Wisco Corporation

American Sunroof Corporation

Norman L Sorensen

Hal Green

Lothar Pohl

A latching mechanism for a sunroof for a vehicle having an opening formed in its roof includes a frame extending about the edge of the opening and has an inward projecting ledge supporting a resilient section which lies substantially parallel to the roof. A panel is provided adapted to be supported with its perimeter in abutment to the resilient section. A latch base is affixed to the underside of the panel in proximity to the edge thereof and includes a free end projecting toward the edge and spaced below the inward projecting ledge. The free end includes an inclined wall extending downward and outward and abutting the inward projecting ledge. A releasable latch means engages the frame and urges an outward movement of the latch base producing a sliding cam action with the inclined wall in abutment with the inward projecting ledge, whereby a downward movement of the panel is created with an outward movement of the latch base squeezing the resilient member between the panel and the inward projecting ledge to form a seal.

Sunroof latching mechanism

An air deflector for a vehicle having a roof opening and a sliding panel to open and close the opening. The sunroof includes a frame around the opening with a pair of opposed longitudinal edges having inward projecting recessed ledges to support the panel flush with the roof. A front transverse edge includes an inward projecting front ledge recessed below the panel. A pair of spaced apart hinges are hinged at a lower end to the front ledge, and the hinges are movable from a retracted position abutting the front ledge to a deployed position with the hinges extending forward and upward. An upper end of the hinge extends above the roof in the deployed position and is attached to the air deflector which extends across the roof opening. A biasing spring urges the air deflector to the deployed position when the panel is open. A forward sliding of the panel urges the air deflector into a recess formed in the front inward projecting ledge allowing the panel to pass over the air deflector and close the opening.

Sunroof air deflector

Sunroof panel seal

A frame extending around an opening in a vehicle roof has a resilient molding adapted to support the perimeter of a curved glass panel to close off the opening. A pair of bayonets projecting in spaced relation to the underside of the forward edge of the panel mates with a recessed member carried by the frame when the panel is inclined with respect to the roof to act as a pivotable hinge allowing motion of the panel between a closed position and that inclined position. A two-part fastener for the rear edge of the panel includes a handle pivotally connected to the underside of the panel and a tongue pivotally connected to the handle and adapted to be retained in a lock member carried by the frame. The handle acts as an over-center linkage to bend the panel against its curvature, forcing its perimeter into engagement with the frame. The lock member includes a recessed portion which is provided with a rib to prevent the inadvertent opening of the lock member when the handle is in a closed position. The handle may be extended to an opened, detented position to maintain the panel with its rear edge tilted upwardly away from the opening. The handle has a detent release mechanism which automatically releases the detent when the handle is moved from its opened position.

Sunroof structure

A frame and trim ring for a removable sunroof panel is disclosed. The frame is of one piece construction and is configured to cooperate with forward edge releasing bayonets which support the forward edge of the removable panel and a rear edge support for the panel comprising a two piece releasable latch assembly. The two-part rear edge fastener moves the rear edge of the panel from its closed position where it is sealed to the frame to a vented position wherein the rear edge of the panel is positioned above the frame to create an opening. A pivoting link in the two-part fastener is separated from a releasable latch attached to the frame to separate the rear edge of the panel from the frame. When the pivoting link has been released and the bayonets at the forward edge of the panel are released, the panel can be removed from the vehicle.

Vehicle sunroof frame

A latch for supporting in a releasable manner the forward edge of the removable sunroof panel is disclosed. A frame extending around an opening in a vehicle roof has a resilient molding adapted to support the perimeter of a curve latch panel to close off the opening. The forward edge support comprises a pair of releasing bayonets attached in spaced relationships to the underside of the forward edge of the panel. A two part releasable fastener for the rear edge of the panel is movable from a first position locking the panel in a closed position to a vented position.

Sunroof forward edge latch

A removable sunroof panel having a frame extending around an opening in the roof of a vehicle is disclosed. The panel has a pivoted arm assembly which is movable from an overcenter closed position to an overcenter vented position wherein the rear edge of the panel is raised above the roof of the vehicle creating an opening. The rear edge of the panel is moved from its closed to vented position by a 2 part fastener having a releasable latch assembly attached to the frame and the pivoted arm assembly pivoted to the panel. A pivoting link has one end pivotally attached to the arm and the other end pivotally and releasably connected to the releasable latch. Sliding a latch slide in the releasable latch releases the rear edge of the panel from the releasable latch. The front edge of the panel is releasably and pivotally attached to the frame by a pair of spaced apart releasing bayonets attached to the underside of the front edge of the panel which project downward and forward to the underside of the frame where they mate with a recessed member carried by the frame. When in their latched position the bayonets pivot in the recessed member. When the bayonets are unlatched the panel can be moved rearward and removed.

Sunroof opening and locking device

Hinge for a vehicle sunroof assembly

A frame extending around an opening in a vehicle roof has a resilient molding adapted to support the perimeter of a curved glass panel to close off the opening. A pair of bayonets projecting in spaced relationship to the underside of the forward edge of the panel mates with a recessed member carried by the frame when the panel is inclined with respect to the roof to act as a pivotal hinge, allowing motion of the panel between a closed position and that inclined position. The bayonets include cantilevered beams which are provided with reinforcing flanges disposed intermediate the main body of the bayonets and the top of the cantilevered beams. In a second embodiment of the invention, the bayonet body and the cantilevered beam have a metal insert which provides additional strength and flexibility.

Bayonet structure for detachable sunroof

A vehicle of the type having an opening in its roof on which a molding is formed around the perimeter of the opening. The molding includes a rigid section and a resilient element carried thereby. The rigid section is attached to and supported on the roof at the perimeter of the opening and extends into the opening and about the perimeter underlying a resilient element so as to support the resilient element against motion in a direction toward the interior of the vehicle. At the forward end of the vehicle opening a wind deflector is mounted to the rigid section of the molding. This is accomplished by means of a bayonet member and a retainer member carried on the lower side of the wind deflector with their outer extending ends being in opposing relationship and adapted to engage the upper and lower surfaces of the rigid section of the molding so as to releasably secure the wind deflector thereto.

Growing community of inventors

Detroit, MI, United States of America

Norman L Sorensen