Abstract: A vehicle body sunroof assembly (30) for a roof opening (56) includes a sunroof (64) having a plurality of panels (66) that extend between upper edges of vehicle side doors (24) with a door-to-door construction. The sunfoor (64) also includes a flexible sheet-like cover (70) having connection (72) to the sunroof panels (66). The cover connections (72) to the panels (66) are spaced such that the cover is movable between a closed position where the panels are spaced from each other and an open position where the panels are positioned adjacent the rear edge of the roof opening in a partially overlapping relationship with the cover (70) stored therebetween in a folded condition.

Abstract: A rear quarter window assembly (26) for use with a vehicle convertible top (20) is disclosed as including a first rear quarter window (34) movable between closed and open positions by a window regulator (36) and having a rear edge (38) that is spaced forwardly from the raised convertible top frame (22). A second rear quarter window (40) of the window assembly is mounted on the frame (22) of the convertible top for movement between closed and open positions as the convertible top frame is moved between raised and storage positions. This second rear quarter window (40) has a front edge (42) that seals with the rear edge (38) of the first rear quarter window. A seal (44) provides the sealing between the first and second rear quarter windows (34,40) at their rear and forward edges (38,42).

Abstract: A vehicle convertible top side rail linkage assembly (46,46') is disclosed for providing foldable interconnection of front and intermediate rail members (40,42) of a convertible top side rail (28). The linkage assembly (46,46') includes: a hinge link (80) having opposite ends respectively pivoted to the front and intermediate rail members (40,42); an operating linkage (62) including first and second operating links (64,66) having first ends respectively pivoted to the front and intermediate rail members (40,42) and having second ends connected to each other; a connecting link (80) that interconnects the hinge link (52) and the operating linkage (62); and an actuating member (90) connected to the side rail (28) and to the operating linkage (62) to actuate folding and unfolding movement of the front and intermediate rail members (40,42) as the convertible top frame is moved between use and storage positions.

Abstract: A vehicle sunroof (16) is disclosed as having a detachable hinge (44) including cooperable rigid blocking members (50, 52) that prevent detachment of a sunroof panel (30) during normal use when positioned in either a closed or upper vented position. Detachment of a latch assembly (42) that connects a rear edge portion of the panel with a rear portion of a peripheral frame mounted within the roof opening (14) permits further upward movement of the rear edge portion of the panel so that the blocking members then permit the withdrawal of a pintle (46) of the hinge (44) from a hole (48) thereof so as to permit detachment of the panel (30) from the frame (18) to fully expose the roof opening (14). In the preferred construction, a pair of the detachable hinges (44) are utilized at the front extremity of the sunroof at opposite lateral sides of the latch assembly (42) at its rear extremity.

Abstract: An externally retractable sunroof assembly (14) is mounted on a vehicle roof (12) between upper edges of side doors (24). A roof opening (60) in the outer roof panel (32) has forward and rearward edges and has side edges exposing the interior of the roof side rails (44) in each of which a track (68) is respectively mounted. A sunroof (70) has side edges (72) respectively mounted by the pair of tracks within the side rails and is movable between a closed position closing the roof opening and an externally retracted position above the outer roof panel to the rear of the roof opening. The sunroof (70) is made from metal or glass and has the side edges thereof in the closed position located adjacent the upper edges of the side doors to provide a continuous door-to-door appearance. The longitudinal and lateral dimensions of the sunroof (70) with the construction disclosed provide maximum roof opening while still permitting storage of the opened sunroof on the roof.

Abstract: A vehicle convertible top boot assembly (18) is disclosed as including a rigid boot (20) having forward, rearward, and side portions (22, 24, 26) that define an access opening (28) opened and closed by a cover (30) so as to permit storage of articles in a storage receptacle (32). The rigid boot (20) preferably includes a central member (34) and a pair of side members (38) mounted on opposite ends (36) of the central member by detachable connections (40). The cover (30) is preferably pivotally mounted by a hinge (48) at its rear extremity to provide convenience in the storage. The storage receptacle (32) preferably has an upwardly opening shape mounted below the access opening (28) and preferably is constructed as a flexible bag whose upper end has a connection (56) to the boot.

Abstract: A vehicle sunroof (10) is disclosed as including a peripheral frame (16) on which a sunroof panel (24) is mounted by a track mechanism (32) which has a pair of side track assemblies (34) each of which includes detachable connections (36,38) for permitting detachable securement of the panel. A power actuator (40) of the sunroof drives the track assemblies (34) to position the attached panel (24) in a closed position, an inclined vented position, and an externally retracted storage position located rearward of the vented position over the roof.

Abstract: A vehicle body convertible top (20) disclosed has a soft top whose sail flaps (36) are free to move with respect to the vehicle body and an associated foldable frame (22) but are connected to tensioners (40) that secure the sail flaps in the upper raised position of the convertible top. Each tensioner (40) includes a guide (42) preferably embodied by a curved tube (62) and an elongated flexible member (44) that extends through the guide tube (62) for attachment to both the associated sail flap (36) and the foldable frame (22). Upon raising of the convertible top, the tensioners (40) resiliently pull on the sail flaps (36) through a springs (49) disposed along the elongated flexible members (44) to provide the sail flap tensioning without any operator manipulation specifically directed thereto such as the snapping and unsnapping previously necessary with convertible tops.

Abstract: A stabilizer (24) for a vehicle side door window (16) includes a molded plastic stabilizer member (26) having a vertical groove (28) that receives a vertical window edge to control the path of window movement and window positioning in an upper closed position. An adjustable connection (30) of the stabilizer (24) permits inboard and outboard adjustment of the location of the top edge (22) of the window (16) in order to provide effective sealing. The stabilizer member (26) is preferably mounted on a front projection (34) of the associated vehicle door (14) and stabilizes the front window edge (18). A mounting bracket (48) associated with the adjustable connection (30) cooperates in providing the mounting of the stabilizer member (26) on the front door projection (34) and has stop flanges (80) and (82) that limit the extremes of adjustment.

Abstract: An externally retractable sunroof assembly (14) is mounted on a vehicle roof (12) between side doors (24) of the type having upper window frames (52) that continue the contour of the roof. A roof opening (60) in the outer roof panel (32) has forward and rearward edges and has side edges exposing the interior of the roof side rails (44) in which a pair of tracks (68) are respectively mounted. A sunroof (70) has side edges (72) respectively mounted by the pair of tracks within the side rails and is movable between a closed position closing the roof opening and an externally retracted position above the outer roof panel to the rear of the roof opening. The sunroof has the side edges (72) thereof in the closed position juxtaposed with respect to the upper window frames (52) of the side doors to provide a continuous door-to-door appearance. In the preferred construction, the sunroof (70) is made from metal or glass.

Abstract: A boot assembly (28) for covering a stored vehicle convertible top includes a boot (30) of flexible material having an inner edge (32) with detachable fasteners (34) and having an outer edge (40) to which a U-shaped rod (38) of the boot assembly is secured. This U-shaped rod (38) of the boot assembly (28) provides outward loading that cooperates with the detachable fasteners in securing the boot (30) over the stored convertible top while also permitting convenient storage by detaching and bending the U shape of the boot assembly to an enclosed shape. Latch members (46) on the ends of rod (38) and latch retainers (48) on the vehicle cooperate with the detachable fasteners and the outward loading in securing the boot assembly to the vehicle. A storage bag (50) is also preferably provided for storing the boot assembly in its enclosed shape after removal from the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle body of the convertible or targa type and the method of converting such a body from a sedan type vehicle body in which a reinforcing structure is disposed within the passenger compartment and is fastened thereto to form a centrally extending structural channel member extending longitudinally within the passenger compartment and having forward and rearward transverse portions fastened to the forward and rearward suspension supports of the body to transmit torsional and beaming loads imposed on the vehicle body by the ground engaging wheels.

Abstract: A latch mechanism for fastening a hatch panel in an automobile roof opening. The mechanism includes latch pins which extend and retract into and out of engagement with the roof structure to respectively fasten and release the hatch panel. An operator handle can be controlled by a key mechanism to function in either a locked mode or an unlocked mode. In the unlocked mode, movement of the handle to an open position retracts the latch pins, and movement to a closed position extends the pins. In the locked mode, the handle and latch pins are decoupled except upon the first occurrence of the handle being moved to its closed position so as to assure fastening of the hatch panel at all times after the handle is first moved to the closed position.

Abstract: A vehicle body (10) including a pair of removable roof panels (12) for laterally oriented roof openings (14) is provided with a pair of drainage systems (20) respectively associated with the roof openings. Each drainage system (20) includes a U-shaped seal (30) extending around the associated roof opening and a drainage trough (38) that extends around the seal. A front drainage passage (50) receives drainage water from a front section of the trough and is defined by a front molding (53) mounted on the exterior of an associated front pillar (22) of the vehicle body. A rear drainage passage (54) receives drainage water from a rear section of the drainage trough and extends along the exterior of an associated rear pillar (26) within a rear molding (58). A rear seal portion (88) is mounted on a forward flange (84) of the rear molding.

Abstract: A vehicle body of the convertible or targa type and the method of converting such a body from a sedan type vehicle body in which a reinforcing structure is disposed within the passenger compartment and is fastened thereto to form a centrally extending structural channel member extending longitudinally within the passenger compartment and having forward and rearward transverse portions fastened to the forward and rearward suspension supports of the body to transmit torsional and beaming loads imposed on the vehicle body by the ground engaging wheels.

Abstract: A method of converting a sedan body having doors with framed and sliding windows to a vehicle body having doors with unframed windows. The method is performed by cutting and removing at least a portion of the window frame and utilizing a glass window panel and seal at least one of which has a different construction than the corresponding component used with the framed door. Preferably, both a different glass window panel and a different seal are utilized.

Abstract: A vehicle body hatchback (12) is disclosed as including a hatch (16) that is movable between open and closed positions and has a hatch opening (24) with a soft top convertible closure (26) movable between open and closed positions with respect to the hatch opening (24). The convertible closure (26) includes a frame (28) movable between raised and stored positions and also includes a soft top (30) that is moved between the closed and open positions thereof upon movement of the frame between the raised and stored positions. Frame (28) of the convertible closure (26) preferably includes a main bow (34) having opposite ends (36) pivotally mounted on the hatch and also includes an auxiliary bow (54) having opposite ends (56) pivotally mounted on the main bow. Movement of the frame bows (34,54) between the stored and raised positions moves the soft top (30) between the closed and open positions. In the closed position, the auxiliary bow (54) is movable to an overcenter position that tensions the soft top (30).

Abstract: An applique (10) for a vehicle instrument panel (12) is disclosed as including a cover embodied by a cover member (26) with openings (34) for viewing gauges of the instrument panel at the driver side and with a glove box (36) provided at the passenger side. An opening (38) in the cover member (26), a door (40), and a molded plastic receptacle member (42) cooperate to provide the glove box which also preferably includes a latch (66) and a check assembly (74). Wood veneer (32) is preferably secured to the outer side of the cover member (26) and to the door (40) to provide an aesthetically appealing appearance.

Abstract: A vehicle sunroof of the pop-up type which can be pivoted to a partially opened position or alternatively may be completely removed from the vehicle. The sunroof assembly has a stamped metal tray which forms a drainage channel located below the surface of the vehicle roof, the roof opening being closed by a panel which is sealed relative to the tray to form a substantially closed drainage channel from which any accumulated moisture can be drained.

Abstract: A removable roof panel arrangement for motor vehicles and the method of installing such panels in which access openings to be covered by the panels are formed at opposite sides of the center of the vehicle body by completely cutting away a transverse section of the roof of the vehicle body and subsequently installing a central frame member which is attached to forward and rearward frame members through a reinforcing member. The construction retains the strength of the original body and the frame members form drainage troughs and support sealing members for engaging the removable panels which form secondary drainage systems to maintain the panels in weather tight relationship to the roof of the vehicle.