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US 6,419,308 B1Granted
Movable roof system for an automotive vehicle
AssigneeASC Incorporated
InventorsGeorge A. Corder, Bernard W. Schaller, Alvin D. Warden, Jr., James E. Tousignant
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A movable roof system for an automotive vehicle includes a roof panel which can be retracted to a stowed position below a storage compartment cover while the vehicle is being driven. In another aspect of the present invention, two or more generally rigid roof panels are movable from above a passenger compartment to below a plane defined by a closed rear deck lid.
Claims39
An automotive vehicle roof system comprising:
- a pair of stationary side rails;
- a first substantially rigid roof panel movably coupled to the rails;
- a substantially rigid back window movably coupled to the rails;
- a storage compartment positioned adjacent to an end of each of the rails and below a vehicle belt-line, the roof panel being slidable from a closed to an open position located in the storage compartment, the back window being movable from a closed position to an open position located in the storage compartment;
- the roof panel being movable to an intermediate position which is partially open and located outside of the storage compartment;
- and
- a covering panel automatically movable from a closed position covering the storage compartment to an open position, the open position of the covering panel operably allowing passage of the roof panel and the back window into the storage compartment;
- and
- wherein the roof panel is automatically movable from its closed position to its open position while the automotive vehicle is being driven.
6 more elements
An automotive vehicle roof system comprising:
- a roof movable from a raised position, to an intermediate position and to a stowed position, the intermediate position being located between the raised and stowed position, the vehicle being driven when the roof is in any of the raised, intermediate and stowed positions;
- a substantially rigid tonneau cover movable from a closed position, operably covering the stowed roof, to an open position allowing passage of the roof while the vehicle is being driven;
- a light mounted to the tonneau cover, the light being movable with the tonneau cover;
- a drain trough coupled to the tonneau cover;
- and
- a rear deck lid movable from an open position to a closed position, the deck lid being located rearward of the tonneau cover when the tonneau cover is in its closed position.
3 more elements
An automotive vehicle roof system comprising:
- a retractable vehicle roof;
- a storage compartment located rearward of the roof;
- a back window movable from a closed position, between the roof and the storage compartment, to an open position in the storage compartment, while the roof remains stationary;
- a cover panel automatically movable from an open position, to allow access of the window into the storage compartment, to a closed position covering the window when the window is located in the storage compartment, the cover panel being located in a substantially horizontal position above the storage compartment when in its closed position;
- a pair of tracks upwardly extending from the storage compartment;
- and
- coupling mechanisms connecting upper corners of the back window to the tracks,
- wherein the back window is automatically movable from its closed position to its open position by being slid along the tracks.
5 more elements
An automotive vehicle roof system comprising:
- a pair of stationary side rails;
- a first substantially rigid roof movably coupled to the rails;
- a substantially rigid back window movably coupled to the rails;
- a storage compartment positioned adjacent to an end of each of the rails, the roof being slidable from a closed and functional position to an open position located in the storage compartment, the back window being movable from a closed and functional position to an open position located in the storage compartment;
- a covering panel movable from a closed position covering the storage compartment to an open position operable to allow access of the roof panel and the back window into the storage compartment;
- and
- at least a second movable roof panel slidable from a closed position located between the first roof panel and the back window, to an open position located in the storage compartment
- wherein the first roof panel is movable to a tilted venting position;
- and
- wherein the back window can be moved from its closed position to its open position while the first roof panel remains stationary.
7 more elements
An automotive vehicle roof system comprising:
- a pair of stationary side rails;
- a first substantially rigid roof movably coupled to the rails;
- a substantially rigid back window movably coupled to the rails;
- a storage compartment positioned adjacent to an end of each of the rails, the roof being slidable from a closed and functional position to an open position located in the storage compartment, the back window being movable from a closed and functional position to an open position located in the storage compartment;
- a covering panel movable from a closed position covering the storage compartment to an open position operable to allow access of the roof panel and the back window into the storage compartment;
- at least a second movable roof panel slidable from a closed position located between the first roof panel and the back window, to an open position located in the storage compartment;
- a trunk being located behind the storage compartment area, wherein at least about half of the trunk space remains unobstructed when the first roof panel, second roof panel and back window are all stowed in the storage compartment area.
4 more elements
An automotive vehicle comprising:
- a passenger compartment;
- a roof storage compartment located rearward of the passenger compartment;
- a tonneau cover movable from an open position allowing access to the roof storage compartment, to a closed position substantially covering the roof storage compartment;
- a trunk compartment located rearward of the roof storage compartment;
- a trunk lid movable from an open position, allowing access to the trunk compartment, to a closed position, substantially covering the trunk compartment;
- a convertible roof movable from a closed position, located above the passenger compartment, to an open position, located in the roof storage compartment;
- and
- a dividing member movable to a first position allowing access between the trunk compartment and the roof storage compartment when the convertible roof is in its closed position, the dividing member being alternately movable to a substantially vertical second position substantially separating the roof storage compartment from the trunk compartment, when the convertible roof is located in its open position.
5 more elements
An automotive vehicle apparatus comprising:
- a storage compartment cover movable from an open position to a substantially horizontal closed position;
- a back window movable from a raised visible position to a lowered stowed position below the cover;
- a drain trough affixed and movable to the back window adjacent to a bottom peripheral edge of the back window, the drain trough being located below an adjacent edge of the cover when the window is in its raised position and the cover is in its closed position;
- and
- a seal mounted adjacent the front edge of the cover and flexibly contacting against an exterior surface of the window when the window is in its raised position and the cover is in its closed position.
2 more elements
A roof system for use in an automotive vehicle having a passenger compartment and a rear deck lid, the system comprising:
- a pair of elongated tracks stationary mounted substantially above the passenger compartment;
- a first substantially rigid roof panel movably coupled to the tracks;
- and
- an electromagnetic device coupled to the first roof panel, the electromagnetic device being operable to drive the roof panel from a closed position above the passenger compartment to a stowed position below a substantially horizontal plane defined by the rear deck lid when the lid is closed, a majority of the first roof panel having a substantially vertical orientation when in its stowed position.
1 more element
A roof system for use in an automotive vehicle having a passenger compartment and a rear deck lid, the system comprising:
- a pair of elongated tracks stationary mounted substantially above the passenger compartment;
- a first substantially rigid roof panel movably coupled to the tracks;
- an electromagnetic device coupled to the first roof panel, the electromagnetic device being operable to drive the roof panel from a closed position above the passenger compartment to a stowed position below a substantially horizontal plane defined by the rear deck lid when the lid is closed;
- a tilting mechanism coupling the first roof panel to one of the tracks;
- and
- an actuator coupled to the tilting mechanism, energization of the actuator driving the tilting mechanism which causes the first roof panel to move from its closed and substantially horizontal position to a venting position;
- wherein the tilting mechanism is oriented to cause the first roof panel to remain in its venting position relative to the tracks even when stowed.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.