GB2517957A

GB2517957A - Apparatus for providing a shading effect to light incident on a vehicle roof panel

Info

Publication number: GB2517957A
Application number: GB1315865.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sandy Boyes
Original assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Current assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Ltd
Priority date: 2013-09-06
Filing date: 2013-09-06
Publication date: 2015-03-11
Anticipated expiration: 2033-09-06
Also published as: GB201315865D0; GB2517957B

Abstract

Apparatus 1 for providing a shading effect to light incident on a vehicle roof panel. The apparatus 1 comprising a plurality of light-obscuring ribs 2 mountable on the inside of a roof panel. The ribs 2 defining apertures through which light incident on a vehicle roof panel can enter a vehicle where at least a portion of each of said ribs 2 has a depth such as to alter the shading effect on light entering a vehicle through the apertures, dependent upon the viewpoint. Preferably the ribs 2 extend in a longitudinal direction between a front edge 4 and a rear edge 5 and the ribs 2 may create an image of a shape 6. The apparatus may form part of a sunroof and the sunroof may form part of a vehicle. The depth of each rib 2 may be variable along its length from the front edge 4 to the rear edge 5.

Description

APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A SHADING EFFECT TO LIGHT INCIDENT ON A

VEHICLE ROOF PANEL

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to the field of apparatus for providing a shading effect to light incident on a vehicle roof panel. Aspects of the invention relate to such apparatus, a vehicle roof panel, a vehicle and apparatus and a method for creating a visual effect in a vehicle roof panel.

BACKGROUND

Vehicles are often provided with sunroofs to let more light into the passenger cabin.

Panoramic sunroofs are larger than normal sunroofs and may cover almost the entire roof area, letting a substantial amount of light into the passenger cabin and creating a light and airy feel. Passengers feel that there is more space and headroom (indeed there may actually be more headroom) than in a vehicle having a traditional closed roof with no sunroof.

A panoramic sunroof has a substantial effect on the overall appearance of the vehicle and its aesthetic design is therefore of key importance to vehicle manufacturers.

Where a vehicle with a panoramic sunroof is used in a country with a sunny climate, it is possible that too much bright sunshine might enter the passenger cabin. This can be addressed by selection of different glass materials or coatings for the panoramic roof panel and/or providing a retractable interior shade.

It is an aim of the invention to address disadvantages associated with the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for providing a shading effect to light incident on a vehicle roof panel, the apparatus comprising a plurality of light-obscuring ribs mountable on the inside of the roof panel, the ribs defining apertures through which light incident on a vehicle roof panel can enter a vehicle, wherein at least a portion of each of said ribs has a depth such as to alter the shading effect on light entering a vehicle through the apertures, dependent upon the viewpoint.

The ribs enable more light to enter the passenger cabin than would be the case with a traditional closed roof, thus maintaining the light and airy teel provided by a panoramic roof.

Light can enter the passenger cabin directly downwards between the parallel ribs. However, ribs simultaneously provide a shading effect when viewed from an angle by passengers in the cabin so that they are not dazzled by incident sunlight.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle sunroof comprising: a light-transmitting roof panel having a front edge, a rear edge and two side edges, for use in the root of a vehicle; and apparatus for providing a shading effect to light incident on the vehicle roof panel, the apparatus comprising a plurality of light-obscuring ribs mountable on the inside of the roof panel, the ribs defining apertures through which light incident on a vehicle roof panel can enter a vehicle, wherein at least a portion of each of said ribs has a depth such as to alter the shading effect on light entering a vehicle through the apertures, dependent upon the viewpoint.

The "viewpoint" is derived from a combination of the position of the viewer in the vehicle with respect to the ribs and the direction in which the viewer views the ribs. For example, one viewpoint may be derived by a viewer being seated in the rear left passenger position and viewing the ribs in a direction directly upwards. Another viewpoint may be derived by the viewer being seated in the same position but viewing the ribs in a direction transversely across the vehicle at an angle of approximately 60 degrees from horizontal. Any and all of the possible viewpoints for viewers within the vehicle are encompassed by the present

description.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle including a sunroof comprising: a light-transmitting roof panel having a front edge, a rear edge and two side edges, for use in the roof of a vehicle; and apparatus for providing a shading effect to light incident on the vehicle roof panel, the apparatus comprising a plurality of light-obscuring ribs mountable on the inside of the roof panel, the ribs defining apertures through which light incident on a vehicle roof panel can enter a vehicle, wherein at least a portion of each of said ribs has a depth such as to alter the shading effect on light entering a vehicle through the apertures, dependent upon the viewpoint.

In an embodiment, the ribs are substantially parallel one another.

In an embodiment, the ribs are mountable on the inside of the roof panel and extending from the front edge to the rear edge thereof.

Optionally, at least a portion of each of said apertures has a width such as to alter the shading effect dependent upon the viewpoint.

In an embodiment, the depth of at least a portion of each of said ribs varies along its length.

The depth of each of said ribs may be selected so as to form an image more clearly visible from a first viewpoint than from a second viewpoint. The depth of each rib at any point along its length determines the nature of both the shading effect and any visible image. In an embodiment, said image is a circle, oval, ring or other geometric shape. The image provides a striking visual effect for the passengers in the cabin whilst simultaneously providing the shading effect described above.

By more clearly visible' is meant that, from a first viewpoint, the image appears more solid, more clearly defined, darker, more discernible, in greater contrast to its surrounding region, or otherwise more apparent to the viewer than from a second viewpoint. Optionally, the image is visible from said first viewpoint and not visible from said second viewpoint.

In an embodiment, the image is a solid image wherein, from said first viewpoint the apertures between the ribs in the region of said image are obscured by the depth of the ribs in said region.

Optionally, the shading effect is maximised in the region of said image from said first viewpoint. The shading effect may be minimised when the ribs are viewed in a direction substantially parallel to their depth.

In an embodiment, said ribs themselves transmit no incident light therethrough.

In an embodiment, said ribs are mounted together to form a ribbed shading panel having a front edge, a rear edge and side edges, the shading panel being attachable to the vehicle roof panel. The provision of the ribs on a panel facilitates assembly of the ribs into a vehicle and may also improve the strength of the ribs. In an embodiment, the ribbed shading panel includes fixing means at the front and rear edges thereof for attaching the shading panel to the vehicle roof panel. Optionally, the side edges of said shading panel are substantially free of fixing means.

In an embodiment, said shading panel is substantially rigid in a longitudinal direction.

Optionally! said shading panel is sufficiently flexible in a transverse direction to temporarily reduce its overall width to permit insertion of the shading panel into the vehicle. It is likely that the shading panel would need to be installed into a complete or an almost-complete vehicle, through the tailgate. Some flexibility or play in the overall width of the panel would facilitate the installation and would reduce the risk of damage to the ribs.

In an embodiment, the depth of said ribs is reduced in a region which, in use, is normally above the heads of the vehicle's passengers. This helps maintain headroom immediately above the passengers to maintain the light and airy feel of the roof in comparison to a traditional closed roof.

In an embodiment, the width of each of said ribs is substantially constant along its length from the front edge to the rear edge of the roof panel. Optionally, the width of each of said ribs is substantially equal.

In an embodiment, the depth of each of said ribs is variable along its length from the front edge to the rear edge of the roof panel in a smoothly varying profile. This gives a desirable visual appearance to the ribs.

In an embodiment, said shading effect is also a visual effect which alters dependent upon the viewpoint.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided apparatus for providing a visual effect to the interior of a vehicle cabin comprising a plurality of light-obscuring ribs mountable on the inside of a roof panel, the ribs defining apertures through which light incident on a vehicle roof panel can enter a vehicle, wherein at least a portion of each of said ribs has a depth such as to alter the visual effect of light entering a vehicle through the apertures, dependent upon the viewpoint. As the viewer or passenger in the vehicle progressively moves the position of his or her head with respect to the ribs (thereby changing the viewpoint), the size and/or shape and/or solidity of the image appears to change, giving a pleasing visual effect.

Furtherfeatures of the invention are defined in the appended claims.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. Features described in connection with one embodiment are applicable to all embodiments, unless such features are incompatible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a shading panel according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 1A is a side view of one of the ribs from the shading panel of Figure 1, drawn to a smaller scale; Figure 2 is a side view of the panel of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a top view of the panel of Figure 1; and Figure 4a is a schematic view of a vehicle including a shading panel according to an embodiment of the invention from outside and above the vehicle; and Figure 4b is a schematic view of a vehicle including a shading panel according to an embodiment of the invention from inside the vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown apparatus for providing a shading effect to light incident on the roof panel of a vehicle. In the illustrated embodiment, the apparatus comprises a ribbed shading panel 1 for mounting on the inside of a vehicle panoramic roof, the shading panel comprising a plurality of elongate parallel ribs 2.

The ribs are light-obscuring, that is to say that the ribs transmit less incident light than the material of a light-transmitting roof panel, which is typically glass. The ribs may entiiely block or obscure the incident light, or they may transmit some light therethrough. The ribs may be made from usual roof trim materials. In an embodiment, the ribs are niade from moulded caibon fibre.

The ribs 2 are arranged parallel to one another so as to define apertures or gaps 3 (seen best in figure 3) therebetween through which incident light can pass unobstructed. The gap 3 may be equal between each of the ribs 2, or the width of the gaps 3 may be unequal.

The width of all of the ribs 2 may be equal or unequal. The ribs 2 extend in a longitudinal diiection between a front edge 4 and a rear end 5 of the shading panel 1 which edges define the length of the iibs. The iibs are geneially equal in length.

The "depth" of the ribs means the distance from the part of the rib normally in contact with or adjacent the vehicle roof panel to the lowermost edge of the rib which extends into the passenger cabin. As can be best seen in Figure 1 and Figure 1A, the depth of each individual rib can vary from its neighbouring ribs and can also vary along its own length.

The depth of the ribs means that the upward view for a passenger in the vehicle alters depending upon the passenger's viewing diiection relative to the iibs. If the passengel's viewpoint is such that they are seated underneath the ribs and look directly upwards, a view similar to that shown in Figure 3 is provided. The passenger is viewing the ribs end-on" i.e. sees the width of the rib but sees little or none of the depth of the ribs. Consequently, the passengei has a relatively unimpeded view out of the vehicle and sees relatively uninterrupted incident sunlight.

If the passenger changes his or her viewing direction relative to the ribs so that he or she is looking at the ribs at an angle, e.g. upwards and across the passenger cabin, the passenger's viewpoint changes and they see a significant proportion of the depth of the ribs.

The depth of one rib may be sufficient to entirely obscure the gap 3 between it and its neighbour fiom the view of the passenger, in which case the two neighbouring ribs appear as one solid' form with no gap therebetween.

The nearei the passengei is to the shading panel, the moie pronounced the effect on theii viewpoint of changing his or her viewing direction.

This effect can be used to create an image which is visible from some viewing directions but not visible if the passenger's viewing direction is directly upwards. The image may be a central oval, for example, as illustrated in Figure 1, wherein a region of rib portions having maximum depth is located generally in the middle of the shading panel 1 creating the image of a "solid" oval 6. A concentric region of ribs having much lesser depth creates the image of a ring 7 around the oval through which incident light is visible. A further surrounding region of ribs having greater depth again creates the image of a "solid" frame B around the ring.

An image or feature can be visihe from a particular viewpoint by virlue of the fact that neighbouring regions of the panel can he designed, via rib depth choice in those regions and/or aperture gap width in those regions, to allow transrrission of different am. .ounts of light to the viewpoint, creating contrast between the different regions.

As the passenger changes his or her viewpoint, the image may appear to change in size, shape and/or "solidity". Not only does this have a pleasing visual effect, but the change in viewing direction also affects how much shading the passenger has from incident light. For example, a passenger may look at the ribs from a first viewpoint, such as at an angle, i.e. not directly upward, or a passenger may look at the ribs from a second viewpoint, such as directly upwardly. As described above, when the passenger looks directly upward at the ribs, there is relatively little shading from incident light. However, when the passenger looks at the ribs at an angle, the obscuring of the gap 3 between neighbouring ribs by the depth thereof provides a shading effect. Although the region of the ribs which appears as a ring is also more shaded when the passenger looks at the ribs at an angle compared with directly upwardly, due to the shallower depth of the ribs in this region, the shading effect is not as strong. This results in an increase in contrast between the region creating an image of an oval and the region creating an image of a ring, thus making the ring and oval features more apparent when viewed from an angle compared with directly upwardly. Different rib depths and/or aperture widths in different regions can be used to create different shading effects between those regions from particular viewpoints.

In the illustrated embodiment, the ribs 2 are arranged together to form a one-piece shading panel 1. The one piece construction improves strength of the ribs and does away with the need for any transverse supports between the ribs which would spoil the aesthetic effect.

The panel 1 would typically be installed in a complete or near-complete vehicle, probably through the tailgate and therefore some flexibility in the transverse direction (i.e. in the width of the panel 1) is desirable to give sufficient play to install the panel in the vehicle.

Alternatively, the panel may be provided as a two-part or other multi-part construction wherein the parts could be installed separately.

The panel needs to be installed in the vehicle so that noise and movement of the panel (e.g. when the vehicle's door is slammed) is minimised. The panel may be fixed to the roof panel at the front and rear edges thereof, without fixings to the side edges.

Alternatively, the ribs 2 may be glued or otherwise fixed directly to the inside of the glass of the panoramic roof panel, either individually or as a panel. In either case that would require means visible from the exterior of the panoramic roof panel to obscure the glue and/or fixings so as not to spoil the outward appearance of the vehicle.

Figure 4a and figure 4b show the shading panel 1 in place in a vehicle 10.

Further aspects of the present invention are set out in the following numbered paragraphs: 1. Apparatus for providing a shading effect to light incident on a vehicle roof panel, the apparatus comprising a plurality of light-obscuring ribs mountable on the inside of the roof panel, the ribs defining apertures through which light incident on a vehicle roof panel can enter a vehicle, wherein at least a portion of each of said ribs has a depth such as to alter the shading effect on light entering a vehicle through the apertures, dependent upon the viewpoint.

2. Vehicle sunroof comprising: a. a light-transmitting roof panel having a front edge, a rear edge and two side edges, for use in the roof of a vehicle; and b. apparatus for providing a shading effect to light incident on the vehicle roof panel, the apparatus comprising a plurality of light-obscuring ribs mountable on the inside of the roof panel, the ribs defining apertures through which light incident on a vehicle root panel can enter a vehicle, wherein at least a portion of each of said ribs has a depth such as to alter the shading effect on light entering a vehicle through the apertures, dependent upon the viewpoint.

3. A vehicle including a sunroof comprising: a. a light-transmitting roof panel having a front edge, a rear edge and two side edges, for use in the roof of the vehicle; and b. apparatus for providing a shading effect to light incident on the vehicle roof panel, the apparatus comprising a plurality of light-obscuring ribs mountable on the inside of the roof panel, the ribs defining apertures through which light incident on a vehicle roof panel can enter a vehicle, wherein at least a portion of each of said ribs has a depth such as to alter the shading effect on light entering a vehicle through the apertures, dependent upon the viewpoint..

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the ribs are substantially parallel one another.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the ribs are mountable on the inside of the roof panel and extending from the front edge to the rear edge thereof.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least a portion of each of said apertures has a width such as to alter the shading effect, dependent upon the viewpoint.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the depth of at least a portion of each of said ribs varies along its length.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the depth of each of said ribs is selected so as to form an image more clearly visible from a first viewpoint than from a second viewpoint.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said image is visible from said first viewpoint and is not visible from said second viewpoint.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said image is a solid image wherein, from said first viewpoint, the apertures between the ribs in the region of said image are obscured by the depth of the ribs in said region.

11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said image is a circle, oval, ring or other geometric shape.

12. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the shading effect is maximised in the region of said image from said first viewpoint.

13. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said shading effect is minimised when the ribs are viewed in a direction substantially parallel to their depth.

14. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said ribs themselves transmit no incident light therethrough.

15. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said ribs are mounted together to form a ribbed shading panel having a front edge, a rear edge and side edges, the shading panel being attachable to the vehicle roof panel.

16. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein said ribbed shading panel includes fixing means at the front and rear edges thereof for attaching the shading panel to the vehicle roof panel.

17. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein the side edges of said shading panel are substantially free of fixing means.

18. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein said shading panel is substantially rigid in a longitudinal direction.

19. Apparatus as claimed in claim 15 wherein said shading panel is sufficiently flexible in a transverse direction to temporarily reduce its overall width to permit insertion of the shading panel into the vehicle.

20. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the depth of said ribs is reduced in a region which, in use, is normally above the heads of the vehicle's passengers.

21. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the width of each of said ribs is substantially constant along its length from the front edge to the rear edge of the roof panel.

22. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the width of each of said ribs is substantially equal.

23. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the depth of each of said ribs is variable along its length from the front edge to the rear edge of the roof panel in a smoothly varying profile.

24. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said shading effect is also a visual effect which alters dependent upon the viewpoint.

25. Apparatus for providing a visual effect to the interior of a vehicle cabin comprising a plurality of light-obscuring ribs mountable on the inside of a roof panel, the ribs defining apertures through which light incident on a vehicle roof panel can enter a vehicle, wherein at least a portion of each of said ribs has a depth such as to alter the visual effect of light entering a vehicle through the apertures, dependent upon the viewpoint.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Apparatus for providing a shading effect to light incident on a vehicle roof panel, the apparatus comprising a plurality of light-obscuring ribs mountable on the inside of the roof panel, the ribs defining apertures through which light incident on a vehicle roof panel can enter a vehicle, wherein at least a portion of each of said ribs has a depth such as to alter the shading effect on light entering a vehicle through the apertures, dependent upon the viewpoint.
2. Vehicle sunroof comprising: a. a light-transmitting roof panel having a front edge, a rear edge and two side edges, for use in the roof of a vehicle; and b. apparatus for providing a shading effect to light incident on the vehicle roof panel, the apparatus comprising a plurality of light-obscuring ribs mountable on the inside of the roof panel, the ribs defining apertures through which light incident on a vehicle roof panel can enter a vehicle, wherein at least a portion of each of said ribs has a depth such as to alter the shading effect on light entering a vehicle through the apertures, dependent upon the viewpoint.
3. A vehicle including a sunroof comprising: a. a light-transmitting roof panel having a front edge, a rear edge and two side edges, for use in the roof of the vehicle; and b. apparatus for providing a shading effect to light incident on the vehicle roof panel, the apparatus comprising a plurality of light-obscuring ribs mountable on the inside of the roof panel, the ribs defining apertures through which light incident on a vehicle roof panel can enter a vehicle, wherein at least a portion of each of said ribs has a depth such as to alter the shading effect on light entering a vehicle through the apertures, dependent upon the viewpoint..
4. Apparatus or a sunroof or a vehicle as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the ribs are substantially parallel one another.
5. Apparatus or a sunroof or a vehicle as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the ribs are mountable on the inside of the roof panel and extending from the front edge to the rear edge thereof.
6. Apparatus or a sunroof or a vehicle as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein at least a portion of each of said apertures has a width such as to alter the shading effect, dependent upon the viewpoint.
7. Apparatus or a sunroof or a vehicle as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the depth of at least a portion of each of said ribs varies along its length.
8. Apparatus or a sunroof or a vehicle as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the depth of each of said ribs is selected so as to form an image more clearly visible from a first viewpoint than from a second viewpoint.
9. Apparatus or a sunroof or a vehicle as claimed in claim 8 wherein said image is visible from said first viewpoint and is not visible from said second viewpoint.
10. Apparatus or a sunroof or a vehicle as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9 wherein said image is a solid image wherein, from said first viewpoint, the apertures between the ribs in the region of said image are obscured by the depth of the ribs in said region.
11.Apparatus or a sunroof or a vehicle as claimed in any of claims 8 tolD wherein said image is a circle, oval, ring or other geometric shape.
12. Apparatus or a sunroof or a vehicle as claimed in any of claims 8 to 11 wherein the shading effect is maximised in the region of said image from said first viewpoint.
13. Apparatus or a sunroof or a vehicle as claimed in any claims 8 to 12 wherein said shading effect is minimised when the ribs are viewed in a direction substantially parallel to their depth.
14. Apparatus or a sunroof or a vehicle as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein said ribs themselves transmit no incident light therethrough.
15. Apparatus or a sunroof or a vehicle as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein said ribs are mounted together to form a ribbed shading panel having a front edge, a rear edge and side edges, the shading panel being attachable to the vehicle roof panel.
16. Apparatus or a sunroof or a vehicle as claimed in claim 15 wherein said ribbed shading panel includes fixing means at the front and rear edges thereof for attaching the shading panel to the vehicle roof panel.
17. Apparatus or a sunroof or a vehicle as claimed in claim 15 or claim 16 wherein the side edges of said shading panel are substantially free of fixing means.
18. Apparatus or a sunroof or a vehicle as claimed in any of claims 15 to 17 wherein said shading panel is substantially rigid in a longitudinal direction.
19. Apparatus or a sunroof or a vehicle as claimed in any of claims 15 to 18 wherein said shading panel is sufficiently flexible in a transverse direction to temporarily reduce its overall width to permit insertion of the shading panel into the vehicle.
20. Apparatus or a sunroof or a vehicle as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the depth of said ribs is reduced in a region which, in use, is normally above the heads of the vehicle's passengers.
21. Apparatus or a sunroof or a vehicle as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the width of each of said ribs is substantially constant along its length from the tront edge to the rear edge of the roof panel.
22. Apparatus or a sunroof or a vehicle as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the width of each of said ribs is substantially equal.
23. Apparatus or a sunroof or a vehicle as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the depth of each of said ribs is variable along its length from the front edge to the rear edge of the roof panel in a smoothly varying profile.
24. Apparatus or a sunroof or a vehicle as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein said shading effect is also a visual effect which alters dependent upon the viewpoint.
25. Apparatus for providing a visual effect to the interior of a vehicle cabin comprising a plurality of light-obscuring ribs mountable on the inside of a roof panel, the ribs defining apertures through which light incident on a vehicle roof panel can enter a vehicle, wherein at least a portion of each of said ribs has a depth such as to alter the visual effect of light entering a vehicle through the apertures, dependent upon the viewpoint.
26. Apparatus for providing a shading effect to light incident on a vehicle roof panel substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by any appropriate combination of the accompanying drawings.
27. Vehicle sunroof substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by any appropriate combination of the accompanying drawings.
28. Vehicle substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by any appropriate combination of the accompanying drawings.
29. Apparatus for providing a visual effect to the interior of a vehicle cabin substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by any appropriate combination of the accompanying drawings.Amendments to the claims have been fired as followsCLAIMS1. Apparatus for providing a shading effect to light incident on a vehicle roof panel, the apparatus comprising a plurality of light-obscuring ribs mountable on the inside of the roof panel, the ribs defining apertures through which light incident on a vehicle roof panel can enter a vehicle, wherein the depth of at least a portion of each of said ribs varies along its ength.2. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the ribs are substantially parallel one another.3. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the depth of each of said ribs is selected so as to form an image more clearly visible from a first viewpoint than from a second viewpoint.4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said image is visible from said first viewpoint and is not visible from said second viewpoint.5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4 wherein said image is a solid image wherein, o from said first viewpoint, the apertures between the ribs in the region of said image are obscured by the depth of the ribs in said region.6. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 3 toS wherein said image is a circle, oval, ring or other geometric shape.7. Apparatus as claimed in any claims 3 to 6 wherein said shading effect is minimised when the ribs are viewed in a direction substantially parallel to their depth.8. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein said ribs themselves transmit no incident light therethrough.9. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein said ribs are mounted together to form a ribbed shading panel having a front edge, a rear edge and side edges, the shading panel being attachable to the vehicle roof panel.10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein said ribbed shading panel includes fixing means at the front and rear edges thereof for attaching the shading panel to the vehicle roof panel.s 11. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the side edges of said shading panel are substantially free of fixing means.12. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 9 to 11 wherein said shading panel is substantially rigid in a longitudinal direction.13. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 9 to 12 wherein said shading panel is sufficiently flexible in a transverse direction to temporarily reduce its overall width to permit insertion of the shading panel into the vehicle.14. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the width of each of said ribs is substantially constant along its length from the front edge to the rear edge of the roof panel.0') 15. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the width of each of said O 20 ribs is substantially equal. CoO 16. Apparatus as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the depth of each of said ribs is variable along its length from the front edge to the rear edge of the roof panel in a smoothly varying profile.17. A vehicle sunroof comprising: a. apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim; and b. a light transmitting panel havng a front edge, a rear edge and two side edges, for use in the roof of a vehicle.18. A sunroof as claimed in claim 17, wherein the ribs are mountable on the inside of the roof panel and extending from the front edge to the rear edge thereof.19. A vehicle comprising a sunroof as claimed in claim 17 or claim 18.20. A vehicle as claimed claim 19 wherein the depth of said ribs is reduced in a region which, in use, is normally above the heads of the vehicle's passengers.21. Apparatus for providing a visual effect to the interior of a vehicle cabin comprising a plurality of light-obscuring ribs mountable on the inside of a roof panel, the ribs defining apertures through which light incident on a vehicle roof panel can enter a vehicle, wherein [he depth of at least a portion each of said ribs varies along its length.22. Apparatus for providing a shading effect to light incident on a vehicle roof panel substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by any appropriate combination of the accompanying drawings.23. A Vehicle sunroof substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by any appropriate combination of the accompanying drawings.24. A Vehicle substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by any appropriate combination of the accompanying drawings.0') 25. Apparatus for providing a visual effect to [he interior of a vehicle cabin substantially as 0 20 described herein with reference to and as illustrated by any appropriate combination of (Y) the accompanying drawings.