Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Tops – Roof structure
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-12
2001-02-13
Rice, Kenneth R. (Department: 3611)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Tops
Roof structure
C180S089100, C280SDIG001
Reexamination Certificate
active
06186584
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to motorized golf cars and particularly to sunroof canopies mounted on such golf cars.
A motorized golf car usually includes a sunroof canopy. Prior art canopies can be constructed from a single or multiple sheets of thermoplastic material, such as polyethylene or polypropylene.
When constructed from a single, thin sheet of thermoplastic material, prior art canopies lack rigidity, causing vibration and early failure. Also, they present sharp edges at the canopy perimeter against which a passenger's head might strike, causing injury.
When constructed from multiple sheets of thermoplastic material, prior art canopies can become unacceptably heavy. They may also present relatively sharp or unrounded edges at the canopy perimeter.
The foregoing illustrates limitations know to exist in prior art sunroof canopies. Thus, it is apparent that it would be advantageous to provide an alternative directed to overcoming one or more of theses limitations set forth above.
Accordingly, a suitable alternative is provided including the features more fully disclosed hereinafter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention this is accomplished by providing a sunroof for a golf car comprising: a thermoplastic sheet having a top surface and a bottom surface, the sheet terminating at edges forming a canopy perimeter; the canopy perimeter having a front portion, a rear portion and substantially parallel first and second side portions extending between the front and rear portions; a first stiffener means formed in the sheet at the sheet edges and extending along the front and side canopy perimeter portions, for stiffening the canopy; a plurality of second stiffener means formed in the sheet in-board of the first stiffener means, for stiffening the canopy, portions of the second stiffener means extending parallel to the front and side canopy perimeter portions; gutter drain means formed in the sheet for collecting and draining away water on the top surface; and means for mounting the canopy on a golf car chassis.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4332415 (1982-06-01), Williams
patent: 4650238 (1987-03-01), Healey
patent: 5031713 (1991-07-01), Criscuolo
patent: 5094500 (1992-03-01), Maypole et al.
patent: 5190340 (1993-03-01), Nuscher
Caldwell James K.
Canaday Terry L.
Eck, III Christian J.
Fulford James M.
Samuelson Donald G.
Club Car Inc.
Rice Kenneth R.
Ussai Mark A.
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