Asc Corporation

C&c Inc.

Robert A Patterson

George W Klein

B Michael Flaherty

George F Purcell

Chad Himes

Adam A Erickson

An isolation apparatus reduces vibrations and destructive twisting forces otherwise transmitted between an automotive vehicle body and roof. A striker isolator and a roof pivot isolator are provided. Furthermore, a hinge isolator is provided between a pair of foldable roof sections. These isolators are ideally suited for use in combination with convertible roofs.

Apparatus for achieving automotive vehicle roof isolation

A multi-position hardtop roof for a vehicle which is retractable between a coupe position enclosing the passenger compartment and a convertible position wherein the roof is stored within the rear deck of the vehicle. The roof is segmented into a front fixed panel incorporating the windshield, an intermediate panel and a rear panel. The intermediate panel of the roof is telescopically retractable onto the rear panel and both movable panels are thereafter retractable into the rear deck of the vehicle. From the coupe position, the intermediate roof segment can be tilted to a second venting position. Further retraction moves the intermediate segment rearwardly onto the rear roof segment to a targa position. Finally, the roof segments may be fully retracted to the convertible position. Two sets of piston/cylinder mechanisms control movement of the intermediate segment and the rear roof segment. The longitudinal retraction and the segmented construction of the roof facilitate retraction even while the vehicle is moving and minimizes the storage space required for the fully retracted roof.

Multi-position retractable vehicle roof

Growing community of inventors

Garden City, MI, United States of America

Robert A Patterson