GB2440519A

GB2440519A - Folding vehicle roof with support for rear window

Info

Publication number: GB2440519A
Application number: GB0615259A
Authority: GB
Inventors: George Philip Manning; Manuel William Walsh; Holm Steffan Neilsen
Original assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Current assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
Priority date: 2006-08-01
Filing date: 2006-08-01
Publication date: 2008-02-06
Anticipated expiration: 2026-08-01
Also published as: GB2440519B; GB0615259D0

Abstract

A structure that supports a glass rear screen 9 in a fabric roof 8 so that the load is not solely supported by tension in the fabric incorporates two spring-loaded arms 11, 12 fitted inside the roof. One end of each arm 11, 12 is rigidly fixed to the tension bow 10 and their distal ends make contact with the screen 9. The support arms 11, 12 lessen the susceptibility of the screen to vibrate and prevent it from sagging under its own weight.

Description

Folding Top for a Convertible Vehicle This invention relates to a

folding top for a convertible vehicle of the type having a glass backlight mounted in a fabric rear panel and being retractable into a storage compartment for enclosure by a rigid tonneau cover panel.

An example of a known folding top is shown in Figs. 1 and 2. This folding top for a convertible vehicle comprises a flexible fabric cover 1 supported by a rigid framework. A rear panel 2 incorporates a glass backlight 3 and is supported by a tension bow 4. The tension bow 4 sits on a rear rigid tonneau cover 5 and forms a seal therewith when the top 1 is erected.

The top is electrically powered and is latched and unlatched and driven between its erected and retracted positions by means of motors, connecting linkages and a hydraulic pump assembly. These mechanisms also lift the top, when folded, into and out of the storage area 6 in the rear of the vehicle.

Prior to retracting the top, the tension bow is raised (see Fig. 2) to allow clearance for the torineau cover to be opened (by a hydraulic actuator, for example). Once the top has been folded into the storage compartment the tonneau is lowered to be flush with the rear bodywork of the vehicle.

Because the rear panel is made from fabric, and the only means of support for the backlight, the backlight has a tendency to sag under its own weight and sits underf lush.

This spoils the aesthetic quality of the vehicle.

Furthermore, the glass tends to vibrate at high vehicle speeds and can exacerbate the wind noise produced by the flutter of the fabric.

An additional problem is the possibility of snagging of the rear panel and backlight on the vehicle trim during the retraction and erection process. Particularly when the tension bow has reached the top of its travel (see Fig. 2) the backlight has a tendency to swing. There is then the possibility of the backlight or part of the rear panel, (depending on packaging constraints), coming into contact with an occupant of the vehicle.

The present invention aims to mitigate at least some of the aforementioned problems.

The present invention comprises a folding top for a convertible vehicle, the top including a rear panel assembly which comprises a rear panel of flexible material, a rigid backlight incorporated within the rear panel, a tension bow for supporting the rear panel and two spring-loaded support arms, rigidly attached at one of their ends to the tension bow and extending at least part way along opposing edges of the backlight thereby giving support to said backlight.

The support arms may be made from sprung steel.

The distal ends of each support arm may be arranged to make direct contact with the backlight or with a part of the rear panel that overlaps the perimeter of the backlight.

Alternatively, the distal ends of each support arm may be constrained to run in guide rails fitted to the rear panel.

Some embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings of which; Fig. 1 is a plan view of a folding top for a convertible vehicle in accordance with a known design, Fig. 2 is a plan view of a part of a convertible vehicle incorporating the top of Fig. 1 and illustrates deployment of the top, Fig. 3 is a front view of rear panel assembly of a top for a convertible vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, Fig. 4 is a schematic side view of the rear panel assembly of Fig. 3 in its fixed, erected position, and Fig. 5 is a schematic side view of the rear panel assembly of Fig. 3 in a partially folded position.

In Fig. 3, a rear panel assembly 7 comprises a fabric rear panel 8 which encloses glass backlight 9 and is supported at its lower end by a tension bow 10. The rear panel 8, glass backlight 9 and tension bow 10 are all fabricated in a conventional manner and may be incorporated in a folding top of the known type illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

In contrast with the known arrangement, there is also provided backlight support means in the form of two flat, rectangular sprung steel arms 11, 12 which are rigidly fixed at one of their ends to the tension bow 9. Each arm 11, 12 extends upwards along each edge of the inside face of the backlight 9 and their distal ends make contact with the backlight at points close to the top of the backlight.

When the assembly 7 is in its erected position (Fig. 4), the arms 11, 12 prevent the backlight 9 from sagging, under its own weight, within the rear panel 8. Thus the aesthetic design lines of the rear section of the top are preserved.

Also, by virtue of the support arms 11, 12 the backlight is less susceptible to vibration.

During deployment (both erecting and retracting) of the assembly 7, the support arms 11, 12 hold up the backlight 8 away from all fixed body components in order to prevent any contact therewith.

When a top incorporating the rear panel assembly 7 is to be folded into its stored location, the support arms 11, 12 also assist in controlling the backlight's tendency to swing.

Fig. 5 illustrates the tension bow 11 rotating upwards (in the direction of the arrow) during the initial stages of the folding process. The support arms 11, 12 hold the backlight 9 firmly and prevent it swinging, thereby reducing the possibility of the backlight coming into contact with an occupant of the vehicle.

In an alternative embodiment, the distal end of each support arm 11, 12 moves in a respective guide rail 13, 14 (shown ghosted in Fig. 3).

Claims

CLAIMS

1. A folding top for a convertible vehicle, the top including a rear panel assembly which comprises a rear panel of flexible material, a rigid backlight incorporated within the rear panel, a tension bow for supporting the rear panel and two spring-loaded support arms, rigidly attached at one of their ends to the tension bow and extending at least part way along opposing edges of the backlight thereby giving support to said backlight.

2. A folding top as claimed in claim 1 in which the support arms are made from sprung steel.

3. A folding top as claimed in either preceding claim in which the distal ends of each support arm make direct contact with the backlight.

4. A folding top as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2 in which the distal ends of each support arm make direct contact with a part of the rear panel which overlaps the perimeter of the backlight.

5. A folding top as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2 in which the distal ends of the support arms are constrained to run in guide rails which are fitted to the rear panel.

6. A folding top for a convertible vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 3, 4 and 5.