GB2105659A

GB2105659A - Raisable roof for vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2105659A
Application number: GB08223540A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Igel
Original assignee: Webasto Werk W Baier GmbH and Co
Current assignee: Webasto Werk W Baier GmbH and Co
Priority date: 1982-08-16
Filing date: 1982-08-16
Publication date: 1983-03-30
Also published as: GB2105659B

Abstract

A tilting roof panel is surrounded by a roof aperture frame (2) and is tilted by a device (6) for raising and lowering the rear part of the panel, said device engaging, on the one hand, on the frame (2) and, on the other hand, on the panel. To enable a simple interchange with a different kind of lifting device, the lifting device (6) is mounted on a mounting plate (23) which is interchangeably fixed to the frame. The invention is particularly applicable to opening panels intended for installation in a vehicle subsequent to the latter's manufacture. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Raisable roof for vehicle The invention relates to a raisable roof assembly for vehicles intended particularly for subsequent installation, and particularly to a roof assembly having a panel which can be pivoted up and which is arranged in the region of a roof aperture, having a frame running round the edge of the roof aperture and a lifting device for raising and lowering the rear part of the panel, said device engaging, on the one hand, on the frame and, on the other hand, on the panel.

Tilting roofs of this type are known for example from US Patent No. 4 067 605. It is possible for the tilting device to be designed in different ways.

For its actuation it is possible to provide, in particular, a turn knob or handle (DEOS 29 28 994), a flap or hinged handle (DEEPS 25 08 487) our a motor, in particular an electric motor. Hitherto, however, it was not possible to change over, according to customers requirements, from one system to another without special structural alterations to, in particular the frame profile.

In the roof assembly according to the invention a particularly easy change over from one lifting device to another becomes possible and thus the assembly can be flexibly adapted to customer requirements.

According to the invention, there is provided a raisable roof assembly for a vehicle, having a frame by which the assembly may be attached to .a vehicle roof, and a panel attached to the frame for movement relative thereto, a lifting device being provided for moving the panel relative to the frame, the lifting device being mounted on a mounting plate removably attached to the frame, whereby the lifting device is readily interchangeable by removal of the lifting device -and mounting plate. As a result of the proposal according to the invention, it is possible for the raisable roof to be manufactured and stored as such in a uniform construction, i.e. initially without lifting device, so as then to complete it subsequently with one of the different lifting devices available, according to the particular customer requirements.Production and stock keeping are thereby rationalised, while the customer is offered the choice between different lifting devices.

The interchangeable mounting plate can carry, in particular, a lifting device operated manually by means of a turn knob or hinged handle, or a lifting device driven by motor, in particular by an electric motor. Auxiliary equipment can also be fitted on the interchangeable mounting plate, for example a blind or shade which makes it possible, when using a panel of translucent or transparent material, to reduce the intensity of incident light.

Examples of embodiment of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a top view of a tilting roof according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a section along the line Il-Il in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a section along the line Ill-Ill in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a view in perspective of the rear part of the frame with mounting plate for a telescopic lifting or screw jack driven by electric motor; Figure 5 shows an interchangeable mounting plate with a telescopic lifting jack adjustable manually by way of a turn knob;; Figure 6 shows an exploded, perspective view of an interchangable mounting plate with hinged handle, and Figure 7 shows the rear zone of the frame with mounting plate applied thereto, which in addition to a manually adjustable telescopic lifting jack carries two sunblinds.

According to Figure 1 , the rigid roof membrane 1 is provided with a roof aperture, along whose edge runs a frame 2. The frame 2 carries a panel 3 which, for example, is made from acryiic glass or metal. The frame 2 is secured to the roof membrane 1 by means of clamping plates 4. The panel 3 is pivotally connected to the front frame part via two hinges 5 and is pivotable about an axis in the vicinity of its front edge. A lifting and tilting device 6 (indicated schematically) serves to raise and lower the rear part of the panel.

The frame 2, which preferably consists of light metal, for example aluminium, is of approximately U-shaped cross-section. The inwardly lying arm 7 of the U-section is shorter than the outer arm 8 which merges into a flange 9 applied on to the roof membrane 1. A seal 22 is inserted in a groove 10 of the flange 9. In the transition zone between the arm 8 and the flange 9 is situated a block 11 with a groove 12. Screws 1 3 are screwed into the block 11, which tap their thread in the groove 12 itself. The screw 13 projects through a slot in the V-shaped clamping plate 4. In the illustration of Figure 2, the screw 13 is screwed into the groove 12 only to such an extent that it has a secure hold.

Subsequently, the free arm of the clamping plate 4 can be applied against the side of the block )1 . In this position of the clamping plate 4, it is possible for the frame 2 to be inserted into the roof aperture from above.

The panel 3 has a border or mounting frame 20 with which it is applied on a seal 14. The seal 14 is seated in the U-shaped part of the frame 2 and engages with a protuberance 1 5 behind two projections 1 6 and 1 7 so that a secure fit is achieved.The panel 3 is also sealed with respect to the frame 2 by a seal 18 which is fitted on the arm 7.

The hinge 5 (Figure 3) comprises two parts which are pivotable relative to one another about a pin 21 and which, on the one hand, are screwed to the flange 9 of the frame 2 and, on the other hand, are screwed to the panel 3. In the illustration of Figure 3, the screw 1 3 is screwed in and the clamping- plate 4 tightened. With one outer edge the clamping plate 4 is applied in the corner between the block 11 and the arm 8 at a point 1 9. Upon screwing in the screw 13, the clamping plate 4 pivots about the point 19, in which case the free clamping-plate arm moves towards the roof membrane 1. By tightening the screw 13 it is possible to adjust the contact pressure of the frame 2 against the roof membrane 1.

According to Figure 4, in the rear central zone of the frame 2 the arm 7 and the adjoining part of the U-section is omitted. In this zone a mounting plate 23 is detachably connected to the frame. For this purpose, screws 13 extend from below through the mounting plate 23 and into the groove 12 of the frame 2. The mounting plate thus engages under the frame 2 and it supplements the omitted portion of the bottom of the U-section and of the arm 7 with its bottom surface 23 and its raised edge 25. On either side and in the central part of the mounting plate 23, projecting lugs 26 are applied from above against the bottom of the U-section of the frame 2. They impart a secure hold to the mounting plate and enable the forces occurring upon pivoting up the panel 3 to be satisfactorily taken up. The bottom 24 of the mounting plate 23 is provided with an opening 27 and four holes 28.The opening 27 provides space for the passage of a telescopic lifting jack 29 which is a component of the lifting device which overall is designated 6. The telescopic lifting jack may be designed in the manner known from DE OS29 28 994 and, therefore, needs no detailed explanation here. The upper end of the telescopic lifting jack 29 is detachably connected to the rear end of the panel 3; this is also known from DE OS 29 28 994. To avoid repetition, reference is made to the contents of DE OS 29 28 994 in their entirety. The part of the telescopic lifting jack 29 secured against axial displacement carries a ring gear 30 which meshes with a worm on the driven shaft 31 of an electric motor 32.Additionally, the ring gear 30 can be rotated by means of a pinion 33 which in turn can be actuated via a removable crank handle, so as in this way to ensure an emergency drive in the event of failure of the electric motor 32 or of its power supply. The lifting device 6 accommodated in a dish-shaped housing 34 is secured to the underside of the mounting plate 23 via screws 35 which pass through the holes 28 and are screwed into threaded bores 36 of the lifting device 6 fast with the housing.

In the modified embodiment according to Figure 5, the same mounting plate 23 is provided as in the example of embodiment according to Figure 4. The mounting plate 23 carries in this case, however, a telescopic lifting jack 37 forming a part of a lifting device 6', it being possible for the telescopic jack to be operated manually by means of a turn knob 38. Reference is again made to DE OS 29 28 994 for further details of the construction of the telescopic jack 37 and its detachable application to the panel 3.

Figure 6 shows a modified, interchangeable mounting plate 40 which, in place of the mounting plate 23, engages under the frame 2 and, like the mounting plate 23, carries laterally projecting lugs 26, with which it is applied on to the bottom of the U-section of the frame 2. The mounting plate 40 has openings 41. Screws (not shown) inserted through the openings 41 engage, corresponding to screws 13, into the groove 12 of the frame 2. A grip shell or dish 42 is fixed under the mounting plate 40 by means of a screw 43. The mounting plate 40 carries two bearing brackets 43 projecting inwards towards the roof aperture and with openings 44 which define a pivot axis for a hinged or flap handle 45 of a lifting device 6".

Two pivot levers 46 with laterally projecting pins 47 are mounted axially displaceably on a pivot pin 48 of the hinged handle 45. They can be displaced axially against the force of a spring 49 fitted on the pivot pin 48, whereby the pins 47 can be brought, as desired, into and out of engagement with the openings 44 of the bearing brackets 43.

The bearing brackets 43 also carry ball detents 50 which can be inserted resiliently and elastically into lateral recesses of the pivot levers 46 so as to arrest the hinged handle 45 in the pivoted-out position. As indicated diagrammatically at 51,the hinged handle 45 is articulated to the panel 3. The construction and mode of operation of the hinged handle are known perse (DEPS 25 08 487) and require no further explanation.

Finally, Figure 7 illustrates a further embodiment of a mounting plate 55 which, in addition to a telescopic jack 37 actuatable by way of turn knob 38 and of the type shown in Figure 5, carries as additional equipment two blinds 56. The mounting plate 55 is screwed under the frame 2, in similar manner to the mounting plates 23 and 40.

The screws provided for this are passed through holes 57 in eyes or lugs 58 of the mounting plate 55 and, corresponding to scres 13, engage in the groove 12 of the frame 2. Bearing blocks 59 are fitted on the mounting plate 55 for retaining the blinds 56. The blinds 56 are each provided at their front end with a handle 60 which enables the respective blind to be pulled out against spring tension, so as to moderate the incident light passing through the panel 3 which in this case is transparent or translucent.

Of course, the use of the interchangeable mounting plate is not restricted to tilting roofs which are intended for subsequent installation.

Claims

1. A raisable roof assembly for a vehicle, having a frame by which the assembly may be attached to a vehicle roof, and a panel attached to the frame for movement relative thereto, a lifting device being provided for moving the panel relative to the frame, the lifting device being mounted on a mounting plate removably attached to the frame, whereby the lifting device is readily interchangeable by removal of the lifting device and mounting plate.

2. A roof assembly as claimed in Claim 1, wherein lifting device is actuatable by means of a turnable knob.

3. A roof assembly as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the lifting device is actuatable by means of a hinged handle.

4. A roof assembly as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the lifting device is operated by a motor.

5. A roof assembly as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the motor is an electric motor.

6. A roof assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the panel is pivoted to the frame along one of its edges whereby actuation of the lifting device causes the panel to tilt about the said axis.

7. A roof assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein one or more auxiliary devices are also fitted on the interchangeable mounting plate.

8. A roof assembly as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the said one or more auxiliary devices includes a blind.

9. A roof assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the interchangeable mounting plate engages under the frame and carries lugs applied against the upper side of the frame.

10. A roof assembly for a vehicie, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated by, Figures 1 ,2,3, and 4, 1 ,2,3, and 5,1 ,2,3,and and 6, or 1,2,3 and 7 of the accompanying drawings.

11. A vehicle incorporating a roof assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims.