Asc Corporation

Other

American Sunroof Corporation

William A Sims

Michael P Alexander

Michael T Willard

George Albert Corder

Richard D George

Steven G Laurain

Gary L VanHulle

Albert W Harrison

A mechanism for adjusting the length of a support column which comprises an elongated pipe. A cap plate is affixed onto a top end of the elongated pipe. The cap plate has a plurality of mounting holes. A base assembly is removably retained to a bottom end of the elongated pipe, utilizing an expandable chuck sleeve, after a lower portion of the elongated pipe is cut away, thereby to properly size the length of the elongated pipe.

Mechanism for adjusting the length of a support column

Adjustable length support column component set

A convertible roof employs a top stack mechanism and a generally rigid roof cover. Furthermore, the frame may be stowed under a rigid roof cover. In another aspect of the present invention, the top stack mechanism employs a rearmost roof bow that is moved from above a roof cover to allow the roof cover to open, and then the entire top stack mechanism retracts into a storage area. A further aspect of the present invention provides a lost motion coupling of the top stack mechanism to the vehicle body. In yet another aspect of the present invention, a fluid powered actuator controls movement of the rearmost roof bow relative to the remainder of the top stack mechanism.

Top stack mechanism for a convertible roof

A convertible roof actuation mechanism includes a pliable roof cover, a top stack mechanism supporting the roof cover, and at least one roof bow of the top stack mechanism independently movable relative to the remainder of the top stack mechanism for selectively reducing and increasing tension of the roof cover during latching. In another aspect of the present invention, at least one roof bow is retracted closer to a bottom pivot of a rear roof rail when stowed to optimize packaging space within a convertible roof storage compartment.

Convertible roof actuation mechanism

Device for chilling liquid containers

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 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.

Convertible top structure

An adjustable and releasable locking device for a removable vehicle roof panel is disclosed. A rotating lever longitudinally projects a pair of tapered pins which mate with apertures in the windshield post and headliner. The transverse and vertical position of the tapered pins is adjustable to position the panel relative to other parts of the vehicle and provide a smooth transition between the vehicle roof and the removable panel and provide an adequate seal between the vehicle and the removable panel.

Growing community of inventors

Lincoln Park, MI, United States of America

William A Sims