Retractable roof for vehicle, comprising three longitudinal elements

A roof which is retractable into a rear boot (5) of a vehicle, comprising a front roof element (3) and a rear roof element (1), connected together by an intermediate element, these elements (3, 2, 1) being able to move between a closed position in which these elements (3, 2, 1) extend above the cabin of the vehicle and a position in which the elements (3, 2, 1) are stored in the rear boot (5), control means making it possible to move the roof elements (3, 2, 1) between the above two positions, characterised in that the said control means comprise:

• first means for controlling and guiding the movement of the rear element (1) to a stored position in which this element (1) extends substantially horizontally at the upper part of the boot (5);
• the said first means cooperating with second means for controlling the raising of the intermediate element (2) with respect to the rear element (1) and then the superimposing of this intermediate element (2) above the rear element in the boot (5);
• the said second means cooperating with third means for controlling the downward pivoting of the front element (3) during its movement towards the boot (5), as far as a position in which this element extends substantially vertically at the front of the rear boot (5).