US3904239A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wind deflector for automobile with sliding roof
Assignee: Webasto Werk W Baier GmbH and Co
•
Filing: 1974-04-11
•
Granted: 1975-09-09
•
Expires: 1994-04-11
Abstract
Abstract A wind deflector for an automobile sliding roof having an upwardly-biased, pivotable panel mounted on bending hinges and linked to two lateral levers engaging the panel with a pin and slot connection, which levers are engageable by the sliding roof panel to automatically retract the wind deflector panel during the closing operation of the sliding roof.
Inventors
- 👤 Hans Jardin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 03:34
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60J; B60J7/00; B60J7/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
299 words
In a sliding roof structure for automobiles in which a generally rectangular roof opening is surrounded by a roof frame that serves as a rain channel and as a support for a sliding roof mechanism, and in which said mechanism includes a rigid sliding roof panel which is openable through lowering of its rear edge and rearward retraction of the panel from the roof opening, a wind deflector assembly comprising in combination: a wind deflector panel extending along the forward transverse edge of the roof opening, one edge of said panel being pivotably attached to the adjacent transverse rain channel portion of said roof frame by means of a bending hinge, thereby defining a horizontal transverse pivot axis around which the wind deflector panel is pivotable between a retracted position in which the panel is positioned below the roof level underneath the front portion of the sliding roof panel when the latter is closed, and an extended position in which the free edge of the wind deflector panel is positioned above the roof opening; a lever connected to each lateral extremity of the wind deflector panel by a cam-and-follower connection and extending rearwardly to a pivot point on the lateral portion of the roof frame, the two levers being pivotable between an upper and a lower position, thereby moving the wind deflector panel between its extended and retracted positions, respectively, through the action of said cam-and-follower connection; means for biasing the wind deflector panel toward its extended position; and means defined by the sliding roof mechanism and by said levers for depressing the levers and retracting the wind deflector panel, when the sliding roof moves into its closed position; and wherein said bending hinge is arranged to also fulfill, at least in part, the function of said biasing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
299 words
In a sliding roof structure for automobiles in which a generally rectangular roof opening is surrounded by a roof frame that serves as a rain channel and as a support for a sliding roof mechanism, and in which said mechanism includes a rigid sliding roof panel which is openable through lowering of its rear edge and rearward retraction of the panel from the roof opening, a wind deflector assembly comprising in combination: a wind deflector panel extending along the forward transverse edge of the roof opening, one edge of said panel being pivotably attached to the adjacent transverse rain channel portion of said roof frame by means of a bending hinge, thereby defining a horizontal transverse pivot axis around which the wind deflector panel is pivotable between a retracted position in which the panel is positioned below the roof level underneath the front portion of the sliding roof panel when the latter is closed, and an extended position in which the free edge of the wind deflector panel is positioned above the roof opening; a lever connected to each lateral extremity of the wind deflector panel by a cam-and-follower connection and extending rearwardly to a pivot point on the lateral portion of the roof frame, the two levers being pivotable between an upper and a lower position, thereby moving the wind deflector panel between its extended and retracted positions, respectively, through the action of said cam-and-follower connection; means for biasing the wind deflector panel toward its extended position; and means defined by the sliding roof mechanism and by said levers for depressing the levers and retracting the wind deflector panel, when the sliding roof moves into its closed position; and wherein said bending hinge is arranged to also fulfill, at least in part, the function of said biasing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
74 words
A wind deflector assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein: said cam-and-follower connection includes a slot in each extremity of the wind deflector panel forming a cam, and a pin in each of the two levers in alignment with the other pin engaging said slot as a cam follower, the slots being so oriented that the wind deflector panel is extended upwardly when the levers are raised and retracted when the levers are lOwered.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
A wind deflector assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein: the bending hinge includes at leat two integral hinge extensions on the inner longitudinal edge of the wind deflector panel, the hinge extensions being resiliently bent, as the wind deflector panel is pivoted to its retracted position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
91 words
A wind deflector assembly as defined in claim 3, wherein: the forward portion of the roof frame includes a channel profile with a substantially vertical wall portion extending downwardly from the edge of the roof opening and a substantially horizontal wall portion extending rearwardly therefrom; and the bending hinge further includes for each hinge extension an anchoring bracket which is attached to the inside of said channel profile so as to define with the channel wall an insertion slot for the engagement therein of the far end of the hinge extension.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
A wind deflector assembly as defined in claim 4, wherein: the anchoring brackets are attached to the horizontal channel wall portion at such a distance from the vertical channel wall portion that said bending hinge extensions bear against the vertical channel wall portion through the action of a bending preload, thereby maintaining said hinge extensions engaged in said insertion slots.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
A wind deflector assembly as defined in claim 4, wherein: the anchoring brackets are attached to the vertical channel wall portion; and the bending hinge extensions, in conjunction with the anchoring brackets, define snap-type retaining means for maintaining said hinge extensions engaged in said insertion slots.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3711150A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-08 | 1979-03-10 | 1979-09-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-08 | 1983-03-10 | 1983-09-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-08 | 1987-03-10 | 1987-09-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |