be moved along side roof frames and has a first transverse section that borders a second transverse of a second roof element. Recessed areas are provided between the first transverse section of the roof element and the second transverse section of the roof element. The recessed areas provide the front seat passengers with enlarged viewing areas.

Abstract: A passenger car having a roof opening and a rear opening that are selectively covered by a segmented dimensionally stable roof and a rear lid, respectively. A linkage and actuator drive are common to the roof and rear lid. A supporting structure of the rear lid is connected to a rear roof section. The roof sections are connected by four bar linkages to adjacent sections. The angular position of a supporting link relative to the vehicle body is changed by the actuator drive.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic drive system used for the covers of vehicle openings, in particular for vehicle roofs with a construction that can be opened. In said system, the actuator that is designed to displace the cover is supplied with a bulk current, whose target value is determined in accordance with the control path of the actuator, which is in correlation with the controlled displacement of the cover and whose actual value is detected when supplied to the actuator by means of a bulk current sensor. The bulk current is adjusted to compensate for differences between the actual and target values.

Abstract: A selectively pressurized sealing and/or locking system for vehicles with a vehicle opening on the body structure. Vehicle elements that are to be sealed and/or locked in relation to one another are attached by locking elements. The locking elements have positive-engagement elements that define a hollow portion and a stiffening bridging part in a transitional area between parts of the vehicle that are to be connected together.

Abstract: A rear hood assembly system is proposed for vehicles. The rear hood assembly includes a multi-joint link assembly. The multi-joint link assembly couples the rear hood to a vehicle body. The multi-joint link assembly includes a locking link. The locking link can move between a locked position and an unlocked position. When the locking link is in the locked position, a rotary joint pivotably couples the locking link to the vehicle body to raise the rear edge of the rear hood. When the locking link is in the unlocked position, the rotary joint is unlocked.

Abstract: In a pivotable vehicle lid support arrangement including an operating linkage, an operating member for opening and closing the lid and a drive unit for actuating the operating member, the operating linkage and the operating member are mounted with an end to a console and with their other ends to the vehicle lid, to which also the drive unit is mounted so as to form, together with the lid, a preassembled installation module and the operating arms of the linkage and the operating member are so arranged that they are disposed adjacent to, and essentially in parallel alignment with, the lid when the lid is in a closed position.

Abstract: An adjustable cover element in a vehicle is mounted to a vehicle component via a multiple linkage kinematic system comprising two guide rods. Each guide rod on one end is coupled in an articulated manner to the vehicle component and on the other end is coupled in an articulated manner to the cover element. One guide rod for the multiple linkage kinematic system has a two-part design and comprises two guide rod sections connected by an articulated joint. A stop is provided which during a relative motion between the cover element and the stop acts on a guide rod section in such a way that the angular position between the two guide rod sections changes.

Abstract: An adjustable vehicle roof has a flexible cover supported by a cover rod assembly that may be moved between a raised position and a stored position. The cover rod assembly includes a first arch and a second arch. A rigid rear window is integrated into the cover material. The rear window is stored between the first support element and the second support element in the stored position.

Abstract: A removable top assembly for a vehicle and method of providing a removable top cover for a vehicle is provided. The removable top assembly includes a fabric cover over a frame. The frame includes a rear bow that is pivotally connected on opposite sides to side rails and a C-pillar. A one bow is latched to a fixed transverse beam. A two bow is detachably secured to right and left side rails that are in turn attached to right and left fixed side beams of the vehicle.

Abstract: A cover assembly system is proposed for vehicles with an openable roof, the cover assembly system having at least one middle section and two side flaps that may be adjusted between a closed position and a stored position. The side flaps in their closed position together with the middle section forming a flat cover. Each side flap may be connected to a swivel bearing having a pivot axis. The side sections may be swiveled along the pivot axes between the closed position. The pivot axes extend essentially parallel to and directly adjoin the middle planar extension of the flat cover.

Abstract: A kinematic system is proposed for adjusting a side flap of a cover assembly for a vehicle with an openable roof, the kinematic system being adjustable between a covered position and a stored position, and the kinematic system being designed in such a way that the side flap undergoes at least one translational motion and at least one rotational motion during the adjustment, and characterized in that the kinematic system has a four-bar linkage kinematic mechanism for the translational motion and a guide track for the rotational motion.

Abstract: A retractable roof assembly for a vehicle is provided that includes relatively movable rigid panels that are positioned to cover a passenger/cargo compartment of the vehicle in an extended position and that are stacked one above another in a retracted position. A telescoping track is provided on opposite lateral sides of the vehicle to guide movement of the roof panels. D-pillars of the roof assembly are slidable between a position wherein they are spaced from the C-pillars to a retracted position in which the D-pillars are adjacent to the C-pillars. Side windows of the vehicle are retracted into the rear quarter panel area of the vehicle.

Abstract: In a roof storage compartment cover for a storage compartment for a vehicle roof, which is movable between a closed position, in which it covers an interior vehicle space, and an open position, in which the roof is deposited in the storage compartment by a roof operating mechanism, the storage compartment cover is operable by a compartment cover operating mechanism which is mechanically linked to the roof operating mechanism by an over-dead-center operating structure, which, upon movement of the vehicle roof between the closed and storage positions, first raises the storage compartment cover to permit passage of the roof and then closes the storage compartment cover again.