US 5,078,447 A · Multi-position retractable vehicle roof

Abstract

A multi-position hardtop roof for a vehicle which is retractable between a coupe position enclosing the passenger compartment and a convertible position wherein the roof is stored within the rear deck of the vehicle. The roof is segmented into a front fixed panel incorporating the windshield, an intermediate panel and a rear panel. The intermediate panel of the roof is telescopically retractable onto the rear panel and both movable panels are thereafter retractable into the rear deck of the vehicle. From the coupe position, the intermediate roof segment can be tilted to a second venting position. Further retraction moves the intermediate segment rearwardly onto the rear roof segment to a targa position. Finally, the roof segments may be fully retracted to the convertible position. Two sets of piston/cylinder mechanisms control movement of the intermediate segment and the rear roof segment. The longitudinal retraction and the segmented construction of the roof facilitate retraction even while the vehicle is moving and minimizes the storage space required for the fully retracted roof.

Claims34

Dependent claims

A multi-position roof for a vehicle having a passenger compartment, said vehicle roof comprising:

at least one rigid roof panel detachably secured to a fixed front portion of the vehicle and means for longitudinally retracting said at least one rigid roof panel rearwardly from said fixed front portion to expose the passenger compartment, said at least one rigid roof panel including side supports rearwardly retractable from said front vehicle portion to rearwardly retract said at least one rigid roof panel exposing the passenger compartment.

A multi-position roof for a vehicle having a passenger compartment and a vehicle body, said vehicle roof comprising:

a fixed front portion, an intermediate roof segment and a rear roof segment;
said roof movable between a coupe position wherein said intermediate roof segment engages said fixed front portion to enclose the passenger compartment and a targa position exposing the passenger compartment wherein said intermediate roof segment retracts into alignment with said rear roof segment, said intermediate roof segment including side supports rearwardly retracted upon retraction of said intermediate roof segment such that an intermediate portion of the passenger compartment is fully exposed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Multi-position retractable vehicle roof

Life of this patent

Multi-position retractable vehicle roof

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims34