Patent Document

RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is related to the copending application:  
         [0002]     U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/______ , filed Jul. 19, 2005, entitled “Motor Assisted Simultaneous Movement of Convertible Top With Trunk and Method” by Jay R. Martin. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     The present invention relates generally to retractable vehicle roof systems. In particular, this application relates to a method and apparatus for retracting a rigid vehicle roof to an exterior storage position above the trunk while preserving the side profile of the vehicle and permitting trunk access.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     In general, open-roof designs for individualized transportation has been utilized for many years as established by carriages and the first engine-driven vehicles. Open driving was and is part of the culture of automobile driving with continued interest for contemporary designs. In the case of convertibles, it is primarily folding roofs, which are constructed in such a manner as to be able to be retracted and stretched out again, with a structure of bars and an external skin which is correspondingly foldable. Such types of folding roofs have disadvantages, particularly for reason of restricted suitability during bad weather and winter and are, due to construction, adversely affected by unpleasant wind noises at high speeds.  
         [0005]     For increased suitability during bad weather and winter, rigid convertible folding tops, so-called hard tops were designed to provide a detachable roof, with the same paintwork and finish as the body. However, early designs were extremely expensive and complex, lending to limited production offerings.  
         [0006]     Because of tendencies within the culture of motor vehicles at the present time, convertibles are no longer purely used as leisure-time vehicles, such as a second or third household car. Instead, such vehicles serve as a primary vehicle, leading to significant design options for hard tops which can be retracted into the vehicle space behind the passenger compartment. The most common areas for storage include a space between the passenger compartment and the trunk or within the trunk itself, thereby restricting use of the trunk space while retracted. This design is commonly referred to as an internal storage design. Alternative designs have also included storage of the hard top above the vehicle trunk for purposes of simplifying the design and maintaining a pleasing appearance. Such designs are commonly referred to as an external storage design. However, such designs impede or prevent use of the vehicle trunk while the hard top is retracted and noticeably change the appearance of the vehicle profile. Therefore, a need exists for providing a retracting system that will allow external storage of the vehicle hard top that will not significantly effect the side profile of the vehicle and permit full use of the vehicle trunk space.  
         [0007]     The present invention provides a solution to this and other problems known in the art, and offers other advantages over the prior art.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The present invention relates to retractable vehicle roof systems which solve the above-mentioned problem.  
         [0009]     In accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a retractable roof apparatus for a hard top vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes a roof portion that resides above a vehicle body forward a rear storage space when closed. Additionally, the storage space includes a lid that is configured to descend into the storage space as the roof portion moves to a recessed, open position. Lastly, the roof portion rests above the lid while preserving vehicle side profile and permitting storage space access. In addition, a method of retracting a rigid roof for a vehicle is provided.  
         [0010]     Additional advantages and features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part, will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]      FIG. 1  is the side view of a vehicle with a rigid retractable roof viewed in the closed position.  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is the side view of a vehicle with a rigid retractable roof viewed as the roof portion first moves from a closed to an open position.  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is the side view of a vehicle with a rigid retractable roof viewed as the roof portion moves from a closed to an open position beyond that illustrated in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is the side view of a vehicle with a rigid retractable roof viewed as the roof portion moves from a closed to an open position illustrating the folded rear quarter panels, beyond that illustrated in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is the side view of a vehicle with a rigid retractable roof viewed as the roof portion moves from a closed to an open position beyond that illustrated in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is the side view of a vehicle with a rigid retractable roof viewed as the roof portion moves from a closed to an open position beyond that illustrated in  FIG. 5   
         [0017]      FIG. 7  is the side view of a vehicle with a rigid retractable roof viewed in the open, fully recessed position.  
         [0018]      FIG. 8  is the side view of a vehicle with a rigid retractable roof, similar to  FIG. 3 , viewed as the roof portion moves from a closed to an open position and having a roll bar instead of rear quarter panels.  
         [0019]      FIG. 9  is the side view of the track mechanism illustrating the various positions and numerically sequenced in ascending order from a closed to an open position.  
         [0020]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of one preferred embodiment illustrating the cog and track mechanism, utilizing a piston and drive motor.  
         [0021]      FIG. 11  is the side view of a vehicle with a rigid retractable roof, similar to  FIG. 2 , viewed as the roof portion moves from a closed to an open position and having a track mechanism similar to that shown in  FIG. 10 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of one preferred embodiment illustrating a cog and piston mechanism for each side of the roof portion, each having independent drive motors.  
         [0023]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of one preferred embodiment illustrating a worm drive mechanism for each side of the roof portion driven from a single drive motor. Also illustrated is a drive motor at the top of the roof portion to drive movement of the upper roof portion in concert with the lower roof portion.  
         [0024]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of one preferred embodiment illustrating a cog and piston mechanism for each side of the roof portion driven from a single drive motor that is anchored to the vehicle. Also illustrated is a balancing spring mechanism at the top of the roof portion to facilitate movement of the upper roof portion in concert with the lower roof portion.  
         [0025]      FIG. 15  is the side view of a vehicle with a rigid retractable roof, similar to  FIG. 1 , viewed in the closed position and having rear quarter panel windows that roll down into the vehicle body instead of retracting as part of the roof.  
         [0026]      FIG. 16  is the side view of a vehicle with a rigid retractable roof, similar to  FIG. 3 , viewed as the roof portion moves from a closed to an open position and having rear quarter panel windows that roll down into the vehicle body instead of retracting as part of the roof.  
         [0027]      FIG. 17  is the side view of a vehicle with a rigid retractable roof, similar to  FIG. 5 , viewed as the roof portion moves from a closed to an open position and having rear quarter panel windows that roll down into the vehicle body instead of retracting as part of the roof.  
         [0028]      FIG. 18  is a perspective view of one preferred embodiment illustrating a cog and piston mechanism driven from multiple drive motors, similar to that shown in  FIG. 13 . Also illustrated is a storage space incorporated as part of the storage lid.  
         [0029]      FIG. 19  is the side view of a vehicle with a rigid retractable roof, similar to  FIG. 1 , viewed before the roof portion moves from a closed to an open position and having the rear quarter panels remain in place.  
         [0030]      FIG. 20  is the side view of a vehicle with a rigid retractable roof, similar to  FIG. 2 , viewed as the roof portion moves from a closed to an open position and having the rear quarter panels remain in place.  
         [0031]      FIG. 21  is the side view of a vehicle with a rigid retractable roof, similar to  FIG. 4 , viewed as the roof portion moves from a closed to an open position and having the rear quarter panels remain in place.  
         [0032]      FIG. 22  is the side view of a vehicle with a rigid retractable roof, similar to  FIG. 7 , viewed in the open position and having the rear quarter panels remain in place.  
         [0033]      FIG. 23  is a flow diagram of a method of retracting a rigid vehicle roof from a closed to an open position utilizing a system similar to that illustrated in  FIG. 1-7 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0034]     Numerous vehicle hard top retracting systems exist, however the current systems available fail to provide an external open storage position above the vehicle storage lid while substantially preserving vehicle side profile and permitting storage space access The present invention will be described in preferred embodiments and is not intended to be limited as described.  
         [0035]      FIG. 1  is a side view of one embodiment of the present inventions showing the roof retracting system  100  in the closed position.  FIGS. 1-7  illustrate the progression of one embodiment of a retracting vehicle roof. For  FIG. 1 , the system  100  includes a vehicle  102  having a rigid retractable roof upper portion  105  which is attached to a lower roof portion  106 . Also shown in this particular embodiment is the side panel  108  which exists in some convertible roof designs in the event that no roll bar or similar structure has been incorporated. In one preferred embodiment a drive mechanism  110  may be utilized to raise and lower the upper roof portion  105  with respect to the lower roof portion  106  to assist in the retraction process. The construction of the drive mechanism  110  is preferably a durable material such as tube steel or composite material with similar strength and lightweight, such as a metal-loaded plastic. According to one embodiment, the drive mechanism includes a worm drive that consists of a threaded rod  115  that traverses within an adjustable shaft  112  as driven by an extension motor  125 . In one preferred embodiment, the motor  125  consists of a high starting torque, adjustable speed, reversible, parallel shaft DC motor similar to the N4975, manufactured by Bodine Electric Company, Chicago, Ill. The upper portion of the adjustable shaft  112  is fixed to the upper roof portion  105  at a hinge point  111 . The expanded view of the drive mechanism  110  and the upper roof portion  105  illustrates that in one embodiment, the adjustable shaft  112  may be further supported by a brace  113  fastened to the adjustable shaft  112  with fastener  114 . Further shown is a rear storage lid having an upper lid portion  120  and a lower lid portion  122  (illustrated as a trunk lid). The upper lid portion  120  is affixed to the lower roof portion  106  at an upper hinge  118  and further attached at the opposite end by a lower hinge point  124  to the lower lid portion  122 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 2  is the same roof retracting system  100  of  FIG. 1  with a step toward retracting the roof of vehicle  102 . This iteration illustrates how unlatching the hook  104  from the front window frame catch or hole  103  releases the front of the upper roof portion  105 . In one embodiment the drive mechanism  110 , as driven by operation of the extension motor  125 , extends the adjustable piston or shaft  112 , thereby separating the upper roof portion  105  from the lower roof portion  106 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 3  is a further step in the retracting of the roof of vehicle  102  using the roof retracting system  100  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . This iteration illustrates the movement of both the upper roof portion  105  and the lower roof portion  106  by storage lid hinge  118 . In one embodiment the force applied to move both roof portions aft the passenger compartment of vehicle  102  may be accomplished manually or by use of a drive motor. Details of alternative embodiments will be explained later in this description. According to one embodiment of the present invention a side panel  108  is hinged to lower roof portion  106  along the length of the drive mechanism  110 . This allows for the side panel  108  to be rotated inward toward the opposite side of the vehicle  102  for low profile storage.  
         [0038]      FIG. 4  is the same roof retracting system  100  of  FIG. 1  with a further step toward retracting the roof of vehicle  102  beyond  FIG. 3 . This iteration illustrates the fully rotated side panel  108 . Additionally shown is the upper roof portion  105  rotated to become flush with the surface of the lower roof portion  106 , which is subsequently rotated to become flush with respect to the upper lid portion  120 . According to one embodiment, lower lid portion  122  is rotated to become in line, adjacent to the upper lid portion  120  about lower lid pivot point  124 . This illustration also shows the entire assembly of upper roof portion  105  and lower roof portion  106  with upper lid portion  120  and lower lid portion  122 , descending downward toward the storage space of the vehicle  102 .  
         [0039]      FIG. 5  is the same roof retracting system  100  of  FIG. 1  with a further step toward retracting the roof of vehicle  102  beyond  FIG. 4 . This iteration illustrates the fully extended adjustable shaft  112  in a direction opposite the upper storage lid  120 , as driven by extension motor  125  within drive mechanism  110 . This extension allows for the upper roof portion  105  to become more flush with the surface of the lower roof portion  106 . Both upper roof portion  105  and lower roof portion  106  also rotate to become more flush with the surface of the upper storage lid  120  and lower storage lid  122 .  
         [0040]      FIG. 6  is the same roof retracting system  100  of  FIG. 1  with a further step toward retracting the roof of vehicle  102  beyond  FIG. 5 . This iteration illustrates the upper roof portion  105  rotated to become further flush with the surface of the lower roof portion  106 , which is subsequently rotated to become further flush with the upper storage lid  120 . This illustration also shows the entire assembly of upper roof portion  105  and lower roof portion  106  with upper lid portion  120  and lower lid portion  122 , descending further downward toward the storage space of the vehicle  102 . In one preferred embodiment, the final positioning of the upper lid portion  120  may be forward or rearward the vehicle body as is necessary to maintain vehicle side profile.  
         [0041]      FIG. 7  is the same roof retracting system  100  of  FIG. 1  according to one embodiment of the present invention showing the roof retracting system  100  in the open position of vehicle  102  beyond  FIG. 6 . This position illustrates the fully rotated upper roof portion  105  to become more flush with the surface of the lower roof portion  106 , which is fully rotated to become more flush with the surface of the storage lid  120 . According to one embodiment, the adjustable shaft  112  is retracted in a direction toward the front of the vehicle  102  as driven by extension motor  125  within drive mechanism  110 . This illustration also shows the entire assembly of upper roof portion  105  and lower roof portion  106  with upper lid portion  120  and lower lid portion  122 , fully descended downward toward the storage space of the vehicle  102 . It should be noted that the side view of the open position of the roof retracting system  100  preserves the side profile, if so desired, of the vehicle  102  such that the rear storage area appears similarly to that viewed in the closed position.  
         [0042]      FIG. 8  illustrates one embodiment of the roof retracting system  100  such that a vehicle  101  has a fixed roll bar  107  and side panel  109 . In this embodiment, there exists no hinged side panel  108  as shown in  FIGS. 1-7 . This illustration is most similar to  FIG. 3 .  
         [0043]      FIG. 9  illustrates a side view of a rotational control mechanism  200  according to one embodiment of the roof retracting system  100 . The numbered sequence is intended to show the different positions of the drive mechanism  210  as similarly illustrated in  FIGS. 1-7 . According to one embodiment, the drive mechanism  210  may be defined as a piston. An upper roof portion  205  is attached to one end of an adjustable shaft  212 , while a cog  232  is attached to the opposite end. The cog  232  is designed to travel within a track  230 , which is affixed to the side of a vehicle body  290  (not shown). As the rotational control mechanism  200  rotates from the closed position  1  to the open position  6 A or  6 B, the entire mechanism  200  rotates about the fulcrum point  228 .  6 A represents one preferred final position in which the final assembly is extended rearward the vehicle body in order to maintain vehicle profile, if so desired. Alternatively,  6 B represents one preferred final position in which the final assembly is extended forward the vehicle body in order to maintain vehicle profile, if so desired. Though this illustration shows the travel of the mechanism  200  to be directed by the track  230 , it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the control may be performed manually or by automatic drive control such as a motor.  
         [0044]      FIG. 10  is perspective view of a rotational control mechanism  300  according to one embodiment of the roof retracting system  100 . Similar to  FIG. 9 , this illustration provides one embodiment utilizing two control mechanisms that may synchronously operate the roof retracting system  100  and further illustrates a forward view. The control mechanism  300  includes drive mechanisms  210  and  260  further consisting of adjustable shafts  212  and  262 , respectively. Affixed at the base of each shaft  212  and  262  are cogs  232  and  282 , which are designed to travel within tracks  230  and  280 , respectively. According to one embodiment, the design of each cog,  232  and  282 , includes tines  234  and  284  that mate with voids  231  and  281  of tracks  230  and  280 , respectively. In one embodiment, travelers  236  and  286  assist the cogs  232  and  282  moving within the tracks  238  and  280 . According to one aspect of the present invention, the drive mechanisms  210  and  260  may be affixed by a shaft  248  that is driven by rotation gear motor  250 . In one preferred embodiment, the motor  250  consists of a high starting torque, adjustable speed, reversible, right angle hollow shaft DC gear motor similar to the 7466, manufactured by Bodine Electric Company, Chicago, Ill. Further illustrated is a guide mechanism consisting of sleeve  252  which is attached to rotation motor  250  and is positioned around guide rod  254 . The guide rod  254  may be flat or round in shape and is designed to be affixed to the vehicle body using an appropriate fastener  255  and  259  secured to a mounting plate  256 . The mounting plate  256  is further attached to vehicle body with fasteners  257  and  258 . The forward view of the rotational control mechanism illustrates one embodiment to show the drive mechanism  260  mounted to the vehicle body  290  utilizing bracket  288  with fastener  289 .  
         [0045]      FIG. 11  illustrates a system  400 , similar to  FIG. 2 , which includes a vehicle  402  having an upper roof portion  405  that attaches to window frame hole  403  with hook  404 . The lower roof portion  406  having a drive mechanism  410 , similar to  FIG. 10 , which includes adjustable shaft  412  that travels within track  430  as guided by cog  432 . The lower roof portion  406  is further attached at the forward end of the upper storage lid  420  as affixed by upper hinge  418  and having a lower storage lid  422  at the rearward end. In one preferred embodiment, the vehicle may contain a roll bar, similar to that illustrated in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0046]      FIG. 12  illustrates a perspective view of a rotational control system  500  similar to that shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10  as used on a roof retracting system  100  within the scope of this invention. Similar items are designated similarly to previous illustrations such that the upper roof portion  505 , similar to  FIG. 1  upper roof portion  105 , is adjacent to drive mechanisms  510  and  560 , positioned to rotate about fixed fulcrum  528 . The rotation pivots the lower roof portion  506 , containing window  570 , with the upper lid  520  about hinge points  518  and  568 . This is similarly labeled as elements of  FIGS. 9 and 10  which include upper roof portion  205 , drive mechanisms  210  and  260 , rotating about fixed fulcrum  228 .  FIG. 12  illustrates one embodiment of the present invention which may include independent cog gear motors  551  and  553  used to synchronously drive cogs  532  and  582 , through their respective tracks  530  and  580 , as guided by tines  534  and  584 .  
         [0047]      FIG. 13  illustrates a perspective view of a rotational control system  600 , similar to that shown in  FIG. 12 , with like items designated similarly. In one embodiment of the present invention, the extension motors  625  and  675  that drive adjustable shafts  612  and  662  may be synchronously controlled and of low torque capacity. To drive the rotation of the lower roof portion  606  in relation to the upper storage lid  620 , rotational gear motor assembly  653  may be utilized to rotate about fixed fulcrum  628 . Gear motor  675  can reduce the load placed upon rotational motor assembly  653  by assisting in the retraction of the upper roof portion  605  with respect to the lower roof portion  606 . In one embodiment, gear motor  676  is fixed to upper roof portion  605  by mounting plate  673  with four fasteners  677 . The gear motor  676  utilizes a roof shaft  671  to pivot the upper roof portion  605  to become flush with respect to the surface of the lower roof portion  606  about hinge point  611 . In one preferred embodiment, a spring mechanism may be added to assist in reducing the load placed upon the gear motor  676 .  
         [0048]      FIG. 14  illustrates a perspective view of a rotational control system  700 , similar to that shown in  FIG. 13 , with like items designated similarly. Lower roof portion  706  is similar to  506 , shown in  FIG. 12 . Hinges  518  and  568 , shown in  FIG. 12 , are similar to hinges  718  and  768 . Cogs  732  and  782 , having tines  734  and  784 , are similar to cogs  532  and  582 , having tines  534  and  584 . In one embodiment, the gear motor  675  of  FIG. 13  is replaced by a spring  790  and gear box  753 , to assist the load placed upon rotation motor  750 . Spring  790  is coiled about roof shaft  771  that extends between the two sides of the hinge point  711  of the upper roof portion  705 . Anchor holes  749  and  799  of the drive mechanisms  710  and  760  provide tension on the spring  790 . The spring  790  is further anchored to upper roof portion  705  with roof plate  798 . In one preferred embodiment, spring  790  is of steel construction or similar strength composite material.  
         [0049]      FIGS. 15-17  illustrate a roof retracting system  800  similar in sequence to that of  FIGS. 1, 3 , and  5 , with like items designated similarly. A vehicle  802  of such an embodiment having an upper roof portion  805  and lower roof portion  806  residing above a detached side window  808 , pivoting at hinge point  811 . During the process of moving the roof retracting system  800  from a closed position to an open position, the side window  808  is independently lowered into the vehicle body by manual or powered systems. Items  818 ,  820 ,  822 ,  824  and  828  are similar to like items  518 ,  520 ,  522 ,  524  and  528 , respectively, as shown in  FIG. 12 .  
         [0050]      FIG. 18  illustrates a perspective view of a roof retracting system  900 , similar to  FIG. 13 , with like items designated similarly. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the rotation motor is mounted parallel to the axis of the fixed fulcrum  928  about shaft  948 . Additionally, contained within the upper storage lid  920  is a storage space  995  of sufficient size to contain the upper and lower roof portions while in the open position. In one preferred embodiment, gear motor  950  may be utilized to assist in the retracting operation. Items designated as  905 ,  910 ,  906 ,  911 ,  912 ,  918 ,  930 ,  932 ,  934 ,  951 ,  953 ,  961 ,  962 ,  968 ,  970 ,  982  and  984  correspond to the similarly labeled designators as  505 ,  510 ,  506 ,  511 ,  512 ,  518 ,  530 ,  532 ,  534 ,  551 ,  553 ,  561 ,  562 ,  568 ,  570 ,  582  and  584 , respectively, as shown in  FIG. 12 .  
         [0051]      FIGS. 19-22  illustrate a side view of a roof retracting system  1000 , similar to  FIGS. 1, 2 ,  4  and  7 , with like items designated similarly. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the upper roof portion  1005  of vehicle  1002  incorporates only the center portion of the roof, leaving a side panel  1008  that remains fixed during the movement from a closed to an open position. Alternatively, in one preferred embodiment there may be included a roll bar that remains intact, similar to that illustrated in  FIG. 8 . Also illustrated is a window portion  1009  that will remain adjacent to the side panel  1008 . In one preferred embodiment, the continuous latching mechanism consisting of roof hook  1004  that runs continuously along the front surface of the upper roof portion  1005 . The hook  1004  mates with the mating continuous window frame latch or catch  1003  formed in one embodiment as a U- or V-shaped groove, located along the front surface when in the closed position. In one preferred embodiment, the catch  1003  preferably includes a gasket or seal within the groove to improve the mechanical seal as well as accommodate variation in the mating or registration of the upper roof portion  1005  and the catch  1003 . The lower roof portion  1006  consists of only the center portion of the roof. This is similar to a roll bar design of  FIG. 8  but having no frame between left and right side panels. It can be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various drive mechanisms may be implemented to assist in the movement from a closed position to an open position. Items designated as  1010 ,  1015 ,  1018 , 1020 ,  1022  and  1025  correspond to the similarly labeled designators as  510 ,  515 ,  518 ,  520 ,  522 , and  525 , respectively, as shown in  FIG. 12 .  
         [0052]      FIG. 23  shows a flow diagram  1100  illustrating a method of retracting a hard top roof of a vehicle in accordance with this invention. The unlatch step  1102  includes disconnecting the hook  104  of the upper roof portion  105  from the catch or window frame hole  103 . The separation of the upper roof portion  105  from the frame hole  103  allows the extension of the adjustable shaft  112 , in step  1104 , thereby positioning the upper roof portion  105  further above the lower roof portion  106  to provide sufficient space to rotate, becoming more flush therewith. The rotation of upper and lower roof portions step  1106  begins to position the upper roof portion  105  to become flush with the surface of the lower roof portion  106  and leads to the rotate and descending step  1108 . In step  1108 , the lower roof portion  106  begins to become progressively more flush with respect to the surface of the upper storage lid  120  about the fixed fulcrum  228  at the upper hinge  118  and both upper roof portion  105  and lower roof portion  106 . As the lower roof portion  106  continues to rotate, both upper storage lid  120  and lower storage lid  122  begin to descend downward into the storage space below the upper storage lid  120  and lower storage lid  122 . In full extension step  1110 , the adjustable shaft  112  is fully extended to allow increased separation of the upper roof portion  105  and the lower roof portion  106  at the pivot point  111 . The purpose of the full extension is to allow the upper roof portion  105  and lower roof portion  106  to fold as flush with respect to one another as is possible for compact storage when the system reaches the open position. At the point the upper roof portion  105  and lower roof portion  106  become flush with the upper storage lid  120 , step  1112  provides the retraction of the adjustable shaft  112  in a direction toward the front of the vehicle  102  until both the upper storage lid  120  and the lower storage lid  122  become fully descended downward toward the storage space of the vehicle  102 . A latching or locking mechanism is incorporated to hold the portions in place while stored. Upon completion of the final step ( 1112 ), the side view of the open position of the roof retracting system  100  preserves the side profile of the vehicle  102  such that the rear storage area appears similarly to that viewed in the closed position.  
         [0053]     It is to be understood that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of various embodiments of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of various embodiments of the invention, this disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of structure and arrangement of parts within the principles of the present invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. For example, the particular components such as drive motors and drive mechanisms may vary by manufacturer, having differing design tolerances, mounting requirements and packaging. The spring  790  may be of a different size or orientation, the spring  790  may be used to assist a drive motor or even eliminated altogether, if manual or motor control is preferred. Additionally, the common components such as fasteners and springs may have a wide range of operating range and tolerances which will affect the results in varying degrees. The particular components may be selected depending on the particular application for the roof system while maintaining substantially the same functionality without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, it can be appreciated by those familiar with the art, that motors  125 ,  250 ,  551 ,  553 , 650 , and  675  are not required but instead may be substituted with hydraulic systems or moved by manual operation. In addition, although the preferred embodiment described herein is directed to a retracting roof for a vehicle resembling an automobile, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the teachings of the present invention can be applied to other systems, like commercial, agricultural or utility vehicles without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Technology Category: 7