Patent ID: 7389737
Filing Date: 2008-06-24
Classification: B63B

Abstract:
1. Folding top assembly comprising a pair of struts pivotally mounted for pivotal movement relative to one another, a canvas covering supported by said struts, and an actuator for moving said struts from a folded position folding said canvas covering to an open position in which the canvas covering is deployed to cover at least a portion of the vehicle, said actuator including a housing defining a bore therewithin, a piston slidable in said bore, a driving mechanism drivingly connecting the piston with the struts whereby movement of the piston in said bore pivots said struts relative to the piston to move the struts between the folded and open positions as the piston is moved within the bore, and an actuating mechanism for moving said piston, said driving connection including gears carried by said struts engaging a toothed rack defined on said piston.