Convertible station wagon roof

• US 4,063,774 A
• Filed: 08/24/1976
• Issued: 12/20/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: George L. Hanks
• Original Assignee: George L. Hanks
• Inventors: Hanks, George L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Goodman, Philip
• Application Number:
  US05/717,227
• Time in Patent Office: 483 Days
• Field of Search: 296/137 E, 296/137 G, 224/42.1 G
• US Class Current: 296/216.04
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/041 for utility vehicles, e.g. with slidable and foldable rigid panels
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 9/045 Carriers being adjustable or transformable, e.g. expansible, collapsible transformable into tents B60P3/36; into beds B60P3/38

Abstract

A convertible roof for a station wagon that has a hatch adapted to form part of the roof for sliding movement in a substantially horizontal plane between an open and closed position relative to the stationary roof portion thereof. Mounting means provides sliding engagement for the hatch relative to the stationary roof between the closed position in which the hatch extends outwardly from the stationary roof to cover the opening extending through the convertible roof to the open position in which the hatch is contained within a recess in the stationary roof. Handle means is connected to and extends outwardly from the hatch to be gripped by the user to facilitate sliding movement of the hatch between the closed and open positions, and a roof rack is mounted between the stationary roof portion and the hatch and adapted to be movable between extended and retracted positions in conjunction with the movement of the hatch.

Claims

1. A convertible roof for a station wagon, comprising:

a. a hatch adapted to form part of the roof of a station wagon for sliding movement in a substantially horizontal plane between an open and closed position relative to the stationary roof portion thereof,

b. mounting means to provide sliding engagement for said hatch relative to said stationary roof between the closed position in which said hatch extends outwardly from said stationary roof to cover the opening extending through the convertible roof to the open position in which said hatch is contained within a recess in said stationary roof,

c. handle means connected to and extending outwardly from said hatch to be gripped by the user to facilitate sliding movement of said hatch between the closed and open positions, and

d. a roof rack mounted between said stationary roof portion and said hatch and adapted to be movable between extended and retracted positions in conjunction with the movement of said hatch.

2. A convertible roof for a station wagon as in claim 1, wherein said roof rack includes:

a. a pair of vertically extending posts mounted at substantially one end of said hatch,

b. means for coupling said posts together,

c. a pair of vertically extending front supports mounted at substantially the front end of said stationary roof in substantial alignment with said posts,

d. means for connecting said front supports together,

e. a pair of rear vertically extending supports mounted at substantially the rear end of said stationary roof in substantial alignment with said front supports and said posts,

f. a pair of rack members each connected in spaced apart relationship to each other and mounted between said front supports and said rear supports extending in a substantially horizontal plane, and

g. hatch members having one end connected to each of said posts and the opposite end thereof in telescopic relationship to said rack members and longitudinally adjustable relative thereto, such that the length of said roof rack is automatically adjustable with the opening and closing of said hatch.

3. A convertible roof for a station wagon as in claim 2, and further including means for releasably connecting said rack members to said hatch members at adjusted lengths of said rack.

4. A convertible roof for a station wagon as in claim 3, wherein said releasably connecting means includes a member for bridging between and interconnecting said rack members to said hatch members.

5. A convertible roof for a station wagon as in claim 4, wherein said bridging member is movable between extended and retracted positions, in extended position bridging the adjacent free ends of said rack members and said hatch members for interconnecting the latter, said bridging member, in the retracted position, being disposed inwardly of said rack members and out of bridging relation with said hatch members.

6. A convertible roof for a station wagon as in claim 2, and further including:

a. a base at the lower end of each said post for connection to said hatch, and

b. a flange at the lower end of each said front and said rear supports for connection to said stationary roof.

7. A convertible roof for a station wagon as in claim 1, wherein said mounting means includes a well in said stationary roof extending in a substantially horizontal plane and adapted to receive therein said hatch in the open position of the convertible roof.

8. A convertible roof for a station wagon as in claim 7, and further including rollers mounted on each side of the hatch for rolling engagement within the well to facilitate movement of the hatch relative to said stationary roof.

9. A convertible roof for a station wagon as in claim 1, wherein said roof rack includes:

a. a pair of vertically extending posts mounted at substantially one end of said hatch,

b. means for coupling said posts together,

c. a pair of vertically extending front supports mounted at substantially the front end of said stationary roof in substantial alignment with said posts,

d. means for connecting said front supports together,

e. a pair of rear vertically extending supports mounted at substantially the rear end of said stationary roof in substantial alignment with said rear supports and said posts with said rack members,

f. a pair of rack members each connected in spaced apart relationship to each other and mounted between said front supports and said rear supports extending in a substantially horizontal plane,

g. hatch members having one end connected to each of said posts and the opposite end thereof in telescopic relationship to said rack members and longitudinally adjustable relative thereto, such that the length of said roof rack is automatically adjustable with the opening and closing of said hatch,

h. a base at the lower end of each said post for connection to said hatch,

i. a flange at the lower end of each said front and said rear supports for connection to said stationary roof, and

j. means for releasably connecting said rack members to said hatch members at adjusted lengths of said rack.

10. A convertible roof for a station wagon as in claim 9,

a. wherein said releasably connecting means includes a member for bridging between and interconnecting said rack members to said hatch members,

b. wherein said bridging member is movable between extended and retracted positions, in extended position bridging the adjacent free ends of said rack members and said hatch members for interconnecting the latter, said bridging member, in the retracted position, being disposed inwardly of said rack members and out of bridging relation with said hatch members,

c. wherein said mounting means includes a well in said stationary roof extending in a substantially horizontal plane and adapted to receive therein said hatch in the open position of the convertible roof, and

d. further including rollers mounted on each side of the hatch for rolling engagement within the well to facilitate movement of the hatch relative to said stationary roof.