Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Tops – Roof structure
Patent
1981-02-03
1982-12-21
Song, Robert R.
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Tops
Roof structure
292DIG49, B60J 718
Patent
active
043646000
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention has to do with lock and support apparatus for vehicle, especially auto, van and truck, sun roofs. More particularly, the invention is concerned with improvements in the lock and support apparatus presently available for the purpose of securing the movable, usually translucent sun roof panel, to the flange encircling the roof opening.
BACKGROUND ART
Automobiles, trucks and vans typically have sheet metal roofs. It is currently popular to fit these roofs with a hatch-like opening which is openable to admit air and sunshine into the passenger compartment, and lockable in inclement weather or to protect vehicle contents. While "sun roofs" as these auto accessories are generally called are sometimes installed by the factory, there is a considerable after-market sale, particularly for vehicles not available from the factory with a sun roof option. In factory installations, and in after-market installations, the sun roof typically comprises a movable panel, usually transparent to translucent against undue glare, and rectangular in shape, and a mating flange. It is preferred to have the sun roof panel partly openable and fully removable as well. For this purpose latches have been devised which have a handle and strut arrangement coupling of the flange to the panel. The handle and strut are relatively pivotable to opposite over-center conditions to lock the panel down against the gasket used to seal the top of the flange, or to lock the panel tipped up, rearwardly, for admission of air and sunshine into the passenger compartment.
One manner of fastening the panel has been to affix a pair of metal tabs to the flange bearing apertures at the maximum of their protrusion, through which pins are thrust which pass as well through an end of the strut portion of the lock apparatus. Two pairs of metal tabs are used, on spaced portions of the apparatus, for strength and balance. The removal of the roof leaves protruding down in the passenger compartment both pairs of metal tabs, which, in the case of vehicle jouncing, accident, or simple movement of the passenger in his seat, can result in the head impacting these small cross-section tabs, penetrating the skull, with disastrous results. There is a need for a safe sun roof lock and support system and apparatus, one free on unsafe protrusions, and fabricated with designs and materials having maximum safety in use.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide safety lock and support apparatus for sun roof panel installation. It is another object to provide panel mounting apparatus which is positive in locking action when installed, free of protrusions likely to engender personal injury whether the panel is in place or not, and which facilitates removal and reinstallation of the panel, by a simple snap in or snap out mechanism.
These and other objects of the invention, to become apparent hereinafter, are realized in the safety vehicle sun roof lock and support apparatus according to the invention for vehicle sun roof panels movably mounted in a vehicle roof opening circumscribed by a fixed flange which comprises a roof panel, a roof opening interfitting flange defining a panel seat, anchor means secured to the flange freely of protrusions engendering personal injury, and an articulated coupler comprising first bar means connected at one end to the panel, and second bar means connected at one end to the anchor means, the first and second bar means being pivotally connected to each other at their respective other ends for locking the panel in seated or opened position relative to the flange, the second bar means being bodily deflectable from its connected relations for complete panel removal from the flange, the anchor being thereby exposed and without exposing injury engendering protrusions.
In particular embodiments: the flange is a channel extrusion defining upper and lower circumferential recesses about the roof opening, and the invention apparatus further includes gasket means in the upper recess in
REFERENCES:
patent: 4067605 (1978-01-01), Green et al.
patent: 4120524 (1978-10-01), Buck, Jr.
patent: 4186525 (1980-02-01), Carvalho
patent: 4193628 (1980-03-01), Sorensen
patent: 4205875 (1980-06-01), Smith
patent: 4216983 (1980-08-01), Hough et al.
patent: 4257632 (1981-03-01), DeStepheno
LandOfFree
Safety vehicle sun roof lock and support apparatus does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Safety vehicle sun roof lock and support apparatus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Safety vehicle sun roof lock and support apparatus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-403277