Convertible stack system

For a vehicle convertible top that can be raised into a position to cover the interior of said vehicle, and lowered into a collapsed storage position, improved means for positioning pliable covering means with respect to an exterior vehicle body panel, comprising:

• (a) a linkage assembly pivotally connected to the vehicle, said linkage assembly providing a frame for said convertible to pa nd being disposed generally beneath the exterior surface of said pliable covering means;
• (b) a member coupled to said linkage assembly, said member being coupled such that it can pivot with respect thereto about an axis which is generally horizontal and is generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle;
• and
• (c) camming means for displacing the lower portion of said member so that a portion of said pliable covering means adjacent said exterior body panel member is displaced relative to said linkage assembly toward said exterior body panel member to reduce the distance between said exterior body panel member and said pliable covering means as said convertible top is raised.

For a vehicle having a convertible top for covering the interior of said vehicle, improved means for defining the exterior finished surfaces of said vehicle at a location where a vehicle body panel and said convertible top are adjacent one another, comprising:

• (a) a linkage assembly pivotally connected to the vehicle, said linkage assembly providing a frame for said convertible top;
• (b) pliable covering means for covering said linkage assembly which defines the exterior finished surface of said convertible top;
• (c) a frame member within said linkage assembly that moves with said linkage assembly;
• (d) means for defining the exterior contour of said convertible to pat a location where a vehicle body panel and said convertible top are adjacent, said means having a second member coupled to said frame member;
• and
• (e) camming means for displacing said second member outwardly, relative to said frame member, to a position adjacent said body panel as said convertible top is raised.

A method for defining the finished exterior surface of a vehicle convertible top that utilizes an outwardly displacing member coupled to a convertible top linkage assembly, comprising the steps of:

• (a) raising said convertible top from its storage position to an intermediate raised position such that said member begins to engage a camming means;
• (b) raising said convertible top further from said intermediate raised position, engaging said camming means and outwardly displacing said member with respect to said linkage assembly;
• and
• (c) bringing said convertible top to an operative position where it covers an interior of said vehicle.