A panel assembly for covering and uncovering an opening in a vehicle
includes a guide rail extending longitudinally therealong. A panel
extends between front and rear edges and is movable relative to the guide
rail. A guide mechanism is slidably coupled to the guide rail. A carrier
bracket is fixedly secured to the panel and slidably coupled to the guide
mechanism. A latch is operatively coupled to the panel and slidably
coupled to the guide rail. The latch is operable between a locked
position preventing longitudinal movement of the panel and an unlocked
position allowing longitudinal movement of the panel. A motor drives the
guide mechanism forward along the guide rail moving the panel from a
close position to a venting position, and rearward along the guide rail
actuating the latch to the unlocked position and moving the panel from
the close position to an open position.