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US 6,033,008 AGranted
Folding hard top structure for a convertible
AssigneeValmet Automotive Oy
InventorVeijo Mattila
Life of this patent
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AssigneeValmet Automotive Oy
InventorVeijo Mattila
Estimating the term…
Folding hard top structure for a convertible, said structure comprising substantially rigid roof panel parts (1, 2, 3) which, like the top of a saloon car, cover the passenger compartment of the convertible when the top is in a closed raised position (I) and which can be folded down to a lowered open position (II) leaving at least part of the passenger compartment uncovered, in which, in the raised position (I) of the car top, adjacent roof panel parts comprise a first roof panel part (1) having a first edge (4) and a second roof panel part (2) having a second edge (5) which, in the raised position (I) of the top, is fitted to butt against the first edge (4) of the first roof panel part (1), and which roof panel parts (1, 2) are apart from each other when the top is in the lowered open position (II). The top structure comprises a first locking device (6), which comprises locking elements (7) that can be engaged and disengaged and that are disposed in the area of the first edge (4) of the first roof panel part (1), and counterparts (8) disposed in the area of the second edge (5) of the second roof panel part (2), so that, in the raised position (I) of the top, the locking elements can be locked to their counterparts to lock the first roof panel part rigidly together with the second roof panel part.
Folding hard top structure for a convertible car, said structure comprising substantially rigid roof panel parts which cover the passenger compartment of the convertible when the top is in a closed raised position and which can be folded down to a lowered open position leaving at least part of the passenger compartment uncovered, in which, in the raised position of the car top, adjacent roof panel parts comprise a first roof panel part having a first edge and a second roof panel part having a second edge which, in the raised position of the top, is fitted to butt against the first edge of the first roof panel part, and which roof panel parts are apart from each other when the top is in the lowered position, characterized in that the top structure comprises a first locking device, which comprises locking elements that can be engaged and disengaged and that are disposed in the area of the first edge of the first roof panel part, a first set of counterparts disposed in the area of the second edge of the second roof panel part, so that, in the raised position of the top, the locking elements can be locked to their respective counterparts to lock the first roof panel, part rigidly together with the second roof panel part, and a second set of counterparts, disposed on a body of the car to secure the first roof panel part when in the lowered, open position.
Folding hard top structure for a convertible car, said structure comprising substantially rigid roof panel parts which cover the passenger compartment of the convertible when the top is in a closed raised position and which can be folded down to a lowered open position leaving at least part of the passenger compartment uncovered, in which, in the raised position of the car top, adjacent roof panel parts comprise a first roof panel part having a first edge and a second roof panel part having a second edge which, in the raised position of the top, is fitted to butt against the first edge of the first roof panel part, and which roof panel parts are apart from each other when the top is in the lowered position, characterized in that the top structure comprises a first locking device, which comprises locking elements that can be engaged and disengaged and that are disposed in the area of the first edge of the first roof panel part, and counterparts disposed in the area of the second edge of the second roof panel part, so that, in the raised position of the top, the locking elements can be locked to respective counterparts to lock the first roof panel part rigidly together with the second roof panel part, wherein the locking elements include two latch pins disposed at a distance from each other and arranged to be moved in parallel with respect to each other and horizontally by a power means, and the counterparts each include a socket fitted to receive the latch pin.
Folding hard top structure for a convertible car, said structure comprising substantially rigid roof panel parts which cover the passenger compartment of the convertible when the top is in a closed raised position and which can be folded down to a lowered open position leaving at least part of the passenger compartment uncovered, in which, in the raised position of the car top, adjacent roof panel parts comprise a first roof panel part having a first edge and a second roof panel part having a second edge which, in the raised position of the top, is fitted to butt against the first edge of the first roof panel part, and which roof panel parts are apart from each other when the top is in the lowered position, characterized in that the top structure comprises a first locking device, which comprises locking elements that can be engaged and disengaged and that are disposed in the area of the first edge of the first roof panel part, and counterparts disposed in the area of the second edge of the second roof panel part, so that, in the raised position of the top, the locking elements can be locked to respective counterparts to lock the first roof panel part rigidly together with the second roof panel part, wherein the first locking device is arranged to adjust a clearance between the body of the car and the first roof panel part when the folding top is in the lowered, open position.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.