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US 6,273,501 B1Granted
Simplified wind deflector for vehicle roof closure
AssigneeMeritor Light Vehicle Systems, Inc.
InventorsJohn Raasakka, John E. Long, Roch Tolinski
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vehicle roof closure assembly is movable between open and closed positions. A wind deflector is biased to an extended position at which it extends vertically upwardly of a forward portion of an aperture. The wind deflector serves to deflect wind away from the cab of a vehicle. However, when the closure member is moved to its closed position, it contacts and forces the wind deflector to a stowed position. The present invention reduces the complexity of wind deflector structures.
Claims10
A vehicle roof comprising:
- an aperture;
- a roof closure member movable between open and closed positions, and said closure member enclosing said aperture when in said closed position, and exposing said aperture when in said open position;
- a wind deflector movable between an extended position and a stowed position, and a portion of said wind deflector extending upwardly above a vertical position of said closure member in said extended position, and said wind deflector moving to said extended position when said closure member is in said open position, said wind deflector being movable to said stowed position, and said wind deflector being biased to at least one of said extended and said stowed position, and movable based upon movement of said closure member to the other of said extended and closed position, said wind deflector being pivotable about an axis in a mount between said extended and stowed positions;
- and
- a stop on said wind deflector positioned on an opposed side of said axis from portion of said wind deflector which extends vertically above said closure member, said stop contacting said mount to prevent further rotation of said wind deflector relative to said mount when said wind deflector is in said extended position, said stop being positioned vertically above said pivot axis in said stowed position, but vertically below said pivot axis in said extended position, and also rearward of said pivot axis relative to a forward end of said portion of said wind deflector in said extended position.
2 more elements
A vehicle roof closure assembly comprising:
- a closure member movable between open and closed positions, said closure member opening an aperture in said open position and closing the aperture in said closed position;
- and
- a wind deflector mounted to be pivotable between an extended position and a stowed position, said wind deflector being biased to said extended position and being in said extended position when said closure is in said open position, and a portion of said wind deflector extending upwardly above a vertical position of said closure when in said extended position, and said wind deflector being pivotable to a stowed position at which it is below said closure member, said wind deflector being biased toward said extended position by a spring mounted on a pivot axis, said wind deflector being pivotable in a mount, and said spring being mounted on said pivot axis, said wind deflector being entirely vertically below said closure member when in said stowed position, such that said closure contacts a seal in said stowed position, a stop on said wind deflector positioned on an opposed side of said pivot axis from said portion of said wind deflector which extends vertically above said closure member, and stop contacting said mount to prevent further rotation of said wind deflector relative to said mount when said wind deflector is in said extended position.
A vehicle roof closure assembly comprising:
- a closure member movable between open and closed positions, said closure member opening an aperture in said open position and closing the aperture in said closed position;
- a wind deflector mounted to be pivotable between an extended position and a stowed position, said wind deflector being biased to said extended position and being in said extended position when said closure is in said open position, said wind deflector extending upwardly above a vertical position of said closure when in said extended position, and said wind deflector being pivotable to a stowed position at which it is below said closure member, said wind deflector being biased toward said extended position by a spring mounted on a pivot axis, said wind deflector being pivotable in a mount, and said spring being mounted on said pivot axis, said wind deflector being entirely vertically below said closure member when in said stowed position, such that said closure contacts a seal in said stowed position;
- said wind deflector has a stop surface which contacts a surface of said mount when said wind deflector has been biased to said extended position to prevent further rotational movement of said wind deflector;
- and
- said mount has mount structures for pivotally mounting said wind deflector, and said stop on said wind deflector contacting a surface laterally between said mount structure to provide said stop.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.