Abstract: A support strap for holding a seal strip of a convertible top against one or more body panels of the vehicle. The seal strip has a body panel engaging portion and an attachment portion. A tensioner is operatively attached to the support strap to reduce the flexibility of the support strap and apply pressure to the seal strip to improve the effectiveness of the seal strip.

Abstract: A support strap for holding a seal strip of a convertible top against one or more body panels of the vehicle. The seal strip has a body panel engaging portion and an attachment portion. A tensioner is operatively attached to the support strap to reduce the flexibility of the support strap and apply pressure to the seal strip to improve the effectiveness of the seal strip.

Abstract: A soft-top convertible roof can extend and retract in a two-phase process. The first phase can correspond to a front portion of the top stack mechanism moving from a first raised position to a second retracted position and can be driven by an actuator which can be disposed in a roof rail forward of a rearmost roof rail. The second phase can correspond to the rear portion of the top stack mechanism moving from a raised position to a stowed position along with the front portion. The rearmost roof rail can remain stationary during the first phase. A connecting link can be connected to at least three roof rails that extend along a side of the vehicle and can be part of two four-bar linkage assemblies. A buggy link mechanism can drive retraction and extension of a backlite frame due to movement of the top stack mechanism.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle employs a convertible roof system. The convertible roof system can include a roof cover and a top stack mechanism operable between raised and stowed positions. At least one roof bow can move between first and second positions relative to a forwardmost roof rail.

Abstract: A convertible roof for an automotive vehicle is provided. In another aspect of the present invention, an in-folding convertible roof is employed. A further aspect of the present invention includes at least a partially self-covering convertible roof system which includes at least one side rail that moves in a generally cross-vehicular direction when the roof is raised or lowered.

Abstract: A soft-top convertible roof can extend and retract in a two-phase process. The first phase can correspond to a front portion of the top stack mechanism moving from a first raised position to a second retracted position and can be driven by an actuator which can be disposed in a roof rail forward of a rearmost roof rail. The second phase can correspond to the rear portion of the top stack mechanism moving from a raised position to a stowed position along with the front portion. The rearmost roof rail can remain stationary during the first phase. A connecting link can be connected to at least three roof rails that extend along a side of the vehicle and can be part of two four-bar linkage assemblies. A buggy link mechanism can drive retraction and extension of a backlite frame due to movement of the top stack mechanism.

Abstract: A convertible roof includes a segmented rearmost roof bow that has a length that can change during the retraction and extension process. The rearmost roof bow can be segmented such that the pieces can move relative to one another to shorten a length of the rearmost roof bow when being stowed. When in the fully raised and operative position, the sections of the segmented rearmost roof bow can be aligned and form a roof bow having an operative length. In the retracted state, the sections of the segmented rearmost roof bow can be moved relative to one another such that they are no longer aligned and have a length that is less than the operative length when aligned.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle employs a convertible roof system. The convertible roof system can include a roof cover and a top stack mechanism operable between raised and stowed positions. At least one roof bow can move between first and second positions relative to a forwardmost roof rail.

Abstract: A multi-panel sunroof employs at least three movable sunroof panels. In another aspect of the present invention, three sunroof panels are stacked upon each other in one or two different operating positions. A further aspect of the present invention provides for rearward opening movement of a front sunroof panel and forward opening movement of a rear sunroof panel.

Abstract: A multi-panel sunroof employs at least three movable sunroof panels. In another aspect of the present invention, three sunroof panels are stacked upon each other in one or two different operating positions. A further aspect of the present invention provides for rearward opening movement of a front sunroof panel and forward opening movement of a rear sunroof panel.

Abstract: A convertible roof includes a segmented pair of front roof rails that in-fold when being retracted, thereby reducing the packaging space required to stow the convertible roof. The in-folding of the segmented front roof rails is controlled by linkages between the segmented portions and the number one roof bow and synchronizes and constrains the in-folding of the segmented front roof rails. A dampening device is utilized to dampen a portion of the movement of the top stack mechanism between extended and retracted positions.

Abstract: A convertible roof includes a segmented pair of front roof rails that in-fold when being retracted, thereby reducing the packaging space required to stow the convertible roof. The in-folding of the segmented front roof rails is controlled by linkages between the segmented portions and the number one roof bow and synchronizes and constrains the in-folding of the segmented front roof rails. A dampening device is utilized to dampen a portion of the movement of the top stack mechanism between extended and retracted positions.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a two-way opening decklid assembly includes a frame and a decklid where the rear portion of the frame is unlatched from a vehicle when the frame is in its open position and is latched to the vehicle when the frame is in its closed position. In another aspect of the present invention, the decklid assembly includes a frame that is coupled to the vehicle with a linkage assembly that causes an entirety of the frame to undergo a lifting and tilting motion when moving between its closed and open position.

Abstract: A hardtop convertible roof for a vehicle includes rigid panels that are each retractable and at least two of the panels are directly connected to fixed pivots and rotate about the fixed pivots when being retracted. One of the panels can be directly connected to a fixed pivot that is located between wheel housings on the vehicle. The rearmost roof section can be directly connected to a fixed pivot and rotate rearwardly about the fixed pivot less than about 90° when moving from the raised to stowed position. At least four roof sections can be used wherein one of the roof sections is directly connected to a fixed pivot about which it rotates when moving between the raised and stowed positions.

Abstract: An open air system for an automotive vehicle includes a roof panel, which can be retracted to a stowed position below a storage compartment cover. In another aspect of the present invention, two or more generally rigid roof panels are movable from above a passenger compartment to below a generally horizontal plane. A further aspect of the present invention provides a back window, which can be raised and lowered.

Abstract: An open air system (21) for an automotive vehicle includes a roof panel (23, 25), which can be retracted to a stowed position below a storage compartment cover (29). In another aspect of the present invention, two or more generally rigid roof panels (23, 25) are movable from above a passenger compartment (33) to below a generally horizontal plane (261). A further aspect of the present invention provides a back window (27), which can be raised and lowered.

Abstract: An open air system (21) for an automotive vehicle includes a roof panel (23, 25), which can be retracted to a stowed position below a storage compartment cover (29). In another aspect of the present invention, two or more generally rigid roof panels (23, 25) are movable from above a passenger compartment (33) to below a generally horizontal plane (261). A further aspect of the present invention provides a back window (27), which can be raised and lowered.

Abstract: A hardtop convertible roof for a vehicle includes rigid panels that are each retractable and at least two of the panels are directly connected to fixed pivots and rotate about the fixed pivots when being retracted. One of the panels can be directly connected to a fixed pivot that is located between wheel housings on the vehicle. The rearmost roof section can be directly connected to a fixed pivot and rotate rearwardly about the fixed pivot less than about 90° when moving from the raised to stowed position. At least four roof sections can be used wherein one of the roof sections is directly connected to a fixed pivot about which it rotates when moving between the raised and stowed positions.

Abstract: An open air system (21) for an automotive vehicle includes a roof panel (23, 25), which can be retracted to a stowed position below a storage compartment cover (29). In another aspect of the present invention, two or more generally rigid roof panels (23, 25) are movable from above a passenger compartment (33) to below a generally horizontal plane (261). A further aspect of the present invention provides a back window (27), which can be raised and lowered.

Abstract: An open air system (21) for an automotive vehicle includes a roof panel (23, 25), which can be retracted to a stowed position below a storage compartment cover (29). In another aspect of the present invention, two or more generally rigid roof panels (23, 25) are movable from above a passenger compartment (33) to below a generally horizontal plane (261). A further aspect of the present invention provides a back window (27), which can be raised and lowered.