Abstract: A hardtop vehicle roof has a forward roof section, a rearward roof section and a kinematic adjusting system for adjusting the roof sections between a closed position and a deposited position. The kinematic adjusting system includes a vehicle-fixed first guide link and a guiding element which is guided in the guide link and is connected with one of the roof sections. In order to provide a space-saving, flexibly constructed vehicle roof, a second guide link is swivellable about a vehicle-fixed rotation axis. The guiding element of the roof section is slidingly guided in the first as well as the second guide link.

Abstract: The invention relates to a folding roof arrangement for a convertible type motor vehicle comprising a folding covering having a front section, a front crossmember, the front end section being fastened to the front crossmember, a plurality of lateral roof links defining part of a folding-top kinematic arrangement, wherein the front crossmember is shiftable in an infinite variable manner relative to the lateral roof links between a closed position and a half open position of the folding arrangement, the lateral roof links being in the same configuration in said closed position and in said half open position of the folding arrangement, and wherein in an open position of the folding roof arrangement, the front crossmember, the plurality of roof links and the folding covering are deposited one above another in a folding-top compartment so that at least two of the plurality of roof links define an essentially V-shaped folded arrangement.

Abstract: A displaceable folding top for a motor vehicle has a folding top cover material that is held to a folding top rod system, and has a plurality of articulated rod parts. Furthermore, in the area of a vehicle side, a main hoop is arranged, which is swivel mounted to the motor vehicle and to which a sealing element is coupled. To provide a folding top that takes little space in its deposited position, and that has a high seal tightness and a long service life, the sealing element is held on a separately formed sealing frame swivelably mounted on the motor vehicle. The swiveling axes of the sealing frame and the main hoop are spaced from each other in at least one position of the folding top, and the sealing frame is displaceably coupled with the main hoop via displacement kinematics.

Abstract: A method for attaching a soft top to a motor vehicle body tensions the soft top without a separate tensioning device. The method includes the general steps of attaching a support member to the motor vehicle for pivotal movement about a transverse pivot axis, supporting an upper rear corner of the top with the support member, and tensioning the top by upwardly and rearwardly biasing the upper rear corner of the top with the support member. The support member functions to provide a spring load for tensioning the top. In the preferred method, the support member is elastically deformed for tensioning the top.

Abstract: A folding top for a motor vehicle, which can be adjusted between a closed position and a deposited position, has a folding top linkage and a folding top covering held on the folding top linkage. The folding top linkage comprises a plurality of adjustable side bows and at least one roof bow extending transversely to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In order to improve the design possibilities for the depositing space of a folding top, it is provided that the length of the roof bow is variably adjustable as a function of the position of the folding top.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a motor vehicle folding top system with a foldable folding top (13) in which a rear window (43) is positioned, a rod which has articulated- or support rods (18, 19) supported in an articulated manner, several transverse support units (33) which extend in the transverse direction of the motor vehicle and serve for the tightening of the folding top (13), a folding top casing (5) in which the folded folding top (13) can be accommodated, and a folding top flap (7) which at least partially covers over the folding top casing (5). In accordance with the invention, the motor vehicle folding top system has a swivelling supporting device (23) for the rod in the area of the folding top casing (5), which can be swivelled from an upright locking position into a folded starting position of the folding top, in the direction of the rear of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A folding top for a convertible has two roof frames which run along the longitudinal sides. Each of these roof frames is divided into three sections. The rear of these sections is connected to a pivot on the body and, by means of a further pivot, to the central frame piece. The front frame piece is linked to the central frame piece with the aid of a parallelogram link arrangement which is configured in such a way that during opening the front frame piece is guided upward onto the central frame piece, so that the roof lining is not exposed even when the folding top is open.

Abstract: A folding roof for convertible vehicles includes a front roof part hinged to a rear roof part whose rear end is hinged to the vehicle. The front and rear roof parts can be stowed in the trunk of the vehicle with the front roof part folded over the rear roof part connected to its hinge to the vehicle. The rear roof part has a central roof part hinged to the rear roof part, extending as far as the hinge between the front and rear roof parts and cooperating with an arrangement which, when the roof is stowed in the trunk, holds the central roof part at a distance above the rear roof part.

Abstract: A collapsible hard top for a convertible including a top panel, two side longitudinal top carriers, two rear posts adjoining the two side top carriers from behind, respectively, a top element including a rear window of the convertible and displaceable relative to the top panel, and support and guide rails forming a displacement guide for displacing the top element, together with the rear top posts, with the support and guide rails being arranged in drop-down position relative to a rear panel of the convertible and within a trunk, and with the top panel being formed of at least two longitudinal sections at least one of which is supported for displacement in a longitudinal direction of the convertible on the two side carriers.

Abstract: A folding top for a convertible motor vehicle has a frame provided with frame elements for supporting a flexible cover. The frame is movable from a retracted position to a deployed position supporting the top in a position of use. The retracted top is stowed in a storage compartment behind the rear seat. The storage compartment is open at the top to receive the retracted top. The compartment is normally closed by a pivoted tonneau.

Abstract: A convertible automobile has a two-part foldable hard top which can be lowered into a storage area at the rear. The roof part and the rear part are releasably connected with one another in the vicinity of their common contact edge by a sealing arrangement. A separate drive mechanism is provided for the roof part as well as for the rear part. Both drive mechanisms are controllable independently of one another.

Abstract: A vehicle convertible topstack comprises transverse bows and a header supported by spaced, articulated pivotally-interconnected front, center and rear side rails. The front and center side rails are aluminum extrusions each having a right-angle triangular hollow cross section in one embodiment. A C-shaped channel is formed on each triangle's outer hypotenuse and has inwardly-turned, facing flanges for mechanically retaining elongated window seals. The rear rail has a vertical I-shape, and can include a similar window seal retainer. In another embodiment, the front, center and rear rails each have a base and a C-shaped external seal retainer formed on a vertical leg, which forms a slot for receiving a wedge-shaped shims to adjust the angle of the leg and seal to the main body. The shims are formed of frangible sections that can be broken at the top of the slot to remove excess shim material.

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.

Abstract: A convertible vehicle roof with a rigid rear roof part (7) and with a rigid rear part (8) which adjoins rear roof part (7), can be moved together with other roof parts (side roof parts 5, cover 6) into a stowage space (19) located in the rear of a vehicle. Compared to known hardtop vehicle roofs, the structure, mounting, sealing and insensitivity to tolerances are improved by the fact that the rear part (8) can be swung forwardly over the rear roof part (7) before they are moved together into the stowage space.

Abstract: A flexible-roof support for a vehicle. The vehicle has a door opening on each side, each door opening having an upper part. The flexible-roof support includes two side bows, each side bow having a short leg, a long leg, and an elbow where the short and long legs are connected, and distal ends opposite the elbow. The distal ends of the short legs are pivotally attachable to the vehicle above the belt line and behind the door openings, such that the side bows are alignable with the sides of the vehicle and the long legs of the side bows are alignable with the upper part of the door openings. Another embodiment is a flexible-roof support which includes a front bow, two front bow arms, each front bow arm having two ends and, two bow pivots, such that the support may be folded back to form a sun roof, to the flexible-roof support or to a portion of the flexible roof which remains over the passenger compartment. The front bow has a member which substantially spans the width of the vehicle and has two ends.

Abstract: A folding top for vehicles, particularly passenger cars, is composed of a folding top structure and a folding top covering, the folding top covering and sealing strips being held in position on lateral frame parts of the folding top structure. So that, in the case of a folding top, the mounting expenditures for changing the folding top covering are reduced and, on the other hand, the surrounding noises in the driving operation which occur at the lateral frame parts are minimized, it is provided that the linkages for the folding top covering and for the sealing strips are provided separately and spaced away from one another on the lateral frame parts. Wall sections of the lateral frame parts extend between the two spaced linkages and are not covered by the folding top covering and form the shell of the vehicle body. The end area of the wall sections facing the folding top covering is constructed such that, together with the adjoining folding top covering, it forms a rain groove.

Abstract: A motor vehicle is provided with an at least partially retractable roof and a rear seat area provided with a seat arrangement to be used as a storage space into which the retractable roof area can be moved from above, whereby an occupying of the rear seats becomes possible only when the roof is closed. In order to obtain more constructive freedom in designing the rear seat area and the roof coordinated with the rear seat area, at least one part of the seat arrangement can be displaced from an in-use position which obstructs areas of the storage space of the roof into a not-in-use position which exposes the space for the lowering of the roof.

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.

Abstract: A vehicle roof with at least one roof cover part that can be opened during driving in the manner of a sunroof by being moved into at least one open position on guideways arranged in roof parts lying laterally to it in the lengthwise direction of the vehicle. A rear roof part that is stationary, at least during this sunroof mode of operation, is fixed with the lateral roof parts and can be moved with them and the cover part into a storage space in the rear part of the vehicle to expose a convertible-type roof opening. Supporting B-columns are movable in the lengthwise direction of the vehicle, and the rear roof part is mounted to them in a pivotable manner. By pivoting the rear roof part and subsequent pivoting of the B-columns, only a very small storage space is required between the seats and the rear axle for stowage of the roof.

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.

Abstract: An improved bow for a convertible top is described which is molded from a polymeric resin such as nylon and reinforced with glass fibers. The bow has a general I beam cross section and can be reinforced for additional strength. The ends of the bow can be configured to retain stay pads or tack strips. The bow can be molded in a set of tools that have interchangeable ends and retain the same mold for the central section of the bow. The interchangeable tools for producing the ends of the bow allow for greater manufacturing flexibility in that the central tool is retained for use in producing multiple styles of bows while expenses only have to be incurred for additional tooling for the ends of the bows.

Abstract: The invention relates to a folding top for motor vehicles, having a top frame which comprises lateral top supports and a rear hoop. The top has a storage position of the top in an associated top box, into which it can be lowered by folding back the upright top supports about a main axis. The top frame has an articulation, spaced relative to the main axis, of the lateral legs of the rear hoop on the frame members which are jointly moved via the top supports, whereby the rear hoop is displaced backwards relative to the main axis during the lowering process, and having a rearward widening of the top box behind the top box aperture into which the rear hoop projects when the top is lowered.

Abstract: The invention relates to a link element of variable effective supporting length for the spring drive of a pivoting component, especially for the pivoting drive of a structural member of a vehicle folding top, which is articulated at a distance from the pivot axis of the pivoting component at one end on the pivoting component and at its other end on a countercomponent. The link element comprises an accumulator spring which can expand, with a change of the supporting length, and which can be regenerated by means of a backward pivoting movement of the pivoting component. The link element comprises a rigid link which is articulated elastically on the connecting component via the accumulator spring, with the result that the effective supporting length is variable within narrow limits.

Abstract: A folding hood for motor vehicles has a dimensionally stable rear window, especially made of mineral glass, which, when the hood is closed, is connected along its lower edge side via a rigidly tensioned tensioning means to a material-retaining hoop forming the lower termination of the hood. When the hood is folded down, the rear window can be folded downwards into a storage position about an axis extending approximately parallel to the lower edge side of the rear window. In order to prevent drumming noises produced during driving operation by flapping movements of the rear window, a support device is arranged on the material retaining hoop, by which the rear window is supported, close to its lower edge side, transversely to the direction of tension of the tensioning means on the material-retaining hoop, while the folding hood remains closed.

Abstract: A convertible top has the edges of its cover stitched to polyethylene-shaped strips which conform to the undersides of the frame members around the front, rear and sides of the convertible top. The strips are held against the undersides of the frame members complementarily by holding rails and screws, and sealing strips are fitted onto the holding rails.

Abstract: A manually operable folding top for vehicles has a folded stowed position of the open top in a folding-top compartment covered by a folding-top compartment lid. In an unfolded use position of the closed top, the folding-top covering is stretched between a roof cap on the front end of the top and a fabric-holding hoop at the rear end of the top, A closure arrangement which can be unlocked, remote-controllably from the interior of the vehicle, comprises a plurality of closures, via which the folding-top compartment lid is held closed and the fabric-holding hoop is held down in the position in which it rests on the folding-top compartment lid. In order to obtain greater constructional freedom in the selection of the operating point, the closure arrangement has only automatic-ejection snap-action closures, each of which can be released via a motorized actuating drive. The actuating drives are activated via the actuation of a switch arrangement in order to release the closures.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lowerable vehicle roof having a dimensionally stable roof shell in a front end area of the roof, which shell extends over the entire width of the roof and, when the roof is closed, is detachably connected to a frame profile of a front windscreen frame, lying opposite its front end face. When the roof is open the roof shell is disposed in a substantially transverse plane of the vehicle located behind a seat area. The roof shell which is swivelled about a horizontal vehicle transverse axis protrudes upwards in relation to a center horizontal plane of the vehicle and has in the protruding longitudinal area a viewing opening located essentially in the center of the vehicle width when the roof is open.

Abstract: The invention relates to a folding top for vehicles having a dimensionally stable rear window which, when the top is pushed back, can be folded down from an upright position of use into a stowed position displaced to the rear. Sliding control of the rear window during the stowing operation is provided via a strut of the top frame. The central region of the strut rests against the underneath of the top cover in front of the rear window when the top is closed and overlaps the rear window in its swung-back end position. A coupling device is provided for transmitting movement by means of which the rear window and the strut are connected to one another, in each case at a distance from their pivot axis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a folding vehicle top whose top cover, which can be stretched over a supporting top frame, has laterally unsecured border regions which are connected to an associated leg of a corner strut via tie means and are only pulled into a fixed tensioned position, via a relative swinging movement of the corner strut, during the closure of the top. In order to be able to fix top cover corners present in the corner region between the top support pillars and the material retaining hoop on the top support pillar by means of the tensioning advance of the tie means, a rearwardly offset intermediate deflection of the tie means on the associated leg of the material retaining hoop is provided.

Abstract: A folding top for a passenger car with a folding roof (convertible) includes flexible roofing which is accommodated between opposite pairs of rod linkage legs of a folding rod linkage. With the swivelling motion of the folding rod linkage in a plane parallel to the longitudinal center plane of the vehicle, the folding top can be brought from a closed position held in a windshield region into an essentially superimposed folded position of the rod linkage legs in the rear region of the vehicle. In order to achieve improved handling and a secured covering of the folding top, the region of the top formed in the closed position between the front rod linkage legs is constructted as a shell for the top, which in itself is stiff and dimensionally stable, and is connected flush with the flexible roofing and can be fixed in the folded position in the rear region over the folded top in a covering position.

Abstract: A retractable roof for vehicles, in particular a hard roof for cabriolets, has roof pillars extending to the side of a rear window of the roof. The roof pillars, as seen from the vehicle side, enclose an obtuse angle with that longitudinal region of the roof which is situated in front of them. The pillars have a stowing position, when the roof is retracted, in a receiving space which is situated below the roof pillars when the roof is closed and into which the roof can be moved along its length, with the roof pillars in the lead, during retraction, after which they rest steeply erect in the receiving space. To ensure that the receiving space in the vehicle can be usefully reduced in size, the rear window forms the lower boundary of the roof over its width lying between the roof pillars when the roof is closed and can be moved out of its operating position into a stowing position which, with the roof retracted, is at a vertical distance from the lower ends of the roof pillars.

Abstract: Gripper for plastic film grasping, particularly suitable for automatic wrapping machines equipped with turntables is, provided with plates sliding into mobile guides, whose convergence is allowed during closing phase by a device fitting between the guides.

Abstract: A convertible top linkage assembly incorporating a retractable rear quarter window which is coupled to the linkage assembly by an attachment and a pivot that allow the window to simultaneously pivot and to displace laterally. A displacing mechanism is used to laterally position the window and set it against a corresponding seal as the convertible top linkage assembly is raised and lowered.

Abstract: A convertible top having means for tensioning the convertible top pliable covering means and for reducing the distance between the convertible top and a vehicle body panel, thereby defining the exterior finished surface of the vehicle at a location where the body panel and the convertible top are adjacent. To accomplish this, the convertible top utilizes a member coupled to the convertible top linkage assembly that is displaced outwardly by a camming means. The method of outwardly displacing this member involves the first step of raising the convertible top to an intermediate raised portion. The next step is raising the convertible top further such that the member engages a camming means and is displaced outwardly. Finally, the last step is bringing the convertible top to an operative position where it covers the interior of the vehicle.

Abstract: A folding top for a motor vehicle has a tensioning bow which is arranged on the rearward side of the vehicle and interacts with the folding-top linkage by way of front and rear wind-resisting rods. In order to achieve a taut tensioning of the folding-top covering and avoid a downward and lateral bulging-out of the wind-resisting rods, a supporting device is provided between the tensioning bow and a common connecting area of the two wind-resisting rods. The supporting device, when the folding top is in its closed position, form-lockingly extends around the two wind-resisting rods from below and on both sides of the two wind-resisting rods.

Abstract: The invention relates to a top framework of a folding top for vehicles, which comprises a trapezoidal main bow, which can pivot about a horizontally extending vehicle transverse axis. On both sides of the main bow in each case there is provided an at least one-piece lateral roof frame and a front roof frame interconnecting the lateral roof frames such that they can be deflected transversely outwards. The lateral roof frames are coupled to the main bow by further framework members in such a way that, during the shifting of the upright main bow, they are forcibly controlled into a stowage position near to the obliquely inclined strut sections of the lateral struts of the main bow.

Abstract: A positively obtained fold arrangement in a folding-top covering of a folding top is controlled by a round-bending fold which extends in the direction of width of the folding-top covering and is stiffened in terms of bending transversely relative to its path. When the folding top is opened, the folding top covering is drawn into its fold form automatically under the tensile force of a tension-spring element, the tension-spring element being held at its ends at the folding-top covering on both sides of the round-bending fold. So that the fold arrangement can be stowed in a space-saving manner next to associated structure parts of the folding top, while at the same time avoiding creases, measure are provided for stiffening the round-bending fold in terms of bending reinforcing measures, thus allowing a relatively sharp bending of the round-bending fold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a folding-top covering for a folding top of a vehicle, which is stretched onto a supporting folding-top structure and which comprises two releasably interconnected folding-top covering portions, arranged one behind the other along the length of the vehicle and which are joined in a plane of width of the folding top by being connected to a connecting element by a strip-shaped fastening portion. When the folding-top covering is damaged, the particular folding-top covering portion can be simple and economically exchanged. The folding-top covering is divided along a bow of the folding top and the strip-shaped fastening portion of the folding-top covering parts is clamped to the bow.

Abstract: The invention relates to a folding top for vehicles, which comprises a main bow which can pivot about a vehicle transverse axis. At each vehicle side a control arm is assigned to the respective two lateral struts of the top of the main bow serving as component parts of a top framework covered by means of a flexible roof skin. Roof skin retaining rails for tightening the roof skin are arranged on the outside of the struts of the top. These retaining rails are capable of being transferred by means of automatic adjustment mechanisms from a stretching position, spread apart from the struts of the top, which is the case when the main bow is upright and in which position the lower ends of the roof skin retaining rails rest against the side-boards of the associated structure, into a folding position nearer the struts during the course of the swing-back movement of the main bow.

Abstract: For a top of a passenger car, a noise/thermal insulating intermediate layer and an interior ceiling are arranged inside an exterior top covering of the top for muffling noise and for achieving an effective thermal protection against heat and coldness. So that an inflating of the top covering is avoided during a driving operation at speed, the top covering, supporting layers of the intermediate layer and the interior ceiling are attached to a plurality of transversely extending bows of the top.

Abstract: The flexible roof is movable between an extended position in which it covers the passenger compartment and a folded position. It is provided with a pivoted framework comprising a main arched structure carrying anchoring pins and a rear arched member carrying catch devices which can engage the anchoring pins. Hooks are connected to the body of the motor-vehicle and engage the pins when the roof is extended so as to prevent the structure from pivoting. The hooks are released from the pins by the catch devices when the catch devices engage the pins so as to enable the structure and the arch to pivot freely together.

Abstract: For swivel-assistance to a roof-skin holding bow forming the lower end of a folding canopy, lateral limbs of the holding bow being affixed to associated canopy struts of a main hoop, there is provided a rod element, the length of which can be altered, which is articulated at both ends and is arranged in the side wall region of the folding canopy. Since on end of the rod element is connected to the facing lateral limb of the roof-skin holding bow and the second end of the rod element is connected in articulated fashion to the associated canopy strut, the rod element can be arranged in space-saving manner in the side board.

Abstract: The invention relates to a strut for a folding vehicle cover which bridges the roof width by being braced axially on load bearing connecting components on both sides of the vehicle by angled strut flanks, while a strut section driven by a spring loading arrangement is raisable in the strut plane relative to the braced ends of the strut flanks into a tensioned position in which the roof skin of the folding cover is stressed by the spring loading arrangement through the strut section, and while a further vertical displacement of the strut section is locked upon reaching a limit time position located above the tensioned position.

Abstract: A foldable frame of the present invention is provided for supporting a convertible top of a vehicle having a tonneau space. The foldable frame is movable between a retracted and an extended position and includes a main hoop mounted to respective opposite sides of the vehicle for pivotable movement about a transverse axis of the vehicle, a pair of main guide rods, a pair of foldable roof side frames, a pair of roof frame guide rods for controlling the movement of the front members of each of the foldable roof side frames, and an intermediate hoop situated intermediate the roof front frame and the main hoop. The main hoop is of substantially trapezoidal shape and inculdes a pair of laterally spaced-apart diverging side members. The ends of the intermediate hoop are coupled to one of the roof frame guide rods for pivotable movement in relation thereto so that the length of the intermediate hoop is variable during retraction and extension of the foldable frame.

Abstract: A frame system for a fold down top for vehicles includes first and third generally rectangular-shaped perimeter frame members and a second U-shaped frame member. In the frame system's open position, the first frame member is pivotedly connectable along its transverse lower end portion to the vehicle about a first axis in a generally upright position. The second frame member, parallel to the first frame member, is also pivotedly connected along its transverse midportion about a second axis which is rearwardly positioned from the first axis. The third frame member is horizontally positioned having its forwardly end portion forwardly disposed over the front portion of the passenger compartment of the vehicle. The third frame member is pivotedly connected along its rearwardly end portion to the second frame member about a third axis and also pivotedly connected to the first frame member and about fourth axis.

Abstract: A convertible top for a motorcycle sidecar has a rigid collapsible frame which folds onto the rear of the sidecar when not in use. The frame has a pair of spaced clamps for securing the frame in an erected condition to the windshield of the sidecar. A foldable fabric top is disposed over the collapsible supporting frame and is attachable to the sides and windshield of the sidecar by snaps. The fabric top may be provided with portholes and windows, which may be secured in a closed position by hook and loop fasteners.

Abstract: A top frame for convertible automobiles is disclosed foldable so as to not require a reduced width rear seat. The top frame includes fore and aft spaced pillar members pivoted to a rear side rail on each side to form a linkage system moving a quarter window up and down with the top frame. The various pivot axes are skewed to produce outwardly spread folded side rails and pillar members to preserve the rear seat width. A secondary linkage system causes folding of the forward side rails and one of a plurality of frame bows. A cam mounting of the lower end of the forward pillar causes outward movement of the bottom of the quarter window as the frame is raised to achieve sealing of the quarter window.The quarter window inclination is reduced as the frame is lowered by the cam mounting as well as by an outward movement of the top of the quarter window caused by an angled pivot connection of the supporting forward pillar.

Abstract: A convertible vehicle body including a swingable pillar structure for supporting a front roof panel movably between an extended position and a retracted position. A rear side panel or a rear fender panel assembly has a rear side glass panel and a side door has a transparent glass panel. The rear side glass panel has a front edge which is located outside the pillar structure and in an abutting relationship with a rear edge of the transparent glass panel in the side door. Thus, the pillar structure is covered by the transparent glass panels to provide a good appearance.

Abstract: A manually operated convertible top structure for vehicles having a pivotal tonneau mounted rearward of the passenger compartment. The convertible top structure includes a pair of spaced rigid side rails which are interconnected by a plurality of spaced, transversely extending crossbows to form a frame work over which a flexible folding top is disposed. A pair of rear rails extending in a substantially upright orientation are pivotally mounted to the vehicle at one end and are connected by a control linkage to the side rails. The rearmost crossbow is pivotally connected to a mounting bracket attached to the vehicle. The side rails are pivotally connected to the frontmost crossbows for outward lateral movement as the top structure is lowered. An over-center lock formed of first and second links is pivotally connected between the rear rails and the rearmost crossbow for positively locking the rearmost crossbow on the tonneau when the convertible top structure is in its raised position.

Abstract: A convertible top for vehicles with a frame and a textile cover, in which two columns stretching the cover material are pivotal about an axis extending transversely to the vehicle and with a closed convertible top have a maximum distance from one another at the height of the upper edges of the side walls of an associated body; this maximum distance is adapted to be automatically reduced in the course of the folding-in operation by means of spring-loaded adjusting mechanisms as a function of the pivot angle of the columns stretching the cover material.