Britax Weathershields Limited

Timothy D Betteridge

Adrian K Lawler

A hinged panel, mounted in a frame, has a latch comprising a toggle mechanism having a first link connected to the panel by a first pivot pin and a second link connected at one end to the first link by a second pivot pin. At its end opposite to the second pivot pin, the second link has an open-ended slot for receiving a third pivot pin which is mounted on the frame. A resilient retention lever is pivotally mounted on the second link and has a hook-like formation adapted to engage with the third pivot pin to retain it in the slot. At least one part of the periphery of the third pivot pin is flattened for that part of its length which is engaged by the hook-like formation. The retention lever is so arranged that the hook-like formation can disengage from the third pivot pin only by traversing the flattened surface.

Latch for hinged panel

An opening roof for a motor vehicle comprises a frame mounted in an opening in a vehicle roof. A trim member is attached to the bottom of the frame and has an outwardly projecting flap which covers the adjacent edge of the vehicle roof trim. A portion of the frame projects below the vehicle and carries first and second protuberances on side surfaces facing towards and away from the opening respectively. The trim member has first and second side walls which abut against respective side surfaces of the frame. The first side wall has a latching formation shaped to engage with the first protuberance and the second side wall has first and second spaced complementary formations each shaped to engage with the second protuberance whereby a free end of the flap is disposed at a first distance below the top of the frame when the first complementary formation is engaged with the second proturberance and at a second distance below the top of the frame when the second complementary formation is so engaged.

Vehicle opening roof

A vehicle roof with a roof opening which can be closed by a panel which is pivotable about its front edge. A strut, with a rack on one side, has one end pivotally attached to the rear edge of the panel. A geared shaft is mounted on the underside of the vehicle roof and engages with the rack to raise and lower the rear edge of the panel. The shaft is spring biased into geared engagement at separate locations along its length. Stop formations adjacent to the end of the strut opposite to that which is attached to the roof panel are engaged by a blocking lever to prevent movement of the strut beyond the range of positions in which the geared shaft can engage with the rack.

Growing community of inventors

Erdington, United Kingdom

Timothy D Betteridge