Convertible hardtop roof
First Claim
1. An automotive vehicle convertible roof comprising:
- at least three substantially rigid roof panels each moveable from a raised position to a stowed position; and
a single pair of mounting brackets operable to be fixedly connected to and positioned on opposite sides of the vehicle,wherein each of said roof panels is pivotally connected to said pair of brackets with each roof panel rearward of a forwardmost roof panel being directly pivotally connected to said brackets and a forwardmost two of said roof panels are directly pivotally connected together.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A hardtop convertible roof for a vehicle includes rigid panels that are interconnected to one another to selectively cover the passenger compartment. The roof panels rearward of a forwardmost roof panel are directly pivotally connected to a single pair of brackets which are fixedly connected to opposite sides of the vehicle. An interior surface of a third roof panel faces a majority of an exterior surface of a second roof panel when the roof panels are in a stowed position. The rearmost two roof panels form an at least four-bar linkage and a moveable link interconnecting the two panels is positioned between the majority of portions of the rearmost panels and the pivotal connections of these panels to a fixed location.
235 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An automotive vehicle convertible roof comprising:
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at least three substantially rigid roof panels each moveable from a raised position to a stowed position; and a single pair of mounting brackets operable to be fixedly connected to and positioned on opposite sides of the vehicle, wherein each of said roof panels is pivotally connected to said pair of brackets with each roof panel rearward of a forwardmost roof panel being directly pivotally connected to said brackets and a forwardmost two of said roof panels are directly pivotally connected together. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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2. An automotive vehicle convertible roof comprising:
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at least three substantially rigid roof panels each moveable from a raised position to a stowed position; and a single pair of mounting brackets operable to be fixedly connected to and positioned on opposite sides of the vehicle, wherein each of said roof panels is pivotally connected to said pair of brackets with each roof panel rearward of a forwardmost roof panel being directly pivotally connected to said brackets and interior surfaces of a forwardmost two of said roof panels face one another when in said stowed position. - View Dependent Claims (3)
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4. An automotive vehicle convertible roof comprising:
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at least three substantially rigid roof panels each moveable from a raised position to a stowed position; and a single pair of mounting brackets operable to be fixedly connected to and positioned on opposite sides of the vehicle, wherein each of said roof panels is pivotally connected to said pair of brackets with each roof panel rearward of a forwardmost roof panel being directly pivotally connected to said brackets and said forwardmost roof panel is pivotally connected to said brackets with a single pair of moveable links with each link directly coupled to said forwardmost roof panel and to said brackets. - View Dependent Claims (5)
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7. An automotive vehicle convertible roof comprising:
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at least three substantially rigid roof panels each moveable from a raised position to a stowed position; a single pair of mounting brackets operable to be fixedly connected to and positioned on opposite sides of the vehicle; an actuator operable to move said roof panels between said raised and stowed positions, wherein each of said roof panels is pivotally connected to said pair of brackets with each roof panel rearward of a forwardmost roof panel being directly pivotally connected to said brackets and said actuator drives a link connecting a rearwardmost two of said roof panels.
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8. A convertible roof for a vehicle, the convertible roof comprising:
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at least three substantially rigid roof panel assemblies each moveable from a raised position to a stowed position; a rearmost two roof panel assemblies each being directly pivotally connected to fixed locations relative to the vehicle; and a movable link pivotally connected to said rearmost two roof panel assemblies and forming an at least four-bar linkage with said rearmost two roof panel assemblies and said fixed locations, said moveable link being pivotally connected to portions of said rearmost two roof panel assemblies that extend between said fixed locations and a leading edge of said rearmost two roof panel assemblies. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An automotive vehicle convertible roof comprising:
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at least three substantially rigid roof panels each moveable from a raised position to a stowed position; a moveable link directly pivotally connected to a rearmost two of said roof panels and forming a portion of an at least four-bar linkage with said rearmost two roof panels; and an actuator operable to move said roof panels between said raised and stowed positions, wherein said actuator is directly pivotally connected to said moveable link. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification