Abstract: This invention relates to a control device for tilting for at least one movable roof panel for a convertible vehicle comprising a structural body, a passenger compartment and at least two seats side by side arranged in this passenger compartment on each side of a vertical longitudinal plane of the vehicle. The control device comprises an actuator arranged and acting approximately in this vertical longitudinal plane. The actuator is connected to the roof panel to tilt it.

Abstract: A hardtop convertible roof for a vehicle includes rigid panels that are interconnected to one another to selectively cover the passenger compartment. The roof panels rearward of a forwardmost roof panel are directly pivotally connected to a single pair of brackets which are fixedly connected to opposite sides of the vehicle. An interior surface of a third roof panel faces a majority of an exterior surface of a second roof panel when the roof panels are in a stowed position. The rearmost two roof panels form an at least four-bar linkage and a moveable link interconnecting the two panels is positioned between the majority of portions of the rearmost panels and the pivotal connections of these panels to a fixed location.

Abstract: A convertible vehicle having a long roof is provided which includes first through third roofs, supported by the vehicle body, movable between a use position at which the roofs cover the upper part of a vehicle interior R and a non-use position at which the roofs are held in a housing unit to the rear of a body so that the upper part of the vehicle interior R is open. A rear door is supported by the body so as to rotatably open and close between a closed position and an open position further to the rear of the closed position, wherein when the first through third roofs are in non-use position, the roofs are accommodated in the housing unit, piled up one top of the other in the vertical direction.

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: A top for a convertible vehicle includes a rigid moveable roof part with an outer surface and an inner surface, a linkage moveable relative to the roof part during an opening movement of the convertible top, and a cover including a flexible sheet-like element. The linkage is disposed between the outer surface of the roof part and the cover in a closed state of the convertible top. The cover is moveable away from the roof part during the opening movement of the convertible top so as to form a space for the linkage.

Abstract: A supporting bearing for connecting the bows of a soft-top convertible vehicle to the folding linkage. A bearing spike is integrally formed on a linkage arm. A sleeve-shaped insert body is latched to a bearing spike. The insert body is received in an opening in the bow.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pivoting convertible roof for a motor vehicle. The inventive roof comprises numerous rigid roof elements (1, 2, 3) which can be moved between a first position, in which they cover the passenger compartment (5) of the vehicle, and a second position, in which they are stored inside the boot (4) of the vehicle such that they are stacked more or less horizontally under the hood (4a) of said boot (4). According to the invention, the assembly of roof elements (1, 2, 3), which are stored inside the boot (4), is mounted to pivot in relation to an axle (8) that is disposed inside the boot (4). In this way, said assembly can be raised upwards when the hood (4a) of the boot (4) is being opened or after said hood has been opened in a forward manner.

Abstract: A retractable roof for a vehicle, comprising a rigid front roof element and a rigid rear roof element having a rear window, said elements being movable between a position in which these elements extend above the passenger compartment of the vehicle, and a position in which said elements are folded one on top of the other in the rear luggage compartment of the vehicle, wherein the front element is fixed so as to be articulated with the rear element along a first axis contained between the adjacent edges of the two elements and situated substantially in the continuation of their lower surface, the rear element fixed so as to be articulated with the bodywork along a second axis close to the lower rear edge of this rear element, the movement of the two roof elements between the aforementioned two positions being controlled by a pivoting arm, the front end of which is fixed so as to be articulated with the front element along a third axis situated in front of the first axis, the rear end of said control arm being

Abstract: A retractable hardtop for use with a vehicle includes a rear section pivotally coupled to the vehicle and a front section pivotally coupled to the rear section for movement of the hardtop between an extended position defining a roof over a passenger compartment in the vehicle and a retracted position at least partially stowed in a storage compartment. A balance link extends between one end pivotally coupled to the vehicle and an opposite end pivotally coupled to the front panel. A center panel opening is defined between the front and rear panels. A center panel is operatively coupled to the balance link for movement in and out of the center panel opening during movement of the hardtop between the extended and retracted positions, respectively.

Abstract: The invention concerns a folding roof for vehicle, comprising a rigid front roof element (1), a rigid intermediate roof element (2) and a rigid rear roof element (3). The displacement of the rear element towards the rear deck (5) is guided by fingers (6) borne by the rear part of the rear element (3) and slidably engaged in the slide rails (7), (10) extending inside the deck (5). The displacement of the intermediate element (2) and the front element (1) is guided by the slide rails borne by two adjacent roof elements and by fingers engaged in said slide rails and borne by two other adjacent roof elements, enabling the front element (1) and the intermediate element (2) to slide towards each other and to slide towards the rear element (3) so that the three elements can be superimposed.

Abstract: In a hardtop vehicle roof with at least two rigid roof parts arranged in a closed position in the longitudinal vehicle direction one behind another such that they cover an interior vehicle space and, in an open position, one of the roof sections extends upwardly behind the interior vehicle space so as to form a wind deflector while the other roof parts are disposed in a rear storage compartment, a trunk lid extends over the rear storage compartment in such a way that, with the roof opened, a gap is formed between the front end of the trunk lid and a front wall of the rear storage compartment through which the roof part forming the wind deflector projects upwardly behind the interior vehicle space.

Abstract: A top for a convertible vehicle having a vehicle body. The top includes a roof part held movably on the vehicle body and moveable from a closed state to an open state, a rear window element having a side, and a pillar element disposed on the roof part and disposed at the side of the rear window element in the closed state of the roof part. The pillar element is inwardly pivotable relative to the roof part toward a center of the vehicle.

Abstract: In a vehicle roof which is movable between a closed position and a storage position in a rear storage compartment of a vehicle comprising a rear cover which is pivotally supported such that it can be raised at the rear end thereof from a closed position, in which it covers the storage compartment, to a loading position, in which the rear end of the rear cover is raised, the vehicle roof stored in the rear storage compartment can be raised independently of the rear cover and can be locked with the rear cover in the raised position, in which access to the rear trunk is facilitated.

Abstract: In a foldable vehicle roof for a convertible vehicle with an operating mechanism including spaced control arms pivotally supported on the vehicle body for moving the vehicle roof between a closed position, in which an interior vehicle space is covered, and an open position, and the vehicle roof includes a rear roof part and a roof part disposed in front of, and adjacent, the rear roof part, the rear roof part is biased in the closed position of the vehicle roof against the vehicle body by way of clamping means engaging one of the control arms with the rear roof part.

Abstract: A folding top for a convertible vehicle includes a rear shell component, at least one front shell component, and a central shell component. The at least one front shell component, the central shell component and the rear shell component are able to be arranged as a top over an interior of the convertible vehicle in a closed condition. The at least one front shell component and the central shell component are able to be deposited in a rear area of the convertible vehicle using a first positive control mechanism. The rear shell component can be deposited in the rear area of the convertible vehicle using a second positive control mechanism. The rear shell component is mounted on a rear element that at least partially covers the rear area of the convertible vehicle. In an open condition of the top, the rear element at least partially covers the rear shell component.

Abstract: A retractable roof for a vehicle, comprising a front roof element, an intermediate roof element and a rear roof element. These three elements can move between positions in which they cover the vehicle cabin, to ones in which they horizontally cover the rear boot of the vehicle. Linkages are provided to move these three elements from one set of positions to the other.

Abstract: In a folding vehicle roof, particularly for passenger cars, comprising roof parts of which one forms a support for an adjacent follower roof part, the support roof part is supported on the vehicle body, and the follower roof part is supported on the support roof part each by a four-link operating mechanism forming, with the support roof part, a connecting linkage in the form of a parallelogram having connecting points to four link operating mechanisms defined by corner points of congruent essentially rectangular connecting triangles.

Abstract: In a hardtop vehicle roof including two rigid roof parts which are movable between a closed position in which they cover an interior vehicle space and an open position in which the roof parts are deposited in a storage compartment, an operating mechanism is provided which comprises a main pivot arm, which is pivotally supported on the vehicle body and a common carrier, which is supported on the main pivot arm by an operating structure which permits the common carrier to move relative to the main pivot arm and the rigid roof parts are supported on the common carrier such that they are movable together with the common carrier relative to the main pivot arm.

Abstract: The invention concerns roof elements (1, 2) mobile between a first position wherein they cover the vehicle passenger compartment, a second position wherein the front roof element (1) is located above the rear roof element (2), a third position wherein the two roof elements (1, 2) are stowed in the vehicle rear deck. The mechanism (3) for lifting the front roof element (1) comprises two intersecting levers (8, 9) articulated at their intersection (10) one of the ends of said levers (8, 9) being articulated to a front telescopic element (5), the other end of said levers (8, 9) being linked to means for displacing each of said ends in opposite directions oriented in a direction parallel to the front telescopic element (5).

Abstract: The invention concerns a folding roof wherein the front element (1) is linked to the intermediate element (2), the rear element (3) is not linked to the intermediate element (2) and is mobile towards the rear deck (5) through driving means independent of those controlling the displacement of the intermediate element (2) and of the front element (1) towards the rear deck (5). The intermediate element is linked to the vehicle body by two arms (6, 7) articulated to said body and to said intermediate element (2), one of said two arms (6, 7) being associated with means controlling its pivoting, the front of the intermediate element (2) being linked to the front element (1) by two levers (13, 14) articulated to said intermediate element (2) and to said front element (1), one (6) of said two arms being linked to one (14) of said levers by a link rod (19) articulated to said arm (6) and said lever (14).

Abstract: In a cabriolet motor vehicle (10) with a foldable roof, especially a foldable hardtop (12), with a rigid rear window (18) which is movable between a closed position in which it covers the vehicle interior, and a stowage position in which it is held in the stowage space (54) in the vehicle (10), the hardtop (12) has a front roof part (14) which can be connected to a transverse roof support (20) which borders the windshield and a rear roof part (16) which can be moved relative to it and which is coupled to it. Furthermore, the rear window (18) is made on a rear window element (18) which can be moved relative to the vehicle body and relative to the rear roof part (16).

Abstract: A convertible roof system includes a front roof section, a rear roof section, an automatically power actuator and a linkage mechanism. In another aspect of the present invention, the front and/or rear roof sections are rigid, hard-top roofs. A further aspect of the present invention provides that the outside surfaces of the roofs have a generally vertical orientation when in their open and retracted positions.

Abstract: A retractable hardtop system with a rigid front panel and a rear portion including a pair of C-pillars and a central window panel therebetween has the window panel hingedly linked to the C-pillars and the C-pillars hingedly linked to both the vehicle body and the front panel. In a retracted position, a portion of the central window panel is articulated to an elevated position with respect to the C-pillars in order to increase usable space below the retracted system.

Abstract: A lowerable motor vehicle roof with two rigid roof elements (4, 6) which are located in succession in the closed state. The first roof element (4) can be moved via a driving connecting rod mechanism (10), which is made as a double rocker and which engages the sides of the front roof element, to the rear into a stowed position which is lowered in the convertible top compartment (14). The rear roof element (6) is coupled to the front roof element (4) via a connecting rod (28) which is connected to the connecting rod mechanism (10) and is guided on it via a sliding guide (34, 32) such that the rear roof element (6), when the front roof element (4) is moved, first, travels into a position which overlaps it and is then entrained into the stowed position. The closing of the vehicle roof has the reverse sequence of motions.

Abstract: The vehicle (2) has a partition wall (26) with a generally C-shaped longitudinal section that is situated in front of a volume (V3) swept by the rear roof portion (4). The wall (26) extends from the front bottom zone (13) of the trunk (16), firstly rearwards, then upwards, and then at least in part forwards so as to bear against the top stiffening beam (50). The partition wall (26) extends between two side walls (27) to which it is fixed so as to form a receptacle (51) defining a useful central first volume (V1a) that is accessible from inside the passenger space (25).

Abstract: The invention concerns a vehicle retractable roof comprising three rigid roof elements (1, 2, 3) mobile between a position wherein they cover the vehicle passenger compartment (4) and a position wherein, they are stowed inside the vehicle rear deck (5), the front element (1) being capable of sliding relative to the intermediate element (2) and the latter being capable of sliding relative to the rear element (3) through pins (6, 7; 8, 9) borne by the front element (1) and by the intermediate element (3) engaged in slide rails (10, 11; 12, 13) extending along the intermediate (2) and rear (3) elements. The invention is characterised in that the displacement of the rear element (3) towards the rear deck (5) is controlled by a pivoting arm (14) articulated a fixed point (15) of the vehicle body and articulated to said rear element (3) and by a slide rail (17) extending inside the rear deck (5) wherein is engaged a pin (18) integral with the rear part of the rear element (3).

Abstract: A hard-top convertible roof apparatus is provided. Another aspect of the present invention employs rigid hard-top front and/or rear roof sections. A further aspect of the present invention provides that the outside surfaces of retractable roof sections have a generally vertical orientation when in their open and retracted positions. In yet another aspect of the present invention, a roof structure has diverging peripheral flanges. A first roof flange retains a roof-to-roof weatherstrip and an adjacent second roof flange retains an interior trim panel, in still another aspect of the present invention.

Abstract: In a hardtop vehicle roof comprising front, intermediate, and rear roof parts, which are movable between a closed position, in which they cover an interior vehicle space, and an open position, in which they are stacked in a storage compartment of the vehicle, and wherein the front and rear roof parts are supported on the intermediate roof part by a roof part operating mechanism, which is operatively connected to a support and operating mechanism by which the intermediate roof part is mounted on the body of the vehicle, the roof parts operating mechanisms for the front and rear roof parts are operatively connected to the support and operating mechanism of the intermediate part such that, when the roof is opened, the front and rear roof parts are moved on top of the intermediate roof part to form a packet in which the top sides of all roof parts face upwardly and which requires relatively little space on top of the vehicle and does not intrude in the vehicle interior during the transfer between the closed and t

Abstract: The retractable roof comprises several rigid roof elements (1, 2, 3) able to move between a position in which they cover the passenger compartment of the vehicle and a position in which they are stored inside the rear boot (4) of the vehicle, so as to be superimposed substantially horizontally under the lid (5) of the rear boot (4). The assembly consisting of the roof elements (1, 2, 3), stored inside the rear boot (4), is mounted so as to pivot on an axis (6) situated within the boot (4), so that it is possible to raise this assembly upwards during or after the opening of the lid (5) of the boot (4) from rear to front.

Abstract: A convertible roof system for an automotive vehicle includes a roof bow that is operable between extended and retracted positions to vary tension of the roof cover and is actuated by a link that travels along a camming surface when the folding mechanism supporting the cover moves between the raised and stowed position.

Abstract: A hardtop convertible roof apparatus is provided. In another aspect of the present invention, rigid, hardtop front and/or rear roof sections are employed. A further aspect of the present invention provides a header latch assembly capable of conveniently and reliably latching the front roof section to a front header. In yet another aspect of the present invention, a panel-to-panel latch assembly is provided that selectively couples the front roof section to the rear roof section in response to the latching of the front roof section to the front header.

Abstract: An open roof apparatus includes a link lock mechanism for fastening a swinging distal end portion of a link mechanism to a rear portion of a vehicle body when a roof is moved into a stored position. When the roof is moved into the stored position, the link mechanism supports the vehicle body between a portion to which a swinging proximal portion of the link mechanism is mounted and the rear portion of the vehicle body to which the swinging distal end portion is fastened.

Abstract: A convertible vehicle has a carbody having a rear area and a roof stowable in the rear area of the carbody. The roof has a rigid rear roof end member and a rear window. A passageway allows movement of the roof relative to the carbody. The passageway, when the roof is in a closed position, is located in front of the rear roof end member and below the rear window. A movable cover functioning as a rear deck closes the passageway at least partially. The movable cover is connected to the roof in an area of the rear roof end member and is movable together with the roof.

Abstract: A retractable roof for a vehicle has three rigid roof sections. A plurality of links and levers connect to the three roof sections and control and guide the three roof sections in an optimal manner as they move from a closure position covering a compartment of the vehicle to a storage position in a rear boot of the vehicle. The roof section and boot dimensions allow the roof sections to fit into the boot.

Abstract: A retractable roof for a vehicle has three rigid roof sections. A plurality of links and levers connect to the three roof sections and control and guide the three roof sections in an optimal manner as they move from a closure position covering a compartment of the vehicle to a storage position in a rear boot of the vehicle.

Abstract: A convertible roof for an automotive vehicle is provided. In one aspect of the present invention, a retraction mechanism couples first, second and third roof sections to a vehicle. Another aspect of the present invention employs a flexible cable interconnecting a rear linkage with a forward pivot assembly to pivot the first roof section relative to the second roof section. Another aspect of the present invention provides that the three roof sections are substantially horizontally oriented in a stowed position.

Abstract: In a hardtop vehicle roof with at least two rigid roof parts arranged in a closed position in the longitudinal vehicle direction one behind another such that they cover an interior vehicle space and, in an open position, one of the roof sections extends upwardly behind the interior vehicle space so as to form a wind deflector while the other roof parts are disposed in a rear storage compartment, a trunk lid extends over the rear storage compartment in such a way that, with the roof opened, a gap is formed between the front end of the trunk lid and a front wall of the rear storage compartment through which the roof part forming the wind deflector projects upwardly behind the interior vehicle space.

Abstract: A convertible motor vehicle roof with a roof part (12), with a rear part (14) which adjoins the roof part, and with side roof members (10) which are pivotally coupled on both sides to the roof part (12). To open the motor vehicle roof, the rear part (14) together with the roof part (12) and the side roof members (10) can be lowered into a stowage space (22) located in the rear and the side roof members (10) can be swung to the outside before or during lowering into the storage space (22), the swivel bearing means (28) which supports the respective side roof member (10) on the roof part (12) having at least two connecting rods or a connecting rod and a crank guide and being formed especially as a planar four-joint linkage.

Abstract: In a removable vehicle roof supported by way of an operating mechanism on a vehicle body for movement between a closed position, in which the vehicle roof covers an interior vehicle space and a storage position in which the roof is deposited in a vehicle storage compartment, a spring element is supported on the vehicle body and connected to the roof operating mechanism in such a way as to bias the operating mechanism in each of the two end positions of the roof in a direction toward the other end position so as to facilitate movement of the vehicle roof out of each end position.

Abstract: A convertible vehicle (1) with a roof (4) consisting of at least two parts, comprising a rear roof part (6) and a roof part (5) which is in the forward position when the roof is closed, where, when the roof is open, the rear roof part (6) is essentially vertical and the roof part (5) in the forward position with respect to the direction of travel (F) is essentially parallel to the rear part, is designed in such a way that a common drive (14), one of which is on each side of the vehicle, is used to move both the rear roof part (6) and the roof part (5) in front to open and close the roof (4).

Abstract: In a hardtop vehicle roof comprising front, intermediate, and rear roof parts, which are movable between a closed position, in which they cover an interior vehicle space, and an open position, in which they are stacked in a storage compartment of the vehicle, and wherein the front and rear roof parts are supported on the intermediate roof part by a roof part operating mechanism, which is operatively connected to a support and operating mechanism by which the intermediate roof part is mounted on the body of the vehicle, the roof parts operating mechanisms for the front and rear roof parts are operatively connected to the support and operating mechanism of the intermediate part such that, when the roof is opened, the front and rear roof parts are moved on top of the intermediate roof part to form a packet in which the top sides of all roof parts face upwardly and which requires relatively little space on top of the vehicle and does not intrude in the vehicle interior during the transfer between the closed and t

Abstract: In a hardtop vehicle roof with rigid roof parts movable between a closed position in which the roof parts are disposed behind one another on a vehicle body to cover an interior vehicle space and a storage position in which they are disposed in a storage compartment behind the interior vehicle space, each of the roof parts is supported individually on the vehicle body by an operating mechanism by which it is movable between the closed and the storage position while remaining in the same orientation which it has in its closed position, the front roof parts being disposed in the storage compartment below the rear roof part.

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: The invention concerns a vehicle retractable roof, comprising a front roof element (1), an intermediate roof element (2) and a rear roof element (3). The displacement of the rear element (3) towards the rear deck (5) is controlled by at least an arm (6) articulated to the vehicle chassis and to the rear element (3).

Abstract: The invention concerns a motor vehicle retractable roof, comprising front (1), intermediate (2) and rear (3) roof elements. The displacement of the rear element (3) towards the rear deck is controlled by at least an arm (6) articulated to the vehicle chassis and to the rear element (3). The rear element (3) is linked to the intermediate element (2) through two levers (9, 10) forming a deformable quadrilateral. The intermediate element (2) is linked to the front element (1) through two other levers (15, 16) forming a deformable quadrilateral. The arm (16) is linked in articulation to one (10) of the two levers linking the rear (3) and intermediate (2) elements, through a hinge link (21). The other lever (9) linking the rear (3) and intermediate (2) elements is linked to one (16) of the levers linking the intermediate (2) and front (1) elements through a hinge link (24).

Abstract: In a vehicle roof which is movable between a closed position, in which the roof covers an interior vehicle space, and an open position and wherein the roof part includes a locking bolt for engagement with an adjacent vehicle part when the roof is in a closed position, the roof part and the adjacent vehicle part each has a guide tube incorporated therein and the locking bolt is movably supported in one of the adjacent guide tubes and, upon closing of the vehicle roof, is insertable into the adjacent guide tube and lockable thereto so that the guide tubes and the locking bolt form a continuous tube structure with a common axis when the vehicle roof is in the closed position.

Abstract: An open roof apparatus includes a link lock mechanism for fastening a swinging distal end portion of a link mechanism to a rear portion of a vehicle body when a roof is moved into a stored position. When the roof is moved into the stored position, the link mechanism supports the vehicle body between a portion to which a swinging proximal portion of the link mechanism is mounted and the rear portion of the vehicle body to which the swinging distal end portion is fastened.

Abstract: In a foldable vehicle roof for a convertible vehicle with an operating mechanism including spaced control arms pivotally supported on the vehicle body for moving the vehicle roof between a closed position, in which an interior vehicle space is covered, and an open position, and the vehicle roof includes a rear roof part and a roof part disposed in front of, and adjacent, the rear roof part, the rear roof part is biased in the closed position of the vehicle roof against the vehicle body by way of clamping means engaging one of the control arms with the rear roof part.

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 roof construction for a vehicle that uncovers a roof space above a passenger compartment of a vehicle body and covers the roof space, partly or fully, comprises a roof assembly, e.g. front, intermediate and rear roof panels, that is movable relatively to the vehicle body in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle body so as to selectively shift between three positions, namely a closed position where the roof space is fully closed, a partly open position where the roof space is partly open and a fully open position where the roof space is fully open and a prop link mechanism operative to shift the roof assembly into a selected one of the three positions and to fixedly support the roof assembly in the selected position. During shifting the roof assembly into a selected position, the front and intermediate roof panels are superposed and held horizontally in position.