Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Tops – Let-down type top
Reexamination Certificate
2003-07-29
2004-07-27
Pedder, Dennis H. (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Tops
Let-down type top
C296S108000, C296S121000, C292SDIG005
Reexamination Certificate
active
06767047
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to automotive roof systems and, more particularly, relates to a latch for retaining a convertible roof apparatus.
Rigid hard-top convertible roofs have been used on a variety of automotive vehicles. Some of these conventional convertible hard-top roofs are stored in a generally vertical orientation and some are stored in a predominantly horizontal orientation. Furthermore, some of these conventional hard-top roofs fold in a clamshelling manner while others are collapsible in an overlapping manner. Examples of traditional hard-top convertible roofs are disclosed in the following patents: U.S. Pat. No. 6,347,828 entitled “Actuation Mechanism for a Two Piece Retractable Hard-Top Roof for an Automobile” which issued to Rapin et al. on Feb. 19, 2002; U.S. Pat. No. 6,318,793 entitled “Two Piece Retractable Hard-Top Roof for an Automobile” which issued to Rapin et al. on Nov. 20, 2001; U.S. Pat. No. 5,979,970 entitled “Roof Assembly for a Convertible Vehicle” which issued to Rothe et al. on Nov. 9, 1999; U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,375 entitled “Retractable Hard-Top for an Automotive Vehicle” which issued to Alexander et al. on Jul. 28, 1998; U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,483 entitled “Convertible Motor Vehicle Roof” which issued to Danzi et al. on Jun. 23, 1998; U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,587 entitled “Apparatus for Use in an Automotive Vehicle having a Convertible Roof System” which issued to Alexander et al. on Apr. 28, 1998; and EPO Patent Publication No. 1 092 580 A1 which was published on Apr. 18, 2001. The U.S. patents are incorporated by reference herein.
Traditionally, most rigid hard-top convertible roofs are unrestrained in their collapsed position such that the roof panel(s) and/or top stack mechanism is generally free to vibrate or otherwise produce unwanted noise and/or harshness.
In accordance with the present invention, a convertible roof latch is provided. In another aspect of the present invention, the convertible roof latch is operable to retain the convertible roof apparatus in a collapsed position. A further aspect of the present invention provides that the convertible roof latch is lockingly engaged and disengaged in response to actuation of a tonneau cover. In yet another aspect of the present invention, the convertible roof latch is lockingly engaged and disengaged in response to a cable drive connection with the tonneau cover.
The apparatus of the present invention is advantageous over conventional convertible roof systems in that the present invention is anticipated to provide superior resistance to noise, vibration, and harshness caused by the unrestrained movement of the convertible roof apparatus while in a collapsed position.
Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiment of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
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4-Pages of Photos of 2000 Model Year, Mercedes SLK Convertible Top Latch Mechanism.
Brooks David W.
Eichhorst Stefan
Forgue Gary J.
ASC Incorporated
Pedder Dennis H.
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