Abstract: A vehicle top can comprise a targa top and a retractable top. The retractable top can comprise fabric and a frame. The targa top and the retractable top can be configured to be coupled to a vehicle such that the targa top overlies at least one front seat of the vehicle and the retractable top is pivotable between deployed and retracted positions. The fabric of the retractable top can be disposed closer to the targa top and overlie more of the vehicle when the retractable top is in the deployed position than when the retractable top is in the retracted position.

Abstract: A convertible vehicle top, having a top cover and a top linkage displaceable between a closed position, and a storage position, the top linkage having a link assembly on either side of a vertical longitudinal center plane of the top, each link assembly having two main links pivotably mounted on a main bearing attachable to a vehicle body and which form a multi-bar linkage together with a roof middle link, and the top linkage having transverse bows via which the two link assemblies are connected. The link assemblies may each have a fabric deflection lever which is pivoted into a straightened position by the top cover when the top is in the closed position and which is pivoted into a bent position in such a manner that the top cover is deflected around the free end of the deflection lever when the top is in the storage position.

Abstract: An open-air car canopy and cover assembly and method of operation provides a rearwardly extending canopy that shields an uncovered rear deck of an open-air car from a deployed position, and when in an undeployed position, the panels retract, becoming limp and folding upon themselves. An upper pocket covers the panel folds in the undeployed position by encapsulating the panels and the rotatable supporting bracket. Lateral and rear flaps having fasteners and rear flap fasteners retain the panels out of the rear sight line and side openings of the open-air car. A roof mount detachably attaches the canopy to the roof of the open-air car with a curved flange that hooks over a roof support structure, and metallic tensioned hooks that hook under the roof support structure. A tensioned hinge member is operable with rotatable supporting bracket to retain canopy in a fixed position between deployed and undeployed positions.

Abstract: A top for a convertible vehicle having a linkage, which is displaceable between a closed and storage position and which, in relation to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the top on both sides, includes a link arrangement, having a first roof frame element being disposed in the front and a second roof frame element being arranged, in the closed position, toward the rear with respect to the front roof frame element, wherein the two roof frame elements are connected to each other via first and second control links of a four-arm hinge arrangement and can be displaced with respect to each other using a coupling rod, which is linked to a main link of a main four-arm hinge mechanism, the second roof frame element being linked to said mechanism.

Abstract: A holding device to hold an openable roof when the openable roof is stored is provided at a front portion of a storage partition. There is provided a changing member to change a hook having an open position from its open position to its pre-lock position by being pressed down by the hook taking the open position when the openable roof is operated for storage in the storage partition. The changing member is provided adjacently to the holding device. Thereby, a rear vehicle-body structure of a vehicle which can surely change the hook from its open position to its pre-lock position can be provided.

Abstract: A Z-fold convertible top has a frame supporting a textile cover. The frame includes support in the form of at least one of a pair of pivoted rails rigidly mounted to a bow, stabilizing other pivoted rails. The stability may be employed to displace a quarter window with the rail in a manner that provides a compact top stack packaged in the vehicle body. The stability is also employed to coordinate sealing engagement of the quarter window with a cloth control link pivoted to the vehicle body ground, but displacing the cloth away from the window during retraction. A worm link may enhance interaction between the cloth control link and the rail supporting a quarter window.

Abstract: A convertible top of a cabriolet vehicle includes a convertible top cover, which is adjustable by means of a convertible top rod assembly between a closed position spanning a vehicle interior and a storage position opening the vehicle interior toward the top. The convertible top rod assembly includes a rod arrangement on both sides in relation to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the convertible top. Each rod arrangement includes a main link and a main column, which are pivotably mounted on a vehicle-fixed main bearing. At least one transverse bow connects the rod arrangements with each other. The transverse bow is respectively connected to an auxiliary link on both sides in relation to the vertical longitudinal center plane of the convertible top. Each auxiliary link is pivotably connected to the respective main column on the one hand and to the respective main link on the other hand.

Abstract: A convertible top of a cabriolet vehicle includes a convertible top rod assembly, which can be adjusted between a closed position spanning the vehicle interior and a storage position. The top trod assembly includes a link arrangement on both sides of a vertical longitudinal center plane of the convertible top. The link arrangement includes a main link and a main column, which are pivotably mounted on a vehicle-fixed main bearing, and a front-side first link element and a second link element, which is arranged rearward of the first link element in the closed position and is connected to the first link element by a joint arrangement. The first link element can be pivoted relative to the second link element by an actuating link extending along the second link element and can be secured against pivoting relative to the second link element in the closed position by a locking element.

Abstract: A convertible top of a cabriolet vehicle includes a convertible top cover, which is adjustable by means of a convertible top rod assembly between a closed position spanning a vehicle interior and a storage position opening the vehicle interior toward the top. The convertible top rod assembly includes a rod arrangement on both sides in relation to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the convertible top. Each rod arrangement includes a main link and a main column, which are pivotably mounted on a vehicle-fixed main bearing. At least one transverse bow connects the rod arrangements with each other. The transverse bow is respectively connected to an auxiliary link on both sides in relation to the vertical longitudinal center plane of the convertible top. Each auxiliary link is pivotably connected to the respective main column on the one hand and to the respective main link on the other hand.

Abstract: A retractable canopy apparatus for use with a golf cart having forward and rearward passenger sections, a front canopy member, and a support rail on the rearward section includes an adjustment bracket coupled to a support rail. A support arm includes a first end pivotally coupled to the support bracket and an opposed second end. The support arm is movable relative to the adjustment bracket between stowed and deployed configurations. An auxiliary canopy assembly includes a front end coupled to an upper end of the golf cart framework and a rear end coupled to the second end of the support arm. A flexible canopy top member extends between the auxiliary canopy assembly front and rear ends. The top member is movable between an extended configuration when the adjustment member is at the deployed configuration and a collapsed configuration when the adjustment member is at the stowed configuration.

Abstract: A retractable top for a vehicle having an open top, the vehicle including four doors, the retractable top including a left and a right rear roll bar projecting vertically from the rear floor above the vertical walls, the roll bars projecting forward to join a transverse roll bar forming a roll cage, the retractable top including support members attached to two of the three horizontal sides. The retractable top includes linkage arms attached to support members configured to move from a retracted position to an extended position, the linkage arms including a bow arm having a first tapered interconnection aperture, the first tapered interconnection aperture shaped to receive a first connector and recess the first connector such that an end of the first connector is flush with a first surface of the bow arm. The retractable top includes an enclosure material that covers the open top when extended.

Abstract: A convertible top comprising a plurality articulated rail links that move the convertible top in a fore-and-aft direction. A trim piece carries a window seal and is assembled to at least one of the rail links for movement in the fore-and-aft direction. The trim piece also moves in a lateral direction outwardly when the top is retracted and in the lateral direction inwardly when the top is extended. A stop member is secured to the trim piece and at least one rail link to limit the lateral movement of the trim piece relative to the at least one rail link. A cam block is secured to the trim piece and at least one of the rail links to guide the lateral movement of the trim piece relative to the at least one rail link.

Abstract: A stowable roof configuration for a convertible has a main link with at least two arms and is able to move about a main bearing and, a main roof element, which is connected to the main link by first joints. At least one additional roof element is disposed behind the main roof element in a closed position of the roof configuration and is connected to the main link by or in second joints. A connecting rod system is provided for connecting to the additional roof element. The connecting rod system and the additional roof element along with the main link form an at least five-member coupler mechanism, in which the second joints for the additional roof element lie between the main bearing and the first joints.

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 road vehicle: provided with a coachwork; an interior compartment, delimited by a windscreen supported by a frame; and a convertible roof, which can be connected to the coachwork for closing, at the top, the interior compartment and is provided with a covering cloth comprising two side beams at respective side ends; and a supporting frame, which can be mechanically connected to the coachwork for supporting the covering cloth; each side beam is provided with: a rigid side panel, which rises in cantilever fashion from a rear end of the side beam and, in the position for closing the interior compartment, is set substantially vertical; and engagement means for connecting the covering cloth to the frame and for connecting the two side panels to a portion of the coachwork that delimits the interior compartment at the rear and at the sides.

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 roof assembly for a vehicle includes a roof, a guide bar system, and a guide bar mechanism. The roof has front, middle, and rear roof elements movable between a closed position covering a passenger compartment of the vehicle and an opened position stacked in a storage compartment of the vehicle. The guide bar system has front and rear guide bars. The guide bars are connected at one end to the front roof element and are rotatable about respective articulated joints at another end to move the roof elements between the closed and opened positions. The guide bar mechanism has a first control rod rotatably connected between the front guide bar and the middle roof element and a second control rod rotatably connected between the rear guide bar and the middle roof element to assure a desired movement of the middle roof element between the closed and opened positions.

Abstract: A folding top for a convertible is proposed, comprising a folding-top cloth (16) and a folding-top linkage (14) which is provided on both sides with a main link (28) which is mounted on a main bearing (26) and to which a frame part (38), which extends substantially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in the closed position of the top, and an intermediate link (44) are coupled. A front, rigid folding-top element (22) is connected via a first folding-top element link (58) to the intermediate link (44) and via a second folding-top element link (60) to the frame part (38). According to the invention, means are provided on the folding-top linkage (14), said means bringing about a continuous slowing-down of the front, rigid folding-top element (22) during the sequence of movement of the top from a storage position to the closed position.

Abstract: A convertible soft top for a motor vehicle is provided. The convertible soft top has a front portion and a rear portion, the top also having and movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The top includes a fabric cover that extends across the front portion and the rear portion, the fabric cover forming a pair of spaced apart fins that extend from the front portion in a rearwardly direction when the top is in the extended position. The convertible soft top is dimensioned such that a motor vehicle with a conventional opening for heretofor convertible tops can be used with the soft top of the instant invention.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has a movable roof with a cover and whose front end can be secured indirectly or directly to the windshield frame. The roof, in its open position, can be stowed in the rear vehicle region. The roof has a rear region in the closed position with at least one rigid cross member and can be turned upside down and disposed on top of a part of the movable roof region adjoining it to the front in the direction of travel (F).

Abstract: A top for a convertible has a top linkage forming a lateral roof frame at each side, and a flexible covering which is stretched open when the top is closed and covers at least parts of the top. When the top is closed, a seal is disposed between a stiffened region of the stretched-open covering, which region faces the associated lateral roof frame, and the associated lateral roof frame.

Abstract: A folding top for a convertible is proposed, comprising a folding-top cloth (16) and a folding-top linkage (14) which is provided on both sides with a main link (28) which is mounted on a main bearing (26) and to which a frame part (38), which extends substantially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle in the closed position of the top, and an intermediate link (44) are coupled. A front, rigid folding-top element (22) is connected via a first folding-top element link (58) to the intermediate link (44) and via a second folding-top element link (60) to the frame part (38). According to the invention, means are provided on the folding-top linkage (14), said means bringing about a continuous slowing-down of the front, rigid folding-top element (22) during the sequence of movement of the top from a storage position to the closed position.

Abstract: A convertible top device for a vehicle includes a main frame support pivotally attached to a vehicle, a forward support pivotally attached to the main frame support, a rearward support pivotally attached to the main frame support and a top extended over the forward support, main support and the rearward support. At least one strap is interconnected between the forward support and a forward end of the vehicle and the rearward support and the rearward end of the golf cart. The top device is convertible between an open position and a stowed position at the rearward end of the vehicle.

Abstract: A convertible vehicle (1) with at least one flexible roof area (10) supported by way of transverse hoops (12; 13; 14; 15; 16) lying in succession over its longitudinal course that can be shortened for opening it by displacement of transverse hoops (12; 13; 14; 15) with a movement component in vehicle longitudinal direction is designed in such a way that one longitudinal guiding aid (23; 24; 25) is assigned to a transverse hoop (13; 14; 15) for cooperation with a longitudinal guiding projection (30; 27; 28) of another transverse hoop (12; 13; 14) pointing in its direction (FIG. 2).

Abstract: A convertible vehicle has a carbody and a foldaway top connected to the carbody. A top compartment receives the foldaway top when folded open. A top compartment lid is provided for closing the top compartment. A hinge device is connected to the carbody and to the top compartment lid so that the top compartment lid is pivotable relative to the carbody. The top compartment lid has a front end interacting with a locking device in the area of a lateral side rail for locking it on the side rail by a push-pivot movement; it is released by a reverse movement. A lifting drive acting on the top compartment lid is supported on the carbody spaced from the hinge device and is pivotably connected to the top compartment lid. The top compartment lid is pivotable in the area of the hinge device relative to support part of the hinge device.

Abstract: A convertible top for a vehicle includes a folding top frame. The folding top frame has a transversely extending front bow and a pair of oppositely disposed first and second side rails. The front bow has first and second ends. The folding top frame is movable between a closed position in which the folding top frame is longitudinally extended and a stored position in which the folding top frame is folded. The convertible top further includes first and second rotary joints each having a transversely extending swivel axis. The rotary joints respectively link the ends of the front bow to the side rails such that the front bow swivels about the transversely extending swivel axes of the rotary joints as the folding top frame moves between the closed and stored positions in order to reduce space requirements in the stored position of the folding top frame.

Abstract: A pair of side linkages for raising a convertible top 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 for engaging the vehicle windshield in the top raised position and at least one crossbow extending between the side linkages, each linkage comprising side rails pivoted to and extending rearwardly from the header, and a plurality of links forming 4-bar linkages connecting the header, side rails and vehicle body for folding the top in a Z-shaped folding action to a compact shape in the storage compartment such that the header is not inverted and covers the folded top and closes the body opening.

Abstract: The invention relates a motor vehicle (1) comprising a roof (2) consisting of at least one part (3) which is completely displaceable between open and closed positions. In the closed position, said part of the roof is arranged between an area near a windscreen frame (4) and the rigid rear part of the roof (5, 5a). The inventive motor vehicle is constructed in such a way that the movable part of the roof (3) is divided into several adjacent sectors (15, 16) in order to enable a reduced width to pass to a normal width and vice versa by displacing said sectors and to move between the open and closed positions thereof when the width is reduced.

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: Foldable tops (1) suitable for convertible vehicles may include a rear window (3) supported within a roof covering (2). A tensioning bow (5) imparts a tension across a rear portion of the roof covering when the foldable top is disposed in a roof closed position. A lower edge (4) of the rear window (3) is supported along a supporting portion of the tensioning bow when the foldable top is disposed in the roof closed position. At least one connector (9) is preferably disposed along the supporting portion between the rear window and the tensioning bow. The at least one connector releaseably engages the lower edge of the rear window with the tensioning bow when the foldable top is disposed in the roof closed position and disengages the rear window from the tensioning bow when the foldable top is opened. The at least one connector preferably comprises a hook portion (10) and a complementary projection (11).

Abstract: The preferred embodiment of a convertible roof bow tensioning apparatus includes a pliable roof cover, a top stack mechanism supporting the roof cover having at least one roof bow, and a roof bow tensioner for selectively reducing and increasing tension of the roof cover. Another aspect of the present invention provides a camming apparatus operably extending and retracting a roof bow relative to a remainder of a convertible top stack mechanism.

Abstract: A top for a convertible vehicle moveable between an open state and a closed state: The top includes a flexible top fabric, a top linkage, a laterally disposed top-cloth tensioning bracket, and a fin link including an inherently rigid structural part configured to bear longitudinal and tensile loads. The fin link is connected in an articulated manner on a rear end of the top-cloth tensioning bracket. In the closed state, the top-cloth tensioning bracket is part of a fin of the top and the fin link supports the top-cloth.

Abstract: A convertible top having right and left side rails that fold toward each other as the convertible top is retracted. A segmented one bow is connected by a linkage to the side rails. The side rails being shiftable from an extended position wherein they extend longitudinally relative to the vehicle to a retracted position wherein the side rails extend transversely relative to the vehicle. A one piece one bow is latched to the windshield header in the extended position and is stored in a storage compartment when the convertible top is retracted.

Abstract: A convertible contains a folding top comprising a folding top frame structure, which is pivotably connected to the motor vehicle, with a rear tensioning bar and a folding top cover that is held in position on the folding top frame structure. The tensioning bar can be displaced about a substantially horizontal swivel axis into a roughly horizontal tensioned position and a roughly upright mounted position. In order to keep the tensioning bar securely in the mounted position a fastening strap is provided, which engages with the tensioning bar that is displaced in the mounted position, and which can be attached to the folding top or the motor vehicle and thus keeps the tensioning bar in the mounted position.

Abstract: A convertible roof is provided which includes a folding mechanism that couples a pair of adjacent roof rails together with at least two links to form a linkage assembly with at least four-bars without the adjacent pair of roof rails being directly connected to one another. A convertible roof having a folding mechanism that controls retraction of the convertible roof so that a portion of the convertible roof serves as a cover that conceals a portion of the convertible roof within the stowage compartment is also provided.

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: A top for a convertible vehicle, including a roof frame extending from a rear region of the convertible vehicle as far as a windshield arranged between A-pillars of the convertible vehicle in a closed state of the top. The roof frame includes at least one rear frame piece, a central frame piece connected in an articulated manner to the rear frame piece, and a front frame piece. The top also includes a front element and a cover of the top fixed to the front element. The front frame piece is connected in an articulated manner directly to the central frame piece, and the front element is connected pivotably with respect to the front frame piece to the front frame piece.

Abstract: A vehicle convertible roof is provided which includes mechanisms to actively control at least a majority of the roof bows. The active controlling of the roof bows allows the convertible roof to have a stacked length that is reduced and results in a smaller packaging requirement. A unique and novel way to control the movement of the front roof rail relative to the center roof rail is disclosed. The simple linkage arrangement reduces the complexity of the vehicle convertible roof and provides for compact packaging of the convertible roof when in the stowed position thus reducing the packaging requirement.

Abstract: A folding convertible top (1) of a motor vehicle with a convertible top frame (3) which has a front, a middle and a rear frame part (4, 5, 6) at each lateral side of the roof. The middle frame part (5) is displaceably supported via a main bearing means (6, 16) on the body and the front frame part (4) is displaceable relative to the middle frame part (5) via a connecting rod means (20, 23), the middle frame part (5) having a seal bearer (12) which is hinged on the middle frame part (5). When the folding convertible top (1) is lowered, the front end (36) of the seal bearer is swung outward in a transverse direction.

Abstract: An automobile convertible top for an automobile which can be adjusted between a closed position and a folded-down position has a convertible-top mechanism and a convertible-top fabric which is supported by the convertible-top mechanism. A side bar, is comprised of two limbs arranged at an angle and, in the side region of the convertible-top mechanism, is held by a joint having a first axis and a second axis which runs at an angle to the first axis. The side bar is arranged on the convertible-top mechanism such that, in the folded-down position, one limb of the side bar is with respect to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The end side of the limb which is remote from the joint faces toward the side region lying opposite the joint.

Abstract: Roof (1) of a convertible, divided into three substantially rigid roof sections, a forward roof section (2), a middle roof section (3) and a rearward roof section (4), hinged on each other in succession in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and arranged to be movable between a closed position (I) and an opened position (II). The rearward roof section (4) is pivotally connected to the body so as to be turnable by means of a main actuator (7). The middle roof section (3) is pivotally connected to the rearward roof section (4) and connected via a mechanical pivoted lever system (8) to the body and the rearward roof section of the convertible so that the middle roof section is turned by positive control together with the rearward roof section when the roof is being turned between the closed position (I) and the opened position (II).

Abstract: A retractable top for a Jeep® CJ-7® or Wrangler® or other vehicle with an open passenger compartment and an open rear compartment. The top attaches to the floor of the open rear compartment. A number of expanding linkage arms allow the cover to be deployed forwardly over both the rear compartment and the passenger compartment. Windscreen brackets fasten the cover to the vehicle's windscreen.

Abstract: A flexible hood for a convertible car which includes a cover with a front portion and a rear portion and a frame for supporting the cover which includes side portions secured to the car body, extending along the sides of the hood and each including a first and a second parallelogram linkage arranged in series and operable to enable the hood to be moved to an extended configuration covering the driving compartment and to a configuration folded away behind this compartment. Each of the second parallelogram linkages has means enabling it selectively to move independently of its associated first linkage, thus making it possible to fold only the front portion of the flexible hood.

Abstract: For a convertible vehicle with a foldable at least partially flexible roof where longitudinal side support components and between these, cross-connecting supports are arranged for the support of at least the flexible roof section, at least one bow is arranged in a longitudinally moveable fashion with regard to the longitudinal side support components and in a movable fashion subject to the opening or closing of the roof via at least one control device.

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: A folding roof (1) for a convertible with a canvas top (2) which is attached to a front bow (3) and which can be moved into a rear lowered position with a top mechanism which comprises a side roof rod (11, 12) for opening the folding roof (1), the front bow (3) being guided to be able to move lengthwise on both side of the roof on guides (9, 10) of the side roof rod (11, 12), so that by moving the front bow (3) rearward along the lateral guides (9, 10) from a closed position in which it adjoins the front cross member (4), the folding roof (1) can be partially opened into an intermediate position.

Abstract: An adjustable folding top for a motor vehicle can be adjusted between a closed position covering the vehicle interior and a deposited position. The top is equipped with a folding top linkage having a plurality of movably arranged transverse and side bows. In order to provide a simply constructed and space-saving folding top, a rearward transverse bow of the folding top linkage, which faces the depositing space of the folding top, has a multipart construction with at least one center section and two lateral sections. The lateral sections are connected with the center section by way of articulations.

Abstract: A convertible vehicle with a roof, which can be stowed in the rear region of the vehicle and comprises at least one front roof part, which faces a windshield frame in the closed position, and a rear roof part, which extends backward and downward at the rear and has, at its side edge regions, frame parts, which are held at their rear end regions so that they can be swiveled about a horizontal axis.

Abstract: An adjustable vehicle roof having a folding top which can be adjusted between a closed position and a deposited position, and a folding top linkage and a folding top covering material. A material holding bow is connected with the folding top linkage and, in the closed position of the folding top, rests on a rearward, vehicle-body-side component apply tension to the folding top covering material. In order to close off the folding top in a windtight and watertight manner in the closed position while the vehicle body can be freely designed, a tensioning hoop is provided which acts upon the material holding bow in the closed position and which is supported on the folding top linkage.

Abstract: A convertible top for an automotive vehicle is provided. This convertible top is coupled to the vehicle such that it moves between a raised operative position and a lowered storage position. When in the raised operative position, the convertible top covers the passenger compartment of the vehicle. When in the lowered storage position, the convertible top is stored in the rear seat area and is covered by a portion of the convertible top itself.