US3905640A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Level adjusting device for sliding roofs
Assignee: Webasto Werk W Baier GmbH and Co
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Filing: 1974-03-08
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Granted: 1975-09-16
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Expires: 1994-03-08
Abstract
Abstract A level adjusting device for rigid panel automobile sliding roof assemblies in which the lateral panel guide includes a pivotable guide shoe carrier and a guide shoe engaging a stationary guide profile, the guide shoe carrier being pivotable around a transverse axis and securable by means of serrated discs and a clamping nut.
Inventors
- 👤 Alfons Lutz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 01:19
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60J; B60J7/00; B60J7/02; B60J7/024
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
189 words
In a sliding roof assembly for atuomobiles in which a rigid sliding roof panel is displaceable from the roof opening through retraction under the rearwardly adjacent stationary roof structure along lateral guide means arranged underneath said panel, a device for adjusting the level of the sliding roof panel in relation to said guide means, the device comprising in combination: a lateral guide profile as part of said lateral panel guide means having opposing guide faces adapted to provide vertically determined guidance; a guide shoe having at least one guide face engaging said guide profile; a guide shoe carrier to which said guide shoe is connected; a pivot connection between said guide shoe carrier and the rigid sliding roof panel having its pivot axis fixed in relation to the roof panel and so oriented that an angular adjustment of the guide shoe carrier about said axis changes the vertical distance between said panel and the lateral guide profile, by vertically displacing the guide shoe relative to the level of the pivot connection; and means for releasably locking said pivot connection in any one of a plurality of angular adjustment positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
189 words
In a sliding roof assembly for atuomobiles in which a rigid sliding roof panel is displaceable from the roof opening through retraction under the rearwardly adjacent stationary roof structure along lateral guide means arranged underneath said panel, a device for adjusting the level of the sliding roof panel in relation to said guide means, the device comprising in combination: a lateral guide profile as part of said lateral panel guide means having opposing guide faces adapted to provide vertically determined guidance; a guide shoe having at least one guide face engaging said guide profile; a guide shoe carrier to which said guide shoe is connected; a pivot connection between said guide shoe carrier and the rigid sliding roof panel having its pivot axis fixed in relation to the roof panel and so oriented that an angular adjustment of the guide shoe carrier about said axis changes the vertical distance between said panel and the lateral guide profile, by vertically displacing the guide shoe relative to the level of the pivot connection; and means for releasably locking said pivot connection in any one of a plurality of angular adjustment positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
A level adjusting device as defined in claim 1, wherein: said pivot connection is located vertically near the roof panel, its pivot axis being an upper pivot axis oriented substantially horizontally and transversely in relation to the lateral guide profile.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A level adjusting device as defined in claim 2, wherein: the guide shoe carrier is at least in part made of rod material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A level adjusting device as defined in claim 2, wherein the connection between the guide shoe and the guide shoe carrier is constituted by a lower pivot connection having a lower pivot axis which is substantially parallel to said upper pivot axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
57 words
A level adjusting device as defined in claim 4, wherein: the guide shoe carrier is essentially constituted by a shaped rod having the outline of a horizontally tilted ''''U'''', with an upper horizontal leg and a parallel lower horizontal leg, the upper leg defining said upper pivot axis and the lower leg defining said lower pivot axis.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
A level adjusting device as defined in claim 5, wherein: the pivot connection locking means includes clamping means for securing the angular adjustment positions of the guide shoe carrier.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
A level adjusting device as defined in claim 6, wherein: the upper pivot connection includes a support bracket mounted on the sliding roof panel and engaging the upper leg of the guide shoe carrier; and said clamping means includes a threaded portion on said upper leg adjacent said support bracket and at least one clamping nut engaging the latter.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
49 words
A level adjusting device as defined in claim 7, wherein: said upper leg of the guide shoe carrier includes a collar portion of enlarged diameter; and said collar portion and the support bracket of the upper pivot connection define axially cooperating clamping faces, as part of said clamping means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
A level adjusting device as defined in claim 8, wherein: said clamping faces of the collar portion and support bracket are part of two serrated discs which are attached to the guide shoe carrier leg and to the support bracket, respectively.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
61 words
A level adjusting device as defined in claim 8, wherein: the upper leg of the guide shoe carrier is considerably longer than its lower leg, thereby extending inwardly from the lateral guide profile; and the support bracket and the enlarged collar portion of said upper leg are located inwardly of said guide profile so as not to interfere with the latter.
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) | 1978-09-15 | 1979-03-17 | 1979-09-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-15 | 1983-03-17 | 1983-09-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-15 | 1987-03-17 | 1987-09-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |