Abstract: An open top automobile body including a rigid roof panel extending between the front windshield section and a hoop member of a substantially inverted U-shape mounted at the opposite leg portions to the rear fenders for fore-and-aft swinging movements between an erected position and a retracted position. A foldable hood is provided between the hoop member and the rear body section to provide a rear windshield section. The roof panel is connected at the rear edge through a hinge mechanism with the hoop member so that the roof panel can be retracted into the rear body section together with the hoop member. A locking member prevents a relative rotation of two links of the hinge mechanism with respect to each other when the hoop member is in the erected position and the roof panel is placed between the front windshield and the hoop member.

Abstract: A convertible top structure for an automobile includes a foldable support bow foldable approximately the middle of the legs thereof which have upper and lower members foldable one-hundred and eighty degrees onto one another with a collapsible support linkage structure for supporting the bow in the upright position, including an elongated first support link pivotally connected to an automobile chassis and by means of a second link to the top portion of the bow with a pair of toggle links connected at one end to the lower end of the leg of the bow and at the other end to the elongated link member. A pliable sheet material covers the support frame forming a top structure having rearward extending wings.

Abstract: A folding frame for convertible top motor vehicles which stows compactly so as to minimize loss of passenger compartment space, the frame formed by a pair of pillar members pivotally anchored in body spaces alongside the rear passenger compartment, each pillar member having a unitary side rail pivotally connected to its upper end and extending forwardly above and alongside the passenger compartment with the frame in the raised position. The connected pairs of pillar members and side rails define a side window opening, and support a plurality of bow members over which the top material is stretched to enclose the passenger compartment.

Abstract: A hoop arrangement for foldable tops of automotive vehicles which includes a bow-shaped main hoop connected to the top and a bow-shaped corner hoop provided at the top at a spacing from the main hoop for tightening the closed top at an outermost corner thereof. The corner hoop is pivotably supported with its two free ends each at a crank arm with the crank arm being arranged to be pivotable about the pivot point of the main hoop. The corner hoop is connected, at a spacing from its point of articulation to the crank arm, by way of a joint to a guide arm which hingedly engages at the main hoop at a spacing from its pivot point. The joint between the guide arm and the corner hoop cooperates, at least when the top is almost opened up, with a curved guide means which has an ascending slope in a direction pointing away from the pivot point of the main hoop.

Abstract: A control of a linkage for a foldable top of motor vehicles which is pivotally mounted at brackets arranged in recesses; the linkage, in the folded-together condition of the roof is accommodated in a closed off top compartment; in the course of its unfolding operation, a roof column which begins to erect itself, displaces a curved fabric-retaining bar forming the rear termination of the top upwardly by way of an entrainment mechanism; the entrainment mechanism which is formed in the manner of a quadrilateral joint system consisting of guide members, a lever, a guide lever and fabric-retaining member, is movably supported at the bracket by way of the lever and the guide lever; a connecting lever thereby pivotally connects the quadrilateral joint system at the free end of the roof column.