GB2106050A

GB2106050A - Movable rigid panel for a vehicle roof

Info

Publication number: GB2106050A
Application number: GB08223340A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Horst Bienert; Georg Kohlpaintner; Werner Hoffmann
Original assignee: Webasto Werk W Baier GmbH and Co
Current assignee: Webasto Werk W Baier GmbH and Co
Priority date: 1981-08-21
Filing date: 1982-08-13
Publication date: 1983-04-07
Also published as: FR2511640A1; DE3133141C1; FR2511640B1

Abstract

The panel has a panel sheet (5) made of translucent material, an inner or lower frame (7) supporting the panel sheet (5) in its edge zone from below, and having a peripheral raised edge 9, and an upper frame (10) with at least two downwardly projecting webs (11, 12) which accommodate the raised edge (9). The edge is clamped between the two webs by means of wedge member in the form of a clamping rail (14) which is inserted between the outer web (11) and the raised edge (9). Sealing compound or adhesive 8 is interposed between the sheet 5 and the frame. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Rigid panel for a vehicle roof The invention relates to a rigid panel for a sliding, vertically movable or sliding and vertically movable roof of a vehicle, particularly a panel which, in its closed position closes a roof aperture and can be moved therefrom into an open position and/or swung-out position in which it at least partiy leaves free the roof aperture, having a panel sheet or plate made of translucent material, having an inner frame which supports the panel sheet in its edge zone from below with interposition of sealing compound or adhesive and which has a peripheral raised edge, and having a mounting or enclosing frame which is applied against the upper side of the panel sheet and which has at least two downwardly projecting webs, between which the raised edge of the inner frame engages.

In a known panel of this type (Figure 3 of DE GM 79 12 486), the raised edge of the inner frame is bonded to the webs of the mounting frame. The known design makes it necessary for the panel sheet, inner frame and outer frame to be secured, during assembly, in a retaining device, according to the desired panel curvature and outer shape, until such time as the adhesive and/or sealing compound has set. This renders the assembly operation time-consuming and costly. In particular, a plurality of retaining devices must be available, whereby assembly also becomes storage-space intensive.

According to the invention, there is provided a movable panel for a vehicle roof, comprising a sheet member and a composite frame member therefor, the frame member comprising a lower frame membey for supporting the edge portions of the sheet member, having an upturned peripheral edge, and an upperframe member for engaging the edge portions of the sheet member, the upper frame member having at least two downwardly projecting webs, the upturned edge of the lower frame member being accommodated between the two webs and retained in position by a wedging member.

By clamping the raised edge of the inner frame between the two mounting-frame webs by means of a wedging member or clamping rail, after assembly has taken place the panel can be immediately removed from the retaining device and placed in the packaging. In particular, there is no need to wait for adhesive to cure or harden. The sealing compound or adhesive between the panel sheet and the inner frame can, instead, harden within the period of delivery to the customer, since the wedging member holds the various panel parts in the desired position.

Notches on the inside of the outer web and/or on the outside of the clamping rail may be provided to secure anchoring of the clamping rail. The notches may be serrated to enable the clamping rail to be readily inserted, while at the same time effectively avoiding any loosening of the clamping rail.

The pitch of the notches of the outer web is preferably an integral multiple of the pitch of the notches of the wedging or clamping rail, to enable the clamping rail to be adjusted in small steps, even with a relatively coarse notch pitch for the web. If the clamping rail is provided with an inwardly facing flange under the outer edge of the inner frame, the clamping rail can simultaneously retain both the inner frame and the panel sheet. Thus holding together of the panel parts is further improved. If the clamping-rail flange is resiliently deformable, the mutual bracing of the panel parts is further improved.

The invention is explained in more detail on the basis of preferred examples of embodiment. In the accompanying drawings: Figure 7 shows, in perspective, a diagrammatic illustration of a vehicle with sliding roof; Figure2 shows on an enlarged scale a section along the line ll-ll of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a section corresponding to Figure 2 for a modified embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 shows a section corresponding to Figure 2 for a further modified embodiment of the invention, and Figure 5shows a section through an embodiment similar to Figure 2, with additional securing lug for the clamping rail.

The solid roof 1 of the vehicle 2 is provided with a roof aperture 3. A rigid panel 4 closes the roof aperture 3 inits closed position. It can be moved, as desired, into a position in which it leaves the roof aperture 3 at least partly open.

As evident in detail from Figure 2, the rigid panel 4 has a panel sheet 5 of translucent material, in particular glass. The panel sheet 5 is supported from below in its edge zone by an inner frame 7, with the interposition of sealing compound or adhesive 8.

The inner frame 7 is designed as a sheet-metal section with peripheral raised edge 9. A mounting frame 10 is applied agains the upper side of the panel sheet 5, which mounting frame has two downwardly projecting webs 11, 12. The raised edge 9 of the innerframe 7 engages between the two webs 11, 12 of the mounting frame 10. For holding together with panel 4, inner frame 7 and mounting framem 10, a wedging or clamping rail 14 preferably made of plastics is inserted from below between the outer web 11 and the raised edge 9. On its outside the clamping rail 14 carries serrated notches 15 which are in engagement with serrated notches 16 on the inside of the outer web 11. The pitch of the notches 16 is twice as large as the pitch of the notches 15.The clamping rail 14 has a flange 17 which is designed as a spring member, which faces inwardly and which is applied under the outer edge of the inner frame. For the assembly of the panel 4 the mounting frame 10 is placed in a convex retaining device (not shown). The hollow space remaining between the lateral edge of the panel sheet 5 and the inner web 12 is filled with sealing compound or adhesive 8 which also covers the outer edge of the underside of the panel sheet 5. The inner frame 7 is then fitted, the raised edge 9 of which bears against the outside of the inner web 12 and determines the size of the panel 4, irrespective of dimensional tolerances of the panel sheet 5. Finally, the clamping rail 14 is pressed into the remaining gap between the outside of the edge 9 and the inside of the outer web 11,so as to hold together the components 5,7 and 10.The notches 15, 16 prevent the clamping rail 14from slipping out of the mounting frame 10. The clamping rail 14 presses the edge 9 against the outside of the inner web 12. At the same time, the clamping rail 14 supports the inner frame 7 from below with its flange 17. The panel 4 thus assembled can be immediately removed from the retaining device. In particular, there is no need to wait for the sealing compound or adhesive 8 to cure.

In the embodiment according to Figure 2, the outside of the outer web 11 of the mounting frame 10 forms the outer boundary of the panel 4. The outside of the web 11 is applied against a seal (not shown) which is fitted to a roof frame defining the roof aperture 3.

In accordance with the modified embodiments according to Figures 3 and 4, it is also possible for a corresponding seal to be provided on the panel 4.

Figure 3 shows an embodiment in which the mounting frame 10 has a third downwardly projecting web 20, on to which a seal 21 is fitted from below.

In the modified embodiment according to Figure 4, the mounting frame 10 is provided with upper and lower retaining flanges 22, 23 which project laterally beyond the outer web 11. The retaining flanges 22, 23 define a space 24. Retaining lugs 26, 27 of a seal 28 engage in the space 24, the retaining lugs 26, 27 applying behind the retaining flanges 22, 23.

Figure 5 shows an embodiment which differs from that of Figure 2 only in that a securing lug 30 is provided at the lower end of the outer web 11 of the mounting frame 10. This securing lug protrudes inwards and is applied from below against the clamping rail 14.

In all embodiments the mounting frame 10 preferably consists of light metal, in particular aluminium.

Advantageously, its surface can be powder-coated or polished. The clamping rail 14 may consist of plastics material sold by the metre, which is cut to a length corresponding to the periphery of the inner frame 7 and placed around the inner frame 7.

It can readily be seen that the panel according to the embodiments described above can be assembled comparatively quickly, at low cost and with reduced space requirement.

Claims

1. A movable panel for a vehicle roof, comprising a sheet member and a composite frame member therefor, the frame member comprising a lower frame member for supporting the edge portions of the sheet member, having an upturned peripheral edge, and an upper frame member for engaging the edge portions of the sheet member, the upper frame member having at least two downwardly projecting webs, the upturned edge of the lower frame member being accommodated between the two webs and retained in position by a wedging member.

2. A panel as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the outermost of the two webs carries notches cooperating with the outer side of the wedging member.

3. A panel as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the wedging member has notches on its outer side cooperating with the inside of the outer web.

4. A panel according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, characterised in that the notches are of serrated design.

5. A panel according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, wherein the pitch of the notches of the outer web is an integral multiple of the pitch of the notches of the wedging member.

6. A panel according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein wedging member has an inwardly pointing flange situated below the outer edge of the inner frame.

7. A panel according to Claim 6, wherein the flange of the clamping rail is resiliently deformable.

8. A panel according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the wedging member is a plastics section.

9. A panel according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the mounting frame carries a seal on its outside.

10. a panel according to Claim 9, wherein the seal is fitted on to a third web of the mounting frame.

11. A panel according to Claim 9, wherein the seal is retained laterally on the mounting frame by appropriate formations on the mounting frame and the seal.

12. A panel according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein an inwardly protruding securing lug is provided at the lower end of the outer web of the mounting frame, adopted to bear on the wedging member.

13. A panel as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the sheet member is translucent.

14. A panel according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein an adhesive sealing compound is provided between the upper and lower frame members to seal the sheet member in the frame.

15. A movable panel for a vehicle roof, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated by any one of Figures 2 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.

16. A rigid panel for a sliding vertically movable or sliding and vertically movable roof of a vehicle, which panel in its closed position closes a roof aperture and can be moved therefrom into an open position and/or a swung-out position in which it at least partly leaves free the roof aperture, having a panel sheet made of translucent material, having an inner frame which supports the panel sheet in its edge zone from below with interposition of sealing compound or adhesive and which has a peripheral raised edge, and having a mounting frame which is applied against the upper side of the panel sheet and which has at least two downwardly projecting webs, between which the raised edge of the innerframe engages, characterised in that the raised edge of the inner frame is clamped between the two webs of the mounting frame by means of a clamping rail inserted between the outer web and the raised edge.