Panoramic retractable top

A split rail assembly for a motor vehicle having spaced apart roof side frame members defining a roof opening and a plurality of roof panels selectively extending between the roof side frame members to cover the roof opening, said split rail assembly comprising:

• a fixed rail adapted to be fixedly secured to each of the roof side frame members and extending along a portion thereof;
• a movable rail extending rearward of said fixed rail along a remaining portion of each of the roof side frame members, said movable rail pivotal relative to said fixed rail for moving the plurality of roof panels away from the roof side frame members to expose the roof opening;
• and
• a rail locking mechanism coupled to one of said fixed and movable rails and selectively locking said movable rail to said fixed rail.

A retractable roof for a motor vehicle having a pair of spaced apart roof side frame members defining a roof opening and a rear seat, said retractable roof comprising:

• a fixed rail adapted to be fixedly secured to each of the roof side frame members and extending along a portion thereof;
• a movable rail extending rearward of said fixed rail along a remaining portion of each of the roof side frame members, said movable rail pivotal relative to said fixed rail;
• a plurality of roof panels movable between a closed position covering the roof opening, an intermediate position partially covering the roof opening, and a stowed position behind the rear seat to expose the entire roof opening, said plurality of roofs panels positionable in a stacked configuration above said movable rail;
• a mounting bracket adapted to be fixedly secured to the motor vehicle;
• and
• a linkage assembly pivotally coupled to said mounting bracket and operably connected to said plurality of roof panels for pivoting said plurality of roof panels when positioned in said stacked configuration into said stowed position behind the rear seat of the motor vehicle.

A method of retracting a roof, having first, second, and third roof panels selectively covering a roof opening, into a space behind a rear seat of a motor vehicle, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) moving the first roof panel vertically relative to the second roof panel;
• (b) sliding the first roof panel towards the second roof panel to partially open the roof;
• (c) coupling the first roof panel to the second roof panel;
• (d) moving the coupled first and second roof panels under or over the third roof panel;
• and
• (e) pivoting the first, second, and third roof panels into the space behind the rear seat to expose the entire roof opening.

A retractable roof assembly for a motor vehicle having a rear seat and spaced apart roof side frame members defining a roof opening, said retractable roof assembly comprising:

• a split rail assembly including a fixed rail adapted to be fixedly secured to each of the roof side frame members and extending along a portion thereof, and a movable rail extending rearward of said fixed rail along a remaining portion of each of the roof side frame members;
• a first roof panel slidingly engaging said split rail assembly;
• a second roof panel slidingly engaging said split rail assembly;
• a third roof panel disposed along said split rail assembly and displaced in a vertical direction relative thereto to accommodate said first and second roof panels such that said first, second, and third panels are positioned in a stacked configuration above said movable rail;
• and
• a linkage assembly for pivoting and articulating said movable rail relative to said fixed rail when said plurality of roof panels is in said stacked configuration in order to stow said plurality of roof panels behind the rear seat of the motor vehicle such that the entire roof opening is exposed.

A retractable roof assembly for a motor vehicle having a rear seat and spaced apart roof side frame members defining a roof opening, said retractable roof assembly comprising:

• a split rail assembly including a fixed rail adapted to be fixedly secured to each of the roof side frame members and extending along a portion thereof, and a movable rail extending rearward of said fixed rail along a remaining portion of each of the roof side frame members;
• a plurality of roof panels extending between the roof side frame members and slidably engaging said split rail assembly for selective movement into a stacked configuration above said movable rail;
• a linkage assembly for pivoting and articulating said movable rail relative to said fixed rail when said plurality of roof panels is in said stacked configuration in order to stow said plurality of roof panels behind the rear seat of the motor vehicle such that the entire roof opening is exposed;
• and
• an actuator operably connected to said linkage assembly for actuating pivotal and articulating movement of said plurality of panels behind the rear seat of the motor vehicle.