Patent ID: 7354095
Filing Date: 2008-04-08
Classification: B60J

Abstract:
1. A roof storage mechanism for a motor vehicle having a body structure and a roof structure having at least two roof members including a rigid rear roof member, the roof mechanism being operable to move at least the rear roof member from a raised position, in which it forms in combination with one or more other roof members a cover for a passenger compartment of the motor vehicle, to a stowed position, the roof storage mechanism comprising an endless drive mechanism having an endless drive member connected to a part of the rear roof member by a driven member, a guide track for guiding a guide member fastened to the rear roof member and a drive means to cause the endless drive member to be selectively moved so as to cause the driven member to move from a first position corresponding to a position in which the rear roof member is in the raised position to a second position corresponding to a position in which the rear roof member is in the stowed position, the movement of the endless drive member causing the guide member to be moved along the guide track from a first position corresponding to a position in which the rear roof member is in the raised position to a second position corresponding to a position in which the rear roof member is in the stowed position wherein the roof mechanism is operable to rotate the rear roof forwardly, move the rear roof forwardly and then lower the rear roof down a vertically inclined plane in order to move the rear roof from the raised position to the stowed position.