Abstract: A folding top includes a roof cap extending transversely to a longitudinal direction and a top rail extending on one side of the roof cap in the longitudinal direction. The top rail has front and rear rail guides arranged end to end in the longitudinal direction with a rear end of the front rail guide facing a front end of the rear rail guide. The front rail guide is connected to the roof cap by screws. The front lever is connected to the rear end of the front rail guide. The rear lever is connected to the front end of the rear rail guide. The levers are connected together via a rotating bearing such that the rail guides are connected together and are movable relative to one another as the levers rotate about the bearing. The levers and the bearing are fabricated separately from the rail guides.

Abstract: A retractable hardtop assembly is provided for a vehicle. A retractable hardtop assembly includes a front section that is connected by a linkage to a vehicle and a rearward portion that is connected by a separate linkage to a decklid of the vehicle. A package shelf/tonneau is secured by a linkage to the back section of the linkage. The package shelf/tonneau is moved from a package/shelf position below the rearward portion of the roof to a tonneau position above the retractable roof when the retractable roof is disposed in the storage compartment. The package shelf/tonneau is moved between the front portion of the roof and rearward portion of the roof during the extension and retraction cycles. The package shelf/tonneau may be rotated 360° as it is moved between the package shelf and tonneau positions.

Abstract: A roof assembly includes a roof having a roof frame with front, center, and rear sections, and a lever assembly. The lever assembly includes three levers which are respectively linked to three swivel axes on the rear section such that the roof is movable between a closed position and an opened position. The first lever connects the rear section at the first axis to a support such that the rear section is movable about the first axis; the second lever connects the rear section at the second axis to the center section such that the center section is movable about the second axis; and the third lever connects the rear section at the third axis to the front section such that the front section is movable about the third axis. The levers are adjacently situated in a transverse direction with the second lever being between the first and third levers.

Abstract: A convertible top for a vehicle that is provided with a dynamic roll bar or dynamic occupant head protection system. The convertible top has a skylight that is retained in a skylight opening formed in the flexible cover of the convertible top. The skylight may be supported on one of the bows of the convertible top or may be supported on a skylight linkage that cooperates with the top stack linkage. In the event that a need for the roll bar is sensed by the vehicle resulting in the actuation of the roll bar assembly, the roll bar assembly may break the skylight in the course of deployment to assure fully deployment of the roll bar assembly.

Abstract: A frame assembly of a folding top for a vehicle includes a front roof bow, a front support having a rear control arm, and a middle support having a front control arm. The rear end of the front support and the front end of the middle support face one another. The front roof bow and the front end of the front support are connected together through a first bolt connection. The rear end of the front support and the rear control arm are connected together through a second bolt connection. The front control arm and the front end of the middle support are connected together through a third bolt connection. The rear control arm and the front control arm are connected together at a joint such that the front support and the middle support are connected together.

Abstract: An actuating device for opening and closing a cover of a folding top compartment of a convertible vehicle. The actuating device includes a drive unit and an interconnected seven-bar linkage system. The linkage system is pivotably connected to a main bearing of the vehicle body and is pivotably connected to the cover. The drive unit actuates the linkage system to move the linkage system between a retracted position corresponding to the cover being in a lowered closed position covering the folding top compartment and an extended position corresponding to the cover being in a raised opened position allowing access to the folding top compartment.

Abstract: A collapsible roof assembly for a vehicle includes a roof, an actuating linkage system, and a main bearing. The roof is movable between closed and opened positions relative to the vehicle body. The actuating linkage system has a guide rod connected at a first end to the roof for moving the roof between the closed and opened positions. The main bearing is connectable to the vehicle body. The main bearing has first and second bearing plates each having at least one corresponding connecting section. The corresponding connecting sections are connected together such that the first and second bearing plates are joined together with surface regions other than the corresponding connecting sections spaced apart from one another with a parallel spacing delimited by a cavity. The guide rod is articulately connected at a second end to the main bearing via a bearing pin extending through one of the corresponding connecting sections.

Abstract: A retractable hardtop assembly is provided for a vehicle. A retractable hardtop assembly includes a front section that is connected by a linkage to a vehicle and a rearward portion that is connected by a separate linkage to a decklid of the vehicle. A package shelf/tonneau is secured by a linkage to the back section of the linkage. The package shelf/tonneau is moved from a package/shelf position below the rearward portion of the roof to a tonneau position above the retractable roof when the retractable roof is disposed in the storage compartment. The package shelf/tonneau is moved between the front portion of the roof and rearward portion of the roof during the extension and retraction cycles. The package shelf/tonneau may be rotated 360° as it is moved between the package shelf and tonneau positions.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a vehicle, alternatively, with a hardtop version, an entry level soft top module, a five-bow soft top module, or a retractable hardtop module. Any one of the four tops may be assembled on an automotive vehicle having a substantially common body structure with only minor modifications to the vehicle body being required to accept any one of the four different vehicle tops. A vehicle body architecture is provided that is configured to selectively receive one of four different style roofs on a roof mounting bracket that is attached to the side walls of the vehicle.

Abstract: A convertible top stack linkage is provided that is formed, in part, in a thixotropic magnesium molding process. Many structural parts of the convertible top stack linkage may be thixotropically molded. A pivot link of the top stack linkage is pivotally connected to two bows, for example, the three and four bows of the top stack. A five bow extends between and is attached to right and left pivot links by right and left pressure links, respectively. A pivot link is provided that has a triple pivot connection to a tensioning link, a center rail and a rear rail. A main spring is secured to a pivot pin and connected to a main pivot bracket on the vehicle to provide a counterbalancing force on the balance link that assists in lifting the top stack linkage as the convertible top is retracted and extended.

Abstract: A convertible top having a pivot link is provided that supports two bows. A main spring is secured to a pivot pin and connected to a main pivot bracket on the vehicle to provide a counterbalancing force on the balance link that assists in lifting the top stack linkage as the convertible top is retracted and extended. A five bow extends between and is attached to right and left pivot links by right and left pressure links, respectively.

Abstract: A convertible top stack linkage is provided that is formed, in part, in a thixotropic magnesium molding process. Many structural parts of the convertible top stack linkage may be thixotropically molded. A pivot link of the top stack linkage is pivotally connected to two bows, for example, the three and four bows of the top stack. A five bow extends between and is attached to right and left pivot links by right and left pressure links, respectively. A pivot link is provided that has a triple pivot connection to a tensioning link, a center rail and a rear rail. A main spring is secured to a pivot pin and connected to a main pivot bracket on the vehicle to provide a counterbalancing force on the balance link that assists in lifting the top stack linkage as the convertible top is retracted and extended.

Abstract: A retractable hardtop assembly is provided for a vehicle. A retractable hardtop assembly includes a front section that is connected by a linkage to a vehicle and a rearward portion that is connected by a separate linkage to a decklid of the vehicle. A package shelf/tonneau is secured by a linkage to the back section of the linkage. The package shelf/tonneau is moved from a package/shelf position below the rearward portion of the roof to a tonneau position above the retractable roof when the retractable roof is disposed in the storage compartment. The package shelf/tonneau is moved between the front portion of the roof and rearward portion of the roof during the extension and retraction cycles. The package shelf/tonneau may be rotated 360° as it is moved between the package shelf and tonneau positions.

Abstract: A system and method for attaching a cover (14) of a convertible top (12) of a motor vehicle. The system includes a cover (14) having an anchoring strip (50) and a structural support (16) having a recessed portion (32) and a plurality of retainer flanges (34). The anchoring strip (50) is disposed between the recessed portion (32) and the plurality of flanges (34) when the cover (14) is attached to the structural support (16).

Abstract: A roof assembly includes a roof having a roof frame with front, center, and rear sections, and a lever assembly. The lever assembly includes three levers which are respectively linked to three swivel axes on the rear section such that the roof is movable between a closed position and an opened position. The first lever connects the rear section at the first axis to a support such that the rear section is movable about the first axis; the second lever connects the rear section at the second axis to the center section such that the center section is movable about the second axis; and the third lever connects the rear section at the third axis to the front section such that the front section is movable about the third axis. The levers are adjacently situated in a transverse direction with the second lever being between the first and third levers.

Abstract: A tri-fold convertible top is disclosed that is stowed in a storage compartment with a five bow oriented at an angle of between 30° and 60° relative to the vehicle belt line. The top may be tensioned by a power cylinder and linkage that raises both a one bow and the five bow when the top is initially retracted. A main power cylinder is connected to the top stack and a main pivot bracket that lifts a rear rail above the belt line during the extension and retraction cycle.

Abstract: A retractable roof for a vehicle having a passenger compartment that is selectively covered by the retractable roof. A pair of roof rails define a plurality of tracks that support a plurality of rigid roof panels on opposite lateral sides of the rigid panels. An upper tailgate extends between a rear portion of the roof rails and is pivoted on a lower edge of the upper tailgate from a forward and upper orientation in a closed position to a horizontal position in the open position. In the closed position, the rigid panels are aligned to form a continuous roof and in the open position, the panels are vertically stacked below the upper tailgate.

Abstract: A one piece rod spring clip is attached to a tensioning cable in a convertible top . The rod spring clip (40) includes a leg that is aligned with an end of the cable. The rod spring clip is secured to the one bow (38) of the convertible top and applies a biasing force to the end of the cable through the action of a flexure portion of the rod spring clip that applies an axial force to the cable.

Abstract: A retractable vehicle hardtop has a predominantly transparent top roof panel and a predominantly transparent combined back light/sail panel. The panels are attached to a top stack linkage that is used to retract and extend the hardtop. The top roof panel and combined back light/sail panel each feature a smooth, continuous two-part retractable hardtop that provides panoramic overhead views both when retracted and when extended. A frame is assembled to opaque peripheral portions of the top roof panel. Reinforcement bars are assembled to opaque portions of the combined back light/sail panel. A method of making the retractable hardtop is also disclosed.

Abstract: A latching system for a convertible top of a motor vehicle. The latching system includes a keeper disposed proximate a windshield header and a latch pin actuated by a handle. The latching system is actuated between a latched position in which the latch pin engages the keeper and an unlatched position in which the latch pin is spaced apart from the keeper.