Abstract: A drive arrangement for a motor vehicle top having an outwardly movable sliding cover driven by an electric motor through a transmission and at least one threaded cable engaging a pinion of the transmission, a manually-actuated switch and a limit switch with a contact arm being provided in a circuit of the electric motor, the contact arm cooperating with a cam of a trip gear to interrupt the current supply to the electric motor in a closed position of the sliding cover, is improved by a construction of the indexing gear transmission for changing the operation of the drive arrangement in a manner increasing the time available for actuation of the limit switch independently of the degree of mobility of the top and ambient temperature conditions when the top reaches a position near the fully closed position.

Abstract: A drive arrangement for opening and closing a cover for an aperture in a vehicle roof via an electric motor acting upon an incompressible cable via an intermediate drive and drive pinion. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the electric motor is substitutable for a crank operated drive while avoiding limited available space associated problems by disposing an intermediate drive in a drive housing to which the electric motor is flanged to form a module which has the shape of a V as viewed from above, one leg of said V being formed by the electric motor and being disposed at right angles to the lengthwise axis of the vehicle, and the other leg of the V containing the intermediate drive and drive pinion.

Abstract: A passenger body roof opening and detachable tiltable cover is provided. To accommodate tilting movement of the cover, a telescoping device is provided at the rear end thereof which is detachable attachable to the cover. The telescopic device includes a first threaded portion fixed to a body frame at the opening, a second threaded portion detachable connected directly to the cover, and at least one further threaded portion threadably engaging with the first and second threaded portions. To accommodate retraction of the telescopic jack when the cover member is detached from the second threaded portion, the second threaded portion is non-rotatably connected to the frame by way of a rectangular sleeve arrangement which permits telescoping axial movement of the threaded member, while preventing rotative movement.

Abstract: A wind deflector for the sliding top of a motor vehicle wherein pivoting of the deflector from a collapsed to an upward effective position is controlled in precisely-timed relation with and by sliding of the top from an closed to an open position, respectively, so that contact or interference between the two parts is avoided. The top may be adjusted after installation so that it is flush with the surrounding portion of the vehicle, without, however, varying the aforesaid timed relation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle top with an opening that can be shut by means of a cover which is provided with a front edge and a rear edge and is fastened, in the area of its front edge, to the top in such a way as to be pivotable about an axis transversal to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and which, with its rear edge, can be pivoted out of the top plane upward.

Abstract: A ratchet wheel and abutment pin arrangement is provided for limiting movement of a movable roof panel member as it travels between a closed position and respective raised tilted and lowered slidably retracted positions. The ratchet wheel is provided with a guide slot at one axial end face for receiving the abutment pin during sliding movement of the roof panel member and with a further guide slot for the pin member at the opposite axial end face of the ratchet wheel for guiding the abutment pin member during tilting movement of the roof member. These guide slots are interconnected with one another at an overlapping passage to accommodate axial displacement of the pin member from one slot section to the other slot section, said overlapping passage also exhibiting abutment end surfaces corresponding to the closed position of the roof member.

Abstract: A crank and drive mechanism for a raisable sliding top such as of a motor vehicle is provided with a crank arm, with a mechanism to permit a plurality of rotations to said crank arm for a complete extension and retraction of the top, including an end stop.Means are provided to permit, with a single operating member, the actuation of the top into sliding movements, closing movements, opening movements, locking it in a position established, maintaining the top in a locked position releasably without the necessity for additional parts and automatically indicating the closed and the open positions of the top.

Abstract: A sliding roof structure for automobiles where the sliding roof panel is openable upwardly in a venting mode and retractable in a retracting mode and where an inner opening, defined by a recessed roof frame is surrounded by a fixed canopy, while a first movable canopy portion, or panel canopy, is connected to the sliding roof panel and another movable canopy portion is connected to a transversely extending movable rain channel underneath the rear edge of the outer roof opening. The movable rain channel is operatively connected to the panel canopy, supporting the rear edge of the latter, when it is not lifted in the venting mode.

Abstract: An upwardly pivotable vent panel assembly as part of an automobile roof structure in which the horizontal pivot connection is defined by a pair of insertion tongues on the forward end of the vent panel engaging matching slots in a vertical wall portion of the roof, the pivot connection being readily disengageable and the lifting linkage being releasable for complete removal of the panel.

Abstract: A lifting linkage for an upwardly pivotable vent panel in the roof structure of an automobile, where an upper and lower knee lever form a knee linkage which is detachable from the vent panel and adjustable in relation to the actuating rod by means of a high-friction slip fit. In the collapsed position the knee levers engage each other to prevent rattling.

Abstract: An actuating mechanism for the openable roof panel of an automobile in which a rotatable assembly consisting of a twist handle, a vertical shaft and a double-arm lever is movable axially by pulling the twist handle, thereby disengaging locking serrations on the handle and on a fixed retaining flange, a spring re-engaging the serrations, as soon as the handle is released.