Modular roof system for automotive vehicle
AssigneeSpecialty Vehicle Acquisition Corp.
InventorsCliff R. Reitzloff, Michael J. Urban, Tim Shoskey, Michael Porter
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method of closing a vehicular system having a moveable front bow and a moveable rear bow. The method includes moving the front bow forward, releasing tension from the rear bow, moving the front bow to a closed position, and moving the rear bow to a closed position. In another aspect, a method of minimizing buffeting in a vehicle interior compartment from a sunroof. The method includes moving a first end bow of the sunroof to an open position and moving a second end bow of the sunroof away from a seal.
Claims36
A method of closing a vehicular system having a moveable front bow and a moveable rear bow, the method comprising:
- moving the front bow forward;
- releasing tension from the rear bow;
- moving the front bow to a closed position;
- and
- moving the rear bow to a closed position.
The method according to claim 15 wherein the front bow and the rear bow are connected to cables, the cables are driven by two motors located in a rear portion of the vehicle.
A method of minimizing buffeting in a vehicle interior compartment from a sunroof in an open position, the method comprising:
- moving a first end bow of the sunroof to an open position;
- and
- moving a second end bow of the sunroof away from a seal, the second end bow distal to the first end bow.
A method for installing a complete open air vehicular system providing a vehicle roof having an aperture;
- installing a track module in the aperture;
- installing a roof module onto the track module, the roof module comprising a pliable cover material;
- and
- a plurality of lift assemblies, each of the lift assemblies comprising a slider member, and an arm connected to the slider member at a pivot, and a pair of front lift arms, an upper portion of a forward bow, and an upper portion of a rear bow;
- wherein the installing includes sliding the plurality of lift assemblies into the track module, connecting the pair of first lift arms to the track module and fastening the upper portion of both the forward and the rear bow to the track module.
A method for servicing an open air vehicular system, the method comprising:
- providing a vehicle having an open air vehicular system comprising a foldable sunroof module and a track module, the sunroof module installed in the track module, the sunroof module comprising a cover material;
- a plurality of lift assemblies, each of the lift assemblies comprising a slider member, and an arm connected to the slider member at a pivot, a pair of front lift arms, an upper portion of a forward bow, and an upper portion of a rear bow;
- removing a fastener from both the front bow and the rear bow;
- removing at least one pin connecting the first lift arm to the track module;
- and
- removing the arm from the slider member from each of the plurality of lift assemblies.
A foldable sunroof module comprising:
- a cover material;
- an insulation layer;
- a plurality of lift assemblies, each of the lift assemblies comprising a slider member, an arm connected to the slider at a pivot;
- a pair of front lift arms, connections located on the arm above a pivot point and a guide member located on the arm;
- a plurality of crossbows connected to the plurality of lift assemblies and the pair of front lift arms;
- an upper portion of a forward bow;
- and
- an upper portion of a rear bow.
A foldable sunroof system comprising
- a moveable cover module;
- and
- a track module,
- wherein the moveable cover module comprises a pliable cover material, a plurality of lift assemblies, each of the lift assemblies comprising a slider member, an arm connected to the slider at a pivot, a pair of front lift arms, having a guide member located on the arm, a plurality of crossbows connected to the plurality of lift assemblies and the pair of front lift arms, an upper portion of a forward bow, and an upper portion of a rear bow, and
- wherein the track module comprises a guide track module comprising at least one guide track having at least one drive cable, at least one corner piece, a seal member, two sets of lower end bow members connected to a pair of connecting members;
- a plurality of threaded fasteners, and a pair of pins for fastening the front lift arms to one of the pair of connecting members.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.