Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Tops – Roof structure
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-08
2001-07-03
Dayoan, D. Glenn (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Tops
Roof structure
C296S216060, C296S216070, C296S216080, C049S404000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06254176
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This application relates to improved positioning for a retractable cord to transfer electrical signals to/from a moving glass panel such as a sunroof.
Sunroofs (or moonroofs) are becoming widely utilized in vehicles. As known, a mechanical connection drives a glass panel between open and closed positions. The glass panel moves within a pair of channels that guide the movement of the glass panel.
Recently, the Assignee of the present application has developed an arrangement wherein a solar cell is mounted on the moving glass panel. This solar cell can be utilized to power the motor for driving the glass panel, or for other purposes. This invention is disclosed in co-pending patent application Ser. No. 09/399,550, filed 20 Sep. 1999, and entitled “Self-Powered Solar Sunroof”. This application discloses a method of transmitting electrical power from a sunroof mounted panel to electrical components mounted on the vehicle frame through a coiled electrical wire. The coil is retractable, and may be of the sort typically utilized in telephones.
The above-referenced United States Patent Application does not disclose a particular position or method for mounting and protecting the retractable cord. The present invention provides such positioning and protection.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In the disclosed embodiment of this invention, a retractable cord extends within a space in a channel which also guides the sunroof glass panel. In this way, the cord is directly connected to the panel, and is protected by the channel. Moreover, the panel has an abutment structure which moves to compress or stretch the cord. The abutment structure may be part of the necessary structure to guide the panel within the channel. In this way, no additional structure need be incorporated onto the panel.
These and other features of the present invention will be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description.
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Blankenship Greg
Carlson & Gaskey & Olds
Dayoan D. Glenn
Meritor Light Vehicle Technology, LLC
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