A method for opening and closing a retractable roof of a convertible vehicle, wherein the roof includes a first portion and a second portion, connected together. The method includes: moving the first portion relative to the second portion between a first position and a second position, such that, at the first position, the first portion is at least partly superposed on the second portion and, at the second position, the first portion lies in substantially the same plane as the second portion, rotating the first and second portions about an axis of rotation, and translating the superposed first and second portions between a first position and a second position, such that, at the first position, the first and second portions are inside a compartment in the vehicle and, at the second position, the first and second portions are outside the compartment.

An overturning and tensioning mechanism includes a vehicle body, a soft top, a fixed connecting plate, and a movable connecting plate. An upper end of the vehicle body is provided with an opening, a connecting piece is fixed or integrally formed on the vehicle body, and the connecting piece is provided with an accommodating groove. The soft top is configured to cover the opening. The fixed connecting plate is fixedly connected with the soft top, and the fixed connecting plate is fixed on the vehicle body. The movable connecting plate is fixedly connected with the soft top. The movable connecting plate is provided with a support member. A head of the support member is provided with a matching portion matched with the accommodating groove of the connecting piece. An opening of the accommodating groove faces away from the fixed connecting plate.

A panel top assembly adapted for a vehicle including a pivotal portion that is rotatable between a closed position and open sunroof position, the pivotal portion is coupled to guide assemblies to selectively slide rearward to another top open position. There is provided a removable hard rear window, a rear hard drip rail; and a pair of removable hard rear side window assemblies on the side of the vehicle that wrap around to the back of the vehicle creating clear rear hard corners and that are also in sealing engagement to the rear window. The rear hard drip rail and pivotal portion selectively drop down at an angle into the rear cargo area of the vehicle when a fully open top experience is desired.

A soft top cover assembly including a pivotal portion adapted for attaching at a roof top opening of a vehicle to selectively close off the roof top opening and open up the roof top opening for an open-air experience. The assembly has a cover attached to a first bow member of the pivotal portion and a rear header. Selectively rotating the pivotal portion covers and uncovers the roof top opening. The assembly has at least one pair of shutface appliques adjacent to the sides of the roof top opening. At least one pair of rear side belt mounts incorporating a belt rail and adapted to connect to the vehicle and operable to attach LH/RH rear side windows.

A soft top cover assembly including a pivotal portion adapted for attaching at a roof top opening of a vehicle to selectively close off the roof top opening and open up the roof top opening for an open-air experience. The assembly has a cover attached to a first bow member of the pivotal portion and a rear header. Selectively rotating the pivotal portion covers and uncovers the roof top opening. The assembly has at least one pair of shutface appliques adjacent to the sides of the roof top opening. At least one pair of rear side belt mounts incorporating a belt rail and adapted to connect to the vehicle and operable to attach LH/RH rear side windows.

A method of operating a tonneau cover and a tailgate of a vehicle, including: transmitting one or more signals to a first control module to open or lower the tailgate; determining a position of the tonneau cover with the first control module or a second control module and transmitting by the first control module and/or the second control module one or more signals to a mechanism associated with the tonneau cover to open the tonneau cover if the tonneau cover is determined by the first control module and/or the second control module to be in a closed position; and then lowering the tailgate.

A top for a convertible vehicle having a foldable top cover and a top linkage for deploying the top cover, the top linkage being displaceable between a closed position and a storage position, the top linkage having a link assembly on either side of the top, each link assembly being pivotably mounted on a vehicle-attached main bearing and having a tension rod assembly hinged to a tension bow which extends between the bilaterally disposed link assemblies and limits the top cover at its rear edge in the closed position, and the top having a headliner assembly having a foldable headliner fabric and forming an inner visible surface of the top in the closed position. The headliner assembly may have a guide link on either side of the top, each guide link being hinged to the respective tension rod assembly, and the headliner fabric being in contact with each guide link.

A soft top assembly for SUV/UTV vehicles having connected thereto at least one lighting source, such as a fixed light emitting diode lighting device, a rope/flexible light emitting diode lighting device, a solid fiber optic lighting device, to illuminate the interior of the vehicle. The lighting device has at least one water resistant housing that is low profile. The lighting device is also shock resistant. The lighting device has a predetermined ON/OFF feature and at least one power source is provided such as battery powered, powered by replaceable/rechargeable batteries, via connection to the vehicle by a wired harness or electrical contacts, or solar powered.

A multi-functional retractable JEEP® top includes a support frame affixed to a top opening of an existing JEEP®, a top layer deployment section selectively biased between wound and unwound positions, a bottom layer deployment section disposed subjacent to the top layer deployment section and independently biased between wound and unwound positions, a controller for manipulating the top layer deployment section and the bottom layer deployment section upon receiving a user input, and a power source communicatively coupled to the controller. Each of the top layer deployment section and the bottom layer deployment section span across at least one portion of the top opening of the existing JEEP®.

A dual acting gas strut system for a vehicle such as a sports utility vehicle that allows for easier and safer opening and closing of the soft top roof as well as the rear cargo access area. The gas strut attaches to the soft top frame using a ball stud or pin and clevis, at each end, the ball stud or pin and clevis, which is either attached directly to the soft top frame, or is attached to a bracket which attaches to the soft top frame. Alternatively, the gas strut only attaches to the soft top frame at one end and is attached to the vehicle at the other. Each end is attached using a ball stud or pin and clevis, which is either attached directly to the soft top frame or vehicle, or is attached to a bracket which, is attached to the soft top frame or vehicle.