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 motor vehicle includes a precipitation sensor detecting weather-related precipitation. An actuator moves a movable overhead covering between a covered position and an uncovered position. An electronic processor is communicatively coupled to the precipitation sensor and to the actuator. The electronic processor responds to the precipitation sensor detecting weather-related precipitation by automatically causing the actuator to move the movable overhead covering from the uncovered position to the covered position.

There provided an openable roof, a link mechanism foldably supporting the openable roof, and a drive device to drive a drive link of a link mechanism. The drive device comprises a drive unit including a drive gear connected to a drive motor, a driven gear provided at the drive link, and an intermediate gear engaging with the drive gear and the driven gear. The drive unit is located at a lower level than a beltline of the vehicle body, the driven-gear pivotal portion is located at a higher level than the beltline, and the intermediate gear is located at a specified level such that the intermediate gear overlaps the beltline in a side view.

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 means of 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 motor vehicle includes a precipitation sensor detecting weather-related precipitation. An actuator moves a movable overhead covering between a covered position and an uncovered position. An electronic processor is communicatively coupled to the precipitation sensor and to the actuator. The electronic processor responds to the precipitation sensor detecting weather-related precipitation by automatically causing the actuator to move the movable overhead covering from the uncovered position to the covered position.

An interchangeable convertible roof apparatus is provided. In another aspect, a lower roof bow pivot is interchangeable between multiple locations depending on which roof cover configuration is desired during top stack mechanism assembly. A further aspect employs identically same side rails, roof bows and linkages between a fastback convertible roof configuration and a squareback convertible roof configuration, except for a roof bow located above and adjacent to a back window (when in a closed position), such as a four-bow, and optionally a mounting bracket. Still another aspect employs a fastener to allow the same fabric roof cover to be interchanged between differently sized configurations when in its closed position. Moreover, a brace stationarily secures a vehicular roll bar to a top stack mechanism of a convertible roof in a rigidly attached manner.

An interchangeable convertible roof apparatus is provided. In another aspect, a lower roof bow pivot is interchangeable between multiple locations depending on which roof cover configuration is desired during top stack mechanism assembly. A further aspect employs identically same side rails, roof bows and linkages between a fastback convertible roof configuration and a squareback convertible roof configuration, except for a roof bow located above and adjacent to a back window (when in a closed position), such as a four-bow, and optionally a mounting bracket. Still another aspect employs a fastener to allow the same fabric roof cover to be interchanged between differently sized configurations when in its closed position. Moreover, a brace stationarily secures a vehicular roll bar to a top stack mechanism of a convertible roof in a rigidly attached manner.

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.

There provided an openable roof, a link mechanism foldably supporting the openable roof, and a drive device to drive a drive link of a link mechanism. The drive device comprises a drive unit including a drive gear connected to a drive motor, a driven gear provided at the drive link, and an intermediate gear engaging with the drive gear and the driven gear. The drive unit is located at a lower level than a beltline of the vehicle body, the driven-gear pivotal portion is located at a higher level than the beltline, and the intermediate gear is located at a specified level such that the intermediate gear overlaps the beltline in a side view.