GB2164006A

GB2164006A - Vehicle sunroofs

Info

Publication number: GB2164006A
Application number: GB08422563A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Brian Lievesley
Original assignee: Autoroofs Ltd
Current assignee: Autoroofs Ltd
Priority date: 1984-09-06
Filing date: 1984-09-06
Publication date: 1986-03-12
Also published as: GB8422563D0

Abstract

A sliding sunroof for a vehicle comprises a closure panel (12) slidably mounted on a slide frame assembly (18, 20, 22, 30) which is pivotally mounted on a front portion of an outer frame (10). The slide frame is accommodated within the outer frame when the sunroof is closed. For pivotal opening of the sunroof, a latch mechanism (38, 42) acts between a rear portion of the frame (10) and the slide frame. Front and rear panel brackets (62, 64) enable the panel to be mounted slidably at its front by means of a slide handle assembly (66, 68, 70, 76) and by bearing rods (86) which extend between the slide handle and the rear bracket. The bearing rods are guided telescopically by tubular slideway-providing portions (30) of the slide frame. A latch mechanism (66, 70) of the slide handle enables the panel to be raised pivotally from the slide frame to unlock it for sliding movement. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Vehicle sunroofs This invention is concerned with improvements in or relating to vehicle sunroofs, and more particularly relates to sliding sunroofs of a kind which comprise a closure panel (usually of glass) which is mounted to be moved aside from an opening in the roof of the vehicle to uncover the opening at least partially. The term "sliding sunroof" is, as commonly used and as used herein, simply descriptive of the fact that the closure panel is arranged to be moved edgewise (i.e substantially in its own plane, as opposed to pivotal or rotational movement), and it is to be understood that the reference in the term to "sliding" is not limitative as tp the precise manner in which the panel is supported in its edgewise movements.

Various types of sliding sunroof of the kind referred to are known, but most commonly the panel is arranged to slide rearwardly on tracks to an open position in which it is accommodated beneath the normal roof level of the vehicle. The arrangement can be such that in drawing the panel forwards again, in closing the sunroof, the panel is caused by the tracks to be lifted slightly into its closed poSition to engage a sealing strip around its periphery and seal the roof opening.

The panel-supporting tracks can be provided by suitable structure in various ways. In one commonly employed construction, a pressed metal pan, secured beneath the vehicle roof, provides the basis for the structure. However, in whatever manner the tracks are provided the structure usually extends along the roof for a substantially greater length than the length of the roof opening itself, in order to support the panel in its open position, and accordingly the structure is usually secured to the roof over a large area as compared with that of the roof opening.

In our view, the fitting of such sliding sun roofs has in the past been undertaken most satisfactorily by the original vehicle manufacturer, at the time of building the vehicle, rather than subsequently as an after-market fitment. This is for various reasons.

First, in view of the large area of roof affected in fitting the track structure, it is important that the structure be adequately matched to the shape of the vehicle roof; any appreciable mismatch can result in distortions of the roof shape (and even very slight distortions can be unacceptable to the vehicle owner) and can also lead to sealing problems. The original vehicle manufacturer, and a sunroof manufacturer supplying to the vehicle manufacturer, can take advantage of substantial quantities required to have a sunroof design which is tailor-made for the particular vehicle model to which it is to be fitted.After-market suppliers, on the other hand, have usually manufactured sunroof designs which are intended to be suitable for a wide variety of vehicles of different manufacture, but mis-match problems tend to arise as a consequence.

Secondly, discreet drainage from the track structure can usually be provided more readily in the course of the original construction of the vehicle, rather than in after-market fitment.

Thirdly, the original manufacturer of the vehicle has an advantage in applying the interior decorative trim to the vehicle after the sunroof has been fitted, and is not faced with problems of making good the interior trim after fitment.

There is another well known kind of sunroof, which avoids most of the problems associated with sliding sunroofs, and that is a pivotal-opening kind in which the closure panel is pivotally mounted to be opened upwards (i.e. outwardly of the vehicle).

An outer frame of a sunroof of this kind is secured to the vehicle roof immediately around the roof opening and the panel is secured at its front to the frame by means of hinges. A latch mechanism secured between the rear of the panel and the frame enables the sunroof to be opened and closed. Fitment of such a sunroof is usually a very much easier task than for the sliding sunroofs hereinbefore described, and because the area of vehicle-roof affected is not substantially larger than that of the roof opening a single sunroof design can be applied to a wide range of vehicles without fear of significant distortion of the vehicle roof. Drainage problems do not arise, and the interior trim of the vehicle need not, with care, be spoilt by after-market fitment.However, many people prefer a sliding sunroof, permitting therm to have the roof opening uncovered rather than simply opened as by a hinged vent.

A sunroof of a third Kind is also known which marks an attempt to provide a sliding sunroof of a construction which retains the after-market fitment advantages of the pivotally-opening kind. This sunroof comprises an outer frame, similar two that of a pivotallyvopening sunroof, and a closure panel which is mounted on the frame to be moved slightly upwardly, relative to the frame, and edgewise over the vehicle roof in opening the sunroof.

The panel is mounted to slide on fixed tracks which are secured along side portions of the outer frame, the frame being (as in usual) of a generally oblong rectangular shape ta be mounted with its longer (front and rear) portions extending transversely of the vehicle. Panel-mounting means comprises an operating mechanism, which includes a rotatable handle mounted adjacent to the rear edge of the-panel, enabling the panel to be drawn rearwardly edgewise from the roof opening upon rotation of the handle. The mechanism is arranged to lift the rear edge of the panel slightly, as it begins to move the panel, in order that the panel should be raised sufficiently to pass clear over the rear portion of the frame and over the vehicle roof.

However, various disadvantages arise from the known construction. First, because the tracks are secured along the side portions of the frame, in between radiused corners where the side portions meet the front and rear portions, the tracks are substantially shorter than the length of the roof opening (i.e. measured longitudinally of the vehicle). A consequence of that is that the available sliding movement of the closure panel is very lim ited, and the amount by which the roof opening can be uncovered is similarly limited. Secondly, the known arrangement is such that the lifting of the panel at its rear edge, in opening the sunroof, leaves trailing portions of the panel pressed firmly into engagement with sealing strips on the outer frame. The engagement of the panel with the sealing strips, during sliding movement, hinders opening and closing of the sunroof and also wears the strips.

It is an object ofthe present invention to provide an improved sunroof which is well suited to aftermarket fitmeht and which canoe operated as a sliding sunroof.

The invention provides, in one of its aspects, a sunroof adapted to be installed in an opening in a vehicle roof and comprising an outer frame to be secured to the vehicle roof around the roof opening, a closure panel, and panel-mounting means whereby the closure panel is mounted on the frame for movement relative thereto from a closed position in which in conjunction with the frame it closes the opening, the panel-mounting means comprising panel-bearing means which is pivotally mounted on the frame for upwards movement relative to the frame in opening the sunroof, and the panel being mounted on the panel-bearing means for edgewise movement relative thereto- enabling the panel to be moved over the vehicle roof in operation of the sunroof as a sliding sunroof.

A sunroof as set out in the last preceding paragraph can provide a sliding sunroof which maintains both the fitment and operational benefits of the pivotally-opening kind hereinbefore referred to.

To enable the sunroof to be used in the manner of the pivotally-opening kind, a vertically extensible latch mechanism can be arranged to act between the outer frame and the panel-bearing means to control pivotal opening. In addition to being arranged to secure the sunroof fully closed, and to maintain it in a pivotally fully open condition, the latch mechanism is preferably so arranged that at least one intermediate pivotal condition can also be maintained. The latch mechanism can be mounted in. the conventional position for a pivotally-opening sunroof, which is to say secured to a portion of the frame on the opposite side of the roof opening from the pivot axis of the panel-bearing means.

in a preferred construction of sunroof in accordance with the invention the panel is furthermore mounted for pivotal movement relative to the panekbearing means, enabling the panel to be lifted slightly relative to the panel-bearing means in the opposite rotational sense to that in which the panel-bearing means is arranged to be lifted relative to the outer frame. In this manner it can be arranged that the panel be lifted entirely clear of sealing means of the outer frame prior to edgewise movement of the panel in sliding operation of the sunroof.

Whilst the panel could be mounted on the panelbearing means in any suitable manner enabling guided edgewise movement, most conveniently the panel-bearing means can comprise sliding means secured to the panel and slidable along one or more slideways of the panel-bearing means. n a preferred construction the sliding means is connected to the panel by means of a vertically-extensible latch mechanism, and the arrangement may be such that the panel becomes unlocked for sliding movement only upon being lifted by the latch mechanism. The panel-mounting means comprises, in the preferred construction, one or more bearing rods arranged telescopically with slideway.

providing portions of the panel-bearing means, one end of the rods being secured to the sliding means and the other end being secured to the panel at a position spaced apart from that at which the sliding means is secured to the panel.

There now follows a detailed description, to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings, of a sunroof which illustrates the invention by way of example.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevational view, partly in section, showing the sunroof fully closed; Figure 2 is a side elevation view illustrating the arrangement of the sunroof when fully open; Figure 3 is a side elevational view, though with certain parts omitted, illustrating a first stage of opening of the sunroof; Figure 4 is a side elevational view illustrating a second stage of opening; Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 illustrating a third stage of opening; Figure 6 is a plan view, to a larger scale than Figures 1 to 5, of a primary latch mechanism of the sunroof; and Figure 7 is a sectional view on the line VII-VII of Figure 1, the section being taken through a slide handle mechanism of panel-bearing means of the sunroof.

The sunroof is shown in Figures 1 to 5 installed in an opening in a vehicle roof R and comprises a composite outer frame 10 (see Figure 1) secured to the roof R and extending continuously around the opening. The frame is of a kind well known in pivotally-opening sunroofs and, as usual, is of a generally oblong rectangular shape. As installed, the frame is arranged in the usual way with its longer (front and rear) portions extending transversely of the vehicle. As seen in Figure 1, the front portion of the frame is seen towards the left of the drawing and the rear portion towards the right. Again as is well known in pivotally-opening sunroofs, a glass closure panel 12 of the sunroof is arranged when in a closed position (as in Figure 1) to seal the roof opening in conjunction with the frame 10, a marginal portion of the undersurface of the panel pressing down on to a sealing strip 14 of the outer frame.

Panel-mounting means 16 of the sunroof, whereby the closure panel 12 is movably mounted on the frame 10, comprises panel-bearing means in the form of a slide frame assembly which is pivotally mounted on the front portion of the outer frame 10, permitting pivotal opening of the sunroof, and carries the panel in a manner which enables the panel also to be slid rearwardly, longitudinally of the vehicle, to uncover the roof opening. The assembly is accommodated between the front and rear portions of the outer frame when the sunroof is fully closed.

The slide frame assembly (see Figures 1, 6 and 7) comprises a generally rectangular frame made up of a front end member 18, a rear end member 20 and two panel-supporting members comprising aluminium extrusions 22 and 24 which extend side-by-side, though spaced apart, between the end members 18 and 20. At each end each of the panel-supporting members is located and supported by the end member 18 or 20 and the assembly is held together by means of two thin tie rods 26 and 28 (Figure 7) extending between the end members. Each of the extruded panel-supporting members comprises a generally tubular portion 30 having a smooth bore providing a slideway.

Each tubular portion is formed with an axially extending slot 32, the two slots 32 being arranged in opposition as shown in Figure 7. The two slideways so provided extend in parallel substantially from the front end member 18 to the rear end member 20.

At its front end the slide frame assembly is pivotally mounted on the front portion of the outer frame 10 in a known manner by means of two arcuate blades 34 (Figures 2 to 5 and 7) which are secured to the front end member 18 of the slide frame assembly. The assembly is so mounted for upwards movement, away from the outer frame 10, about a pivot axis extending parallel to the front portion of the rectangular outer frame.

At its rear end the slide frame assembly is secured to the rear portion of the outer frame 10 by means of a vertically-extensible primary latch mechanism 36 (see Figures 1, 3 and 6). The latch mechanism 36 comprises a tilt handle 38, which is pivotally mounted on a mounting bracket 40 secured to the outer frame, and a centre link 42 which at one end is pivotally connected to the tilt handle and at its other end is pivotally connected to the rear end member 20 of the slide frame assembly; the three pivotal connections are indicated at 44, 46 and 48, respectively, the three pivot axes being in parallel with the pivot axis of the slide frame assembly.The arrangement is such that the tilt handle 38 and the centre link 42 provide a toggle mechanism which goes over-centre (i.e. the axis of the connection 46 between the tilt handle and the centre link crosses the imaginary line through the end connections 44 and 48) in order that the slide frame assembly becomes locked down when the mechanism is moved to a fully retracted condition (Figures 1 and 6), a downwardly and forwardly projecting beak portion 41 of the mounting bracket 40 becoming embraced by a corner portion 43 of the centre link 42 to ensure a good pull down on the panel against the sealing strip 14.

Locking means 50 (Figure 6) of the latch mechanism 36 enables the mechanism to be secured in substantially any position of adjustment between its fully retracted condition and a fully extended condition. The locking means comprises a rotary locking lever 52 rotatably mounted on a pivot pin 54 forming part of the pivotal connection 44 of the tilt handle 38 to the mounting bracket 40. Side faces of the locking lever 52 provide cam surfaces to cooperate with similar cam surfaces of an- axially fixed end member 56 and an axially movable thrust washer 58. A portion of the tilt handle is mounted on the pivot pin 54 between the thrust washer 58 and a second axially-fixed end member 60. The two side faces of that portion of the tilt handle, and the faces opposed thereto of each of the thrust washer 58 and the second end member 60, bear circular arrays of radially-extending teeth.

Upon rotation of the locking lever 52 from an unlocked position to a locking position, interengagement of the cam faces causes the thrust washer 58 to be moved axially towards the second end member 60 to trap the tilt handle therebetween, the teeth on the opposed faces becoming interengaged to prevent subsequent rotation of the tilt handle about the pivot pin 54.

The manner in which the closure panel 12 is slidably mounted on the tiltable slide frame assembly will now be described. Secured centrally to the panel, adjacent to front and rear edges, respectively, of the panel, are front and rear panel brackets 62 and 64 (see, for example, Figures 1 and 4).

The front panel bracket 62 is slidably secured by means of a slide handle assembly (see Figures 1, 4 and 7) to the panel-supporting members 22 and 24.

-The slide handle assembly comprises a verticallyextensible secondary latch mechanism of the sunroof. The secondary latch mechanism comprises a slide handle 66, which is pivotally mounted on a spindle 68 which is slidably mounted (as hereinafter described) on the slide frame assembly, and a centre link 70 which at one end is pivotally connected to the slide handle 66 and at its other end is pivotally connected to the front panel bracket 62; the two pivotal connections of the centre link are indicated at 72 and 74, respectively, the three pivot axes of the latch mechanism being in parallel with the pivot axis of the slide frame assembly.The arrangement is such that the slide handle 66 and the centre link 70 provide a toggle mechanism which goes over-centre (i.e. the axis of the connection 72 between the centre link and the slide handle crosses the imaginary line through the end connections 68 and 74) in order that the panel becomes locked down when the mechanism is moved to a fully retracted condition (Figures 1 and 7).

Opposite end portions of the spindle 68 of the slide handle assembly are secured transversely in low friction sliding bushes 76 and 78 (see Figures 7 and 5). The bushes 76 and 78 are cylindrical and tubular, and are slidably mounted within the tubular portions 30 of the panel-supporting members 22 and 24 of the slide frame assembly. Thus, the front panel bracket 62 is secured by means of the slide handle assembly to slide along the slide frame assembly.

The rear panel bracket 64, secured (as is the front panel bracket 62) to the undersurface of the closure panel 12, provides pivotal mountings for two eyes 80 and 82 (see Figures 4 and 6). The two mountings have a common pivot axis which is parallel with the pivot axis of the slide frame assembly. Each eye comprises a cylindrical shank 84 (Figure 4) which is secured in an end portion of a straight tubular bearing rod 86. The rod 86 extends forwardly from the eye through a static low-friction bush 88 mounted in a bore through the rear end member 20 of the slide frame assembly, and on within the tubular portion 30 of an associated one of the panel-supporting member 22 or 24.The forward end portions of the bearing rods 86 (see Figures 5 and 7) are secured in the bushes 76 and 78 of the slide handle assembly, the spindle 68 of the slide handle assembly passing radially through the rods 86.

In that way the closure panel 12 is both pivotally mounted on the slide frame assembly, for small movements upwardly therefrom about the pivot axis of the eye mountings of the rear panel bracket 64, as permitted by adjustment of the latch mecha pism of the slide handle assembly, and slidably mounted relative thereto by means of the sliding bushes 76 and 78, within the slideways of the panel-supporting members 22 and 24, and the static bushes 88 supporting the bearing rods 86.In order to cushion the panel against the slide frame assembly, and to lock the closure panel against sliding movement when secured down to the slide frame assembly by the secondary latch mechanism, two lengths of upwardly-facing toothed rubber belt 90 and 92 (Figures 6 and 7) are secured to flat upper surfaces of the panel-supporting members 22 and 24 and to be engaged by downwardly facing toothed portions of wings 94 and 96 of the front panel bracket 62 (see also Figures 4 and 6).

Interengagement of the teeth of the wings 94 and 96 with the belts 90 and 92 prevents relative sliding movement in whatever position of sliding adjustment, along the slide frame assembly, the closure panel is secured down by the slide handle assembly.

The slide frame assembly extends centrally between front and rear of the sunroof and can provide a most appropriate mounting point for interior lighting for the vehicle. As shown in Figure 7, translucent plastics lenses 98 and 100 can be secured to the panel-supporting members 22 and 24, to mask them from beneath, leaving spaces between the lenses and the members to accommodate suitable electrical fittings and light bulbs or tubes 102 and 104.

Use of the sunroof will now be described. Starting from the fully closed condition shown in Figure 1, the sunroof can be operated in the manner of a conventional pivotally-opening sunroof by means of the primary latch mechanism 36. The locking means 50 would usually be operative when the sunroof was fully closed, and this is first relaxed by a rotation of the locking lever 52. Then, upon grasping the tilt handle 38 and pulling it downwards, so rotating it about its pivotal connection 44 (whereby it is indirectly connected to the outer frame 10), the toggle mechanism is moved overcentre and with continued rotation of the tilt handle the rear end of the slide frame assembly becomes lifted away from the outer frame 10 by the centre link 42. The slide frame assembly, and so the panel 12 mounted thereon, is so rotated upwardly about the pivot axis of the assembly.Figure 3 illustrates the sunroof so opened. Between the fully opened and fully closed conditions, the panel can be secured at intermediate positions as required by means of the locking lever 52 of the locking means 50.

The sunroof is so designed as to ensure that it can normally only be operated as a sliding sunroof when it has first been at least partially opened pivotally. To prevent attempts to slide the panel 12 when the slide frame assembly is too low, which could result in the panel mountings striking the outer frame and/or the vehicle roof, the slide handle 66 of the secondary latch mechanism is so arranged that it cannot be readily grasped until upwards pivoting of the slide frame assembly has caused it to move clear of the outer frame 10. As long as the slide handle assembly maintains the panel secured down, sliding of the panel is prevented by interengagement of the teeth of the front panel bracket 62 and the belts 90 and 92.

However, with the sunroof in the pivoted condition shown in Figure 3, for example, the slide handle 66 can then be grasped and pulled downwards. Subsequent rotation in the same direction of the slide handle 66, about its pivotal connection 68 to the panel-supporting members 22 and 24, causes the centre link 70 to lift the front panel bracket 62 away from the members 22 and 24 once the toggle mechanism has moved over-centre. The panel 12 is so rotated upwardly about the pivotal connections between the rear panel bracket 64 and the two eyes 80 and 82 secured to the rods 86. The sunroof is then in the condition illustrated by Figure 4.

By means of the slide handle 66, the panel 12 can then be pushed rearwardly to slide it back along the slide frame assembly to the required degree of opening, for example such as is illustrated by Figure 5. The slide handle 66 can then be pulled down to retract the latch mechanism, so lowering the front panel bracket 62 until, when the mechanism becomes locked in its fully rectracted condition, the toothed belts 90 and 92 become again engaged to lock the panel in its chosen position of sliding adjustment. After releasing the locking means 50 of the primary latch mechanism 36 by appropriate rotation of the locking lever 52, the tilt handle 38 can be pulled down to lower the slide frame assembly and the panel 12, so to bring them nearer to the vehicle roof R to reduce wind resistance. At a required position slightly above that at which the roof R or the outer frame 10 would be engaged, for example that illustrated by Figure 2, the locking lever 52 is operated to secure the tilt handle, and so the slide frame assembly in that required position.

To close the sunroof the opposite procedure is followed.

It is to be noted that the provision, by means of the secondary latch mechanism, for the front edge of the panel 12 to be lifted relative to the slide frame assembly, serves various purposes. In addition to unlocking the front panel bracket 62 (from the toothed belts 90 and 92) for sliding movements of the panel, it also lifts the panel entirely clear of the sealing strip 14 of the outer frame 10 before sliding open. This can both ease initial (and final, when closing) sliding movement of the panel, and also prevent abrasion damage to the sealing strip.

Furthermore, it enables additional ventilation to be achieved (i.e. from the front of the sunroof) should that be required.

The toggle mechanisms of both the primary and secondary latch mechanisms may be so arranged that in being moved to fully extended conditions they go over-centre. That is to say in the case of the primary latch mechanism 36 that the pivotal connection 46 (Figure 3) between the tilt handle and the centre link would pass between the end connections 44 and 48; the mechanism could then be in a sufficiently stable condition as not to require application of the locking means 50. In the case of the secondary latch mechanism it would mean that the pivotal connection 72 (Figure 4) between the slide handle 66 and the centre link 70 would pass between the end connections 68 and 74. However, in the latter case it may be preferred that the condition be relatively unstable, in order to ensure that the front edge of the panel is not accidentally maintained raised.

Claims

1. A sunroof adapted to be installed in an opening in a vehicle roof and comprising an outer frame to be secured to the vehicle roof around the roof opening, a closure panel, and panel-mounting means whereby the closure panel is mounted on the frame for movement relative thereto from a closed position in which it is arranged to seal the roof opening in conjunction with the frame, the panel-mounting means comprising panel-bearing means which can be accommodated within the outer frame and which is pivotally mounted on the frame for upwards movement relative to the frame in- opening the sunroof, and the panel being mounted on the panel-bearing means for edgewise movement relative thereto enabling the panel to be moved over the vehicle roof in operation of the sunroof as a sliding sunroof.

2. A sunroof according to claim 1 comprising a vertically extensible latch mechanism arranged to act between the outer frame and the panel-bearing means to control pivotal opening.

3. A sunroof according to claim 2 in which the latch mechanism is arranged both to secure the sunroof fully closed and to maintain it in a pivotally fully open condition.

4. A sunroof according to claim 3 in which the latch mechanism is further so arranged that at least one intermediate pivotal condition of the sunroof can be maintained thereby.

5. A sunroof according to claim 4 wherein the panel-mounting means comprises one or more bearing rods arranged telescopically with slidewayproviding portions of the panel-bearing means, one end of the rods being secured to the sliding means and the other end being secured to the panel at a position spaced apart from that at which the sliding means is secured to the panel.

5. A sunroof according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the panel is furthermore mounted for pivotal movement relative to the panel-bearing means, enabling the panel to be lifted relative to the panel-bearing means in the opposite rotational sense to that in which the panel-bearing means is arranged to be lifted relative to the outer frame.

6. A sunroof according to claim 5 wherein the panel becomes unlocked for edgewise movement only upon being so lifted relative to the panelbearing means.

7. A sunroof according to claim 6 wherein to lock the panel against edgewise movement the panel-bearing means comprises at least one upwardly-facing toothed portion arranged to be engaged by a downwardly-facing toothed member secured to the panel to lock the panel in substantially any position of edgewise adjustment.

8. A sunroof according to claim 7 wherein the toothed portion of the panel-bearing means comprises a toothed belt.

9. A sunroof according to any one of claims 5, 6, 7 and 8 comprising a vertically extensible latch mechanism arranged to act between the panel bearing means and the panel, whereby the panel can be secured down relative to the panel-bearing means.

10. A sunroof according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the panel-mounting means comprises sliding means secured to the panel and slidable along one or more slideways of the panel-bearing means.

11. A sunroof according to claim 10 wherein the panel-mounting means comprises one or more bearing rods arranged telescopically with slidewayproviding portions of the panel-bearing means, one end of the rod or rods being secured to the sliding means and the other end being secured to the panel at a position spaced apart from that at which the sliding means is secured to the panel.

12. A sunroof according to either of claims 10 and 11 in which the panel-bearing means provides two parallel slideways along which a slide handle assembly comprising said sliding means secured centrally of the panel is arranged to slide.

13. A sunroof according to claim 12 in which the panel-bearing means comprises two tubular portions providing the two slideways, each tubular portion being formed with an axially extending slot and the two slots being arranged in opposition, the slide handle assembly extending through the slots and comprising sliding bushes mounted within the tubular portions.

14. A sunroof constructed arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

New claims filed on 6 - 9 -85 New claims:- 1 to 14

1. A sunroof adapted to be installed in an opening in a vehicle roof and comprising an outer frame to be secured to the vehicle roof around the roof opening, a closure panel, and panel-mounting means whereby the closure panel is mounted on the frame for movement relative thereto from a closed position in which in conjunction with the frame it closes the opening, the panel-mounting means comprising panel-bearing means which is pivotally mounted on the frame for upwards movement relative to the frame in opening the sunroof, and the panel being mounted on the panel-bearing means for edgewise movement relative thereto enabling the panel to be moved over the vehicle roof in operation of the sunroof as a sliding sunroof.

3. A sunroof according to either of claims 1 and 2 wherein the panel is furthermore mounted for pivotal movement relative to the panel-bearing means, enabling the panel to be lifted relative to the panel-bearing means in the opposite rotational sense to that in which the panel-bearing means is arranged to be lifted relative to the outer frame.

4. A sunroof according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein panel-mounting means comprises sliding means secured to the panel and slidable along one or more slideways of the panel-bearing means.