Patent ID: 7731267

Claim:
A movable roof for use with a convertible vehicle, the roof being movable between a stored position wherein the roof is stored within a storage compartment of the vehicle, and a closed position wherein the roof extends between the storage compartment and a windshield frame of the convertible vehicle, the roof having a front end engaging the windshield frame when the roof is in the closed position, a transverse axis being defined side to side at the front end of the roof, the roof comprising: a first and a second engagement member disposed at the front end of the roof, each engagement member movable between a free position and a secured position, wherein in the secured position the engagement member engages the windshield frame so as to secure the roof to the windshield frame; an actuation assembly disposed at the front end of the roof at a position between the first and second engagement members, the actuation assembly including a drive unit having a longitudinal axis disposed generally parallel to the transverse axis and a rotary member that is rotatable about the transverse axis; and a first and a second elongated force communicator each having an inner end and an outer end, and a joint disposed between the inner end and the outer end, each elongated force communicators extending generally transversely between its inner and outer ends, the inner ends each being threadingly engaged with the rotary member such that rotation of the rotary member causes movement of the inner end of the force communicators purely along the transverse axis and transverse movement of the elongated force communicators, the outer end of each elongated force communicator being interconnected with one of the engagement members such that linear movement of the inner end of each force communicator along the transverse axis causes the engagement members to move between the secured and free positions.