Abstract:
An automotive vehicle open air system includes a pair of vehicle side frames, one or more movement mechanisms, a back window assembly and an automatic actuator. In another aspect of the present invention, an automotive vehicle includes a front header panel, first and second vehicle side frames, first and second tracks, a sunroof panel, a back window panel and an electrical system operable to coordinate movement of the sunroof panel and the back window panel.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/730,916 filed Dec. 6, 2000 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,485,094. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to automotive vehicles and more particularly to an automotive vehicle open air system. 
     It is known in the automotive industry to provide vehicles having movable sunroof panels and pop-top venting panels within otherwise stationary roofs. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,475 entitled “Drive Mechanism for an Automotive Vehicle Sunroof Assembly” which issued to Caye et al. on May 5, 1998, discloses a sunroof assembly while U.S. Pat. No. 6,073,995 entitled “Powered Venting Panel Assembly” which issued to Klein on Jun. 13, 2000, discloses a venting pop-top sunroof; both of these patents are incorporated by reference herein. U.S. Pat. No. 4,801,174 entitled “Transparent Roof Convertible Automobile” which issued to Hirshberg et al. on Jan. 31, 1989, shows another automotive vehicle sunroof system. 
     Various attempts have also been made to allow vertical and rear accessibility to a storage compartment in an otherwise enclosed vehicle. For example reference should be made to U.S. Pat. No. 4,932,717 entitled “Pickup Truck Bed Cap” which issued to Swann on Jun. 12, 1990 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,272,121 entitled “Station Wagon with Adjustable Rear Roof Panel” which issued to Kim on Jun. 9, 1981. These traditional constructions, however, are relatively crude and aesthetically unacceptable for high volume production of luxury-type passenger vehicles. 
     In accordance with the present invention, an automotive vehicle open air system includes a pair of vehicle side frames, one or more movement mechanisms, a back window assembly and an automatic actuator. In another aspect of the present invention, an automotive vehicle includes a front header panel, first and second vehicle side frames, first and second tracks, a sunroof panel, a back window panel and an electrical system operable to coordinate movement of the sunroof panel and the back window panel. A further aspect of the present invention provides a cable driven linkage for tilting open a sunroof panel. Still another aspect of the present invention employs a first panel, movable from a closed position to an open position, which generally spans between a pair of vehicle side rails, and a second panel which is movable in a generally vertical direction from a retracted position to an advanced position. The present invention additionally includes a vehicular tail panel, movable from a raised position to a lowered position, and an aesthetically pleasing close-out panel, movable from a first position to a second position in response to movement of the tail panel. 
     The automotive vehicle open air system of the present invention is advantageous over conventional devices in that an aesthetically pleasing, refined, quick to operate and automatic open air system is provided which allows for conversion of a passenger vehicle into a pickup truck-like vehicle. This advantageously allows for vertical and rear storage access to a storage compartment. Thus, large objects are capable of being stowed on the bed which otherwise would exceed the enclosed space in the storage area. In other words, a box can be stored in the storage compartment which is vertically higher than a normal plane of the closed roof and back window. The present invention is further advantageous over conventional constructions by providing very compact packaging of the opened back window and sunroof. The structural integrity of the vehicle is also optimized due to the presence of the vehicle side rails while the open air environment is maximized through the sunroof and back window arrangement. Additional advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view showing the preferred embodiment of an automotive vehicle open air system of the present invention, with a front sunroof assembly, rear sunroof assembly, back window assembly and tail panel assembly all disposed in their respective closed positions; 
     FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view, like that of FIG. 1, showing the preferred embodiment system, but with the front sunroof assembly disposed in an open position; 
     FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view, like that of FIG. 1, showing the preferred embodiment system, but with the front and rear sunroof assemblies disposed in their respective open positions; 
     FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view, like that of FIG. 1, showing the preferred embodiment system, but with the front sunroof assembly disposed in its open position and the back window assembly disposed in its open position; 
     FIG. 5 is a side and fragmentary, perspective view showing the preferred embodiment system with the sunroof assemblies and back window assembly disposed in their respective closed positions; 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged and fragmentary, perspective view, like that of FIG. 5, showing the preferred embodiment system, but with an interior trim panel removed; 
     FIG. 7 is a top and fragmentary, perspective view showing the front sunroof assembly employed in the preferred embodiment system; 
     FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic side view showing a front sunroof mechanism employed in the preferred embodiment system, disposed in its closed position; 
     FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic side view showing the front sunroof mechanism employed in the preferred embodiment system, disposed in its open position; 
     FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic side view showing the rear sunroof assembly of the preferred embodiment system, disposed in its closed position; 
     FIG. 11 is a diagrammatic side view showing the rear sunroof assembly of the preferred embodiment system, disposed in its partially opened position; 
     FIG. 12 is a fragmentary top perspective view showing a mechanism employed in the rear sunroof assembly of the preferred embodiment system; 
     FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view, taken along line  13 — 13  of FIG. 10, showing the mechanism employed with the rear sunroof assembly of the preferred embodiment system; 
     FIG. 14 is a top and partially fragmented perspective view showing a mechanism employed with the back window assembly of the preferred embodiment system; 
     FIG. 15 is a diagrammatic side view showing the back window mechanism of the preferred embodiment system, disposed in its closed position; 
     FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic side view showing the back window mechanism of the preferred embodiment system, disposed in its open position; 
     FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view, taken along line  17 — 17  of FIG. 16, showing the back window mechanism of the preferred embodiment system; 
     FIG. 18 is a diagrammatic side view showing the tail panel assembly of the preferred embodiment system, disposed in its closed position; 
     FIG. 19 is a diagrammatic side view showing the tail panel assembly of the preferred embodiment system, disposed in its open position; 
     FIG. 20 is a side diagrammatic view of the preferred embodiment system showing the sunroof assemblies in their closed positions, the back window assembly in its open position and a close out panel in its advanced position; 
     FIG. 21 is a diagrammatic rear view showing a mechanism employed with the close out panel of the preferred embodiment system; and 
     FIG. 22 is an electrical diagram for the preferred embodiment system. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring to FIGS. 1-6, an automotive vehicle  31  has the preferred embodiment of an open air system  33  of the present invention which includes a front venting or pop-top sunroof assembly  35 , a second sunroof assembly  37 , a back window or backlite assembly  39 , and a tail panel assembly  41 . Sunroof assemblies  35  and  37 , as well as back window assembly  39  and tail panel assembly  41 , all span in a cross-car manner generally between a pair of structural vehicle side rails  43  and  45 . Side rails  43  and  45  are connected together by a structural front header panel  47  (see FIG. 6) which is located immediately above a front windshield  49 . 
     Front sunroof assembly is movable from a closed position (see FIG. 1) to an open and upwardly tilted position (see FIG.  2 ). Furthermore, second sunroof assembly  37  is slidable from a closed position (see FIGS. 1 and 2) to a rearward open position (see FIG. 3) which is rearward of the front and at least a majority of the rear seating areas of the passenger compartment. Additionally, back window assembly  39  is movable from a closed position (see FIGS. 1-3) to an open position (see FIG. 4) which is raised and forward of the closed position. Simultaneously with the movement of back window assembly  39 , tail panel assembly  41  is retracted from a closed position (see FIGS. 1-3) to a lowered and open position (see FIG. 4) thereby allowing storage access to a floor  51  of a storage compartment in the vehicle. Thus, vehicle  31  can be automatically converted from a four door (or alternately two door coupe) luxury passenger car to a pickup truck-type of vehicle. It is noteworthy that in the presently preferred embodiment, side rails  43  and  45  are stationarily fixed to the vehicle thereby improving structural stiffness to the body side frame. 
     FIGS. 6-9 show front sunroof assembly  35  in greater detail. Front sunroof assembly  35  includes a front glass sunroof panel  61  mounted onto a metal frame  63  by an adhesive or the like. A linkage mechanism  65  is operably driven by an elongated and generally flexible Bowden cable  67  which, in turn, is operably driven by an electromagnetic actuator such as an electric motor  69 . Electric motor  69  is a fractional horsepower, direct current electric motor which has a gear box engagably pushing and pulling cable  67  within a protective sheath or tube  71  extending therefrom. Linkage mechanism  65  has a first offset link  73  with a first end coupled to cable  67  by way of a pivot  75 . An opposite second end of first offset link  73  is coupled to a second link  77  by way of a second pivot  79 . Second link  77  is also rotatably coupled to a bracket  81 , mounted on the underside of front sunroof frame  63 , by way of a third pivot  83 . A third fulcrum link  85  rotatably couples an intermediate and middle segment of first offset link  73  to a stationary bracket  87  secured to side rail  43 , by way of pivots  89  and  91 . Thus, when electric motor  69  is energized to pull cable  67 , linkage mechanism  65  serves to upwardly tilt sunroof panel  61  to an open position about a front mounted hinge  93 , secured to front header panel  47 . The closed operation is opposite that previously described. Electric motor  69  is operably controlled by a micro processor  95  and a vehicle occupant accessible open/close switch  97 . 
     Electric motor  69  and the underside of front header panel  47  are aesthetically covered by interior trim panels such as a headliner  99  (see FIG. 5) which includes an overhead center console and lighting system  101 , and garnish moldings  103  and  105 , which can be made of a polymeric material or other known fabric covered substrates. An elastomeric weather-strip  107  is also provided on a metal flange surrounding a front sunroof opening  109 . Front sunroof panel  61  has a generally semi-circular top view shape with a predominantly straight rear edge. 
     FIGS. 10-13 and  17  best illustrate second sunroof assembly  37 . Second sunroof assembly  37  includes an extruded aluminum track  131 , elongated in a predominantly fore-and-aft direction, a movement mechanism  133  movably coupled to each track  131 , a second glass sunroof panel  135 , a sunroof panel frame  137  and an electric motor actuator  139  (see FIG.  22 ). A front coupling  141  of movement mechanism  133  employs a right angled bracket  143  mounted to an underside of frame  137 . A cam following pin  145  inwardly projects from a downturned leg of bracket  143  and slides within an undercut camming channel  147  of track  131 . Track  131  has an enlarged forward end  149  which contains an upwardly angled segment  151  and a level segment of channel  147 . Thus, when pin  145  is advanced along upwardly angled segment  151  of track  131 , bracket  143  causes second sunroof panel  135  to move in a vertical and forward direction, and vice versa. 
     A rear coupling  161  of movement mechanism  133  movably controls the orientation of the adjacent rear section of second sunroof panel  135  relative to track  131 . Rear coupling  161  has a right angled metal bracket  163  secured to an underside of frame  137 . Rear coupling  161  further has a straight link  165  rotatably coupled to a downturned leg of bracket  163  by a pivot pin  167 . A bottom section of link  165  is rotatably coupled between a pair of polymeric shoes  169  by a pivot pin  171 . A supplemental outer shoe  173  is fastened to innermost shoe  169  in order to trap an upstanding segment  175  of track therebetween. An elongated and generally flexible Bowden cable  177  extends within a partially circular channel of track  131  and is attached to shoe  169  by way of an end fitting. Cable  177  extends within a sheath or tube  181  (see FIG. 4) between the rear end of track  131  and the corresponding gear box of the electric motor. Thus, when the electric motor is energized by micro processor  95  (see FIG. 22) and an occupant accessible second sunroof switch  183  (also see FIG.  22 ), then cable  177  is pushed forward within track  131 ; this causes shoes  169  to simultaneously advance forward. Advancing movement of shoes  169  serves to push the entire second sunroof assembly  37  forward relative to the stationary tracks  131 . When cam following pin  145  reaches the upwardly angled segment  151  of track  131 , the front section of sunroof panel  135  will be raised while causing a coincidental rotation of link  165  to a generally vertical orientation between bracket  163  and shoes  169 . Hence, second sunroof assembly  37  is moved from a open or partially open position below the closed back window assembly  39  (as shown in FIGS.  3  and  11 ), to a closed position flush with a nominal roof plane  191  (as shown in FIGS. 1,  2  and  10 ) which is also immediately adjacent to and between front sunroof assembly  35  and back window assembly  39  when both are closed. 
     A flexible water drain tube  193  (see FIG. 6) extends from a forward end of track  131  and down an A-pillar thereby expelling water runoff from the second sunroof assembly. Furthermore, a weather-strip  195  is mounted on an upturned flange of a stationary cross-car metal beam or panel  197  (see FIGS. 6 and 11) which assists in gathering and channeling the water runoff toward the tracks  131 . 
     With reference to FIGS. 14-17, back window assembly  39  includes a predominantly transparent glass back window  201  on top of a pair of supports  203  of the movement mechanisms. A downturned leg of each metal support  203  is secured to an undercut channel  205  of track  131  with the assistance of an outer shoe  207 . An intermediate frame  204  is located between back window  201  and adjacent support  203  and is joined to an aesthetically pleasing exterior metal or polymeric deck panel  209  (see FIGS. 3,  4  and  14 ). An interior trim panel covers the interior surface of deck panel  209  and the exposed portions of the back window frame. An elongated and generally flexible Bowden cable  211  extends within a channel of each track  131  and is secured to shoe  207  by way of an end fitting  213 . A back window electric motor  215  (see FIG. 22) engagably pushes and pulls cable  211 , via a gear box, which acts to advance and retract back window assembly  39  relative to track  131  and the vehicle, responsive to micro processor  95  (see FIG. 22) and switch  183  (also see FIG.  22 ). The electric motors for the back window assembly and second sunroof assembly are deenergized when corresponding Hall effect sensors, potentiometer or limit switch sensors  241  and  243  (see FIG. 22) sense that an open or closed end, or other predetermined position has been reached. 
     When it is desired to raise back window assembly  39  from its closed position (as shown in FIGS. 2 and 15) to its open position (as shown in FIGS. 4,  16  and  17 ), micro processor  95  (see FIG. 22) energizes the second sunroof motors to cause second sunroof assembly  37  to be moved to an intermediate lowered position as shown in FIGS. 11 and 17. Simultaneously, micro processor  95  causes the back window motors to push their corresponding cables, and thereby slide back window assembly  39 , to the raised position above the intermediately disposed second sunroof panel  135  (as is shown in FIGS. 4,  16  and  17 ). 
     Referring to FIGS. 1,  4 ,  18  and  19 , rear tail panel assembly  41  includes a tail panel  301 , a closeout panel  303 , a retracting mechanism  305  and an automatic actuator or electric motor  307 . Tail panel  301  has a set of sheet metal or polymeric panels joined together which retain a tail lamp reflector  311 , incandescent light bulb  313 , lens  315  and tail panel-to-back window assembly weather-strip  317 . Tail panel  301  and closeout panel  303  are elongated in a generally cross-car direction at the rear of the vehicle. Retracting mechanism  305  has a set of metal arms fastened to each outboard end of tail panel  301 . Each retracting mechanism  305  rotates about a pivot  321  attached to the adjacent inner quarter panel structure of the vehicle. Electric motor  307  located in the retracted tail panel storage space  323  operably drives retracting mechanism  305  through a push-pull type of cable, and is energized in response to control of the micro processor. Tail panel  301  is automatically retracted into the storage space  323  when back window assembly  39  is opened, and vice versa. Closeout panel  303  is compression or injection molded from a polymeric material and can be optionally covered with fabric or vinyl. Closeout panel  303  is spring biased by way of a torsion spring  331  toward a downwardly pivoted position against an upper surface of a vehicle facia  333 . Closeout panel  303  is rotated about a stationary pivot pin  335 . Upward rotation of tail panel  301  will contact against and coincidentally upwardly push closeout panel  303  to a somewhat vertically raised position, as shown in FIG.  18 . This allows closeout panel  303  to also aesthetically hide and cover the forward side of tail panel  301 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 4,  20  and  22 , electric motors  351  are coupled to a seat movement mechanism  353  which is operable to automatically lower a rear seat back  355  of a rear seat from the raised position shown in FIG. 20 to a horizontal position as shown in FIG.  4 . This serves to enhance the storage area for placing cargo  357  within the storage space above floor  51  and optionally, the upper surface of seat back  355  when lowered. Seat back  55  can alternately be manually lowered to increase storage space. 
     Finally, FIGS. 20 and 21 show a transparent glass or polymeric separating panel  401  which can be vertically advanced to a raised position (as is shown in FIGS. 20 and 21) or retracted to a hidden and stowed position within seat back  355  of the rear seat (as is shown in FIG.  4 ). Separating panel  401  extends in a generally cross-car and vertical plane, and has an upper edge  403  contoured to match the corresponding bottom surface  405  of back window assembly  39  at a theoretical roof line. A pair of elongated tracks  407  are disposed within outboard portions of seat back  355 . An electric motor  409  operably drives a Bowden cable  411  which, in turn, pushes and pulls a shoe  413  slidably attached to track  407 . An outboard edge of separating panel  401  is mounted to each shoe  413 . Thus, when the rear seat back panel of the rear seat is in the raised and generally vertical position, and the back window assembly is moved to its open position, micro processor  95  will cause electric motor  409  to automatically advance separating panel  401  to contact against the interior of the back window assembly. This serves to separate the passenger compartment from the storage compartment while also reducing vehicle exhaust from entering the passenger compartment during vehicle usage. It should be appreciated that a weather-strip or the like may be disposed between the upper edge of separating panel  401  and the corresponding portion of the back window assembly. It is also envisioned that separating panel  401  can alternately contact against a fixed structural panel of the roof, such as a rear header panel, at the roof line instead of a movable back window member. 
     While the preferred embodiment of an automotive vehicle open air system has been disclosed herein, it should be appreciated that other variations will still fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, generally rigid rods or pulley-type cables can be employed in place of the preferred Bowden cables. Gears of the motor may directly contact a rack-like track, or a jack screw, tape drive or hydraulic mechanism can also be provided for any of the moving components. Additionally, the number and arrangement of linkages, cams, brackets, switches and electric motors can be varied as long as the functions of the present invention are achieved. Furthermore, the front pop-top sunroof, second sunroof, back window assembly, tail panel assembly and separating panel assembly can all be employed independently of each other or in various combinations. While various materials have been disclosed, it should be appreciated that other materials can be readily used. It is intended by the following claims to cover these and any other departures from the disclosed embodiments which fall within the true spirit of this invention.