Removable vehicle roof panels with integrated handle and roof rack assemblies

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2019248219-A1
Application number	US-201815896205-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Feb 14, 2018
Priority date	Feb 14, 2018
Publication date	Aug 15, 2019
Grant date	—

Abstract

A vehicle includes a removable roof panel and an integrated handle and roof rack assembly mounted to the removable roof panel. The integrated handle and roof rack assembly is adapted to function both as a handle for installing or removing the roof panel and as a roof rack for achieving vehicle rooftop cargo storage.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A vehicle, comprising:
a removable roof panel; and an integrated handle and roof rack assembly mounted to the removable roof panel.

2 . The vehicle as recited in claim 1 , wherein the integrated handle and roof rack assembly includes a first length that is less than a second length of the removable roof panel.

3 . The vehicle as recited in claim 1 , wherein the integrated handle and roof rack assembly includes a handle portion and a mounting base portion.

4 . The vehicle as recited in claim 3 , wherein the handle portion includes a shaft and a leg extending transversely from the shaft, and the shaft is elevated above an exterior surface of the removable roof panel.

5 . The vehicle as recited in claim 3 , wherein the mounting base portion includes a flat surface for mounting the integrated handle and roof rack assembly to an exterior surface of the removable roof panel.

6 . The vehicle as recited in claim 1 , comprising a lighting system configured to illuminate a portion of the integrated handle and roof rack assembly.

7 . The vehicle as recited in claim 6 , wherein the lighting system includes at least one light source and at least one image filter.

8 . The vehicle as recited in claim 7 , wherein the at least one light source is a multi-colored light emitting diode (LED).

9 . The vehicle as recited in claim 7 , wherein the lighting system includes a control system configured to command illumination of the at least one light source in response to receiving a roof panel connection signal.

10 . The vehicle as recited in claim 1 , wherein a portion of the integrated handle and roof rack assembly includes a coating adapted to passively illuminate the portion.

11 . The vehicle as recited in claim 10 , wherein the coating includes a phosphor mixture.

12 . The vehicle as recited in claim 11 , wherein the phosphor mixture includes a long persistence phosphor.

13 . The vehicle as recited in claim 1 , comprising a second removable roof panel and a second integrated handle and roof rack assembly mounted to the second removable roof panel.

14 . The vehicle as recited in claim 13 , comprising a crossbar connected between the integrated handle and roof rack assembly and the second integrated handle and roof rack assembly.

15 . The vehicle as recited in claim 1 , comprising a second integrated handle and roof rack assembly mounted to the removable roof panel, and comprising a crossbar connected between the integrated handle and roof rack assembly and the second integrated handle and roof rack assembly.

16 . A method, comprising:
grasping an integrated handle and roof rack assembly of a removable roof panel; installing the removable roof panel within a roof of a vehicle using the integrated handle and roof rack assembly; and connecting a crossbar to the integrated handle and roof rack assembly, the crossbar and the integrated handle and roof rack assembly establishing a roof rack for storing cargo.

17 . The method as recited in claim 16 , wherein grasping the integrated handle and roof rack assembly includes grasping a shaft of a handle portion of the integrated handle and roof rack assembly.

18 . The method as recited in claim 16 , wherein connecting the crossbar includes inserting the crossbar into a slot formed in a handle portion of the integrated handle and roof rack assembly.

19 . The method as recited in claim 16 , wherein connecting the crossbar includes connecting the crossbar between the integrated handle and roof rack assembly and a second integrated handle and roof rack assembly of either the removable roof panel or a second removable roof panel.

20 . The method as recited in claim 16 , comprising:
automatically illuminating a portion of the integrated handle and roof rack assembly in response to correctly installing the removable roof panel within the roof.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Dellock Paul Kenneth
• Salter Stuart C
• Surman James J
• Lobo Harry
• Garland Travis S

Classifications

• B60Q1/2611

  Indicating devices mounted on the roof of the vehicle · CPC title

• B60Q1/2661

  mounted on parts having other functions (on wheels B60Q1/326) · CPC title

• B60Q1/2696

  Mounting of devices using LEDs · CPC title

• B60J7/11 Primary

  Removable panels, e.g. sunroofs · CPC title

• B60R9/052

  Carriers comprising elongate members extending only transversely of vehicle (B60R9/08 takes precedence) · CPC title