Patent ID: 8459721

Claim:
A top for a convertible motor vehicle, the top being movable between a closed position and an open position, the top comprising: a top linkage operable to move the top between the closed position and the open position, the top linkage having an opening movement wherein the top linkage moves the top from the closed position to the open position, the top linkage further having a closing movement wherein the top linkage moves the top from the open position to the closed position, the top linkage including a top element movable therewith, the top element being pivotable in a first movement plane; and the top linkage including at least one functional component, the functional component having a first position and a second position, the at least one functional component being generally in the first position at a start of the opening movement and at the start of the closing movement, the at least one functional component also being generally in the first position at an end of an opening movement and at the end of the closing movement, the at least one functional component being moved from the first position to the second position for at least a portion of the opening movement and of the closing movement when the top linkage is between the open and closed positions, the at least one functional component being moved from the first position to the second position by a cooperation with the top element during the movement of the top linkage, the at least one functional component being pivotable in a second movement plane; wherein the movement of the at least one functional component from the first position to the second position provides clearance for at least one element that moves during movement of the top linkage; and the first and second movement planes are generally perpendicular to one another.