Patent ID: 6964340

Claim:
A retractable hardtop system for a vehicle having a body defining a passenger compartment extending between a front windshield and a rear storage area, the hardtop system being movable between an extended position, wherein the hardtop system defines a roof over the passenger compartment and a retracted position, wherein at least a portion of the hardtop system is disposed in the storage area, the hardtop system comprising: a rear section pivotally coupled with the vehicle body; a front section pivotally coupled with the rear section, the front section extending between the front windshield and the rear section when the hardtop is in the extended position; a center panel opening defined between the rear and front sections, a balance link having a first end pivotally interconnect with the front section and a second end pivotally interconnected with the vehicle body; a center panel interconnected with the balance link for movement therewith, the center panel and balance link being configured such that when the top is in the extended position, the center panel fills the center panel opening and when the top is in the retracted position, the center panel moves out of the center panel opening.