US4819983A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Power latch system
Assignee: ASC Inc
•
Filing: 1987-09-24
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Granted: 1989-04-11
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Expires: 2007-09-24
Abstract
Abstract A powered latching mechanism includes a threaded pin which engages an opposed pair of rotating dogs maintained within a keeper assembly driven by an electric motor connected to the header of the windshield. The dogs are configured to have a ramped portion which permits the manual urging of the pin therepast in the event of failure of the electric motor and/or the hydraulics of the convertible top.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael P. Alexander
- 👤 Allan J. Adams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 02:49
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60J; B60J7/00; B60J7/185; B60J7/1851; B60J7/1853; E; E05; E05B; E05B81/00; E05B81/12; E05B81/20; E05B15/00; E05B15/02; E05B15/0205; E05B15/021; E05B2015/0215; E05B81/02; E05B81/04; E05B81/06; E05B83/00; E05C; E05C5/00; E05C5/02; E05C5/04; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S292/00; Y10S292/05; Y10T; Y10T292/00; Y10T292/68; Y10T292/696; Y10T292/699
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
56 words
A power latching mechanism comprising: (a) a threaded pin; (b) a keeper assembly which receives the pin, comprising: (1) a pair of opposed dogs which engage the pin; (2) means for biasing the dogs into engagement with the pin; and (3) means for rotating the dogs to cause threadable engagement between the dogs and the pin.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
56 words
A power latching mechanism comprising: (a) a threaded pin; (b) a keeper assembly which receives the pin, comprising: (1) a pair of opposed dogs which engage the pin; (2) means for biasing the dogs into engagement with the pin; and (3) means for rotating the dogs to cause threadable engagement between the dogs and the pin.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
100 words
The mechanism of claim 1 wherein the keeper assembly further comprises: (a) a cylindrical member having a side wall; (b) a rotatable ring gear seated within the cylindrical member; (c) a barrel having a seat for seating the dogs thereon, the barrel having a central opening therein and a reduced diameter portion which seats within the ring gear and which is rotatable therewith, the means for rotating causing the ring gear, the barrel, and the dogs to rotate as a unit; and (d) a top plate interconnected to the barrel, the dogs disposed between the top plate and the barrel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
65 words
The mechanism of claim 2, wherein: (a) the cylindrical member has an opening formed in the side wall; (b) the means for rotating the dogs comprises: (1) a rotatable output shaft extending from a reversible electric motor and having a worm gear formed thereon, the worm gear projecting into the side wall of the cylindrical member and engaging the ring gear to cause rotation thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The mechanism of claim 1 wherein: each dog has a substantially longitudinal ramp portion having an edge disposed inwardly at a 45° angle, each ramp having a substantially 15° incline.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The mechanism of claim 4 wherein: the pin threads have a pitch in the range of about 45° to about 60° and the pin has a diameter in the range of about 0.48 inches to about 0.52 inches.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The mechanism of claim 5 wherein: the biasing means exerts a force sufficient to urge the dogs into engagement with the pin while permitting the pin to be manually urged past the dogs.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
75 words
In a convertible top-type vehicle, a power latch mechanism therefor, including: (a) a threaded pin mounted to a bow of the convertible top; and (b) a keeper assembly mounted to the vehicle body, the keeper assembly comprising: (1) a pair of opposed dogs which engage the pin; (2) means for biasing the dogs into engagement with the pin; and (3) means for rotating the dog to cause threadable engagement between the dog and the pin.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
75 words
In a convertible top-type vehicle, a power latch mechanism therefor, including: (a) a threaded pin mounted to a bow of the convertible top; and (b) a keeper assembly mounted to the vehicle body, the keeper assembly comprising: (1) a pair of opposed dogs which engage the pin; (2) means for biasing the dogs into engagement with the pin; and (3) means for rotating the dog to cause threadable engagement between the dog and the pin.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
100 words
The mechanism of claim 7 wherein the keeper assembly further comprises: (a) a cylindrical member having a side wall; (b) a rotatable ring gear seated within the cylindrical member; (c) a barrel having a seat for seating the dogs thereon, the barrel having a central opening therein and a reduced diameter portion which seats within the ring gear and which is rotatable therewith, the means for rotating causing the ring gear, the barrel, and the dogs to rotate as a unit; and (d) a top plate interconnected to the barrel, the dogs disposed between the top plate and the barrel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
61 words
The mechanism of claim 8 wherein: (a) the cylindrical member has an opening formed in the side wall; (b) the means for rotating comprises: a rotatable output shaft connected to a reversible electric motor having a worm gear formed thereon, the worm gear projecting into the side wall of the cylindrical member and engaging the ring gear to cause rotation thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The mechanism of claim 7 wherein: each dog has a substantially longitudinal ramp portion having an edge disposed inwardly at a 45° angle, each ramp having a substantially 15° incline.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The mechanism of claim 10 wherein: the pin threads have a pitch in the range of about 45° to about 60° and the pin has a diameter in the range of 0.48 inches to about 0.52 inches.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The mechanism of claim 11 wherein: the biasing means exerts a force sufficient to urge the dogs into engagement with the pin while permitting the pin to be manually urged past the dogs.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The power latch system of claim 7 wherein: (a) the pin is carried on a forwardmost bow of the convertible top; and (b) the keeper assembly is mounted to the windshield header.
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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) | 1992-04-10 | 1992-10-10 | 1993-04-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-04-10 | 1996-10-10 | 1997-04-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-04-10 | 2000-10-10 | 2001-04-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |