IP Library Granted Patent US 7,216,921
Granted Patent B2
US 7,216,921 · App. 10/534,740 · Granted May 15, 2007

Cabriolet vehicle comprising a retractable soft-top

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,216,921
App. No.
10/534,740
Granted
May 15, 2007
Kind
B2
Abstract

A convertible vehicle has a carbody and a retractable top connected to the carbody. A top compartment is provided in the carbody, wherein the retractable top in a folded-down position of the retractable top is stowed in the top compartment. A top compartment lid for closing the top compartment is provided, wherein the top compartment lid extends within a rear carbody contour of the carbody. A holding-down device is arranged between the top compartment lid and the retractable top, wherein the holding-down device in a holding-down position is placed onto the retractable top stowed in the top compartment when closing the top compartment lid. The holding-down device has a counter member pivotably supported on the top compartment lid and a support part that is movable jointly with the retractable top and is connectable to the counter member in the folded-down position of the retractable top.

Claims (34)

1. A convertible vehicle comprising:

a carbody;

a retractable top connected to the carbody;

a top compartment provided in the carbody, wherein the retractable top in a folded-down position of the retractable top is stowed in the top compartment;

a top compartment lid for closing the top compartment, wherein the top compartment lid extends within a rear carbody contour of the carbody;

a holding-down device arranged between the top compartment lid and the retractable top, wherein the holding-down device in a holding-down position is placed onto the retractable top stowed in the top compartment when closing the top compartment lid;

wherein the holding-down device comprises a counter member that is pivotably supported on the top compartment lid so as to be pivotable from a position parallel to the top compartment lid into a position perpendicular to the top compartment lid and further comprises a support part that is movable jointly with the retractable top and is connectable to the counter member in the folded-down position of the retractable top.

2. The convertible vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the support part and the counter member are transferred jointly into the holding-down position by a connecting engagement generated when closing the top compartment lid.

3. The convertible vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein, when the top compartment lid is closed, the counter member is moved on a first movement path toward the support part provided on the retractable top, wherein at the end of the first movement path the counter member and the support part reach a connecting engagement causing a relative movement between the support part and the counter member and, subsequently, the retractable top is secured by the top compartment lid.

4. The convertible vehide according to claim 1 , wherein, when the top compartment lid carries out a closing movement or an opening movement, the counter member is imparted with a pivot-push movement carried out by the top compartment lid.

5. The convertible vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the counter member is embodied as a pivot support pivotably supported on a support axis on an underside of the top compartment lid, wherein the pivot support has a free end adapted to be placed against the support part that is substantially stationarily secured.

6. A convertible vehicle comprising:

a carbody;

a retractable top connected to the carbody;

a top compartment provided in the carbody, wherein the retractable top in a folded-down position of the retractable top is stowed in the top compartment;

a top compartment lid for closing the top compartment, wherein the top compartment lid extends within a rear carbody contour of the carbody;

a holding-down device arranged between the top compartment lid and the retractable top, wherein the holding-down device in a holding-down posiUon is placed onto the retractable top stowed in the top compartment when closing the top compartment lid;

wherein the holding-down device comprises a counter member pivotably supported on the top compartment lid and a support part that is movable iointly with the retractable top and is connectable to the counter member in the folded-down position of the retractable top;

wherein the counter member is embodied as a pivot support pivotably supported on a support axis on an underside of the top compartment lid, wherein the pivot support has a free end adapted to be placed against the support part that is substantially stationarily secured;

wherein the pivot support resting against the support part is pivotable by a substantially horizontal push movement of the top compartment lid into the holding-down position.

7. The convertible vehicle according to claim 5 , wherein the pivot support comprises a shaped profile part engaging the support part.

8. A convertible vehicle comprising:

a carbody;

a retractable top connected to the carbody;

a top compartment provided in the carbody, wherein the retractable top in a folded-down position of the retractable top is stowed in the top compartment;

a top compartment lid for closing the top compartment, wherein the top compartment lid extends within a rear carbody contour of the carbody;

a holding-down device arranaed between the top compartment lid and the retractable top, wherein the holding-down device in a holding-down position is placed onto the retractable top stowed in the top compartment when closing the top compartment lid;

wherein the holding-down device comprises a counter member pivotably supported on the top compartment lid and a support part that is movable jointly with the retractable top and is connectable to the counter member in the folded-down position of the retractable top;

wherein the counter member is embodied as a pivot support pivotably supported on a support axis on an underside of the top compartment lid, wherein the pivot support has a free end adapted to be placed against the support part that is substantially stationarily secured;

wherein the pivot support comprises a restoring spring pivoting the pivot support relative to the top compartment lid.

9. The convertible vehicle according to claim 5 , wherein the pivot support is secured by a support frame on the top compartment lid.

10. The convertible vehicle according to claim 5 , wherein the pivot support has means that impart an adjustable holding-down force onto the retractable top.

11. The convertible vehicle according to claim 5 ,

wherein the support part is a locking member of a top closure of the retractable top, wherein the locking member is supported on a forward transverse frame part of the retractable top.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 18, 2014
From: WILHELM KARMANN GMBH
To: VALMET AUTOMOTIVE OY
Reel/Frame 033765/0445 →