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.

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 linkage for opening and closing a lid through actuation of an electric motor 12 includes a base bracket 21 extending in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle, and a driving lever 14 having one end pivotally connected to the bracket 21 and the other end connected to the lid. The driving lever is driven via a pinion 22 by a sector gear 31 driven by the electric motor. The sector gear is attached to the bracket 21. The electric motor is fixed to a motor bracket 11 and attached via the motor bracket 11 to the bracket. Loosening a member supporting a lateral end portion of the motor bracket 11 and a bolt 41 fixing the bracket 11 to the bracket 21 allows the pinion and the sector gear to be axially disengaged from each other.

A smart tonneau cover for a pickup truck includes an input system that receives information concerning a route and the weather forecast for the route to a destination, the height of a cargo, a precipitation sensor, a wind sensor, and to determine the limits to the height, position, and orientation of the portions of a tonneau cover, which can include solar panels that can be moved to optimize power generation and minimize power consumption while protecting the cargo. The solar panels can be positioned when stationary, such as while parked, and repositioned as needed during transit to maintain an optimal power efficiency.

A tonneau cover lift; the tonneau cover lift includes a height-adjustable, lightweight tonneau cover assembly including a cover member and a rectangular frame supported by four telescoping, hydraulic support posts including a first-telescopic-leg, a second-telescopic-leg, a third-telescopic-leg, and a fourth-telescopic-leg. The cover member is sized and configured to cover a bed of a truck and may be remotely controlled using a remote activation unit. The tonneau cover lift expands a protected cargo capacity of a truck.

A rolling tarp deployment system includes a trailer, a bulkhead fixed to the trailer, first and second bows movable along the trailer, first and second tensioning assemblies, and a cover. The first tensioning assembly has a first member secured to the first bow, a second member secured to the bulkhead, and a first actuator configured to engage the first and second members to restrain the first bow to the bulkhead. The second tensioning assembly has a third member secured to the second bow, a fourth member fixed to the trailer, and a second actuator configured to engage the third and fourth members and move the second bow away from the bulkhead. The cover is tensioned when both the first and second members and the third and fourth members are engaged.

A top of a convertible vehicle having a top linkage which can be displaced between a closed position, in which the top covers a vehicle interior, and a storage position, in which the vehicle interior is uncovered, and which has a linkage arrangement on either side of a vertical longitudinal center plane of the top, each linkage arrangement having a link and a cable guide disposed on the link and serving to guide a tensioning cable. The cable guide may have two shells defining a passage opening and being in contact with the link from opposite sides.

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 roof device for a vehicle includes: a plurality of plate members and a frame coupled to a vehicle body and configured to support the plurality of plate member, where at least a portion of the frame is configured to rotate around its edge, and at least one of the plurality of plate members is configured to slide along an inner edge of the frame.