GB491198A - Improvements in and relating to sliding roofs for vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

491,198. Vehicle opening-tops. GODFREY, R. E. H. Feb. 10, 1938, No. 4180. [Class 108 (i)] A flexible sliding roof for a vehicle adapted to be wound on a drum 11, Fig. 2, at the rear of the roof-opening, comprises D-section slats 12 linked together and encased in waterproof material, each slat having a roller 17 at each end movable in a side channel when longitudinally-arranged endless belts or chains 25 are simultaneously actuated to cover or uncover the opening. As shown there is built into the opening a frame comprising transverse front and rear chambers 3, 4, Fig. 2, communicating with the ends of channel-section side members 2 which carry the three-part chain housings 5, 5a, 17, Fig. 5, and guide blocks 7 haying recesses 8 engageable by rubber strips 14 secured beneath the slats, the plates 5 constituting the runways for the slat rollers 17. The front slat 12a, Fig. 6, is provided at each end with three rollers 17 the spindles of which are secured to the coupling links 24 of the chains 25, an end link of each chain being adjustably secured, for tightening purposes,. by a. screw 26, Fig. 4, and shackle, 25a to the respective link 24. The slat 12a also carries depending guide-rollers 20 bearing on the inner faces of the blocks 7 and a buffer 21 for engaging the front and rear edges of the frame. Both the drum 11, which contains circumferential recesses for the rubber strips 14, and one of the sprocket wheels on which the chains are supported, are each rotatable by a handle and a ratchet wheel engaged by a spring- pressed pawl. The backing 13 of the flexible roof is cut away at its side edges between adjacent slats 12 to form gaps 16, Fig. 6, adapted to communicate with water channels 9 bounded by the plates 5, blocks 7, and bottom walls of the members 2, which channels terminate at their rear ends adjacent the rear ends of the blocks 5 and then communicate through offset passages in the blocks 5 with downwardly-curved channels in the bottom of the rear chamber 4, the channels discharging outside the vehicle body. The front ends of the channels 9 communicate with the front chamber 3 the bottom wall of which is inclined forwardly and downwardly, and water drains from the chamber 3 through a passage discharging outside the vehicle body. When the flexible roof is unwound from the drum, the driver is afforded a clear view through glass panels 53, 54 in the chamber 4.