Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Bodies – Structural detail
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-20
2001-04-10
Dayoan, D. Glenn (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Bodies
Structural detail
C296S190050
Reexamination Certificate
active
06213541
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to vehicle ventilation systems and more particularly to cowl assemblies that may provide an inlet to the HVAC system of a motor vehicle and more particularly to such assemblies that are adjustable in length for ease of connection to laterally spaced vehicle body connection points and their method of assembly.
BACKGROUND PRIOR ART
Two piece cowl grills such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,679,845 are connected at a tongue and groove connection that is adjustable to change the length of the cowl so as take into consideration differences in the lateral distance between connection points on a vehicle resulting from manufacturing tolerances. While suitable for its intended purpose the cowl arrangement in the '845 patent depends upon a groove shaped elastomeric seal that fits around the lower edge of a windshield to seal the gap between the cowl and the windshield. The groove shaped seal provides a friction-type lock against lateral shifting between the windshield and the cowl after the cowl has been connected to the vehicle and the windshield has been installed to the cowl. While suitable for use on windshield arrangements that require a bottom edge seal it lacks the flexibility of positioning required in windshield/cowl gap seal systems wherein the gap is sealed by a seal element that includes a flap that seals against the windshield at a point above the lower edge thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a two part cowl arrangement that is laterally adjustable and that is locked together for handling and releasable for connection between varying distances on laterally spaced connection points on a vehicle and wherein the lock release is controlled by lateral movement of the two cowl parts.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such lock action and such release for adjustment by a latch mechanism for that releasably connects first and second cowl parts for handling as a unit and for lateral adjustment there between and wherein said first and second cowl parts respectively have first and second portions thereon configured to provide a slip joint there between; the first and second portions engaging one another at edge portions thereon to providing transverse movement between the first and second cowl parts for actuating the latch mechanism between locked and released positions in response to lateral adjustment there between.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a two part cowl arrangement that is laterally adjustable and that is locked together for handling and releasable for connection between varying distances on laterally spaced connection points on a vehicle and wherein the lock release is controlled by lateral movement of the two cowl parts and in which the first and second cowl parts have an edge segment thereon and a seal member carried by said edge segment has a sealing flap thereon configured to seal against the outer surface of a windshield at a point above the lower edge of the windshield.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a two part cowl arrangement that is laterally adjustable and that is locked together for handling and releasable for connection between varying distances on laterally spaced connection points on a vehicle and wherein the lock release is controlled by lateral movement of the two cowl parts and the latch mechanism includes a slot on one of said first and second cowl parts and a releasable lock member on the other of said first and second cowl parts.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an arrangement as set forth in the preceding object wherein the slot has first and second indexed locations thereon for positioning said lock at maximum and minimum adjusted positions of the slip joint.
Still another feature of the present invention is to provide for such a latch mechanism wherein the indexed locations are selectively engaged by a releasable lock member formed as spaced L-shaped parts.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a two part cowl arrangement that is laterally adjustable and that is locked together for handling and releasable for connection between varying distances on laterally spaced connection points on a vehicle and wherein the first and second cowl parts respectively have first and second portions thereon configured to provide a slip joint there between. The slip joint has first and second edges thereon and a driver member is angularly disposed between the first and second parallel edges and engageable with one of the edges to move the tracks apart upon lateral adjustment of the first and second cowl parts to force the cowl parts in a direction to actuate the latch mechanism to a locked position for interconnecting the first and second cowl parts for handling and positioning as a unit; the angularly disposed position selected to permit lateral release of said latch mechanism for adjusting the end to end length of said cowl prior to connection thereof between laterally spaced points on a vehicle body.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a two part cowl arrangement that is laterally adjustable and that is locked together for handling and releasable for connection between varying distances on laterally spaced connection points on a vehicle and wherein the cowl parts have an edge segment to slidably receive a seal member for allowing lateral adjustment of said first and second cowl parts while said seal member is supported on said edge segment.
Another feature of the present invention is to provide such a slidable seal as in the preceding object wherein the seal member has a first end connected to the edge segment and a second end engageable with the windshield; the first and second ends formed from elastomeric material having a greater hardness at the first end than at the second end.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a method for assembling a cowl on a vehicle body for supporting a seal member thereon in sealing engagement with a windshield including providing a first cowl part having an end portion thereon configured to be connected to a first body member; providing a second cowl part having an end portion thereon configured to be connected to a second body member spaced laterally from said first body member; providing a latch between the first and second cowl parts to prevent separation thereof and to allow lateral adjustment thereof; providing a slip joint between said first and second cowl parts operable to release and lock the latch; operating the slip joint to release the latch; adjusting the length of the slip joint when the latch is released for locating the first and second cowl parts whereby the end portions thereon are aligned with the first and second body parts respectively; and interconnecting the end portions to the first and second body parts for securing the first and second cowl parts in place on a vehicle without separating the slip joint there between.
A feature of the method of the present invention is to latch the first and second cowl parts with L-shaped locks.
A further feature of the method of the present invention is to locate a seal member on the cowl parts prior to lateral adjustment thereof.
A still further feature of the method of the present invention is to provide an edge segment on the first and second cowl parts and supporting a seal member on the edge segment that is relatively slidable on the edge segment during lateral adjustment of the cowl parts. Yet another feature of the method of the present invention is to provide a seal member that has a hard end and a soft end and connecting the hard end of the seal member to the cowl parts.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent when reference is made to the following drawings and the accompanying description.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2963315 (1960-12-01), Wilsdorf, Sr.
patent: 4159843 (1979-07-01), Crossman
patent: 4332187 (1982-06-01), Imai
patent: 4391465 (1983-07-01), Piano
patent:
Pickholz Michael F.
Razgunas Paul S.
Surhigh Donald A.
Dayoan D. Glenn
Murray Mickki D.
Reising Ethington Barnes Kisselle Learman & McCulloch PC
Textron Automotive Company
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