Patent US4175785A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4175785A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Motor vehicle roof
Assignee: Webasto Werk W Baier GmbH and Co
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Filing: 1977-08-02
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Granted: 1979-11-27
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Expires: 1997-08-02
Abstract
Abstract A movable cover for a roof opening in the passenger space of a motor vehicle is provided. The cover includes a rigid outer cover part which is configured so as to be in a flush position with adjacent vehicle body panel structure when the opening is closed, as well as a headlining spaced from the fixed cover part and facing inwardly into the passenger space. In order to assure a reliable, attractive, cooperation of the headlining with the adjacent interior structure of the vehicle passenger space, the cover part and the headlining are connected by way of leaf springs or the like which place a slight pressure on the headlining in a direction away from the cover part so as to press the headlining against upwardly facing fixed vehicle frame parts at the roof opening.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert Leiter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 23:28
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60J; B60J7/00; B60J7/0007; B60J7/003; B60R; B60R13/00; B60R13/02; B60R13/0212; B60R13/0231; B60R13/0206
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
172 words
Movable vehicle panel apparatus including a vehicle panel which is movable to and from a closed position closing an opening in a vehicle body portion defining a passenger space, said panel comprising: a cover part which faces away from the interior of the vehicle passenger space when said panel member is in said closed position, a headlining spaced from said cover part and disposed to face the interior of the vehicle passenger space when said panel member is in said closed position, and resilient leaf spring means attached to and between the cover part and headlining for interconnecting said cover part and said headlining in such a manner as to resiliently movably support said headlining means with respect to said cover part, and so as to resiliently push said headliner against a surrounding relatively fixed vehicle frame part when said panel member is in said closed position, the attachment of said leaf spring means to the cover part being forward of its attachment to the headlining in the closing direction of movement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
172 words
Movable vehicle panel apparatus including a vehicle panel which is movable to and from a closed position closing an opening in a vehicle body portion defining a passenger space, said panel comprising: a cover part which faces away from the interior of the vehicle passenger space when said panel member is in said closed position, a headlining spaced from said cover part and disposed to face the interior of the vehicle passenger space when said panel member is in said closed position, and resilient leaf spring means attached to and between the cover part and headlining for interconnecting said cover part and said headlining in such a manner as to resiliently movably support said headlining means with respect to said cover part, and so as to resiliently push said headliner against a surrounding relatively fixed vehicle frame part when said panel member is in said closed position, the attachment of said leaf spring means to the cover part being forward of its attachment to the headlining in the closing direction of movement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
77 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said panel is a cover for a roof opening in a passenger motor vehicle, said cover part being a rigid part alignable with the outer contours of the vehicle body when said cover is in its closed position, wherein said headlining consists of one of a fabric covered frame and a plate, said headlining exhibiting a visually attractive surface facing the passenger space when said cover is in its closed position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein roof frame structure surrounds said roof opening, said frame structure constituting said fixed vehicle frame part and covering portions of said cover from below when said cover is in its closed position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said headlining is attached to said cover part by said resilient means in the area adjacent the leading edge of the cover, said resilient means pressing the headlining against the upper surface of said roof frame structure surrounding said opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, comprising a track, said track being attached by clips to a cross strut on the under side of the cover part, the attachment of the leaf spring means to said cover part being at said track.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said resilient leaf spring means includes a flexible track, said flexible track extending over the entire width of the cover and being fastened along one longitudinal edge to the cover part and along the other longitudinal edge to the headlining.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said resilient means are spring means extending backward from a fastening point on the cover part.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said spring means extend backward from a fastening point on the cover part.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said spring means extend backward from a fastening point on the cover part.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the space delimited by the cover, the headlining, and the spring means is configured and disposed to accommodate a wind deflector, said wind deflector being swivelable in the forward area of the roof opening about an axis located at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the space delimited by the cover, the headlining, and the spring means is configured and disposed to accommodate a wind deflector, said wind deflector being swivelable in the forward area of the roof opening about an axis located at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the space delimited by the cover, the headlining, and the spring means is configured and disposed to accommodate a wind deflector, said wind deflector being swivelable in the forward area of the roof opening about an axis located at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said cover is slidably and tiltably movable into and out of said closed position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein adjusting means are provided for adjusting the height of the cover part with respect to the supporting structure accommodating movement of the cover into and out of its closed position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3414320A
Cited
US3580629A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-11-26 | 1983-05-28 | 1983-11-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-11-26 | 1987-05-28 | 1987-11-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-11-26 | 1991-05-28 | 1991-11-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |