Removable roof assembly with improved wind deflector

A removable roof assembly including a wind deflector structure of a size and shape to be mounted with respect to a passenger vehicle roof opening when a removable roof structure of the assembly is in its removed condition in an operative position extending above and along the forward end of the vehicle roof opening and above and rearwardly along the sides thereof such that the removable roof structure cannot be fully seated. A first mechanism is provided for retaining the wind deflector structure in its operative position and for enabling the wind deflector structure to be moved out of its operative position in response to a manual movement of the removable roof. The wind deflector is mounted to the vehicle roof by a system of at least three links defining four distinct pivot axes.

This invention relates to passenger vehicle roof structures and more 
particularly in an improved removable roof assembly for an opening in such 
a roof structure. 
Removable roof assemblies for openings in passenger roof structures are 
well known. One example of a removable roof assembly of this type is 
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,165,120. The patent discloses a removable 
roof structure having a pair of horizontally spaced tongues or plug in 
elements along the forward end thereof for engagement with correspondingly 
shaped grooves or receiving elements carried by the forward end of the 
peripheral housing disposed below the periphery of the opening in the 
stationary roof structure. Between the rearward end of the removable roof 
structure and the rearward end of the peripheral housing there is provided 
a mechanism which serves to releasably secure the rearward end of the 
removable roof in a closed position when the forward tongues are engaged 
within their receiving grooves. The mechanism also serves to maintain the 
removable roof in a rearwardly and upwardly tilted position. Of course, 
the mechanism is releasable to allow the removable roof to be moved into a 
removed condition. The patent also discloses the provision of a separate 
wind deflector structure having a pair of forward tongues for engaging 
within the same grooves which receive the forward tongues of the removable 
roof. One problem with this arrangement is that the separate wind 
deflector structure is difficult to manipulate. Another is that it 
presents a storage difficulty. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,342,481 discloses a removable roof assembly in which these 
two problems of the removable roof assembly of the earlier patent are 
addressed. Specifically, the wind deflector structure is mounted on the 
peripheral housing of the roof opening for movement between storage and 
operative positions by a spring-biased linkage mechanism. The roof 
structure is provided with a latch groove which engages a link member of 
the linkage mechanism so as to enable the wind deflector structure to be 
moved from its spring biased operative position into its storage position 
in response to the movement of the removable roof structure from its 
removed condition into its closed position. The arrangement is such that 
the removable roof structure when in its closed position retains the wind 
deflector structure in its storage position so that when the removable 
roof structure is again moved out of its closed position into its removed 
condition, the wind deflector structure is at the same time spring biased 
into its operative position. A problem with this arrangement is that the 
necessity to make the movement of the wind deflector structure solely 
controlled by the movement of the removable roof structure places severe 
limitations on the shape which the wind deflector structure can assume, 
the operative position which the wind deflector structure could assume and 
the movement which the wind deflector structure can undertake between its 
operative and storage positions. 
An object of the present invention is to provide a removable roof assembly 
which achieves in large measure the advantages of the later patented 
removable roof assembly over the earlier patented one, while at the same 
time eliminating the problem and disadvantages thereof discussed above. In 
accordance with the principles of the present invention this objective is 
obtained by providing a wind deflector structure of a size and shape to be 
mounted with respect to the passenger vehicle roof opening when the 
removable roof structure is in its removed condition in an operative 
position extending above and along the forward end of the vehicle roof 
opening and above and rearwardly along the sides thereof such that full 
operative interengagement of the forward tongues of the removable roof 
structure within the receiving grooves of the peripheral housing is 
blocked. A first mechanism is provided for retaining the wind deflector 
structure in its operative position and for enabling the wind deflector 
structure to be moved out of its operative position in response to a 
manual movement. A mounting mechanism serves to mount the wind deflector 
structure on the housing (1) for movement out of its operative position 
into a storage position within the vehicle roof opening wherein full 
operative interengagement of the tongues with the grooves is no longer 
blocked thereby and (2) for movement from its storage position into its 
operative position which is prevented when the removable roof structure is 
in its closed position. A second mechanism is provided for (1) retaining 
the wind deflector structure in the storage position when moved therein 
with the removable roof structure in its removed condition so as to enable 
the tongues to be fully operatively interengaged with the grooves while 
the wind deflector structure is retained in its storage position and the 
removable roof structure to be moved into its closed position and (2) 
enabling the wind deflector structure to be moved into said operative 
position when the removable roof structure is in its removed condition. 
Preferably, the first mechanism comprises a spring for resiliently biasing 
the wind deflector structure out of its storage position and into its 
operative position so as to resiliently retain the same therein and the 
second mechanism comprises a latch operable in response to the manual 
movement of the wind deflector structure from its operative position into 
its storage position against the bias of the spring to releasably retain 
the same therein and cam surfaces on the removable roof structure operable 
in response to the movement of the removable roof structure into its 
closed position for releasing the latch and controlling the movement of 
the wind deflector structure under the bias of the spring so that the wind 
deflector structure is biased by the spring to move out of its storage 
position and into its operative position in response to the movement of 
the removable roof structure out of its closed position into its removed 
condition. 
Another object of the present invention is the provision of a removable 
roof assembly of the type described which is simple in construction, 
effective in operation, easy to operate and economical to manufacture and 
maintain. 
These and other objects of the present invention will become more apparent 
during the course of the following detailed description and appended 
claims. 
The invention may best be understood with reference to the accompanying 
drawings wherein an illustrative embodiment is shown.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 
thereof a passenger vehicle roof 10 having a opening 12 therein within 
which is mounted a removable roof assembly, generally indicated at 14, 
constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
The removable roof assembly 14 includes a peripheral housing assembly, 
generally indicated at 16, mounted in the periphery of the vehicle roof 
opening 12 and extending inwardly thereof. The assembly 14 also includes a 
removable roof-structure, generally indicated at 18, of a size and shape 
to be mounted in a closed position with respect to the vehicle roof 
opening 12. The manner in which the removable roof structure 18 is mounted 
for movement from a removed condition into a closed position with respect 
to the vehicle roof opening 12 and out of its closed position into its 
removed condition is well known. As shown, the removable roof structure 
includes a pair of forwardly extending curved tongues 20 which are adapted 
to engage fully operatively within grooves 22 formed in receiving members 
24 fixed to the housing assembly along the forward end thereof when the 
removable roof structure is in its closed position. The rearward end of 
the removable roof structure 18 is detachably connected with the rearward 
end of the peripheral housing assembly 16 by a securing mechanism, 
generally indicated at 26, which serves to releasably lock the removable 
roof structure 18 in its closed position and to retain the removable roof 
structure in an upwardly and rearwardly tilted partially open position as 
well as to permit removal of the roof structure into its removed 
condition. The securing mechanism 26 is illustrated in FIG. 1 
schematically and the details of construction of the mechanism do not form 
any part of the present invention. For purposes of a more detailed 
disclosure, reference is made to the two patents identified earlier in the 
specification, the disclosures of both of which are hereby incorporated by 
reference into the present specification. 
In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the removable 
roof assembly 14 includes a wind deflector structure, generally indicated 
at 28, which is of a size and shape suitable to be mounted with respect to 
the vehicle roof opening 12 when the removable roof structure 18 is its 
removed condition in an operative position, as shown in FIG. 1. As shown, 
the wind deflector structure 28 extends above and along the forward end of 
the vehicle roof opening 12 and above and rearwardly along the sides 
thereof such that full operative interengagement of the forward tongues 20 
of the removable roof structure 18 with the grooves 22 of the receiving 
members 24 is blocked. That is, the presence of the wind deflector's 
structure in its operative position blocks the removable roof structure 
from being moved into its closed position where the tongues 20 and grooves 
22 are fully operatively interengaged. 
The wind deflector structure 28 is mounted on the housing assembly 16 by a 
linkage mechanism, generally indicated at 30. The linkage mechanism 30 
serves to mount the wind deflector structure 28 on the housing assembly 16 
(1) for movement out of its operative position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, 
into a storage position, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In its storage 
position, the wind deflector structure 28 is disposed beneath the vehicle 
roof opening 12 in such a way that the full operative interengagement of 
the tongues 20 with the grooves 22 is allowed to take place so that the 
removable roof structure can be moved into its closed position. Moreover, 
the linkage mechanism 30 also serves to mount the wind deflector structure 
28 for movement from its storage position back into its operative 
position. It will be noted from FIG. 6, however, that this movement is 
prevented when the removable roof structure 18 is in its closed position. 
The removable roof assembly 14 includes a first mechanism preferably in the 
form of a spring mechanism 32 for retaining the wind deflector structure 
28 in its operating position and for enabling the wind deflector structure 
to be moved out of its operating position in response to a manual 
movement. The removable roof assembly 14 also includes a second mechanism 
or means preferably in the form of a latch mechanism, generally indicated 
at 34, on the housing assembly 16 and a cam assembly, generally indicated 
at 36, on the removable roof structure 18 operable to (1) retain the wind 
deflector structure 28 in its storage position when moved therein with the 
removable roof structure in its removed condition so as to enable the 
tongues 20 to be interengaged with the grooves 22 while the wind deflector 
structure 28 is retained in its storage position, thus allowing the 
removable roof structure 18 to be further moved into its closed position 
and (2) enable the wind deflector structure 28 to be moved into its 
operative position when the removable roof structure 18 is in its removed 
condition. 
Preferably, the spring mechanism 32 acts between the wind deflector 
structure 28 and the housing assembly 16 and is operable to resiliently 
bias the wind deflector structure 28 out of its storage position and into 
its operative position so that it is resiliently retained therein by the 
spring mechanism 32. The latch mechanism 34 is carried by the housing 
assembly 16 and is operable in response to a direct manual movement of the 
wind deflector structure 28 by a user from its operative position into its 
storage position against the bias of the spring mechanism 32 to releasably 
retain the wind deflector structure 18 in its storage position as shown in 
FIG. 5. Also as shown in that Figure, the cam assembly 36 is operable in 
response to the movement of the removable roof structure 18 into its 
closed position to release the latch mechanism 34 and to assume control of 
the movement of the wind deflector structure 28 under the bias of the 
spring mechanism 32. Consequently, when the removable roof structure 18 is 
moved out of its closed position, as shown in FIG. 7, the wind deflector 
structure 28 is biased by the spring mechanism 32 to move out of its 
storage position and into its operative position in response to the 
movement of the removable roof structure 18 out of its closed position and 
into its removed condition. 
Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 3 and 4, the peripheral housing 
assembly 16 is in the form of a bent sheet metal marginal trough which is 
disposed below the opening well and extends inwardly and outwardly 
thereof. The opening 12 is defined by a downturned flange of the roof 
material and the sheet metal forming the housing assembly 16 includes a 
vertical wall portion 38 which is welded along its upper edge to the 
interior surface of the depending flange defining the opening 12. A 
horizontal flange 40 extends outwardly from the upper end of the vertical 
wall portion 38. The flange 40 has a groove formed therein for receiving a 
sealing element 42 which engages beneath the roof 10. Extending inwardly 
from the lower end of the vertical wall portion 38 is a horizontally 
extending wall portion 44. The inner end of the horizontal wall portion 44 
has a generally angularly shaped wall portion 46 extending upwardly and 
inwardly thereof. Mounted on the free end of the angular wall portion 46 
is a peripheral seal member 48 having an upper surface which is disposed 
in a position to engage and seal with the lower surface of the removable 
roof structure 18. 
The removable roof structure 18 may be of any well known construction. As 
shown, the removable roof structure 18 includes a main glass panel 50 
having a peripheral seal 52 secured therearound as by a peripheral molding 
strip 54. The tongues 20 are secured to the glass panel 50, as by a 
mounting block 56, at a position adjacent and below the forward end 
thereof. 
The wind deflector structure 28 is preferably U-shaped in plan view and 
includes a bight portion 58 which is preferably formed of an inverted 
V-shaped aluminum extrusion having a seal bead 60 mounted along the free 
end of the forward leg of the V which extends therefrom upwardly and 
rearwardly. The rearward leg of the V extends vertically downwardly from 
the forward leg with a slight rearward incline. The U-shaped wind 
deflector structure 28 also includes a pair of rearwardly extending leg 
portions 62 which preferably are molded of a suitable plastic material. 
The linkage mechanism 30 is preferably a parallel linkage and includes a 
pair of rearward link members 64 each of which are connected at one of its 
ends to a pivot pin 66 extending through a rear end section of an 
associated leg portion 62 so as to pivot the link members 64 to the two 
leg portions 62 about a first horizontally extending axis coincident with 
the common axes of the pivot pins 66. The opposite end of each link member 
64 is pivoted to a pivot pin 68 mounted in a bracket 70 fixed to the 
associated horizontal wall portion 44 of the side sections of the 
peripheral housing assembly 16. The opposite ends of the link members 64 
are thus pivoted about a second fixed axis coincident with the common axes 
of the pivot pins 68, which axis is parallel with the first axis 66 which 
moves with the link members 64 and the leg portions 62 of the wind 
deflector structure 28. 
The linkage mechanism 30 also includes a forward link member 72 which, as 
shown, is in the form of a horizontally elongated sheet metal member of 
generally L-shaped configuration in cross-section. Extending laterally 
from opposite ends of the elongated link member 72 is a pair of integral 
longitudinally spaced ears 74, the free ends of which are formed into a 
circular configuration to receive a pivot pin 76. The pivot pin also 
extends through a circularly curled free end of an L-shaped mounting 
bracket 78 which is suitably fixed to the interior of the central section 
of the bight portion 58 of the wind deflector structure 28. As best shown 
in FIG. 3, the link member 72 also includes a pair of integral ears 80 
extending generally in an opposite direction from each pair of ears 74. As 
before, the free ends of the ears 80 are formed into a circular 
configuration to receive a pivot pin 82. Pivot pin 82 also extends through 
a pair of integral upright ears 84 formed on an L-shaped mounting bracket 
86 suitably fixed to the vertical wall portion 38 of the housing assembly 
16, as by bolts 88 or the like. The link member 72 is thus pivoted to the 
wind deflector structure 28 about a third axis which is common to the axes 
of the two pivot pins 66, which third axis is parallel with the first and 
second axes provided by the pivot pins 66 and 68. The link member 72 is 
pivoted to the housing assembly 16 for pivotal movement about a fourth 
fixed axis which is coincident with the common axes of the pivot pins 82. 
As previously indicated, the linkage mechanism 30 thus provided is 
preferably a parallel linkage in which the link members are essentially 
disposed in parallel relation with one another and in which the distance 
between the first and second pivotal axes provided by the pivot pins 66 
and 68 is equal to the distance between the third and fourth pivotal axes 
provided by the pivot pins 76 and 82. It will be understood however that 
these distances may be varied if desired. A distinct advantage of the 
utilization of a parallel linkage resides in the stability provided for 
the leg portions 62 of the wind deflector structure when in its operative 
position. 
It will also be noted that the leg portions 62 extend generally 
horizontally when in its storage position and in its operating position 
and any position therebetween. 
Mounted in surrounding relation to each of the pivot pins 82 is a torsional 
coil spring 90 having one end abuttingly engaging the link member 72 and 
an opposite end engaging the mounting bracket 86 so as to resiliently urge 
the link member 72 to pivot in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in 
FIGS. 4-7, so as to move the wind deflector structure 28 in a direction 
from its storage position as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 into its operative 
position as shown in FIG. 4. In the latter position, it will be noted that 
the bead 60 along the lower edge of the bight portion 58 of the wind 
deflector structure 28 engages the upper edge of the forward end of the 
opening 12 and the lower outer edges of the leg portions 62 are disposed 
closely adjacent the upper edge of the opening along the sides thereof. 
Extending outwardly from opposite ends of the elongated link member 72 is a 
pair of latch engaging integral tabs 92 each of which is disposed in a 
position when the wind deflector structure 28 is in its operative position 
to engage a cam surface 94 formed on an associated pivoted latch member 
96. The pair of latch members 96 constitute the latching mechanism 34. 
Each latch member 96 is preferably formed of sheet metal and includes a 
pair of ears 98 having its free ends formed into a circular configuration 
to receive a pivot pin 100 therethrough. The pivot pin 100 also extends 
through a pair of ears 102 bent upwardly from the sheet metal forming the 
bracket 86. A torsional coil spring 104 is disposed in surrounding 
relation with each pivot pin 100 and has one of its ends engaged with the 
associated latch member 96 and its other end engaged with the bracket 86 
so as to resiliently bias the latch member 96 to move in a clockwise 
direction as viewed in FIGS. 4-7. It will be noted that pivot pins 100 
provide a pivotal axis which is spaced rearwardly from and in parallel 
relation to the axis provided by pivot pins 82. A stop finger 106 is 
struck from the sheet metal of the bracket 86 and is bent upwardly so that 
a bent free end thereof engages the associated latch member when urged 
into a latching position as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. As shown in FIG. 5, 
when the wind deflector structure 28 is moved into its storage position a 
locking surface 108 engages the leading edge of the associated tab 92 to 
thereby releasably retain the wind deflector structure 28 in its storage 
position. 
The cam mechanism 38 includes a pair of fixed cam members 110 disposed 
transversely in a position of alignment with the cam surfaces 94 of the 
latch members 96 laterally outwardly of the tabs 92. Each cam member 110 
includes a forward latch engaging cam surface 112 and a rearward wind 
deflector structure engaging surface 114. 
FIG. 6 illustrates the position of the parts when the removable roof 
structure 18 is disposed in its closed position with the opening 12 of the 
vehicle roof 10. It will be noted that the wind deflector structure 28 is 
disposed in its closed position. However, the rearward cam surfaces 114 of 
the cam members 110 are in engagement with the bight portion 58 of the 
wind deflector structure 28 so as to retain the same in its storage 
position and to assume control of its movement therefrom under the bias of 
springs 90. Moreover, it will also be noted that the forward cam surfaces 
112 are in engagement with the cam surfaces 94 of the latch members 96 so 
as to hold the latch members out of their latching positions. It will be 
understood that the removable roof structure 18 can be moved into its 
partially open position by simply manipulating the securing mechanism 26 
(see for example the aforesaid patents). During this movement, the wind 
deflector structure 28 and latch members 96 are retained in essentially 
the same positions as shown in FIG. 5. When it is desired to move the 
removable roof structure 18 into its removed condition beyond the position 
of partial opening it can be seen that the shape of the cam surfaces 112 
and 114 are such as to allow the wind deflector structure 28 to move under 
the action of the springs 90 into a position wherein the tabs 92 move 
beyond the locking surfaces 108 of the latch members 96 so that further 
movement of the wind deflector structure 28 as the removable roof 
structure 18 is moved away from its closed position can take place so that 
finally when the removable roof structure 18 is in its removed condition 
the wind deflector structure 28 will be moved by springs 90 into its 
operative position as shown in FIG. 4. Moreover, the tabs 92 will have 
moved out of engagement with the cam surfaces 94 of the latch members 96 
so that the position of the parts is as shown in FIG. 4. 
When it is desired to again move the removable roof structure 18 from its 
removed condition into its closed position, the wind deflector structure 
is in its operative position physically blocks the tongues 20 of the 
removable roof structure 18 from being fully operatively interengaged with 
the grooves 22. Consequently, the wind deflector structure 28 must first 
be manually moved out of its operative position and latched into its 
storage position. To this end, the operator by a suitable manual movement 
simply grasps the wind deflector structure 28 and moves it from its 
operative position against the bias of springs 90 into its storage 
position. During this movement, tabs 92 engage the cam surfaces 94 of the 
latch members 96 and serve to pivot the latch members away from their 
latching position until the wind deflector structure 28 reaches its 
storage position at which point the leading edges of the tabs move into 
engagement with the locking surfaces 108 of the latch members 96 and the 
latter are biased to move into their latching positions. This position of 
the parts is illustrated in FIG. 5 and it can be seen that when the wind 
deflector structure 28 is thus retained in its storage position, the 
operator can now physically insert the tongues 20 within the grooves 22, 
as is shown in FIG. 5, and then move the removable roof structure 18 fully 
into its closed position. During the latter movement, the forward cam 
surfaces 112 engage the cam surfaces 94 of the latch members 96 and serve 
to move the same out of their latched position. At the same time, the cam 
surfaces 114 move into a position to engage the bight portion 58 of the 
wind deflector structure 28 so that the movement of the latter under the 
bias of springs 90 is now under the control of the cam surfaces 114 and 
the movement of the removable roof structure 18 as aforesaid. 
An important aspect of the invention is the capability of deploying of the 
wind deflector structure 28 in a most desirable operative position even 
though such position interferes with and blocks the full operative 
interengagement of the tongues 20 of the removable roof structure 18 with 
the grooves 22. In conjunction with this aspect of the invention, the wind 
deflector structure 28 must not only be capable of being releasably 
secured in its operative position but in a storage position as well 
wherein access of the tongues 20 to the grooves 22 is made possible. In 
the preferred embodiment disclosed above the wind deflector structure is 
spring biased from its storage position into its operative position so 
that the spring bias serves to releasably secure the wind deflector 
structure in its operative position. The wind deflector structure is moved 
against the spring bias manually and latched into its storage position. It 
is operable by the cam mechanism to automatically return under the bias of 
the springs from its storage position into its operative position when the 
removable roof structure is moved from its closed position into its open 
condition. It is within the contemplation of the present invention to 
provide a reverse situation wherein the wind deflector structure is biased 
into its storage position and is moved manually therefrom into its 
operative position wherein it is latched, the return movement being in 
response to a manual unlatching movement. Likewise, the wind deflector 
structure could be resiliently biased into both its operative position and 
its storage position, as by an over center spring assembly in which case a 
partial manual movement would be required in both directions and latching 
could be eliminated. Finally, latching in both positions and manual 
movement in both directions without a spring mechanism could be utilized. 
It thus will be seen that the objects of this invention have been fully and 
effectively accomplished. It will be realized, however, that the foregoing 
preferred specific embodiment has been shown and described for the purpose 
of illustrating the functional and structural principles of this invention 
and is subject to change without departure from such principles. 
Therefore, this invention includes all modifications encompassed within 
the spirit and scope of the following claims.