Latching and Switch Operating System for a Convertible Roof

The invention relates generally to automotive convertible roofs and specifically to a latching and switch operating system for an automotive vehicle convertible roof.

It is common to employ a variety of latches to retain a convertible roof to a front header panel and tonneau cover of an automotive vehicle. The front header panel is a structural member extending crosscar above a windshield. The tonneau cover is a rigid member which pivotably covers a boot well between a rear seat and a trunk. Such conventional latches are often provided near the outboard corners of the front header and tonneau cover, and may either be moved by one or more manual handles, a central hydraulic unit or an electric motor. Examples of such constructions are disclosed within the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,301,987 entitled "Convertible Top Stack Latch" which issued to Tokarz et al. on Apr. 12, 1994; 5,085,483 entitled "Convertible Top Latching Mechanism" which issued to Alexander on Feb. 4, 1992; 5,042,869 entitled "Latching Arrangement for a Motor Vehicle Top" which issued to Brin on Aug. 27, 1991; 3,425,742 entitled "Locking Means for Locking the Top of a Convertible Automobile" which issued Rauber on Feb. 4, 1969; 2,916,327 entitled "Power Operated Convertible Top Header Latch" which issued to Gilson on Dec. 8, 1959; 2,785,914 entitled "Locking Mechanism for Convertible Top" which issued to Thomas et al. on Mar. 19, 1957; 2,709,621 entitled "Convertible Top Header Lacking Mechanism" which issued to Votypka et al. on May 31, 1955; and, 2,360,524 entitled "Latch for Convertible Automobile Top" which issued to Simpson on Aug. 17, 1944. The disclosures of all these patents are incorporated by reference herewithin. The last six of the afore-referenced latching system patents appear difficult to operate, overly complicated, heavy, cumbersome to package, aesthetically displeasing and expensive to manufacture.

Furthermore, recent convertible roofs are remotely operable through use of a driver actuable, two-way rocker switch located on a center floor mounted console. Upon switch actuation, the convertible roof is raised or lowered by an electric motor or hydraulic actuated linkage system. However, these traditional roof actuation switches are operated independently from the front header latches. This has proven problematic when a vehicle driver depresses the roof opening switch without disengaging the convertible roof latches. When this occurs, the convertible roof driving motor attempts to retract the convertible roof without success which can lead to premature failure of the motor, linkage system, latches or fuses. Various parts may be loosened or destroyed by this incorrect operation. Even when parts are not damaged, this sequentially incorrect operation is annoying to the vehicle driver.

In accordance with the present invention, a preferred embodiment of a convertible roof latching system provides an actuator which moves a first latch toward a vehicle centerline and a second latch away from a vehicle centerline in order to engage their respective strikers. In another aspect of the present invention a pivotable handle is directly and mechanically coupled to the pair of latches. In a further aspect of the present invention, a handle of a switch operation system activates one or more switches which causes a convertible roof to be raised or lowered. In yet another aspect of the present invention, a front header mounted handle serves to operate a pair of switches which activate a pair of convertible roof latches.

The latching and switch operating system of the present invention is advantageous over traditional constructions since the present invention integrates activation of many different convertible roof functions into a single, multi-function, sequentially correct, driver accessible actuator. The present invention insures correct sequential operation of the latching and roof raising/lowering features through an easily accessible, simple to use and aesthetically pleasing device. Furthermore, the present invention is relatively inexpensive and easily packaged as compared to conventional systems. 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.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an automotive vehicle employing a preferred embodiment latching and switch operating system of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, as seen from behind and above the vehicle, showing a central portion of the preferred embodiment latching and switch operating system of the present invention of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the preferred embodiment latching and switch operating system of the present invention of the prior figures;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view, taken partly in section, showing the preferred embodiment latching and switch operating system of the present invention of the prior figures, disposed in an engaged and latched position;

FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view, taken partly in section, showing the preferred embodiment latching and switch operating system of the present invention of the prior figures, disposed in a disengaged and unlatched position;

FIG. 6 is a top elevational view showing the central portion of the preferred embodiment latching and switch operating system of the present invention of the prior figures, disposed in a vertical switch neutral position;

FIG. 7 is a top elevational view showing the central portion of the preferred embodiment latching and switch operating system of the present invention of the prior figures, disposed in a switch operating position;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view, taken partly in section, showing a handle of the preferred embodiment latching and switch operating system of the present invention of the prior figures, disposed in the vertical switch neutral position;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view, taken partly in section, showing the handle of the preferred embodiment latching and switch operating system of the present invention of the prior figures, disposed in the switch operating position;

FIG. 10 is a rear elevational view, with portions broken away therefrom, showing an alternate embodiment of the latching and switch operating system of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view, taken along line 11--11 of FIG. 4, showing an outboard portion of the preferred embodiment latching and switch operating system of the present invention of the prior figures, disposed in the engaged position;

FIG. 12 is a top elevational view showing the outboard portion of the preferred embodiment latching and switch operating system of the present invention of the prior figures, disposed in the disengaged position;

FIG. 13 is an electrical schematic diagram showing the preferred embodiment latching and switch operating system of FIGS. 1-9, 11 and 12; and

FIG. 14 is an electrical schematic diagram showing the alternate embodiment latching and switch operating system of the present invention of FIG. 10.

An automotive vehicle having a lowered or stowed convertible roof is shown in FIG. 1. A preferred embodiment of a latching and switch operating system 31 of the present invention is shown mounted below a front header structural member 33. Front header 33 is located above a windshield 35 and between a pair of A pillars. Latching and switch operating system 31 has a central portion 37 mounted along a centerline of the vehicle, and a pair of outboard portions 39 disposed adjacent to the crosscar corners of front header 33. The automotive vehicle further has a passenger compartment 41, a trunk compartment covered by a trunk lid 43, quarter panels 44 and a boot well covered by a pivotable tonneau cover 45. A fixed tulip panel between the trunk lid and tonneau cover may also be used. FIG. 11 illustrates a front header 33 constructed from a sheet steel header outer panel 51, header inner panel 53 and header inner frame 55. Convertible roof 57 can be constructed as a soft top variety wherein fabric is stretched between a plurality of foldable roof bows, or a hard top variety wherein rigid outer panels span between structural side rails and crosscar bows. Examples of such convertible roofs are described and shown in the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,161,852 entitled "Convertible Top With Improved Geometry" which issued to Alexander et al. on Nov. 10, 1992; 5,106,145 entitled "Convertible Stack System" which issued to Corder on Apr. 21, 1992; 4,720,133 entitled "Convertible Top Structure" which issued to Alexander et al. on Jan. 19, 1988; and, 2,007,873 entitled "Vehicle Body Top Capable of being Stowed Away" which issued to Paulin on Jul. 9, 1935; the disclosures of all these patents are incorporated by reference herewithin.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the preferred embodiment of central portion 37 of the present invention latching and switch operating system 31 includes a stamped steel bracket 61, a pair of switches 63 and 65, a handle actuator 67 and a latch linkage device 69. Bracket 61 is a two piece weldment being further defined by a header mounting plate 81, a switch mounting plate 83, an upturned structure 85, a handle guide plate or return flange 87 and an isolator support 89. Header mounting plate 81 is riveted or bolted to the lower surface of front header 33.

Handle 67 has a stepped passageway 101 running through a base 103 thereof. This can best be seen in FIGS. 3 and 8. A threaded bolt 105 extends through passageway 101 and is attached to upturned structure 85 of bracket 61. An injection molded plastic cap 121 aesthetically covers passageway 101. This arrangement allows handle 67 to pivot fore and aft between a forwardly pushed position (not shown), a vertically neutral position (FIG. 8) and a rearwardly pulled position (FIG. 9). Additionally, handle 67 can pivot in a crosscar manner about bolt 105 between a horizontally stowed latched position (FIG. 4) and the vertically neutral unlatched position (FIG. 5). A pair of beveled spring washers or a compression spring can alternately be positioned to surround a shank 109 of bolt 105 for compression between an internal shelf 111 of handle 67 and a washer 113 juxtapositioned beneath a bolt head 115.

Base 103 of handle 67 preferably has an orifice 151 within which fits an outwardly biased push button 153. Push button 153 is an injection molded plastic part which engages a T-shaped metallic locking pin 157. Locking pin 157 is biased by a compression spring 159 into an outwardly locking position whereby a tip thereof engages with an aperture 161 within bracket 61. These parts are best illustrated within FIG. 3. Depressing button 153 into handle 67 will cause locking pin 157 to retract from bracket 61 thereby allowing pivoting of handle 67. Handle 67 further has an elongated hand gripping segment 171 and a finger 173 extending opposite therefrom. Handle 67 is preferably injection molded from a high heat engineering grade plastic.

Switches 63 and 65 are preferably single pole, single throw off-the-shelf switches having a plastic housing 181, a plunger 183, a wire pigtail 185 and internally located conductive contacts (not shown). Such switches can be purchased from Burgess-Saia Inc. of Illinois or from Cherry Electrical Products Co. of Wisconsin. Each switch further has a spring steel arm 187 positioned adjacent to the inwardly movable plunger 183. Inward movement of plunger 183 closes the conductive contacts thereby completing an electrical circuit. Switches 63 and 65 are both screwed to switch mounting plate 83 of bracket 61. A stainless steel stamped armature 201 is rotatably riveted to switch mounting plate 83 of bracket 61 such that an offset section 203 having an elongated slot therein traps and moves with finger 173 when handle 67 is moved in the fore and aft direction. This is best illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. Rotation of armature 201 will thereby cause a projecting section 205 thereof to selectively depress arm 187 and plunger 183 of either switch 63 or 65. A forcated spring steel biasing member 207 is fastened upon return flange 87 of bracket 61 through use of shoulder rivets. Biasing member 207 engages a distal end of offset section 203 to assist armature 201, plunger 183 and handle 67 in returning back to their neutral and nonactivated positions. A T-shaped slot within return flange 87 further serves to guide finger 173 during movement.

Latch linkage device 69 preferably consists of an idler link 301 pivotably attached to handle 67 and a single elongated rod 303 pivotably attached to idler link 301. Shoulder rivets are used for these attachments. Idler link 301 is made from stamped, high strength steel and rod 303 is made from partially flattened, round stock, high strength steel. Rod 303 has a flattened medial portion 305 and flattened ends 307. A plastic yoke 309 fits within a cutout of isolator support 89 thereby defining a rod isolator. A portion of rod 303 rides within yoke 309. Yoke 309 serves to discourage undesired bending deformation of rod 303 upon pushing of a portion thereof. Alternately, the isolator may be a separately constructed part from bracket 61 such that it can be remotely positioned. Linkage device 69 can alternately be replaced with other mechanical coupling means such as a handle directly connected to a single rod, multiple linkages and rods, a rack and pinion mechanism, one or more cables, a set of gears, a bellcrank and linkage mechanism, sprockets and chains, belts, or the like.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-5, 11 and 12, the preferred embodiment of outboard portion 39 of the present invention latching and switch operating system 31 is comprised of a first latch 401 and a second latch 403, each of which are captured by a retainer 405. Retainer 405 is preferably an injection molded high temperature, engineering grade plastic piece that is bolted to the lower portion of front header 33. Each latch 401 and 403 has an outboard body segment 411 and an inboard body segment 413 with a uniformly square cross sectional shape and a taper 415 on a distal end thereof. Each latch 401 and 403 has a flat 417 on a proximal inboard end thereof for fastening to the corresponding flat 307 of rod 303 by shoulder bolts. Latch 401 has a declining engagement surface 431 with a leading segment 433 pointing toward the vehicle centerline. A notched away segment 435 is longitudinally disposed between leading segment 433 and inboard body segment 413. Latch 403 has a declining engaging surface 441 and a leading segment 443 pointing away from the vehicle centerline such that a notched away segment 445 is located between leading segment 443 and outboard body segment 411. Each outboard body segment 411 further has a backdraft ramp or interlock surface 447 that provides an engaged interlock with strikers 451.

A pair of metallic strikers 451 are mounted to a front roof bow of convertible roof 57. Each striker 451 has a substantially horizontal catch 453 accessible in a crosscar direction. Strikers 451 are insertable through openings 501 of retainer 405 and through notched away segments 435 and 445 of their respective latches 401 and 403 when handle 67 is pivoted to its vertical unlatched position so that latches are linearly slid to their disengaged positions (see FIGS. 5 and 12). After strikers 451 have been inserted, handle 67 is then pivoted back to its stowed and latched position such that latch 401 is pulled to its engaged position and latch 403 is pushed to its engaged position. When moved toward their engaged positions, engagement surfaces 431 and 441 pull down and secure catch 453 of each striker 451 securely to front header 33. Catches 453 are interlocked along surfaces 447 when latches 401 and 403 are in their fully engaged positions. Of course, the latching and switch operating system of the present invention can be alternately mounted upon the convertible roof with the strikers extending upward or rearward from the front header. Also, the handle can be located in a remote location such as a floor center console or the like wherein the latches can be pushed and pulled through a somewhat flexible cable system. Furthermore, the latches may be located below a pivotable or slidable rigid tonneau cover, trunk lid, stationary tulip panel or quarter panels for engagement with strikers projecting from a five bow or rear hard-top roof section.

A garnish molding 601, illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 11, serves to aesthetically cover the center and outboard portions of the present invention latching and switch operating system 31. This garnish molding 601 can be retained to header 33 through various known techniques such as plastic Christmas tree fasteners, screws or metal clips. Garnish molding 601 further has a recessed pocket 603 within which handle 67 is stowed. This provides an aesthetically attractive flush appearance between handle 67 and garnish molding 601.

Referring now to FIGS. 6, 7 and 14, rearward pulling of gripping portion of handle 67 in a fore and aft vertical manner causes finger 173 to push offset section 203 of armature 201, which in turn rotates projecting segment 205 to depress arm 187 and plunger 183 of switch 65. Switch 65 then allows electrical current to flow from a full time power supply 502 to a normally open relay 503. Relay 503 is then closed thereby allowing current from a secondary power circuit to travel through a double pole, double throw bypass switch 505 and then onto a pair of electromechanical motors 507. Electromechanical motors 507 are symmetrically mounted within the quarter panels to drive a top stack driving mechanism to a retracted and stowed position below the tonneau cover in the boot well. Hydraulic actuation may be used instead of the motors. The top stack driving mechanism consists of balance links, sector gears, rear roof rails or the like. Alternately, when handle 67 is forwardly pushed in a fore and aft manner, finger 173 causes armature 201 to depress the arm and plunger of switch 63. This provides a reversal of electric current or polarity to motors 507 such that the convertible roof is moved to its raised position covering the passenger compartment.

An alternate embodiment of the present invention latching and switch operating system is illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 14. In this alternate embodiment, handle 67 operates a pair of switches 701 and 703 through movement in a crosscar pivoting manner. Switches 701 and 703 control one centrally mounted motor 705 (FIG. 10), a pair of latch actuating motors remotely located on the front header, and/or a pair of latch motors remotely located on the tonneau cover. The switches connected to the top stack driving motors or pump previously described with the preferred embodiment can also be incorporated herewith. Of course, a single switch and position sensing potentiometers or the like may operably activate and control engaging and disengaging movement of a pair of latches whether located on the header or tonneau cover. Similarly, a single switch and potentiometers can activate and control raising and lowering movement of the convertible roof.

While the preferred embodiment of this latching and switch operating system has been disclosed, it will be appreciated that various modifications may be made without departing from the present invention. For example, the convertible roof driving electromagnetic devices and/or the latch electromechanical activating devices may be switched on and off through use of various other handle position sensing devices such as single or multiple potentiometers, rheostats, programmed microprocessors, capacitive sensors, magnetic sensors, piezo-electric sensors, or the like. Furthermore, an electric motor actuator or solenoid actuator can replace the disclosed handle actuator when employed in combination with the present invention latch linkage device or latches. Differing electrical circuits and control systems can also be employed to operate the previously disclosed electromechanical devices. These electromechanical devices may further consist of solenoids, electromagnets, etc. The shapes and interactions between the latches and strikers may be varied. For example, the pivoting handle and single rod coupled thereto may serve to rotate a pair of hook-like latches. The engagement surfaces of the latches may also have other hook-like or rounded configurations thereto. Additionally, the handle may slide rather than pivot in a crosscar manner. Moreover, any combination of the previously disclosed alternate constructions may be combined together. Various materials have been disclosed in an exemplary fashion, however, other materials may of course be employed. 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.