Mazda Motor Corporation

Takanori Tuchiya

Takeshi Konishi

Hisao Fukutomi

Takeshi Yamamoto

Yutaka Imura

Morio Umeda

Iseo Hamasaki

Koji Kuraoka

Takesi Konisi

A convertible vehicle body including a roof structure which is comprised of a front roof panel section and a rear roof panel section both of a rigid structure. The front roof panel section is supported by a swingable pillar of an inverted U-shape which has a pair of legs pivotably connected to the side panels of the body for movement between an extended position and a retracted position. In the retracted position, the front roof panel section is retracted into a storing space located just behind the rear seat provided in the passenger compartment. The rear roof panel section is mounted so that it can be drawn into a rear storing space provided in the rear package space of the body by being guided by a guide mechanism including guide rails provided in the rear storing section and sliding shoes provided on the rear roof panel section.

Convertible vehicle body structure

A convertible vehicle body has front rear retractable roof panels which fit behind a rear seat back and a power system for retracting the roof panels, the power system also providing a mechanism for forwardly inclining the rear seat when the roof panels are to be retracted. The vehicle body may also include a power-operated rear quarter window and the power system for retracting the same in sequence with the roof panels.

Convertible vehicle body structure having a rear seat

A convertible vehicle body structure having a rigid front roof panel covering the front top portion of the passenger compartment and a rear roof panel covering the rear portion of the passenger compartment. The front roof panel is supported by an inverted U-shaped swingable pillar and the rear roof panel is mounted on the rear body structure through mounting arms. The front and rear roof panels are retracted in the rear body section in a fore-and-aft jaxtaposed relationship.

Roof structure for a convertible vehicle body

A convertible vehicle body including a swingable pillar structure for supporting a front roof panel movably between an extended position and a retracted position. A rear side panel or a rear fender panel assembly has a rear side glass panel and a side door has a transparent glass panel. The rear side glass panel has a front edge which is located outside the pillar structure and in an abutting relationship with a rear edge of the transparent glass panel in the side door. Thus, the pillar structure is covered by the transparent glass panels to provide a good appearance.

An open-top vehicle including a foldable hood supported by a U-shaped pillar and a linkage for extending and folding the hood and pillar. At each side, a reversible motor is provided for actuating the linkage. There is provided a motor control circuit which prohibits motor operation when the vehicle speed is above a predetermined value.

Open-top vehicle having a power operated roof structure

An open-top vehicle body structure including a foldable hood and a linkage for extending and folding the hood. At each side, a reversible motor is provided for actuating the linkage. In order to synchronize the operation of the motors at the respective sides, a connecting rod or flexible shaft is provided and connects together the output shafts of the motor. The linkage includes a swingable pillar of an inverted U-shape having opposite leg portions mounted on the body section for swinging movement about a transverse extending horizontal axis. The hood is connected at a front edge portion to the swingable pillar and at a rear edge portion to a part of the body located rearwardly of the swingable pillar. A rigid roof panel is removably mounted between a swingable pillar and a front windshield. The rotation of the motors produces a swingable movement of the pillar. The linkage includes a first link having one end pivotably connected with the leg portion of the swingable pillar and a second link having one end pivotably connected with the other end of the first link. The other end of the second link is connected with an upward shaft of the motor.

Upper body structure of an open-top vehicle

A vehicle door structure including a door panel assembly made of an outer panel of a plastic material and an inner panel of a plastic material which are connected together at front, rear and lower edge portions. A reinforcement frame is provided in the door panel assembly and includes a front member extending substantially along the front edge portion of the door panel assembly, a rear member extending substantially along the rear edge portion of the door panel assembly and a longitudinal member extending between the front and rear members. The longitudinal member is connected with the front member through a gusset plate rigidly so that a sideward rigidity of the door structure can be ensured.

Growing community of inventors

Hiroshima, Japan

Takanori Tuchiya