Patent ID: 6832805
Filing Date: 2004-12-21
Classification: B60J

Abstract:
A retractable top system for a vehicle having a body with a passenger compartment defined therein, the body further having a storage area defined behind the passenger compartment, the vehicle having a windshield defining the forward end of the passenger compartment with a header at its upper edge, the header including an engagement feature, the top system having an extended position wherein the top system defines a roof over the passenger compartment and interconnects with the windshield header, a storage position wherein the top system does not cover the passenger compartment and at least a portion of the top system is disposed in the storage area, and an intermediate position between the extended and storage positions, the top system comprising:a top having a forward end and a rearward end, the rearward end being detachably and pivotally interconnected with the vehicle body adjacent the rear of the passenger compartment, the top including a latching member at the forward end, the latching member operable to selectively engage the engagement feature of the header so as to interconnect the forward end of the top with the header; and a cover selectively covering the storage area behind the passenger compartment, the cover having a forward end and a rearward end, the cover having a closed position wherein the cover closes the storage area and an open position wherein the forward end moves upwardly so as to uncover at least a portion of the storage area, the cover having an under side with an engagement feature and a retaining latch defined thereon, the engagement feature being adjacent the forward end and the retaining latch being spaced rearwardly therefrom; wherein when the top system is in the extended position, the top extends over the passenger compartment with the rearward end being interconnected with the vehicle body and the latching member being engaged with the engagement feature of the header so that the forward end is interconnected with the header, and when the top system is in the intermediate position, the latching member engages the engagement member on the under side of the cover and the rearward end of the top is retained adjacent the underside of the cover by the retaining latch such that the top is supported by the cover and is movable therewith, the top system being in the storage position when the top is retained adjacent the underside of the cover and the cover is in the closed position.