Positive lock mechanism for vehicular sliding roof panels

A positive lock mechanism for a lifter assembly associted with a vehicular sliding roof panel limits the path of travel of the lifter assembly. The mechanism includes a trailing pin interconnected to the lifter assembly for co-extensive travel therewith. A slotted guide plate is engaged by the trailing pin to limit the travel of the lifter assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention pertains to sliding roof panels for vehicles. More 
particularly, the present invention pertains to lifter mechanisms for 
vehicular sliding roof panels. Even more particularly, the present 
invention pertains to positive lock mechanisms for the lifter mechanisms 
of vehicular sliding roof panels. 
2. Prior Art 
The present day automotive market has seen a phenomenal proliferation in 
the development and deployment of movable roof panels. Such panels fall 
into three classes which are: (a) manually operated, (b) manually 
removable or (c) power-operated panels. Manually operated and/or removable 
panels have certain characteristics and requirements which are indigenous 
thereto. Of course, the same is true with respect to the power-operated 
panels. 
Power-operated panels must meet certain rigid criteria. Among the foremost 
criteria is that the panel maintain its closed or roof-contiguous mode 
when so disposed. It is conceivable, and it has been observed, that 
sufficient vibratory motion and forces can be applied to the vehicle to 
cause the panel assembly to slide in its track away from the closed mode. 
This is a condition which should be and must be steadfastly avoided. 
It should be noted, however, that such an occurrence is rare with 
conventional sun roof and moon roof installations. By "conventional" sun 
roof and moon roof installations is meant the type of installation which 
moves from the front to the rear of the vehicle. This type of installation 
is described, inter alia, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,964,784. 
The problem of movement is occasioned, however, with the inboard and 
outboard movement of powered "hatch" roof panels. Powered hatch roof 
panels have been described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,036,860 as well as in 
copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 826,370, filed Aug. 22, 1977, 
and entitled "Electrically Operated Hatch Roofs". 
It has been found that as the door of the vehicle encounters the hatch roof 
assembly upon door closure, that the impact tends to slide the panel 
inboard, i.e. out of closed and sealed position. It is to be appreciated 
that prevention of the movement of the hatch roof panel upon door closing 
is highly desirable as well as necessary to provide a marketable product. 
It will be appreciated from the ensuing description that the present 
invention provides the necessary positive lock mechanism. 
STATEMENT OF RELEVANT PRIOR ART 
To the best of applicant's knowledge the art is devoid of any positive lock 
mechanisms for sliding roof panel lifter mechanisms. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a positive lock 
mechanism for a sliding roof panel. The lock mechanism hereof comprises in 
a first embodiment a trailing pin interconnected to a sliding roof panel 
lifter mechanism. The trailing pin is rigidly interconnected to the lifter 
mechanism for simultaneous and co-extensive travel therewith. 
A slotted plate traverses the path of travel of the trailing pin. As the 
pin encounters the plate during its travel, the pin travels within the 
slot to limit the movement of the pin. Because the pin is fixedly 
connected to the lifter mechanism, its path of travel is likewise limited. 
Furthermore, by virtue of the configuration of the slot formed in the 
plate, any ordinary forces applied to the sliding roof panel, such as by 
door closing, the pin remains in its positive lock mode. Thus, the panel, 
per se, remains in the sealed and closed mode. 
In an alternate embodiment hereof, the positive lock mechanism includes a 
guide plate in contact with a bracket which supports the roof panel and 
which is secured to the lifter mechanism. The guide plate directs the 
travel of the bracket and, thus, the roof panel. 
The present invention, also, comprises a lifter mechanism in combination 
with the positive lock mechanism hereof, as well as the sliding roof panel 
constructed therefrom. 
The present invention enjoys particular utility in associated with 
power-operated hatch roof panels. 
For a more complete understanding of the present invention reference is 
made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawing. In 
the drawing like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the 
several views in which:

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
At the outset, it should be noted that the present invention is applicable 
to sliding roof panels, in general. Thus, the present invention is 
applicable to opaque, such as metallic sliding roof panels which are 
commonly referred to as "sun roofs" as well as glass or translucent 
sliding roof panels which are commonly referred to as "moon roofs". 
Generally, these panels move into and out of openings formed in the roof 
of the vehicle. The panels move from the front to the rear of the vehicle. 
As heretofore noted, the present invention enjoys particular utility with 
respect to powered hatch roof panels. Such panels, which can be opaque or 
translucent, move inboard and outboard of a central roof pillar. Such 
panels are designed to be contiguous with the roof and door of the vehicle 
when in the outboard position. As heretofore noted, power operated hatch 
roof panels are more particularly described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,036,860 and 
the above-referred to copending patent application. The present invention 
is equally applicable to all such roof panels. 
Furthermore, and as is known to the skilled artisan, the roof panels are 
moved by a "lifter" mechanism or assembly. Generally, the lifter mechanism 
is slidably movable in a track and has the roof panel connected thereto. 
Thus, as the lifter moves or slides in its track it causes a co-equal 
movement of the panel connected thereto. The lifter is ordinarily powered 
by an electrically powered cable or the like. Such lifter assemblies, per 
se, are documented in the art. See, inter alia, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,055,701 
and 3,033,609. 
In practicing the present invention, the positive lock mechanism is 
advantageously deployed in combination with a lifter mechanism of the type 
described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,055,701, the disclosure of which is hereby 
incorporated by reference. This type of lifter mechanism, generally, 
comprises a sliding plate having a movable cable connected thereto. The 
plate is disposed within a track for sliding movement therewithin. As the 
cable moves by virtue of a motive force applied thereto, this causes an 
equal and contemporaneous movement of the sliding plate. Pivotally 
connected to the sliding plate is a toggle or link. The link carries a 
bracket which, in turn, is connected to the roof panel. Thus, movement of 
the plate causes movement of the link and, thus, the roof panel. 
Ordinarily, an obstruction, such as a camming surface is disposed in the 
track. As the link travels in the track it encounters the camming surface. 
This urges and moves the link from a horizontal position in the track to a 
substantially vertical position in contact with the camming surface. It is 
this camming or toggling of the link or toggle which urges the roof panel 
into sealing or closed position. Again, it is to be perceived that 
disengagement of the link from the camming surface causes the roof panel 
to move out of its closed mode. The present invention precludes the 
disengaging movement of the link away from the camming surface or stop. 
Now, and with reference to the drawing, there is depicted therein a 
positive lock mechanism in accordance with the present invention and, 
generally, denoted at 10. The positive lock mechanism, as noted, is 
deployed in conjunction with a lifter assembly 14, such as described in 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,055,701. The lifter mechanism, per se, generally, 
comprises a triangulated bracket 16. The bracket 16 comprises a base 18 
having a lateral or side recess 20. The periphery of the recess is defined 
by a pair of opposite flanges 22, 24. Each flange is provided with an 
aperture 26 (only one of which is shown). The flange apertures are in 
registry. The width of the recess is dimensioned to accommodate a link or 
toggle 28 therewithin as shown. The base of the toggle 28 is provided with 
an aperture 30 which registers with the flange apertures. A pivot pin 32 
extends through the registering apertures to thereby pivotally mount the 
toggle or link to the bracket 16. 
The link has a bracket 17 connected thereto which is, in turn, connected or 
otherwise secured to the roof panel 34. Thus, as the bracket 16 moves so 
does the link and the roof panel connected thereto via the link bracket 
17. This mode of operation is defined in the above referred to patents, 
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,055,701 and 3,033,609, inter alia. 
Referring again to the drawing, and in particular FIGS. 1-4, integrated 
with the movement of the lifter assembly 12 is the positive lock mechanism 
10 hereof. The positive lock mechanism hereof, generally, comprises (a) a 
trailing or following pin 36 interconnected to the bracket 17 and (b) a 
slotted plate 38 which follows the path of travel of the pin 36. 
With more particularity, and in a first embodiment hereof, the trailing pin 
36 comprises a rod 40 having one end 42 affixed to the bracket 17 of the 
lifter assembly. The rod 40 is affixed to the bracket by any suitable 
mode, such as welding, threaded fasteners and the like. The opposite or 
free end of the rod comprises an elongated reduced diameter section 42 
which define a shaft 44. The junction between the rod 40 and its reduced 
diameter section 42 defines an annular stop or shoulder 46. A washer or 
bearing surface 48 is journalled into the shaft 44 with the shoulder 
defining a stop therefor, as shown. 
A roller 50 is mounted onto the shaft 44 and bears against the washer 48. 
The roller is a toroidal member having a central opening or bore which 
permits mounting of the roller onto the shaft. A cap or rivet 52 is fixed 
onto the end of the shaft 44. The cap sandwiches the roller between itself 
and the washer 48. The action of the roller cooperates with the plate 38 
to define the positive lock hereof. 
The slotted plate 38 comprises a pair of spaced apart, first and second 
members 52, 54, respectively. The space 56 between the members defines a 
slot and guideway for the roller. The slot comprises an entrance section 
58, a guide path section 60 and a locking path 62. The width of the space 
56 is constant and accommodates the roller therewithin. As shown in FIGS. 
3 and 4 the opposing interior surfaces of the members are analogously 
configured and cooperate to define the various sections above-denoted. 
The plate members 52, 54 are mounted onto a wall 64. The wall 64 comprises 
a portion of a housing or frame in which the sliding roof panel is 
mounted. A track 66 is formed at the base of the wall 64. The lifter 
assembly or mechanism slides in the track 66. A ledge 68 is formed above 
the track 66. The ledge projects outwardly from the wall 66 and is 
substantially perpendicular thereto. The ledge 66 defines a track for the 
roller 50. The plate members are secured to the wall 64. The first member 
52 has its base seating on the ledge, as shown. Threaded fasteners 70 or 
the like secure the plate members to the wall. 
It will be perceived that as the lifter mechanism travels towards a closed 
or sealing mode, this causes an initial contemporaneous linear motion in 
the roller 50 along the track 66. After a predetermined amount of travel 
the roller encounters the entrance section of the plate member. As the 
lifter continues to travel so does the roller, but into the path defined 
by the slot or space 56, as opposed to a linear motion. This travel path 
is imparted to the bracket 17 as well as being defined and enhanced by the 
link or toggle motion and, thus, the roof panel. Therefore, as the roller 
travels on the inclined path of the guide section, the roof panel is 
partially lifted. As the roller travels upwardly or vertically in the 
locking path the roof panel, likewise lifts up. 
As heretofore noted, the present invention is particularly suited for 
deployment with a powered hatch roof assembly. Herein, opposed sliding 
panels 72, 74 travel between an inboard and outboard or closed position 
which is contiguous with the roof 76 of the vehicle. Closure comprises a 
seal 78 between the edge 88 of the panel 72 or 74 and the perimeter of the 
roof 76 about the openings in which the panels are mounted, in the known 
manner. It is to be perceived that by virtue of the vertical path 
positioning of the roller, which is fixed to the link bracket 17, it is 
virtually impossible to dislodge the panel 72 or 74 from its closed or 
sealing position by the application of a force from a horizontal plane, 
such as occurs upon the closing of a door (arrow 82). Hence, the panel 72 
or 74 remains fixed until the lifter mechanism is actuated to retract the 
panels. Retraction of the panels causes a reverse toggling and dropping of 
the bracket and withdrawal of the roller from the slot. 
It will be appreciated by the skilled artisan that the first two slot 
sections, also, cooperate with the lifter assembly to first define an 
anti-lift means to prevent premature panel raising. This is because of the 
engagement between the roller and the interior surfaces of the plate 
members. This engagement precludes and acts against any pre-mature 
toggling of the link and the concomitant premature lifting of the panel. 
The guide section cooperates with the toggle to guide the toggle motion 
and lifting of the panel. 
Referring, now, to FIGS. 5-8, there is depicted therein an alternate 
embodiment of the present invention. In accordance with this embodiment 
the function of the trailing pin 36 is carried out by the link bracket. 
Furthermore, the path of travel defined by the separate plate members is 
determined by a guide plate which is contacted by the bracket. 
As defined by this embodiment of the invention, a lifter mechanism 110 
travels in a track 112. Pivotally connected to the lifter mechanism 110 is 
a toggle 114. The toggle travels in the track 112 until it encounters a 
stop or camming surface 116. Encountering the camming surface causes the 
toggle to pivot upwardly or vertically from its horizontal position in the 
track. Such movement, of course, is known to the skilled artisan and is 
defined in the heretofore referenced patents. The track 112 is formed 
integrally with and at the base of a wall 118 which comprises a portion of 
the frame assembly used to mount the sliding roof panel. 
As hereinbefore alluded to, secured to the toggle 114 is a link bracket 
120. The bracket 120 is pivotally secured to the toggle 114 via pivot pin 
122 or the like. Optionally, the pivot pin 122 is defined by a threaded 
fastener and bolt assembly which renders the bracket adjustably mounted to 
the toggle 114 by virtue of the slot formed in the toggle. 
The bracket 120 comprises an inverted U-shaped member having a top bight 
surface 124 and depending, lateral opposite, parallel side walls 126, 128, 
respectively. An end flange 130 integral with the bight surface 124 
downwardly depends therefrom. The flange has an opening 132 formed 
therethrough which receives the pivot pin therethrough. Secured to the 
bight surface 124 is the roof panel 134. 
The bracket 120 cooperates with a guide plate, generally, denoted at 136 to 
define the positive lock mechanism. The guide plate 136 comprises an 
angulated structure including a first linear leg 138, a second leg or ramp 
140 inclined with respect to the first leg and a third leg 142 upwardly 
directed from the second leg, 140. The structure is formed as a unitary 
member. The third leg 142 is substantially perpendicular to the first leg. 
The plate 136 has its legs formed with a width sufficient to be in contact 
with a substantial area of the bight surface upon engagement therebetween, 
in a manner to be described subsequently. 
As shown in FIG. 5 a mounting plate 144 is integrally formed with the leg 
142 and is substantially perpendicular thereto. Mounting means, such as 
threaded fasteners 146 extend through suitable apertures 148 formed in the 
plate 144 to fixedly mount the guide plate to the wall 118. The guide 
plate 136, as noted, is mounted above the track 112. The guide plate is 
provided with sufficient structural integrity to provide a counterforce to 
any urgings thereagainst by the bracket 120. 
In practicing this embodiment of the invention, the bight surface 124 is 
adapted to be in contact with the exterior surfaces of the legs of the 
guide plate. Thus, as the lifter assembly is driven in the track the bight 
surface 124 is in contact, first, with the undersurface of leg 138. Then, 
as the link toggles, wall 126 is in contact with inclined leg 140 and then 
upstanding leg 142. Thus, the path of travel of the bracket is the same as 
that of the roller (FIG. 4), and is shown in phantom in FIG. 5. The motive 
force for the lifter mechanism is to be assumed. It is to be perceived, 
therefore, that leg 138 defines an anti-premature lift surface; leg 140 a 
guide path and leg 142 a lock path in the manner heretofore described. 
In practicing the present invention with a powered hatch roof panel 
assembly, the lifter mechanism travels outboard to close the roof opening 
with the panel. Preferably, the outboard end of the wall carries a stop 
150 which is engaged by an outboard bracket 152 which has the panel 134 
secured thereto. The bracket 152 is supported by a guide shoe 154 in the 
track 112. This outboard end assembly assures proper sealing with both the 
roof line and the door line. 
As clearly shown in FIG. 8 when the panel 134 is in the closed position or 
outboard position, the bracket 120 is at the top of its path of travel 
wherein side wall 126 abuts against leg 142. A translatory force applied 
to the panel in the direction of arrow 156, such as is occasioned by door 
closure, fails to dislodge the roof panel from its sealing position since 
the applied forces only force wall 126 into leg 142. Hence, the roof panel 
is positively locked against inboard movement by the application of a 
horizontal force. 
In practicing the present invention the roller, the slotted plate members 
as well as the guide plate can be formed from any suitable material, such 
as nylon or the like. 
It is to be appreciated from the preceding that there has been described 
herein a positive lock mechanism for a sliding roof panel which obviates 
the problem of disengagement of the panel from the closed or sealing mode 
upon a horizontal force being applied thereto in a direction contrary to 
the sealing direction.