Vehicle convertible top frame side rail linkage assembly

In a vehicle convertible top including a frame movable between a raised use position and a folded stoage position and having a pair of side rails each of which includes front and intermediate rail members, a linkage assembly associated with each side rail and comprising:

• a hinge link having opposite ends respectively pivoted to the front and intermediate rail members;
• an operating linkage including first and second operating links having first ends respectively pivoted to the front and intermediate rail members and having second ends including a pivotal connection that pivotally connects these second ends directly to each other;
• a connecting link that interconnects the hinge link and the operating linkage to coordinate the movements of the hinge link and the operating linkage to move the front and intermediate rail members between an unfolded use position and a folded storage position;
• and
• an actuating member connected to the side rail and pivotally connected to the operating linkage to actuate folding and unfolding movement of the front and intermediate rail members as the convertible top frame is moved between the use and storage positions.

In a vehicle convertible top including a frame movable between a raised use position and a folded storage position and having a pair of side rails each of which includes front and intermediate rail members, a linkage assembly associated with each side rail and comprising:

• a hinge link having opposite ends respectively pivoted to the front and intermediate rail members;
• an operating linkage including first and second operating links having first ends respectively pivoted to the front and intermediate rail members at locations forward of the connections thereto of the hinge link, and the first and second operating links having second ends including a pivotal connection that pivotally connects these second ends directly to each other;
• a connecting link that interconnects the hinge link and the operating linkage to coordinate the movements of the hinge link and the operating linkage to move the front and intermediate rail members between an unfolded use position and a folded storage position;
• and
• an actuating member connected to the side rail and to the operating linkage to actuate folding and unfolding movement of the front and intermediate rail members as the convertible top frame is moved between the use and storage positions.

In a vehicle convertible top including a frame movable between a raised use position and a folded storage position and having a pair of side rails each of which includes front and intermediate rail members, a linkage assembly associated with each side rail and comprising:

• a hinge link having opposite ends respectively pivoted to the front and intermediate rail members;
• an operating linkage including first and second operating links having first ends respectively pivoted to the front and intermediate rail members at locations forward of the connections thereto of the hinge link, and the first and second operating links having second ends including a pivotal connection that pivotally connects these second ends directly to each other;
• a connecting link that interconnects the hinge link and the operating linkage to coordinate the movements of the hinge link and the operating linkage to move the front and intermediate rail members between an unfolded use position and a folded storage position;
• and
• an actuating member connected to the side rail and to the operating linkage to actuate folding and unfolding movement of the front and intermediate rail members as the convertible top frame is moved between the use and storage positions, one of the links of the operating linkage and the connecting link being located laterally between the other operating link and the hinge link, and the actuating member being located on the same lateral side of the one operating link and the connecting link as the hinge link.

In a vehicle convertible top including a frame movable between a raised use position and a folded storage position and having a pair of side rails each of which includes front and intermediate rail members, a linkage assembly associated with each side rail and comprising:

• a hinge link having opposite ends respectively pivoted to the front and intermediate rail members;
• an operating linkage including first and second operating links having first ends respectively pivoted to the front and intermediate rail members at locations forward of the connections thereto of the hinge link, and the first and second operating links having second ends including a pivotal connection that pivotally connects these second ends directly to each other;
• a connecting link that interconnects the hinge link and the operating linkage to coordinate the movements of the hinge link and the operating linkage to move the front and intermediate rail members between an unfolded use position and a folded storage position;
• and
• an actuating member connected to the side rail and having a second pivotal connection that provides connection thereof to the second operating link between the ends thereof to actuate the operating linkage to provide folding and unfolding movement of the front and intermediate rail members as the convertible top frame is moved between the use and storage positions, one of the links of the operating linkage and the connecting link being located laterally between the other operating link and the hinge link, and the actuating member being located on the same lateral side of the one operating link and the connecting link as the hinge link.

In a vehicle convertible top including a frame movable between a raised use position and a folded storage position and having a pair of side rails each of which includes front and intermediate rail members, a linkage assembly associated with each side rail and comprising:

• a hinge link having opposite ends respectively pivoted to the front and intermediate rail members;
• an operating linkage including first and second operating links having first ends respectively pivoted to the front and intermediate rail members at locations forward of the connections thereto of the hinge link, and the first and second operating links having second ends including a pivotal connection that pivotally connects these second ends directly to each other;
• a connecting link that interconnects the hinge link and the operating linkage to coordinate the movements of the hinge link and the operating linkage to move the front and intermediate rail members between an unfolded use position and a folded storage position;
• and
• an actuating member connected to the side rail and by the pivotal connection to the first ends of the operating links to actuate the operating linkage to provide folding and unfolding movement of the front and intermediate rail members as the convertible top frame is moved between the use and storage positions, one of the links of the operating linkage and the connecting link being located laterally between the other operating link and the hinge link, and the actuating member being located on the same lateral side of the one operating link and the connecting link as the hinge link.