US2309926A - Control switch for convertible tops - Google Patents

Description

Reb. 2, 1943. L. M. BAKER CONTROL SWITCH FOR CONVERTIBLE TOPS Filed NOV. 28,4 1940 '/I IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIUIllIII NMR www mw. wv

INVENTOR,

Patented Feb. 2, 1943 2,309,926 CONTROL SWITCH FOR CONVERTIBLE TOPS Louis M. Baker,.Birmingham,

Jeronimo Falcon,

Mich., assigner to Buenos Aires, Argentina Application November 28, 1940, Serial No. 367,496

2 Claims.

'Ihis invention relates to converting automobile tops of the type having power operated means for lowering and raising the same and has for its primary object to provide a. safety control device for preventing accidental or unauthorized operation of the power means while the top is clamped in its closed position.

Convertible automobile tops of the type here concerned have electrically operated means for lowering and raising the same and usually are provided with automatic cut-off switch means, operated by a moving part of the mechanism, for stopping the motor as the top reaches-its lowered position and when the top reaches its closed position. When the top is closed, however, the motor may be operated by a manual switch in a direction to lower the top, and when the top is open the motor may be operated by-the same switch to close thetop. Clamping means is provided to secure or hold the top in its closed position and it is possible with the means now used to operate the motor while the top is clamped in its closed position. The object of this invention, more specifically stated, is to provide means for preventing operation of the motor while the top is clamped in its closed position.

In order to insure proper positioning of the top when in its closed position coacting dowel means are provided on the top and on the windshield frame. Before the top can be lowered it is necessary to disengage this dowel means. In some cases the collapsible linkage which supports the top fabric is under tension when clamped and as the clamping means is released the top springs a short distance away from the windshield and 5 thus disengages the dowel means. In it is necessary to release the clamping to manually push the top away from the windshield frame. The present invention prevents operation of the motor While the dowel means are interengaged.

Other objects and advantages will become more fully apparent as reference is made to the accompanying drawing, wherein my invention is illustrated, and in which Fig. 1is a side elevation of a top raising and lowering means,

Fig, 2 is a fragmental section illustrating a detail, and

Fig. 3 is a, circuit diagram.

More specifically, I designates a system of links for supporting a top fabric 2. The links are foldable from the position shown in full lines, which is the closed position, to the collapsed position shown in dotted lines at 3. The means for colother cases means and lapsing and raising the linkage comprises an internally threaded sleeve t and a screw 5 which telescopes therein. 'I'he screw 5 ls rotated through gearing in a pivotally mounted housing t by a flexible shaft 'I and an electric motor 8.

At the forward end of the top isa header 9 having a multiplicity of dowel holes such as the one shown at I0 in Fig. 2 for receiving a corresponding number of positioning dowels, one of which is shown at II in Fig. 2. The dowels are mounted on the upper edge of the windshield frame I2 and the top is held in coacting relation therewith by clamping means i3.

Mounted in the windshield frame I2 is a push button switch It having an actuating button It adapted to be engaged by a spring pressed plunger I6 mounted in the header 9. When the top is in its closed position and the header is in contact with or close proximity to the windshield frame the plunger I 6 will hold the switch I Il open. When the top is spaced from the windshield sumciently to disengagethe dowels the switch It becomes closed.

As shown in Fig, 3, the electric circuit includes a battery I 'I grounded at IB andconnected at I9 to one terminal 20 of the switch It. The other terminal 2| of the switch It is connected by a wire 22 to a manually operated contact 23 adapted to be manually moved into engagement with either of a pair of contacts 213 and 25. The contact 2t is connected by a wire 26 to one side of the motor 8 and the contact 25 is connected by a wire 2l to the other side of the motor 8. The motor is grounded at 28.

In the wire 26 is a cut-oii switch 29 and in the wire 21 is a cut-ofi switch 30. The two switches 29 and 30 are actuated by means 3l engaged by the member 4. As the member t is moved to the position it assumes when the top is closed the switch 30 is opened and the switch 29 is simultaneously closed. When the top is moved to its collapsed position the member actuates the means 3I to open the switch 29 and close the switch 30.

The diagram discloses the circuit in a condition corresponding to the closed position of the top. The switch I II is open and if the contact 23 is moved into engagement with the contact 24 the motor cannot be energized. If, however, the top is released from the windshield frame the switch I4 will close and when the switch 23 is operated the motor will operate to lower the top.

Although a specific embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described it will be understood that various changes may`be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit o! the invention, and such changes are contemplated.

What is claimed is:

1. In combination with a convertible top, power operated means for raising and lowering the top, manual control means for causing selective operation of said power means to raise and lower the top, and means operated by the top during movement to its iinal opening position for preventing operation of said power means in response to said manual control means in a direction to lower said top until said top has been moved through an initial distance from its fully opened position by forces derived from. a source other than said power operated means.

2. In combination with a convertible top. power operated means for raising and lowering the top, manual control means for causing selective operation of said powermeans to raise and lower the top, automatic cut-oi means for stopping the power means as said top reacheseither its closed or its open position, and means operated by fthe top when attaining its fully open position for preventing operation of said power means in response to said manual control means in a direction to lower said top until said top has been moved through an initial distance from its fully open position by forces derived from a source other than said power operated means.

LOUIS M. BAKER.

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