GB2078627A

GB2078627A - Stripping for use in a vehicle roof

Info

Publication number: GB2078627A
Application number: GB8005743A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1980-02-20
Filing date: 1980-02-20
Publication date: 1982-01-13
Also published as: GB2078627B; IE50557B1; IE810067L

Abstract

The sides and ends of a commercial vehicle roof are composed of stripping having a channel 16, and ledge 21 which, at the sides of the roof, receives the ends of transverse roof sticks 23 supporting a translucent roof sheet 24. Each edge of the sheet 24 is fastened by rivets 25 between a flange 22 projecting across the respective channel 16 and a capping strip 26 which bridges the channel 16, so that, in use any seepage of water at the rivets 25 is trapped by the channels 16. The sides of the vehicle body locate against a lip 15 at the lower edge of the stripping. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Stripping for use as a frame member of a vehicle roof frame ; This invention concerns roofs for the bodies of commercial vehicles, such as vans and pantechnicons.

It is already known to provide constructions of commercial vehicle roofs in which a frame of the roof is defined by elongate side frame-members connected by end cross-pieces, with the side frame-members shaped to provide ledges or shoulders supporting the respective ends of transverse bearers (sometimes known as "roof sticks") spaced apart at intervals along the frame.

This structure supports a roof sheet (which may be translucent to provide for the interior of the vehicle body to receive some light during daytime) made, for example, of resin-bonded glass fibre, or aluminium, which is secured by its edges to the side frame-members and end cross-pieces, for instance by riveting with capping strips superimposed above the edges of the roof sheet which latter is also supported by the roof sticks.

Such roof constructions are of substantial utility, being relatively economical to manufacture and having a long useful life. They may, however, suffer the disadvantage of permitting water to drip into the interior of the vehicle body if there should be any seepage at the rivets which fasten the roof sheet in place.

An object of the present invention is to provide a form of strip member suitable for use as side frame-members and end cross-pieces of a roof frame, having the advantage that it is shaped to preclude the possibility of water dripping into the interior of the vehicle's roof even though there may be seepage at the rivets used for securing the roof sheet in place.

With this object in view, the present invention provides stripping for use as a frame member of a vehicle roof frame characterised in that it is shaped to provide a shoulder or step extending in one direction for engagement thereon, as may be desired, of respective ends of roof sticks and to provide, adjacent said shoulder or step, a channel or trough over which projects a flange for securement of the edge of the roof sheet thereto.

With such an arrangement, therefore, rivets through the edge of the roof sheet will secure the latter to the flange, and any water seeping at the rivets will run into the channel or trough and be prevented from entering the vehicle body.

The flange as aforesaid is conveniently provided at the same side of the channel or trough as the shoulder or step, so that it projects away from said shoulder or step.

The stripping is conveniently of arcuate crosssectional configuration providing a curved portion at one end of which is an upright portion for securement to a respective wall of a vehicle body, and providing the channel or trough in a substantially horizontal disposition at the other end of the curved portion.

The invention further includes a commercial vehicle roof comprising a frame composed of frame members including side frame-members and end cross-pieces all of stripping as aforesaid, a plurality of roof sticks extending transversely of the frame and disposed with their ends supported by the shoulders or steps of the respective side frame-members, and a roof sheet supported by the roof sticks and secured at its edges to the flanges of the side frame-members and crosspieces, with respective capping strips being provided along each said edge and bridging any upwardly-open portion of the channel or trough.

In order that the invention may be fully understood, it will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the vehicle roof of the invention; and Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view corresponding to the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

As shown in the drawing, a vehicle roof, e.g. of a pantechnicon or van, comprises a frame indicated generally by the numeral 10 and basically constructed of two side frame-members 11 and two end cross-pieces 12, these being mitred at their ends to form accurate corner joints where they are jointed together in any suitable manner. Each of the components 11, 12 is formed of stripping of the same cross-section the configuration of which can be seen in detail in Fig. 2, and which conveniently is in the form of an extension.

As there shown, the stripping section comprises an arcuate portion 13 at the lower end of which is an upright portion 14 terminating substantially in register with an integral inwardlyprojecting lip or web 1 5. This shape permits each of the components 11, 12 to be secured along the upper edge of a respective wall (not shown) of a vehicle body (also not shown) with said wall locating into the angle between the upright portion 14 and the lip or web 1 5.

At its upper end, the arcuate portion 1 3 terminates at a trough or channel, indicated generally at 16, composed of a sidewall 17 connecting with the arcuate portion 13, and an opposite sidewall 1 8 spaced from the sidewall 1 7 by a bottom web 19, The sidewall 18 has a downward extension 20 along the lower edge of which is a ledge 21 projecting away from the trough or channel 1 6. At its upper edge, the sidewall 1 8 has a flange 22 which projects partly across the trough or channel 1 6 and towards the sidewall 17.

From consideration of both Figs. 1 and 2, it will readily be appreciated that, insofar as the side frame-members 11 are concerned, in the completed roof, the extensions 20 and ledge 21 provide respective shoulders or steps for engagement thereon of corresponding ends of transverse roof sticks 23 extending transversely of the roof frame 1 0. These roof sticks 23 are generally of U-shaped cross-section and can be fixed in place by rivets (not shown) through the bases of the U's to the respective ledges 21.

Outwardly-projecting lips 30 are provided on the limbs of the U.

The frame 10 and roof sticks 23 support a roof sheet 24 preferably translucent, made for instance of resin-bonded glass fibre with the lips 30 being presented upwards to the under-surface of the sheet 24. The dimensions of this sheet 24 are such that its edges coincide substantially with the respective edges of the flanges 22, and the sheet 24 is secured in position by such edges being fastened to the flanges 22 by rivets 25 with the superimposition of respective capping strips 26 which overlie the corresponding edge of the roof sheet 24 and bridge across between the latter and the arcuate portion 1 3 of the respective component. A central tongue 31 projecting from the capping strip 26 enables the latter to locate against the longitudinal edge of the flange 22.

It will be appreciated that with this roof construction, any moisture which may seep past the rivets 25 will be retained in the trough 16, and will not enter the vehicle body. So long as the stripping forming the components 10, 11 is a relatively non-reactive with water (being for instance of anodised aluminium), the presence of small quantities of moisture in the troughs 1 6 will be of no disadvantage.

The invention is not confined to the precisedetails of the foregoing example, and variations may be made thereto. Thus, for instance, instead of being formed with the wall 1 8, the flange 22 could be formed integrally with the wall 1 7. The roof sheet 24 could, of course, be made of metal or other suitable material.

Claims

1. Stripping for use as a frame member of a vehicle roof frame characterised in that it is shaped to provide a shoulder or step extending in one direction for engagement thereon, as may be desired, of respective ends of roof sticks and to provide, adjacent said shoulder or step, a channel or trough over which projects a flange for securement of the edge of a roof sheet thereto.

2. Stripping as claimed in claim 1 wherein the flange is provided at the same side of the channel or trough as the shoulder or step, so that it projects away from said shoulder or step.

3. Stripping as claimed in claim 1 or 2 which is of arcuate cross-sectional configuration providing a curved portion at one end of which is an upright portion for securement to a respective wall of a vehicle body, and providing the channel or trough in a substantially horizontal disposition at the other end of the curved portion.

4. A commercial vehicle roof comprising a frame composed of frame members including side frame-members and end cross-pieces all of stripping as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, a plurality of roof sticks extending transversely of the frame and disposed with their ends supported by the shoulders or steps of the respective side frame members, and a roof sheet supported by the roof sticks and secured at its edges to the flanges of the side frame-members and cross-pieces, with respective capping strips being provided along each said edge and bridging any upwardly-open portion of the channel or trough.

4. Stripping for use as a frame member of a vehicle roof frame substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawing.

5. A commercial vehicle roof comprising a frame composed of frame members including side frame-members and end cross-pieces all of stripping as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, a plurality of roof sticks extending transversely of the frame and disposed with their ends supported by the shoulders or steps of the respective side frame-members, and a roof sheet supportedlby the roof sticks and secured at its edges to the flanges of the side frame-members and crosspieces, with respective capping strips being provided along each said edge any bridging any upwardly-open portion of the channel or trough.

6. A roof as claimed in claim 5 wherein the roof sticks are each of inverted-U shaped cross-section, with outwardly-projecting lips on the limbs of the U being presented upward to the undersurface of the roof sheet.

7. A roof as claimed in claim 5 or 6 wherein each capping strip has a tongue projecting therefrom to locate against the longitudinal edge of the respective flange.

8. A commercial vehicle roof substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.

New claims or amendments to claims filed on 12th December 1980.

Superseded claims 1-3.

New or amended claims: Claim 4 renumbered as claim 3.

Claims 6-8 renumbered as 5-7 and appendancies corrected.

1. Stripping for use as a frame member of a vehicle roof frame characterised in that it comprises an upwardly-open channel or trough one side wall of which has externally thereof a shoulder or step extending away from the channel or trough for engagement thereon, as may be desired, of respective ends of roof sticks, and to which connects a flange which projects over the channel or trough for securement of the edge of a roof sheet thereto, the stripping being of arcuate cross-sectional configuration providing a curved portion at one end of which is an upright portion for securement to a respective wall of a vehicle body, and connecting with the other side wall of the channel or trough, with the latter in a substantially horizontal disposition, at the other end of the curved portion.

2. Stripping as claimed in claim 1 wherein an inwardly-projecting lip or web is provided onthe upright portion.