The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 15, 1979
Filed:
Nov. 16, 1977
Louis E Hough, St. Clair Shores, MI (US);
David C Shifflett, Sterling Heights, MI (US);
Empire Automotive, Inc., Roseville, MI (US);
Abstract
A detachable sunroof panel is adapted to be secured within an opening formed in the roof of an automobile. The securement is carried out by a system of latches, all of which act on the panel to compress a resilient seal member extending about the periphery of the opening between the roof panel and a lip portion formed on a frame secured within the opening. The latch system includes a latch-handle mechanism located at the rear edge of the panel comprised of an overcenter linkage which may also be detached for removal of the sunroof panel. The latch-handle may be moved to a latched position, or to a second vent position allowing movement of the rear portion of the sunroof panel upwardly to create a vent opening. The latch system further includes a pair of latch-hinges located along the front edge of the panel, each of which also comprise a releasable overcenter linkage adapted to compress the peripheral seal in the secured or locked position and upon release allow detachment and removal of the sunroof panel. The hinging action requred in the vent position of the panel is created while the latch-hinges are in the locked position by deflection of the frame lip and latch-hinges such that a biasing closing force is imposed on the sunroof panel in the vent position to tightly position the panel preventing rattle or loosening of the components.