US20010003400A1 - Roof module for motor vehicles - Google Patents
Roof module for motor vehicles Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20010003400A1 US20010003400A1 US09/729,620 US72962000A US2001003400A1 US 20010003400 A1 US20010003400 A1 US 20010003400A1 US 72962000 A US72962000 A US 72962000A US 2001003400 A1 US2001003400 A1 US 2001003400A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- roof module
- bearing
- inner shell
- handholds
- fixing screws
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D29/00—Superstructures, understructures, or sub-units thereof, characterised by the material thereof
- B62D29/04—Superstructures, understructures, or sub-units thereof, characterised by the material thereof predominantly of synthetic material
- B62D29/043—Superstructures
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D25/00—Superstructure or monocoque structure sub-units; Parts or details thereof not otherwise provided for
- B62D25/06—Fixed roofs
Definitions
- the invention concerns a roof module for motor vehicles.
- roof modules the functional elements of which are pre-assembled on the inner shell of the roof module.
- the bendable down lower layer of the inner shell is furnished with pre-assembled functional elements, for example sun visors and handholds, at suitable positions.
- the bearing elements for the sun visors and the handholds are each designed as swivel fixed pivot brackets which are locked in place in the corresponding grooves in the lower layer and, where applicable, through the grooves in the interior roof lining material, thereby facilitating pre-assembly of the sun visors and the handholds on the inner shell of the roof module.
- the body framework After supporting the roof module on the upper layer of the inner shell and securing the upper layer to the body framework using adhesive (DE 197 09 016 A1, FIG. 3) and/or fixing screws (DE 197 09 016 A1, FIG. 5), the body framework is lined with the lower layer of the inner shell, whereupon fixing screws are screwed into the front cross rail and the side rails of the body framework through the swivel fixed pivot brackets, thereby securing the sun visors and/or the handholds and the lower layer of the inner shell in the vicinity of the sun visors and the handholds.
- An object of the invention is to further improve and simplify both the pre-assembly options for the sun visors and the handholds on the inner shell and assembly of the roof module on the body framework.
- a roof module for a vehicle body of a motor vehicle, of sandwich beam construction having an inner shell which is molded out of plastic foam to form an interior roof lining, manufactured separately from the vehicle body, and having outer edges which can be supported on the framework of the vehicle body and be securely fixed to this, the vehicle body framework having a front cross rail and side rails, where the inner shell is divided into two layers in the vicinity of the outer edges intended to be supported on the body framework, of which an upper layer can be supported on the bodywork framework, whilst a lower layer of which can be bent down and is designed to line the body framework, whereby the lower layer is further furnished with pre-assembled sun visors in the vicinity of the front cross rail of the vehicle body framework and pre-assembled handholds in the vicinity of the side rails of the vehicle body framework; where in the sun visors and the handholds are pivoted on bearing elements which are connected to the lower layer of the two layers, whereby fixing screws can be fed through the bearing elements to
- Pre-assembly of the roof module can be even more far-reaching if captive fixing screws too are pre-assembled on the pre-assembled bearing elements. This opens up the possibility of pre-mounting as many different screws as are used on each of the bearing elements during manufacture of the roof module so that they can in fact simply be twisted and/or screwed in during later assembly of the roof module on the vehicle body, yet ensuring that they cannot fall out of the bearing elements in an axial direction.
- bendable, elastic snap-in elements are mounted on the pivoted bearing elements supporting the handholds which can be simply and quickly locked in place in the expanded sleeve bushes, all bearing elements each havin a device to captivate the fixing screws already fed through. Pre-mounting of the fixing screws is advantageous here in that devices are immediately available on the bearing elements.
- the expanded sleeve bushes are furnished with devices to secure the fixing screws.
- the fixing screws guided through the bearing elements of the sun visors hereby hold the pre-assembled bearing elements of the swivelling sun visors mounted thereon.
- the devices used to captivate the pre-assembled fixing screws are suitably simple penetration holes located in the bearing elements of the handholds and/or on the sleeve bushes for the bearing elements of the sun visors.
- Such penetration holes have a diameter which is less than the outer diameter of the thread of each of the fixing screws, ensuring that the fixing screws pushed or screwed tight into the penetration holes cannot fall out.
- Fixing elements can be expanded into the upper layer of the inner shell at the positions of the fixing screws.
- the fixing screws can be screwed into such fixing elements during assembly of the roof module on the body framework after being guided through the corresponding perfect-fit holes arranged in the rails of the body framework.
- the sleeve bush for the sun visor expanded into the lower layer of the inner shell can be designed as a pivot bearing, whereby this bearing is favourably already formed during the foam process for producing the inner shell.
- a bearing bore in the sleeve bush takes a pivot bearing pin to which the sun visor, hinged outside of the pivot bearing, is connected.
- the design of the other, detachable, drag bearing on each sun visor does not come under the scope of the present invention.
- the elements of this detachable drag bearing are also secured to the lower layer of the inner shell, ensuring that each sun visor can be swivelled in the direction of the adjacent side panel of the vehicle body using the pivot bearing, after first detaching it from the drag bearing.
- FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic view of the roof area of a passenger car in perspective
- FIG. 2 shows a truncated section through a roof module secured to the side rail of the body framework in the vicinity of a handhold, which corresponds to the line II-II in FIG. 1,
- FIG. 3 shows a truncated section through a roof module secured to the front cross rail of the body framework in the vicinity of the pivot bearing of a sun visor, which corresponds to the line III-III in FIG. 1, and
- FIG. 4 shows a truncated section similar to FIG. 3 through another embodiment of the pivot bearing.
- the roof module 1 comprises two sun visors 2 arranged next to each other in the usual way and two handholds 3 arranged in tandem on each of its two sides as normal which are located in mounting positions which can be easily reached by passengers seated in the front and by those seated on the rear bench or similar.
- the inner shell 4 of the roof module 1 is molded out of plastic foam which is expanded onto a rigid roof skin 5 .
- the rigid roof skin 5 is made up of deep-drawn sheet metal, for example sheet aluminium, or can be fabricated out of vacuum-molded plastic sheeting.
- the invention may also be applied to embodiments of the roof module which are not furnished with a fixed roof skin.
- the roof module is essentially made up of hard, shell-like, and inherently rigid, molded plastic foam with a smooth, coatable outer surface.
- the inner shell 4 is divided into two layers, of which the upper layer 7 is supported on the body framework 6 , whilst the lower layer 8 projects out over the outer edges of the vehicle roof and can be bent down in order to allow for passage through the body opening bounded by the body framework 6 without any resulting permanent deformation. Only one of the two side rails 9 of the body framework 6 is shown in FIG. 2 and in FIGS. 3 and 4, only the front cross rail 10 .
- the lower layer 8 is used to line the body framework 6 and is furnished with the pre-assembled sun visors 2 in the vicinity of the front cross rail 10 and the pre-assembled handholds 3 in the vicinity of the side rails 9 .
- Suitable materials for the inner shell 4 are high-resistance plastic foams with a polyurethane base which can be reinforced using fibrous material, for example fibre glass sections, assimilated into the plastic before it is expanded. Equally suitable for reinforcement are, however, weaves, knits, fibres and the like laid into the foaming mould.
- the inner surface of the inner shell 4 can be coated with a textile or sheet-like lining material 12 to create an interior roof lining.
- the upper layer 7 is furnished with circular molded location notches 13 , in which cement beads 14 which seal and also partly secure the body framework 6 against the roof module 1 are received, a fact which is only hinted at diagrammatically in FIGS. 3 and 4.
- a sealing profile 15 is pushed and expanded onto the front fold 11 (FIGS. 3 and 4) which sits with its outward-projecting lip sealing the outer surface of the windscreen 16 .
- another cement bead 17 assumes the task of securing and sealing the windscreen 16 towards and away from the vehicle body.
- Each handhold 3 is pivoted around two bearing elements 18 , of which only one is visible in FIG. 2. With reference to FIG. 2, the securing situation is described hereinafter with regard to just one bearing element 18 . All the other bearing elements of the handholds are secured in the same way.
- a hat-like sleeve bush 20 which is open to the top, and deep-drawn from steel sheet for example, is expanded into the lower layer 8 of the inner shell 4 .
- the height of the sleeve bush 20 which corresponds to the thickness of the lower layer 8 , sets the distance between the bearing element 18 and the lower surface of a supporting flange 21 of the side rail 9 and provides the bearing element 18 with a secure support on the supporting flange 21 when tightening the fixing screw 19 .
- the bearing element 18 injection molded from a plastic of suitable strength for example, there are several preferably single-piece, elastic, bendable snap-in elements 22 , which are inserted through a scuttle in the sleeve bush 20 whilst under elastic strain and, after passing their hooked ends through the scuttle, are then put back in the position shown in FIG. 2, again under elastic strain, thereby locking the bearing element 18 and the sleeve bush 20 in place.
- the handholds 3 connected to the bearing elements 18 are pre-assembled on the lower layer 8 of the inner shell 4 .
- a penetration hole for the fixing screw 19 is located in the bearing element 18 , the diameter of which is less than the outer diameter of the thread of the fixing screw 19 .
- a strengthening piece 24 is embedded in the upper layer 7 by expanding a fixing element for the fixing screws 19 into the foam material in the form of a continuous profile into which the fixing screws 19 can be screwed.
- the lower surface of the strengthening piece 24 lies flat against the supporting flange 21 of the side rail 9 .
- the roof module 1 is placed on the supporting flange 21 so that the fixing screws 19 can be screwed into the strengthening pieces 24 through the perfect-fit assembly holes (not shown) arranged in the supporting flanges 21 .
- the lower layer 8 and the upper layer 7 of the inner shell 4 are securely fixed together by the tension of the supporting flange 21 , at the same time securing the handholds 3 on the cross rails 9 of the body framework 6 .
- FIG. 3 Reference will now be made to FIG. 3 in order to explain the mounting procedure for the sun visors 2 . Illustrated and described here is the securing situation for just one bearing element 25 , designed as a pivot/drag bearing in a manner yet to be described.
- This bearing element projects out to the side on each sun visor 2 , whilst the sun visors each possess a detachable drag bearing at each turned end which can also be pre-assembled on the lower layer 8 of the inner shell 4 and can even be fabricated out of the same; however this is not illustrated or described here as this detachable drag bearing of each sun visor does not come under the scope of the present invention.
- a hat-like sleeve bush 27 which, in this case, is open to the bottom is expanded into the lower layer 8 of the inner shell 4 at the point where the fixing screw 26 is guided through.
- the sleeve bush 27 possesses a bearing bore 28 that takes a bearing pin 29 located on the bearing element 25 in order to create a pivot bearing.
- the bearing pin 29 which can be pushed in and twisted inside the bearing bore 28 , is furnished with an axial bore-hole 30 which is open to both sides for guiding through the associated fixing screw 26 .
- the sun visor 2 is pivoted on the outer end of the bearing element 25 outside of the pivot bearing.
- the captive fixing screw 26 is pre-assembled, whereby the sleeve bush 27 assumes the task of captivating the fixing screw 26 already guided through.
- the sleeve bush 27 injection molded from a plastic of suitable strength for example, is furnished with a narrow penetration hole at its closed upper end for the associated fixing screw 26 , the diameter of which is less than the outer diameter of the thread of the fixing screw 26 .
- the fixing screw 26 is pushed or screwed into this narrow penetration hole, the fixing screw 26 is captivated on the sleeve bush 27 and is thus pre-assembled and, for its part, secures with its screw head the bearing element 25 and the sun visor 2 located thereon in the pre-assembled position on the lower layer 8 of the inner shell 4 .
- a fixing element 31 which possesses a tap hole 32 open to the bottom is expanded into the upper layer 7 of the inner shell 4 at the point of the fixing screw 26 .
- the front cross rail 10 possesses, at least at the point of the fixing element 31 , a hollow 33 which is open to the top and designed like a cup or a trough.
- the hollow 33 accepts a similarly shaped thickening 34 in the upper layer 7 .
- the fixing element 31 is expanded into the thickening 34 .
- the fixing element 31 is perfectly located at the position of the fixing screw 26 which, after placing the upper layer 7 on the front cross rail 10 , can be screwed into the tap hole 32 through a penetration hole (not shown) in the sheet metal wall structure of the front cross rail 10 aligned with the tap hole 32 .
- the upper layer 7 is securely fixed to the lower layer 8 using the fixing screw 26 using the sheet metal wall structure of the front cross rail 10 as an intermediate layer, whereby both the bearing element 25 and the sun visor 2 held by it are mounted on the body framework 6 lined by the lower layer 8 of the inner shell 4 .
- FIG. 4 corresponds to that described with reference to FIG. 3.
- electrically conductive slip rings 35 are securely fixed around the perimeter of the bearing pin 29 to connect an illuminated vanity mirror (not shown) on the sun visor 2 to an electricity supply.
- the slip rings 35 are connected to electric conductors (not shown) to which the lighting equipment of a vanity mirror mounted on the sun visor 2 is connected.
- the slip rings 35 in the bearing bore 28 remain in constant contact with the sliding-action contact pieces 36 which extend into the bearing bore 28 of the pivot bearing, the electric feeds 37 of which are expanded into the lower layer 8 of the inner shell 4 .
- a roof module for motor vehicles is proposed, with an inner shell molded out of plastic foam which, in the vicinity of its support on the body framework, is divided into an upper layer which can be supported on the body framework and a lower layer that serves to line the body framework.
- Sun visors and the handholds are pre-assembled on the lower layer.
- the upper layer, and thus the roof module as a whole can be securely fixed to the body framework by simply using just the fixing screws for the sun visors and handholds.
- captive fixing screws on the bearing elements of the sun visors and the handholds should also be able to be pre-assembled on the lower layer of the inner shell.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)
- Fittings On The Vehicle Exterior For Carrying Loads, And Devices For Holding Or Mounting Articles (AREA)
- Vehicle Interior And Exterior Ornaments, Soundproofing, And Insulation (AREA)
- Passenger Equipment (AREA)
Abstract
A roof module for a motor vehicle, with an inner shell molded out of plastic foam which, in the vicinity of its support on the body framework, is divided into an upper layer which can be supported on the body framework and a lower layer that serves to line the body framework. Sun visors and handholds are pre-assembled on the lower layer. In order to improve and simplify assembly of the roof module on the vehicle body, it is envisaged that the upper layer, and thus the roof module as a whole, can be securely fixed to the body framework using just the fixing screws for the sun visors and the handholds. Preferably, captive fixing screws on the bearing elements of the sun visors and the handholds should also be able to be pre-assembled on the lower layer of the inner shell.
Description
- The invention concerns a roof module for motor vehicles.
- Such modular, prefabricated, ready to be installed vehicle roofs are finished separately from the vehicle body and are only joined to the vehicle body on the assembly line in the factory. Particularly because they crucially reduce assembly times on the assembly line, such vehicle roof modules are enjoying increasing significance.
- Particularly advantageous in this respect are those roof modules, the functional elements of which are pre-assembled on the inner shell of the roof module. In a known vehicle roof (DE 197 09 016 A1), the bendable down lower layer of the inner shell is furnished with pre-assembled functional elements, for example sun visors and handholds, at suitable positions. Here the bearing elements for the sun visors and the handholds are each designed as swivel fixed pivot brackets which are locked in place in the corresponding grooves in the lower layer and, where applicable, through the grooves in the interior roof lining material, thereby facilitating pre-assembly of the sun visors and the handholds on the inner shell of the roof module.
- After supporting the roof module on the upper layer of the inner shell and securing the upper layer to the body framework using adhesive (DE 197 09 016 A1, FIG. 3) and/or fixing screws (DE 197 09 016 A1, FIG. 5), the body framework is lined with the lower layer of the inner shell, whereupon fixing screws are screwed into the front cross rail and the side rails of the body framework through the swivel fixed pivot brackets, thereby securing the sun visors and/or the handholds and the lower layer of the inner shell in the vicinity of the sun visors and the handholds.
- An object of the invention is to further improve and simplify both the pre-assembly options for the sun visors and the handholds on the inner shell and assembly of the roof module on the body framework.
- According to the present invention, there is provided a roof module for a vehicle body of a motor vehicle, of sandwich beam construction, the roof module having an inner shell which is molded out of plastic foam to form an interior roof lining, manufactured separately from the vehicle body, and having outer edges which can be supported on the framework of the vehicle body and be securely fixed to this, the vehicle body framework having a front cross rail and side rails, where the inner shell is divided into two layers in the vicinity of the outer edges intended to be supported on the body framework, of which an upper layer can be supported on the bodywork framework, whilst a lower layer of which can be bent down and is designed to line the body framework, whereby the lower layer is further furnished with pre-assembled sun visors in the vicinity of the front cross rail of the vehicle body framework and pre-assembled handholds in the vicinity of the side rails of the vehicle body framework; where in the sun visors and the handholds are pivoted on bearing elements which are connected to the lower layer of the two layers, whereby fixing screws can be fed through the bearing elements to catch in the front cross rail and/or the side rails of the body framework and which secure the bearing elements and the lower layer on the vehicle body framework and wherein both the upper layer of the inner shell, and thus the roof module as a whole, can be securely fixed to the bodywork frame using just the fixing screws for the sun visors and the handholds.
- By using the fixing screws for the sun visors and the handholds to secure not only the said functional elements and the lower layer of the inner shell to the body framework, but to secure at the same time the entire roof module to the body framework, according to the invention, assembly of the roof module on the assembly line in the factory is crucially further simplified and assembly times crucially reduced.
- Pre-assembly of the roof module can be even more far-reaching if captive fixing screws too are pre-assembled on the pre-assembled bearing elements. This opens up the possibility of pre-mounting as many different screws as are used on each of the bearing elements during manufacture of the roof module so that they can in fact simply be twisted and/or screwed in during later assembly of the roof module on the vehicle body, yet ensuring that they cannot fall out of the bearing elements in an axial direction.
- By expanding sleeve bushes into the lower layer of the inner shell at the points where the fixing screws are fed through during the foam process for producing the inner shell of the roof module, the mounting positions for the sun visors and the handholds and, following assembly of the roof module on the body framework, the distance between the bearing elements and the rails of the body framework are set. When tightening the fixing screws, by taking up the power of reaction produced by the tensile force of the screws, the sleeve bushes ensure that the lower layer of the inner shell does not become deformed at the mounting positions of the bearing elements for the sun visors and the handholds.
- For pre-assembly of the handholds, bendable, elastic snap-in elements are mounted on the pivoted bearing elements supporting the handholds which can be simply and quickly locked in place in the expanded sleeve bushes, all bearing elements each havin a device to captivate the fixing screws already fed through. Pre-mounting of the fixing screws is advantageous here in that devices are immediately available on the bearing elements.
- For pre-assembly of the sun visors, the expanded sleeve bushes are furnished with devices to secure the fixing screws. For their part, the fixing screws guided through the bearing elements of the sun visors hereby hold the pre-assembled bearing elements of the swivelling sun visors mounted thereon.
- The devices used to captivate the pre-assembled fixing screws are suitably simple penetration holes located in the bearing elements of the handholds and/or on the sleeve bushes for the bearing elements of the sun visors. Such penetration holes have a diameter which is less than the outer diameter of the thread of each of the fixing screws, ensuring that the fixing screws pushed or screwed tight into the penetration holes cannot fall out.
- Fixing elements can be expanded into the upper layer of the inner shell at the positions of the fixing screws. The fixing screws can be screwed into such fixing elements during assembly of the roof module on the body framework after being guided through the corresponding perfect-fit holes arranged in the rails of the body framework.
- The sleeve bush for the sun visor expanded into the lower layer of the inner shell can be designed as a pivot bearing, whereby this bearing is favourably already formed during the foam process for producing the inner shell. Here, a bearing bore in the sleeve bush takes a pivot bearing pin to which the sun visor, hinged outside of the pivot bearing, is connected. The design of the other, detachable, drag bearing on each sun visor does not come under the scope of the present invention. In any case, the elements of this detachable drag bearing are also secured to the lower layer of the inner shell, ensuring that each sun visor can be swivelled in the direction of the adjacent side panel of the vehicle body using the pivot bearing, after first detaching it from the drag bearing.
- In an advantageous, yet invisible to the naked eye, manner, electrically conductive slip rings securely fixed around the perimeter of the bearing screw are connected to electric conductors to which the lighting equipment of a vanity mirror located on the sun visor is connected whereby, after mounting the bearing screw, the slip rings in the pivot bearing remain in contact with sliding-action contact pieces which extend into the bearing bore of the pivot bearing and the electric feeds of which are expanded into the inner shell. The pivot bearing and the bearing pin thus allow the illuminated vanity mirrors mounted on the sun visors to be connected to an electricity supply.
- Further particulars of the invention are explained in more detail hereinafter with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments, in which:
- FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic view of the roof area of a passenger car in perspective,
- FIG. 2 shows a truncated section through a roof module secured to the side rail of the body framework in the vicinity of a handhold, which corresponds to the line II-II in FIG. 1,
- FIG. 3 shows a truncated section through a roof module secured to the front cross rail of the body framework in the vicinity of the pivot bearing of a sun visor, which corresponds to the line III-III in FIG. 1, and
- FIG. 4 shows a truncated section similar to FIG. 3 through another embodiment of the pivot bearing.
- The
roof module 1 comprises two sun visors 2 arranged next to each other in the usual way and two handholds 3 arranged in tandem on each of its two sides as normal which are located in mounting positions which can be easily reached by passengers seated in the front and by those seated on the rear bench or similar. - In the embodiment shown, the
inner shell 4 of theroof module 1 is molded out of plastic foam which is expanded onto arigid roof skin 5. Therigid roof skin 5 is made up of deep-drawn sheet metal, for example sheet aluminium, or can be fabricated out of vacuum-molded plastic sheeting. However, the invention may also be applied to embodiments of the roof module which are not furnished with a fixed roof skin. Here the roof module is essentially made up of hard, shell-like, and inherently rigid, molded plastic foam with a smooth, coatable outer surface. - In the vicinity of the outer edges intended to be supported on the
body framework 6, theinner shell 4 is divided into two layers, of which the upper layer 7 is supported on thebody framework 6, whilst thelower layer 8 projects out over the outer edges of the vehicle roof and can be bent down in order to allow for passage through the body opening bounded by thebody framework 6 without any resulting permanent deformation. Only one of the two side rails 9 of thebody framework 6 is shown in FIG. 2 and in FIGS. 3 and 4, only thefront cross rail 10. Thelower layer 8 is used to line thebody framework 6 and is furnished with the pre-assembled sun visors 2 in the vicinity of thefront cross rail 10 and the pre-assembled handholds 3 in the vicinity of the side rails 9. - Suitable materials for the
inner shell 4 are high-resistance plastic foams with a polyurethane base which can be reinforced using fibrous material, for example fibre glass sections, assimilated into the plastic before it is expanded. Equally suitable for reinforcement are, however, weaves, knits, fibres and the like laid into the foaming mould. By expanding the reinforcedinner shell 4, the upper layer 7 of which extends up to thefold 11 of theroof skin 5, a sandwich beam composite roof module showing high deformation resistance and stength is produced. All the contours of theinner shell 4, including that of thelower layer 8 and its profiling, are produced by the corresponding shape of the foaming mould (not shown). - The inner surface of the
inner shell 4 can be coated with a textile or sheet-like lining material 12 to create an interior roof lining. In the vicinity of its support on thebody framework 6, the upper layer 7 is furnished with circular molded location notches 13, in whichcement beads 14 which seal and also partly secure thebody framework 6 against theroof module 1 are received, a fact which is only hinted at diagrammatically in FIGS. 3 and 4. Asealing profile 15 is pushed and expanded onto the front fold 11 (FIGS. 3 and 4) which sits with its outward-projecting lip sealing the outer surface of thewindscreen 16. Between thewindscreen 16 and the outward-projecting flange of thefront cross rail 10, anothercement bead 17 assumes the task of securing and sealing thewindscreen 16 towards and away from the vehicle body. - Each handhold3 is pivoted around two bearing
elements 18, of which only one is visible in FIG. 2. With reference to FIG. 2, the securing situation is described hereinafter with regard to just one bearingelement 18. All the other bearing elements of the handholds are secured in the same way. - At the point where the
fixing screw 19 is guided through, a hat-like sleeve bush 20 which is open to the top, and deep-drawn from steel sheet for example, is expanded into thelower layer 8 of theinner shell 4. The height of thesleeve bush 20, which corresponds to the thickness of thelower layer 8, sets the distance between thebearing element 18 and the lower surface of a supporting flange 21 of the side rail 9 and provides thebearing element 18 with a secure support on the supporting flange 21 when tightening thefixing screw 19. - On the
bearing element 18, injection molded from a plastic of suitable strength for example, there are several preferably single-piece, elastic, bendable snap-inelements 22, which are inserted through a scuttle in thesleeve bush 20 whilst under elastic strain and, after passing their hooked ends through the scuttle, are then put back in the position shown in FIG. 2, again under elastic strain, thereby locking thebearing element 18 and thesleeve bush 20 in place. In this way, the handholds 3 connected to thebearing elements 18 are pre-assembled on thelower layer 8 of theinner shell 4. - A penetration hole for the
fixing screw 19 is located in thebearing element 18, the diameter of which is less than the outer diameter of the thread of thefixing screw 19. After locking thebearing element 18 in place in thesleeve bush 20, thefixing screw 19 is inserted through the narrow penetration hole until a cylindrical shank section 23 is found in the penetration hole between the screw head and the threaded area of thefixing screw 19. Similarly, from now on thecaptive fixing screw 19 which can be turned easily in this position is pre-assembled on theroof module 1. - As emerges from FIG. 2, on each side of the
roof module 1, a strengtheningpiece 24 is embedded in the upper layer 7 by expanding a fixing element for thefixing screws 19 into the foam material in the form of a continuous profile into which thefixing screws 19 can be screwed. The lower surface of the strengtheningpiece 24 lies flat against the supporting flange 21 of the side rail 9. - By mounting it on the vehicle body with strengthening
pieces 24 on both sides, theroof module 1 is placed on the supporting flange 21 so that the fixing screws 19 can be screwed into the strengtheningpieces 24 through the perfect-fit assembly holes (not shown) arranged in the supporting flanges 21. In this way, thelower layer 8 and the upper layer 7 of theinner shell 4 are securely fixed together by the tension of the supporting flange 21, at the same time securing the handholds 3 on the cross rails 9 of thebody framework 6. - Reference will now be made to FIG. 3 in order to explain the mounting procedure for the sun visors2. Illustrated and described here is the securing situation for just one
bearing element 25, designed as a pivot/drag bearing in a manner yet to be described. This bearing element projects out to the side on each sun visor 2, whilst the sun visors each possess a detachable drag bearing at each turned end which can also be pre-assembled on thelower layer 8 of theinner shell 4 and can even be fabricated out of the same; however this is not illustrated or described here as this detachable drag bearing of each sun visor does not come under the scope of the present invention. - Here too, a hat-
like sleeve bush 27 which, in this case, is open to the bottom is expanded into thelower layer 8 of theinner shell 4 at the point where the fixingscrew 26 is guided through. Thesleeve bush 27 possesses a bearing bore 28 that takes abearing pin 29 located on the bearingelement 25 in order to create a pivot bearing. The bearingpin 29, which can be pushed in and twisted inside the bearing bore 28, is furnished with an axial bore-hole 30 which is open to both sides for guiding through the associated fixingscrew 26. The sun visor 2 is pivoted on the outer end of the bearingelement 25 outside of the pivot bearing. - In this case too, the
captive fixing screw 26 is pre-assembled, whereby thesleeve bush 27 assumes the task of captivating the fixingscrew 26 already guided through. For this purpose, thesleeve bush 27, injection molded from a plastic of suitable strength for example, is furnished with a narrow penetration hole at its closed upper end for the associated fixingscrew 26, the diameter of which is less than the outer diameter of the thread of the fixingscrew 26. Thus if the fixingscrew 26 is pushed or screwed into this narrow penetration hole, the fixingscrew 26 is captivated on thesleeve bush 27 and is thus pre-assembled and, for its part, secures with its screw head the bearingelement 25 and the sun visor 2 located thereon in the pre-assembled position on thelower layer 8 of theinner shell 4. - A fixing
element 31 which possesses atap hole 32 open to the bottom is expanded into the upper layer 7 of theinner shell 4 at the point of the fixingscrew 26. Thefront cross rail 10 possesses, at least at the point of the fixingelement 31, a hollow 33 which is open to the top and designed like a cup or a trough. The hollow 33 accepts a similarly shaped thickening 34 in the upper layer 7. The fixingelement 31 is expanded into the thickening 34. The fixingelement 31 is perfectly located at the position of the fixingscrew 26 which, after placing the upper layer 7 on thefront cross rail 10, can be screwed into thetap hole 32 through a penetration hole (not shown) in the sheet metal wall structure of thefront cross rail 10 aligned with thetap hole 32. In this way, the upper layer 7 is securely fixed to thelower layer 8 using the fixingscrew 26 using the sheet metal wall structure of thefront cross rail 10 as an intermediate layer, whereby both thebearing element 25 and the sun visor 2 held by it are mounted on thebody framework 6 lined by thelower layer 8 of theinner shell 4. - Essentially, the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 corresponds to that described with reference to FIG. 3. However, electrically conductive slip rings35 are securely fixed around the perimeter of the bearing
pin 29 to connect an illuminated vanity mirror (not shown) on the sun visor 2 to an electricity supply. The slip rings 35 are connected to electric conductors (not shown) to which the lighting equipment of a vanity mirror mounted on the sun visor 2 is connected. After mounting the bearingpin 29, the slip rings 35 in the bearing bore 28 remain in constant contact with the sliding-action contact pieces 36 which extend into the bearing bore 28 of the pivot bearing, the electric feeds 37 of which are expanded into thelower layer 8 of theinner shell 4. - A roof module for motor vehicles is proposed, with an inner shell molded out of plastic foam which, in the vicinity of its support on the body framework, is divided into an upper layer which can be supported on the body framework and a lower layer that serves to line the body framework. Sun visors and the handholds are pre-assembled on the lower layer. In order to improve and simplify assembly of the roof module on the vehicle body, it is envisaged that the upper layer, and thus the roof module as a whole, can be securely fixed to the body framework by simply using just the fixing screws for the sun visors and handholds. Preferably, captive fixing screws on the bearing elements of the sun visors and the handholds should also be able to be pre-assembled on the lower layer of the inner shell.
- It will be understood that the invention is capable of modification and therefore is not to be limited to the precise details set forth. Rather, various modifications may be made in the details within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.
Claims (10)
1. A roof module for a vehicle body of a motor vehicle, of sandwich beam construction, the roof module having an inner shell which is molded out of plastic foam to form an interior roof lining, manufactured separately from the vehicle body, and having outer edges which can be supported on a framework of the vehicle body and be securely fixed to this, the vehicle body framework having a front cross rail and side rails, where the inner shell is divided into two layers in the vicinity of the outer edges intended to be supported on the body framework, of which an upper layer can be supported on the bodywork framework, whilst a lower layer of which can be bent down and is designed to line the body framework, whereby the lower layer is further furnished with pre-assembled sun visors in the vicinity of the front cross rail of the vehicle body framework and pre-assembled handholds in the vicinity of the side rails of the vehicle body framework, where the sun visors and the handholds are pivoted on bearing elements which are connected to the lower layer of the two layers, whereby fixing screws can be fed through the bearing elements to catch in the front cross rail and/or the side rails of the body framework and which secure the bearing elements and the lower layer on the vehicle body framework and wherein both the upper layer of the inner shell, and thus the roof module as a whole, can be securely fixed to the bodywork frame using just the fixing screws for the sun visors and the handholds.
2. A roof module according to , wherein captive fixing screws can be pre-assembled on the bearing elements of the sun visors and the handholds.
claim 1
3. A roof module according to , sleeve bushes are expanded into the lower layer of the inner shell at the points where the fixing screws are fed through, using which the distance between the bearing elements of the sun visors and/or the handholds and the relevant rail of the body framework is set.
claim 1
4. A roof module according to claims 1, wherein bendable, elastic snap-in elements which can be locked in place with the expanded sleeve bushes are mounted on the bearing elements for the handholds and wherein the bearing elements for the handholds each possess a device to captivate the fixing screws already fed through.
5. A roof module according to , wherein the sleeve bushes each possess a device to captivate the fixing screws already fed through in order to mount the bearing elements of the sun visors.
claim 1
6. A roof module according to , wherein the device is a penetration hole for the associated fixing screw, the diameter of which is less than the outer diameter of the thread of the fixing screws.
claim 4
7. A roof module according to , wherein the device is a penetration hole for the associated fixing screw, the diameter of which is less than the outer diameter of the thread of the fixing screws.
claim 5
8. A roof module according to , wherein fixing elements into which the fixing screws can be screwed are expanded into the upper layer of the inner shell at the points of the fixing screws.
claim 1
9. A roof module according to , for each sun visor, the sleeve bush expanded into the lower layer of the inner shell possesses a bearing bore to take a bearing pin mounted on the bearing element which is furnished with an axial bore-hole open to both sides for feeding through the associated fixing screw, and wherein the sun visor is pivoted on the bearing element outside of the pivot bearing.
claim 3
10. Roof module according to , wherein electrically conductive slip rings are securely fitted around the circumference of the bearing pin, the slip rings are connected to electric conductors and wherein a vanity mirror located on the sun visor has a lighting device which is connected to said electric conductors wherein, after the bearing pin has been fitted, the slip rings in the pivot bearing remain in contact with sliding contacts, which extend into the bearing bore of the pivot bearing and the sliding contacts have electrical leads which are foamed into the inner shell.
claim 9
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
DE19959809 | 1999-12-11 | ||
DE19959809A DE19959809B4 (en) | 1999-12-11 | 1999-12-11 | Roof module for motor vehicles |
DE19959809.6 | 1999-12-11 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20010003400A1 true US20010003400A1 (en) | 2001-06-14 |
US6367871B2 US6367871B2 (en) | 2002-04-09 |
Family
ID=7932302
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/729,620 Expired - Fee Related US6367871B2 (en) | 1999-12-11 | 2000-12-04 | Roof module for motor vehicles |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6367871B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1106485B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2001191859A (en) |
AT (1) | ATE271991T1 (en) |
DE (2) | DE19959809B4 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2223370T3 (en) |
Cited By (17)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6367872B1 (en) * | 1997-03-06 | 2002-04-09 | Meritor Automotive Gmbh | Vehicle roof and method for mounting said vehicle roof on a vehicle body |
US6499797B1 (en) * | 1998-10-21 | 2002-12-31 | Meritor Automotive Gmbh | Composite component for vehicle bodywork |
US6513864B2 (en) * | 2000-08-08 | 2003-02-04 | Arvinmeritor Gmbh | Modular vehicle roof |
EP1275577A3 (en) * | 2001-07-12 | 2003-07-09 | ArvinMeritor GmbH | Module for attachment to a vehicle body , especially a roof module , and method for its production , and method for the attachment of the module |
US20030159264A1 (en) * | 2002-02-22 | 2003-08-28 | The Dow Chemical Company | Automotive roof module and method of assembly of the module to an automotive vehicle |
US20040094992A1 (en) * | 2002-07-23 | 2004-05-20 | Horst Bohm | Vehicle roof module |
US6813865B2 (en) * | 2002-06-12 | 2004-11-09 | Lear Corporation | Fastener assembly for use with a trim panel |
US20060019086A1 (en) * | 2004-07-22 | 2006-01-26 | Arvinmeritor Gmbh | Foamed vehicle component and method of producing a foamed vehicle component |
US20060117535A1 (en) * | 2003-05-09 | 2006-06-08 | Lear Corporation | High strength fastening system |
US20060197360A1 (en) * | 2005-03-01 | 2006-09-07 | William Frazier | Multi-piece roof with reinforcement |
US20080084091A1 (en) * | 2006-10-10 | 2008-04-10 | Kubota Corporation | Sealing Structure for Cabin |
US20110018311A1 (en) * | 2009-07-23 | 2011-01-27 | International Truck Intellectual Property Company, Llc | Roof panel with insert |
US8820824B1 (en) * | 2013-03-14 | 2014-09-02 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | Vehicle roof structure |
US20140312600A1 (en) * | 2013-04-22 | 2014-10-23 | Nissan North America, Inc. | Vehicle interior trim panel |
US9381945B2 (en) | 2013-04-19 | 2016-07-05 | Hyundai Motor Company | Structure and method for coupling side structures and roof rails |
KR20210070110A (en) | 2019-12-04 | 2021-06-14 | 주성엔지니어링(주) | Method of forming electrode |
CN114802041A (en) * | 2022-05-12 | 2022-07-29 | 一汽解放汽车有限公司 | Cab and vehicle |
Families Citing this family (17)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE10022915A1 (en) * | 2000-05-11 | 2001-11-22 | Webasto Vehicle Sys Int Gmbh | Vehicle roof with adhesive roof module |
DE10141242A1 (en) | 2001-08-23 | 2003-03-20 | Arvinmeritor Gmbh | Roof module and method for manufacturing a roof module |
DE20200835U1 (en) * | 2002-01-21 | 2003-06-05 | Lear Corp Gmbh & Co Kg | Interior trim part |
DE10202911C1 (en) * | 2002-01-25 | 2003-07-17 | Webasto Vehicle Sys Int Gmbh | Compound component for a vehicle roof has an outer skin, free of fibers, supported by a carrier structure with glass fiber reinforcement and a threshold layer between them with a raised fiber content |
DE10205295A1 (en) * | 2002-02-08 | 2003-08-21 | Arvinmeritor Gmbh | Roof module for a vehicle and method for its manufacture |
US6592177B1 (en) | 2002-05-14 | 2003-07-15 | Mathson Industries, Inc. | Vehicle body assembly |
DE10236595A1 (en) * | 2002-08-09 | 2004-02-26 | Arvinmeritor Gmbh | Inner shell for vehicle bodies |
JP4144362B2 (en) * | 2003-01-20 | 2008-09-03 | スズキ株式会社 | Bracket mounting structure |
US6986494B2 (en) | 2003-05-15 | 2006-01-17 | Dyneter Industries Ltd. | Self-aligning mounting bracket and system for mounting a planar structure to a fixed structure |
DE102005012122A1 (en) | 2005-03-16 | 2006-09-21 | Webasto Ag | Roof module for a vehicle and method for mounting such a roof module |
FR2883340B1 (en) * | 2005-03-16 | 2007-06-08 | Itw De France Soc Par Actions | DEVICE FOR FASTENING A FASTENING RING ON A CARRIER MEMBER AND SUPPORT COMPRISING SAME |
DE102005021385B3 (en) * | 2005-05-10 | 2007-01-11 | Audi Ag | Fastening arrangement for fastening a sun visor to a roof frame of a motor vehicle roof |
DE102009042182A1 (en) | 2009-09-18 | 2011-03-24 | Daimler Ag | Method for mass production of motor vehicles, particularly passenger cars, involves manufacturing carcase body and carcase roof module in separate manner, where carcase roof module is detachably connected with carcase body |
EP2634072B1 (en) * | 2010-10-26 | 2015-04-08 | Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha | Resin roof mounting structure |
JP5722648B2 (en) * | 2011-02-03 | 2015-05-27 | 帝人株式会社 | Body structure |
JP5712853B2 (en) * | 2011-08-03 | 2015-05-07 | トヨタ自動車株式会社 | Resin roof structure |
US11414139B1 (en) | 2021-01-28 | 2022-08-16 | Vanguard National Trailer Corporation | Container sidewall and roof connector |
Family Cites Families (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4634196A (en) * | 1984-02-10 | 1987-01-06 | Prince Corporation | Visor mounting bracket |
US4981323A (en) * | 1988-06-10 | 1991-01-01 | United Technologies Automotive, Inc. | Assist strap for a modular headliner |
US4893867A (en) * | 1988-06-10 | 1990-01-16 | United Technologies Automotive Inc. | Console mounted to a headliner |
US4902068A (en) * | 1988-06-10 | 1990-02-20 | United Technologies Automotive, Inc. | Modular headliner assembly |
DE3820845C2 (en) * | 1988-06-21 | 1994-04-14 | Webasto Ag Fahrzeugtechnik | Mounting unit for vehicle roofs |
US5795015A (en) * | 1996-06-17 | 1998-08-18 | Ford Global Technologies, Inc. | Headliner assembly and locating method |
DE19709016C2 (en) * | 1997-03-06 | 1999-05-27 | Rockwell International Gmbh | Vehicle roof and method for mounting the vehicle roof on a body |
-
1999
- 1999-12-11 DE DE19959809A patent/DE19959809B4/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2000
- 2000-11-10 EP EP00124581A patent/EP1106485B1/en not_active Revoked
- 2000-11-10 DE DE50007193T patent/DE50007193D1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2000-11-10 AT AT00124581T patent/ATE271991T1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2000-11-10 ES ES00124581T patent/ES2223370T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2000-11-28 JP JP2000361458A patent/JP2001191859A/en active Pending
- 2000-12-04 US US09/729,620 patent/US6367871B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (24)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6367872B1 (en) * | 1997-03-06 | 2002-04-09 | Meritor Automotive Gmbh | Vehicle roof and method for mounting said vehicle roof on a vehicle body |
US6499797B1 (en) * | 1998-10-21 | 2002-12-31 | Meritor Automotive Gmbh | Composite component for vehicle bodywork |
US6513864B2 (en) * | 2000-08-08 | 2003-02-04 | Arvinmeritor Gmbh | Modular vehicle roof |
EP1275577A3 (en) * | 2001-07-12 | 2003-07-09 | ArvinMeritor GmbH | Module for attachment to a vehicle body , especially a roof module , and method for its production , and method for the attachment of the module |
US6672655B2 (en) | 2001-07-12 | 2004-01-06 | Arvinmeritor Gmbh | Roof module |
US20030159264A1 (en) * | 2002-02-22 | 2003-08-28 | The Dow Chemical Company | Automotive roof module and method of assembly of the module to an automotive vehicle |
US6813865B2 (en) * | 2002-06-12 | 2004-11-09 | Lear Corporation | Fastener assembly for use with a trim panel |
US20040094992A1 (en) * | 2002-07-23 | 2004-05-20 | Horst Bohm | Vehicle roof module |
US6860548B2 (en) * | 2002-07-23 | 2005-03-01 | Arvinmeritor Gmbh | Vehicle roof module |
US20060117535A1 (en) * | 2003-05-09 | 2006-06-08 | Lear Corporation | High strength fastening system |
US20060019086A1 (en) * | 2004-07-22 | 2006-01-26 | Arvinmeritor Gmbh | Foamed vehicle component and method of producing a foamed vehicle component |
US7189450B2 (en) * | 2004-07-22 | 2007-03-13 | Arvinmeritor Gmbh | Foamed vehicle component and method of producing a foamed vehicle component |
US7140671B2 (en) * | 2005-03-01 | 2006-11-28 | International Truck Intellectual Property Company, Llc | Multi-piece roof with reinforcement |
US20060197360A1 (en) * | 2005-03-01 | 2006-09-07 | William Frazier | Multi-piece roof with reinforcement |
US20080084091A1 (en) * | 2006-10-10 | 2008-04-10 | Kubota Corporation | Sealing Structure for Cabin |
US7815246B2 (en) * | 2006-10-10 | 2010-10-19 | Kubota Corporation | Sealing structure for cabin |
US20110018311A1 (en) * | 2009-07-23 | 2011-01-27 | International Truck Intellectual Property Company, Llc | Roof panel with insert |
US8167364B2 (en) * | 2009-07-23 | 2012-05-01 | International Truck Intellectual Property Company, Llc | Roof panel with insert |
US8820824B1 (en) * | 2013-03-14 | 2014-09-02 | Honda Motor Co., Ltd. | Vehicle roof structure |
US9381945B2 (en) | 2013-04-19 | 2016-07-05 | Hyundai Motor Company | Structure and method for coupling side structures and roof rails |
US20140312600A1 (en) * | 2013-04-22 | 2014-10-23 | Nissan North America, Inc. | Vehicle interior trim panel |
US8973941B2 (en) * | 2013-04-22 | 2015-03-10 | Nissan North America, Inc. | Vehicle interior trim panel |
KR20210070110A (en) | 2019-12-04 | 2021-06-14 | 주성엔지니어링(주) | Method of forming electrode |
CN114802041A (en) * | 2022-05-12 | 2022-07-29 | 一汽解放汽车有限公司 | Cab and vehicle |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US6367871B2 (en) | 2002-04-09 |
ES2223370T3 (en) | 2005-03-01 |
EP1106485A2 (en) | 2001-06-13 |
DE50007193D1 (en) | 2004-09-02 |
EP1106485B1 (en) | 2004-07-28 |
EP1106485A3 (en) | 2003-01-08 |
DE19959809B4 (en) | 2005-08-04 |
DE19959809A1 (en) | 2001-06-21 |
JP2001191859A (en) | 2001-07-17 |
ATE271991T1 (en) | 2004-08-15 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US6367871B2 (en) | Roof module for motor vehicles | |
US6367872B1 (en) | Vehicle roof and method for mounting said vehicle roof on a vehicle body | |
US3974753A (en) | Automobile roof vent | |
US6375247B1 (en) | Body of a motor vehicle with a seat module | |
US6231111B1 (en) | Window panel assembly for vehicles | |
US20060019086A1 (en) | Foamed vehicle component and method of producing a foamed vehicle component | |
US6983983B2 (en) | High roof structure of a vehicle | |
US20060119142A1 (en) | Roof module for a motor vehicle | |
US5397152A (en) | Seat belt retractor mounted on strut assembly | |
US6390541B2 (en) | Sun visor arrangement at a motor vehicle roof module | |
US20050023880A1 (en) | Automobile vehicle seat back frame, and process for manufacturing such a frame | |
US7404588B2 (en) | Vehicle door | |
US20010013204A1 (en) | Sealing profile for door and window openings in motor vehicle | |
US6908136B2 (en) | Inner shell for vehicle bodies | |
US6884084B2 (en) | Conductive interior liner for a vehicle | |
CN206664477U (en) | A kind of automotive seat mounting leg assembly and automobile | |
CA2198267C (en) | External mirror for motor vehicles | |
US11511652B2 (en) | Seat part, in particular a backrest for a vehicle seat | |
GB2026968A (en) | Self-supporting upholstery element for roof panels of automotive vehicles | |
CN220904848U (en) | Detachable mounting bracket for automobile luggage rack | |
CN219790048U (en) | Luggage rack and passenger car | |
CN220243137U (en) | Plaque structure on B post | |
CN219635119U (en) | Door inner decoration board handrail and door sheet metal connecting structure | |
CN212828195U (en) | Threshold plaque mounting structure and car | |
CN110774958B (en) | Central armrest framework assembly of rear seat for vehicle |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: MERITOR AUTOMOTIVE GMBH, GERMANY Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:GRIMM, RAINER;BOHM, HORST;REEL/FRAME:011547/0498 Effective date: 20010116 |
|
FPAY | Fee payment |
Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
REMI | Maintenance fee reminder mailed | ||
LAPS | Lapse for failure to pay maintenance fees | ||
STCH | Information on status: patent discontinuation |
Free format text: PATENT EXPIRED DUE TO NONPAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEES UNDER 37 CFR 1.362 |
|
FP | Lapsed due to failure to pay maintenance fee |
Effective date: 20100409 |