US2987331A - Closure mechanism - Google Patents

Description

June 6, 1961 H. T. GOLDE 2,987,331

CLOSURE MECHANISM Filed May 17, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 6, 1961 H. T. GOLDE CLOSURE MECHANISM 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 17, 1957 United States Patent 2,987,331 CLOSURE MECHANISM Hans T. Golde, 338 Hanauer Landstrasse, Frankfurt am Main, Germany Filed May 17, 1957, Ser. No. 659,927 Claims priority, application Germany May 29, 1956 4 Claims. (Cl. 287- 85) This invention relates to vehicles with convertible clo sures and more particularly to devices for assisting in the folding of such closures.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved device for the folding of the flexible tops of convertible vehicles and more particularly such improvements as to permit the folding of convertible tops which prevent the tearing thereof and which posses suflicient structural rigidity so as to enable the proper performance of the folding operation.

Briefly, to achieve its objectives the invention contemplates the provision of a resiliently mounted folding arm on a roof brace in such a manner as to permit a certain pivotal deflection of the folding arm whereas a longitudinal or axial type displacement of the arm is substantially prevented.

The invention and further objects thereof will be apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, the detailed description including the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a brace with a folding arm mounted thereupon in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, the sections being taken through the longitudinal center line of the folding arm;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a vehicle having a roof provided with closure mechanisms in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the vehicle illustrated in FIG. 3 with the material of the roof removed;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 with the closure mechanism in position beneath the material of the roof; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a plurality of closure mechanisms as positioned with the roof or flexible top folded.

The structure shown in the drawing includes a brace 1 having a C-shaped cross-section which defines an inner elongated cavity opening to the outside of the brace 1 via a narrow slot or mouth.

The structure further includes a flexible block 2 which is of rubber or other suitable resilient material and which is substantially a cube in shape but which has its lower side set at an angle to the opposite face.

The structure further includes a bolt 3 and a folding arm 4 as well as a retaining plate 5 and a cotter pin 6.

The folding arm 4 comprises two spaced sections which are displaced by a connecting and integal member of a height substantially equal to that of the flexible block 2. This displacement serves to enable the operative section of the folding arm 4 to be positioned substantially in the plane of the brace 1 while at the same time providing for accommodation of the flexible block 2.

The retaining plate 5 is positioned within the brace 1 Patented June 6, 1961 adjacent the opening thereof and the plate 5 is engaged by the bolt 3 which extends through the block 2. At the other end of the bolt 3, i.e., that end which protrudes from the block 2, the folding arm 4 is engaged and held in position by means of the cotter pin 6. The height of the entire structure is such as to slightly compress the block 2.

It will be noted that by means of this construction the folding arm 4 constitutes a lever provided with a limited pivotal action due to the resiliency of the block 2. This limited pivotal motion enables the folding arm 4 to yield slightly to forces exerted by the material of the roof and consequently prevents the lever arm 4 from piercing or exerting undue forces on the material m of the roof.

However, the structure is sufficiently rigid in the longitudinal direction of the folding arm 4 so as to prevent substantially any displacement in this direction. Thus a structure is provided which permits the roof folding operation to be performed in eflicient manner but which provides for a suflicient yielding of the folding arm 4 so as to avoid possible deleterious effects upon the ma terial of the roof.

There will now be obvious to those skilled in the art many modifications of the structure set forth which do not depart essentially from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A folding mechanism adapted for use with flexible tops of vehicles, said mechanism comprising a brace, a folding arm connected to the lower side of said brace and extending substantially transversely thereof and a resilient block sandwiched between said brace and said arm, said brace having a G-shaped cross-section and defining a slot opening downwardly, a bolt including an enlarged head portion engaging the brace, the bolt including a shaft extending from said head portion through said slot, resilient block and arm, and means on said shaft for holding said block in compressed condition between said arm and said brace.

2. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for holding said block in compressed condition is g cotter pin sandwiching said arm and block against said race.

3. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 wherein said block includes opposite sides, one of which abuts against said brace, the sides being angularly disposed with respect to each other.

4. A mechanism as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a retaining plate having an opening large enough to accommodate said shaft but small enough to prevent the passage of said head portion, said retaining plate being positioned in said brace and receiving said shaft therethrough and engaging and supporting said bolt head within said brace.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,340,273 Jones May 18, 1920 1,772,414 Brooke-Hunt et a1. Aug. 5, 1930 2,025,874 Lange Dec. 31, 1935 2,289,173 Best July 7, 1942 2,792,215 Timpner et a1. May 14, 1957

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