Transparent vehicle roof with arrangement for receiving articles

• US 7,097,225 B2
• Filed: 08/26/2003
• Issued: 08/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Original Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Gort, Dale, Huisingh, Jack
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Kiran B.
• Application Number:
  US10/520,319
• Publication Number:
  US 20050258663A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,099 Days
• Field of Search: 296/37.7, 296/37.8, 296/210, 296/215, 224/309, 224/310, 224/311
• US Class Current: 296/37.7
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/00 Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0028 Ceiling, e.g. roof rails
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0059 using clips, clamps, straps or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0061 using key-type connections
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0071 using latches, clips, clamps, straps or the like
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0073 using key-type connections
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0084 with adjustment by linear movement in their operational position
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 7/04 in driver or passenger space , e.g. using racks B60R7/005, B60R7/08 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 21/17 forming fluid or electrical conduit means or having other means to accommodate the transmission of a force or signal
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 25/06 Fixed roofs non-fixed roofs or like shelters B60J7/00; roof liners B60R13/02; insulating elements B60R13/08

Abstract

An overhead system for a vehicle includes a generally transparent panel covering a portion of the roof area of the vehicle, and at least one elongated member coupled to at least one of the generally transparent panel and a structural portion of the vehicle. A system for attaching articles to an overhead portion of an interior of a vehicle includes a generally transparent panel covering a portion of a roof of the vehicle, with at least one elongated member engaging the generally transparent panel, and at least one article adapted for mounting to the elongated member.

Claims

1. An overhead system for a vehicle, comprising:

a substantially transparent panel adapted to cover a portion of a roof area of the vehicle;

at least one elongated member adapted to couple to at least one of the substantially transparent panel and a structural portion of the vehicle;

wherein the elongated member is configured to receive at least one article for use within the vehicle.

2. The overhead system of claim 1 wherein the elongated member is coupled to the substantially transparent panel and to the structural portion of the vehicle.

3. The overhead system of claim 1 wherein the substantially transparent panel is adapted to cover substantially all of the roof portion of the vehicle.

4. The overhead system of claim 1 wherein the substantially transparent panel comprises a shielded section configured to at least partially conceal the presence of the elongated member.

5. The overhead system of claim 1 wherein the elongated member is at least partially conductive for transmission of electricity.

6. The overhead system of claim 1 wherein the elongated member comprises a passageway for routing utility carriers to the article.

7. The overhead system of claim 1 wherein the substantially transparent panel is formed in a shape having a contour and the elongated member is formed having a profile adapted to fit the contour.

8. The overhead system of claim 1 wherein the elongated member comprises a recess adapted to receive a fastener provided on the article for releasably securing the article to the elongated member.

9. The overhead system of claim 1 wherein the elongated member includes an interlock to permit placement of articles on the elongated members only at certain predetermined locations.

10. The overhead system of claim 1 wherein the substantially transparent panel includes at least one of a photochromic, an electrochomic and an eletrochemochromic light filtration device.

11. The overhead system of claim 1 wherein the substantially transparent panel comprises a portion that is capable of opening.

12. The overhead system of claim 1 wherein the substantially transparent panel is removable.

13. The overhead system of claim 1 further comprising a trim piece interfacing with the substantially transparent panel and the elongated member.

14. The overhead system of claim 1 wherein the elongated members are a multi-piece structure.

15. The overhead system of claim 1 wherein the elongated members are removably attached to the vehicle by a quick-disconnect device.

16. The overhead system of claim 1 wherein the elongated member comprises a plurality of apertures configured for engagement with at least one projection coupled to the article.