Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
PIV~AL-SLIDING ROOF PANEL A~SEMBLY
This invention relates, in general, to vehicle
roof structures and~ more specifically9 to a pivotal-
sliding roof panel assembly having lifter devices for
lifting a movable roof panel between lower, closed and
vent positions.
Vehicles having a movable, sliding rocf panel
are well known. Such roof panels are movable between a
closed position in which the roof panel sealingly closes
an opening in the roof of the vehicle and an open posi-
tion in which the roof panel is disposed beneath the
vehicle roof structure to open the roof opening.
It is also known to provide such movable roof
panels with the capability to be raised to a flip-up,
venting position in which the rear edge of the roof panel
is raised a shbrt distance above the roof of the vehicle.
In order to raise the roof panel from Q lowered position
in which the panel slides fore and aft to a closed posi-
tion sealing the roof opening and from the closed posi-
~0 tion to the venting position, various lifter mechanisms
have been devised. Such lifter mechanisms typically
incorporate a linkage which is mounted between the
sliding members of the roof panel apparatus and the roof
panel itself for moving the roof panel between the
~5 lowered, closed and venting positions. Despite the
variety of types of lifter mechanisms which have beer.
previously devised, all such lifter mechanisms must meet
the dual requirements of reliable operation and compact
size in order to minimize the amount of interior space
within the vehicle that is consumed by the roof panel
apparatus.
'. ~
~L'7~
Thus, it would be desirable to provide a lifter
apparatus for a vehicle having a movable roof panel which
is operative to raise the roof panel between lowered9
closed and venting positions. It would also be desirable
to provide a lifter apparatus for a movable roof panel
which is small and compact in si~e.
There is disclosed herein a new and improved
lift apparatus for a vehicle having a movable roof panel
which is ~dapted to open and elose an opening in the
vehicle roof and is further raisable to a vent position.
The lifter apparatus includes a link pivotally connected
at a first end to a slidable guide shoe mounted in a
longitudinally extending guide rail. The second end of
the link is slidingly disposed in an aperture formed in
an attachment member upward sueh that the roof panel is
moved from the lowered position to the closed position in
which it is disposed in registry with the edges of the
roof opening.
Further forward movement of the guide shoe
causes the link to further pivot about the first end such
that the second end slides along the aperture in the
attachment member and urges the attachment member and
roo~ panel attached thereto upward to the partially
raised vent position.
In one embodiment, the cam block is adjustably
mounted on the guide shoe so as to enable vertical
adjustment of the roof panel in the closed position. In
addition3 the cam block and the attachment member are
formed with complementary cam surfaces in the form of
planar, inclined faees for sliding engagement there-
between.
t~2~
According to another feature of the present
invention, means are provided fo~ preventing premature
lift;ng of the roof panel as the roof panel slides from
the open position towards the closed position. Means are
also provided for preventing removal of the roof panel
from the opening when the roof panel is in the closed
position so as to prevent unauthorized entry into the
vehicle through the roof opening.
In a second embodiment a pivotal-sliding rvof
panel assembly includes an integrally formed housing
constructed of a plastic material which is adapted to be
mounted to the interior of the stationary roof structure
of the vehicle. A movable roof panel is movably mounted
within the housing. Drive means, mounted on the housing,
are operably connected to the movable roof panel for
causing selective movement of the roof panel. Guide
rails are mounted on the housing and extend in the
sliding dire~tion of the movable roof panel. Lifter
means, connected between the housing and opposed sides of
the movable roof panel, are provided for raising and
lowering the roof panel. Each of the lieter means
includes first and second pivotally connected links which
are operative to raise and lower the roof panel~ Guide
means are slidably disposed within the guide rails and
~5 are connected to and moved by the drive means. A slider
member is slidably disposed within the guide means. The
first and second links are pivotally connected between
the guide means, slider member and the movable roof panel
for controlling movement of the movable roof panel. Stop
means are provided for stopping the forward movement of
--3--
the first link such that the lifter means rnoves to a
partially-extended position from a collapsed position
raising the roof panel to the closed position and, upon
continued driving movement, to a fully extended position.
In the second embodiment, the first link is
pivotally connected at a first end to an interrnediate
portion of the second link and, at a second end, to the
slider member disposed within the guide means. The
second link is pivotally connected at a first end to the
guide means and~ at a second end, to the movable roof
panel.
The drive means comprises a drive motor mounted
on the housing and first and second belts which are
respectively connected to opposed ones of the guide
means. Preferably, the first and second drive belts are
in the form of elongated, flexible strips and include a
plurality of spaced apertures formed along their length.
Means, rotatably driven by the motor, engages the aper-
tures in the belts so as to cause selective reversible
movement of the belts.
The second embodiment also includes detector
means operative to detect when the movable roof panel is
in the clcsed position closing the opening in the roof of
the vehicle. The detector means further includes control
means, responsive to the detector means, for selectively
connecting an actuator means to the drive motor to
energize the drive motor to move the roof panel from the
closed position to either one of the fully opened or
partially opened venting positions.
~ ,4
The pivotal-sliding roof panel assembly of the
present invention provides many significant advantages
over similar prior art sliding roof assemblies. Con-
struction of the pivotal-sliding roof panel assembly from
a relatively small number of lightweight components
results in a roof panel assembly whieh is light in
weight, which makes it ideally suited for today's smaller
and lighter automobiles. The pivotal-sliding roof panel
assembly may also be constructed as a modular assembly
and installed on a vehicle as a one-piece unit which
greatly simplifies the installation procedure. Finally,
the unique lifter mechanism incorporated into the
pivotal-sliding roof panel assembly of the present
invention is compact in size which contributes to
increased head room within the vehicle and an enlarged
viewing area on the movable roof panel.
The various features, advantages and other uses
of the present invention will become more apparent by
referring to the following detailed description and
drawing in which:
Figure 1 is a partial, perspective view of a
vehicle having a pivotal-sliding roof panel assembly
mounted therein which includes a lifter apparatus
constructed in aceordance with the teachings of the
present invention;
Figure 2 is an exploded, perspective view of the
housing of the roof panel assembly;
Figure 3 is a cross-section~l view, generally
taken along line 3-3, in Figure 1, showing the construc-
tion of the lifter apparatus of the present invention;
--5--
Figure 4 is a perspective view of the lifter
apparatus of the present invention depicted in the
lowered position;
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view9 generally
taken along line 5-5 in Figure 3, showing the position of
the components of the lifter apparatus when the roof
panel is in the closed position;
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional viewJ similar to
that depicted in Figure 57 but showing the position of
the components of the lifter apparatus when the roof
panel is in the vent position;
Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view~ generally
taken along line 7-7 in Figure 5;
Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the roof
panel position sensor;
Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the control
apparatus used to control movement of the roof panel;
Figure 10 is a partial, perspective view of a
second embodiment of the invention in the form of a
~0 vehicle having a pivotal-sliding roof panel assembly
constructed in accordance with the teachings of the
present invention mounted therein;
Figure 11 is a sectional view of the control
unit of the present invention;
Figure 12 is an exploded, perspective view of
the pivotQl-sliding roof panel assembly of the present
invention;
Figure 13 is an exploded, perspective view of
the movable roof panel assembly;
Figure 14 is a perspective view; partially
sectioned, of the lifter mechanism;
--6--
Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view generally
taken along line 15-15 in Figure 14;
Figure 16 is a partial, perspectiYe view of the
lifter mechanism showing the position of the components
of the lifter mechanism when in the partially extended
position;
Figure 17 is a partial, perspec~ive view of the
lifter mechanism showing the position of the components
of the lifter mechanism when in the collapsed position;
Figure 18 i5 a perspective view of one of the
drive belt corner guides;
Figure 19 is a partial, perspective view of the
roof panel locking means; and
Figure 20 is a partial, sectional view of the
~5 right end of the water trough.
Throughout the following description and
drawing, identical reference numbers are used to refer
to the same component shown in multiple figures of the
drawing.
Referring now to the drawing, and to Figure 1 in
particular, there is illustrated a pivotal~sliding roof
panel assembly 10 which is adapted to be mounted on the
roof of a vehicle 12. The vehicle 12 includes a sta-
tionary roof structure 14 having an opening 16 formed
therein. Preferably, the opening 16 has a rectangular
con~iguration and is situated over the front seat of the
vehicle 12. The roof opening 16 is opened and closed by
a movable roof panel 22 which slides between closed and
open positions as well as pivoting about a front edge to
a flip-up vent position.
--7--
As shown in Figures 3, 5 and 6, the pivotal-
sliding roof panel assembly 10 includes a rectangularly
shaped roof panel 22 which is preferably formed of a
transparent glassO The roof panel 22 has approximately
the same shape as the roof opening 16 so as to completely
close the opening 16 when ~he roof panel 22 is moved to
the fully closed position. ~ casing or gasket 24 formed
of a plastic material, such as a polyvinyl chloride, is
molded around the peripheral edge of the roof panel 22.
The casing 24 is formed with an upper lip 26
which is in registry with the peripheral edge of the
upper surface of the roof panel 22 and a downwardly
extending flange portion 28 which depends from the upper
lip 26 along the side of the roof panel 22 and is in
registry with the bottom surface of the roof panel 22.
Suitable attachment members, which will be described in
greater detail hereafter, are integrally molded between
the casing 24 and the roof panel 22 to provide a means
for mounting the roof panel 22 on the vehicle 12.
2~ Referring now to Figure 2, there is depicted a
frame or housing assembly 40 which is adapted to be
mounted to the interior of the stationary roof structure
14 of the vehicle 12. The frame assembly 40 includes an
integrally formed, substantially rectangular housing 42.
The housing 42 includes an aperture 44 which is eon-
figured to the approximate shape of the roof opening 16
and a planar, solid rear section 46.
Preferably, the housing 42 is formed as an
integral unit from a stamped, lightweight material, such
as fiberglass sheet molding eompound (CS~C). Other
z~
materials, such as nylon or polypropylene based
compounds, having the requisite high strength and light-
weight properties, may also be used to form the housing
42.
S The housing 42 is integrally formed with
mounting brackets, drain openings and s~iffening ribs.
The housing 42 also includes opposed side flanges 48
which extend longitudinally along the sides of the
housing 20. An intermediate, upwardly extending flange
50 is foemed on each side flange 48 of the housing 42 and
divides the flange 48 into an inner portion which serves
as a base for the guide rails, to be described in greater
detail hereafter, and an outer channel or drain 52. Each
of the side drain troughs 52 communicates with the like
formed drain troughs situated along the front and rear
edges of the housing 42. The corners of the housing 42
are formed with hollow conduits 54 which are adapted to
be connected to suitable conduits or tubes which extend
through the body of the vehicle 12 to form means for
diverting water collected in the drain troughs of the
housing 42 away from the roof panel assembly lO.
The housing 42 also includes front and rear
mounting pads 56 and 58, respectively. The mounting pads
56 and 58 serve as a means for mounting the drive means,
described hereafter, on the housing 42. This enables the
drive means to be selectively mounted on either of the
front or rear edges of the housing 42 depending upon the
particular vehicle construction.
As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the housing 42 is
adapted to be mounted to a panel opening reinforcement 60
~L7~
which is of substantially rectangular configuration. The
panel opening reinforcement 60 is formed of a metallic
material, such as steel, and is secured to the interior
stationary roof structure 14 of the vehicle 12 by
suitable means, such as by welding. A resilient padding
member 62 is interposed between the outer edges of the
housing 42 and the panel opening reinforcement 60. The
housing 42 is then secured by conventionQl fasteners to
the panel opening reinforcement 60 so as to mount the
housing 42 to the stationary roof structure 14 of the
vehicle 120
Drive means 70 are provided for moving the roof
panel 22 between open and closed positions as well as
between the closed and vent positions. As is
conventional, the drive means 70 includes a reversible,
electric drive motor 72 which has an output shaft con-
nected to an output gear assembly mounted on either of
the ~ront or rear mounting pads 56 and 58 such that the
bevel gear extends downward through an aperture in the
mounting pads 56 and 58.
The roof panel 22 is driven by the drive motor
72 and gear assembly via thrust transmitting drive cables
74 and 76 which have one end secured to rear guide shoes
described hereafter. The drive cables 74 and 76 have
helically wound outer surfaces adapted to engage the
bevel gear of the drive means 70. As the bevel gear
rotates, the cables 74 and 76 are linearly moved
resulting in movement of the roof panel 22 between its
open and closed positions. A guide block 78 is mounted
on the bottom sides of each of the front and rear
--10--
mounting pads 56 and 58 and includes a pair of longi-
tudinally extending slots therein which are adapted to
slidingly receive the thrust transmitting drive cables 74
and 7B. A perpendicularly orlented bore extends through
the guide block 78 centrally between the longitudinally
extending slots arld receives the bevel gear therein such
that the bevel gear engages the sides of the drive cables
74 and 76 to cause translation thereof.
In a rear mounted drive motor configuration,
such as that depicted in Figure 2, an idler cable 80 is
attached at one end to one of the front guide shoes of
the roof panel assembly 10. The o~her end of the idler
cable 80 enters the housing of a sensor means 82 and
engages an actuator disposed therein, as described in
greater detail hereafter.
As shown in Figures 2-7, a pair of elongated
guide tracks or rails 90 and 92 are mounted on the
inwardly extending side flanges 48 of the housing 42 and
extend in the sliding direction of the movable roof panel
2a. The guide rails 90 and 92 are identically
constructed and include a base 94, upwardly extending
spaced side walls 9B and 98 and inwardly extending
flanges lO0 and 102. The guide rails 90 and 92 have a
channel configuration and are adapted to slidingly
receive the guide shoes connected to the movable roof
panel 22. The juncture between the base 94 and one of
the side walls, such as side wall 98, of each guide rail
90 and 92 is formed with a circular recess 104.
As is conventional, the roof panel assembly 10
is provided with front and rear pairs of guide shoes
-11--
2~3
which control the fore and aft sliding movement of the
roof panel 22. The front guide shoes, not shown,
comprise pivotal links which are connected on opposed
sides of the roof panel 22 adjacent the front edge
thereof. The front guide shoes enable the roof panel 22
to be pivoted such that the rear edge of the roof panel
22 can be lowered and slid rearwardly underneath the
syationary roof structure 14 of the vehicle 12, raised to
a closed position wherein the roof panel 22 is substan-
L0 tially in registry with the edges of the roof opening 16
and pivoted about the front edge to a partially raised
vent position.
As shown in Figures 4-~, each of the identical
rear guide shoes 110 are formed with a planar base 112
having outwardly extending side flanges 114 and 116. One
of the side flanges 114 has a substantially square con-
figuration and is adapted to ride between the base 94 and
the upper flange 100 of the guide rail. The opposed side
flange 116 has a circular cross section which slides
~0 within the circular recess 104 in the guide rail and is
formed with a hollow bore 118 extending therethrough
which is adapted to securely receive one of the thrust
transmitting drive cables 74 or 76. In this manner,
translation of the drive cables 74 and 76 causes movement
of each of the rear guide shoes 110 longitudinally within
the guide rails 90 and 92.
Each of the rear guide shoes 110 further
includes a centrally located, upwardly extending flange
120 having first and second raised bosses 122 and 124,
respectively, formed at opposite ends thereof.
-12-
Aecording to the teachings of the present
invention, a lifter apparatus, deno~ed in general by
reference numher 130 in Figure 4, is provided for raising
the roof panel 22 between lowered, closed and vent
positions. The lifter apparatus 130 ineludes a link 132,
a cam or wedge block 170, and a panel attachment member
150.
The link 132 is in the form of an elongated
member having spaced, laterally offset, first and second
ends 134 and 138, respectively. The first end 134 of the
link 132 is pivotally connected to the rear guide shoe
110 by means of a pivot pin 136 which extends through
aligned bores formed in the boss 124 of the rear guide
shoe 110 and the first end 134 of the link 132. The
second end 138 of the link 132 is thus disposed for
pivotal movement about the first end 134.
A slider member 140 is attached to the second
end 138 of the link 132. The slider member 140 comprises
an elongated shaft having a first reduced diameter por-
~0 tion 142 and an outer enlarged head 144.
The panel attachment member lS0 is in the form
of a bracket having a planar upper surface 152. The
outermost end 154 of the panel attachment member 150 is
bent inward and spaced above the planar top surface 152.
The opposed, spaced surfaces of the outermost end 154 and
the planar top surface 153 of the panel attachment member
150 are adapted to engage the edges of the top and bottom
surfaees of the roof panel 22. Preferably, the outermost
edge portions of the panel attachment member 150 are
mounted on the roof panel 22 by integrally molding the
-13-
outermost edges of the panel attachment member 150 within
the casing or gasket 24, as shown in ~igure 3.
The panel attachment member 150 further includes
a depending flange portion 156 having an aperture 158
formed therein. Preferably, the aperture 158 is in the
form of an elongated slot having a first smaller width
section 160 and a larger width outer section 162. The
first and second portions 160 and 162 of the aperture 158
correspond in size to the first and second portions 142
and 144, respectively, of the slider member 140 attached
to the second end 138 of the linlc 132. The aperture 158
slidingly receives the slider member 140 therein such
that the slider member 140 is slidable along the length
of the aperture 158 during movement of the lifter appara-
tus 130 of the present invention, as will be described in
greater detail hereafter. The depending flange portion
156 of the panel attachment member 150 is further pro-
vided with a first cam surface 164, adjacent one end
thereof. The cam surface 164 has a planar, vertically
~0 extending, inclined form.
As shown in Figures 3, S and 6, the lifter
apparatus 130 includes a cam or wedge block 170. The cam
bloek 170 has a generally cubical configuration and is
formed with a cam surface 172 which is shaped complemen-
tary to the cam surface 164 formed on the panel attaeh-
ment member 1500 Thus, the cam surface 172 on the cam
block 170 has a planar, vertically extending, inclined
form.
The cam block 170 is mounted to the first boss
122 on the rear guide shoe 110. According to a preferred
-14-
~LZ~'7;~
embodiment, the cam block 170 is adjustably mounted in a
vertical direction to the rear guide shoe 110 so as to
enable the ver~ical position of the roof panel 22 to be
adjusted so as to ensure a fully closed~ water- and air-
tight seal between the roof panel 22 and the peripheral
edges of the roof opening 16 when the roof panel 22 is in
the closed position.
A vertically extending, elon~ated slot 174 is
formed in the first boss 122 on the rear guide shoe 110
and has a first enlarged width section 176 and a second
reduced width section 178. A plurality of serrations 180
are formed on the vertically extending sides of the
reduced width section 178 of the slot 174 and correspond
to serrations formed in a vertical slot on the cam block
170. In this manner, the cam block 170 may be adjusted
vertically to align the serrations thereon with selected
serrations in the slot 174 on the first boss 122 so as to
vary the vertical position of the cam block 170 with
respect to the rear guide shoe 110. A suitable ~astening
~0 means 182, such as a shoulder screw, is inserted through
the aligned slots in the first boss 122 and the cam block
170 to securely mount the cam block 170 to the rear guide
shoe 110 in the desired vertical position.
In describing the operation of the lifter meeha-
nism 130 of the present invention in moving the roof
panel 22 between lowered, closed and vent positions, it
will be assumed that the lifter mechanism 130 is initially
disposed in the position depicted in Figures 3 and 4
which corresponds to the lowered position of the roof
panel 22 in which the roof panel 22 is disposed beneath
the stationary roof structure 14 of the vehicle 12.
:~2~
; When the drive rneans 70 has been energized to
move the roof panel 22 from the open position to the
closed position, the thrust transmitting drive cables 74
and 7B will push the rear guide shoes 110 forward along
the guide tracks 90 and 92. As the link 132 is in a
substantially horizontal orientation, with the pivot pin
136 and the slider 140 aligned along the same horizontal
plane, and the complementary cam surfaces 164 and 172 of
the panel attachment member 150 and the cam block 170,
respectively, are in abutting relationship~ the entire
roof panel 22 will be slid towards the front of the
vehicle 12 upon forward movement of the rear guide shoes
110 until the front guide shoes engage stops mounted on
the housing 42 not shown, which terminate further forward
lS movement of the roof panel 22. At this point, the drive
means 70 continues to urge the rear guide shoes 110 in a
forward direction such that the cam surface 154 on the
panel attachment member 150 will slide upwards along the
mating cam surface 172 of -the cam block 170 and urge the
rear edge of the roof panel 22 upward and pivot the link
132 about the first end 134 until the cam block 170
slides completely underneath the lower surface of the
depending flange portion 1S6 of the panel attachment
member 150, as shown in Figure 5. At this position, the
roof panel 22 has been raised into registry with the
edges of the roof opening 16 of the vehicls 12~
If it is desired to move the roof panel 22 to
the vent position shown in Figure 6, the drive means 70
will be energized to urge the rear guide shoes 110 in a
further forward direction. However, as forward movement
-16-
L 7~
of the front edge of the roof panel 22 is prevented, con-
tinued forward movement of the rear guide shoes 110 will
pull the first end of the link 134 hori~ontally forward
causing the second end 13~ of the link 132 to pivot
upwards in Q clockwise direction, as viewed in Figures 5
and 6, until the link 130 has assumed a substantially
vertical position, as shown in Figurs 6, which
corresponds to the vent position of the roof panel 22.
In this position, the rear edge of the roof panel ~2 is
:L0 raised a short distance above the stationary roof struc-
ture 14 of the vehicle 12.
Reversal of the drive means 70 will reverse the
above-described operation of the lifter apparatus 130 and
cause lowering of the roof panel 22 from the vent to the
closed position or from the closed to the lowered posi-
tion wherein it can be slid aft under the stationary roof
structure 14 of the vehicle 12.
Additional features of the lifter apparatus of
the presènt invention are illustrated in Figures 5 and 7.
According to another embodiment of the present invention,
means are provided for preventing premature and inadver-
tent raising of the roof panel 22 as it is being moved
from the open to the closed position. The means for pre-
venting such premature raising of the roof panel 22
includes an outwardly extending projection l9Q formed on
an intermediate portion of the linlc 132. As shown in
phantom in Figure 5, the projection 19Q is positioned so
as to ride beneath the upper flange 100 of the guide rail
90. A discontinuity or opening 192 is formed in the
upper flange 100 of the guide rail 90 at a location where
-17-
2~l~7;~
the roof panel 22 can begin to be urged upward to the
closed position. In this manner, the projection 190 is
held beneath the upper flange 100 until the roof panel 20
can rise to the closed position. At this point, as the
link 130 pivots about the first end, as described above,
to raise the roof panel 22 to the closed position, the
projection 190 will pass thrcugh the discontinuity 192 in
the upper flange 100 of the guide rail 90 so as to permit
upward movement of the link 132 and roof panel 22.
The projection 190 also serves as a means for
preventing undesired removal of the roof panel 22 from
the roof opening 16 when the roof panel 22 is in the
closed position. An L-shaped member or bracket 194 is
mounted between the side flange 48 of the panel housing
~0 and the guide rail 90 and includes an upwardly
extending side wall 196 and an inwardly extending upper
flange 198.
As shown in Figure 7, the upper flange 198 of
the bracket 194 is spaced above the upper flange 100 of
the guide rail 90. Further, the bracket 19~ is located
on the guide rail 90 such that the projection 190 is
disposed beneath the upper flange 198 when the roof panel
22 has been moved to the closed position. Thus, it can
be seen that the upper flange 198 prevents upward move-
ment of the roof panel 22 such as would result when the
roof panel 22 is attempted to be removed from the roof
opening 16 from the exterior of the vehicle 1~.
During movement of the roof panel 22 from the
closed position to the vent position, the guide shoes 110
will initially translate towards the front of the vehicle
-18-
~Z~ 72~3
12 such that the projeetion 190 will pass from underneat}
$he upper flan~e 198 of the braeket 194 and be fre~ to
move upward as the link 130 pivots to the vent position.
As noted above, the pivotal-sliding roof panel
assembly 10 of the present invention is provided with
sensor means 82 which operates to sense when the roof
panel 22 is in the closed position. The sensor means 82,
shown in ~igure 2 and in greater detail in Figure 9,
comprises a housing 210, is hollow and is formed with an
outwardly extending hollow ~ube 212 which is adapted to
slidably receive the end of one oî ~he drive cables, such
as drive cable 74. In a rear mounted drive motor
configuration, the idler cable 80 is connected to the end
of the guide cable 74 and acts as an extension of the
drive cable 74 for activating the sensor means 82.
The end Oe the idler cable 80 is slidingly
receivable within the interior of the housing 210 and
contacts an actuator 214 which is movably disposed within
the housing 210. The actuator 214 is biased to a central
location within the interior of the housing 210 by
suitable biasing means, such an an elongated coil spring
216.
The housing 210 is positioned on the frame 40
such that the end of the idler cable 80 will contact the
actuator 214 at the central or neutral position when the
roof panel 22 is in the closed position. An arming pin
218 is removably inserted through a bore 220 formed in a
side of the housing 210 to engage and contact the
actuator 214 and hold it in the central neutral position
until the housing 210 is properly positioned on the frame
--19--
2:L~
40 and the end of the idler eable 80 is in contact with
the actuator 214.
When in the central or neutral position, the
actuator 214 engages a movable plunger 222 which is con-
S nected to a conventional electrical limit switch 224.
Depression of the plunger 222 by the actuator 214 causes
the output of the limit switch 224 to move the contact
switch 226, Figure 9, from a normally closed position to
an open position.
When the roof panel 22 has moved from the closed
position to either the vent or open position, the
actuator 214 will be moved by the idler cable 80 or the
bias spring 216 away from the central or neutral position
such that the plunger 222 of the limit switch 224 extends
outward therefrom which results in the output eontact 226
of the limit switch 224 switching back to the normally
closed state.
As shown in Figure 9, the output contact 226 of
the limit switch 224 forms a part of a control apparatus
~ 220 which unctions to control the movement of the roof
panel 22 between the open, closed and vent positions.
The control apparatus 228 is preferably mounted within a
module located within the vehicle 12 and is connected to
a suitaoble source of electrical power, such as the 12V
power provided by the vehicle battery.
In a preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the control apparatus 22~ includes a manually
operable switch means 229 having first and second con-
tacts 230 and 232, respectively, which are connected
between the source of electrical power and to the drive
-20~
~2~'7Z~
motor 72. Contaets 230 and 232 are switchable between
two distinct states corresponding to forwar~ and rearward
movement of the roof panel 22 and operate to connec~
electrical power in one of two opposite polarities to the
drive motor 72 in order to control the direetion of rota-
tion of the output shaft of the drive motor 72.
Preferably, the switch means 229 comprises a double pole,
double throw switch in which the contacts 230 and 232 are
ganged together and are normally biased to a neutral or
center position, as shown in Figure 9.
The control apparatus 228 further includes a
conventional rectifying ~ridge circuit 234 which supplies
power to the logic elements used in the control apparatus
228 of the present invention.
Means, responsive to the sensor means 224, are
provided for disconnecting the drive motor 72 from the
source of electrical power when the roof panel 22 reaches
the closed position from either the vent or open position
Preferablyt the disconnecting means includes a first
~0 control means 236, such as an electromechanical relay,
which has its coil connected to the sorce of electrical
power through the first switch means 229 and the output
contact 226 of the sensor means 224. The control means
or relay ~36 includes a switchable contact 23~ which
switches, when the relay coil 236 is energized upon acti-
vation of the first switch means 229 and the roof panel
22 is positioned away from the closed position, from a
first state, shown in Figure 9, to a second state wherein
electrieal power is applied therethrou~h to the drive
motor 72 to effect movement of the roof panel 22.
-21-
When the roof panel 22 reaches the closed
position, the sensor means 214 will depress the plunger
216 and cause contact 226 to switch to ~he open s~ate, as
described above~ which breaks the circuit to the relay
coil 236, thereby de-energizing the relay coil 236 whieh
causes its output contact 238 to switch to the first
state disconnecting electrical power from the drive motor
72. As shown in Figure 9, in the first state the relay
contact 238 is connected across the output terminals of
the drive motor 72 so as to short out the drive motor 72
which causes an instantaneous breaking or stoppage of the
drive motor 72 and prevents undesired coasting or addi-
tional movement of the roof panel 22 from the closed
position.
When the roof panel assembly 20 is in the fully
closed position, the contact 226 will be in an open state
and the contact 238 of the relay 236 will be in a posi-
tion shorting out the drive motor 72 such that electrical
power is not applied thereto. In order to move the roof
~n panel 22 from the closed position to either the vent or
open position, the control apparatus ~28 is provided with
menns for momentarily connecting electrical power to the
drive motor 72 so as to cause initial movement of the
roof panel 22 from the closed position until the sensor
214 disengages from the plunger 216 and output contact
226 again switches to the closed position to maintain the
relay coil 236 in an energized state.
The means for momentarily connecting electrical
power to the drive motor 72 includes a switch means 240
comprised of two serially connected transistors and an
-2~-
RC timer network comprised of a serially connected
resistor an~ capacitor. The switch means 240 and ~C net-
work 242 are responsive to the sequential de aCtiYatiOn
and re-act;vation of the first switch means 229 such that
the switch means 240 switches to a closed state, thereby
connecting power to the relay coil 236 which eauses its
output contact 238 to switch to a state whereby electri-
cal power is connected to the drive motor 72 to effect
initial movement of the roof panel 22 from the closed
position. As the output of the switch means 240 is con-
nected in parallel with eontact 226, power will be
applied to the relay coil 236 despite the contact 226
being in the open state.
As described above, the contac$ 226 will switch
to the closed state shortly after the roof panel 22 moves
from the closed position so as to continually apply power
to the relay coil 236, thereby maintaining it in an
energized state such that electrical power is applied
through the relay contact 238 to the drive motor 72 to
2~ move the roof panel 20 to the vent or open position.
A The switch means 240 provides a momentary output
which is controlled by the time required to charge the
capacitor in the RC network 242. At the completion of
this predetermined time period, which is preferably less
than one second in duration, the switch means 240 will be
de-energized to await the next se~uential de-activation
and re-activation of the switeh means 229.
Referring now to the drawing, and to Figure 11
in particular, there is shown a second exampLe of the
present invention in the form of a pivotal-sliding roof
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2~3
panel assembly 10' which is adapted to be mounted in the
roof of a vehicle 12'. The vehicle 12' includes a sta-
tionary roof structure 14' having an opening 16' formed
therein. The opening 16' is preferably of rectangular
configuration and is situated over the front seat of the
vehicle 12'. The opening 16' is opened and closed by a
movable roof panel which slides between closed and opened
positions as well as pivoting to a flip-up position.
Referring now to Figure 12, there is shown a
]o frame or housing assembly 18' which is adapted to be
mounted to the interior of the stationary roof structure
14' of the vehicle 12'. The frame 18' includes an
integrally formed, substantially rectangular housing 20'.
The housing 20' includes an aperture 22' which is con-
figured to the approximate shape of the opening 16' in
the roof 14' of the vehicle 12' and a planar solid rear
section 2~ t -
Preferably, the housing 20' is formed in an
integral, one-piece unit from a stamped, lightweight
~0 material, such as fiberglass sheet molding compound
(CS~IC). Other materials, such as nylon or polypropylene
b~sed compounds, having the requisite high strength and
lightweight properties, may also be used to form the
housing. The housing 20' is formed to include mounting
brackets, drain openings and stiffening ribs9 as will be
described in greater detail hereafter.
Specifically, the housing 20' is formed with
side drain troughs 26' and 28' which extend longitudi-
nally along the sides of the housing 20'. The housing
20' is formed with an outwardly extending flange portion
-2~-
30' which is adapted to be secured to a panel opening
reinforcement member 32'. Each of the identically formed
side drain troughs, such as drain trough 26', is formed
with a channel-like trough section which is connected
between the outward flange 3DI and an inward extending
flange portion 34' which serves as a mounting base for
the guide rails of the pivotal-sliding roof panel
assembly 10', as described in greater detail hereafter.
The side drain troughs 26' and 28t communicate
with a front drain trough 36', shown in Figure 12, whieh
extends across the front of the housing 20'. The corners
of the housing 20' are fcrmed into hollow conduits 38'
which are adapted to be connected to suitable conduits or
tubes 39' which extend through the body of the vehicle
12' to form means for diverting water collected in the
drain troughs 26', 28' and 36' of the housing 20' from
the pivotal-sliding roof panel assembly 10' of the
present invention.
Finally, the housing 20' is formed with front
~0 and rear mounting pads 40' and 42', respectively. The
mounting pads 40' and 42' serve as a means for mounting
the drive means, described hereafter, to the housing 20'.
This enables the drive means to be selectively mounted on
either of the front or rear ends of the housing 20',
depending upon the particular vehicle construction and
application of the pivotal-sliding roof panel assembly
10' .
As shown in Figure 12, the housing 20' is
adapted to be mounted to a panel opening reinforcement
ring 32' which is of substantially rectangular
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~2~
configuration. The panel opening reinforcement ring 32'
is formed of a metallic material, such as steel, and is
adapted to be secured to the interior stationary roof
structure 14' of the vehicle 12' by suitable means, such
as by welding. The housing 20' is then secured by con-
ventional fasteners through mounting bra¢kets 44' to the
reinforcement ring 32' to thereby mount the roof panel
assembly 10' to the interior roof structure of the
vehicle 12'.
Referring now to Figure 13, there is shown the
detailed construction of the movable roof panel assembly
50t. The movable roof panel assembly 50' includes a rec-
tangularly shaped panel 52' which is preferably formed of
transparent glass, although other translucent or opaque
materials may also be used. The panel 52' is formed to
approximately the same shape as the opening 16' in the
roof l4' of the vehicle 12' so as to completely close the
opening 16' when moved to the fully closed position~ A
casing or gasket 54' formed of a plastic material, such
as polyvinyl chloride, is molded around the peripheral
edge of the panel 52' and forms a means for supporting
the panel 52'.
As shown ln greater detail in Figure 15, the
casing 54' is formed with an upper lip 56' which extends
over the upper surface of the panel 52' and a base por-
tion 58' which is disposed in registry with the bottom
surface of the roof panel 52'. Downwardly extending
flanges 60' and 62' extend from the base portion 58' and
have a varying cross section along the length of the
panel 52'. Mounting brackets 64' and 66l are integrally
-26-
`z~
molded in the cas;ng $4' along opposed side edges of the
panel 52' and extend downward therefrom to provide a
suitable mounting means for connecting the movable roof
panel 50' to the lifter means, as described in greater
detail hereafter. Preferably, ~he mounting brackets 64'
and 66' are located adjacent the rear edge of the roof
panel 52'. Forwardly located braekets 65' and 67' are
also molded in the casing 54' for conneetion to the front
guide shoes of the rcof panel apparatus 10'.
As shown in Figure 15, the brackets 64', 65',
66' and 67' have a substantially T-shaped configuration
with an upper portion being molded in the casing S4'. A
flange or leg 68' extends downward from the upper portion
thereof and has an aperture formed therein for mounting
the siiding roof panel 52' to the other components of the
pivotal-sliding roof panel assembly 10'.
As shown in Figure 13, the movable roof panel
ussembly 50' also includes a manually operable sunscreen
70' formed of an opaque material. The sunscreen 70'
rides within the housing and enables the interior of the
vehicle 12' to be completely closed off from view. A
handle 72' is affixed to the front of the sunscreen 70'
to enable the sunscreen 70' to be manually moved between
opened and closed pOSitiOIIS as desired.
As shown in Yigures 12, 14 and 15, the pivotal-
sliding roof panel assembly 101 further includes a pair
of guide ralls 80' and 82' which are mounted on opposed
sides of the inward extending flange 34' of the housing
20'. The guide rails 80' and 821 are in the form of
elongated members which are oriented to extend in the
sliding direction of the movable pnnel 50'.
-27-
7~
As shown in Figure 15, each of the guide rails9
such as guide rail 80', is formed as an extrusion having
a channel-like cross sect;on defined by a substantially
flat bottom 83' and a pair of spaced, upward extending
side walls 84' and 86', each of complex configuration.
The first side wall 84' has a vertical wall por-
tion 88' extending upward from the bottom wall 83' and a
pair of horizontally extending spaced flanges 90l and 92'
extending outward therefrom. The flanges 90' and 92'
define a slot 91' therebetween which slidably receives
the sunscreen 70' shown in Figure 13.
The second upstanding side wall 86' of the guide
rail 80' is formed with a vertical wall section 94' which
extends upward from the bottom wall 83' and terminates in
a horizontal top flange 96'. Spaced pairs of aligned
slots are formed in the bottom wall 83' adjacent the
second side wall 86' and the top flange 96' of the
second side wall 86' to form first and second spaced,
substantially horizontally extending channels 98' and
~0 100', respectively.
Referring again to Eigure 12, there is shown a
drive means 110' which is provided for moving the roof
panel 50' between closed, partially opened and fully
opened positions. According to the preferred embodiment
2S of the present invention, the drive means ll~' comprises
a reversible electric motor 112' having a vertically
extending output shaft 114'. A sprocket gear 116' having
a plurality of outwardly extending teeth or projections
is fixedly mounted to the output shaft 114' for rotary
movement therewith.
-28-
'7~
The motor 112' is mounted on either of the front
or rear mounting pads 40' or 42' on the housing 20'
depending upon the particular application of the pivotal-
sliding roof panel assembly 10' of the present invention.
The drive means 110' further includes a pair of
drive belts 118' and 120'. Eaeh of the drive belts 118'
and 120' is in the form of a flat, planar, elongated
strip formed of a flexible plastic material, although
other materials may also be used. Each of the belts 118'
and l20' has a plurality of spaced apertures 122',
preferably in the form of square or rectangular windows,
formed along its length. The apertures 122' are engaged
by the teeth on the sprocket gear 116' which causes move-
ment of the drive belts 118' and 120' when the motor 112'
is energized.
As shown in Figure 12, the drive belts 118' and
120' are oriented on edge so as to pass on opposed sides
of the sprocket gear 116' and be engaged and driven by
the sprocket gear 116' in either forward or reverse
~0 directions.
As shown in Figure 12 and in greater detail in
Figure 18, corner guide means 123' and 124' are mounted
along opposed sides of the front edge of the housing 20'.
Each of the corner guide means 123' and 124' has a
substantially arcuate shape and includes a bottom member
126' and a top cover member 128'.
The cover member 128' has a substantially
L-shaped, cross-sectional configuration with one leg
being mounted in a slot 130' formed along the front
flange of the housing 20'. A block member 132'
-2g-
~2~Ltd~'2~
integrally formed with the cover member 128' is adapted
to engage the end of one of ~he guide rails, such as
guide rail sa~. A key 134' is disposable within the
block 132' to engage the second channel 100' in the guide
rail 80' so as to align the guide means 123' and 124'
with the opposed guide rails 8U' and 82'.
Each of the bottom members 126' of the guide
means 123' and 124' has a first, arcuate, internal slot
or channel formed therein, such as channel 136' in the
guide means 123'. One end o~ the channel 136' is aligned
and communicates with the first channel 98' in the guide
rails to form a continuous extension thereof. In this
manner, the drive belts 118' and 120' are directed in a
controlled manner from the guide rails 80' and 82',
around the front corners of the housing 20', across the
front of the housing 20' and past the drive motor 112'
and sprocket gear 116'.
As shown in Figure 18, one of the guide means,
such as guide means 123', has a second internal slot or
channel 138' formed therein. The second channel 138' is
substnntially U-shaped with its ends aligned in a common
plane so as to loop back on itself. In this manner, the
end of one of the drive belts, such as drive belt 120',
is looped back on itself to prevent interference with the
other drive belt 118' as the belts move.
The pivotal-sliding roof panel assembly 10t of
the present invention includes lifter means connected
between opposed sides of the housing and the roof panel
assembly 50' for effecting raising and lowering of the
roof panel assembly 50'. As each of the lifter means is
-30-
identically constructed, only one of the lifter means,
such as lifter means 150' illustrated in Figure 149 will
be described in detail hereafter. The lifter means 150'
ineludes a linkage 152~ comprised of first and second
pivotally connected links 154' and 156', respectively.
The lifter means 150' further includes guide means 158'
which is slidably disposed within the second channel 100'
in the guide rail 80' and slider means 160' slidably
disposed within the guide means 158'. Stop means 162'
are provided for limiting forward movement of the lifter
means 150' at a predetermined position along the guide
rail 80'.
As shown in Figures 14 and 15, the guide means
158' is in the form of an elongated block having upper
and lower, outwardly extending projections 166' and 168'
which are disposable within and slide along the slots
forming the second channel 100' in the guide rail 80'.
The block 158' further includes an internal slot 170'
which has an enlarged side portion 172', as shown in
Figure 15.
The slider member 160' includes a plate 174'
which is slidably disposed within the enlarged portion
172' of the slot 170' in the ~uide block 158'. An out-
wardly extending, cylindrical pivot pin 176' is joined to
~5 one side of the plate 174' and extends outward therefrom.
The first link 154' has a planar elongated form
with apertures formed at opposed ends thereof. The first
link 154' is pivotally connected about the pivot pin 176'
at a first end 178'. The opposed or second end 180' of
the first link 154' is pivotally connected by pivot pin
182' to an intermediate portion of the second link 156'.
-31-
The second link 156' has a flattened Y-shape
such that its ends 184' and 186' are disposed at a pre-
determined angular relationship~ The irst end 184' of
the second linlc 156' is pivotally connected by pivot pin
188' to the guide block 158'. Preferably~ as shown in
Figure 15, the pivot pin 188' extends completely through
the guide block 158' and drive belt 118' to seeure the
second link 156' to both the drive belt 118' and the
guide block 158'. The second or opposed end 186' of the
second link 15B' is adapted to be connected by suitable
fastening means 190' (Figure 15) to the mounting bracket
64' flttached to the movable roof panel assembly 50'.
The sto~ means 162' is in the form of an
elongated plate 192' which is secured to the bottom wall
83' of the guide rail 80' by suitable fasteners. The
stop means 162' has an upwardly extending catch portion
194' formed at one end thereof which is adapted to catch
and hold the first end 178' of the first link 154' to
prevent further forward horizontal motion of the first
~0 link 154'.
Referring now to Figures 14, 16 and 17, the
operation of the lifter means 150~ of the present inven-
tion will now be described. In Figure 14, the lifter
means 150' is depicted in the partially extended position
in which the roof panel assembly 50' completely closes
the roof opening 16' in the vehicle 12'. In this
position, the first end 178' of the first link 154'
engages and is held in a fixed position by the catch 194'
on the stop means 162' and the slider member 160' is
disposed substantially centrally within the guide block
158'.
.
-32-
~LZ317~
In order to move the roof panel assembly 50' to
the partially opened, venting position illustrated in
Figure 16, the drive motor 112' is energized to move the
drive belts 118' and 120' toward the front of the vehicle
12'. This pulls the guide block 158' attached to the
drive bclts 118' in a forward direction causing the first
end 184' of the second link 156' to likewise move in a
forward, horizolltal direction towards the first link
154'. In so doing, the first link 154' pivots about the
pin 176' in a counterclockwise direetion eausing the
pivot pin 182' to similarly move along a counterclockwise
arcuate path~ This has the effect of causing the second
end 186' of the second link 156' to move in an upward
clockwise path raising the movable roof panel assembly
50' upward to the venting position.
To lower the roof panel to the fully closed
position againJ the drive motor 112' is reversed so as to
move the drive belts 118' and 120' in a rearward direc-
tion which separates the first ends 178' and 184' of the
~0 first and second links 154' and 156' and partially
collapses the linkage 152'.
In order to move the roof panel assembly 50'
from the closed position to the fully opened position in
which the roof ope~ing 16' is completely exposed, the
drive motor 112' is eontinually energized in a reverse
manner causing the drive belts 118' and 120' to eontinue
to move in a rearward direction. This pushes each guide
block 158' and the first end 184' of the second link 156'
in a rearward direction causin~ the second end 186' of
the second link 156' and the movable roof panel assembly
50' connected thereto to lower so as to slip the rear
edge of the movable roof panel assembly 50' b~low the
stationary roof panel structure 14' of the vehicle 12'.
The movable roof panel 50' lowers until the first and
second links 154' and 156' are disposed in an in-line,
substantially horizontal orientation, as shown in Figure
17, which provides a rigid linkage for driving the
movable roof panel assembly 50' in a substantially
horizontal, rearward direction.
As the movable roof panel assembly 50' is moved
from a fully opened to the fully closed position, the
aligned first and second links 154' and 156' again pro-
vide a rigid linkage for pulling the roof panel assembly
50' towards the front end of the vehiele. As the first
link 154' nears the stop means 162', it is necessary that
the rigid linkage between the aligned first and second
links 154' and 156' be broken such that the lifter means
150' may be moved to the extended position. Thus, cam
means 200' secured to the guide rail 80' is provided.
The c~m means 200' includes a plate 202' and an inclined
portion 204' which is engaged by the pivot pin 182' con-
necting first and second links 154' and 156' as the
lifter means 150' moves towards the forward end o~ the
vehicle. The pivot pin 182' thus rides up along the
incline 204'~ breaking the rigid connection between the
first and second links 154' and 156', enabling the lifter
means 150' to move to the extended position when the
first end 178' of the first link 154' engages the catch
194' of the stop means 162', as described previouslyO
-34-
~ 2~
In order to prevent any rearward movement of the
roof panel assembly 50' before the rear edge thereof has
dropped below the edge of the stationary roof structure
of the vehicle, a locking means 210' is provided. The
locking means 210', as shown in Figure lg, functions to
hold the forward end of the roof panel assembly 50' sta-
tionary until the lifter means 150' has collapsed and
lowered the rear edge of the roof panel assembly 50'.
The locking means 210' includes a spring clip
212' which is affixed to a water trough 230' at one end.
The spring clip 212' is formed of a resilient material
and is biased in a downward direetion. The clip 212' has
a depression 214' formed centrally therein which is
adapted to engage a recess or no$ch 216' ormed in the
guide rail 80'. A finger 218' extends outward from the
guide block 158' to engage an upstanding flange formed at
the end of the clip 212' and disengage the depression
214' from the notch 216'.
In operation, the depression 214' in the clip
~0 212' will be seated in the notch 216' when the roof panel
assembly 50' is in the flip-up9 venting position. As the
roof panel 50' is lowered, the guide block 158' moves in
a rearward direction. However~ the clip 212' will hold
the trough 230' and front guide shoes which are connected
together via a connecting rod 220' in a fixed position.
When the rear edge of the roof panel S0' has been lowered
sufficiently to clear the rear stationary roof stPucture
of the vehicle, the guide block 158' will have moved
rearward to a position in which the finger 128' engages
the upstanding flange on the clip 212' and urges the clip
-35-
~z~
212' upward until the depression 214' is released from
the notch 2167. This frees the entire mov~ble roof panel
50' for rearward horizontal movement.
Refsrring now to Figures 19 and 20, there is
shown a water ~rough 230' which is adapted to divert
water from the rear edge of the movable roof panel
assembly 50 to the sides of the housing 20'. The trough
230' is in the form of a channel~like member 232' which
extends laterally across the vehiele. According to the
prefarred embodiment, the water trough 230' is movable in
conjunction with the movement of the movable roof panel
assembly 50' between open and closed positions so as to
divert water entering the roof opening adjacent the rear
edge of the movable roof panel assembly 50' to the sides
of the housing 20' and thence through the drain conduits
out of the vehicle. Accordingly, a pair of guide shoes
234', each associated with one of the guide rails 80' and
82', are secured to the bottom surface of the channel
member 232' at opposite ends thereof. The guide shoes
234' are formed with an outer flange portion 236' which
rides in one of the channels of the guide rails to
control the sliding movement of the water trough 230'.
Means, denoted in general at reference number
220', is provided for connecting the water trough 230' to
~5 the front guide shoes so as to transmit movement of the
first guide shoes to the water trough 230'. According to
the preferred embodiment, the connecting means 220' is in
the form of an elongated rod member having its first end
secured or molded to the front guide shoe and its rear
end molded or otherwise secured to the guide shoe 234'
-36~
2~
affixed to the water trough 230'. In this manner, the
water trough 230' moves concurrently with movement of the
front guide shoes between open and closed positions. In
addition, the water trough 230' remains in its forward
position adjacent the rear edge of the roof opening 16'
when the movable roof panel assembly 50' is pivoted to
the flip-up venting position.
As shown ;n Figure 12 and in greater detail in
Figure 11, the pivotal-sliding roof panel apparatus 10'
further includes control means for controlling the move-
ment of the movable roof panel 50' between open and
closed positions and between closed and venting
positions. The control means includes a housing denoted
in general at reference number 240' which is mounted to
the internal roof structure of the vehicle adJacent the
front of the roof panel housing 20'. The housing 240'
includes a hollow bore 242' which is adapted to receive
one end of one of the drive belts, such as drive belt
118' shown in Figure 12. One end of the drive belt 118'
is slidably insertable within the interior of the housing
240' and contacts a movable actuatur 244' which is biased
by a biasing means 246', such as a coil spring, to a
central or neutral position within the housing 240', as
shown in Figure 11. The housing 240' is positioned such
that the end of the drive belt 118' will urge the
actuator 244' to the neutral position when the movable
roof panel assembly 50' is in the completely closed
position. An arming pin 243', shown in Figure 12~ is
removably inserted through an aperture in the housing
240' to engage the actuator 244' and hold it in the
-3~-
neutral position until the housing 240' is secured in the
desired position on the housing 20'.
In the neutral position7 the actuator 244~ trips
a plunger 248' connected to a conventional electrical
limit switch 250', causing the output contRcts of the
limit switch 250' to move to a closed position. The
contacts of the limit switch 250' are connected in a
suitable control circuit arrangement, not shown, with the
drive motor 112' and occupant-opsrated actuator means or
switches for controlling the movement of the roof panel
between open and closed positions.
Thus, there has been disclosed a pivotal-sliding
roof panel assembly for a vehicle having an opening in
the roof thereof. The apparatus is constructed as a
modular unit which can be installed RS a one-piece unit
on the vehicle, thereby simplifying and expediting the
installation process.
The unique pivot~l-sliding roof panel assembly
disclosed herein includes a novel lifter mechanism which
is operative for moving the roof panel between closed,
fully opened and partially opened venting positions. In
addition, the lifter mechanism is compact in size such
that the amount of interior space within the vehicle that
is consumed by the roof panel apparatus is minimized.
~5
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