Asc Corporation

American Sunroof Corporation

Alexander, Michael P.

Adams, Allan J.

Michael P Alexander

Darin Kirschner

Christopher I Ito

Milton C Kaltz

Allan J Adams

Stephen P Tokarz

William A Sims

Michael T Willard

George Albert Corder

Stephen A Doncov

Kim E Taylor

Howard C Lehr

Richard Cichoski

Albert W Harrison, Iii

George Purcell

George A Gaffoglio

Albert W Harrison

James D Rahm

A latch mechanism associated with one of a convertible top and a automobile component is provided. The latch mechanism is adapted to cooperate with an engagement member associated with the other of the convertible top and the automobile component. A hook, a first guide pin and a second guide pin are provided. The first and second guide pins are associated with the hook. A first guide slot is associated with the first guide pin and a second guide slot is associated with the second guide pin. A drive mechanism is associated with the latch assembly and adapted to move each of the first and second guide pins along its respective first and second guide slot to move the hook between a latched position and an unlatched position.

Vehicle latch mechanism for convertible tops

Combined automotive convertible roof, tonneau cover and rear compartment lid

Combined automotive convertible roof portion and tonneau cover

Portion of an opaque convertible roof

Portion of a convertible roof and tonneau cover

Portion of automotive vehicle having a convertible roof

A retractable hard-top roof for an automotive vehicle is comprised of a rigid front roof section which is retractable upon a rear roof section for horizontal stowage between the front seat and the trunk. Another aspect of a retractable roof provides for a floating pivot.

Retractable hard-top for an automotive vehicle

An apparatus for use in an automotive vehicle having a convertible roof system is comprised of an escutcheon which is juxtapositioned proximate with a roof and movable between a functional position and a hidden position. In another aspect of the present invention, an interior trim panel substantially hides a portion of a balance link as viewed from inside a passenger compartment of an automotive vehicle when a roof is in a fully extended position.

Apparatus for use in an automotive vehicle having a convertible roof

An automotive side window system provides a mechanism for retracting and extending a side window into and away from an adjacent portion of a roof structure.

Automotive vehicle side window system

A power latching mechanism for use on automobile closures is disclosed, comprising a pin member, a keeper member having a hollow cylindrical body which receives the pin member, a motor for urging engagement between the pin member and the keeper member, and a spring and associated hardware for selectively retaining the pin member in the keeper member. In one embodiment, the keeper member retentively engages the pin member when the pin member is manually inserted thereinto and is also manually disengagable.

Power latch system

A vehicle convertible top linkage assembly having improved means for controlling the articulation of the convertible top as it is raised and lowered. This linkage assembly includes a pair of pillar links that are pivotally coupled to the vehicle and a pair of balance links that control the articulation of the convertible top. The balance links are coupled to the linkage assembly by coupling means that simultaneously allow the balance links to be pivotally and longitudinally displaced. Longitudinal displacement of the balance links is accomplished by a variety of displacing means and serves the purpose of actuating the control links. These displacing means displace the balance link when the convertible top is being raised and lowered to provide various paths of movement.

Convertible top with improved geometry

A latching mechanism for use with a convertible-type vehicle is disclosed, in which a handle is pivotally rotatable about a fixed pivot pin, the handle being connected to a transfer arm which moves a retaining member out of engagement with a latch pin when the handle is pivotally rotated about the pin to disengage the convertible top from the vehicle.

Convertible top latching mechanism

The present invention is a powered sliding door system for a vehicle including a semi-rigid cable adapted to be affixed to the sliding door of a vehicle and a powered electromagnetic clutch for driving the cable longitudinally for opening and closing the sliding door.

Powered sliding door system

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.

A manually operated convertible top structure for vehicles having a pivotal tonneau mounted rearward of the passenger compartment. The convertible top structure includes a pair of spaced rigid side rails which are interconnected by a plurality of spaced, transversely extending crossbows to form a frame work over which a flexible folding top is disposed. A pair of rear rails extending in a substantially upright orientation are pivotally mounted to the vehicle at one end and are connected by a control linkage to the side rails. The rearmost crossbow is pivotally connected to a mounting bracket attached to the vehicle. The side rails are pivotally connected to the frontmost crossbows for outward lateral movement as the top structure is lowered. An over-center lock formed of first and second links is pivotally connected between the rear rails and the rearmost crossbow for positively locking the rearmost crossbow on the tonneau when the convertible top structure is in its raised position. A locating pin centrally mounted on the rearmost crossbow engages an aperture centrally formed in the tonneau for locating the rearmost crossbow with respect to the tonneau of the vehicle.

Growing community of inventors

Grosse Ile, MI, United States of America

Michael P Alexander