US1266990A - Curtain for motor-vehicles. - Google Patents

Description

K. F. RANGER L LA NI. SPENCER.

CURTAIN FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

Awucmum mw nov. 2. wxs.

Patented May 2l, 1918. YmYUBLWLI;

K, F5 RANGER n L rw SPENCER.

{JUNI-1m' .FUR MUTH VEHICLES. APPMCAHUN mw Nov. 2

Wl T NESS A rra/mfr UNITEi)` sTATEs PATENT oEEIcE.

KARL F. RANGER, 0F DETROIT, AND LOUIS M. SPENCER, 0F HIGHLAND PARK,

MIGHIGAN CURTAIN FOB MOTORfVEHIOLEB.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented May 21, 1918` Application led November 2, 1916. Serial No. 139,083

To all whom it ma concern.'

` Be it known t at we, KARL F. RANGER and Louis M. SPENCER, both citizens of the United States, fand residing at Detroit, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, and Highland Park, in the county of Wayne and State of Michigan, have invented a new and Improved Curtain for Motor-Vehicles, of which the following is a Specification.

Side curtains for" motor vehicles are now usually sup orted 4by buttons whereby they are attached) to the longitudinal bow or associated member of the top. As is Well known, this construction is objectionable be cause it interferes with the occupants in get- V ting into or leaving the veliicle The usual custom is to unbutton the curtain froml its support suiciently to allow it to be bent up about a line Joining the opposite upper and lower corners, a Inode of procedure that requires time and stooping and also carries with it liability of contact with the wet curtain in case it is raining. Numerrous efforts have been made to avoid these difliculties but they have, in turn, involved other objections such as expense and encroachment'on the space within the interior of the cpr. l

One @pe of these improvements consists in a pcket formed in upper face of the door at'a point near the free edge thereof, together with a post, or other supporting structure, that rises substantiallyy to the lower ed e of the longitudinal bow of the top, and as the curtam fastened thereto so that, when the door is swung outwardly, thex post and curtain are carried with it. This construction is expensive, cannot be sold in the market as an accessory which is applicabie to substantially all cars (particu larly because of the defacing of the door which is n Vressary inv its installation), and, when arranged close enough to the longitudinal bow to prevent ram from beating in, does not allow the necessary vibration of the bow in a vertical plane.

With these considerations in mind the nature of the present invention will be understood; it consists in a motor vehicle body .therein` and a col having a door o in ,ia door swinging lplsib e top for the body, together with a curtain for the space between the upper edge of the door and the top., 'and means carried solely by the top for supporting the upper, edge of the curtain Ving means for the free end portion 4of the curtain support; and in the various details of construction shown, described and claimed. e

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a motor vehicle showin an adaptation of the invention to a well gknown formA of body and top. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary' The @h support that side view, parts being broken away showing a preferred construction of the. curtain support.- Fig. 2* is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 2. Fi 3 is a transverse s'ec-4 tion-at one side of t e vehicleshowi'ng the means for retaining the end of -the curtain supporting arm in position on the bow. Fig. 4 is a perspectife view of the arm retaining'I means. Fig.` 5 is a fragmentary section through the curtain supporting arm and a portlon of the curtain. .,Fig. 6 is a side view` parts beirut,` broken away, showing the curtain support applied to au inclined longitudinal bow. F1 7 and` 8 are similar views illustrating a ditional modiications. Fig. 9 is a part-section part-ele- Y vation showing a modified pivot construction. for the curtain arm. Fig. 10 is a view taken from the right hand side of Fig. 9. Like reference characters refer tov like pl'ts.

The car shown 1n Fig. 1 includes the body l having a collapsible top which comprises the bows 2, the longitudinal bow 3, Fig.v (that, in practice, is made sectional and varies conslderably in cross-section both in shape and size in cars of different makers),

and the fabric cover 4. The front portion of the bow 3 rests on or is attachedto the-wind shield s. .suiabi pivots e and i, nested at their rearedges, are provided for the .doors S and 9, but it will be understood that the pivots may be located along front,

` 16 (that .centrally perforated to receive throughout the edges of tlie doors in ctlior or both inA stances. As shown, .the spaces between the front door and the bow and between the rear door and the bow are closed respectively, by curtains 11 and 12, the former oi which preferably extends back to the 'forward edge of the rear door, and, while the curtain shown terminating in line with the pivots i', it might extend farther rearwardly. Also one or both curtains might extend beyond theY free edge of the corresponding door. The construction thus far described is weil known.

' At points substantially in line with the pivots'for the doors, members 15 (Fig. 3), preferably of pressed sheet metal, each ol' which includes two out-turned Contact points may be formed as end portions of diver in ariiis 18) are hooked over the bow groin the inside of the car. The lower ends of the members are turned lat-- ei'allyr at substantially right angles toward the outside of the cai", as indicated ai 19, to constitute seats for the cylindrical ends 20 of curtain supporting arms 21 which are bent upwardly at 22 into close relation to the bow. Both the ends 20 of the arms and the portions 19 of the hooked members are the pivot rod 23 that has at its upper end a shoe 24 which is held firmly 'in engagement with the lower face of the bow 3 by a strong coil s ring 25, the lower end of which bears upon the upper face of the perforated sheet metal disk or washer 26; the disk in turn bears upon the upper surface of the end 20 and holds the latter closely to the seat 19, thereby' alining the curtain support with the bowu and at the same time establishing a prede termined irictional resistance to the svi/ingW ing of the arm (which may be varied by using springs of different strengths) and also entirel preventing rattling. li' de-- sired, the e einents 19 and 26 may be provided respectively with anges 28 and Q9 whereby a close relative alinenient of the parts with the axis of the pivot rod '23 is insuredwithout the necessity for accurate work in the formation ci the perforations.

`For convenience a hand grip 30 is secured to the lower end of the pivot whereby the spring may be compressed to allow the device to be attached or released.

The curtain support may obviously be readily attached to bows which vary L1rom. one another` to a considerable degree, both in shape and size, and maintains 'the curtainr vin substantially the plane of the door swinging movement of the latter, it being understood that the lower edge of the curtain is secured tov the door b vfbuttons 32 or otherwise. Such portions4 of the curtain as may extend to one side of the door opening are supported by buttons or other fastenings S35-34 (Fig. 2). As

shown in Fig. 5, the curtains already provided lor the car may be used by passing' a loop 35'oi' Vfabric of a length substantially equal to .the u idtli of the door over the arm 21 and stitching' the upper edge of the usual curtain thereon.

In order 1o retain tliefrce end of the rods 21 in the' closed position, a holding means.l best shown in Figs. 2., 3 and 4, is provided, but the details of the device may be varied within wide limits. This device comprises two stamped metal members 36 and 37 including inger grips 38 and 39 which receive the ends of a strong fiat spring Hl-Mtb(j latter beingr passed around a pivot 41 whereby the members are joined. These members are curved to contorni to the upper and lower surfaces of the bow 3, and it is pre ierred te arrange the pivot 41 at about the upper level thereof so that the movement ot the member 37 relatively to the member 3e moet eiectuallv acconiiiioda-tes itself to dili- 't'erenl sizes or" bows. Spring clips 42 and 43. forming parts of the member 36, iiare outwardly from the lower edge of the bow to forni n pocket wherein the end of the arm 21 is firmly held. If desired the clips 49. and t3 may be so shaped as to allow the arm to he withdrawn without force other than that applied to the door to open the latter, as is obvious. The holder thus formed may be readily attached to or detached from the bow. does not rattle, holds the rod 2l securely. and is inexpensive.

lf' desiredVA the free verticali edge of the curtain may be stii'ened by a Small tube 45 (Figs. .2 and having` its upper end split and clamped around tbe tube 2l b v means oi' the screw 4:6; the tube l5 extends down nearly to the door and may be secured to the curtain bv a 'fabric loop 48 suitably sewed thereon. 'When the door is swung open the tube will canse the curtain to aline more accurately therewith and nlso tends to prevent flapping.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6. the lon itudinal bow 50 which corresponds to the ow 3, is inclined in n well known inanner, pivotal movement at a point in line with the pivots 6 of the door 8 by means designated 51 as a whole similar tov that heretofore described, and the free end of the arm is likewise retained by holdingimeans 52". The Curtain 11 may extend to the reir of the pivots 6 but in any event is buttoned at 53 'to the top and is secured to the free end of the arm in any desired manner (not shown) therefore the entire curtain swings out with the arml as before.

The embodiment shown in Fig. 8 differs from that just described in that the portion of the curtain 11 above the bow 50 is replaced bv a three-cornered curtain 54 that is fastened` to the top and to the bow in any suitable manner. When the curtain 54 is removed or partly unbuttoned, ventilation may take place through the opening.

Referring to Fig. 7, the door 58 is mounted on pivotsl .59 at its forward edge and the curtain extends from the rear edge of the door to the Wind shield 5. The pivotal supporting means 60 for the curtain arm (il is mounted on the bow 50 in line with the pivots 59, while the arm itself passes rea-rwardly and downwardly along the under side of the bow to a point near the rear edge of the curtain, where it is held by a retaining means 63 similar to that hereloi'ore described. From the retaining means the arm is curved upwardly tothe upper rear corner of the curtain 64 and is fastened thereto in any suitable way. In this as in all other cases where the curtain extends beyond the pivotal axis, it bends about that axis in an obvious manner as the door swings.

Figs. 9 and 10 show a modified construc tion of arm support in which it will be noted that the pivot 65 is threaded and provided with a nut 66 slotted at 68 to receive a cotter pin 69 whereby an initial adjustment to correspond to the size of the bow 3 is obtained. Mounted on the pivot is u rotatable cam 70 having a Hat lower surface and an upper surface having oppositely disposed depressions 7l and elevations 72 (preferably 90 apart), the latter also having slight central depressions i3. A shallow corrugated spring washer 74 is interposed between the upper face of the portion Q0 of the arm and ythe lower face of the cam; consequently when the nut isV properly adjusted and the cam is swung by the handle 75 into the position shown, the washer is forced down upon the arm to hold it in alinement beneath the bow and the depressions 73 of the cam are held in close relation to the Shoe 24.

The construction may be varied widely from the forms described and we do not, therefore, wir-l1 to be limited except as indicated by the subjoined claims.

l. ln combination with a bow of a motor vehicle top, a curtain arm, a side curtain supported by said arm, and means for supporting said arm for pivotal movements about a substantially vertical axis, said means eou'iprising a member arranged to engage the bow, and means entirely external to the bow for holding the member in engagement therewith.

2. In combination with a motor vehicle having `a top, a side curtain structure pivoted to swing in respect to said top, said structure including a curtain supporting nrui pivotally supported at one end, and detachable means carried by the top for normally holding the free end of titi' arm,

3. In combination with a motor vehiclehaving a collapsible top, a side curtain structure pivoted to swin in respect to said top, said structure inclu ing a curtain supporting arm pivotally supported at one end, and detachable means carried by the top and constructed and arran ed to normally resiliently support the igree end of the arm to prevent movement in all directions.

4. In combination with a collapsible top of a motor vehicle, said top including a longitudinal bow oi curved cross-section a side curtain. supporting arm, and means or supporting the arm on the/bow to allow swingin about a vertical axis, said means comprisinga hook-like member engaging over the curved upper surface of the bow, said means also comprising a second member movable toward and from the lower surface of the bow7 whereby bows of different sizes may be accommodated and the hook like lumber may be prevented from becoming accidentally detached.

5. In combination with a bow of a collapsible fop of a Vmotor vehicle.` a curtain supporting arm swingable in and out ih respect to said bow, meansA for supporting the arm on the bow, said means comprising a bow receiving clamp including a spring pressed jaw.

6. In combination with the bow of a collapsible top of a motor vehicle, a curtain supporting arm pivoted to swing in and out in respect to said bow, means independent of the pivot for normally supporting the free end of said arm from the bow, said means including a bow gripping clamp havin a spring pressed jaw.

. In combination with the bow of a vehicle Atop and a curtain supporting arm swingable 1n respect to the bow about a vcrtical axis, said arm having a cylindrical head, a member arranged `to'eoact with the hicle top and a curtain supporting arm swingable in respect to the bow about a vertical axis, said arm having a cylindrical head and a body portion, a clamping member enacting with the bow and forming a scat for the lower end of the head, and

meim intrpowd iwimwfii ilir lic-nii and lin: bow for forcing lm luwni "lows: maro lian seat.

9. In con'iioiimizion with lin: how o :i whiole top and :i rau-tuin :wipporing nrin swngnble in respea-t m tink im about :i vcrtical axis, said. arm haring :i e'ylinfiriml lind and a body poriion, :l clamping :neinber Coaching will; tin: lion* mill ,forming :i sont for he lower i-nii of ille infini. :1mi means interposed between Hw limid :uni :iw bow for forcing Nw imid down onif: :in: sontl` the body pnrion nl iin!y limi L i upwardly from tim iin-:nl und along clone to the lower siilioi tho bow.

10. In combination wili illu bow of :i whicle top anti a Curtain supporting arm swingable in respect iiaprvlo about :L vertical axis mtersecting tim how. laid arm induding .'1 shallow Cyiinflrionl head and :i body portion, pivot menno for snpporlng the :inn

Afrom the bow, said :neuw infflnigiingL im;

members each arranged lo prfss on a for responding end siwfszc: mi' :he cylindrical head and forming bow-wn tllwm :i so tiroiwh which 'the boil? nor'ion oi tlm z-:i'm

b .v i may swing, ono off fiar :':nn'nnsrs inning n flange Surrounding the rnrvwi fue@ of iin: cylinder and minfornimg lliirelo: and means for prossingg lh@ inni-,milicias ighily logeilnir upon h@ nomi. Y

l, in ooniblnniion will: Je nifl@ inviamiing :i longiiiuiinfil how :unl :i ci: grain Hamlin alom@ the onwisni: of sind bnn: :md

from thence upvv'nrdly, :i curtain si i lng urn: nioiintid to sw'mff n: negligent to lm bow filion a` Sillihiiiniiiily wriicnl imag rmeans supnorini im.: .firm on lle no' E 'uid maiz-iis infilnding :i @linnn inning; von4 tact p'lrtions embracing 'Hw nonni' :mil lower surfaces of fha how, :mil :mn-inf: passing along the inner side Si iin: im 15in.' maniaci'.- ing The mutiert portion.

12. In combination willi i: iunior whisk having n collapsible te@ irwlmiing :i 5on5-b tudinully extendir@v bow: a mirifziin arm, :i Side Curtain S'llpmfwl fry mili anni* un!! means for supporting` :l uvm i'or pivotal movements about a sn'\.-l.ml;|i, viatical axis, said means inrlinling sw. i-:limi :1r-

ligeysiao mi lo mori prvssur'e on ihn bow, :and a v:siii nicmbir nniling to nrgo the: niv nim! inliffiri-lsniw :grinning r'vlnilion lo tim infin'.

iii. in wiiiliinntion wilh :i` minor Vnliirli: imi in I :i :willnieililv up inf-lniing a: longilzfiiiiimliy im Milling' bow, :i i-llitiiin urna. :i eid iiil'lziin mriipnrtvii liv miel :mnl und @mens for iupim'ing sui( urn: for pivotal niiiwimnh niioei' i Suiislnjitiiilly wl'tiizil :mim :fziiil ini-:inn inuiiiingg Hiv liwiiiiwr,'-z. mw nrizinggiwl lo www, uw :mi: on ilw (op -iili iilimi' A:nil iilirother nrrnngnll o rxvi'i im wirr on 'ilu5 lffiwr siiln of tin lion', :u` :i s'afszilivnt nwmim Lending lo foiw lliff two nwnilic-rs into pressure exerting rilaiiion lo illu lion'. i'

l. n combination with :i motor which: inning :i collapsible mp inrlniling :i` long:u izniinnlly extending bow, :i wurmin :ii-in, :i` sidi: mn'tnin supportml by mid :xx-ni. anni moans; for Supporting Said arm for oivozii mmvments about :L substantially i'vrtirful :n: i. mid means invliieling two nwuilifrs` on:- :iriungwl io exnr prf-:Min on iin* iop .silla :if iin: bow :it poinl'g spncvi longnimlinu Eli-awo? :mil tim mimi.' arrzmgnd lo vxvrt pri :wref :an ih@ lower sidi: of tins lvow :it :i point :ifsgiogod iemginiiina'lly lwtweon the albori: nwntionril points, anni :1` resilient macminer lrmling io forni: iin? iwf) niemiwrs imo prosIrv uw sk erting aiiiiion io tin bmw'.

i3 iunior whirl@ inwing :i top demon :iliiv pivot nir-:m5 securid thereto;v a curtain :mi: pirolod lo swing on said pivot niena, :mil resilient nwuns lvnfling to birth zioel :,:iiil pivot momie; to iin: top :1nd zo impose? rvsistnnvc lo fisc swinging movement of ihn omi.

i6. [n roniliineilion with aA motor vehicie hofljiu :i tup therefor, a vnraii: suspended wholly from the: lop, :ind :i :itiening :elenwni vxwiding ilown niong onij frigo of the mnt-:in :mil being fren lo rise :inni full in iisimrt tu the :njncnnf edge of ihn bod n'ivrnivy irri! rvlalziw viimiigion of the Sti M ming i-h-ilmrii in respect to the body is :1iwwfii:

KARL mino-Er.A LOUIS M. srin'om.

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