A panel top assembly for a vehicle including a controlled guide roller management system and install/release mechanism. A pivotal portion, that is rotatable between a closed position and open position, is coupled to guide assemblies slidably connected to guide track assemblies. Each guide track assembly includes a forward isolator assembly that restricts undesired movement/rattling of a roller in a guide track. A rearward isolator assembly restricts undesired movement/rattling of the roller in each guide track, and selectively keeps the roller in the track when the panel top assembly is in a down/open position. The rearward isolator assembly also includes an isolator that selectively allows an opening in the track for releasing the guide assembly from the track to move the panel top assembly to an open/stowed position, and, reinstalling the guide assembly to the track.

An articulating slanted back soft top assembly for 4-door and 2-door SUVs. A fabric cover is supported by a frame that is at least partially articulatable from at least a closed position to at least one open air position. The frame includes at least one forward fabric support bow member and at least one rearward fabric support bow member. The rear fabric support bow member being positioned when in the closed position in a manner which allows the fabric to clear a sport bar or “roll bar” member of a vehicle in the closed position such that a rear portion of the top is angled from the vertical when viewing the vehicle from the side.

A vehicle top can comprise a targa top and a retractable top. The retractable top can comprise fabric and a frame. The targa top and the retractable top can be configured to be coupled to a vehicle such that the targa top overlies at least one front seat of the vehicle and the retractable top is pivotable between deployed and retracted positions. The fabric of the retractable top can be disposed closer to the targa top and overlie more of the vehicle when the retractable top is in the deployed position than when the retractable top is in the retracted position.

A convertible top linkage which is displaceable between a closed and position, and having a link assembly on either side of a vertical longitudinal center plane of the top, each link assembly having a first and second link, the first link and the second link being pivotable relative to a common base and connected to each other via a coupling link which is hinged to the first link via a fixed joint and to the second link via a mobile joint. The second link may have a guide track for a guiding element of the coupling link, the guide track keeping the mobile joint in position relative to the second link when the two links are being pivoted in a defined angle range, the mobile joint being shifted relative to the second link when the two links are being pivoted outside of the defined angle range.

A convertible top element for a convertible vehicle has, in sequence: an outer cover layer, a coupling layer, a convertible top bow, an absorber layer and an inner cover layer.

The invention relates to a top for a convertible vehicle, comprising a top cover and a top linkage which is displaceable between a covering position, in which a vehicle interior is covered, and a storage position, in which the vehicle interior is uncovered, and which comprises a link assembly on either side of a vertical longitudinal center plane of the vehicle, each link assembly being pivotably mounted on a vehicle-attached main bearing and securable in at least two positions of the top linkage by means of a locking device comprising a lock element disposed on a first link of the link assembly, a first lock counterelement, and a second vehicle-attached lock counterelement. The first lock counterelement of each locking device is disposed on a second link of the respective link assembly.

An articulating soft front cockpit cover assembly including an auxiliary tensioning bow, coupling rod and cross-car bow. A pivot point rotatably joining the auxiliary and coupling rod is located at the top of the auxiliary tensioning bow. A bracket is provided on the auxiliary tensioning bow or coupling rod and extends cross-car and attaches to the front or rear edge of the cross-car bow. The soft front cockpit cover assembly in sealing engagement with a rearward top portion of a roof. The articulating portion movable between at least a closed position over about the front vehicle cockpit and at least one open position for an open-air feel.

A convertible top element for a convertible vehicle has, in sequence: an outer cover layer, a coupling layer, a convertible top bow, an absorber layer and an inner cover layer.

A vehicle top can comprise a targa top and a retractable top. The retractable top can comprise fabric and a frame. The targa top and the retractable top can be configured to be coupled to a vehicle such that the targa top overlies at least one front seat of the vehicle and the retractable top is pivotable between deployed and retracted positions. The fabric of the retractable top can be disposed closer to the targa top and overlie more of the vehicle when the retractable top is in the deployed position than when the retractable top is in the retracted position.

A top for a convertible vehicle, having a top cover and a top linkage which can be displaced between a covering position, in which a vehicle interior is covered, and a storage position, in which the vehicle interior is open at the top, and which may have, on either side of a vertical longitudinal center plane of the top, a link assembly having a four-bar linkage comprising a first main link, a second main link, and a coupling link, the first main link and the second main link each being pivotably mounted on a vehicle-attached main bearing, and a front bow which fixes the top to a front header of the vehicle in the covering position extending between the two link assemblies. The front bow is rigidly attached to the first main link of the respective four-bar assembly on either side.