Patent US4154473A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4154473A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Vehicle roof structure kit
Assignee: American Sunroof Corp
•
Filing: 1977-05-02
•
Granted: 1979-05-15
•
Expires: 1997-05-02
Abstract
Abstract The contour of the roof of a vehicle is modified by the securement thereto of a pre-formed cap or shroud. The shroud has a decorative overlay to enhance the aesthetics of the modification. The overlay or cap has an interior contour which, when disposed atop the roof structure of the vehicle, modified the contour thereof. The present invention further contemplates suitable moldings or the like for securely attaching the overlay to the vehicle.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael T. Alexander
- 👤 Dennis F. Welch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:39
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60J; B60J7/00; B60J7/08; B60J7/10; B60J7/106
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
222 words
In combination with an automotive vehicle, a pre-packaged assembly for cosmetically altering the contour of the roof of the vehicle without the severing of same, comprising: (a) an assembly circumscribing at least a portion of the roof of the vehicle, the assembly having a different contour than that of the roof of the vehicle, the assembly comprising: (1) a pre-formed cap comprising a top wall, a pair of opposed, downwardly depending side walls integral with the top wall, a rear wall depending from the top wall and integral with the top wall and side walls, the side walls being engageable with the side wall of the roof of the vehicle, and wherein, a portion of the top wall is in contact with only a coincident portion of the top of the vehicle roof the vehicle roof having a first convex surface, the top wall of the cap having a second convex surface which is of greater convexity than the first surface such that between the contact areas a space is created to alter the roof contour of the vehicle, (2) a padding overlying and being coincident with the cap, and (3) a decorative covering secured to the padding, and (b) means for securing the assembly to the roof, and wherein the contour of the roof is altered without bonding the assembly thereto.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
222 words
In combination with an automotive vehicle, a pre-packaged assembly for cosmetically altering the contour of the roof of the vehicle without the severing of same, comprising: (a) an assembly circumscribing at least a portion of the roof of the vehicle, the assembly having a different contour than that of the roof of the vehicle, the assembly comprising: (1) a pre-formed cap comprising a top wall, a pair of opposed, downwardly depending side walls integral with the top wall, a rear wall depending from the top wall and integral with the top wall and side walls, the side walls being engageable with the side wall of the roof of the vehicle, and wherein, a portion of the top wall is in contact with only a coincident portion of the top of the vehicle roof the vehicle roof having a first convex surface, the top wall of the cap having a second convex surface which is of greater convexity than the first surface such that between the contact areas a space is created to alter the roof contour of the vehicle, (2) a padding overlying and being coincident with the cap, and (3) a decorative covering secured to the padding, and (b) means for securing the assembly to the roof, and wherein the contour of the roof is altered without bonding the assembly thereto.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein the securing means comprises: a U-shaped molding having integrally formed opposed legs which engage the side walls of the asembly and a bight portion which traverses the roof of the vehicle and engages the top portion of the assembly, and fastening means extending through the molding and the assembly and into the roof of the vehicle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein: (a) the molding has a central channel formed along the extent thereof and a plurality of apertures formed in the channel, the fastening means extending through the apertures, and (b) the securing means further comprises a decorative insert which is disposed in the channel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein: (a) the cap is a fiberglass cap, (b) the padding is a flexible polyurethane padding, and (c) the cover is a vinyl cover.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination of claim 2 which further comprises: a welt cord assembly having a portion wedged beneath the free edge of the top wall.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
201 words
A pre-packaged assembly for cosmetically altering the roof contour of an automatic vehicle, comprising: (a) an assembly for circumscribing at least a portion of the roof, the assembly having a different contour than that of the roof and comprising: (1) a pre-formed cap comprising a top wall, a pair of opposed, downwardly depending side walls integral with the top wall, a rear wall depending from the top wall and integral with the top wall and side walls, the side walls being engageable with the side walls of the roof of the roof of the vehicle, (2) a padding overlying and being coincident with the cap, (3) a decorative covering secured to the padding, (b) means for securing the assembly to the roof, and wherein a portion of the top wall of the cap is in contact with only a coincident portion of the vehicle roof, the roof of the vehicle having a first convex surface, the top wall of the cap having a second convex surface which is of greater convexity than the first surface such that between the contact areas a space is created to alter the roof contour thereof absent the need for severing the roof of the vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
201 words
A pre-packaged assembly for cosmetically altering the roof contour of an automatic vehicle, comprising: (a) an assembly for circumscribing at least a portion of the roof, the assembly having a different contour than that of the roof and comprising: (1) a pre-formed cap comprising a top wall, a pair of opposed, downwardly depending side walls integral with the top wall, a rear wall depending from the top wall and integral with the top wall and side walls, the side walls being engageable with the side walls of the roof of the roof of the vehicle, (2) a padding overlying and being coincident with the cap, (3) a decorative covering secured to the padding, (b) means for securing the assembly to the roof, and wherein a portion of the top wall of the cap is in contact with only a coincident portion of the vehicle roof, the roof of the vehicle having a first convex surface, the top wall of the cap having a second convex surface which is of greater convexity than the first surface such that between the contact areas a space is created to alter the roof contour thereof absent the need for severing the roof of the vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
62 words
The assembly of claim 6 wherein the securing means comprises: a U-shaped molding having integrally formed opposed legs which engage the side walls of the assembly and a bight portion which traverses the roof of the vehicle and engages the top portion of the assembly, and fastening means extending through the molding and the assembly and into the roof of the vehicle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
The assembly of claim 7 wherein: (a) the molding has a central channel formed along the extent thereof and a plurality of apertures formed in the channel, the fastening means extending through the apertures, and (b) the securing means further comprises a decorative insert which is disposed in the channel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The assembly of claim 8 wherein: (a) the cap is a fiberglass cap, (b) the padding is a flexible polyurethane padding, and (c) the cover is a vinyl cover.
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) | 1982-05-14 | 1982-11-13 | 1983-05-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-05-14 | 1986-11-13 | 1987-05-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-05-14 | 1990-11-13 | 1991-05-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |