Switch for a convertible top control

• US 5,140,112 A
• Filed: 01/17/1991
• Issued: 08/18/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 01/19/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dr. Ing. H.C.F. Porsche Ag
• Original Assignee: Dr. Ing. H.C.F. Porsche Ag
• Inventors: Ritter, Bernhard
• Primary Examiner(s): Scott, J. R.
• Application Number:
  US07/642,426
• Time in Patent Office: 579 Days
• Field of Search: 200/52 R, 200/61.58 R, 200/61.85, 200/61.87, 200/61.88, 200/61.89, 200/61.9, 307/10.4
• US Class Current: 200/61.58R
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 16/005 Electro-mechanical devices, e.g. switched electric switches in general H01H
• CPC Class Codes: B60T 7/08 hand actuated

Abstract

Switching apparatus including a switch is used for the control of a power-assisted convertible top of a motor vehicle which can be swivelled from a closed position into an opened position. For reasons of safety, the switch is disposed so that it can be used only when the motor vehicle is not moving. In preferred embodiments, the switch is disposed in a recess which is accessible only when a vehicle brake lever is in a brake engaged position.

Claims

1. Apparatus for controlling operation of a power-assisted convertible top of a motor vehicle which can be moved between a closed position and an opened position, said apparatus comprising:

manually actuatable switch means for causing said power assisted convertible top to move between said open and closed positions; and

means for preventing actuation of said switching means when said vehicle is in motion.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said switch means is arranged on a hand brake in such a manner that it is accessible only when the hand brake is engaged.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said switch means is mounted on a control stick part of the hand brake, the switch being disposed in a zone of the control stick part which projects out of a covering housing only when the hand brake is engaged.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said switch means is a rocker switch which, is disposed at least in part in a recess in the control stick part.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said switch means is mounted on a side of the control stick part facing the driver of the vehicle.

6. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said switch means is mounted on a side of the stick part facing away from the driver of the vehicle.

7. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said switch means is mounted on a side of the control stick part facing the driver of the vehicle.

8. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said switch means is mounted on a side of the stick part facing away from the driver of the vehicle.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for preventing actuation comprises means for blocking physical access to said switch means when said vehicle is in motion.