GB2156902A

GB2156902A - Sunroof handle

Info

Publication number: GB2156902A
Application number: GB08502584A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Dennis Bradley
Original assignee: Arrowin Ltd
Current assignee: Arrowin Ltd
Priority date: 1984-02-01
Filing date: 1985-02-01
Publication date: 1985-10-16
Also published as: GB2156902B; GB8402619D0; GB8502584D0

Abstract

First links (9) pivotally connected to a glass panel (2) of the sunroof and second links (7) pivotally connected to the sunroof frame (3) are pivotally connected to one another and detent means is provided at the pivot point between the first and second links to enable the links (7, 9) to be held relative to one another in a plurality of angular positions. This enables the panel (3) to be opened to any one of a corresponding number of intermediate positions between the fully opened and fully closed positions. Protrusion 14 on link 7 engages in recess 15 on link 9, spring 17 urging mating surfaces of 14, 15 together, and the mating surfaces being provided with interengaging teeth (not shown) to provide the detent means. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Sunroof handle The present invention relates to vehicle sun roofs and, more particularly, to opening handles for such sunroofs.

In recent years a new type of sunroof, comprising a removable glass panel, has become popular. This type of sunroof comprises a generally rectangular toughened glass panel which is hinged in a surrounding frame and which can be opened at its side opposite the hinges only to a limited extent sufficient to allow fresh air to enter the vehicle. The degree of opening is governed by a link-type handle which connects the glass panel to its frame and which is movable between a closed position in which the link handle holds the glass securely against a sealing strip in the frame and an open position in which the glass is lifted clear from the frame at that side. Often the handle has a sliding bolt or the like which enables it to disengage from the frame and the hinges comprise slidably disengageable portions on the glass and frame respectively.Thus, if desired, the glass panel can be removed, for storage in the vehicles boot for example, but in normal use the sunroof can only be opened to a predetermined extent.

A disadvantage with this type of sunroof is that there are normally only three positions of operations, i.e. closed, fully open, or panel completely removed. In certain conditions it would be desirable for the panel to be opened to an intermediate position between closed and fully open.

To meet this requirement and in accordance with the present invention therefore a handle for a vehicle sunroof of the type comprising a glass panel hinged in a surrounding frame, comprises a first link for pivotal connection to the glass panel, a second link for pivotal connection to the frame, the first and second links being pivotally connected to one another, and detent means located at or adjacent the pivot point between the two links so as to enable the links to be held relative to one another in any one of a plurality of angular positions to allow the panels to be opened to any one of a corresponding number of intermediate positions between fully closed and fully open.

Preferably, opposing surfaces on the first and second links immediately surrounding the pivot axis of the pivot between the link are formed with a plurality of cooperating teeth which can engage with one another in any one of a number of positions. Preferably, the teeth are formed along lines radial to the pivot axis and have a shallow substantially V-shape in cross-section so that they are able to slide over one another. They can be held in the desired position by means biasing the opposed teeth into engagement with one another, rotation of the links relative to one another being achievable only by overcoming the biasing force tending to hold the teeth in a given engaged position.

The biasing means preferably comprises a helical compression spring which may be located in a recess formed in one of the links on a side opposite the other of the links and acting between the one link and a washer held under the head of a pivot pin connecting the two links.

Each of the first and second links may be one of a pair of links,nne disposed on each side of the handle.

One example of a handle constructed in accordance with the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is an underneath plan view of a sunroof incorporating a handle according to the invention; Figs. 2A and 2B are cross-sectional views through the handle showing it in a closed and an open position; Fig. 3 is a cross-section through the pivot between the first and second links forming the handle; and, Figs. 4A and 4B illustrate the form of the detents between the first and second links.

Asunroof 1 comprises a toughened glass panel 2 disposed in a surrounding frame 3 which can be attached in an aperture in a vehicle roof. On the underside of the sunroof on one elongate side, is located a handle 4 and on the other side a pair of hinges 5. The hinges 5 are of a conventional type allowing removal of the panel from the frame as does the handle 4 which, for this purpose, comprises a pair of lock buttons 6 which are arranged to lease the handle from the frame 3. As the lock buttons 6 do not form any part of this invention they will not be further described.

It can be seen that the handle 4 is generally rectangular so as to provide a person operating the handle with a secure grip. As seen in Figs. 2A and 2B the handle 4 has a pair of first links 7 which are formed as integral parts of handle member 10 (see Fig. 1) and which are pivotally attached to mounting brackets 8 on the glass panel 2. A pair of second links 9 are pivotally connected to the first links 7 and also to pivot blocks 11' mounted on the frame member 11 of the sunroof. A trim frame 11" closes the underside of the frame member 11. In the closed position of the sunroof the glass panel 2 is held firmly against a sealing strip 12 located in a recess in the frame.

The pivotal connection between the links 7 and the links 9 comprises a pair of pivot pins 13 which each extend through portions of respective adjacent ones of the links 7,9. The links 7 are formed with circular protrusions 14 which engage in corresponding circular recesses 15 formed in the links 9 substantially coaxial with the pin 13. The opposing surfaces of the protrusions 14 and recesses 15 each comprise of series of radial teeth 16 which have a shallow V-shaped section. The teeth are engageable in a plurality of positions to define relative angular positions between the links 7 and the links 9 and the teeth are slidable over one another to move from one engaged position to another.In order to bias the teeth into engaement with one another a helical coil spring 17 is located in a recess 18 on the side of each link 9 opposite the recess 15, the coil spring 17 surrounding the pivot pin 13 and engaging between the bottom of the recess 18 and the enlarged head 19 of the pivot pin 13. A cap 20 closes the recess 18 to provide a neat finish. Although only one of the pivotal connections is shown in Fig. 3 the other is a mirror image of it and the springs 17 thus tend to bias each link 9 towards its respective link 7, thus biasing the teeth on the protrusion 14 and in the recess 15 into engagement.

It will be appreciated that moving the links 7 and 9 pivotally relative to one another enables the degree of opening of the panel 2 to be varied, the detents formed by the teeth 16 providing that the panel can be held in a number of partially opened positions intermediate a fully closed and a fully opened position.

Claims

1. A handle for a vehicle sunroof of the type comprising a glass panel hinged in a surrounding frame, the handle comprising a first link for pivotal connection to the glass panel; a second link for pivotal connection to the frame; the first and second links being pivotally connected to one another; and detent means located at the pivot point between the first and second links to enable the links to be held relative to one another in any one of a plurality of angular positions thereby to allowthe panel to be opened to any one of a corresponding number of intermediate positions between a fully open and a fully closed position.

2. A handle according to claim 1, wherein the detent means comprises a pair of opposed surfaces on the first and second links respectively, the surfaces being disposed immediately surrounding the pivot axis of the links, the opposed surfaces being formed with a plurality of cooperating teeth, for engagement with one another in any one of a plurality of positions.

3. A handle according to claim 2, wherein the teeth are formed along lines radial to the pivot axis.

4. A handle according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the teeth have a substantially V-shaped cross-section.

5. A handle according to any of claims 2 to 4, further comprising means biasing the opposed surfaces into engagement with one another whereby rotation of the links relative to one another can be achieved only by overcoming the biasing force provided by the biasing means.

6. A handle according to claim 5, wherein the biasing means comprises a helical compression spring.

7. A handle according to claim 6, further comprising a recess formed in one of the links on a side of the link opposite the other link, the biasing means comprising a compression spring located in the recess; a pivot pin connecting the two links; the pivot pin having a head and a washer located under the head; and the spring acting between the one link and the washer.

8. A handle according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second links comprises one of a pair of such links, one of each of the first and second links being disposed on each side of the handle.

9. A handle for a vehicle sunroof substantially as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.