Polymeric roof rail
AssigneeASC Incorporated
InventorsArthur L MacNee, III, Bradley R Garska
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A convertible roof system uses composite roof rail(s). The composite roof rail can have portions that are made of differing materials. The composite roof rail can use universal connecting pieces for the ends of the roof rail. Adjacent composite roof rails can be formed about a connector that couples the adjacent roof rails together.
Claims72
A convertible roof system for an automotive vehicle, the system comprising:
- a top stack mechanism operable between extended and retracted positions, said top stack mechanism including:
- (a) at least one roof bow extending transversely;
- (b) at least one composite roof rail formed with at least two different materials, said composite roof rail including:
- (i) a first member made of a first material;
- (ii) a second member made of a second material different than said first material;
- and
- (c) wherein a portion of said first member is secured within said second member to form a unified structural member with said second member, and said first member coupling said composite roof rail to a component of said top stack mechanism.
A convertible roof system for an automotive vehicle, the system comprising:
- a top stack mechanism operable between extended and retracted positions, said top stack mechanism including a plurality of generally for-and-aft extending roof rails with at least one roof bow extending transversely therebetween;
- at least one of said roof rails being a composite roof rail formed with at least two different members, said composite roof rail including:
- a first member forming a portion of a coupling joint of said top stack mechanism, said first member being operable to couple said composite roof rail to a component of said top stack mechanism via said coupling joint;
- and
- a second member forming a majority of an exterior of said composite roof rail, said second member being attached to said first member such that said first and second members are fixed relative to one another.
A retractable composite roof rail comprising:
- a first member made of a first material;
- and
- a second member made of a second material,
- wherein a portion of said first member is secured within said second member to form a unified structural member that is operable to move between extended and retracted positions.
A composite roof rail made with a mold, the composite roof rail comprising:
- a first member made from a first material;
- and
- a second member formed in the mold around a portion of said first member, said second member being formed from a second material.
A method of making a composite roof rail for a convertible roof system, the method comprising:
- forming a composite roof rail with at least two different materials including:
- (a) producing a first member of the composite roof rail with a first material;
- (b) producing a second member of the composite roof rail with a second material;
- and
- (c) attaching said second member to said first member.
A method of assembling a convertible roof system for an automotive vehicle wherein the convertible roof system includes a top stack mechanism operable between open and closed positions and wherein the top stack mechanism includes at least one composite roof rail having at least first and second members, the method comprising:
- (a) attaching the first and second members together such that the first and second members are fixed relative to one another and form the composite roof rail;
- and
- (b) coupling the first member to another component of the top stack mechanism so that the composite roof rail is coupled to said another component of the top stack mechanism.
A convertible roof system for an automotive vehicle, the system comprising:
- a top stack mechanism operable between extended and retracted positions, said top stack mechanism including:
- at least one composite roof rail formed with at least two different members, said composite roof rail including:
- a first member forming a portion of a coupling joint of said top stack mechanism, said first member being operable to couple said composite roof rail to a component of said top stack mechanism via said coupling joint;
- and
- a second member forming a majority of an exterior of said composite roof rail, said second member being attached to said first member,
- wherein said first and second members are made from different materials.
A convertible roof system for an automotive vehicle, the system comprising:
- a top stack mechanism operable between extended and retracted positions, said top stack mechanism including:
- at least one composite roof rail formed with at least two different members, said composite roof rail including:
- a first member forming a portion of a coupling joint of said top stack mechanism, said first member being operable to couple said composite roof rail to a component of said top stack mechanism via said coupling joint;
- and
- a second member forming a majority of an exterior of said composite roof rail, said second member being attached to said first member,
- wherein said first and second members are attached together with an adhesive.
A convertible roof system for an automotive vehicle, the system comprising:
- a top stack mechanism operable between extended and retracted positions, said top stack mechanism including:
- at least one composite roof rail formed with at least two different members, said composite roof rail including:
- a first member forming a portion of a coupling joint of said top stack mechanism, said first member being operable to couple said composite roof rail to a component of said top stack mechanism via said coupling joint;
- and
- a second member forming a majority of an exterior of said composite roof rail, said second member being attached to said first member,
- wherein at least one of said first and second members is made from a polymeric material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.