Convertible roof system
AssigneeASC Incorporated
InventorArthur MacNee
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
In accordance with the present invention, a convertible roof system is provided which includes rotary actuators which are operable to pivot the roof rails relative to one another and a portion of the actuator is disposed within one of the roof rails. In another aspect of the present invention, a convertible roof for an automotive vehicle is provided which includes a retractable roof cover with a flexible portion and at least three rotary actuators that are each located at a pivot joint between the roof rails and are operable to rotate the roof rails relative to one another or to the vehicle.
Claims40
A convertible roof system comprising:
- (a) a retractable roof cover;
- and
- (b) a retraction mechanism operable to move said roof cover between raised and stowed positions, said retraction mechanism including:
- (i) at least two roof rails pivotally connected together;
- and
- (ii) a rotary actuator operable to pivot a first of said roof rails relative to a second of said roof rails, a portion of said actuator being disposed within said first roof rail.
A convertible roof for an automotive vehicle, the convertible roof comprising:
- a retractable roof cover, a portion of said roof cover being flexible;
- and
- a retraction mechanism operable to move said roof cover between raised and retracted positions, said retraction mechanism including:
- at least three roof rails;
- a first pivot joint pivotally connecting a first one of said roof rails to a fixed location relative to the vehicle;
- a second pivot joint pivotally connecting a second one of said roof rails to said first roof rail;
- a third pivot joint pivotally connecting a third one of said roof rails to said second roof rail;
- and
- at least three rotary actuators, one of said rotary actuators being located at each of said pivot joints and operable to rotate a roof rail associated with each pivot joint relative to another roof rail or to the vehicle.
A roof rail system for a convertible vehicle, said roof rail system comprising:
- an elongated roof rail;
- a fluid chamber within said roof rail;
- and
- a fluid driven piston disposed in said fluid chamber, said piston being operable to move within said fluid chamber in response to a fluid pressure imparted on said piston.
A roof rail system for a convertible vehicle, the roof rail system comprising:
- a roof rail;
- and
- an actuator at least partially disposed within said roof rail, said actuator operable to move said roof rail relative to a vehicle or another roof rail.
A method of making a convertible roof having an integral actuator, a rotating member, a rack and roof rails, the method comprising:
- (a) attaching the rotating member to a first of the roof rails;
- (b) attaching the moveable rack to a second of the roof rails, a portion of the rack residing within the second roof rail;
- and
- (c) pivotally connecting the first and second roof rails together at a pivot joint with the rotating member and the rack engaged with one another.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.