Patent ID: 6695398
Filing Date: 2004-02-24
Classification: B60J

Abstract:
A sunroof assembly for a vehicle having a roof and an opening therein, the sunroof assembly comprising:a panel structure of a size to close the opening; a pair of elongate track members extending in a longitudinal direction relative to the vehicle and constructed to be mounted to the roof at side edge portions of the opening; a pair of lift arms coupled to the panel structure proximate respective side edge portions thereof; a pair of trolley structures each slidably mounted to a respective track member, each lift arm being pivotally coupled to a respective trolley structure so as to be capable of pivotal vertical movement to move said panel structure relative to said trolley structures and said track members between (a) a closed position wherein said panel structure closes the opening of the roof and (b) a vent position wherein said panel structure is disposed at an angle relative to the opening to provide a vent space between said panel structure and the opening, the slidable mounting of said trolley structures enabling said lift arms and said trolley structures to move together along said track members to move said panel structure between (a) the vent position and (b) an open position wherein said panel structure is moved along said track members to uncover the opening, each lift arm having a cam structure providing a camming surface on each opposing lateral side thereof; and a pair of lifting cam structures slidably coupled to each track member, said lifting cam structures having supports positioned on each lateral side of its respective lifting arm to resist deflection of said lifting arm, said lift cam structures having camming surfaces engaged with the camming surfaces of the cam structures on the opposing lateral sides of the lift arms, said lifting cam structures and said camming surfaces of the lift arms being configured such that sliding movement of the lifting cam structures along the track members relative to said lift arms creates a camming action to raise said lift arms from the closed position to the vent position.