US4461509A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Roof structure
Assignee: Piolax Inc
•
Filing: 1981-11-02
•
Granted: 1984-07-24
•
Expires: 2001-11-02
Abstract
Abstract A roof structure for an automotive vehicle includes a roof panel, a roof rail, a head lining and a support member therefor. The support member is divided into three parts: a main part and two side parts. The main part is separate from at least one side part. The main part may be separate from one side part and formed integrally with the other side part. The main part may be separate from both side parts. Each side part is fixed to the roof rail. The side part or parts are joined to the main part by means of a joint member. The joint member may be formed in various manners. The joint member includes an insertion portion and a rib formed thereon.
Inventors
- 👤 Kouichi Yaotani
- 👤 Masao Tashoh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 18:37
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60R; B60R13/00; B60R13/02; B60R13/0212; B62; B62D; B62D25/00; B62D25/06; B60R13/0206; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T403/00; Y10T403/55; Y10T403/57; Y10T403/5761; Y10T403/5786
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
250 words
A vehicle roof lining support structure comprising: (a) at least one tubular support member adapted to be fixed at both ends thereof to roof rails extending along a longitudinal direction of said vehicle, said tubular support member comprising: (i) a main tubular part, (ii) two tubular side parts disposed at opposite ends of said main tubular part, at least one of said tubular side parts being separate from said main part, (iii) each tubular side part having a curved section, one end of which is adapted to be fixed to said roof rails, and (iv) said main tubular part and each of said tubular side parts having a slit provided therein and extending along the entire longitudinal direction thereof, said slit oriented along the longitudinal axis of said main and side parts and extending from the exterior to the interior of said main and side parts; and (b) a joint member connected between said main tubular part and said at least one tubular side part, said joint member including: (i) a first insertion portion insertable into said tubular main part, said first insertion portion having a rib insertable into said slit of said main tubular part and (ii) a second insertion portion insertable into said at least one tubular side part, said second insertion portion having rib insertable into said slit of said at least one tubular side part, whereby said main and side tubular parts and said joint member form a unitary construction for said roof lining support structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
250 words
A vehicle roof lining support structure comprising: (a) at least one tubular support member adapted to be fixed at both ends thereof to roof rails extending along a longitudinal direction of said vehicle, said tubular support member comprising: (i) a main tubular part, (ii) two tubular side parts disposed at opposite ends of said main tubular part, at least one of said tubular side parts being separate from said main part, (iii) each tubular side part having a curved section, one end of which is adapted to be fixed to said roof rails, and (iv) said main tubular part and each of said tubular side parts having a slit provided therein and extending along the entire longitudinal direction thereof, said slit oriented along the longitudinal axis of said main and side parts and extending from the exterior to the interior of said main and side parts; and (b) a joint member connected between said main tubular part and said at least one tubular side part, said joint member including: (i) a first insertion portion insertable into said tubular main part, said first insertion portion having a rib insertable into said slit of said main tubular part and (ii) a second insertion portion insertable into said at least one tubular side part, said second insertion portion having rib insertable into said slit of said at least one tubular side part, whereby said main and side tubular parts and said joint member form a unitary construction for said roof lining support structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
A vehicle roof lining support structure as recited in claim 1 wherein said joint member further includes a central separation portion disposed along the outer circumferential surface thereof and defining first and second abutment surfaces for contact with an end of said main tubular part and an end of said at least one tubular side part respectively.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A vehicle roof lining support structure as recited in claim 2 wherein said central separation portion of said joint member further includes a support arm for supporting a lead wire.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A vehicle roof lining support structure as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second insertion portions have the same diameter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A vehicle roof lining support structure as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second insertion portions have different diameters.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A vehicle roof lining support structure as recited in claim 1 wherein said joint member further comprises a support arm for supporting a lead wire.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A vehicle roof lining support structure as recited in claim 1 wherein said joint member is made of a synthetic resin.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
CA521542A
Cited
US425787A
Cited
US1377101A
Cited
US2522174A
Cited
DE1274902B
Cited
US3422565A
Cited
US3424178A
Cited
US3393006A
Cited
FR2022127A6
Cited
GB1214948A
Cited
US3953067A
Cited
US4018370A
Cited
US4023913A
Cited
FR2354220A1
Cited
US4227542A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-07-24 | 1988-01-23 | 1988-07-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-07-24 | 1992-01-23 | 1992-07-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-07-24 | 1996-01-23 | 1996-07-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |