GB2294432A - Vehicle collapsible roof with flexible window panel - Google Patents
Vehicle collapsible roof with flexible window panel Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2294432A GB2294432A GB9519717A GB9519717A GB2294432A GB 2294432 A GB2294432 A GB 2294432A GB 9519717 A GB9519717 A GB 9519717A GB 9519717 A GB9519717 A GB 9519717A GB 2294432 A GB2294432 A GB 2294432A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- window panel
- resilient members
- collapsible
- flexible window
- covering
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 229910000639 Spring steel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract 5
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 claims abstract 4
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims abstract 4
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 claims 3
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims 3
- 238000007493 shaping process Methods 0.000 claims 2
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
- B60J1/00—Windows; Windscreens; Accessories therefor
- B60J1/18—Windows; Windscreens; Accessories therefor arranged at the vehicle rear
- B60J1/1807—Windows; Windscreens; Accessories therefor arranged at the vehicle rear movable for vehicles with convertible top
- B60J1/1815—Windows; Windscreens; Accessories therefor arranged at the vehicle rear movable for vehicles with convertible top non-adjustably mounted in and moving with the soft-top cover
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60J—WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES
- B60J7/00—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs
- B60J7/08—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs of non-sliding type, i.e. movable or removable roofs or panels, e.g. let-down tops or roofs capable of being easily detached or of assuming a collapsed or inoperative position
- B60J7/12—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs of non-sliding type, i.e. movable or removable roofs or panels, e.g. let-down tops or roofs capable of being easily detached or of assuming a collapsed or inoperative position foldable; Tensioning mechanisms therefor, e.g. struts
- B60J7/1204—Control devices, e.g. for compensating tolerances, for defining movement or end position of top, for tensioning the top or for switching to an emergency mode
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Body Structure For Vehicles (AREA)
- Window Of Vehicle (AREA)
- Clamps And Clips (AREA)
Abstract
A collapsible top (2) for a vehicle (1), in particular a passenger car, has a frame and a top covering (3) with a flexible window panel (4). The top (2) is fixable to a tensioning bar (5) at the rear, lower edge area thereof. The collapsible top (2) is provided with a device (7) for folding the flexible window panel (4) in a predetermined manner. The device (7) is formed by resilient members (6) eg of plastics or spring steel which are mounted on the tensioning bar (5) or on the adjacent bodywork and which, when the collapsible top (2) is folded back, provide local tensioning outwards and upwards preferably for the two areas (9) of the top covering (3) extending adjacent to the longitudinal edges (8) of the flexible window panel (4) and hold the flexible window panel (4) in a stretched position which permits a predetermined folding. <IMAGE>
Description
1 2294432 "Collapsible Top for a Vehicle, in particular a Passenqer Car"
The invention relates to a collapsible top for a vehicle, in particular a passenger car, which is formed by a frame and a top covering comprising at least one flexible window panel and which is fixable to a tensioning bar at the rear, lower edge area of the collapsible top, wherein the collapsible top is provided with a device for folding the flexible window panel in a predetermined manner.
In the case of collapsible tops in which a flexible window panel is fitted as a rear window in the covering of the top, care must be taken that the window panel is folded along a defined horizontal line when the collapsible top is folded back, in order to avoid kinks and damage.
A collapsible top of the type defined in the introduction is disclosed in the German Application OS 41 23 283. This describes a collapsible top comprising a tensioning bar, a top frame, a flexible rear window fitted in the top covering and a device comprising lever arms and support arms which cooperate
2 with the top frame in such a way that when the collapsible top is folded back a crease is formed at a defined point in the rear-wall portion.
A disadvantage of this known design is that the structurally complicated device requires a considerable amount of structural space on account of the lever arms and support arms and increases the weight of the collapsible top.
An object of the invention is to design a top for a vehicle of the type defined in the introduction, in such a way as to avoid the disadvantages described.
Claims (7)
1. Further preferred features of the invention are set out in the Sub-Claims.
The advantages mainly achieved by the invention are that because of the arrangement of resilient members on the tensioning bar, which provide tensioning outwards and upwards, preferably for areas of the top covering extending adjacent to the longitudinal edges of the flexible window panel when the collapsible top is folded back, the flexible window panel may be folded in a predetermined manner around a transversely extending, horizontal bending line by simple, inexpensive means.
3 In order to ensure a trouble-free folding of the flexible window panel, it is provided that the point of application of the two resilient members on the top covering is situated substantially in the region of a third of the longitudinal extension of the flexible view panel, as measured from the lower edge. Depending upon the size, shape and flexibility of the window panel, the optimum point of application is determined empirically and the length of the spring arms is set accordingly.
In order to maintain a satisfactory view through the rear window, the flexible window panel should not have any kinks or other damage even after repeated use of the collapsible top. This can be made possible by providing a horizontal folding line suitable for folding the flexible window panel and adapted to the top frame and the top covering, and by ensuring a folding of the flexible window panel along this pre-determined horizontal line.
It has been found that the exertion of force directed outwards or upwards upon the top covering, laterally adjacent to the flexible window panel, leads to stretching of the flexible window panel when the collapsible top is folded back, and thus prevents the window panel from dropping down or being bent inwards, so as to produce the predetermined folding. In a manner
4 comparable with the determining of the optimum points of application of the resilient arms, the optimum resilient force is also determined as a function of the size, shape and flexibility of the window panel and the spring is designed accordingly.
The resilient members of suitable plastics material or spring steel are simple and inexpensive to produce, can be fastened rapidly to the tensioning bar and have a light weight.
An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the drawing and is described in greater detail below. In the drawing Fig. 1 is a partial view of a vehicle with a collapsible top, and Fig. 2 is an internal view of the collapsible top with a rear tensioning bar and resilient members.
Fig. 1 shows a vehicle 1 with a collapsible top 2, in which a flexible window panel 4 is fitted as a rear window in the covering 3 of the top.
An internal view of the collapsible top 2 is shown in Fig. 2. According to the invention, two resilient members 6 are secured to the tensioning bar 5, and they act as a device 7 for folding the flexible window panel 4 in a predetermined manner when the collapsible top 2 is folded back.
The resilient members 6 are attached in such a way that when the collapsible top 2 is folded back they provide local tensioning outwards and upwards for areas 9 of the top covering 3 extending adjacent to the longitudinal edges 8 of the flexible view panel 4, and hold the flexible window panel 4 in a stretched position which permits a predetermined folding.
The resilient members 6 may alternatively be secured to the vehicle bodywork in the immediate vicinity of the tensioning bar
5.
- in order both to ensure satisfactory pre-tensioning and to avoid damage to the top covering 3, the ends 10 of the resilient members
6 cooperating with the top covering 3 have a rounded or hemispherical shaping. This shaping can be formed integrally on the resilient members 6. It is also possible, however, to attach a cylindrical member to the ends 10 of the resilient members 6 cooperating with the top covering 3.
The points of application of force of the ends 10 of the resilient members 6 cooperating with the top 6 covering 3 should act upon the top covering substantially in the range of from a third to a half of the vertical extension of the window panel 4 as viewed from the lower edge of the window panel 4, so that the window panel 4 is stretched in the transverse direction and a horizontal bending line is formed which extends transversely to the flexible window panel 4 and which comes to rest slightly above the points of application of force.
The resilient members 6 can be produced from a suitable plastics material or spring steel.
The spring-steel member 11 illustrated in Fig. 2 is constructed in.one piece, and comprises an integral foot part 12 for fastening to the tensioning bar 5 and a longitudinally extending resilient arm 13 with a rounded end part 14.
Resilient members which are shaped in a different way but which fulfil the same function are also, of course, possible.
The tensioning bar 5 may be arranged so as to be stationary on the body of the vehicle 1. It is also possible, however, for the tensioning bar 5 to be made pivotable and to be a component of the linkage of the top.
Claims:
7. A collapsible top according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the resilient members form a horizontal bending line extending transversely to the flexible window panel.
A collapsible top according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the resilient members are produced from a suitable plastics material or spring steel.
A collapsible top for a vehicle substantially as 9 herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
7 A collapsible top for a vehicle comprising a frame, a top covering having at least one flexible window panel and being fixable to a tensioning bar at the rear, lower edge area of the top, and a device for folding the flexible window panel in a predetermined manner, wherein the device is formed by resilient members mounted on the tensioning bar and, when the collapsible top is folded back, providing local tensioning outwards and upwards to hold the flexible window panel in a stretched position permitting a predetermined folding.
2. A collapsible top as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the resilient members provide local tensioning of the top covering along the areas extending adjacent the side edges of the flexible window panel.
3.
A collapsible top according to Claim 1 or 2, wherein the resilient members are secured to the tensioning bar or are securable to the vehicle bodywork in the immediate vicinity of the tensioning bar.
A collapsible top according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the ends of the 8 resilient members cooperating with the top covering have a rounded shape.
5. A collapsible top according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the ends of the resilient members cooperating with the top covering rest against the inside of the top covering substantially in the range of from 1/3 to 1/2 of the vertical extension of the window panel as viewed from the lower edge thereof.
6. A collapsible top according to any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the window panel is stretched in the transverse direction by the resilient members.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE4438253A DE4438253C1 (en) | 1994-10-26 | 1994-10-26 | Folding hood for a vehicle, in particular a passenger car |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB9519717D0 GB9519717D0 (en) | 1995-11-29 |
| GB2294432A true GB2294432A (en) | 1996-05-01 |
| GB2294432B GB2294432B (en) | 1998-02-25 |
Family
ID=6531751
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9519717A Expired - Fee Related GB2294432B (en) | 1994-10-26 | 1995-09-27 | Collapsible top for a vehicle, in particular a passenger car |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| DE (1) | DE4438253C1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2294432B (en) |
| IT (1) | IT1277644B1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5743587A (en) * | 1993-12-29 | 1998-04-28 | Asc Incorporated | Apparatus for use in an automotive vehicle having a convertible roof system |
| GB2440519A (en) * | 2006-08-01 | 2008-02-06 | Ford Global Tech Llc | Folding vehicle roof with support for rear window |
Families Citing this family (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5429409A (en) | 1993-01-04 | 1995-07-04 | Asc Incorporated | Convertible top |
| DE19618296C1 (en) * | 1996-05-07 | 1997-08-28 | Karmann Gmbh W | Folding hood for cabriolet vehicle |
| DE29707036U1 (en) * | 1997-04-18 | 1998-02-26 | Karmann Gmbh W | Foldable convertible top |
| US5887936A (en) * | 1997-06-25 | 1999-03-30 | Asc Incorporated | Backlite system for use in an automotive vehicle convertible roof |
| DE102006055189A1 (en) | 2006-11-23 | 2008-05-29 | Dr.Ing.H.C. F. Porsche Ag | Hood for a convertible |
Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE3726430C1 (en) * | 1987-08-08 | 1988-09-01 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag | Folding top for a motor vehicle, in particular cabriolet |
Family Cites Families (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE4123283A1 (en) * | 1991-07-13 | 1993-01-14 | Scharwaechter Gmbh Co Kg | Fabric covered folding top for vehicle - has bars and joints to ensure adequate fabric tensioning for cover |
-
1994
- 1994-10-26 DE DE4438253A patent/DE4438253C1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1995
- 1995-09-22 IT IT95MI001966A patent/IT1277644B1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1995-09-27 GB GB9519717A patent/GB2294432B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Patent Citations (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE3726430C1 (en) * | 1987-08-08 | 1988-09-01 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Ag | Folding top for a motor vehicle, in particular cabriolet |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5743587A (en) * | 1993-12-29 | 1998-04-28 | Asc Incorporated | Apparatus for use in an automotive vehicle having a convertible roof system |
| GB2440519A (en) * | 2006-08-01 | 2008-02-06 | Ford Global Tech Llc | Folding vehicle roof with support for rear window |
| GB2440519B (en) * | 2006-08-01 | 2011-03-23 | Ford Global Tech Llc | Folding Top For A Convertible Vehicle |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE4438253C1 (en) | 1995-10-26 |
| ITMI951966A0 (en) | 1995-09-22 |
| ITMI951966A1 (en) | 1997-03-22 |
| IT1277644B1 (en) | 1997-11-11 |
| GB2294432B (en) | 1998-02-25 |
| GB9519717D0 (en) | 1995-11-29 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 19990927 |