Releasable Hinge Device for Removable Panels

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to a hinge mechanism, and more particularly to a quick-release hinge device to allow for a fast and simple means to remove hinged covers or panels of the type used with respect to hinge glass panels for sunroofs and the like.

2. Description of the Prior Art

There have been problems and difficulties encountered in attempting to provide suitable means for releasably hinging the various covers, panes and panels to their related structures--especially with respect to the glass panels associated with fixed frameworks such as found in sunroof devices mounted in vehicle roofs.

Several known types of disconnectable hinge units are presently employed with removable panels, but these devices have their own peculiar characteristics and limitations which have thus far prevented their universal application in the art. A particular area or field having problems associated with removable hinges is with the automobile roof vents, better known as sunroofs. These sunroofs are very often required not only to provide hinged panels or covers, but in addition to include hinge devices that allow for quick and safe removal of the panels.

Many of the known hinge devices are so designed as to include features that restrict their use. Some can be removed from their related frame structures, but they are so complicated that they cannot be readily reconnected with ease by the average individual. Other units are so designed that, when a panel is removed, various related elements of the hinge extend dangerously within the opening defined by the frame structure of the sunroof which is secured within the roof of the vehicle.

Further, because of their rigid hinging action, the known hinge devices presently in use have limited the design configurations of their related panels. That is, the hinging actions of these devices do not allow arcuate, leading, hinged edges to be formed on the panels, or to provide more positive sealing action between the peripheral edges of the panels and the sealing members of the frame structures.

As examples of quick-release-hinge devices, one may refer to U.S. Pat. No. 3,974,753 to Blomgren and U.S. Pat. No. 4,131,970 to LeVan.

The present invention has for an important object to provide a means to overcome the existing problems associated with hinges being employed with vehicle sunroof panels.

It is another object of the invention to provide a quick-release hinge device that comprises a hinge member having a flexible tongue which is secured directly to the glass panel, the hinge member being formed to slidably support a houing cover which is arranged to slide along the main body of the hinge member, so as to interlock with the hinge tongue within a hinge retainer, the hinge retainer being secured within an annular channel formed in the fixed framework of the sunroof, and the panel being removable from the frame structure by sliding the housing cover of each hinge out of the hinge retainer, thus freeing the hinge tongue so that it, too, can be readily removed from the retainer.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a hinge device of this character that includes a flexible tongue member capable of bending along its longitudinal axis, the tongue additionally being capable of twisting along its axis, thus allowing--for the first time--the peripheral edges of a panel to be formed having a curve or an arc.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a hinge device of this character that is capable of being operated by any individual, without the need for assistance from others or for special tools, and further no tool being required for engaging or disengaging the releasable hinge from the frame structure of the sunroof.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a quick-release-hinge device where, when the panel is separated or removed from the sunroof frame structure, there are no components projecting from the frame structure, either inwardly from the defined opening or downwardly therefrom--which would create a dangerous hazard to the occupants of the vehicle.

A further object of the invention is to provide a hinge device of this character that has relatively few operating parts, and that is easy to service and maintain.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention are further sufficiently referred to in connection with the accompanying drawings, which represent one embodiment. After considering this example, skilled persons will understand that variations may be made without departing from the principles disclosed; and we contemplate the employment of any structures, arrangements or modes of operation that are properly within the scope of the appended claims.

Referring more particularly to the accompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a sunroof having a hinged glass panel and its associated frame structure mounted in the roof of a vehicle;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 2--2 of FIG. 1, showing the releasable hinge in a secured position in cooperation with a typical handle and latch mechanism, the panel being locked in a closed position;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the hinge device attached to the frame structure, the housing cover being in a secured position;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the hinge device, showing the hinge-tongue member located within the hinge-retainer member and the housing cover disengaged from the hinge retainer, whereby the tongue member can be freely removed therefrom;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 5--5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along line 6--6 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is an exploded-perspective view of the hinge device; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one of the hinge-retainer members.

Referring more particularly to FIG 1, there is shown a roof portion 10 of a vehicle, generally indicated at 12, having a sunroof, designated at 13, mounted within the roof structure 10. The sunroof is generally defined by a fixed frame structure 14 mounted within opening 16 formed in roof 10. Frame structure 14 is fixedly secured to the peripheral edge of opening 16 in a suitable manner, indicated by an annular clamping ring 18 illustrated in FIG. 2, the frame structure 14 defining an access opening 20 which is closed by glass panel 22. Panel 22 is locked in the closed mode by a releasable latch handle, indicated generally at 24, which can be any suitable type compatible with the quick-release-hinge device, indicated at 25.

It is well understood that such panels as 22, illustrated in FIG. 1, are normally provided with a single latch handle 24 which is centrally positioned along the trailing edge of the panel, so as to cooperate with a pair of oppositely positioned hinge devices, designated at 25.

Thus, frame structure 14 is formed with an upper channel 26 adapted to receive a sealing member 28 therein for peripheral engagement with panel 22, when the panel is in a closed sealed position as illustrated herein. The frame structure 14 further includes a second, lower, peripheral channel 30 which is arranged to receive a coupling means defined by hinge retainer 32 so as to be secured therein. A respective hinge retainer is provided which is positioned to releasably couple with hinge device 25. Each hinge retainer is formed having a main body 34 with an elongated opening 36 defined by opposing end walls 38 interconnected by a rear strut member 40 and a front flange member 42. Integrally formed as part of side walls 38 and front flange member 42 is a pair of oppositely disposed coupling bars 43 adapted to receive the hinge tongue of the hinge device 25, which will hereinafter be described in detail. The upper and lower surfaces of each wall 38 include detents 44, the detents being located to receive corresponding projections formed within channel 30, thereby securing each retainer in its proper position for engagement with the respective hinge devices.

Accordingly, each hinge device comprises a hinge member, indicated at 45, having a main body member 46 and an extending hinge tongue 48. The hinge member 45 is secured to the glass panel 22 by a nut-and-bolt arrangement received through a hole 49 formed in panel 22. The nut is formed like a flat cap, indicated at 50, having a threaded depending head member 52 adapted to be received in bore 54 disposed in main body 46, bore 54 having a plurality of grooves 55 to mate with head member 52, in order to prevent rotation of nut 50 when bolt 56 is tightened therein. Bore 54 is also provided with an enlarged counter bore 58 to receive the head of bolt 56. Interposed between nut 50 and panel 22 is a washer or spacer 59.

Hinge member 45 is to be suitably formed from a hard yet flexible plastic material that will allow tongue 48 to flex--not only in its normal bending mode, but will also allow the tongue to bend laterally and twist when the panel is moved between an open and a closed mode. The flexing between the main body 46 and tongue 48 provides a dual action, allowing the leading edge of the sunroof and the panel to be formed in an arcuate configuration--which has not been possible in the past. The tongue 48 includes oppositely arranged keeper members 60, so that when tongue 48 is inserted into retainer 32 each keeper couples behind the respective coupling bar, as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. In this position, catch 62 formed on the bottom of tongue 48 is positioned adjacent opening 36, as seen in FIG. 4.

Slidably mounted on hinge member 45 is a housing latch 64 which includes a pair of oppositely positioned each members 65 which extend inwardly so as to be slidably received in longitudinal grooves 66 formed in main body 46 of the hinge 45. A first and a second pair of recesses 67 and 68 are provided with a projecting member 70 formed to match recesses 67 and 68. Hence, when the hinge device is in a release mode, housing latch 64 is pulled back, whereby ears 65 are engaged in the respective recesses 67. In this position, tongue 48 can either be inserted into retainer 32 or readily removed. However, in order to lock tongue 48 into retainer 32, the tongue is inserted into the retainer, as seen in FIG. 4; and then housing latch 64 is moved forwardly--thus allowing ears 65 to engage the forward recesses 68 of hinge body 46. At this time, locking lug 72 is forced under catch 62 and wedged between catch 62 and the lower wall 74 which defines channel 30, as illustrated in FIG. 3. Thus, tongue 48 is coupled within retainer 32, but it is flexible enough to geniculate as panel 22 is raised to an open mode by latch hand 24; and it is capable at the same time of twisting along its axis to prevent any binding action from occurring.

The invention and its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description; and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof or sacrificing its material advantages, the arrangement hereinbefore described being merely by way of example; and we do not wish to be restricted to the specific form shown or uses mentioned, except as defined in the accompanying claims.