Abstract: A pair of side linkages for raising a convertible top (10) between a raised position, covering the vehicle body passenger compartment, through a body opening, and a lowered position folded into a storage compartment within the vehicle body, said top including a header (12) for engaging the vehicle windshield in the top raised position and at least one crossbow (14) extending between the side linkages, each linkage comprising side rails (18, 22) pivoted to and extending rearwardly from the header, and a plurality of links (34, 50, 56, 62) forming 4-bar linkages connecting the header (12), side rails (18, 22) and vehicle body for folding the top (10) in a Z-shaped folding action to a compact shape in the storage compartment such that the header (12) is not inverted and covers the folded top (10) and closes the body opening.

Abstract: A convertible top operating mechanism includes a bi-directional hydraulic pump which is selectively connected to top-operating hydraulic cylinders and tonneau-operating hydraulic cylinders by a two-way, 5-condition control valve to selectively raise and lower the top and tonneau. A mechanical linkage connects the top-operating cylinders with a movable rear bow and is co-operable with a spring during operation of the top-operating cylinders when fully extending and initially retracting to move the rear bow to enable tonneau operation and to seal the top on the tonneau.

Abstract: A flexible tack strip (30, 30′) is provided for mounting the rear hem (28) of a convertible top cover (22) to a vehicle body (12). The tack strip (30, 30′) is preferably glass-filled plastic material (30′) and is sufficiently flexible to enable deformation and insertion through the top storage compartment opening (16) when the topstack (18) is being installed on the vehicle body (12). The tack strip (30, 30′) has at least one stop member (38) which engages a stop clip (42) mounted on the body to limit the upward and forward movement of the tack strip (30, 30′) to secure the cover hem (28) and tension the cover (22) when the top is raised. An optional spring latch (46) can be included adjacent each stop clip to trap the tack strip when installed.

Abstract: A hybrid convertible top header is formed of a transverse steel tube flattened at its ends and having end fittings for attachment to the front ends of top front side rails. In one embodiment a pair of apertured latch-mounting steel plates are welded to the tube and the entire steel structure is encapsulated in a thermoplastic shroud comprising upper and lower moldings that are bonded along front and rear flanges. The top cover is secured to the front flange, while a closed or open cell foam pad is mounted on the rear flange to provide an energy-absorbing cushion in case of occupant impact on the header. In another embodiment, the plates are not welded to the tube, and the tube and plates are molded into a closed or open cell reaction injected molded polyurethane body that has sufficient rigidity to maintain a predetermined dimensional relationship between the plates and tube.

Abstract: A vehicle convertible topstack comprises transverse bows and a header supported by spaced, articulated pivotally-interconnected front, center and rear side rails. The front and center side rails are aluminum extrusions each having a right-angle triangular hollow cross section in one embodiment. A C-shaped channel is formed on each triangle's outer hypotenuse and has inwardly-turned, facing flanges for mechanically retaining elongated window seals. The rear rail has a vertical I-shape, and can include a similar window seal retainer. In another embodiment, the front, center and rear rails each have a base and a C-shaped external seal retainer formed on a vertical leg, which forms a slot for receiving a wedge-shaped shims to adjust the angle of the leg and seal to the main body. The shims are formed of frangible sections that can be broken at the top of the slot to remove excess shim material.

Abstract: Apparatus for operating a five-bow convertible top includes two multi-purpose hydraulic cylinders which are connected by linkages to the rear rails to operate the top, to operate the rear bow, and to operate the tonneau. The cylinder rods are pivoted to a rear bow control link and to a power link. A gas spring biases the tonneau open, while an intermittent drive connected to the cylinder rods overcomes the biasing device to close the tonneau. During initial extension of the cylinder rods, the control link raises the rear bow; then the tonneau is unlatched and is raised by the intermittent drive. Simultaneously, the power link latches to and drives the rear rail to begin lowering the top. The tonneau then begins to close as the top is further lowered. The tonneau closes when the top is fully lowered. The cylinders are retracted to raise the top. Initially, the tonneau begins opening as the power link rotates the rear rail to begin raising the top.

Abstract: A convertible top bow comprises an elongated U-shaped metal channel defining a trough bounded by a pair of spaced side walls interconnected at their bottom ends by a bottom wall. An elongated plastic tacking strip has a generally-trapezoidal main body received in the channel. The main body has an upper tacking surface for receiving staples to secure a fabric top to the bow. The tacking strip is secured to the channel by deforming the upper ends of the channel side walls inwardly to clinch the tacking strip body beneath the wings. The tacking strip has a pair of upwardly convex curved wings extending from the depressed upper tacking surface up and over the upper edges of the channel sides. This isolates the channel tops from engagement with the fabric cover and provides bearing surfaces for the fabric cover as it moves over the bow during top movement.

Abstract: A convertible top comprises a frame having a header and three transverse bows, a fabric cover for the frame, side stay pads, a panel containing a backlite, and an interior headliner. The bows and header are interconnected by articulated side linkages. The header and the #2, #3 and #4 bows have elongated open ended extrusions with transverse channels extending along their surfaces. The #4 bow includes an extra transverse channel. The fabric cover is initially attached to the header. The fabric cover, the headliner, and the stay pads all have transverse resilient attachment strips adjacent the header and/or each bow which are inserted into the bow channels to mount them on the top frame. The upper edge of the backlite also has a mounting strip received in the extra channel of the #4 bow. The attachment strips each has an arrow-shaped cross section including a wide arrowhead that is compressible for insertion through a narrow entry slot into a channel.

Abstract: A substitute top is provided to close the passenger compartment of a convertible vehicle when the folding soft top is lowered. The soft top has a pair of J-hook latches for engaging the windshield header to latch the top in sealing engagement with the windshield header. The substitute top comprises a rigid shell that has a front edge which engages the windshield header when the shell is installed. The substitute top mounts a pair of J-hook latches for engaging the header in the same manner as the soft top when the substitute top is installed to latch the substitute top in sealing engagement with the windshield header. The substitute top includes a bottom portion having a rear edge that mounts a seal strip which engages the vehicle body adjacent the top storage compartment. A C-shaped clip engages the storage well rear edge to secure the bottom portion to the vehicle body and compress the seal strip. Side flanges engage the soft top storage well side edges to locate the substitute top laterally of the vehicle.