Patent ID: 7909394

Claim:
A foldable and stowable roof system for a vehicle, comprising: a roof member made of a substantially moisture resistant material; a passenger side rail connected to said roof member, said passenger side rail having a front extension and a rear extension; a driver side rail connected to said roof member, said driver side rail having a front extension and a rear extension; a front bow having more than one first receiving area; a rear bow having more than one second receiving area; and a plurality of release mechanisms, one of said plurality of release mechanisms being operable for selectively connecting said front extension of said passenger side rail to one of said more than one first receiving area, another of said plurality of release mechanisms being operable for selectively connecting said front extension of said driver side rail to one of said more than one first receiving area, another of said plurality of release mechanisms being operable for selectively connecting said rear extension of said passenger side rail to one of said more than one second receiving area, and one of said plurality of release mechanisms being operable for selectively connecting said rear extension of said driver side rail to one of said more than one second receiving area; a first set of alignment features, a portion of said first set of alignment features being formed on said front extension of said passenger side rail, and a portion of said first set of alignment features being formed on said front extension of said driver side rail, wherein at least a portion of one of said plurality of release mechanisms is integrally formed as part of said first set of alignment features; and a third set of alignment features, a portion of said third set of alignment features being formed on said rear extension of said passenger side rail, and a portion of said third set of alignment features being formed on said rear extension of said driver side rail, wherein at least a portion of one of said plurality of release mechanisms is integrally formed as part of said third set of alignment features.