Abstract: A vehicle convertible top having a link arrangement on both sides relative to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the convertible-top, link arrangement being mounted on a main bearing fixed, displaces a convertible-top element between a lifted operating position and a lowered storage position. Each link arrangement may have a base link, mounted on the main bearing; a four-joint arrangement having a first adjusting link and a second adjusting link are connected to the convertible-top element; and a coupling element, a component of the four-joint arrangement, to which the base link, the first adjusting link and the second adjusting link are hinged. The link arrangements each may have a backlite link arrangement having a first coupling link hinged to the coupling element, which can be connected to one of the adjusting links via a second coupling link to couple the four-joint arrangement to the backlite link arrangement.

Abstract: A cabriolet top having a top linkage which can be adjustable between a closed position, in which it spans a vehicle interior space, and an open position having at both sides of a vertical vehicle longitudinal central plane, in each case one link arrangement assigned a closure unit which can be adjusted by means of an actuating device between a locking and unlocking position and which, in its locking position in the closed position of the top linkage, secures a front bow, which connects the two link arrangements to one another, to a front cowl of the vehicle by means of a locking hook. The locking hook can be connected via a first joint to a first locking link pivotable about an axle fixed to the front bow and via a second joint to a second locking link pivotable about an axle fixed to the front bow.

Abstract: Apparatus configured to open, close, unlock and lock a flap of a motor vehicle. A drive link of a kinematic drive mechanism is configured to act on a kinematic flap mechanism, in which a deflecting lever of the kinematic actuating mechanism is drivable by an actuator and, during a closing movement, engages in an engagement element of the kinematic flap mechanism or of the flap and, in the process, closes and locks the flap.

Abstract: A roof construction of a motor vehicle has a fixed roll bar, and a roof element which, in the closed position, is accommodated between the roll bar and a windshield and, in the open position, is accommodated behind the roll bar in a convertible-top compartment. The roof element can be shifted from the open position into the closed position and vice versa beyond the roll bar via an opening and closing mechanism. With the roof element in the closed position, the mechanism penetrates lateral offsets of the roll bar and, in the open position, opens up the lateral offsets. The lateral offsets of the roll bar are each assigned, on the front side of the roll bar, a covering which, in the closed position of the roof element, opens up the lateral offset for the passage of the mechanism and which, in the open position, covers the lateral offsets.

Abstract: A cover system for covering an open top of an open-topped container with a flexible cover comprises a bail member having a first end pivotally connected to the container and an opposite second end connected to an end of the flexible cover, a tensioning bow member including an end portion pivotally connected to the bail member and an opposite end configured for bearing against the flexible cover, and a mechanism between the bail member and tensioning bow member including first and second members configured to cooperate to lock the tensioning bow member against movement relative to the bail member.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing noise in a vehicle having a soft top roof. The apparatus includes a main extension bar having a first end and an opposing second end. A first coupling mechanism is affixed to the first end and a second coupling mechanism is affixed to the second end. The first and second coupling mechanisms are attached to roll bars located on a top portion of the vehicle. With the apparatus in place upon the roll bars, the main extension bar exerts upward force against the soft top roof of the vehicle, thereby reducing movement of the soft top roof and noise within the interior of the vehicle.

Abstract: A roof construction for a motor vehicle has a roll bar and a roof element which, in a closed position, is accommodated between the roll bar and a windshield and, in an open position, is accommodated behind the roll bar and can be shifted from the open position into the closed position and vice versa beyond the roll bar via an opening and closing mechanism. The roof constructing further has a covering which covers the roll bar on the outside in the open position of the roof element and in the closed position of the roof element. Vertical extending side parts of the covering can be shifted relative to the roll bar during the shifting of the roof element. A transverse part of the covering extends substantially in a horizontal direction and is fastened to the roll bar so as not to be able to be shifted relative thereto.

Abstract: A roof construction of a motor vehicle has a fixed roll bar, and a roof element which, in the closed position, is accommodated between the roll bar and a windshield and, in the open position, is accommodated behind the roll bar in a convertible-top compartment. The roof element can be shifted from the open position into the closed position and vice versa beyond the roll bar via an opening and closing mechanism. With the roof element in the closed position, the mechanism penetrates lateral offsets of the roll bar and, in the open position, opens up the lateral offsets. The lateral offsets of the roll bar are each assigned, on the front side of the roll bar, a covering which, in the closed position of the roof element, opens up the lateral offset for the passage of the mechanism and which, in the open position, covers the lateral offsets.

Abstract: To reliably prevent lifting of a roof panel when the roof panel is fully closed. To provide a roof panel (12) to a vehicle body (1) capable of opening/closing a vehicle cabin space (11), a link mechanism (3) for supporting the roof panel (12) at the vehicle body (1) having a front connecting link (33) rotatably connected to both of the vehicle body (1) and the roof panel (12), and a rear connecting link (34) rotatably connected to both of the vehicle body (1) and the roof panel (12) at rear side of a vehicle relative to front connecting link (33), and link restricting mechanism (500) for restricting the rear connecting link (34) to the vehicle body (1) when the roof panel (12) is in fully closed state over the vehicle cabin space (11).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing noise in a vehicle having a soft top roof. The apparatus includes a main extension bar having a first end and an opposing second end. A first coupling mechanism is affixed to the first end and a second coupling mechanism is affixed to the second end. The first and second coupling mechanisms are attached to roll bars located on a top portion of the vehicle. With the apparatus in place upon the roll bars, the main extension bar exerts upward force against the soft top roof of the vehicle, thereby reducing movement of the soft top roof and noise within the interior of the vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for tensioning the retractable top of a motor vehicle (1). Said top comprises a front element (2) and a rear element (3) which are displaceable between the closed and opened positions thereof. The displacement of said elements is controlled by two articulated arms (6, 7). The inventive device is provided with arresting means (9) carried by the first arm (7) in such a way that is abuts against the second arm (6) when two elements (2, 3) of the top are relatively near to the closed position thereof. The arresting means (9) are provided with elastic means able to resist to the relative motion of the arms (6, 7) when the elements of the top (2, 3) are displaced from the relative position thereof, which is near to the closed position, and move towards said closed position.

Abstract: A latch actuator assembly for a convertible top assembly is provided having a bell crank pivotable between a first position and a second position and a lever selectively engageable with the bell crank. The lever includes a first arm portion in selective engagement with a switch. Additionally, a second and third arm portion of the lever is in selective engagement with the bell crank. The bell crank is operable to engage the second and third arm portions of the lever when the bell crank is in the first and second positions, respectively, to bias the first arm portion of the lever out of engagement with the switch. Alternately, the first arm portion of the lever is operable to engage the switch when the bell crank pivots between the first position and the second position. A convertible top assembly and vehicle incorporating the latch actuator assembly of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: In a locking arrangement for a hardtop vehicle roof, which is movable between open and closed positions and includes at least front and rear roof parts, which, in the closed position of the vehicle roof, are disposed behind one another, two locking structures with pivotal locking hooks are supported by support plates on the front roof part for engaging locking pins mounted on a windshield frame and, respectively, the rear roof part and are operable by an operating mechanism so as to pivot toward each other for engaging the locking pins and pulling the roof into firm engagement with the windshield frame, and, at the same time, the front and rear roof parts into firm engagement with each other.

Abstract: A lock system (10) for a cabriolet convertible top, with a drive device (12) which actuates at least two lock elements (14, 16). A drive cable (18, 20) which has a core (22, 24) which is suitable for transferring compressive and tension forces is provided between the drive device (12) and each of at least two lock elements (14, 16) for actuating the at least two lock elements (14, 16). Furthermore, a ring bearing for use with the lock system has an annular configuration that facilitates insertion of a locking journal (34) and enables tolerances in the transverse and vertical direction to be accommodated.

Abstract: In a removable vehicle roof including an operating mechanism for moving the roof between a closed position in which the vehicle roof covers an interior vehicle space and a storage position in which the vehicle roof is deposited in a rear storage compartment, the operating mechanism includes operating and coupling arms which are pivotable relative to each other and provided with locking means for locking the vehicle roof in position in the storage compartment and also for rigidly interconnecting the operating and coupling arms when the vehicle roof is in a closed position.

Abstract: In a removable vehicle roof including an operating mechanism for moving the roof between a closed position in which the vehicle roof covers an interior vehicle space and a storage position in which the vehicle roof is deposited in a rear storage compartment, the operating mechanism includes operating and coupling arms which are pivotable relative to each other and provided with locking means for locking the vehicle roof in position in the storage compartment and also for rigidly interconnecting the operating and coupling arms when the vehicle roof is in a closed position.

Abstract: A motor vehicle roof with a lowerable roof part (12) which can be moved via a lowering mechanism (48) from a raised into a lowered position and which has a closing device (14), with which the lowerable roof part (12) can be locked both in the raised and also in the lowered position, the closing device (14) with the lowerable roof part (12) raised interacting with a first pivot support (11) which is fixed on a stationary roof part (20). The lowerable roof part (12) can be locked securely in the raised and in the lowered position without high construction cost, and which enables universal use is created by the closing device (14) with the lowerable roof part (12) lowered interacting with a second pivot support (62) which is fixed on an element of the lowering mechanism (48).

Abstract: A folding top for a vehicle, particularly for a passenger car, comprises a folding top structure, which is pivotally disposed on vehicle-body-side folding top bases and a folding top covering, the folding top structure having a main hoop and at least one control arm connecting a forward folding top section with the folding top base. While the folding top kinematics are simplified, during the opening operation of the folding top, a coordinated movement takes place between the main hoop and of the control arm disposed in front of the main hoop. An adjusting device is arranged between the material-controlled main hoop and the control arm disposed in front thereof and is operative at least during the opening of the folding top.