Patent ID: 7780218

Claim:
A locking device for locking a convertible top in an opened position, the locking device comprising: a catch element, an opposing element arranged and constructed to be brought into engagement with the catch element for locking the convertible top in the opened position, wherein one of the catch element and the opposing element is arranged and constructed to be attached to the convertible top and the other of the catch element and the opposing element is arranged and constructed to be supported by a vehicle body, a retainer displaceably bearing one of the catch element and the opposing element, and a biasing device biasing the element borne in the retainer in a locking direction, wherein movement of the convertible top during at least a final portion of movement of the convertible top into the opened position causes the retainer to move relative to the convertible top in a substantially horizontal direction into an active position together with the biasing device and with the element borne in the retainer, wherein an engagement between the catch element and the opposing element is possible in the active position, and the retainer is also movable into an idle position, in which no engagement of the catch element and the opposing element is possible.