# US 4,397,499 A · Vehicular T-roof locking device

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 4,397,499 A
- Document ID: US4397499A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/241,579
- Filed: 1981-03-09
- Granted: 1983-08-09
- Earliest claimed: 1979-09-12
- Inventors: Beverly M. Work; Frederick T. Work, Jr.; Charles O. Scull
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4397499A

## CPC

- B60J 7/194: {for locking detachable hard-tops or removable roof panels to the vehicle body}
- Y10S 292/05: Automobile top latches
- Y10T 70/5774: Externally mounted locking device
- Y10T 70/5982: Accessories
- Y10T 292/1086: Padlock or seal catch
- Y10T 292/23: Cross bars
- B60J: WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES (fastening, suspending, closing, or opening of such devices E05)
- Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

The present apparatus acts to lock removable roof panels, commonly associated with automobiles and the like, in place as a protection for example, against the theft of such panels. The system involves one or more bars each having two ends and a lock device. One end of each bar is adapted to be fastened or secured to one of the roof panels. The other end of the bar is adapted to be temporarily secured to the fixed roof portion of the vehicle by the lock device. With the lock device in place, the roof panels are secured in place. These panels can be removed by opening the lock device.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An apparatus capable of locking a plurality of roof panels, associated with a transportation vehicle in place in the roof of said vehicle, each of said panels being removably fitted in said roof and latched to said roof by a latch assembly including a peg which is capable of being turned to deactivate said latch assembly, thereby releasing said panel from said roof, said roof including at least one fixed roof portion, which apparatus comprises a plurality of bar means each having a first and second end, said first end having connected thereto a sleeve means capable of receiving at least a portion of said peg, thereby preventing said peg from being turned and said latch means from being deactivated, and said second end capable of being temporarily secured to said fixed roof portion; and, single lock means capable of associating with said second end of each of said bar means and said fixed roof portion to temporarily secure each said second end to said fixed roof portion thereby locking said roof panels in place in said roof of said vehicle.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of each said roof panel is transparent.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the number of said roof panels equals two and the number of said bar means equals two.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fixed roof portion to which both said second ends may be temporarily secured is located between said roof panels.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fixed roof portion includes a roof extension secured to said fixed roof portion and said lock means is capable of associating said second ends of said bar means and said roof extension.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said roof extension is located between said roof panels.