US3913971A — Detachable sun roof panel for automobiles

Claim 1

Independent Claim 222 words

A sun roof for a vehicle having a roof with a central aperture formed therein, comprising: a molding formed completely around the perimeter of the aperture and including a resilient element and a rigid section attached to and supported on the roof at the perimeter of the aperture and extending into the aperture and about the perimeter underlying the resilient element to support it against motion in a direction toward the interior of the vehicle; and a detachable panel adapted to be supported on the resilient element to close the aperture and including a handle member pivotably supported with respect to the underside of the panel for motion between an open position in which it allows the panel to be inserted in said aperture onto said molding, and a closed position wherein it contacts a section on the underside of the molding pulling the adjacent under surface of the panel against the resilient element to lock the panel within the aperture and a fastener means affixed to its underside on an edge opposite to the one supporting the handle, so as to project beneath the adjacent edge of the panel, the fastener means and adjacent edge of the panel being adapted to engage a section of the molding so as to press the adjacent section of the panel against the resilient element.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 222 words

A sun roof for a vehicle having a roof with a central aperture formed therein, comprising: a molding formed completely around the perimeter of the aperture and including a resilient element and a rigid section attached to and supported on the roof at the perimeter of the aperture and extending into the aperture and about the perimeter underlying the resilient element to support it against motion in a direction toward the interior of the vehicle; and a detachable panel adapted to be supported on the resilient element to close the aperture and including a handle member pivotably supported with respect to the underside of the panel for motion between an open position in which it allows the panel to be inserted in said aperture onto said molding, and a closed position wherein it contacts a section on the underside of the molding pulling the adjacent under surface of the panel against the resilient element to lock the panel within the aperture and a fastener means affixed to its underside on an edge opposite to the one supporting the handle, so as to project beneath the adjacent edge of the panel, the fastener means and adjacent edge of the panel being adapted to engage a section of the molding so as to press the adjacent section of the panel against the resilient element.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 70 words

The sun roof of claim 1 including a release button supported beneath the panel for motion toward and away from the panel, means for normally biasing the release button toward its position away from the handle, and a detent section on the handle operative to engage the release button as to secure the handle in its closed position when the release button is at its position away from the panel.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 37 words

The sun roof of claim 1 wherein the roof includes an outer steel shell and a flexible headliner supported beneath the shell and the molding includes a groove adapted to receive the free edge of the headliner.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 50 words

The sun roof of claim 3 wherein the molding includes a tapered section and the roof shell is retained to the molding by means of wedges having shapes complementary to the taper, inserted in said tapered section so as to lock the shell edge between the molding and the wedge.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 190 words

A removable sun roof arrangement for a vehicle roof comprising: an aperture formed in the vehicle roof; a framing element attached to and supported on the roof and extending around the perimeter of the aperture and including a resilient section and an underlying rigid supporting section, both extending into the aperture in the plane of the roof; a sun roof panel; a bayonet member affixed to the bottom of the roof panel a short distance from one end thereof, and having a section which extends outwardly in the direction of the edge of the panel at a spaced distance from the panel, adapted to engage the framing member between its extending surface and the panel; and a lever handle member pivotably supported to the panel at the underside thereof at the edge opposite the edge of the panel which carries the bayonet, said handle being movable between a closed position wherein it lies parallel to the panel and is adapted to engage the framing element between itself and the panel member to compress a portion of the resilient section, and an open position wherein it extends normally to the panel.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 190 words

A removable sun roof arrangement for a vehicle roof comprising: an aperture formed in the vehicle roof; a framing element attached to and supported on the roof and extending around the perimeter of the aperture and including a resilient section and an underlying rigid supporting section, both extending into the aperture in the plane of the roof; a sun roof panel; a bayonet member affixed to the bottom of the roof panel a short distance from one end thereof, and having a section which extends outwardly in the direction of the edge of the panel at a spaced distance from the panel, adapted to engage the framing member between its extending surface and the panel; and a lever handle member pivotably supported to the panel at the underside thereof at the edge opposite the edge of the panel which carries the bayonet, said handle being movable between a closed position wherein it lies parallel to the panel and is adapted to engage the framing element between itself and the panel member to compress a portion of the resilient section, and an open position wherein it extends normally to the panel.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 70 words

The sun roof arrangement of claim 5 further including a release button supported on the handle member for motion toward and away from said panel member; means for biasing said release button toward one direction of its motion; and a detent formed on said handle and operative to engage said release button when the handle is in its closed position so as to lock the handle in its closed position.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 98 words

The sun roof arrangement of claim 5 wherein the framing element consists of a first section adapted to oveRlay the top of the roof adjacent to the perimeter of the aperture; a second section having a surface extending downwardly and outwardly from the aperture at an inclined angle relative to the roof and adapted to receive wedge-shaped retaining members which clamp the roof between the first section and the wedge members; a third section extending away from the edge of the roof toward the center of the aperture; and the resilient member is supported on said third section.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1978-10-20	1979-04-21	1979-10-21	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1982-10-20	1983-04-21	1983-10-21	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1986-10-20	1987-04-21	1987-10-21	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Detachable sun roof panel for automobiles

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