Abstract: A method and tool for mass manufacturing convertible roofs having an outer shell, a frame and lateral linkage parts for supporting the outer shell, the outer shell including at least two outer shell parts is provided. The method includes the steps of providing an upper tool fixture and a lower tool fixture, aligning and assembling the frame and outer shell in the lower tool fixture such that the frame and outer shell are upside down, aligning and assembling connection members onto the frame part so the roof can fittingly engage the windshield frame when the roof is in a closed position, and lowering the lateral linkage parts onto the assembled frame and outer shell using the upper tool fixture.

Abstract: A vehicle structure for an automobile includes: a bumper beam extending in a car width direction; a crash box extending in a longitudinal direction of the automobile and connected at a distal end thereof to a side part in the car width direction of the bumper beam; and a mounting plate having a face to which a base end of the crash box is connected and another face mounted to a distal end of a vehicle frame extending in the longitudinal direction of the automobile by means of fasteners. The crash box is in a substantially cross shape in closed section.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cabriolet vehicle having a roof which is provided with lateral roof linkage parts and can be stowed away in the rear of the vehicle. At least one hold-down device acts on the roof linkage parts of the stowed roof and is associated with the body of the vehicle.

Abstract: An assembly includes a roof having front and rear roof parts, a motion system, and a coupling rod. The motion system includes front and rear guide rods, a spring, and a guide rod mechanism to move the roof between closed and opened positions. The front guide rod is fixed to the front roof part and is pivotably supportable on a bearing. The rear guide rod is fixed to the rear roof part and is pivotably supportable on a bearing. The coupling rod is articulately connected to the front guide rod and to the rear roof part. The spring is articulately connected to the front guide rod and to the guide rod mechanism which is articulately connected to the rear guide rod such that the spring is biased to open the roof when the roof is closed and is biased to close the roof when the roof is opened.

Abstract: A motor vehicle has a support structure that contains longitudinal members and a crossmember. It is important that the crossmember, at a front/rear end, is fixedly connected to tubular crash elements which run in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The tubular crash elements respectively engage in an associated longitudinal member and are fixed therein coaxially with respect to the longitudinal member via at least two supporting points spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: A centering device for a motor vehicle having a convertible or folding top or hardtop, includes a protruding centering pin on a centering pin carrier and a centering bushing on a centering bushing carrier. A centering opening is provided in the centering bushing, which radially centers the centering pin upon penetration of at least one area of the centering pin into the centering opening. Either the centering bushing is situated in a guide opening of the centering bushing carrier or the centering pin is situated in a guide opening of the centering pin carrier so it is axially adjustable between stops. The adjustable centering bushing or the adjustable centering pin is loaded by an elastic spring device against a stop toward the fixed part, toward the centering pin, or toward the centering bushing.

Abstract: A roof for a vehicle comprising several roof elements that can be displaced between a first position above the passenger compartment and a second position in which they are stowed inside the boot, the roof elements being, when they cover the passenger compartment, connected to each other and to respectively front and rear parts of the body structure of the vehicle via securing elements controlled by rigid rods driven by an electric motor. These rods are constantly connected to each other in pairs from one of the roof elements to another, as much in the first position as in the second position of these elements, by a cable transmitting the movement generated by the electric motor between the rods and allowing to secure the roof elements to the body structure of the vehicle, as much in their first as in their second positions.

Abstract: A shock absorbing device for a vehicle, absorbing an axial compression load by means of plastic deformation in order to absorb an impact energy, is hollowed and has an octagonal cross section.

Abstract: A bumper device, wherein the front wall part (5) and the rear wall part (6) of a bumper stay (4) disposed between a bumper reinforcement (2) and a side member (3) and connected to each other through a plurality of ribs (7, 8, 9,10), the inner and outer ribs (7, 8) diverge forward, a projected part (11) extending inward is provided on the inner rib (7), and the width dimension (11) of the front wall part (5) is formed larger than the width dimension (12) of the rear wall part (6), whereby the inner rib (7) of the plurality of ribs (side walls) disposed between the bumper reinforcement and the side member of a vehicle body to connect the front and rear walls of the bumper stay to each other can be prevented from being bent inward.

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 light motor vehicle comprising a wind shield disposed in front of a driver's seat, a roof stay standing behind the driver's seat, a set of fittings for defining a cabin, the fittings including a roof member attachable to and detachable from between the upper end of the wind shield and the upper end of the roof stay, and an accommodation space for accommodating the fittings.