Patent ID: 7581777

Claim:
A latch assembly for latching together a first part and a second part of a convertible top system of a vehicle, wherein at least a portion of the convertible top system is movable between an extended position for covering a passenger compartment and a retracted position disposed in a storage space behind the passenger compartment, said latch assembly comprising: a pair of latch mechanisms disposed on the first part, each latch mechanism having a hook that is movable between a locked position engaged with a receiver on the second part to latch the first and second parts together and an unlocked position disengaged from the receiver to unlatch the first and second parts from each other; and an actuating mechanism disposed on the first part between the latch mechanisms for moving the hooks between the locked and unlocked positions, the actuating mechanism including a multi-link assembly movable including: a pair of middle links each extending between opposite inner and outer ends, and a central pivot pivotally interconnecting the inner ends of the middle links, the middle links defining a first overcenter mechanism having an overcenter position wherein the central pivot is in an overcenter position with respect to the outer ends of the middle links; a center link pivotally coupled to at least one of the middle links and a drive link pivotally coupled to the center link by a center link pivot, the center link and drive link defining a second overcenter mechanism having an overcenter position wherein the center link pivot is in an overcenter position with respect to opposite ends of the center link and drive link; wherein the first and second overcenter mechanisms are each in the overcenter position when the hooks are in the locked position.