Tensioner apparatus for use with vehicle sunroofs

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10843539-B2
Application number	US-201916358992-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 20, 2019
Priority date	Mar 20, 2019
Publication date	Nov 24, 2020
Grant date	Nov 24, 2020

Abstract

Tensioner apparatus for use with vehicle sunroofs are disclosed. A disclosed assembly for a vehicle sunroof includes a sunshade tensioner defining a body that is configured to engage a sunshade of the vehicle sunroof to prevent the sunshade from wrinkling. The assembly also includes a first tab supported by a first component of the vehicle sunroof. The first tab is configured to extend through a first aperture positioned on the body to removably couple a first end of the body to the first support component.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An assembly for a vehicle sunroof, comprising:
a sunshade tensioner defining a body configured to engage a sunshade of the vehicle sunroof to prevent the sunshade from wrinkling, the body including a first end and a second end opposite to the first end; and
a tab supported by a component of the vehicle sunroof, the tab configured to extend through a second-end aperture positioned on the second end of the body to removably couple the second end of the body to the component.

2. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second-end aperture includes a slot.

3. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the body includes an inner surface that forms the second-end aperture and is configured to engage an outer surface of the tab to maintain a position of the second end relative to the component.

4. The assembly of claim 1 , further comprising:
a fastener supported by an other component of the vehicle sunroof, the fastener configured to extend through a first-end aperture positioned on the first end of the body to removably couple the first end of the body to the other component.

5. The assembly of claim 4 , wherein the first end of the body is movable relative to the fastener while the tab remains in the second-end aperture such that the body pivots relative to the tab.

6. The assembly of claim 4 , wherein the fastener is configured to engage the sunshade tensioner to prevent the tab from exiting the second-end aperture.

7. A vehicle sunroof, comprising:
a first sunroof drain configured to convey a fluid away from the vehicle sunroof;
a sunshade tensioner configured to impart a pressure on a sunshade; and
a first fastening mechanism configured to couple a first end associated with the sunshade tensioner to the first sunroof drain and decouple the first end from the first sunroof drain.

8. The vehicle sunroof of claim 7 , wherein the first fastening mechanism includes a first fastener coupled to the first sunroof drain, and wherein the sunshade tensioner includes an aperture positioned thereon at or near the first end and configured to receive the first fastener.

9. The vehicle sunroof of claim 7 , further including:
a second sunroof drain spaced from the first sunroof drain and configured to convey the fluid away from the vehicle sunroof; and
a second fastening mechanism configured to couple a second end associated with the sunshade tensioner, opposite the first end, to the second sunroof drain and decouple the second end from the second sunroof drain.

10. The vehicle sunroof of claim 9 , wherein the second fastening mechanism includes a tab coupled to the second sunroof drain, and wherein the sunshade tensioner includes an aperture positioned thereon at or near the second end and configured to receive the tab.

11. The vehicle sunroof of claim 10 , wherein sunshade tensioner defines a body extending between the first sunroof drain and the second sunroof drain.

12. The vehicle sunroof of claim 10 , wherein the second fastening mechanism includes a second fastener configured to couple to the first fastener and engage the sunshade tensioner.

Assignees

• Aisin Technical Ct America Inc

Inventors

• Ke Chanli
• Grimaldo Jacob
• Mixon Michael

Classifications

• B60J7/0084

  Water draining for non-fixed roofs or roof panels (for fixed roofs not integral with roof structure B60R13/06, for fixed roofs integral with roof structure B62D25/07) · CPC title

• B60J1/2061 Primary

  Tensioning systems for keeping the blind taut when in use, other than spring motors · CPC title

• B60J7/0015 Primary

  roller blind · CPC title

• B60J7/043

  Sunroofs (B60J7/047 - B60J7/053 take precedence){e.g. sliding above the roof} · CPC title

• B60J1/2011

  Blinds; curtains or screens reducing heat or light intensity (means against intense light blinding the driver or passengers B60J3/00) · CPC title