US3610683A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrically operated sliding roof for a vehicle
Assignee: VERMEULEN HOLLANDIA
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Filing: 1969-08-29
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Granted: 1971-10-05
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Expires: 1989-08-29
Abstract
Abstract An electrically operated sliding roof arrangement is disclosed for a vehicle and comprises a nut fitted to the sliding panel near the rear end thereof and engages a screw spindle adapted to be driven by an electric motor. This screw spindle is mainly positioned behind the opening in the roof and extends in the direction of displacement of the sliding panel. The screw spindle is displaceable with respect to the roof between a front end position and a rear end position, while a spring exerts a forward pressure on the screw spindle, so that the screw spindle is in its front end position if no external opposing forces are exerted on the sliding panel. If the sliding panel encounters an obstacle during displacement towards its closed position, the screw spindle moves from its front end position towards its rear end position and operates a switch. This switch may switch off the electromotor or may reverse the direction of rotation of the electromotor.
Inventors
- 👤 Theodorus Hendricus Vermeulen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 22:57
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60J; B60J7/00; B60J7/02; B60J7/04; B60J7/057; B60J7/0573
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
228 words
A sliding roof arrangement for a vehicle, in particular a motor car having an opening in the roof thereof, comprising: a sliding panel cooperating with said opening and displaceable to effect a closed position and an open position of said roof opening, an operating mechanism for displacing said sliding panel, a reversible electromotor for driving said operating mechanism, and a safety device operative when the sliding panel meets an obstacle on its way to the closed position, said safety device comprising a screw spindle coupled to said electromotor, said screw spindle having a major portion thereof positioned behind the roof opening and extending in the direction of displacement of said sliding panel, a nut fastened to said sliding panel and threadably engaged with said spindle, said spindle being displaceable with respect to the roof between front end and rear end positions, a spring acting on said spindle to urge the same to its front end position in response to the forward pressure of said spring as long as no external opposing forces are exerted on the sliding panel, said spindle being movable to its rear end position against the action of said spring if the sliding panel meets an obstacle when displaced toward its closed position, and a safety switch positioned to be operatively actuated by said screw spindle when the latter is displaced to its rear position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
228 words
A sliding roof arrangement for a vehicle, in particular a motor car having an opening in the roof thereof, comprising: a sliding panel cooperating with said opening and displaceable to effect a closed position and an open position of said roof opening, an operating mechanism for displacing said sliding panel, a reversible electromotor for driving said operating mechanism, and a safety device operative when the sliding panel meets an obstacle on its way to the closed position, said safety device comprising a screw spindle coupled to said electromotor, said screw spindle having a major portion thereof positioned behind the roof opening and extending in the direction of displacement of said sliding panel, a nut fastened to said sliding panel and threadably engaged with said spindle, said spindle being displaceable with respect to the roof between front end and rear end positions, a spring acting on said spindle to urge the same to its front end position in response to the forward pressure of said spring as long as no external opposing forces are exerted on the sliding panel, said spindle being movable to its rear end position against the action of said spring if the sliding panel meets an obstacle when displaced toward its closed position, and a safety switch positioned to be operatively actuated by said screw spindle when the latter is displaced to its rear position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A sliding roof arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said safety switch is connected in circuit to disconnect said electromotor, said switch being further actuated by said screw spindle when the sliding panel reaches its closed position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
A sliding roof arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein said safety switch is connected in circuit to reverse said electromotor, a second switch, said second switch being actuated by said sliding panel upon said panel reaching its closed position so as to disconnect said electromotor, but prior to said screw spindle reaching the position in which it actuates said first-mentioned safety switch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A sliding roof arrangement as claimed in claim 1, including a further switch positioned to be actuated by said sliding panel so as to disconnect said electromotor upon said sliding panel reaching its completely open position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
170 words
A sliding roof arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein the sliding panel comprises an inner frame supported in guides carried by the vehicle, an upper panel having front and rear edges and connected with the inner frame only along its front edge, at least one torsion spring acting on the rear edge of the upper pAnel to exert downward force thereon, a lifting mechanism operative in the closed position of said sliding panel to support the rear portion of the upper panel at a distance above the inner frame in opposition to the force of said torsion spring, and an operating member carried by said screw spindle for rendering said lifting mechanism inoperative when said sliding panel is displaced from its closed position, the upper panel being rotated downwardly about its front connection with the inner frame, said operating member positioning the lifting mechanism into operative relationship during the final portion of the closing movement of the sliding panel, whereby the upper panel is returned to its initial position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
217 words
A sliding roof arrangement as claimed in claim 5, wherein the lifting mechanism comprises two cams carried by the inner frame each on one side thereof, each cam having an upper horizontal supporting surface extending into a downwardly inclined guide face, a roller adapted to cooperate with each of said cams, a pair of levers mounted on the inner frame and being each pivotable about vertical axes, a rod assembly connecting respectively each lever with one of the rollers, each lever comprising two arcuate arms alternately adapted to be engaged by the operating member on said screw spindle, so that the rollers rest on said supporting surfaces on the cams in the closed position of the sliding panel so as to maintain the upper panel in its initial position, and said operating member being adapted to rotate the two levers each by one of their respective arms when said sliding panel is displaced from its closed position, the rod assemblies being adapted to move the rollers downwardly from the supporting surfaces of the cams along the guide faces, and reversely rotate the levers through their other arms during the final portion of the closing movement of the sliding panel, whereby the rod assemblies return the rollers along the guide faces to the supporting surfaces of the cams.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
A sliding roof arrangement as claimed in claim 5, wherein said screw spindle includes a smooth portion for slidable mounting of said operating member, said operating member being displaceable with respect to the screw spindle between two end positions, and a spring acting on said operating member to exert a rearward pressure thereon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
A sliding roof arrangement as claimed in claim 7, including two guide ribs, said operating member being formed as a bridge member displaceable over said guide ribs, said guide ribs being parallel to the screw spindle and fastened to the inner frame.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
A sliding roof arrangement as claimed in claim 6, including a stop engageable by said rod assemblies during the final portion of the closing movement of the sliding panel concurrent with the rollers reaching the portion of the supporting surfaces adjoining the inclined guide faces.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
99 words
A sliding roof arrangement as claimed in claim 4, including a coupling member, said coupling member being attached to the rear end of the screw spindle, a switch plate rotatably connected with said coupling member for actuation of the safety switch and being displaceable along two guide rods positioned in parallel relationship with the screw spindle, a mounting section supported by the roof and carrying said safety switch and further switch, said mounting section being provided with a rear stop positioned to be engaged by said switch plate in its rear end position wherein it actuates said safety switch.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
A sliding roof arrangement as claimed in claim 10, including spring means, said spring means exerting pressure on the screw spindle through engagement with the rear face of said switch plate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
A sliding roof arrangement as claimed in claim 10, including a flexible shaft for connecting said coupling member with said electromotor.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2973991A
Cited
US3055701A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-04 | 1975-04-05 | 1975-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-04 | 1979-04-05 | 1979-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-04 | 1983-04-05 | 1983-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |