VACUUM BLOCKER

• US 20150246605A1
• Filed: 03/02/2015
• Published: 09/03/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2014
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Cliff R. Reitzloff, Richard M. Kleinhoffer
• Original Assignee: Cliff R. Reitzloff, Richard M. Kleinhoffer
• Inventors: Reitzloff, Cliff R., Kleinhoffer, Richard M.
• Application Number:
  US14/635,414
• Publication Number:
  US 20150246605A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/24 having tubular parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/27 having projections, grooves or channels in the longitudinal direction for separately inserted fastening means, e.g. beads or strips, B60J10/36
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/30 characterised by the fastening means
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/32 using integral U-shaped retainers
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/40 characterised by contact between two or more cooperating sealing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/82 for movable panels in roofs
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 10/90 specially adapted for non-fixed roofs, e.g. foldable roofs or removable hard-tops
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/0046 side blind between roof and panel in vent mode
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/061 sliding and folding
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/12 foldable; Tensioning mechanisms therefor, e.g. struts B60J7/10, B60J7/20 take precedence

Abstract

A vacuum blocker for a movable roof panel is provided and moves between an open position and a closed position and between a seated position and a lifted position when in the closed position relative to an opening formed in a fixed roof panel of a vehicle. A seal member is supported by the fixed roof panel and forms a first seal at a junction of the fixed roof panel and the movable roof panel when the movable roof panel is in the seated position. A flap extends between the seal member and the movable roof panel and forms a second seal at a junction of the seal member and the movable roof panel when the movable roof panel is in the closed position and is moved from the seated position to the lifted position.

Claims

1. A vacuum blocker for a movable roof panel movable between an open position and a closed position and between a seated position and a lifted position when in the closed position relative to an opening formed in a fixed roof panel of a vehicle, the vacuum blocker comprising:

a seal member supported by the fixed roof panel and operable to form a first seal at a junction of the fixed roof panel and the movable roof panel when the movable roof panel is in the seated position; and

a flap extending between said seal member and the movable roof panel and operable to form a second seal at a junction of said seal member and the movable roof panel when the movable roof panel is in the closed position and is moved from the seated position to the lifted position, said flap moving under fluid pressure in response to movement of the movable roof panel from the seated position to the lifted position to maintain said second seal throughout a range of movement of the movable roof panel from the seated position to the lifted position.

2. The vacuum blocker of claim 1, wherein said flap is fixed for movement with the movable panel.

3. The vacuum blocker of claim 2, wherein said flap extends down from the movable panel and includes a sealing surface in contact with said seal member.

4. The vacuum blocker of claim 3, wherein said sealing surface is in contact with said seal member throughout said range of movement of the movable roof panel from the seated position to the lifted position and slides along said seal member when the movable roof panel is moved between the seated position and the lifted position.

5. The vacuum blocker of claim 1, wherein said flap is in contact with said seal member and the movable roof panel when the movable roof panel is in the seated position, said flap being compressed between said seal member and the movable roof panel when the movable roof panel is in the seated position.

6. The vacuum blocker of claim 1, wherein said flap is urged into engagement with the movable roof panel by said seal member when the movable roof panel is in the seated position.

7. The vacuum blocker of claim 1, wherein said flap is attached to the movable roof panel by a binding member, said binding member disposed at an outboard edge of the movable roof panel.

8. The vacuum blocker of claim 1, wherein said flap is fixed for movement with said seal member.

9. The vacuum blocker of claim 8, wherein said flap includes a sealing surface in contact with the movable roof panel throughout said range of movement of the movable roof panel from the seated position to the lifted position and slides along the movable roof panel when the movable roof panel is moved between the seated position and the lifted position.

10. The vacuum blocker of claim 8, wherein said flap is formed from a flexible material that biases said flap into engagement with the movable roof panel.

11. The vacuum blocker of claim 10, wherein said flap is integrally formed with and extends from said seal member.

12. The vacuum blocker of claim 11, wherein said flap extends from said seal member toward the movable roof panel.

17. The vehicle of claim 1, wherein said flap is fixed for movement with said seal member.

18. The vehicle of claim 17, wherein said flap includes a sealing surface in contact with the movable roof panel throughout said range of movement of the movable roof panel from the seated position to the lifted position and slides along the movable roof panel when the movable roof panel is moved between the seated position and the lifted position.

19. The vehicle of claim 17, wherein said flap is formed from a flexible material that biases said flap into engagement with the movable roof panel.

20. The vehicle of claim 19, wherein said flap is integrally formed with and extends from said seal member toward the movable roof panel.

13. A vehicle comprising:

a fixed roof panel having an opening;

a movable roof panel movable between an open position and a closed position and between a seated position and a lifted position when in the closed position relative to said opening;

a seal member supported by said fixed roof panel and operable to form a first seal at a junction of said fixed roof panel and said movable roof panel when said movable roof panel is in said seated position; and

a flap extending between said seal member and said movable roof panel and operable to form a second seal at a junction of said seal member and said movable roof panel when said movable roof panel is in said closed position and is moved from said seated position to said lifted position, said flap moving under fluid pressure in response to movement of said movable roof panel from said seated position to said lifted position to maintain said second seal throughout a range of movement of said movable roof panel from said seated position to said lifted position.

14. The vehicle of claim 13, wherein said flap is fixed for movement with said movable panel.

15. The vehicle of claim 14, wherein said flap extends down from said movable panel and includes a sealing surface in contact with said seal member.

16. The vehicle of claim 15, wherein said sealing surface is in contact with said seal member throughout said range of movement of said movable roof panel from said seated position to said lifted position and slides along said seal member when said movable roof panel is moved between said seated position and said lifted position.