A panel structure 30 includes a panel 40 having a first insertion hole 42, a reinforcement 50 having a second insertion hole 52, and a fixing member 70 having a shaft 71 inserted in the first and second insertion holes 42 and 52, and sandwiching and fixing the panel 40 and the reinforcement 50 in their thickness direction. The panel 40 has a higher thermal expansion coefficient than the reinforcement 50. A diameter of the second insertion hole 52 in a direction of thermal expansion of the panel 40 is larger than a diameter of the first insertion hole 42 in the direction.

A folding top for a cabriolet vehicle, and which includes a top linkage and a top cover. The top linkage may be adjusted for movement between a closed position and an open position via a roof kinematic system. The roof kinematic system is configured as a four-bar linkage kinematic system having a first link, a second link, and a drive member to drive the first link.

A convertible top having a top cover and a cover linkage adjustable between a closed position and a storage position and which has a linkage arrangement on each of its two sides linkage arrangement pivotably mounted on a respective main bearing, which is fixed to the vehicle, via a main multi-joint arrangement comprising two main links, a rear bow realized as a panel bow mounted on each of the bilaterally arranged linkage arrangements via a rear link arrangement. The two bilaterally arranged rear link arrangements can each be actuated by a drive lever, which drives the respective rear link arrangement starting from the closed position in a first opening phase while the main multi-joint arrangement is static and drives the respective rear link arrangement in the opposite direction of the respective main multi-joint arrangement in a second opening phase.

A top of a convertible vehicle is proposed, comprising a top cover and a top linkage which can be displaced between a closed position, in which a vehicle interior is covered, and a storage position, in which the vehicle interior is open toward the top, and which has a linkage arrangement on both sides with respect to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the top, each linkage arrangement comprising two main links, which are pivotably mounted on a main bearing fixed to the vehicle and one of which is driven by means of a main drive. Panel bows extend between the bilaterally arranged linkage arrangements, a first one of said panel bows being a front bow, a second one being a front center bow, a third one being a rear center bow and a fourth one being a rear window bow. In the storage position, the rear center bow is arranged below the rear window bow.

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 retractable canopy for a vehicle, the retractable canopy moving independently of a vehicle roll bar being retracted or raised. Canopies for weather protection both from excessive exposure to the sun and from precipitation are commonly used on many types of vehicles, which in many cases may be motorized. For safety reasons, and often also legal requirements, these vehicles may be equipped with a roll bar or similar structure to protect the operator of the vehicle from injury in the event that the vehicle rolls over. When the vehicle encounters a low-lying obstruction, the canopy may be quickly lowered to enable the vehicle to travel underneath and past the obstruction, after which the canopy may be quickly raised again. Raising or lowering of the canopy is independent of whether the roll bar is raised or lowered, and raising or lowering of the roll bar is independent of the canopy position.

A soft top assembly which includes lift assist and improved fabric management. The assembly includes front side rails pivotally connected to rear side rails. A plurality of fabric control bows with control linkages provide fabric control to the top material during pivoting of the front side rails. A first and second gas strut are attached to the rear side rails to assist lifting and controlled motion as the top is moved between a closed position and open sunroof position, as one strut is fully loaded and compressed while the other strut is fully loaded and open, for lift assist and dampening.

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 frame and soft top assembly which includes lift assist and improved fabric management. The assembly includes a pair of front arms pivotally attached to rear side rails and are attached to the vehicle roll bar. A plurality of fabric control bows connected with pivot links provide fabric control to the top material during pivoting of the front side rails. A pair of bow pivot links are pivotally connected to the rear side rail. A rear gas strut and a front gas strut are attached longitudinally to either side of the pair of bow pivot links, one providing lift assistance at the start of the pivotal opening of the sunroof while the other of the struts gets loaded as the top is deployed and buffers the closing of the roof which also loads the strut to provide assistance in the closing direction when it is time to close the sunroof.

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.