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 retractable hard top for convertibles, in particular for four-seated convertibles, includes, sequentially, a first, front section, a second section, a third section and a fourth, rear section. Each section has a front, first edge portion and a rear, second edge portion. The first and the second sections substantially form the roof ceiling in the closed position of the hard top, while the third section forms the C-pillar and includes the backlite. The sections are pivotally connected by a linkage which compactly folds the top for storage in a storage compartment. All three sections are inverted and nest within one another, with their respective first edge portions being positioned in the longitudinal vehicle direction behind the second edge portions.

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 method for opening a vehicle covering system for a convertible. The covering system has a first, second and third roof sections and a one-piece cover for stretching over all three roof sections. The three roof sections can be pivoted from an open position covering the vehicle to a terminal folded position within the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a retractable top (3) of a motor vehicle, in particular for at least 4-seat convertibles (1), comprising: an upper, substantially rigid roof section (5) which forms an upper roof portion and which can be connected to the upper edge portion (19) of the windshield (17), a rear, substantially rigid roof section (7) which is connected to the upper roof section (5) and extends behind the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle (1), a rear window (9) arranged at the rear roof section (7), wherein the upper and the rear roof section (5, 7) are arranged pivotal into and out of an accommodation chamber (13) in the motor vehicle.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a retractable hard top (3) for motor vehicles (1), comprising: a first upper substantially rigid roof section which forms a substantially horizontal upper roof section, a second substantially rigid rear roof section (5), which is hingedly connected to the first roof section (5) via a first rod assembly (31, 33) and to the motor vehicle, and which forms a substantially vertically or obliquely extending rear roof section, and a rigid rear window (9) which is pivotally arranged at the second roof section (7) and which is commonly movable therewith, wherein when pivoting the second roof section (7) into a retractable position in the motor vehicle, the rear window (9) is pivoted into the interior of the second roof section (7).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the attachment of a mounting rail, as well as to a connecting device for a mounting rail. In the process for the attachment of a mounting rail to a rod which is, if necessary, at least partially premounted, of a folding top for a motor vehicle, particularly for a convertible, a tubular connecting element (7, 7), which has at least one stopping surface (stopping surface [11]), is inserted through a hole (5) in the mounting rail (3). The tubular connecting element (7, 7′) is inserted through an additional hole (25) in the rod (23) and secured in its position, and the mounting rail (3) is moved forward up to a predetermined position on the rod (23), whereby the tubular connecting element (7, 7′) is plastically deformed and a connection between the rod and the mounting rail is brought about.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a locking device for motor vehicle folding tops with a first connecting device (3) which, for the fixing of the folding top (9) to the motor vehicle, has a first closing mechanism with at least one second connecting device (5), which is positioned at an interval from the first connecting device (3) and a plug-like element (7), as well as a guiding element (85) suitable for the mounting of the plug-like element (7). The locking device is distinguished through the fact that the second connecting device (5) has a connecting device for the temporary locking of the plug-like element in the guiding element, and that the second locking device is connected with the closing mechanism in such a manner that, upon the fixing of the first closing mechanism into its closing position, the locking of the plug-like element (7) takes place at the same time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a motor vehicle folding top system with a foldable folding top (13) in which a rear window (43) is positioned, a rod which has articulated- or support rods (18, 19) supported in an articulated manner, several transverse support units (33) which extend in the transverse direction of the motor vehicle and serve for the tightening of the folding top (13), a folding top casing (5) in which the folded folding top (13) can be accommodated, and a folding top flap (7) which at least partially covers over the folding top casing (5). In accordance with the invention, the motor vehicle folding top system has a swivelling supporting device (23) for the rod in the area of the folding top casing (5), which can be swivelled from an upright locking position into a folded starting position of the folding top, in the direction of the rear of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A power operator raises and lowers a vehicle liftgate to open and close a vehicle rear hatch. A pair of double-acting hydraulic cylinders pivotally interconnect the vehicle and the liftgate to move the liftgate through a raise cycle and a lower cycle. First and second branches of hydraulic circuitry connect an electrohydraulic pump assembly and a hydraulic accumulator to the cylinders. A controller isolates the accumulator and causes the pump assembly to power the initial portion of the liftgate raise cycle through the first circuit branch. When the liftgate reaches a predetermined position, the controller deactuates the pump assembly and connects the accumulator to the first branch to power the remainder of the liftgate raise cycle. Fluid exhausts through the second branch to the pump assembly. The pump powers the liftgate lower cycle through the second branch, while cylinder exhaust fluid flowing through the first branch recharges the accumulator.

Abstract: An automobile has a convertible top storage well closed by a tonneau cover. The top has a pair of spaced articulated side rail linkages interconnected by a plurality of spaced bows supporting a top cover. The rear bow engages the tonneau cover when the top is raised, and is pivoted up adjacent the rear rail to provide clearance for the tonneau cover to open when the top is raised and lowered. A top operating mechanism includes a bow control pressure linkage, comprising a pair of control links, interconnects the rear bow and each rear rail and the rear bow via a lost motion pivotal connection. The pressure linkage folds to raise the rear bow and unfolds to lower the rear bow. When fully unfolded, the pressure linkage moves overcenter to lock the rear bow in contact with the tonneau cover. When the pressure linkage folds to raise the rear bow, it initially moves back overcenter to unlock the rear bow. In one embodiment, a hydraulic cylinder connects between the automobile body and the upper control link.

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.