GB678566A - Improvements in or relating to sliding roofs on vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

678,566. Sliding roofs. WEATHERSHIELDS, Ltd., and BISHOP, W. H. Oct. 13, 1950 [Oct. 15, 1949], No. 26504/49. Class 108(i) A sliding roof is of the type in which an opening in the front part of the fixed roof 11, Fig. 1, may be closed by a longitudinally sliding panel 10 which when open slides under a fixed canopy 13 forming the rear part of the roof. The type also comprises a handle 34 for operating locking means for the panel, and means for raising the rear edge of the panel when closing to bring it flush with the canopy or for lowering the panel so that in the open position it may slide under the canopy. A roof of the above type has the panel 10 co-operating with a watercheck frame 12, Figs. 2, 3, the frame having a flange 14 carrying a tacking strip 15 for the roof lining. The front end of the panel, Fig. 2, is guided at each side by a felt lined slide 16 pivotally mounted by means of a pin 17 between lugs 18, 19 of the panel. Each rebated side 21 of the panel carries a flexible rubber sealing strip 22 engaging a flange 25 of the fixed roof. In the closed position the front edge 27 of the panel, Fig. 1, makes a seal with a rubber member 28 secured to the front edge of the fixed roof 11, and the rear end of the panel is provided with a channel 38 in which is mounted a rubber bead 39 adapted to engage with a seating 40 on the canopy. Adjacent to the rear end of the panel on each side, Fig. 3, a bracket 30 carries a felt pad 32 sliding in the frame 12, and a pad 33 is fixed to the flange 31 to locate the panel laterally against the flange 14. The handle 34 when rotated operates linkage to move a transverse bar 35 (Specification 528,454 is referred to for this mechanism). When the panel is closed. cranked arms 36 of the bar 35 are aligned with abutments 37 in the frame 12, and the angular movement given to the rod forces these arms against the abutments to raise the panel. In this closed position the pads 32 move through gaps 41 in the flanges 14. In a partly open position of the panel the arms 36 are urged against the bottom of the watercheck frame to hold the pad 32 against the flange 14 and prevent movement of the panel. The rearward opening movement of the panel is limited by a spring-loaded upstanding cranked portion 43 of a rod 44, which cranked portion may be turned down into the horizontal plane by turning the other cranked end 46 of the rod. When it is desired to remove the panel the crank 43 is turned and the panel slid back so that the front slides 16 may be raised through the gaps 41. The front end of the panel is then drawn forwardly and upwardly until the rear pads 32 may also be raised through the gaps 41 to free the panel.