RETRACTABLE VEHICLE REAR WINDSCREEN

• Main Authors: MILTON C. KALTZ, MICHAEL P. ALEXANDER
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 16.03.1989
• Edition: 4
• Subjects: PERFORMING OPERATIONS; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FORVEHICLES; TRANSPORTING; VEHICLES IN GENERAL; WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILARDEVICES FOR VEHICLES

A retractable backlight apparatus for vehicles includes first and second pairs of links, each being pivotally connected at one end to the interior vehicle body structure. The opposite ends of each of the first and second pairs of links are pivotally connected to upper and lower portions, respectively, of frame members attached to the side edges of the backlight panel. A tab is mounted centrally on the bottom portion of the backlight panel to enable the backlight panel to be urged downward from a raised position to a storage position recessed within the interior of the vehicle structure during which movement the first and second pairs of links guide the backlight panel downward into a substantially vertical orientation within the interior of the vehicle. Alternately, a drive motor rotates a pair of transversely extending output shafts, each having a drive gear mounted thereon. The drive gears drive sector gears rigidly attached to the second pair of links to automatically raise and lower the backlight panel. An interlock circuit is provided for preventing operation of the convertible top drive motor whenever the retractable backlight panel is not in the fully lowered position as well as preventing operation of the retractable backlight drive motor whenever the convertible top is not in the fully raised position.