Abstract: A vehicle roof comprises a roof frame and a cover made of flexible material, the roof frame has a pair of main beams each beam extending longitudinally of the vehicle on either side of the passenger compartment, when the roof is erected; the forward ends of the main beams are interconnected by a canopy rail which is adapted to engage and be latched to a windscreen header of the vehicle; at least one bow spans the main beams at a position spaced longitudinally rearwardly of the canopy rail, said bow when the roof is erected extending above the common plane of the main beams; the main beams are hinged at one or more positions along their lengths and linkage mechanisms are provided on each side of the roof frame to control folding of the roof frame as it is moved between an erected and lowered position, power means is provided to move the roof frame between its erected and lowered positions; a linkage mechanaism is provided to retract said bow towards the common plane of the main beams during movement of the roo

Abstract: A mechanism for the retractable top of an open automobile, comprising a plurality of frame elements (1,2) pivoted one after the other to be turnable relative to each other, the frame elements (1,2) comprising a first frame element (1) which is the foremost frame element on the free end of the top and a second frame element (2) which is the frame element adjacent to the first frame element. The first frame element (1) comprises a pair of first side rods (51), which are substantially longitudinal to the vehicle, and the second frame element (2) comprising a pair of second side rods (52), which are substantially longitudinal to the vehicle, and the side rods (51,52) being disposed to be turnable relative to each other in a vertical plane. The top mechanism further comprises an operating rod (7) arranged to cause the turning of the first side rod relative to the second side rod in connection with the processes of stretching the top mechanism over and of folding it up.

Abstract: A motor vehicle folding hood has a hood part which rests on a bodywork component when the hood is closed and is connected thereto via locking apparatus. A pivot mounting of the hood part is provided on a further hood part on the side opposite to the locking side, about the bearing axis of which the hood part can be swung up into a lift-off position after unlocking thereof, as well as automatic pivot drive of the unlocked hood part via a spring loading. A drive device for the spring-loaded drive, which is regenerated after the downward pivoting of the hood part into its bearing position, is supported on the mutually connected end regions of the two hood parts at a moment distance from the bearing axis.

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: A folding top for vehicles has a common pivoting drive of a main strut and of a roof-skin retaining bow via mechanical drive members, by means of which pivoting drive of the folding top can be transferred from a stowed position retracted into a top box into a closed position, in which the roof-skin retaining bow rests on the top-box lid located in a covering position thereof. An automatically controlled lock of the main strut relative to the vehicle body in its erected end position is provided and associated with its uncoupling from the driving movement of the drive members. For locking the main strut fixedly to the vehicle body, there are catch devices which are assigned to the top columns and the catching advance of the which starts only after the erected end position of the main strut has already been reached, and the uncoupling from the driving movement of the drive members is activated via the catching advance of the catch means only when the main strut has been locked.

Abstract: An intermediate folding top bow is fastened, via cantilevers arranged at its ends, to lateral roof-frame parts of a vehicle folding-top structure. During the opening operation of the folding-top structure, the intermediate bow is pivotable out of a tensioning position directed forwardly into a stowage position directed rearwardly. To make it possible to ensure that the intermediate bow will be stowed automatically and without being damaged, the intermediate bow is loaded during the opening of the folding top with a pivoting effect by a separate working element so that starting from its tensioning position, the intermediate bow is driven beyond a dead center between its tensioning position and its stowage position.

Abstract: A collapsible convertible top or roof for motor vehicles has a linkage system including a front roof frame, a rear roof frame, a main roof arch, a two-part retaining rod supporting the roof arch against a tension bracket, and a linkage for displacing the roof frames and parts of the retaining rod between an extended position and a collapsed position. To assure stability of the linkage system with the convertible top in the extended or closed position, a locking mechanism is provided including a pivotal locking bar displaceable between a locked position and a released position by an actuating lever moved in accordance with the operation of the convertible top or roof. The actuating lever is mounted on one of two cooperating parts and pivots about an axis parallel to an articulation axis of the parts. A catch cooperates with the locking bar for securing the extended position.

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: 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: 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 vehicle body structure having a passenger compartment and a roof structure covering the passenger compartment, the roof structure including a rigid front roof panel and a rigid rear roof panel which are connected together through a hinge mechanism. The rear roof panel is pivotably mounted on the rear body for swinging movement about a swinging axis. A linkage is provided so that when the rear roof panel is moved from an extended position where the roof structure covers the top portion of the passenger compartment to a retracted position wherein the roof panels are retracted into the rear body section, the front roof panel is folded over the rear roof panel with the inside of the front roof panel faced to the inside of the rear roof panel.

Abstract: A folding top in a cross-country vehicle includes front struts pivotally connected to opposite sides of a vehicle and mutually connected by a front cross tube, rear struts, each formed of flexibly connected rear strut sections, the rear struts being pivotably connected to the opposite sides of the vehicle and being mutually connected by a rear cross tube, and lateral struts flexibly connected to corresponding ones of the front and rear struts at positions adjacent connections of the front and rear struts to the front and rear cross tubes, respectively, the lateral struts each including mutually articulated front and rear lateral strut sections. Retainers constituting a latching device can be positioned between the strut sections of the rear and lateral struts. A tarpaulin top fitted on the struts includes portions which can be zippered closed relative to one another.

Abstract: A vehicle convertible top side rail linkage assembly (46,46') is disclosed for providing foldable interconnection of front and intermediate rail members (40,42) of a convertible top side rail (28). The linkage assembly (46,46') includes: a hinge link (80) having opposite ends respectively pivoted to the front and intermediate rail members (40,42); an operating linkage (62) including first and second operating links (64,66) having first ends respectively pivoted to the front and intermediate rail members (40,42) and having second ends connected to each other; a connecting link (80) that interconnects the hinge link (52) and the operating linkage (62); and an actuating member (90) connected to the side rail (28) and to the operating linkage (62) to actuate folding and unfolding movement of the front and intermediate rail members (40,42) as the convertible top frame is moved between use and storage positions.

Abstract: A tensioning arrangement for a top cover of a motor vehicle includes a tensioning device arranged in loop-shaped longitudinal edges of the top cover which, on the one hand, is connected with a forward, transversely extending frame part and on the other with a pivotal support of the foldable top. In order to be able to compensate relatively great length changes of the top cover conditioned on weather and/or manufacture, the tensioning device of the tensioning arrangement cooperates at its one end with a tensioning spring and at its other end with a spring-loaded pivot lever, whereby a clamping bolt arranged at the pivot lever is supported in a closing position of the foldable top at a free end of a lateral longitudinal girder of the foldable top and tensions the tension spring by way of the tensioning device.

Abstract: A convertible top structure for an automobile includes a support bow having foldable legs rotatably geared together on a stabilizing link for positive rotation together to a collapsible position.

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: The present invention provides a convertible top with a top cover over lay type seal between the rear window glass and the convertible top along side and lower edge of the window glass. The convertible top allows the utilization of a substantially rigid back window of a much greater area than previously allowable and provides a novel folding arrangement for storing the back window. The arrangement includes a first link pivotably connected with the vehicle. A trim link pivotally connected with the first link, extends rearwardly, and the trim link has a pivotally connected extension. An upper link is pivotally connected with the first link and the back window. The back window is also pivotally connected with the trim link extension. In a first top position the back window is urged against a lower sealing surface. In a second top position the back window is positioned in a generally vertical position away from the sealing surface. In a third position the back window is stored in the vehicle.

Abstract: A flexible roof for motor vehicles with convertible tops includes a rigid glass rear window which moves from its normal position of use to a retracted position within the passenger compartment of the motor vehicle as a result of the movement of the roof. Flexible means are provided for connecting the roof to the rear window so as to keep the rear window in its raised position when the flexible roof is in its extended condition. The roof further includes a pair of rear side windows supported by a first arcuate element which forms part of the framework of the roof and which is articulated at its ends to the body of the motor vehicle about a transverse axis. The rear edge of the roof material is connected to a second arcuate element which is also articulated to the front edge of the rear window.

Abstract: A manually foldable top for automobile vehicles is disclosed which includes a pivot bracket for installing the top on a vehicle body and further includes a spring assembly operatively attached to a side arm assembly for movement of the foldable top from a closed position to an open position; an arcuate slotted hinge mechanism for moving a back window on the foldable top between an open and a closed position, including a seal for forming a sealed window when the window is in the closed position; a linkage and securing assembly for securing the top to the vehicle body when the top is in the closed position; and, a camming bolt for adjusting the position of the foldable top with respect to the vehicle body.

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.

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 arrangement with a main roof column which is adapted to be displaced from a closed (up) position into an open (down) position by means of a linkage arrangement. In order for the main roof column to be moved into a position recessed within the vehicle body, the main roof column includes a lever section, on which is provided the pivot of the main roof column and a joint, whereby a first guide lever engages at the pivot and a second guide lever at the joint; both guide levers being supported at the body.

Abstract: Vehicle for receiving, transporting and discharging solid materials, which is provided with a swingable bin. The bin is capable of being withdrawn into an upper position which leaves the discharge opening completely free when discharging is to be carried out. The withdrawal is obtained by releasing the pivoting shaft of the bin and engaging a second shaft, situated at the rear of the bin, in bearings provided on the vehicle, in an upper position. This considerably lightens the vehicle, by dispensing with the conventional gate frame. A particularly advantageous use is for bins for the removal of solid domestic and industrial waste material.

Abstract: A manually foldable top for automobile vehicles is disclosed which includes a pivot bracket for installing the top on a vehicle body and further includes a spring assembly operatively attached to a side arm assembly for movement of the foldable top from a closed position to an open position; an arcuate slotted hinge mechanism for moving a back window on the foldable top between an open and a closed position, including a seal for forming a sealed window when the window is in the closed position; a linkage and securing assembly for securing the top to the vehicle body when the top is in the closed position; and, a camming bolt for adjusting the position of the foldable top with respect to the vehicle body.