Cars & Concepts, Inc.

David L Draper

Gerald D McKee

Richard R Chrysler

An externally retractable sunroof assembly (14) is mounted on a vehicle roof (12) between upper edges of side doors (24). A roof opening (60) in the outer roof panel (32) has forward and rearward edges and has side edges exposing the interior of the roof side rails (44) in each of which a track (68) is respectively mounted. A sunroof (70) has side edges (72) respectively mounted by the pair of tracks within the side rails and is movable between a closed position closing the roof opening and an externally retracted position above the outer roof panel to the rear of the roof opening. The sunroof (70) is made from metal or glass and has the side edges thereof in the closed position located adjacent the upper edges of the side doors to provide a continuous door-to-door appearance. The longitudinal and lateral dimensions of the sunroof (70) with the construction disclosed provide maximum roof opening while still permitting storage of the opened sunroof on the roof. The sunroof assembly (14) is installed by cutting the roof opening (60) in the outer roof panel (32) of the manufactured vehicle without any other structural removal so as to maintain the strength of the roof.

Externally retractable sunroof assembly

An externally retractable sunroof assembly (14) is mounted on a vehicle roof (12) between side doors (24) of the type having upper window frames (52) that continue the contour of the roof. A roof opening (60) in the outer roof panel (32) has forward and rearward edges and has side edges exposing the interior of the roof side rails (44) in which a pair of tracks (68) are respectively mounted. A sunroof (70) has side edges (72) respectively mounted by the pair of tracks within the side rails and is movable between a closed position closing the roof opening and an externally retracted position above the outer roof panel to the rear of the roof opening. The sunroof has the side edges (72) thereof in the closed position juxtaposed with respect to the upper window frames (52) of the side doors to provide a continuous door-to-door appearance. In the preferred construction, the sunroof (70) is made from metal or glass.

A vehicle body of the convertible or targa type and the method of converting such a body from a sedan type vehicle body in which a reinforcing structure is disposed within the passenger compartment and is fastened thereto to form a centrally extending structural channel member extending longitudinally within the passenger compartment and having forward and rearward transverse portions fastened to the forward and rearward suspension supports of the body to transmit torsional and beaming loads imposed on the vehicle body by the ground engaging wheels.

Conversion of vehicle bodies

A vehicle body (10) including a pair of removable roof panels (12) for laterally oriented roof openings (14) is provided with a pair of drainage systems (20) respectively associated with the roof openings. Each drainage system (20) includes a U-shaped seal (30) extending around the associated roof opening and a drainage trough (38) that extends around the seal. A front drainage passage (50) receives drainage water from a front section of the trough and is defined by a front molding (53) mounted on the exterior of an associated front pillar (22) of the vehicle body. A rear drainage passage (54) receives drainage water from a rear section of the drainage trough and extends along the exterior of an associated rear pillar (26) within a rear molding (58). A rear seal portion (88) is mounted on a forward flange (84) of the rear molding.

Drainage system for vehicle having removable roof panels

A method of converting a sedan body having doors with framed and sliding windows to a vehicle body having doors with unframed windows. The method is performed by cutting and removing at least a portion of the window frame and utilizing a glass window panel and seal at least one of which has a different construction than the corresponding component used with the framed door. Preferably, both a different glass window panel and a different seal are utilized.

Vehicle door conversion

An applique (10) for a vehicle instrument panel (12) is disclosed as including a cover embodied by a cover member (26) with openings (34) for viewing gauges of the instrument panel at the driver side and with a glove box (36) provided at the passenger side. An opening (38) in the cover member (26), a door (40), and a molded plastic receptacle member (42) cooperate to provide the glove box which also preferably includes a latch (66) and a check assembly (74). Wood veneer (32) is preferably secured to the outer side of the cover member (26) and to the door (40) to provide an aesthetically appealing appearance.

Vehicle instrument panel applique with glove box

A vehicle sunroof of the pop-up type which can be pivoted to a partially opened position or alternatively may be completely removed from the vehicle. The sunroof assembly has a stamped metal tray which forms a drainage channel located below the surface of the vehicle roof, the roof opening being closed by a panel which is sealed relative to the tray to form a substantially closed drainage channel from which any accumulated moisture can be drained.

Sunroof

A latch mechanism for holding a hinged panel in open and closed position relative to a framed opening in a vehicle body having a handle and a link pivoted to each other and to the panel and the vehicle, respectively, so that in a closed position an overcenter position of the pivot points of the latch handle and link maintain the panel in a closed position and in which one of the pivot connections is formed by sliding a latch mechanism which permits the link and handle to be locked in selected relative positions to hold the panel in an intermediately opened position or a fully opened position.

Latch mechanism for hinged panels

Method of conversion of vehicle bodies

A method of converting a sedan body having doors with framed and sliding windows to a vehicle body having doors with unframed windows including the substitution of a new glass window panel larger than the original glass panel and a new support system for holding the new panel in engagement with seals in the closed position of the door.

A window structure for vehicle bodies in which the rear window is hinged and is held in a closed position by a latch arrangement which is accessible only from the interior of the vehicle. The opening of the rear window is provided with a seal which biases the window light towards its open position so that the window can be grasped and moved to a selected fully opened position.

Growing community of inventors

Hamburg, MI, United States of America

David L Draper