A movable tarp enclosure system includes a tarp cover, support rails, a plurality of support bows connected to and supporting the tarp cover, and movable carriages connected to lower ends of said bows and which move along the support rails. Each of the support bows includes first and second main sections formed of rigid material and having hollow ends, and a corner member formed of rigid material which connects the first and second main sections together such that the main sections extend substantially perpendicular to each other. The corner member has end portions fitted into the hollow ends of the main sections, and the end portions each have an outer circumference with a size and shape that substantially corresponds to those of an inner circumference of the hollow ends of the main sections such that the end portions are stably connected within the hollow end portions by frictional engagement.

A top for a convertible vehicle, displaceable between a closed position to cover a vehicle interior, and an open storage position, the top having a top linkage, which has a link arrangement on both sides with respect to the top vertical longitudinal center plane, each link arrangement pivotably mounted on a main bearing, which is fixed to the vehicle, a top element, which can be displaced between a lifted operating position and a lowered storage position by means of the top linkage, and a locking means on both sides of the vertical longitudinal center plane of the top, each locking means being height-adjustable together with the top element and comprising a locking hook arrangement, which is displaceable between a locked position and a release position and which secures the top element, both in the operating and storage position, to at least one component fixed to the vehicle body.

A support bracket assembly configured to couple to a vehicle body and support a collapsed articulating frame of a vehicle soft top assembly is provided. The support bracket assembly includes a support bracket having a main body portion having a slot formed therein and configured to couple to the vehicle body, and a receiving portion coupled to the main body portion and configured to receive at least a portion of the collapsed articulating frame therein. A strap is configured to be inserted through the slot and wrapped around the collapsed articulating frame to facilitate securing the collapsed articulating frame within the receiving portion and preventing relative movement of the collapsed articulating frame when the vehicle is in motion.

The invention relates to a tarpaulin structure for a substructure, such as a lorry, trailer, semi-trailer, railway car, dump truck or container, comprising a covering frame and a tarpaulin consisting of weather-resistant material, wherein the covering frame has a plurality of struts (34) which each have on the end sides thereof a carriage (32) that is displaceable along a guide (20), wherein at least one bow (36) is pivotally connected at each pair of opposed carriages (32; 32), said bow forming with a bow (36) of an adjacent carriage pair (32) a tarpaulin folding aid, the bows (36) of the tarpaulin folding aid being connected to each other. A tarpaulin structure that allows a reliable covering of a substructure while having a low intrinsic weight is achieved according to the invention in that the connected bows (36) comprise a pivot angle limiter (38) that allows only a limited pivoting of the bows (36).

A lift assist lock-down assembly for a soft top assembly, the lock-down assembly operably coupled to first and second bows selectively rotatable between an open/sunroof position and an open/downward position. A handle member is rotatable between unlocked and locked positions. A cam and a cam lockout selectively prevent the bows from rotating. When locked in a first position, the bows are prevented from rotating generally rearward/downward, thereby preventing the soft top assembly from moving into the open/downward position. When locked in a second position, the bows are prevented from rotating generally forward/upward, thereby generally preventing the soft top from bouncing or from moving into the open/sunroof position.

A cover (9) of a folding-top compartment in a cabriolet vehicle can be pivoted by way of links (10, 10) between a position in which the cover (9) covers the folding-top compartment and a position in which the cover (9) does not cover the folding-top compartment. The cover (9) has, at a distance from its pivoting connection, at least one first guide element (15), and on the body, there is provided at least one second guide element (18). During the transfer of the cover (9) into its closed position, the two guide elements (15, 18) interact, and guide the cover (9), as far as the closed position.

A movable tarp enclosure system includes a tarp cover, support rails, a plurality of support bows connected to and supporting the tarp cover, and movable carriages connected to lower ends of said bows and which move along the support rails. Each of the support bows includes first and second main sections formed of rigid material and having hollow ends, and a corner member formed of rigid material which connects the first and second main sections together such that the main sections extend substantially perpendicular to each other. The corner member has end portions fitted into the hollow ends of the main sections, and the end portions each have an outer circumference with a size and shape that substantially corresponds to those of an inner circumference of the hollow ends of the main sections such that the end portions are stably connected within the hollow end portions by frictional engagement.

A support bracket assembly configured to couple to a vehicle body and support a collapsed articulating frame of a vehicle soft top assembly is provided. The support bracket assembly includes a support bracket having a main body portion having a slot formed therein and configured to couple to the vehicle body, and a receiving portion coupled to the main body portion and configured to receive at least a portion of the collapsed articulating frame therein. A strap is configured to be inserted through the slot and wrapped around the collapsed articulating frame to facilitate securing the collapsed articulating frame within the receiving portion and preventing relative movement of the collapsed articulating frame when the vehicle is in motion.

A support rail for a movable, flatbed trailer-mounted tarp enclosure system having a tarp cover, a plurality of substantially U-shaped bows connected to and supporting the tarp cover, and rolling carriages connected to lower ends of said bows and which roll along the support rail, the support rail including a first elongate rail section which is fixed to the trailer and extends substantially parallel to a cargo support surface of the trailer, a second elongate rail section which is movably connected to the trailer, and a support mechanism which connects the second elongate rail section to the trailer such that the second elongate rail section may be moved between a first position extending continuously to the first elongate rail section along a common axis and a second position parallel to but at a different level from the first elongate rail section.

A movable carriage for a movable, tarp enclosure system includes a main body, plural primary support wheels connected to the main body and configured to engage and roll along support rails while supporting the movable carriage, at least one smaller stabilizing wheel connected to the main body and configured to engage the support rails for stabilizing and/or aligning movement of the movable carriage as it moves along the support rail supported by the primary support wheels, and a housing to which the at least one stabilizing wheel is rotatably secured. The housing is provided with one of a guide track and a channel which securely and sliding receives the guide track therein, the main body is provided with the other of the guide track and the channel, and the housing is secured to main body by engaging the guide track within the channel.