Closure mechanism for the tops of vehicles

• US 6,213,534 B1
• Filed: 06/15/1999
• Issued: 04/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: EDAG GmbH & Company KGaA (ATON GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Dura Convertible Systems GmbH
• Inventors: Mac Farland, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Pedder, Dennis H.
• Application Number:
  US09/333,370
• Time in Patent Office: 665 Days
• Field of Search: 296/121, 292/DIG.5, 292/341.15, 292/341.16, 292/33
• US Class Current: 296/121
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/1851 for locking the foldable soft- or hard-top to the windshield header
• CPC Class Codes: E05B 51/02 by pneumatic or hydraulic means E05B17/0029 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 292/05 Automobile top latches
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/0836 Operating means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 292/699 Motor controlled

Abstract

The present invention relates to a locking device for motor vehicle folding tops with a first connecting device (3) which, for the fixing of the folding top (9) to the motor vehicle, has a first closing mechanism with at least one second connecting device (5), which is positioned at an interval from the first connecting device (3) and a plug-like element (7), as well as a guiding element (85) suitable for the mounting of the plug-like element (7). The locking device is distinguished through the fact that the second connecting device (5) has a connecting device for the temporary locking of the plug-like element in the guiding element, and that the second locking device is connected with the closing mechanism in such a manner that, upon the fixing of the first closing mechanism into its closing position, the locking of the plug-like element (7) takes place at the same time.

Claims

1. A locking device for motor vehicle folding tops with a first connecting device, which for the fixing of a folding top to the motor vehicle, has a first locking mechanism comprising:

at least one second connecting device, that is positioned at a distance from the first connecting device, having a plug-like element and a guiding element which is suitable for a mounting unit of the plug-like element;

wherein the second connecting device has a locking device for the temporary locking of the plug-like element in the guiding element and is connected with a closing mechanism in such a manner that, upon the fixing of the closing mechanism into its closed position, the locking of the plug-like element is carried out at the same time; and

wherein the second connecting device has a tubular locking body which, by means of an activation device, can be moved into a locking or releasing position of the plug-like element.

2. A locking device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that, two second connecting devices (5) are provided.

3. A locking device in accordance with claim 2, characterized in that, the two second connecting devices (5) are positioned at essentially the same distance from the first connecting device (3).

4. A locking device in accordance with one of the claim 1, characterized in that, the locking of the plug-like element (7) is controlled by pneumatic means.

5. A locking device in accordance with one of the claim 1, characterized in that, the locking of the plug-like element (7) is controlled by hydraulic means.

6. A locking device in accordance with one of the claim 1, characterized in that, the guiding element (17) is constructed in a tubular manner and has an internal annular space, in which an at least partially flexible ring device (25) is positioned, which at least partially encircles one section (15) of the plug-like element (7), if this is inserted into the guiding element (17) and a fluid or gaseous medium is placed in the interior of the ring device (25), which medium produces, through pressure stressing a locking of the section of the plug-like element (7).

7. A locking device in accordance with one of the claim 1, characterized in that, a channel (27) filled with a medium is provided between the first connecting device (3) and the at least one second connecting device (5), and the control of the locking of the plug-like element (7) is carried out by means of pressure stressing by means of the first connecting device (3).

8. A locking device in accordance with claim 7, characterized in that, the channel (27) is positioned inside the wind cowl (65) of the motor vehicle.

9. A locking device in accordance with claim 7, characterized in that, the pressure stressing is carried out by means of a pressure element (57), which can be activated by the first connecting device (3).

10. A locking device in accordance with claim 9, characterized in that, the pressure element (57) is a plug which can be pressed against the channel (27) and can be activated by means of a lever mechanism (37;

51, 53, 55) of the first connecting device (3).

11. A locking device in accordance with one of the claim 1, characterized in that, the first connecting device is positioned on the forward transverse support unit (11) of the motor vehicle folding top (9).

12. A locking device in accordance with one of the claim 1, characterized in that, the first connecting device (3) has a lever mechanism with an activation lever (37), a locking hook (37) connected with the same, and a movement lever (51, 53) for a pressure element.

13. A locking device in accordance with one of the claim 1, characterized in that, the first connecting device (3) is positioned on the wind cowl (65) of the motor vehicle.

14. A locking device in accordance with claim 13, characterized in that, the first connecting device (3) has a clamp-like hooking device (77) which, by means of rotating, engages with a plug (75) on the folding top and locks in a locking position.

15. A locking device in accordance with claim 14, characterized in that, the rotation of the hooking device (77) into the locking position can be controlled by means of an adjusting cylindrial device (95).

16. A locking device in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that, the activating device is a rod (96) which is linked with the locking body (89) by way of an activating device (97).

17. A locking device in accordance with claim 16, characterized in that, the activation of the rod (96) of the locking bodies (89) can be moved into a locking position or a detaching position by translatory means.