Patent ID: 7377576

Claim:
A latching system for a convertible top of a motor vehicle, the latching system comprising: a receiver disposed proximate a windshield header, the receiver having a keeper; a body molding attached to the convertible top and disposed proximate the windshield header when the convertible top is in an extended position, the body molding including a handle cavity; a latch pin guide portion disposed proximate the body molding, the latch pin guide portion having a passage; a latch pin moveably disposed in the passage, the latch pin having a first end adapted to engage the keeper and a second end disposed opposite the first end; a connecting rod pivotally coupled to the second end of the latch pin at an outboard end and pivotally coupled to a crank at an inboard end; a rotatable pin attached to the crank; and a handle pivotally connected to the rotatable pin, the handle being adapted to pivot between a stowed position in which the handle is disposed in the handle cavity and a grasping position in which the handle is pivoted away from the handle cavity to permit the handle to rotate the rotatable pin; wherein the latching system is actuated between a latched position in which the latch pin engages the keeper and an unlatched position in which the latch pin is spaced apart from the keeper when the rotatable pin is rotated with the handle.