Accessory for sunroof air deflector

A hold-down assembly for a sunroof air deflector. The assembly includes a housing, a lever positioned within the housing, and a hook, preferably with an extensible shank, carried by a part of the lever. The lever includes a first leg with an outer surface movable by the finger of a user, and at least one offset leg. The offset leg includes a hook carrier and a pivot portion, and the housing has a feature, preferably a T-slot, for guiding the hook carrier through a substantially vertical path, and for guiding the pivot portion through a substantially horizontal path, including portions lying to either side of the vertical path, to provide an over-center locking action to hold the deflector in place.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates generally to automotive accessories and more 
particularly to attachments for vehicle sunroofs. 
In recent years, there has been a continuing demand for sunroofs in 
automotive vehicles, with automobiles of all sorts and even trucks being 
equipped with sunroofs. The perceived advantage of sunroofs include the 
ability to provide an open top vehicle without sacrifice of structural 
rigidity, the general open air feeling which results from such a 
construction and in particular, the ability of the vehicle, when the 
sunroof is closed, to provide a relatively weather-tight, low noise 
environment equal to that provided in the absence of the sunroof. In this 
connection, all or almost all of the sunroofs of modern vehicles are of 
the rigid or all-metal exterior type, even though sunroofs with flexible 
components are also known to the industry. 
One of the disadvantages of a sunroof, however, is that wind turbulence in 
the vicinity of the leading edge of the opening, and the general geometry 
of the opening, which must be congruent with the shape of the vehicle 
roof, inherently creates some problems of noise and turbulence. 
Accordingly, in recent years, a number of vehicles with sunroofs have 
added, as an accessory to the vehicle, what is termed a sunroof air 
deflector. This unit acts much in the manner of the vehicle windshield in 
a conventional automobile or motorcycle, and generally resembles such a 
windshield except that its proportions and shapes are somewhat different. 
The typical sunroof air deflector has a support edge portion which usually 
extends transversely of the major part of the vehicle roof and terminates 
in laterally outside or wing portions that are swept out and back, 
extending roughly parallel to the sides of the automobile. The trailing 
edge of the deflector includes a main portion which extends transversely 
to the movement axis of the vehicle and is generally horizontal in the 
normal position of the vehicle, with this trailing edge also having outer 
end portions turned down to meet the ends of the support edges adjacent 
the vehicle roof. 
Customarily, such sunroof air deflectors are made from a plastic material 
which is stiff but resilient, such as from an acrylic or other 
thermoplastic material. Sunroof air deflectors may be made from other 
materials, including different plastics, metal, or the like, although the 
acrylic plastics are presently preferred for a number of reasons. 
The manner of securing a sunroof air deflector to a vehicle roof has also 
been the subject of research and development. Because of the loading 
created by rapid vehicle movement, the deflector should be secured tightly 
to the vehicle roof. However, permanent installation steps such as bolting 
or screwing the deflector through the vehicle roof have obvious 
disadvantages. In many cases, a mounting unit in the form of a rubber or 
rubber like gasket is positioned between the vehicle body and the leading 
edge of the deflector. Preferably, this mounting unit has a groove between 
spaced apart flaps that are normally glued or otherwise tightly secured to 
the leading edge margin of the deflector. In many installations, a 
downwardly facing contact surface of this gasket is in turn secured to the 
vehicle roof by a pressure sensitive adhesive that either forms a part of 
the gasket or is installed as a separate component between the gasket and 
the deflector. 
One problem with such adhesive fastening, however, is that to the extent 
the adhesives are sufficiently strong to ensure that there will be no 
undesired separation of the deflector from the vehicle roof, the adhesives 
tend to be so strong as to risk damage to the finish of the car. Even if 
the adhesion is otherwise satisfactory, removal for washing or polishing 
the vehicle is problematical, since re-attachment at frequent intervals 
requires new adhesive or presents other problems. Accordingly, attempting 
to utilize gasket adhesion as a method of retaining the deflector in place 
has several disadvantages. 
In view of these circumstances, and the general configuration of most 
deflectors, various auxiliary fastening means have been considered. 
However, the structures of such prior auxiliary hold-down or clamping 
devices have not always been satisfactory. Thus, an ideal hold-down device 
would be one which would permit the deflector to be readily removable when 
this is desired for any reason. In addition, the auxiliary hold-down 
should not damage or become a permanent part of the vehicle roof. Such a 
unit should also hold the entire leading edge in contact with the roof, 
and exert enough downward force for this purpose without unduly deforming 
or bending the air deflector itself. 
Ideally, an auxiliary hold-down device would provide a range of movement 
which would be sufficient to enable a snap-on/snap-off type action to be 
provided and still provide sufficient travel so as to just slightly 
deflect the body of the deflector, thus taking advantage of the inherent 
resiliency of the deflector to apply and maintain a tensile force on the 
hold-down device, and resulting in a well-distributed, overall compressive 
load on all parts of the deflector, including those adjacent the hold-down 
site. Another desirable feature in an ideal hold-down device would be a 
rapid, comparatively fail-safe, snap-in action, and means for retaining to 
hold-down in a desired position of use. 
Another feature of an ideal air deflector auxiliary would be a hold-down 
which is positionable such as not to interfere with the aerodynamics of 
the vehicle, and preferably, therefore, avoid creating the noise and 
turbulence which it is an object of the deflector to eliminate in the 
first place. 
In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, it is an object of the 
present invention to make an improved hold-down device for a sunroof air 
deflector. 
Another object of the invention is to make a hold-down device for a sunroof 
deflector which includes a latch having an over-center or positive locking 
action. 
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a sunroof air deflector 
latch wherein a latching and locking mechanism is contained within a 
compact housing that may be positioned virtually flush with the top 
surface of the deflector shield portion of a sunroof air deflector. 
A further object of the invention is to provide a sunroof air deflector 
hold-down device which includes an angled lever portion having a pivot 
point movable over-center relative to the load or hold-down point and 
providing for a substantially vertical motion of a carrier supporting a 
hold-down hook. 
A still further object of the invention is to provide a compact sunroof air 
deflector hold-down assembly having a hook that is compatible with curved 
as well as straight surfaces forming portions of the opening for the 
sunroof, and is useful without change on both right- and left-hand sides 
of the deflector. 
An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel hold-down 
arrangement for a sunroof air deflector wherein the hold-down hook 
includes a bight portion adapted to permit a spring action within the hook 
and wherein the hook may pivot at least moderately about the axis of its 
shank so as to engage body parts defining the roof opening that are 
angularly related to the shank of the hook, and also accommodate right- 
and left-hand applications. 
Another object of the invention is to provide a mechanism for a sunroof air 
deflector hold-down which is readily inserted within an opening in a 
sunroof air deflector but which resists unintentional removal and wherein 
the latching lever may be locked in position relative to the housing after 
the deflector is positioned and secured. 
The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention are 
achieved in practice by providing a hold-down mechanism that includes a 
housing positionable within an opening in the sunroof air deflector shield 
body, and having horizontal and vertical guides to provide a vertical 
tensioning motion and an over-center locking action of a hook carried by a 
locking lever pivotally mounted in the housing and with the parts being 
arranged to provide a distributed compressive mounting load on the shield 
body, retaining it in place adjacent the sunroof opening. 
The exact manner in which the foregoing and other objects and advantages of 
the invention are achieved in practice will become more clearly apparent 
when reference is made to the following detailed description of the 
preferred embodiments of the invention set forth by way of example and 
shown in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers 
indicate the corresponding parts throughout.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
While the invention may be embodied in various forms, a preferred form of 
apparatus will be described wherein a unitary housing is matched to an 
insertion opening in the deflector shield and includes hook support guide 
means in the form of a pair of vertical slots, a pair of horizontal slots, 
with a right angle or two-arm lever and hold-down latch being positioned 
by the housing to carry a hook through a vertical travel path and provide 
an over-center locking action. 
Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, FIG. 1 shows a vehicle 
generally designated 10 to have a roof portion generally designated 12 
with an opening generally designated 14 therein in which a retractable 
sunroof 16 is positioned. A sunroof air deflector generally designated 18 
and made according to the invention is positioned atop the vehicle roof 
12. 
As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the deflector 18 itself includes a shield body 
19 defined by a leading edge portion 20 and shown to include a principal 
leading edge portion 22 disposed generally transverse to the vehicle 
movement axis and a pair of opposed swept back or wing portions 24. The 
body 19 of the deflector 18 also includes a free trailing edge portion 
generally designated 28 and shown to include a center, generally 
transverse portion 30, and a pair of outer free margins 32 of the trailing 
edge which meet the ends of the wing portions 24 of the mounting edge 
adjacent the roof of the vehicle. As is known in the art, a mounting 
gasket generally designated 34 typically has spaced apart flaps 36, 38 
defining therebetween a slot or groove 26 for the leading edge of the 
deflector shield body 19. Other gasket configurations may of course be 
used. A downwardly facing contact surface 40 of the mounting gasket 34 is 
urged into contact with the outer surface 42 of the vehicle roof 12 by the 
hold-down devices to be described. The gasket flaps 36, 38 are adhesively 
attached to the entire leading edge 20 of the deflector shield, while the 
downwardly directed, top-engaging contact surface seals the gasket tightly 
against the roof in response to the hold-down load applied by the device 
to be described. 
Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, it will be seen that contoured margins 
generally designated 44 of the shield body 19 form an opening 46 for the 
inventive combination hold-down and latch assembly generally designated 
48. The margins 44 are preferably generally rectangular with radiused 
corners to avoid stress concentration and cracks resulting therefrom. 
Referring now to the hold-down and latch assembly 48, the principal 
portions thereof include a housing generally designated 52, a lever 
assembly 54, and a load applying hook unit generally designated 56. In 
viewing FIG. 2, it will be understood that, both left- and right-hand 
hold-down and latching units 48, 48a being substantially identical, only 
one is described in detail. 
Referring now in particular to the housing generally designated 52, it is 
shown that each of a pair of parallel sidewalls 58 includes a T-slot 
comprising horizontal and vertical legs 60, 62 and a pair of outwardly 
biased snap-in rear housing retainer units 64 having tapered upper 
surfaces adapted to engage a lower surface portion 66 of the shield body 
19. In addition, a front housing retainer clip 68 extends forwardly from 
the front surface of the housing 52 engages the margins 44 defining the 
latch opening 46 on three sides. 
According to the preferred form of the invention, a top opening generally 
designated 72 is provided in the housing 52 for receiving the lever 54, 
and an overhanging, load-distributing flange 74 is provided to ensure that 
the housing 52 remains in snug contact with, and can apply a compressive 
load to, the upper surface 76 of the deflector shield body 19. 
In the preferred form of invention, the hold-down lever 54 is constructed 
and arranged so as to include a first leg 78 which extends generally 
horizontally in the locked position and a second or offset leg generally 
designated 80 having identical left- and right-hand leg portions 82, 84. 
The legs 82, 84 are secured at their upper ends to a lower surface of the 
lever 54, and the lower ends of the legs 82, 84 include small axially 
aligned stub shafts 86, 88, collectively defining the pivot point for the 
lever 54. This pivot axis moves back and forth as the stub shafts 86, 88 
ride back and forth within the horizontal slot 60. 
A trailing edge locking latch 90 is preferably integrally formed with a 
portion of the first leg 78 of the lever 54. A hook carrier in the form of 
a roll pin 92 extends through a pair of opposed openings, one on each 
portion 82, 84 of the second leg 80. The ends of the roll pin 92 in use 
are guided by and slide within the vertical slot 62, while the center of 
the pin 92 extends through an elongated or oval shaped eye portion 94 of 
the latching hook 56. The hook 56 includes a lower barb or hem-engaging 
portion 96 (FIGS. 3 and 4), an elongated shank 98 and a stiff but 
resilient bight portion 100 of generally U- or V-shape in elevation. A 
bottom opening 99 in the housing 52 permits the hook to move up and down 
within the housing. 
As illustrated in the drawings, the latching element 90 on the first leg 78 
of the lever 54 includes a locking shoulder 104 that engages and undercut 
portion 106 of the housing 52, thus helping to prevent unintentional 
release of the hold-down. 
Owing to the various design features of the locking and hold-down device 
just described, its operation is extremely simple. The locking and latch 
assembly is assembled merely by dropping the entire unit 48 through the 
opening 46 in the deflector shield. The front housing retainer clip 68 
snaps into position with its upper surface engaging the lower surface 
portion 66 of the margins of the shield body 19 defining the front of the 
opening 46. 
At or about the same time, the outwardly biased, snap-in rear housing 
retainer units 64 deflect in and then out, with their upper surfaces also 
snapping into positions engaging the lower surface 66 of the shield body 
19 defining the sides of the opening 46. At this point, the lower surface 
of the overhanging flange 74 is seated on the upper surface 76 of the 
deflector body 19, thus creating a snug seal. If desired, a gasket may be 
provided in the area between these surfaces. 
When it is desired to engage the barb 96 of the hook 56 beneath the 
lowermost portion of the sunroof opening hem 110, as shown in FIG. 4, the 
lever is actuated by releasing the hold-down latch 90 and lifting the rear 
of first leg 78 upwardly. When the first leg 78 of the latch is urged 
upwardly and forwardly, the small stub shafts 84, 86 slide rearwardly in 
the horizontal slot 60. In some cases, the pin 92 may move down far enough 
to enter the horizontal portion 60 of the T-slot. 
This action lowers the position of the roll pin 92, permitting the barb 96 
of the spring 56 to swing clear of the hem portion 110 formed as a part of 
the vehicle sunroof opening 14. When the hook 56 is swung forward into a 
position wherein the barb 96 underlies the hem 110 and the shank 98 is 
substantially vertical, the first level is rotated clockwise as shown in 
FIG. 4. This moves the stub shafts or pivot points forward in the 
horizontal slot 60, at the same time causing the roll pin 92 to move 
upwardly in the vertical slot 62. 
With the stub shafts 84, 86 being in the position shown in FIG. 3, to the 
left of the vertical slot center line, the first leg 78 of the lever 54 is 
in a fully closed position and spring forces augment the over-center 
hold-down feature of the latch, preventing it from releasing. 
Hence, by arranging the horizontal slot 60 so as to have portions lying to 
either side of the center line of the vertical slot 62, along which line 
the vertical forces imposed by the hook are exerted, an over-center 
retaining action is provided. 
As illustrated, the eye 94 of the hook 56 is somewhat elongated, permitting 
the hook to pivot about the axis of its shank 98. Accordingly, where the 
hem 110 of the sunroof opening is not perpendicular to the movement axis 
of the vehicle, as where the sunroof opening has a rounded or radiused 
corner, the hook can be swung through an arc so as to squarely engage the 
hem in a snug manner. A centering action can be provided where this 
engagement occurs in a rounded or radius portion of the opening, as just 
described. By allowing the hook to swing about its shank axis, left- and 
right-hand units need not be made, since any angular position peculiar to 
a right or left side can be accommodated. 
The provision of the bight 100 allows some flexibility and a load carrying 
function to be carried out, the hook acting also as a spring with a 
preselected rate and controllable tension. When the unit is installed as 
in FIG. 3, the sunroof 16 is closed and a gasket 112 or the like may 
engage the shank of the hook. 
With the sunroof open, the arrangement of hold-down latch is such that 
accidental unlocking is virtually impossible and release is easily 
accomplished. The nose portion of the leg 78 may include a small notch 114 
to engage an undercut 116 on the top of the housing to minimize leakage. 
Removal of the entire latching assembly 48 is extremely easy, with the 
various retainers merely requiring push-in pressure and a pivoting action 
for removal, once the barb 96 of the hook 56 is removed from beneath the 
hem. 
Upon releasing both hold-downs 48, 48a, the deflector unit can simply be 
lifted up and removed. The openings 46 are located in the shield generally 
adjacent the corners, and sufficiently ahead of the free or trailing edge 
of the shield so as to exert the downforce on the shield in areas that 
will insure snug contact between the lower surface 40 of the gasket and 
the top surface 42 of the vehicle roof 12. If the hold-down units 48, 48a 
are too far back, the downforce on the leading edge of the shield will be 
too little, and if the hold-downs are too far forward, the mounting gasket 
will be spaced from the roof near the ends of the wings and the gasket. 
In the preferred form, the slots 60, 62 combine to form a T-slot 
arrangement but this is not strictly necessary. As long as a guide 
function is provided, of the desirable characteristic resolving forces 
into a substantially vertical lift motion can be achieved. Various forms 
of retainers for the housing can be provided, with the illustrated forms 
being presently preferred. Likewise, arranging for the lever to have one 
or two legs, reversing the arrangements of the pivots or hook holders, 
etc. can be accomplished by ways other than those illustrated, as will be 
apparent to those skilled in the art. 
A preferred embodiment of the invention, having been described in detail, 
it is anticipated that modifications and variations to the described form 
of apparatus will occur to those skilled in the art and it is anticipated 
that such alterations and changes may be made without departing from the 
spirit of the invention of the appended claims.