Apparatus and method for adhesively bonding a roof covering to an automotive vehicle roof

Claim 1

An apparatus for adhesively bonding a roof covering to an automotive vehicle roof, the apparatus comprising: a female mold substantially conforming to the shape of a vehicle roof to which the roof covering is to be bonded; a mat received by the mold and having projections extending away from the mold in spaced relationship to each other so as to define the general contour of the roof and to also define a network of spacing therebetween, the mat also defining a plurality of spaced apertures therethrough in communication with the network of spacing defined by the projections; suction means for drawing a vacuum at the apertures in the mats to thereby also draw a vacuum in the network of spacing between the projections thereof so as to secure the roof covering to the mold in the configuration of the roof, the secured roof covering being placed over the roof by movement of the mold so that an adhesive between the roof and the roof covering provides a bond therebetween; and means for supplying a pressurized gas to the roof covering through the apertures in the mat to thereby pressurize the bond and ensure adhesive bonding of the roof covering to the roof.

Claim 2

An apparatus for adhesively bonding a roof covering to an automotive vehicle roof, the apparatus comprising: a female mold substantially conforming to the shape of a vehicle roof to which the roof covering is to be bonded; a mat received by the mold and having projections extending away from the mold in spaced relationship to each other so as to define the general contour of the roof and to also define a network of spacing therebetween, the mat also defining a plurality of spaced apertures therethrough in communication with the network of spacing defined by the projections; suction means for drawing a vacuum at the apertures in the mats to thereby also draw a vacuum in the network of spacing between the projections thereof so as to secure the roof covering to the mold in the configuration of the roof, the secured roof covering being placed over the roof by movement of the mold so that an adhesive between the roof and the roof covering provides a bond therebetween; and means for supplying a pressurized gas to the roof covering through the apertures in the mat to thereby pressurize the bond and ensure adhesive bonding of the roof covering to the roof.

Claim 3

An apparatus for adhesively bonding a roof covering to an automotive vehicle roof, the apparatus comprising: a female mold having a central portion substantially conforming to the shape of a vehicle roof to which the roof covering is to be bonded and also defining an outer groove about the pheriphery of the central portion; a mat received by the central portion of the mold and having integral projections extending away from the mold in spaced relationship to each other so as to define the general contour of the roof and to also define a network fo spacing therebetween; valved suction means for drawing a vacuum in the peripheral groove defined by the mold and in the network of spacing defined by the mat, this valved suction means being adapted to first draw the vacuum in the groove so the roof covering may be placed over the mold and initially secured thereto to allow the vacuum to be subsequently drawn within the network of spacing defined by the mat in a manner that secures the central portion of the roof covering to the mold in the configuration of the roof, and the secured roof covering being placed over the roof by movement of the mold so that an adhesive between the roof and the roof covering provides a bond therebetween; and means for supplying a pressurized gas to the central portion of the mold between the roof covering and the mat so as to pressurize the bond and ensure adhesive bonding of the roof covering to the roof.

Claim 4

An apparatus for adhesively bonding a roof covering to an automotive vehicle roof, the apparatus comprising: a female mold having a central portion substantially conforming to the shape of a vehicle roof to which the roof covering is to be bonded and also defining an outer groove about the pheriphery of the central portion; a mat received by the central portion of the mold and having integral projections extending away from the mold in spaced relationship to each other so as to define the general contour of the roof and to also define a network fo spacing therebetween; valved suction means for drawing a vacuum in the peripheral groove defined by the mold and in the network of spacing defined by the mat, this valved suction means being adapted to first draw the vacuum in the groove so the roof covering may be placed over the mold and initially secured thereto to allow the vacuum to be subsequently drawn within the network of spacing defined by the mat in a manner that secures the central portion of the roof covering to the mold in the configuration of the roof, and the secured roof covering being placed over the roof by movement of the mold so that an adhesive between the roof and the roof covering provides a bond therebetween; and means for supplying a pressurized gas to the central portion of the mold between the roof covering and the mat so as to pressurize the bond and ensure adhesive bonding of the roof covering to the roof.

Claim 5

An apparatus for adhesively bonding a roof covering to an automotive vehicle roof, the apparatus comprising: a female mold having a central portion substantially conforming to the shape of a vehicle roof to which the roof covering is to be bonded and also defining an outer groove about the periphery of the central portion; a mat received by the central portion of the mold and having integral projections extending away from the mold in spaced relationship to each other so as to define the general contour of the roof and to also define a network of spacing therebetween; a plurality of guide shoes Mounted on the mold for movement between now guiding positions where the mold is accessible to position the roof covering thereon and guiding positions where the shoes engage the roof as the mold is moved downwardly over the roof; valved suction means for drawing a vacuum in the peripheral groove of the mold and in the network of spacing defined by the mat, this valved suction means being adapted to first draw the vacuum in the groove so as to secure the edge of the roof covering to the mold and to also seal the edge of the roof covering to the mold in a manner that defines an enclosed chamber between the mat and the roof covering, the valved suction means subsequently drawing a vacuum within the network of spacing defined by the mat so as to thereby also draw a vacuum in the sealed chamber between the roof covering and the mat in a manner that secures the central portion of the roof covering to the mold in the configuration of the roof, and the secured roof covering being placed over the roof by movement of the mold so that an adhesive between the roof and the roof covering provides a bond therebetween; and an air compressor for supplying pressurized air to the central portion of the mold between the roof covering and the mat so as to pressurize the bond and ensure adhesive bonding of the roof covering to the roof.

Claim 6

An apparatus for adhesively bonding a roof covering to an automotive vehicle roof, the apparatus comprising: a female mold having a central portion substantially conforming to the shape of a vehicle roof to which the roof covering is to be bonded and also defining an outer groove about the periphery of the central portion; a mat received by the central portion of the mold and having integral projections extending away from the mold in spaced relationship to each other so as to define the general contour of the roof and to also define a network of spacing therebetween; a plurality of guide shoes Mounted on the mold for movement between now guiding positions where the mold is accessible to position the roof covering thereon and guiding positions where the shoes engage the roof as the mold is moved downwardly over the roof; valved suction means for drawing a vacuum in the peripheral groove of the mold and in the network of spacing defined by the mat, this valved suction means being adapted to first draw the vacuum in the groove so as to secure the edge of the roof covering to the mold and to also seal the edge of the roof covering to the mold in a manner that defines an enclosed chamber between the mat and the roof covering, the valved suction means subsequently drawing a vacuum within the network of spacing defined by the mat so as to thereby also draw a vacuum in the sealed chamber between the roof covering and the mat in a manner that secures the central portion of the roof covering to the mold in the configuration of the roof, and the secured roof covering being placed over the roof by movement of the mold so that an adhesive between the roof and the roof covering provides a bond therebetween; and an air compressor for supplying pressurized air to the central portion of the mold between the roof covering and the mat so as to pressurize the bond and ensure adhesive bonding of the roof covering to the roof.

Claim 7

An apparatus for adhesively bonding a roof covering to an automotive vehicle roof, the apparatus comprising: a female mold having a central portion substantially conforming to the shape of a vehicle roof to which the roof covering is to be bonded and also defining inner and outer vacuum grooves about the periphery of the central portion and an intermediate cutting slot located between the vacuum grooves; a mat received by the central portion of the mold and having integral projections extending away from the mold in spaced relationship to each other so as to define the general contour of the roof and to also define a network of spacing therebetween; and valved suction means for drawing a vacuum in the inner and outer vacuum grooves defined by the mold and in the network of spacing defined by the mat, this valved suction means being adapted to first draw the vacuum in the inner and outer vacuum grooves so the roof covering may be placed over the mold and initially secured thereto by sealing the edge of the roof covering to the mold along these vacuum grooves and thereby defining a chamber between the roof covering and the central portion of the mold, the valved suction means subsequently drawing a vacuum within the network of spacing defined by the mat so as to thereby also draw a vacuum in the sealed chamber between the roof covering and the mat in a manner that secures the central portion of the roof covering to the mold in the configuration of the roof, the cutting slot of the mold being adapted to receive and guide a suitable cutting tool so as to cut the secured edge of the roof covering to the configuration required, and the secured roof covering being placed over the roof by movement of the mold so that an adhesive between the roof and the roof covering provides a bond therebetween; and an air compressor for supplying pressurized air to the central portion of the mold between the roof covering and the mat so as to pressurize the bond and ensure adhesive bonding of the roof covering to the roof.

Claim 8

An apparatus for adhesively bonding a roof covering to an automotive vehicle roof, the apparatus comprising: a female mold having a central portion substantially conforming to the shape of a vehicle roof to which the roof covering is to be bonded and also defining inner and outer vacuum grooves about the periphery of the central portion and an intermediate cutting slot located between the vacuum grooves; a mat received by the central portion of the mold and having integral projections extending away from the mold in spaced relationship to each other so as to define the general contour of the roof and to also define a network of spacing therebetween; and valved suction means for drawing a vacuum in the inner and outer vacuum grooves defined by the mold and in the network of spacing defined by the mat, this valved suction means being adapted to first draw the vacuum in the inner and outer vacuum grooves so the roof covering may be placed over the mold and initially secured thereto by sealing the edge of the roof covering to the mold along these vacuum grooves and thereby defining a chamber between the roof covering and the central portion of the mold, the valved suction means subsequently drawing a vacuum within the network of spacing defined by the mat so as to thereby also draw a vacuum in the sealed chamber between the roof covering and the mat in a manner that secures the central portion of the roof covering to the mold in the configuration of the roof, the cutting slot of the mold being adapted to receive and guide a suitable cutting tool so as to cut the secured edge of the roof covering to the configuration required, and the secured roof covering being placed over the roof by movement of the mold so that an adhesive between the roof and the roof covering provides a bond therebetween; and an air compressor for supplying pressurized air to the central portion of the mold between the roof covering and the mat so as to pressurize the bond and ensure adhesive bonding of the roof covering to the roof.

Claim 9

A method for adhesively bonding a roof covering to an automotive vehicle roof, the method comprising: placing the roof covering over a female mold of the roof having a central portion with a mat including projections extending away from the mold in spaced relationship to each other so as to define the general contour of the roof and to also define a network of spacing therebetween; drawing a vacuum within the network of spacing defined by the mat so as to draw the roof covering into engagement with the projections and thereby secure the roof covering to the mold; moving the mold with the roof covering seCured thereto so as to position the roof covering over the vehicle roof with an adhesive therebetween; and pressurizing the mold between the roof covering and the mat to pressurize the roof covering and ensure adhesive bonding thereof to the roof.

Claim 10

A method for adhesively bonding a roof covering to an automotive vehicle roof, the method comprising: placing the roof covering over a female mold of the roof having a central portion with a mat including projections extending away from the mold in spaced relationship to each other so as to define the general contour of the roof and to also define a network of spacing therebetween; drawing a vacuum within the network of spacing defined by the mat so as to draw the roof covering into engagement with the projections and thereby secure the roof covering to the mold; moving the mold with the roof covering seCured thereto so as to position the roof covering over the vehicle roof with an adhesive therebetween; and pressurizing the mold between the roof covering and the mat to pressurize the roof covering and ensure adhesive bonding thereof to the roof.

Claim 11

A method for adhesively bonding a roof covering to an automotive vehicle roof, the method comprising: placing the roof covering over a female mold of the roof having a groove about the periphery thereof and a central portion including a mat with integral projections extending away from the mold in spaced relationship to each other so as to define the general contour of the roof and to also define a network of spacing therebetween; drawing a vacuum within the groove to secure the edge of the roof covering to the mold and to also seal a chamber between the roof covering and the central portion of the mold; drawing a vacuum within the network of spacing defined by the mat so as to also draw a vacuum within the sealed chamber and thereby pull the roof covering into engagement with the projections of the mat in a manner that secures the roof covering to the mold; moving the mold with the roof covering secured thereto so as to position the roof covering over the vehicle roof with an adhesive therebetween; and pressurizing the mold between the roof covering and the mat to pressurize the roof covering and ensure adhesive bonding thereof to the roof.

Claim 12

A method for adhesively bonding a roof covering to an automotive vehicle roof, the method comprising: placing the roof covering over a female mold of the roof having a groove about the periphery thereof and a central portion including a mat with integral projections extending away from the mold in spaced relationship to each other so as to define the general contour of the roof and to also define a network of spacing therebetween; drawing a vacuum within the groove to secure the edge of the roof covering to the mold and to also seal a chamber between the roof covering and the central portion of the mold; drawing a vacuum within the network of spacing defined by the mat so as to also draw a vacuum within the sealed chamber and thereby pull the roof covering into engagement with the projections of the mat in a manner that secures the roof covering to the mold; moving the mold with the roof covering secured thereto so as to position the roof covering over the vehicle roof with an adhesive therebetween; and pressurizing the mold between the roof covering and the mat to pressurize the roof covering and ensure adhesive bonding thereof to the roof.

Claim 13

A method for adhesively bonding a roof covering to an automotive vehicle roof, the method comprising: placing the roof covering over a female mold of the roof having a pair of spaced vacuum grooves about the periphery thereof with a cutting slot between the vacuum grooves and with a central portion of the mold having a mat including integral projections extending away from the mold in spaced relationship to each other so as to define the general contour of the roof and to also define a network of spacing therebetween; drawing a vacuum within the vacuum grooves to secure the edge of the roof covering to the mold and to also seal a chamber between the roof covering and the central portion of the mold; drawing a vacuum within the network of spacing defined by the mat so as to also draw a vacuum within the sealed chamber and thereby pull the roof covering into engagement with the projections of the mat in a manner that secures the roof covering to the mold; guiding a cutting tool along the cutting slot of the mold with the roof covering secured thereto so as to trim the secured edge of the roof covering to the configuration required; moving the mold with the roof covering secured thereto so as to position the roof covering over the vehicle roof with an adhesive therebetween in a manner that provides an adhesive bond holding the roof covering in position on the roof; and pressurizing the mold with pressurized air between the roof covering and the mat to pressurize the roof covering and ensure adhesive bonding thereof to the roof.

Claim 14

A method for adhesively bonding a roof covering to an automotive vehicle roof, the method comprising: placing the roof covering over a female mold of the roof having a pair of spaced vacuum grooves about the periphery thereof with a cutting slot between the vacuum grooves and with a central portion of the mold having a mat including integral projections extending away from the mold in spaced relationship to each other so as to define the general contour of the roof and to also define a network of spacing therebetween; drawing a vacuum within the vacuum grooves to secure the edge of the roof covering to the mold and to also seal a chamber between the roof covering and the central portion of the mold; drawing a vacuum within the network of spacing defined by the mat so as to also draw a vacuum within the sealed chamber and thereby pull the roof covering into engagement with the projections of the mat in a manner that secures the roof covering to the mold; guiding a cutting tool along the cutting slot of the mold with the roof covering secured thereto so as to trim the secured edge of the roof covering to the configuration required; moving the mold with the roof covering secured thereto so as to position the roof covering over the vehicle roof with an adhesive therebetween in a manner that provides an adhesive bond holding the roof covering in position on the roof; and pressurizing the mold with pressurized air between the roof covering and the mat to pressurize the roof covering and ensure adhesive bonding thereof to the roof.