Retractable top trunk lid assembly

Abstract

A retractable hard top for a vehicle including a linkage and a top guide track for moving the hard top from a top up position to a stowed position. As the retractable hard top is moved between the top up and stowed positions, the trunk is raised by rearward movement of the trunk linkage in connection with a guide member. The guide member also provides a forward movement of the trunk linkage for closing the trunk lid.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A trunk lid and a vehicle having a retractable top, in combination comprising: 
 a right side linkage and a left side linkage connecting the trunk lid for opening and closing with respect to the vehicle; and    each linkage having a first link and a second link movably connected with respect to each other and to the vehicle, the first link being connected to the vehicle by a forward connector movable fore and aft, the first link being mounted to the vehicle by a guide member for facilitating the fore and aft movement of the forward connector, the second link being pivotally connected to the vehicle at a fixed location with respect to the vehicle and the second link being pivotally connected to the first link for facilitating the movable connection of the links with respect to each other and to open and close the trunk lid in response to such movement of the first and second links.    
     
     
         2 . The trunk lid and the vehicle having the retractable top in the combination of  claim 1 , wherein the guide member is defined as a track and the forward connector of the first link is defined as a hinge roller disposed in the track, allowing the movement of the first link in both the fore and aft directions.  
     
     
         3 . The trunk lid and the vehicle having the retractable top in the combination of  claim 1 , wherein the guide member is defined as a guide link having a first end connected to the forward connector of the first link and a second end being pivotally connected to the vehicle at a fixed location with respect to the vehicle, the guide link allowing the movement of the first link in both the fore and aft directions.  
     
     
         4 . The trunk lid and the vehicle having the retractable top in the combination of  claim 1 , each linkage further comprising: 
 a trunk lid bracket affixed to the trunk lid, having first and second spaced apart pivotal connectors, the second link being connected to the second pivotal connector;    a central pivotal connector connecting the first and second links;    a rear pivotal connector connected to the first link; and    an adjusting link being connected to the first pivotal connector of the bracket and being connected to the rear pivotal connector of the first link, for adjusting the tilt of the trunk lid as the trunk lid is opened and closed.    
     
     
         5 . The trunk lid and the vehicle having the retractable top in the combination of  claim 1 , each linkage further comprising a hydraulic cylinder connected to the vehicle and the first link to open and close the trunk lid and to drive the first link between the fore and aft positions.  
     
     
         6 . The trunk lid and the vehicle having the retractable top in the combination of  claim 1 , each linkage further comprising a hydraulic cylinder connected to the vehicle and the second link to open and close the trunk lid and to drive the first link between the fore and aft positions.  
     
     
         7 . The trunk lid and the vehicle having the retractable top in the combination of  claim 1 , each linkage further comprising a motor driving the linkage to open and close the trunk lid and to drive the first link between the fore and aft positions.  
     
     
         8 . A trunk lid and a vehicle having a retractable top, in combination comprising: 
 a right trunk lid bracket and a left trunk lid bracket affixed to the trunk lid, each having spaced apart first and second pivotal connectors;    a right side linkage and a left side linkage connecting the trunk lid for opening and closing with respect to the vehicle; and    each linkage having: 
 a first link pivotally connected to a guide link, the guide link being pivotally connected to the vehicle for movement in both a fore and aft direction, the first link having a central pivot connector and a rear pivotal connector;  
 a second link located generally rearward of the guide link, the second link being pivotally connected to the vehicle at a fixed location with respect to the vehicle, the second link being connected to the central pivot connector of the first link and the second pivotal connector of the trunk lid bracket for facilitating the movable connection of the links with respect to each other and to open and close the trunk lid in response to such movement of the first and second links; and  
 an adjusting link connected to the first pivotal connector of the trunk lid bracket and connected to the rear pivotal connector of the first link, for adjusting the tilt of the trunk lid as the trunk lid is opened and closed.  
   
     
     
         9 . The trunk lid and the vehicle having the retractable top in the combination of  claim 8 , each linkage further comprising a hydraulic cylinder connected to the vehicle and the first link to open and close the trunk lid and to drive the first link between the fore and aft positions.  
     
     
         10 . The trunk lid and the vehicle having the retractable top in the combination of  claim 8 , each linkage further comprising a hydraulic cylinder connected to the vehicle and the second link to open and close the trunk lid and to drive the first link between the fore and aft positions.  
     
     
         11 . The trunk lid and the vehicle having the retractable top in the combination of  claim 8 , each linkage further comprising a motor driving the linkage to open and close the trunk lid and to drive the first link between the fore and aft positions.  
     
     
         12 . A vehicle having a retractable top and a trunk lid having a right side linkage and a left side linkage connecting the trunk lid for opening and closing with respect to the vehicle, each linkage comprising: 
 a first link and a second link movably connected with respect to each other and to the vehicle, the first link being connected to the vehicle by a forward connector movable fore and aft, the first link being mounted to the vehicle by a guide member for facilitating the fore and aft movement of the forward connector, the second link being pivotally connected to the vehicle at a fixed location with respect to the vehicle and the second link being pivotally connected to the first link for facilitating the movable connection of the links with respect to each other and to open and close the trunk lid in response to such movement of the first and second links.    
     
     
         13 . The vehicle of  claim 12 , wherein the guide member is defined as a track and the forward connector of the first link is defined as a hinge roller disposed in the track, allowing the movement of the first link in both the fore and aft directions.  
     
     
         14 . The vehicle of  claim 12 , wherein the guide member is defined as a guide link having a first end connected to the forward connector of the first link and a second end being pivotally connected to the vehicle at a fixed location with respect to the vehicle, the guide link allowing the movement of the first link in both the fore and aft directions.  
     
     
         15 . The vehicle of  claim 12 , each linkage further comprising: 
 a trunk lid bracket affixed to the trunk lid, having first and second spaced apart pivotal connectors, the second link being connected to the second pivotal connector;    a central pivotal connector connecting the first and second links;    a rear pivotal connector connected to the first link; and    an adjusting link being connected to the first pivotal connector of the bracket and being connected to the rear pivotal connector of the first link, for adjusting the tilt of the trunk lid as the trunk lid is opened and closed.    
     
     
         16 . The vehicle of  claim 12 , each linkage further comprising a hydraulic cylinder connected to the vehicle and the first link to open and close the trunk lid and to drive the first link between the fore and aft positions.  
     
     
         17 . The vehicle of  claim 12 , each linkage further comprising a hydraulic cylinder connected to the vehicle and the second link to open and close the trunk lid and to drive the first link between the fore and aft positions.  
     
     
         18 . The vehicle of  claim 12 , each linkage further comprising a motor driving the linkage to open and close the trunk lid and to drive the first link between the fore and aft positions.  
     
     
         19 . A vehicle having a retractable top and a trunk lid having a right side linkage and a left side linkage connecting the trunk lid for opening and closing with respect to the vehicle, each linkage comprising: 
 a bracket affixed to the trunk lid having spaced apart first and second pivotal connectors;    a first link pivotally connected to a guide link, the guide link being pivotally connected to the vehicle for movement in both a fore and aft direction, the first link having a central pivot connector and a rear pivotal connector;    a second link located generally rearward of the guide link, the second link being pivotally connected to the vehicle at a fixed location with respect to the vehicle, the second link being connected to the central pivot connector of the first link and the second pivotal connector of the trunk lid bracket for facilitating the movable connection of the links with respect to each other and to open and close the trunk lid in response to such movement of the first and second links; and    an adjusting link connected to the first pivotal connector of the trunk lid bracket and connected to the rear pivotal connector of the first link, for adjusting the tilt of the trunk lid as the trunk lid is opened and closed.    
     
     
         20 . The vehicle of  claim 19 , each linkage further comprising a hydraulic cylinder connected to the vehicle and the first link to open and close the trunk lid and to drive the first link between the fore and aft positions.  
     
     
         21 . The vehicle of  claim 19 , each linkage further comprising a hydraulic cylinder connected to the vehicle and the second link to open and close the trunk lid and to drive the first link between the fore and aft positions.  
     
     
         22 . The vehicle of  claim 19 , each linkage further comprising a motor driving the linkage to open and close the trunk lid and to drive the first link between the fore and aft positions.  
     
     
         23 . A modular preassembled unit for installation in a vehicle comprising: 
 a retractable top;    a trunk lid;    a right side linkage and a left side linkage connecting the trunk lid for opening and closing with respect to the vehicle; and    each linkage having a first link and a second link movably connected with respect to each other and to the vehicle, the first link being connected to the vehicle by a forward connector movable fore and aft, the first link being mounted to the vehicle by a guide member for facilitating the fore and aft movement of the forward connector, the second link being pivotally connected to the vehicle at a fixed location with respect to the vehicle and the second link being pivotally connected to the first link for facilitating the movable connection of the links with respect to each other and to open and close the trunk lid in response to such movement of the first and second links.    
     
     
         24 . The modular preassembled unit of  claim 23 , wherein the guide member is defined as a track and the forward connector of the first link is defined as a hinge roller disposed in the track, allowing the movement of the first link in both the fore and aft directions.  
     
     
         25 . The modular preassembled unit of  claim 23 , wherein the guide member is defined as a guide link having a first end connected to the forward connector of the first link and a second end being pivotally connected to the vehicle at a fixed location with respect to the vehicle, the guide link allowing the movement of the first link in both the fore and aft directions.  
     
     
         26 . The modular preassembled unit of  claim 23 , each linkage further comprising: 
 a trunk lid bracket affixed to the trunk lid, having first and second spaced apart pivotal connectors, the second link being connected to the second pivotal connector;    a central pivotal connector connecting the first and second links;    a rear pivotal connector connected to the first link; and    an adjusting link being connected to the first pivotal connector of the bracket and being connected to the rear pivotal connector of the first link, for adjusting the tilt of the trunk lid as the trunk lid is opened and closed.    
     
     
         27 . The modular preassembled unit of  claim 23 , each linkage further comprising a hydraulic cylinder connected to the vehicle and the first link to open and close the trunk lid and to drive the first link between the fore and aft positions.  
     
     
         28 . The modular preassembled unit of  claim 23 , each linkage further comprising a hydraulic cylinder connected to the vehicle and the second link to open and close the trunk lid and to drive the first link between the fore and aft positions.  
     
     
         29 . The modular preassembled unit of  claim 23 , each linkage further comprising a motor driving the linkage to open and close the trunk lid and to drive the first link between the fore and aft positions.  
     
     
         30 . A modular preassembled unit for installation in a vehicle comprising: 
 a retractable top;    a trunk lid;    a right trunk lid bracket and a left trunk lid bracket affixed to the trunk lid, each having spaced apart first and second pivotal connectors;    a right side linkage and a left side linkage connecting the trunk lid for opening and closing with respect to the vehicle; and    each linkage having: 
 a first link pivotally connected to a guide link, the guide link being pivotally connected to the vehicle for movement in both a fore and aft direction, the first link having a central pivot connector and a rear pivotal connector;  
 a second link located generally rearward of the guide link, the second link being pivotally connected to the vehicle at a fixed location with respect to the vehicle, the second link being connected to the central pivot connector of the first link and the second pivotal connector of the trunk lid bracket for facilitating the movable connection of the links with respect to each other and to open and close the trunk lid in response to such movement of the first and second links; and  
 an adjusting link connected to the first pivotal connector of the trunk lid bracket and connected to the rear pivotal connector of the first link, for adjusting the tilt of the trunk lid as the trunk lid is opened and closed.  
   
     
     
         31 . The modular preassembled unit of  claim 30 , each linkage further comprising a hydraulic cylinder connected to the vehicle and the first link to open and close the trunk lid and to drive the first link between the fore and aft positions.  
     
     
         32 . The modular preassembled unit of  claim 30 , each linkage further comprising a hydraulic cylinder connected to the vehicle and the second link to open and close the trunk lid and to drive the first link between the fore and aft positions.  
     
     
         33 . The modular preassembled unit of  claim 30 , each linkage further comprising a motor driving the linkage to open and close the trunk lid and to drive the first link between the fore and aft positions.