Convertible top stack latch
AssigneeASC Incorporated
InventorsStephen P. Tokarz, David J. Siefert, Stanley S. Maday
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A latching mechanism for a convertible top where a single drive mechanism engages and disengages multiple latching points. The latching mechanism serves not only to secure the convertible top but to pull down the top into position as it is being secured.
Claims20
An apparatus for securing the free-moving portion of a hinged bow of an automotive convertible top to the automobile body structure so that the underside of said bow lies substantially flush with the exterior surface of said automobile body structure, said apparatus comprising:
- a plurality of latching means, affixed to the underside of said bow, for providing securing points on said bow;
- a plurality of catch means, mechanically connected to the interior side of said automobile body structure, for engaging said latching means and securing said bow to said automobile at said securing points, said automobile body structure having a plurality of passageways formed therein through which said plurality of latching means pass to allow mechanical communication between said latching means and said catching means at the interior side of said automobile body structure;
- and
- a drive means, mechanically linked with said catch means, for selectively engaging said latching and catch means to secure said bow to said automobile body structure;
- said drive means comprising a central drive mechanism for engaging said latching and catching means by moving said catch means toward said central drive mechanism and said central drive mechanism disengaging said catching means from said latching means by moving said catch means away from said central drive mechanism, said mechanical link between said drive means and said catch means being fixedly attached to said catch means and being in tension when said drive means is engaging said catch means and being in compression when said drive means is disengaging said catch means.
An apparatus for securing a moveable panel to a fixed panel such that said moveable panel lies substantially flush with said fixed panel, said apparatus comprising:
- at least one target means, affixed to the underside of said moveable panel, for providing a securing point for said moveable panel;
- at least one securing means, mechanically connected to the underside of said fixed panel and adapted to interact with said target means, for engaging said target means to secure said moveable panel to said fixed panel at said securing point, said fixed panel having at least one passageway therein through which said target means passes to allow mechanical communication between said target means and said securing means on said underside of said fixed panel;
- and
- drive means for selectively engaging and disengaging said securing means to and from said target means.
- said drive means comprising a central drive mechanism for engaging said securing and target means by moving said securing means toward said central drive mechanism and said central drive mechanism disengaging said securing means from said target means by moving said securing means away from said central drive mechanism, said drive means and said securing means being mechanically linked, said mechanical link between said drive means and said securing means being fixedly attached to said securing means and being in tension when said drive means is engaging said securing means and being in compression when said drive means is disengaging said securing means.
An apparatus for automatically latching and unlatching an automotive convertible top to the automobile body, said apparatus comprising:
- at least one latching point on said convertible top, each said latching point passing from the exterior of said automobile body to the interior of said automobile body through a corresponding passageway in said automobile body;
- and
- a latch mechanism mechanically connected to said automobile body at the interior for engaging each said latching point to secure said convertible top of said automobile body at each said latching point
- said latch mechanism comprising a central drive and at least one catch fixedly attached to a mechanical linkage linking said catch to said central drive, said central drive engaging said latching point and catch by moving said toward said central drive and said central drive disengaging said latching point from said catch by moving said catch away from said central drive, said mechanical linkage between said latch mechanism and said catch being in tension when said latch mechanism is engaging said catch and being in compression when said latch mechanism is disengaging said catch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.