GB2215284A

GB2215284A - Finishing strip for vehicle sunroof frame

Info

Publication number: GB2215284A
Application number: GB8902460A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Victor Blackford
Original assignee: SUNDREL Ltd
Current assignee: SUNDREL Ltd
Priority date: 1988-02-03
Filing date: 1989-02-03
Publication date: 1989-09-20
Anticipated expiration: 2009-02-03
Also published as: GB8802373D0; GB8902460D0; GB2215284B

Abstract

A vehicle sunroof comprises an outer sub-frame (2) to which an inner sub-frame (4) is secured. The radially outer edge of the inner sub-frame is formed with a serrated groove (12) into which an elastomeric finisher (10) is fitted. The finisher (10) engages a solid headliner (14) if one is present and provides a padded large radius edge to the frame. The upper arm (20) forming the groove (12) acts as a stop against downward movement of the headliner. The frame may be used in a vehicle having a fabric headliner by securing the free edge of the fabric in a groove (18). <IMAGE>

Description

SUNROOF FRAME This invention relates to a sunroof frame for a vehicle sunroof, that is to say a frame adapted to be secured to the roof of a vehicle to form an aperture to receive an openable or removable roof panel.

In order to fit a sunroof to an existing vehicle it is necessary to cut an aperture in the roof of the vehicle, and to secure a frame to the periphery of the aperture to receive the opening panel of the sunroof. The frame must form a waterproof seal with the roof of the vehicle and, on the interior of the vehicle, must provide a safe and visually acceptable edging to the aperture.

Traditionally, motor vehicle roofs have been trimmed with a fabric and sunroof.frames have been designed to secure the edge of the fabric at the opening in an aesthetically satisfactory manner. However, in recent years it have become increasingly popular to trim the roof of a motor vehicle with a moulded solid headliner.

Existing sun roof frames designed for use with fabric trimmed roofs have not been suitable for use with roofs having moulded solid headliners.

A sunroof for use on a vehicle having a solid headliner is described in GB-A-2142883. In this sunroof a resilient member is secured around the sunroof frame and includes an outwardly extending lip which engages and supports the headliner. The sunroof described suffers from the disadvantage that the resilient member is secured in position by being trapped between the sunroof frame and the vehicle roof. This makes the sunroof relatively difficult to install since until the inner and outer frame members are secured together the resilient member is liable to become displaced with the result that it is not properly aligned when it is installed.Further, in the described sunroof the headliner cannot be supported by any portion of the sunroof frame and thus if the resilient lip is unable to support the headliner, the headliner will not be retained in its proper position According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a vehicle sunroof having a frame which is provided on the radially outwardly facing edge thereof with a flexible finisher adapted to engage a moulded solid headliner when the frame is installed in a vehicle having such a headliner, the flexible finisher being secured to the frame in a manner which is independent of the installation of the frame into a vehicle.

Preferably, the frame includes a rigid platform which, in use, underlies the edge region of the headliner to support the headliner if the finisher is incapable of supporting the headliner clear of the platform.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the frame includes at a point radially inwardly of the finisher means for securing a fabric headliner whereby when the frame is installed in a vehicle having a fabric headliner the fabric headliner may extend over and conceal the finisher and be secured by the said fabric securing means. Such an embodiment of the invention provides a sunroof frame which, without modification, can be used on both vehicles having moulded solid headliners and traditional fabric headliners.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention the frame comprises a metal sub-frame to which an elastomeric headliner finisher is secured. In this case, the headliner finisher preferably covers the radially outer extremity of the sub-frame to provide a surface profile for the frame which meets safety requirements as to the minimum radius of curvature of components of sunroofs. If the headliner finisher is suitably designed, it not only provides the desired radius of curvature, but also provides a resilient cushion over the sub-frame to offer further protection against injury in the event of impact with the sunroof frame.

Preferably the frame is formed with a serrated groove about the entire periphery thereof, and the finisher is formed with a rib or tongue which is a press fit in the groove to mount the finisher on the frame.

The invention will be better understood from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, reference being had to the accompanying drawing wherein the single figure illustrates in transverse cross-section a preferred embodiment of sunroof frame according to the present invention fitted to a roof having a moulded solid headliner.

The sunroof frame 1 as shown in the drawing comprises a sub-frame 2 formed by two aluminium extrusions 3,4 interconnected at various points around the periphery of the sunroof opening by screws 5. When the screws 5 are tightened the metal roof 6 of the vehicle to which the frame is fitted is gripped between a generally horizontally extending arm 7 of the extrusion 3 and a generally vertical extending arm 8 of the extrusion 4. The arms 7,8 are in metal-to-metal contact with the roof 6 whereby a large clamping force can be applied by the screw 5 in order to secure the frame in position.

At the radially outer edge 9 of the frame an extruded elastomeric headliner finisher 10 is secured to extrusion 4 by means of a rib 11 of the finisher which is pushed into a serrated groove 12 provided by the extrusion 4 and extending around the entire radially outer periphery of the sub-frame 2. The finisher 10 comprises a flexible upwardly extending flap 13 which, in its relaxed condition, extends substantially parallel to the arm 8 of the extrusion 4.

In order to fit the frame 1 to a roof 6 having a solid moulded headlining 14 a suitable aperture is cut in the roof panel 6 and the headliner 14 is trimmed back from the opening of the aperture sufficiently to accommodate the arm 8 of the extrusion 4. The extrusions 3,4 are then offered up to each other and the screws 5 inserted and tightened. If not already in position, the finisher 10 is inserted into the groove 12 with the result that the flap 13 is deflected radially outwardly and downwardly relative to its relaxed position and resiliently engages the surface of the moulded solid headliner. The resilience of the flap 13 is such that the flap will follow changes in contour of the roof caused, for example, by reinforcing members located within the moulded headliner.

The radially inner edge of the frame is then fitted with a moulded or extruded elastomeric trim finisher 15 having a rib 16 which is push-fitted into a serrated groove 18 defined between an arm r19 of the extrusion 4 and an arm 20 of the extrusion 3. If desired, a fabric trim piece 21 may be positioned to cover the screws 5 and the lower surface of the extrusion 4 before the finishers 10 and 15 are put into position, with the result that the trim 21 will be secured in position by the finishers 10,15.

It will be noted that the radially outer and radially inner peripheral edges of the frame are formed by the elastomeric finishers 10,15 respectively. These finishers are designed to produce a large radius of curvature at the radially outer and radially inner edges of the frame, and to pad the underlying extrusions 3,4.

If it is desired to fit the frame to a vehicle roof having a fabric rather than a solid moulded headliner, the roof aperture is cut in the usual way and the extrusions 3,4 are offered up and secured together by means of the screws 5 as described above. The finisher 10 is pressed into the grooves 12 and the fabric headliner is then drawn over the finisher 10, along the lower surface of the extrusion 4 and into the groove 18 where it is secured by the trim finisher 15. Accordingly, the headliner fabric covers the finisher 10, but the finisher 10 still provides the desired large radius of contour and padded surface at the radially outer extremity of the frame.

It will be noted that the upper one 20 of the arms 20,21 forming the groove 12 underlies the edge region 22 of the headliner. Although in general the edge region 22 is spaced from the upper surface of the arm 20 if the headliner distorts or drops in use it will be supported by the arm 20 against further downward movement.

Claims

1. A vehicle sunroof having a frame which is provided on the radially outwardly facing edge thereof with a flexible finisher adapted to engage a moulded solid headliner when the frame is installed in a vehicle having such a headliner, the flexible finisher being secured to the frame in a manner which is independent of the installation of the frame into a vehicle.

2. A vehicle sunroof according to claim 1 wherein the frame includes a rigid platform which, in use, underlies the edge region of the headliner to support the headliner if the finisher is incapable of supporting the headliner clear of the platform.

3. A vehicle sunroof according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the frame includes at a point radially inwardly of the finisher means for securing a fabric headliner whereby when the frame is installed in a vehicle having a fabric headliner the fabric headliner may extend over and conceal the finisher and be secured by the said fabric securing means.

4. A vehicle sunroof according to any preceding claim wherein the frame comprises a metal sub-frame to which an elastomeric headliner finisher is secured, and wherein the headliner finisher covers the radially outer extremity of the sub-frame to provide a surface profile for the frame which meets safety requirements as to the minimum radius of curvature of components of sunroafs.

5. A vehicle sunroof according to claim 4 wherein the headliner finisher provides a resilient cushion over the sub-frame to offer further protection against injury in the event of impact with the sunroof frame.

6. A vehicle sunroof according to any preceding claim wherein the frame is formed with a serrated groove about the entire periphery thereof, and the finisher is formed with a rib or tongue which is a press fit in the groove to mount the finisher on the frame.

7. A vehicle sunroof substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.