US3863979A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automobile sliding roof with canopy frame
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-03-22
•
Granted: 1975-02-04
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Expires: 1993-03-22
Abstract
Abstract A sliding roof structure with a canopy frame underneath the sliding roof panel, where the rear portion of the canopy frame is supported by the guide shoes of the panel to which the lifting linkage for the rear portion of the sliding roof panel is mounted.
Inventors
- 👤 Horst Bienert
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 00:55
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60J; B60J7/00; B60J7/02; B60J7/04; B60J7/053
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
193 words
A sliding roof structure for automobiles and the like, comprising in combination: a fixed roof structure having a substantially rectangular, vertical opening therein; a generally horizontal, movable sliding roof panel matching the outline of the roof opening to serve as a closure element therefor; means for operating the sliding roof panel by lowering its rear portion out of the roof opening and then retracting the panel rearwardly under the fixed roof structure, and reversely, by advancing the panel to a position half-way in and half-way below the roof opening and then raising its rear portion into the opening so as to close the roof; means for horizontally guiding the sliding roof panel against the roof structure during its retracting and advancing motions; and a canopy frame mounted underneath the sliding roof panel, the front portion of the canopy frame being attached to the forward end portion of the panel, the rear portion Being vertically movable relative to the panel; the canopy frame including connecting means between it and the panel guide means for vertically constraining the canopy frame rear portion relative to the panel guide means, while permitting relative horizontal displacement there between.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
193 words
A sliding roof structure for automobiles and the like, comprising in combination: a fixed roof structure having a substantially rectangular, vertical opening therein; a generally horizontal, movable sliding roof panel matching the outline of the roof opening to serve as a closure element therefor; means for operating the sliding roof panel by lowering its rear portion out of the roof opening and then retracting the panel rearwardly under the fixed roof structure, and reversely, by advancing the panel to a position half-way in and half-way below the roof opening and then raising its rear portion into the opening so as to close the roof; means for horizontally guiding the sliding roof panel against the roof structure during its retracting and advancing motions; and a canopy frame mounted underneath the sliding roof panel, the front portion of the canopy frame being attached to the forward end portion of the panel, the rear portion Being vertically movable relative to the panel; the canopy frame including connecting means between it and the panel guide means for vertically constraining the canopy frame rear portion relative to the panel guide means, while permitting relative horizontal displacement there between.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
58 words
A sliding roof structure as defined in claim 1, wherein: the attachment between the front portions of the sliding roof panel and canopy frame is rigid, and the canopy frame itself is resiliently bendable vertically about said rigid attachment so as to permit said vertical motion of the rear portions of the panel relative to the canopy frame.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
78 words
A sliding roof structure as defined in claim 1, wherein: the panel guide means includes a fixed guide profile in the roof structure on either side of the sliding roof panel and matching guide shoes linked to the sliding roof panel, a rear guide shoe being arranged on either side of the rear portion of the panel; and the panel operating means includes a lifting linkage connecting each rear guide shoe to the rear portion of the panel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
103 words
A sliding roof structure as defined in claim 3, wherein: the lifting linkages of the panel operating means include mutually aligned horizontal pivot pins connecting them to their associated guide shoes; and each lifting linkage further includes an upwardly extending link whose lower end is pivoted at the guide shoe by means of the pivot pin and whose upper end is pivoted at the sliding roof panel, the links being pivotable between a raised position in which they are oriented substantially vertically and a lowered position in which the pivot pins and guide shoes are displaced rearwardly relative to the sliding roof panel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
80 words
A sliding roof structure as defined in claim 4, wherein: the pivot pins of the lifting linkages are fixedly attached to their associated guide shoes and extend inwardly toward one another; and the connecting means of the canopy frame are in the form of oppositely facing guide blocks mounted on the rear portion of the canopy frame in adjacent alignment with the pivot pins and cooperating therewith to vertically constrain the canopy frame rear portion relative to the guide shoes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
A sliding roof structure as defined in claim 5, wherein: the connecting means between the canopy frame and the guide shoes further include a horizontal sliding connection between each pivot pin and its associated guide block to permit the horizontal displacement of the guide shoes relative to the sliding roof panel and canopy frame during the raising and lowering of the lifting link.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
A sliding roof structure as defined in claim 6, wherein: the horizontal sliding connection between the pivot pin and the guide block is in the form of a horizontal guide groove in the guide block inside which the inner end portion of the pivot pin is guided.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-02-03 | 1978-08-05 | 1979-02-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-02-03 | 1982-08-05 | 1983-02-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-02-03 | 1986-08-05 | 1987-02-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |