US3974753A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automobile roof vent
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-03-10
•
Granted: 1976-08-17
•
Expires: 1995-03-10
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed a removable vent window for a roof of an automobile which is particularly adapted for retrofit installation. The vent window is mounted in an opening extending across a major width of a car roof, preferably slightly rearwardly of the forward edge of the roof. The opening is framed with members of preformed or stretch formed extruded aluminum which are stretch formed into a generally rectangular frame to provide support for the hinges and latches that secure the vent window. The vent window is removably mounted in the opening by hinge members along the forward edge of the opening. The rear edge of the opening and window bear detachable latching mechanisms whereby the window can be pivoted between a closed, sealing position and an open, forwardly inclined, venting position. The latch mechanisms can be detached from the window, freeing the rear edge of the window and permitting it to be pivoted to an elevated position and disengaged from its hinges for complete removal of the window. The window is installed in existing roof panels by cutting the panel to the approximate dimensions of the desired opening, placing the preformed frame members into the opening and applying a bonding adhesive between the frame members and the panel surrounding the opening. The vent window is shaped with a surface contour that approximates the contour of the roof and the panel is mounted in the frame members and latched into its closed position so that the frame members and surrounding roof are clamped into the desired roof contour by the rigid window panel. The assembly is retained in this clamped configuration until the bonding adhesive has cured sufficiently that the frame members support the surrounding roof panel.
Inventors
- 👤 David Carl Blomgren
- 👤 Robert D. Sanchez
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 05:26
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60J; B60J7/00; B60J7/08; B60J7/16; B60J7/1628; B60J7/1635; B60J7/1642; E; E05; E05C; E05C17/00; E05C17/02; E05C17/04; E05C17/32; E05D; E05D7/00; E05D7/10; E05D7/1061; E05Y; E05Y2900/00; E05Y2900/50; E05Y2900/53; E05Y2900/542; E05Y2900/55
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
234 words
In an automobile body having a fixed, rigid roof over the passenger compartment, the improvement comprising: an opening extending across a major width of said roof and positioned slightly rearwardly of the forward edge of said roof; frame means carried by said roof about the periphery of said opening; a vent closure panel having substantially the same shape and dimensions as said opening; a frame member having an upright main channel with a cross section having a web and parallel sides coextensive with the edge of said opening; an inwardly dependent channel having an arcuate cross section carried on the upper edge of the inboard side of the main channel of said frame member; a first pair of side-by-side grooves extending transversely across said dependent channel on one side of said frame member to provide an arcuate tongue there between; and a hinge plate mounted to said panel and bearing a slot along one edge thereof receiving said arcuate tongue to permit pivotal movement of said closure panel between a closed position over said opening and a forwardly inclined, open, vent position; closure panel seal means carried by said frame; and latch means secured at the rear edge of said closure panel and carried on the rear edge of said frame for locking said closure panel in said closed position against said seal means and for supporting said closure panel in said vent position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
234 words
In an automobile body having a fixed, rigid roof over the passenger compartment, the improvement comprising: an opening extending across a major width of said roof and positioned slightly rearwardly of the forward edge of said roof; frame means carried by said roof about the periphery of said opening; a vent closure panel having substantially the same shape and dimensions as said opening; a frame member having an upright main channel with a cross section having a web and parallel sides coextensive with the edge of said opening; an inwardly dependent channel having an arcuate cross section carried on the upper edge of the inboard side of the main channel of said frame member; a first pair of side-by-side grooves extending transversely across said dependent channel on one side of said frame member to provide an arcuate tongue there between; and a hinge plate mounted to said panel and bearing a slot along one edge thereof receiving said arcuate tongue to permit pivotal movement of said closure panel between a closed position over said opening and a forwardly inclined, open, vent position; closure panel seal means carried by said frame; and latch means secured at the rear edge of said closure panel and carried on the rear edge of said frame for locking said closure panel in said closed position against said seal means and for supporting said closure panel in said vent position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said latch means permits pivotal movement of said panel through a secured arc of from 0° to about 40°.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said latch means permits pivotal movement of said panel through a secured arc of from 0° to 35°.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The improvement of claim 2 wherein said hinge means includes interlocking means securing said first and second hinge members together at all positions through said secured arc.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The improvement of claim 3 wherein hinge means includes interlocking means securing said first and second hinge members together at all positions through said secured arc.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein said vent closure panel is a glass window.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The improvement structure of claim 1 wherein said hinge plate has a bend to provide a flat portion for attachment to said closure panel and an offset inclined portion bearing said slot means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
The improvement structure of claim 7 wherein said slot is spaced from said one edge of said hinge plate by a web having a width less than the width of the open portion of said dependent channel whereby said hinge plate can be attached to and detached from said arcuate tongue.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The improvement structure of claim 8 wherein said edge portion of said hinge plate has a diagonal width greater than the width of the open portion of said dependent channel so that said plate is interlocked to said tongue at selected angular orientations therein.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The improvement structure of claim 1 wherein said frame extends entirely about said opening with its opposite ends joined together in a butt joint secured by pin means carried in said dependent channel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The improvement structure of claim 1 wherein the outboard side of said channel bears on outwardly dependent flange normal to said side to overlie supporting structure surrounding said opening.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The improvement structure of claim 11 wherein said structure includes a trim ring coextensive with said channel frame member and secured in assembly to the undersurface thereof by fastening means exerting a clamping force on said roof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The improvement structure of claim 12 wherein said frame member bears a rib coextensive with the outboard side of its main channel to provide a receptacle slot for said fastening means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The improvement structure of claim 13 wherein said receptacle slot also receives a bar member extending across said butt joint.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improvement of claim 1 including an annular, resilient seal mounted in said main channel of said frame member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
The improvement of claim 1 including a second pair of side-by-side grooves extending transversely across said dependent channel on the side of said frame member opposite said first pair of grooves, and a mounting bracket received therein and pivotally supporting said latch means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3093258A
Cited
US3319996A
Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-08-17 | 1980-02-16 | 1980-08-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-17 | 1984-02-16 | 1984-08-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-17 | 1988-02-16 | 1988-08-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |