Back to results
US 5,779,299 AGranted
Apparatus for achieving automotive vehicle roof isolation
AssigneeASC Incorporated
InventorsGeorge F. Purcell, Adam A. Erickson, Robert A. Patterson, B. Michael Flaherty
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An isolation apparatus reduces vibrations and destructive twisting forces otherwise transmitted between an automotive vehicle body and roof. A striker isolator and a roof pivot isolator are provided. Furthermore, a hinge isolator is provided between a pair of foldable roof sections. These isolators are ideally suited for use in combination with convertible roofs.
Claims20
An apparatus for use in an automotive vehicle comprising:
- a convertible roof assembly movable between an extended position and a retracted position;
- an automotive vehicle body having a fixed windshield header;
- a weatherstrip being disposed between and directly contacting against said roof assembly and said header;
- elastomeric mate rial disposed between a portion of said roof assembly and said automotive vehicle body;
- a pivot isolator including said elastomeric material;
- a rear section of said roof assembly pivotably coupled to said pivot isolator;
- said elastomeric material being positioned in a vibrational path otherwise present between said rear section of said roof assembly and said automotive vehicle body for reducing vibrational transmission;
- a bracket directly attaching to a quarter panel section of said automotive vehicle body, said pivot isolator being stationarily affixed to said bracket, said bracket further including a brace mounted between a pair of substantially parallel walls, said pivot isolator being located within a passageway of said brace;
- and
- a fastener extending through said pivot isolator securing said roof assembly to said bracket;
- whereby said elastomeric material reduces vibrations from passing between said body and said roof assembly.
8 more elements
An apparatus for use in an automotive vehicle comprising:
- an automotive vehicle roof assembly;
- an automotive vehicle body having said roof assembly attachable to said body;
- a latching member;
- a pivot assembly;
- a first elastomeric material member being disposed between said latching member and said roof assembly;
- a pair of extension arms extending between a pair of substantially parallel bridging segments, a first of said bridging segments being encapsulated within said first elastomeric material, said latching member being secured to a second of said bridging segments;
- a base being affixed to said roof assembly and retaining said first elastomeric material and said first bridging segment to said roof assembly;
- and
- a second elastomeric material member being disposed within said pivot assembly.
6 more elements
An apparatus for use in a convertible roof assembly of an automotive vehicle comprising:
- a pivot isolator having an elastic member disposed against a first rigid cylindrical collar, said pivot isolator further including a second rigid cylindrical collar concentrically surrounding said first collar, said elastic member being disposed between said collars;
- a bolt;
- said first collar having a bore for pivotably receiving said bolt;
- a roof flange also having an aperture for pivotably receiving said bolt;
- a bracket directly retaining said second collar;
- a torque tube transversely extending across said vehicle, said torque tube coaxially aligning with said bore of said pivot isolator, said bolt further engaging with said torque tube;
- and
- a helically coiled spring wrapping around said torque tube and serving to counterbalance said roof assembly.
5 more elements
An apparatus for use in an automotive vehicle comprising:
- a set of structural members including a convertible roof assembly and a body of said automotive vehicle, said body including a fixed windshield header;
- a retraction mechanism being operable to extend and retract said roof assembly, a spring of said retraction mechanism serving to counterbalance said roof assembly, an elongated member extending crosscar substantially between a pair of said retraction mechanisms, said spring being coupled to and surrounding a portion of said elongated member;
- an attaching element attached to one of said structural members and coupling said roof assembly to said body;
- an elastic member disposed between said attaching element and said one of said structural members;
- and
- an elongated fastener serving as a pivot axis for said roof assembly, said fastener engaging said elongated member.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.