Abstract: A top of a convertible motor vehicle includes a linkage movable between a closed position spanning a vehicle interior and a storage position uncovering the vehicle interior to the top A linkage arrangement having first and second pivot components is on opposing sides of the linkage and pivotably mounted at a rear main bearing. A rotatable drive wheel is coupled to the two pivot components. When the drive wheel is rotated, the first pivot component is always subjected to a drive torque, whereas the second pivot component, as a function of the position of a control element guided by structure fixed relative to the main bearing, is either held in place or is subjected to a drive torque.

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: The invention relates to a vehicle comprising a folding top (1) that can be adjusted between a closed position and an open position and that has a mobile rear top bow (6), and further comprising a rear flap (8) closing a rear storage space (28). In order to improve functionality, the rear flap (8) is pivoted to the top bow (6). The rear flap (8) can be lifted together with the upward pivoting top bow (6), thereby releasing a larger rear opening (27). The top bow is preferably a fabric-tensioning bow (6) of the folding top (2) that is covered with a folding top fabric.

Abstract: The invention relates to a main bearing unit for a convertible folding top, comprising a bearing plate, at least one kinematic pivot point of a folding-top linkage of the convertible folding top, which kinematic pivot point is mounted pivotably in the bearing plate, a linear force-introducing unit, a pin which is assigned to the folding-top linkage, wherein the linear force-introducing unit, in order to actuate the folding-top linkage, is in driving connection with the pin assigned to the folding-top linkage, and a hole in the bearing plate, wherein the force-introducing unit is held in the hole in the bearing plate and is integrated in the bearing plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a folding roof for a convertible with a canvas top which is held by the frame of the top, which frame has side roof rods, a main bow and a top mechanism supported on the body for opening and closing the folding roof, which contains one side main column which on the one hand is pivotally mounted on the body and on the other in a pivot joint on the roof rod and is adjoined by the canvas folding roof tensioned when the top is closed, the main bow (9) forming a roof cassette (10) which is permanently connected to the roof rod (8) and an additional rod (14; 14′) being movably arranged in the area of the main column (3) and being kinematically coupled to a component (10; 4), especially a folding roof frame part or a body-mounted part, to which the additional rod (14; 14′) executes relative motion when the main column (3) executes a pivoting motion, and the canvas top (26) adjoining or being attached to the additional rod (14; 14′) and the additional rod (14; 14′) exe

Abstract: A drive assembly for driving a moveable component of a vehicle in which the component can adopt one or more positions in which the component prevents access to the vehicle or a part of the vehicle. The drive assembly has an actuator which is coupled to the component and provides the force for moving the component, and a control unit for actuating the actuator. In an emergency operating mode, the actuator can move freely in at least one direction, in such a manner that the actuator allows movement of the component caused by an external force being exerted on the component other than by means of the actuator, preferably by hand. The drive assembly is also provided with a theft detection unit for detecting theft or attempted theft of the vehicle or of goods which are present in the vehicle. The theft detection unit is coupled to the control unit.

Abstract: An adjustable bow lift apparatus for extending the overall height between the bed and bow cover on a cotton module truck during loading or unloading a cotton module, generally including a set of metal tubular frames, one for the top of each side wall, and pivotally attached a first distance from the further most end of each side wall. A set of actuators for each side of the frame for lifting and lowering the bow lift apparatus, each actuator is attached to the last side wall frame member of the truck, with the actuator extension arms pivotally attached at the lower frame on each side of the bow lift apparatus. A plurality of on board power devices may be adapted for rasing and lowering the adjustable bow lift apparatus during loading or unloading a cotton module, such as air, hydraulics or electrical.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for monitoring and controlling the operation of a motorized convertible top such that it may be extended and retracted automatically. The system and method of the present invention monitors the movement of the various components to provide fluid, simultaneous motion. It further detects and corrects improper alignments that may result in damage to the top due to overlapping elements or binding elements, and stores error information useful in diagnosing and repairing unrecoverable errors.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for monitoring and controlling the operation of a motorized convertible top such that it may be extended and retracted automatically. The system and method of the present invention monitors the movement of the various components to provide fluid, simultaneous motion. It further detects and corrects improper alignments that may result in damage to the top due to overlapping elements or binding elements, and stores error information useful in diagnosing and repairing unrecoverable errors.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle and a folding top. The folding top (5) comprises a top cover (6) of flexible material fitted to extend at least over the luggage compartment (2) when the top is in its closed position, limiting the luggage compartment in the vertical direction, a U-shaped rear bow (7), to which the rear edge of the top cover is attached and which comprises a substantially horizontal transverse arm (8) and two substantially forward directed arms (9) at the ends of the transverse arm, the front ends (10) of said two arms (9) being connected to joints allowing a turning motion relative to the body, and which rear bow can be turned between a lowered closed position, in which the rear bow leans against the body and tailgate in close contact with them, and a raised open position. The top comprises a power means (11) for raising and lowering the rear bow (7), and an operating switch (12) disposed in the immediate vicinity of the tailgate (4) for activating the power means.

Abstract: A drive device for opening and closing a vehicle top includes a pair of control devices each fixed in the side of the vehicle body, a falling pillar swingably supporting the vehicle top on the vehicle body and a pair of extendable link mechanisms that include link rods which are inclinable and which couple a swinging arm of the respective control device with the falling pillar. Each of the control devices includes a housing in which is rotatably positioned at least a portion of an output shaft for rotating the swinging arm, a driving device attached to the housing and generating a rotary driving force, a first reduction gear stage formed as a worm drive which is coupled with the driving device and which is housed in the housing, and a second reduction gear stage formed as a spur gear drive which is coupled with the worm drive for driving the output shaft and which is housed in the housing.

Abstract: A driving arrangement for pivoting a folding roof between an open position and closed position which includes a driving motor unit that is connected with a respective transmission unit arranged on each side of the body, with each transmission unit cooperating with an adjusting guide member of a pivotal lever system.In order that the driving arrangement has spatially favorable dimensions and enables a large transmission ratio, it includes spur output gearing arranged in a fixedly supported housing and planetary input gearing cooperating with the spur gearing which is operatively connected with the flexible shaft.