US20080174153A1 - Open roof construction for a vehicle, as well as a vehicle having such open roof construction - Google Patents
Open roof construction for a vehicle, as well as a vehicle having such open roof construction Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20080174153A1 US20080174153A1 US12/034,411 US3441108A US2008174153A1 US 20080174153 A1 US20080174153 A1 US 20080174153A1 US 3441108 A US3441108 A US 3441108A US 2008174153 A1 US2008174153 A1 US 2008174153A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- locking
- roof
- vehicle
- folding
- opening
- 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.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
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- 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
- B60J1/1838—Windows; Windscreens; Accessories therefor arranged at the vehicle rear movable for non-convertible vehicles, including vehicles with versatile load area
- B60J1/1892—Windows; Windscreens; Accessories therefor arranged at the vehicle rear movable for non-convertible vehicles, including vehicles with versatile load area where the window is translated by a linkage system
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- 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
- B60J7/02—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs of sliding type, e.g. comprising guide shoes
- B60J7/06—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs of sliding type, e.g. comprising guide shoes with non-rigid element or elements
- B60J7/061—Non-fixed roofs; Roofs with movable panels, e.g. rotary sunroofs of sliding type, e.g. comprising guide shoes with non-rigid element or elements sliding and folding
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an open roof construction for a vehicle as well as to a vehicle fitted with such an open roof construction, in particular a folding roof.
- the invention particularly relates to special features which make it possible to swing down the folding roof into the boot of the vehicle together with a rear window structure so as to provide a convertible-like vehicle.
- FIG. 1 is a general perspective view of the main components of the roof construction of a vehicle according to the invention.
- FIGS. 2 a - 2 g are perspective views of the rear part of the vehicle according to the invention, showing the rear window structure and mating parts in seven different positions thereof.
- FIG. 3 is a perspective, exploded view of one longitudinal half of the roof construction according to FIG. 1 .
- FIGS. 4 a - 4 e are larger-scale, longitudinal sectional views of one of the guide rails of the folding roof according to FIG. 1 and mating parts in various positions thereof.
- FIG. 5 illustrates a larger-scale detail V of FIG. 4 .
- FIGS. 5 a - 5 c illustrate a yet larger-scale detail V of FIG. 4 .
- FIGS. 6 a - 6 d illustrate longitudinal sectional views of the rear part of one of the guide rails and the front part of the rear window structure in various positions thereof before the folding roof moves onto the rear window structure.
- FIG. 7 is a perspective, exploded view of the rear part of the guide rail and the transition to the rear window structure.
- FIGS. 8 a - 8 c are perspective views of the transition from the guide rail to the rear window structure, showing various positions thereof to illustrate the operation of a hinge construction arranged therebetween.
- FIG. 9 is a larger-scale perspective, exploded view of one of the arms of the rear window structure according to FIGS. 2 .
- FIGS. 10 a - 10 f are longitudinal sectional views of the rear side of a vehicle fitted with the open roof construction according to the invention, in which various positions of the rear window structure are shown for the purpose of illustrating the operation thereof.
- FIGS. 11 a - 11 e are schematic longitudinal sectional views of the fitting and counter elements connected to the roof guide rail and rear window structure, respectively, in which various positions of these elements are shown to illustrate how the rear window is fitted and locked to the guide rail.
- FIG. 1 is a general view of the main components of the part of the vehicle to which the present invention relates. These main components function to provide various possibilities for “driving with an open top”.
- the first main component according to the invention is a folding roof 1 , which can be opened and closed in a usual manner.
- the second main component is the special rear window structure 2 .
- Said rear window structure 2 is arranged for receiving the folding roof on the upper side in the open position of said folding roof, after which the rear window and the folding roof can be swung back as a whole into the vehicle boot, thus forming a convertible.
- the side arches (not shown) of the vehicle, which support the folding roof and the rear window can be removed, so that a spider-like vehicle is obtained. Information about such a vehicle can be found in WO 01/14157, whose contents are incorporated herein by reference.
- FIGS. 2 a - 2 g show the operation of the rear window structure.
- FIG. 2 a is a cut-away view of a portion of the rear side of the vehicle, showing the body 3 , the rear seat 4 ( FIG. 10 f ), the boot 5 and the boot lid 6 .
- FIG. 2 a the folding roof 1 , the rear window structure 2 and the boot lid 6 are in the closed position.
- FIG. 2 b the rear window 7 of the rear window structure 2 has been pivoted to an open position.
- a frame or cassette 8 of the rear window structure 2 remains locked in the closed position. In this way, the trunk can be made accessible.
- the boot lid 6 has been opened to a horizontal position, in which the lid can be used as a floor part or supporting part.
- FIG. 2 e shows a position in which the entire rear window structure 2 , i.e. the frame 8 and the rear window 7 (as well as the open folding roof, which is not shown), after being unlocked, has been pivoted to an intermediate position, in which hinges to be described yet can become detached from a roof part co-operating therewith.
- FIG. 2 f shows the rear window structure 2 being pivoted downwards in its entirety by means of a special arm construction.
- the rear window structure 2 has been moved to a hollow space on the bottom of the boot 5 , in which the rear window structure 2 is accommodated in a horizontal, upside-down position.
- the rear window structure 2 can be covered by a floor part (not shown), thus forming a boot which is ready for normal use again. In this position, it is also possible to close the boot lid 6 .
- FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the part of the main components of the roof construction according to the invention that are shown in FIG. 1 .
- the following parts of the folding roof 1 can be distinguished: a foldable liner 9 , a lower cover 10 fixed to the underside thereof, which includes loops or sleeves 11 for receiving stiffeners 12 .
- An operating beam 13 which controls the opening and closing of the folding roof, is arranged on the opening side of the liner 9 , the front side in this case. To this end, the operating beam 13 is slidably guided in guide rails 15 by means of a special slide construction 14 .
- the guide rails 15 are disposed on either side of a roof opening in the vehicle, in the longitudinal direction thereof. In this specific embodiment, the guide rails 15 are mounted on arch structures (not shown) at the sides of the vehicle and sealed by means of a seal 16 .
- the slide constructions 14 at the ends of the operating beam 13 can be driven by means of driving cables 17 , which are guided through the guide rails 15 towards the rear window structure 2 , where a driving motor 18 is present.
- the stiffeners 12 of the liner 9 are supported on slides that will be explained in more detail yet below.
- FIGS. 4 and 5 are longitudinal sectional views of one of the guide rails 15 and the parts that are slidable therein.
- the operating beam 13 with the associated slide construction 14 as well as the stiffeners 12 can be distinguished.
- Some of the stiffeners 12 are arranged on a support 20 which is fixed to an associated slide, whereas other stiffeners 12 are arranged on supports 21 which are pivotally connected to an identical slide 19 via a leaf spring 22 .
- the leaf springs 22 load the supports 21 in an upward direction.
- the liner 9 Upon rearward movement of the front slide construction 14 , which likewise includes a leaf spring 22 and a support 21 with stiffener 12 , and rearward movement of a slide 19 , the liner 9 will be slackened, and the upwardly moving stiffener 12 will cause the liner 9 to extend upwards in a fold. This is shown in FIGS. 4 a - 4 e.
- each slide 19 is fitted with a locking assembly or elements 23 , which mates with an associated counter element 28 in guide rail 15 .
- the preceding slide 19 is provided with an unlocking assembly or elements 24 for unlocking the successive sliding shoes.
- the locking elements 23 comprises horizontally movable locking element 26 , which is in particular pivotable about a horizontal pivot 25 .
- Locking elements 23 further comprise a downwardly extending projection or cam 27 , which can engage in a recess 28 in the bottom of the guide rail 15 . This engagement of the cam 27 in the associated counter element or recess 28 takes place when the slide 19 in question has reached its frontmost position.
- the slide 14 , 19 which is positioned in front of said locking element, seen in the opening direction, are fitted with projecting part 39 extending in the direction of the next sliding shoe 19 , seen in the opening direction.
- Projecting part 39 includes pin 29 which can come into engagement with a slot 30 formed in the movable locking member 26 of locking elements 23 . Said slot 30 extends in a direction that deviates from the direction of movement of the slide 19 .
- This direction is such that the pin 29 of the preceding slide 14 , 19 can enter the slot 30 in the position in which the cam 27 engages in the recess 28 , whereas the movable locking member 26 is pivoted upwards about pivot 25 by the pin 29 upon passage through the slot 30 , as a result of which the cam 27 will move out of the recess 28 and the slide 19 in question can start to follow the preceding slide 14 , 19 .
- folding roof 1 for a vehicle has a roof opening comprising stationary guide rails 15 on either side of the roof opening.
- Guide rails 15 comprise counter elements 28 selectively positioned at locations along guide rails 15 .
- counter elements 28 are recesses within guide rails 15 .
- Folding roof 1 further includes flexible liner 10 and drivable operating beam 13 on the opening side of said liner 10 . Operating beam 13 is guided in guide rails 15 for selectively opening and closing the roof opening.
- Folding elements 21 , 22 are mounted on slides 19 which are guided in said guide rails 15 , Folding elements 21 , 22 support liner 10 and define a folding movement thereof upon opening of folding roof 1 .
- Slides 19 comprise locking assembly or elements 23 as well as unlocking assembly or elements 24 .
- Counter elements 28 are positioned at such locations in guide rails 15 that locking elements 23 , 27 can come into engagement with counter elements 28 when the slides 19 are in a frontmost position whereas unlocking elements 24 , 29 unlock locking elements 23 , 27 of the next slide 19 , seen in the opening direction, when folding roof 1 is being opened.
- locking elements 23 comprise movable locking member 26 comprising projection 27
- counter element 28 is a recess in the guide rail 15 , in which the projection 27 can engage as illustrated in FIGS. 5 a - 5 c
- Unlocking elements 24 can comprise projecting part 39 (illustrated in FIGS. 5 a - 5 c which projects in the direction of the next slide, seen in the opening direction, which is capable of moving movable locking member 26 for the purpose of moving the projection 27 out of the recess 28 .
- projecting part 39 is provided with pin 29 , which can come into engagement with slot 30 formed on movable locking member 26 .
- Slot 30 can extend in a direction that deviates from the direction of movement of pin 29 .
- FIGS. 5 a - 5 c Illustrated in FIGS. 5 a - 5 c is a pivoting movement of movable locking member 26 about pivot 25 as pin 29 enters slot 30 , which is illustrated as sloping downwards in FIGS. 5 a - 5 c .
- Pin 29 comes in engagement with slot 30 and moves in a direction deviating from direction of slot 30 thereby causing movable locking member 26 to pivot about pivot 25 .
- This pivoting movement causes projection or cam 27 to move out of counter element or recess 28 .
- movable locking member 26 mates with guide rails 15 to lock pin 29 in slot 30 , so that adjacent slides 19 are locked into one unit.
- the folding roof 1 can be moved to a position on the rear window structure 2 in the entirely open position, so that the folding roof 1 can be swung back into the boot 5 together with the rear window structure 2 .
- the folding roof 1 will have to be detached from the guide rails 15 in order to make this possible.
- a rear cover plate 31 FIGS. 6 a - 6 d ) is present at the rear end thereof, which cover plate is stationary and which provides a seal with respect to the fixed roof.
- Said rear cover plate 31 is supported at the ends by slides 32 which are movable in the guide rails 15 , each slide 32 comprising an unlocking and vertical adjusting mechanism 33 to be operated by an adjacent slide or sliding shoe 19 of the folding roof for moving the cover plate 31 upwards before the folding roof 1 , which is locked into a unit in the entirely open position, can be moved further to a position on the rear window structure 2 .
- Height or vertical adjusting mechanism 33 comprises a link plate 34 at each end of the cover plate 31 , in which two identical slots 35 are present, in which pins 36 of the slide 32 engage.
- folding roof 1 for a vehicle has a roof opening in its fixed roof.
- Folding roof 1 comprises stationary guide rails 15 on either side of the roof opening and flexible liner 10 .
- Folding roof 1 further includes drivable operating beam 13 on the opening side of liner 10 .
- Operating beam 13 is guided in guide rails 15 for selectively opening and closing the roof opening.
- a number of folding elements 21 , 22 are provided to support liner 10 and which define a folding movement thereof upon opening of folding roof 1 .
- Folding elements 21 , 22 are mounted on slides 14 , 19 which are guided in guide rails 15 .
- Cover plate 31 on the side of liner 10 remote from the opening side provides a seal against the fixed roof.
- Slides 14 , 19 and cover plate 31 of the open roof construction interlock to form one unit ( 14 , 19 , 31 ) in an entirely open position, after which they can be moved further as a unit.
- Cover plate 31 is mounted on slides 32 capable of sliding movement in guide rails 15 , which each comprise height adjusting mechanism 33 (illustrated in FIG. 6 a - 6 d ) to be actuated by adjacent rear slide 19 for moving cover plate 31 upwards ( FIG. 6 d ) before further movement the aforesaid unit ( 14 , 19 , 31 ) is possible.
- height adjusting mechanism 33 includes at least one pin-slot connection.
- slide 32 comprises two pins that engage two corresponding slots 35 of cover plate 31 .
- each slide 32 of cover plate 31 comprises a coupling element for coupling adjacent slide 19 to cover plate 31 in the entirely open position of the folding roof.
- the driving cables 17 of the folding roof 1 extend from the guide rails 15 into the rear window structure 2 , in which the driving motor 18 is present.
- the purpose of this arrangement is to pull the folding roof unit onto the rear window structure 2 as a unit in the entirely open position that is shown in FIG. 6 .
- the rear window structure 2 includes guide rails 40 on either side ( FIG. 7 ), which are aligned with the guide rails 15 in the closed position of the rear window structure 2 .
- FIGS. 7 and 8 show the construction and the operation of the hinge assembly 41 .
- the guide rails 15 and 40 as well as part of the rear window 7 of the rear window structure 2 can be distinguished.
- the end of the guide rails 15 that faces towards the rear window structure 2 terminates in a fitting element 42 , which will be discussed in more detail yet.
- a counter element 43 is fixed to the fitting element 42 in the closed position of the rear window structure 2 , and consequently said counter element 43 forms part of the guide rail 15 , because a groove 44 that is present therein guides the various mutually aligned and adjoining slides 14 , 19 , 32 .
- the hinge assembly 41 comprises a first hinge 45 , which connects the counter element 43 to an intermediate element 46 , as well as a second hinge 47 which is spaced therefrom by some distance, which second hinge 47 enables a pivoting movement between the intermediate element 46 and the guide rail 40 .
- the hinges 45 and 47 consist of pin-hole hinges, the holes being formed in the intermediate element 46 , whereas the pin is formed on a separate part 48 and 49 , respectively, which is fixed to, respectively, the counter element 43 and the guide rail 40 , e.g. by means of screws 50 .
- the intermediate element 46 and the parts 48 and 49 also include guide means and stop means in the form of two stop pins 51 on intermediate element 46 , which are inserted in stop slots 52 in the parts 48 , 49 . Also other or additional stop means are conceivable, of course.
- FIGS. 8 a - 8 c show the closed position of the rear window ( FIG. 8 a ), the half open position, in which the rear window has pivoted through 40° with respect to the guide rail 15 ( FIG. 8 b ), and the entirely open position, in which the rear window 7 has pivoted through 80° with respect to the guide rail 15 ( FIG. 8 c ).
- the various slides 14 , 19 and 32 of the folding roof 1 must pass several transitions between parts upon transferring the folding roof unit between the guide rails 15 of the fixed roof and the guide rails 40 of the rear window structure 2 , viz. from the guide rails 15 to the fitting element 42 , the counter element 43 , the intermediate element 46 and the guide rail 40 .
- the grooves in the various parts of the guide rail 15 diverge slightly in transverse direction and/or in vertical direction at the ends that face towards each other in interconnected condition.
- the fitting element 42 includes a hook-shaped member 53 ( FIG. 7 ), which can engage in a mating locking recess 54 in the counter element 43 .
- the hook-shaped member 53 and thus also the locking recess 54 , are tapered in vertical direction and in transverse direction, as a result of which the hook-shaped member 53 readily fits in the locking recess and can be guided to an exactly defined positioned by the tapered walls of said recess 54 , also when the fitting element 42 and the counter element 43 are not entirely correctly aligned. Alignment errors are corrected in this way, and it is ensured that each guide rail 40 of the rear window structure 2 properly adjoins the associated guide rail 15 .
- FIGS. 11 a - 11 e show an improved version of the locking element 53 and the mating counter element 54 .
- the locking element 53 is still in the form of a hook-shaped member, whereas the locking recess 54 forms the mating counter element.
- Both the hook-shaped locking element 53 and the locking recess 54 can be tapered both in a vertical direction and in a transverse direction.
- This embodiment includes an additional retaining mechanism 90 , which retains the locking element 53 in position in the locking recess 54 as long as the locking element 53 does not engage in the locking recess 54 sufficiently far. This makes it possible to prevent a situation in which one of the locking elements 53 slips out of the locking recess 54 again, causing dislocation of the rear window structure 2 , partially due to the large weight and the resulting large moment thereof, when the rear window structure 2 is closed askew, for example because the vehicle is not in a level position or because the rear window structure 2 is pulled out of alignment by the person operating the construction.
- the retaining mechanism 90 includes a retaining element 92 which is loaded by a tension spring 91 , which element is inserted in locking recess 54 and which includes a nose 93 which is capable of engaging in a retaining recess 94 in the locking element 53 .
- the retaining element 92 is slidable and pivotable about a traverse pin 95 . In a starting position, the retaining element 92 extends obliquely in the direction of the opening of the locking recess 54 , in which position it lies in the path of the locking element 53 .
- the shape, the location and the movement of the parts is such that the following operation is obtained.
- the retaining element 92 cannot pivot outwards, and the force on the retaining element 92 with respect to the traverse pin 95 is such that the retaining element will not be pushed back along the traverse pin 95 . In this position, the locking element 53 is secured against “falling out or being pulled out”, therefore.
- the retaining element 92 will be pushed back by the locking element 53 and will be pivoted back about the traverse pin 95 .
- the nose 93 of the retaining element 92 will eventually move out of the retaining recess 54 , which is made possible by the respective configurations of said element 53 and said recess 54 .
- the retaining element 92 will follow the pivoting movement of the locking element 53 in that the retaining element 92 will pivot rather than slide under the influence of the action of the spring 91 . This prevents the nose 93 of the retaining element 92 from snapping into the retaining recess 94 in the locking element 53 again, so that the locking element 53 can be removed from the locking recess 54 without any problems.
- FIG. 9 shows yet another main component of the special roof construction according to the invention, viz. one of the arms that are to pivot the rear window structure 2 from the closed position, in which it functions as the rear window, to the stored position in the boot 5 of the vehicle.
- the frame 8 of the rear window structure 2 can be distinguished; the arm consists of a first arm member 56 , which is connected to a body part 58 by means of a pivot 57 , as well as a second arm member 59 , which is fixed to the frame 8 of the rear window structure 2 .
- the arm members 56 and 59 are in engagement with each other by means of two pin-slot joints comprising pins 60 and 61 on the second arm member 59 , which engage in associated slots 62 and 63 in the first arm member 56 .
- the configuration of the slots 62 and 63 and the relative positions of the pins 60 and 61 determine the movement of two arm members relative to each other.
- Each arm 55 includes two locking means 64 and 65 , the first locking means 64 function to lock the arm members 56 , 59 in such a position relative to each other that the rear window structure 2 is locked in the position in which it functions as the rear window ( FIG. 2 a ), whereas the second locking means 65 lock the arm members 56 and 59 from the intermediate position according to FIG. 2 e to the stored position according to FIG. 2 g.
- the first locking means 64 comprise a locking pin 66 formed on lower end of the second arm member 59 , as well as a latch 67 comprising a locking arm 68 .
- the latch 67 and the locking arm 68 are arranged on a latch housing 69 , which is connected to the arm member 56 .
- a spring 70 keeps the locking arm 68 biased.
- the second locking means 65 comprise a locking plate 72 which is spring-loaded in the direction of the locked position and which is pivotally connected to a first arm member 56 about a pin 71 , in which locking plate a locking slot 73 including a locking portion 74 is present.
- the second locking means 65 furthermore comprise a second locking pin 75 on the second arm member 59 , which is positioned in the locking portion 74 in the aforesaid intermediate position.
- the locking pin 75 forms part of the pin 61 in the illustrated embodiment.
- the operation of the above-described arm 55 for the rear window structure is as follows.
- the second arm member 59 occupies its lower position with respect to the first arm member 56 ( FIGS. 10 a - d ).
- the first locking pin 66 is retained in the latch 67 (see FIG. 10 c ), which is blocked by the locking arm 68 (not shown).
- the pins 60 and 61 of the first arm member 56 are present at the lower end of the associated slot 62 and 63 , respectively.
- the second locking pin 75 is present at the lower end of the second locking slot 73 .
- the frame 8 of the rear window structure 2 is pressed firmly against its seal and retained in that position.
- each arm 55 can be manually unlocked, after which the rear window structure 2 can be pivoted upwards about the hook-shaped member 53 of the fitting element 42 , which functions as a hinge in this case.
- the pins 60 and 61 move through the associated slots 62 and 63 , thus defining the relative movement between the arm members 56 and 59 .
- the gas spring 79 exerts an upward moment on the associated arm 55 , so that the weight of the rear window structure 2 is compensated and said upward pivoting does not require too much force.
- the moment about the pivot 57 decreases slightly upon movement of the arm members to the intermediate position, on account of the pivoting movement of the second arm member 59 about the pivot 57 .
- the second locking pin 75 moves towards the locking portion 74 along the edge of the locking slot 73 in the locking plate 72 .
- the rear window structure 2 has pivoted so far upwards and outwards in this intermediate position that the hook-shaped members 53 , which act as hinges, have moved out of the locking recesses 54 in the counter element 43 , or, at any rate, have moved so far outwards that the hook-shaped members 53 do not resist pivoting movement of the rear window structure 2 about the pivot 57 of the arms 55 .
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- Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
Abstract
The invention relates to an open roof construction for a vehicle, as well as to a vehicle fitted with such an open roof construction, in particular a folding roof. More in particular, the invention relates to special features which make it possible to swing down the folding roof (1) into the boot (5) of the vehicle together with a rear window structure (2) so as to provide a convertible-like vehicle.
Description
- The present application is a divisional of and claims priority of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/263,201 which is a divisional of and claims priority of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/416,126, filed Oct. 17, 2003, which is a Section 371 National Stage Application of International Application No. PCT/NL01/00814, filed Nov. 9, 2001 and published as WO 02/038407 on May 16, 2002, in English, the contents of all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
- The present invention relates to an open roof construction for a vehicle as well as to a vehicle fitted with such an open roof construction, in particular a folding roof.
- The invention particularly relates to special features which make it possible to swing down the folding roof into the boot of the vehicle together with a rear window structure so as to provide a convertible-like vehicle.
- The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the drawings, which schematically show an embodiment of the open roof construction of a vehicle according to the invention.
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FIG. 1 is a general perspective view of the main components of the roof construction of a vehicle according to the invention. -
FIGS. 2 a-2 g are perspective views of the rear part of the vehicle according to the invention, showing the rear window structure and mating parts in seven different positions thereof. -
FIG. 3 is a perspective, exploded view of one longitudinal half of the roof construction according toFIG. 1 . -
FIGS. 4 a-4 e are larger-scale, longitudinal sectional views of one of the guide rails of the folding roof according toFIG. 1 and mating parts in various positions thereof. -
FIG. 5 illustrates a larger-scale detail V ofFIG. 4 . -
FIGS. 5 a-5 c illustrate a yet larger-scale detail V ofFIG. 4 . -
FIGS. 6 a-6 d illustrate longitudinal sectional views of the rear part of one of the guide rails and the front part of the rear window structure in various positions thereof before the folding roof moves onto the rear window structure. -
FIG. 7 is a perspective, exploded view of the rear part of the guide rail and the transition to the rear window structure. -
FIGS. 8 a-8 c are perspective views of the transition from the guide rail to the rear window structure, showing various positions thereof to illustrate the operation of a hinge construction arranged therebetween. -
FIG. 9 is a larger-scale perspective, exploded view of one of the arms of the rear window structure according toFIGS. 2 . -
FIGS. 10 a-10 f are longitudinal sectional views of the rear side of a vehicle fitted with the open roof construction according to the invention, in which various positions of the rear window structure are shown for the purpose of illustrating the operation thereof. -
FIGS. 11 a-11 e are schematic longitudinal sectional views of the fitting and counter elements connected to the roof guide rail and rear window structure, respectively, in which various positions of these elements are shown to illustrate how the rear window is fitted and locked to the guide rail. -
FIG. 1 is a general view of the main components of the part of the vehicle to which the present invention relates. These main components function to provide various possibilities for “driving with an open top”. The first main component according to the invention is a foldingroof 1, which can be opened and closed in a usual manner. The second main component is the specialrear window structure 2. Saidrear window structure 2 is arranged for receiving the folding roof on the upper side in the open position of said folding roof, after which the rear window and the folding roof can be swung back as a whole into the vehicle boot, thus forming a convertible. In addition to that, the side arches (not shown) of the vehicle, which support the folding roof and the rear window, can be removed, so that a spider-like vehicle is obtained. Information about such a vehicle can be found in WO 01/14157, whose contents are incorporated herein by reference. -
FIGS. 2 a-2 g show the operation of the rear window structure. -
FIG. 2 a is a cut-away view of a portion of the rear side of the vehicle, showing thebody 3, the rear seat 4 (FIG. 10 f), theboot 5 and theboot lid 6. - In
FIG. 2 a, thefolding roof 1, therear window structure 2 and theboot lid 6 are in the closed position. - In
FIG. 2 b, the rear window 7 of therear window structure 2 has been pivoted to an open position. A frame orcassette 8 of therear window structure 2 remains locked in the closed position. In this way, the trunk can be made accessible. - In
FIG. 2 c, theboot lid 6 has been opened to a horizontal position, in which the lid can be used as a floor part or supporting part. - In
FIG. 2 d, the rear window 7 has been pivoted back to the closed position again, whereas theboot lid 6 is still open. -
FIG. 2 e shows a position in which the entirerear window structure 2, i.e. theframe 8 and the rear window 7 (as well as the open folding roof, which is not shown), after being unlocked, has been pivoted to an intermediate position, in which hinges to be described yet can become detached from a roof part co-operating therewith. -
FIG. 2 f shows therear window structure 2 being pivoted downwards in its entirety by means of a special arm construction. - In
FIG. 2 g, therear window structure 2 has been moved to a hollow space on the bottom of theboot 5, in which therear window structure 2 is accommodated in a horizontal, upside-down position. Therear window structure 2 can be covered by a floor part (not shown), thus forming a boot which is ready for normal use again. In this position, it is also possible to close theboot lid 6. - Hereinafter, a description will be given of various parts of the special roof construction of the vehicle that assist in the aforesaid operation.
-
FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the part of the main components of the roof construction according to the invention that are shown inFIG. 1 . - The following parts of the folding
roof 1 can be distinguished: afoldable liner 9, alower cover 10 fixed to the underside thereof, which includes loops orsleeves 11 for receivingstiffeners 12. Anoperating beam 13, which controls the opening and closing of the folding roof, is arranged on the opening side of theliner 9, the front side in this case. To this end, theoperating beam 13 is slidably guided inguide rails 15 by means of aspecial slide construction 14. Theguide rails 15 are disposed on either side of a roof opening in the vehicle, in the longitudinal direction thereof. In this specific embodiment, theguide rails 15 are mounted on arch structures (not shown) at the sides of the vehicle and sealed by means of aseal 16. Theslide constructions 14 at the ends of theoperating beam 13 can be driven by means ofdriving cables 17, which are guided through theguide rails 15 towards therear window structure 2, where a drivingmotor 18 is present. - The
stiffeners 12 of theliner 9 are supported on slides that will be explained in more detail yet below. -
FIGS. 4 and 5 are longitudinal sectional views of one of theguide rails 15 and the parts that are slidable therein. In addition to theguide rail 15, theoperating beam 13 with the associatedslide construction 14 as well as thestiffeners 12 can be distinguished. Some of thestiffeners 12 are arranged on asupport 20 which is fixed to an associated slide, whereasother stiffeners 12 are arranged onsupports 21 which are pivotally connected to anidentical slide 19 via aleaf spring 22. Theleaf springs 22 load thesupports 21 in an upward direction. Upon rearward movement of thefront slide construction 14, which likewise includes aleaf spring 22 and asupport 21 withstiffener 12, and rearward movement of aslide 19, theliner 9 will be slackened, and the upwardly movingstiffener 12 will cause theliner 9 to extend upwards in a fold. This is shown inFIGS. 4 a-4 e. - Referring to
FIGS. 5 a-5 c and 6 a-6 c, in order to ensure that aslide 19 will not start to move until a precedingslide 19 or the precedingslide construction 14 has moved so far rearwards that the fold is complete, eachslide 19 is fitted with a locking assembly orelements 23, which mates with an associatedcounter element 28 inguide rail 15. The precedingslide 19 is provided with an unlocking assembly orelements 24 for unlocking the successive sliding shoes. In this embodiment, thelocking elements 23 comprises horizontallymovable locking element 26, which is in particular pivotable about ahorizontal pivot 25.Locking elements 23 further comprise a downwardly extending projection orcam 27, which can engage in arecess 28 in the bottom of theguide rail 15. This engagement of thecam 27 in the associated counter element orrecess 28 takes place when theslide 19 in question has reached its frontmost position. - In order to be able to actuate the
locking elements 23, theslide part 39 extending in the direction of the nextsliding shoe 19, seen in the opening direction. Projectingpart 39 includespin 29 which can come into engagement with aslot 30 formed in themovable locking member 26 of lockingelements 23. Saidslot 30 extends in a direction that deviates from the direction of movement of theslide 19. This direction is such that thepin 29 of the precedingslide slot 30 in the position in which thecam 27 engages in therecess 28, whereas themovable locking member 26 is pivoted upwards aboutpivot 25 by thepin 29 upon passage through theslot 30, as a result of which thecam 27 will move out of therecess 28 and theslide 19 in question can start to follow the precedingslide - Since the projection or
cam 27 runs on the bottom of theguide rail 15 in that situation, and the lockingmember 26 is thus locked in an upwardly pivoted position, thepin 29 of unlockingelements 24 is locked in position in theslot 30, so that theadjacent slides folding roof 1 takes place. - Referring to
FIGS. 1 , 3, 5 a-5 c, and 6 a-6 d, in another embodiment, foldingroof 1 for a vehicle has a roof opening comprisingstationary guide rails 15 on either side of the roof opening.Guide rails 15 comprisecounter elements 28 selectively positioned at locations along guide rails 15. In many embodiments,counter elements 28 are recesses within guide rails 15. Foldingroof 1 further includesflexible liner 10 anddrivable operating beam 13 on the opening side of saidliner 10.Operating beam 13 is guided inguide rails 15 for selectively opening and closing the roof opening.Folding elements slides 19 which are guided in saidguide rails 15,Folding elements support liner 10 and define a folding movement thereof upon opening offolding roof 1.Slides 19 comprise locking assembly orelements 23 as well as unlocking assembly orelements 24.Counter elements 28 are positioned at such locations inguide rails 15 that lockingelements counter elements 28 when theslides 19 are in a frontmost position whereas unlockingelements unlock locking elements next slide 19, seen in the opening direction, when foldingroof 1 is being opened. - In still other embodiments, locking
elements 23 comprisemovable locking member 26 comprisingprojection 27, whereascounter element 28 is a recess in theguide rail 15, in which theprojection 27 can engage as illustrated inFIGS. 5 a-5 c. Unlockingelements 24 can comprise projecting part 39 (illustrated inFIGS. 5 a-5 c which projects in the direction of the next slide, seen in the opening direction, which is capable of moving movable lockingmember 26 for the purpose of moving theprojection 27 out of therecess 28. In other embodiments, projectingpart 39 is provided withpin 29, which can come into engagement withslot 30 formed onmovable locking member 26.Slot 30 can extend in a direction that deviates from the direction of movement ofpin 29. - Illustrated in
FIGS. 5 a-5 c is a pivoting movement of movable lockingmember 26 aboutpivot 25 aspin 29 entersslot 30, which is illustrated as sloping downwards inFIGS. 5 a-5 c.Pin 29 comes in engagement withslot 30 and moves in a direction deviating from direction ofslot 30 thereby causingmovable locking member 26 to pivot aboutpivot 25. This pivoting movement causes projection orcam 27 to move out of counter element orrecess 28. After projection orcam 27 is moved out of the counter element orrecess 28, movable lockingmember 26 mates withguide rails 15 to lockpin 29 inslot 30, so thatadjacent slides 19 are locked into one unit. - As already mentioned before with reference to
FIGS. 1 and 2 , thefolding roof 1 can be moved to a position on therear window structure 2 in the entirely open position, so that thefolding roof 1 can be swung back into theboot 5 together with therear window structure 2. First of all, thefolding roof 1 will have to be detached from the guide rails 15 in order to make this possible. In the normal open and closed positions of thefolding roof 1, a rear cover plate 31 (FIGS. 6 a-6 d) is present at the rear end thereof, which cover plate is stationary and which provides a seal with respect to the fixed roof. Saidrear cover plate 31 is supported at the ends byslides 32 which are movable in the guide rails 15, each slide 32 comprising an unlocking andvertical adjusting mechanism 33 to be operated by an adjacent slide or slidingshoe 19 of the folding roof for moving thecover plate 31 upwards before thefolding roof 1, which is locked into a unit in the entirely open position, can be moved further to a position on therear window structure 2. Height orvertical adjusting mechanism 33 comprises alink plate 34 at each end of thecover plate 31, in which two identical slots 35 are present, in which pins 36 of theslide 32 engage. - Referring to
FIGS. 1 , 3, and 6 a-6 d, in another embodiment, foldingroof 1 for a vehicle has a roof opening in its fixed roof. Foldingroof 1 comprisesstationary guide rails 15 on either side of the roof opening andflexible liner 10. Foldingroof 1 further includesdrivable operating beam 13 on the opening side ofliner 10.Operating beam 13 is guided inguide rails 15 for selectively opening and closing the roof opening. A number offolding elements liner 10 and which define a folding movement thereof upon opening offolding roof 1.Folding elements slides Cover plate 31 on the side ofliner 10 remote from the opening side provides a seal against the fixed roof.Slides cover plate 31 of the open roof construction interlock to form one unit (14, 19, 31) in an entirely open position, after which they can be moved further as a unit.Cover plate 31 is mounted onslides 32 capable of sliding movement inguide rails 15, which each comprise height adjusting mechanism 33 (illustrated inFIG. 6 a-6 d) to be actuated by adjacentrear slide 19 for movingcover plate 31 upwards (FIG. 6 d) before further movement the aforesaid unit (14, 19, 31) is possible. - In still other embodiments,
height adjusting mechanism 33 includes at least one pin-slot connection. In these embodiments, slide 32 comprises two pins that engage two corresponding slots 35 ofcover plate 31. In still other embodiment, each slide 32 ofcover plate 31 comprises a coupling element for couplingadjacent slide 19 to coverplate 31 in the entirely open position of the folding roof. - As has been described in the foregoing, the driving
cables 17 of thefolding roof 1 extend from the guide rails 15 into therear window structure 2, in which the drivingmotor 18 is present. The purpose of this arrangement is to pull the folding roof unit onto therear window structure 2 as a unit in the entirely open position that is shown inFIG. 6 . To this end, therear window structure 2 includesguide rails 40 on either side (FIG. 7 ), which are aligned with the guide rails 15 in the closed position of therear window structure 2. - It has been described with reference to
FIGS. 2 b and 2 c that the rear window 7 of therear window structure 2 can be pivoted upwards, in which case the drivingcables 17 extending through the guide rails 15 and 40 need to pass through a bend. The special pull/push cables 17 cannot pass through a bend having a radius of curvature other than a specifically defined one, however. In order to ensure that thecables 17 will pass through a bend having a fairly small radius of curvature upon pivoting of the rear window 7, aspecial hinge assembly 41 is fitted between the guide rails 15 and 40. -
FIGS. 7 and 8 show the construction and the operation of thehinge assembly 41. InFIG. 7 , the guide rails 15 and 40 as well as part of the rear window 7 of therear window structure 2 can be distinguished. The end of the guide rails 15 that faces towards therear window structure 2 terminates in afitting element 42, which will be discussed in more detail yet. Acounter element 43 is fixed to thefitting element 42 in the closed position of therear window structure 2, and consequently saidcounter element 43 forms part of theguide rail 15, because agroove 44 that is present therein guides the various mutually aligned andadjoining slides - The
hinge assembly 41 comprises afirst hinge 45, which connects thecounter element 43 to anintermediate element 46, as well as asecond hinge 47 which is spaced therefrom by some distance, which second hinge 47 enables a pivoting movement between theintermediate element 46 and theguide rail 40. The hinges 45 and 47 consist of pin-hole hinges, the holes being formed in theintermediate element 46, whereas the pin is formed on aseparate part counter element 43 and theguide rail 40, e.g. by means ofscrews 50. Theintermediate element 46 and theparts intermediate element 46, which are inserted instop slots 52 in theparts - The effect that is achieved by using this
hinge assembly 41 is that the virtual pivot point between the guide rails 15 and 40 will be located at a point inwardly spaced therefrom, or that the deflection of the guide rail is divided into two, as a result of which the angular distortion of the deflection is halved. The pivoting movement is such that the length of the part through which thecable 17 extends does not change. Preferably, the amount of space that is available for thecable 17 is such that the cable can pass through one large bend.FIGS. 8 a-8 c show the closed position of the rear window (FIG. 8 a), the half open position, in which the rear window has pivoted through 40° with respect to the guide rail 15 (FIG. 8 b), and the entirely open position, in which the rear window 7 has pivoted through 80° with respect to the guide rail 15(FIG. 8 c). - As has been described before, the
various slides folding roof 1 must pass several transitions between parts upon transferring the folding roof unit between the guide rails 15 of the fixed roof and the guide rails 40 of therear window structure 2, viz. from the guide rails 15 to thefitting element 42, thecounter element 43, theintermediate element 46 and theguide rail 40. In order to provide an unimpeded passage, without upright edges being formed at the transitions due to tolerances that may be present, which edges impede or prevent the passage of theslides guide rail 15 diverge slightly in transverse direction and/or in vertical direction at the ends that face towards each other in interconnected condition. In this way, the forming of upright edges at the transition is avoided, also in the case of a slight movement of theparts rear window structure 2 and the roof part is ensured. - As has already been mentioned before, the guide rails 15 and the
rear window structure 2 are interconnected via thefitting element 42 and theguide rail 15 and thecounter element 43 on the rear window structure. To this end, thefitting element 42 includes a hook-shaped member 53 (FIG. 7 ), which can engage in amating locking recess 54 in thecounter element 43. The hook-shapedmember 53, and thus also the lockingrecess 54, are tapered in vertical direction and in transverse direction, as a result of which the hook-shapedmember 53 readily fits in the locking recess and can be guided to an exactly defined positioned by the tapered walls of saidrecess 54, also when thefitting element 42 and thecounter element 43 are not entirely correctly aligned. Alignment errors are corrected in this way, and it is ensured that eachguide rail 40 of therear window structure 2 properly adjoins the associatedguide rail 15. -
FIGS. 11 a-11 e show an improved version of the lockingelement 53 and themating counter element 54. The lockingelement 53 is still in the form of a hook-shaped member, whereas the lockingrecess 54 forms the mating counter element. Both the hook-shapedlocking element 53 and the lockingrecess 54 can be tapered both in a vertical direction and in a transverse direction. - This embodiment includes an
additional retaining mechanism 90, which retains the lockingelement 53 in position in the lockingrecess 54 as long as the lockingelement 53 does not engage in the lockingrecess 54 sufficiently far. This makes it possible to prevent a situation in which one of the lockingelements 53 slips out of the lockingrecess 54 again, causing dislocation of therear window structure 2, partially due to the large weight and the resulting large moment thereof, when therear window structure 2 is closed askew, for example because the vehicle is not in a level position or because therear window structure 2 is pulled out of alignment by the person operating the construction. - The retaining
mechanism 90 includes a retainingelement 92 which is loaded by atension spring 91, which element is inserted in lockingrecess 54 and which includes anose 93 which is capable of engaging in a retainingrecess 94 in the lockingelement 53. The retainingelement 92 is slidable and pivotable about atraverse pin 95. In a starting position, the retainingelement 92 extends obliquely in the direction of the opening of the lockingrecess 54, in which position it lies in the path of the lockingelement 53. The shape, the location and the movement of the parts is such that the following operation is obtained. - When the locking
element 53 engages in the lockingrecess 54, the front side of the lockingelement 53 will come into contact with thenose 93 of the retainingelement 92, so that the retainingelement 92 will be pushed back slightly along thetraverse pin 95 against the pressure ofspring 91. If the lockingelement 53 engages sufficiently far in the lockingrecess 54, thenose 93 of the retainingelement 92 will snap into the retainingrecess 94. In this position, which is shown inFIG. 11 a, it is no longer possible to move the lockingelement 53 out of the lockingrecess 54. The shape of the part of the lockingelement 53 that is positioned before the retaining recess causes said part to hook behind thenose 93. The retainingelement 92 cannot pivot outwards, and the force on the retainingelement 92 with respect to thetraverse pin 95 is such that the retaining element will not be pushed back along thetraverse pin 95. In this position, the lockingelement 53 is secured against “falling out or being pulled out”, therefore. - If the locking
element 53 is moved further into the lockingrecess 54, however, as is shown inFIG. 11 b, the retainingelement 92 will be pushed back by the lockingelement 53 and will be pivoted back about thetraverse pin 95. As can be seen inFIGS. 11 c and 11 d, thenose 93 of the retainingelement 92 will eventually move out of the retainingrecess 54, which is made possible by the respective configurations of saidelement 53 and saidrecess 54. - In the entirely locked position according to
FIG. 11 e, the retainingelement 92 abuts against the front side of the lockingelement 53, whereas thespring 91 keeps the retainingelement 92 in its upwardly pulled position. - If the locking
element 53 is moved out of the lockingrecess 54 from this position, the retainingelement 92 will follow the pivoting movement of the lockingelement 53 in that the retainingelement 92 will pivot rather than slide under the influence of the action of thespring 91. This prevents thenose 93 of the retainingelement 92 from snapping into the retainingrecess 94 in the lockingelement 53 again, so that the lockingelement 53 can be removed from the lockingrecess 54 without any problems. -
FIG. 9 shows yet another main component of the special roof construction according to the invention, viz. one of the arms that are to pivot therear window structure 2 from the closed position, in which it functions as the rear window, to the stored position in theboot 5 of the vehicle. InFIG. 9 , theframe 8 of therear window structure 2 can be distinguished; the arm consists of afirst arm member 56, which is connected to abody part 58 by means of apivot 57, as well as asecond arm member 59, which is fixed to theframe 8 of therear window structure 2. Thearm members joints comprising pins 60 and 61 on thesecond arm member 59, which engage in associatedslots first arm member 56. The configuration of theslots pins 60 and 61 determine the movement of two arm members relative to each other. Eacharm 55 includes two locking means 64 and 65, the first locking means 64 function to lock thearm members rear window structure 2 is locked in the position in which it functions as the rear window (FIG. 2 a), whereas the second locking means 65 lock thearm members FIG. 2 e to the stored position according toFIG. 2 g. - The first locking means 64 comprise a
locking pin 66 formed on lower end of thesecond arm member 59, as well as alatch 67 comprising a lockingarm 68. Thelatch 67 and the lockingarm 68 are arranged on alatch housing 69, which is connected to thearm member 56. Aspring 70 keeps the lockingarm 68 biased. - The second locking means 65 comprise a locking
plate 72 which is spring-loaded in the direction of the locked position and which is pivotally connected to afirst arm member 56 about apin 71, in which locking plate a lockingslot 73 including a lockingportion 74 is present. The second locking means 65 furthermore comprise asecond locking pin 75 on thesecond arm member 59, which is positioned in the lockingportion 74 in the aforesaid intermediate position. The lockingpin 75 forms part of the pin 61 in the illustrated embodiment. - A
gas spring 79 or the like connected to thebody 3 engages thefirst arm member 56, thus ensuring that a counter force is exerted on thearms 55 and therear window structure 2, which facilitates the adjustment thereof. - The operation of the above-described
arm 55 for the rear window structure is as follows. In the closed position of at least theframe 8 of therear window structure 2, thesecond arm member 59 occupies its lower position with respect to the first arm member 56 (FIGS. 10 a-d). In this position, thefirst locking pin 66 is retained in the latch 67 (seeFIG. 10 c), which is blocked by the locking arm 68 (not shown). Thepins 60 and 61 of thefirst arm member 56 are present at the lower end of the associatedslot second locking pin 75 is present at the lower end of thesecond locking slot 73. In this lower, locked position of thearms 55, theframe 8 of therear window structure 2 is pressed firmly against its seal and retained in that position. - The locking
arm 68 or thelatch 67 of eacharm 55 can be manually unlocked, after which therear window structure 2 can be pivoted upwards about the hook-shapedmember 53 of thefitting element 42, which functions as a hinge in this case. Thepins 60 and 61 move through the associatedslots arm members gas spring 79 exerts an upward moment on the associatedarm 55, so that the weight of therear window structure 2 is compensated and said upward pivoting does not require too much force. The moment about thepivot 57 decreases slightly upon movement of the arm members to the intermediate position, on account of the pivoting movement of thesecond arm member 59 about thepivot 57. Thesecond locking pin 75 moves towards the lockingportion 74 along the edge of the lockingslot 73 in the lockingplate 72. - Upon reaching the intermediate position, in which the
rear window structure 2 is maximally pivoted outwards (FIG. 10 e), thesecond locking pin 75 of thesecond arm member 59 has reached the lockingportion 74 of the lockingslot 73, and as a result of the spring force in anti-clockwise direction, seen in the drawing, the lockingportion 74 will automatically slip over thesecond locking pin 75, thus locking the twoarm members rear window structure 2 has pivoted so far upwards and outwards in this intermediate position that the hook-shapedmembers 53, which act as hinges, have moved out of the locking recesses 54 in thecounter element 43, or, at any rate, have moved so far outwards that the hook-shapedmembers 53 do not resist pivoting movement of therear window structure 2 about thepivot 57 of thearms 55. It is possible, therefore, to lower therear window structure 2 from this intermediate position and cause it to pivot about thepivot 57, in such a manner that therear window structure 2 will eventually be accommodated in upside-down position in a hollow space in theboot 5 of the vehicle, in which alocking element 76 engages apart 77 of theframe 8 of therear window structure 2, thus securing therear window structure 2 in this lower position (FIG. 10 f). Therear window structure 2 can be covered again by means of afloor part 78, so that a boot will be available again, in which luggage can be placed in the closed position of theboot lid 6 and on which large pieces of luggage can be placed in the open position of theboot lid 6.
Claims (18)
1. A vehicle comprising a movable closing part as well as a part of the vehicle that co-operates therewith, which closing part and which co-operating part can be disconnected from each other and be connected to each other again, said parts including a locking element and a mating counter element, wherein said locking element includes a self-locating fitting means, which can mate with a counter element, wherein the counter element is present on a swing-down rear window frame and the locking element is present on detachable roof part, in particular side beams of the roof.
2. The vehicle according to claim 1 , being fitted with an open roof construction which is mounted on the co-operating part of the vehicle and which includes a closure element and at least one guide rail provided with a groove, in which at least one sliding shoe or slide of the closure element is guided, which guide rail is built up of a number of rail parts joining each other in the longitudinal direction, wherein at least one rail member is present on the closing part of the vehicle and at least one of the other rail members is present on the co-operating part, whereas grooves in the guide rail members diverge slightly at the ends facing towards each other in the interconnected condition.
3. A folding roof for a vehicle having a roof opening, comprising stationary guide rails on either side of the roof opening, a flexible liner, a drivable operating beam on the opening side of said liner, which operating beam is guided in said guide rails for selectively opening and closing the roof opening, a number of folding elements, which support said liner and which define a folding movement thereof upon opening of the folding roof, which folding elements are mounted on slides which are guided in said guide rails, wherein said slides are provided with locking elements and in that the guide rails are provided with counter elements at such locations that the locking elements can come into engagement with the counter elements in an extreme closed position of the slides in question, whereas the slides include unlocking elements for unlocking the locking elements of the next slide, seen in the opening direction, when the folding roof is being opened.
4. The folding roof according to claim 3 , wherein the locking elements consist of a movable locking member provided with a projection, whereas the counter element is a recess in the guide rail, in which the projection can engage.
5. The folding roof according to claim 4 , wherein the locking element is an element which projects in the direction of the next slide, seen in the opening direction, which is capable of moving the movable locking member of the locking element for the purpose of moving the projection out of the recess.
6. The folding roof according to claim 5 , wherein the projecting part of the unlocking element is provided with a pin which can come into engagement with a slot formed on the moving locking member of the locking element, which extends in a direction that deviates from the direction of movement of the pin.
7. The folding roof according to claim 6 , wherein the locking element, in the position in which it has been moved out of the counter element, mates with the guide rail to block the pin in the slot so as interlock the adjacent slides into one unit.
8. A folding roof for a vehicle having a roof opening in its fixed roof, comprising stationary guide rails on either side of the roof opening, a flexible liner, a drivable operating beam on the opening side of said liner, which operating beam is guided in said guide rails for selectively opening and closing the roof opening, a number of folding elements, which support said liner and which define a folding movement thereof upon opening of the folding roof, which folding elements are mounted on slides which are guided in said guide rails, as well as a as well as a cover plate on the side of the liner remote from the opening side, which provides a seal against the fixed roof, wherein the slides and the cover plate of the open roof construction are interlocked to form one unit in an entirely open position, after which they can be moved further as a unit, wherein said cover plate is mounted on slides capable of sliding movement in said guide rails, which each comprise a height adjusting mechanism to be actuated by an adjacent rear slide for moving the cover plate upwards before further movement the aforesaid unit is possible.
9. The folding roof according to claim 8 , wherein the height adjusting mechanism includes pin-slot mechanisms, and wherein each slide preferably includes two pins which engage in two slots of the cover plate.
10. The folding roof according to claim 8 , wherein each slide of the cover plate includes a coupling element for coupling the adjacent slide to the cover plate in the entirely open position of the folding roof.
11. A vehicle comprising a swing-down rear closing part, which closing part includes a frame with a rear window, wherein the frame is supported by arms, which are pivotally connected to the vehicle, in such a manner that the closing part is movable between a closed position at the location of the rear window and a swung-down position in the vehicle, wherein the arms each include two arm members, which are movable relative to each other, and first and second locking means, wherein the first locking means lock the arm members in a position which corresponds with the closed position of the frame, whereas the second locking means lock the arm members in an intermediate position of the arm members and the frame which is different from the closed position, in which position the arms and the frame can be jointly pivoted to the swung-down position.
12. The vehicle according to claim 11 , wherein the frame has an upper edge which includes tapered hinges, which on the one hand lock the frame in the closed position, only allowing pivoting movement during the movement of the arm members from the closed position to the intermediate position, whereas on the other hand the hinges become disengaged when the arm members, and thus the frame, are at least substantially in the aforesaid intermediate position.
13. The vehicle according to claim 11 , wherein the first arm member is pivotally connected to the vehicle, whereas the second arm member is fixedly connected to the frame.
14. The vehicle according to claim 13 , wherein the two arm members are interconnected by means of two pin-slot joints, the slots being formed in such a manner that they impose a defined relative sliding and pivoting movement on the arm members upon movement of the arm members between the closed position and the intermediate position.
15. The vehicle according to claim 11 , wherein the first locking means include a first locking pin formed on one of the arm member and a latch formed on the other arm member, in which said first locking pin can be retained.
16. The vehicle according to claim 11 , wherein the second locking means are arranged for automatically locking the arm members with respect to each other upon reaching the intermediate position from the closed position.
17. The vehicle according to claim 16 , wherein the second locking means include a locking plate which is pivotally connected to one of the arm members and which is spring-loaded in the direction of the locked position, in which locking plate a locking slot comprising a locking portion is present, as well as a second locking pin formed on the other arm member, which is positioned in the locking portion of the locking slot in the aforesaid intermediate position.
18. The vehicle according to claim 11 , wherein one of said arm members, in particular the first arm member, is supported by a gas spring, in such a manner that part of the weight of the rear window structure is taken up.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US12/034,411 US20080174153A1 (en) | 2000-11-09 | 2008-02-20 | Open roof construction for a vehicle, as well as a vehicle having such open roof construction |
Applications Claiming Priority (6)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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NL1016578 | 2000-11-09 | ||
NL1016578 | 2000-11-09 | ||
US10/416,126 US7063372B2 (en) | 2000-11-09 | 2001-11-09 | Open roof construction for a vehicle, as well as a vehicle having such open roof construction |
PCT/NL2001/000814 WO2002038407A1 (en) | 2000-11-09 | 2001-11-09 | Open roof construction for a vehicle, as well as a vehicle having such open roof construction |
US11/263,201 US7334835B2 (en) | 2000-11-09 | 2005-10-31 | Open roof construction for a vehicle, as well as a vehicle having such open roof construction |
US12/034,411 US20080174153A1 (en) | 2000-11-09 | 2008-02-20 | Open roof construction for a vehicle, as well as a vehicle having such open roof construction |
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US11/263,201 Division US7334835B2 (en) | 2000-11-09 | 2005-10-31 | Open roof construction for a vehicle, as well as a vehicle having such open roof construction |
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US20080174153A1 true US20080174153A1 (en) | 2008-07-24 |
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Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US10/416,126 Expired - Fee Related US7063372B2 (en) | 2000-11-09 | 2001-11-09 | Open roof construction for a vehicle, as well as a vehicle having such open roof construction |
US11/263,201 Expired - Fee Related US7334835B2 (en) | 2000-11-09 | 2005-10-31 | Open roof construction for a vehicle, as well as a vehicle having such open roof construction |
US12/034,411 Abandoned US20080174153A1 (en) | 2000-11-09 | 2008-02-20 | Open roof construction for a vehicle, as well as a vehicle having such open roof construction |
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Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US10/416,126 Expired - Fee Related US7063372B2 (en) | 2000-11-09 | 2001-11-09 | Open roof construction for a vehicle, as well as a vehicle having such open roof construction |
US11/263,201 Expired - Fee Related US7334835B2 (en) | 2000-11-09 | 2005-10-31 | Open roof construction for a vehicle, as well as a vehicle having such open roof construction |
Country Status (6)
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EP (3) | EP1332060B1 (en) |
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AU (1) | AU2002221199A1 (en) |
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US20090224572A1 (en) * | 2007-10-15 | 2009-09-10 | Kanto Auto Works, Ltd. | Sliding roof structure and vehicle equipped with the same |
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FR2970906B1 (en) * | 2011-01-27 | 2013-08-23 | Webasto Systemes Carrosserie | OPENING IN CANVAS, IN PARTICULAR FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE |
US8408623B1 (en) | 2012-01-28 | 2013-04-02 | Patrick Albert McAuliff | Vehicle with multiple elevation removable hard top and secure storage underneath |
US10384523B2 (en) * | 2017-06-30 | 2019-08-20 | Webasto SE | Convertible top having link arrangements for adjusting a convertible-top element |
DE102019124081B3 (en) * | 2019-09-09 | 2021-02-11 | Webasto SE | Device and method for securing a screen arrangement for a vehicle roof and vehicle roof for a motor vehicle |
US11117547B2 (en) * | 2019-12-11 | 2021-09-14 | Ford Global Technologies, Llc | Vehicle storage system |
US11904670B2 (en) | 2021-02-04 | 2024-02-20 | Mytop Ip, Llc | Sliding soft-top convertible roof |
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- 2001-11-09 EP EP01993555A patent/EP1332060B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-11-09 DE DE60137805T patent/DE60137805D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-11-09 AU AU2002221199A patent/AU2002221199A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2001-11-09 JP JP2002540961A patent/JP4243480B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2001-11-09 US US10/416,126 patent/US7063372B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 2001-11-09 EP EP07104955A patent/EP1829723B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-11-09 DE DE60127572T patent/DE60127572T2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-11-09 EP EP09153535.1A patent/EP2065238B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2001-11-09 WO PCT/NL2001/000814 patent/WO2002038407A1/en active IP Right Grant
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2005
- 2005-10-31 US US11/263,201 patent/US7334835B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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2007
- 2007-06-05 JP JP2007149478A patent/JP4558761B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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2008
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US3333362A (en) * | 1965-02-05 | 1967-08-01 | Ford Motor Co | Convertible backlight |
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US5054847A (en) * | 1988-06-20 | 1991-10-08 | Mazda Motor Corporation | Flexible top apparatus for a vehicle |
US5035463A (en) * | 1989-09-26 | 1991-07-30 | Ohi Seisakusho Co., Ltd. | Roof door device of motor vehicle |
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Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20090224572A1 (en) * | 2007-10-15 | 2009-09-10 | Kanto Auto Works, Ltd. | Sliding roof structure and vehicle equipped with the same |
US7891729B2 (en) * | 2007-10-15 | 2011-02-22 | Kanto Auto Works, Ltd. | Sliding roof structure and vehicle equipped with the same |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP2065238A3 (en) | 2010-09-15 |
AU2002221199A1 (en) | 2002-05-21 |
EP1332060B1 (en) | 2007-03-28 |
EP1829723B1 (en) | 2009-02-25 |
JP4558761B2 (en) | 2010-10-06 |
DE60127572T2 (en) | 2007-12-27 |
DE60137805D1 (en) | 2009-04-09 |
JP2004513017A (en) | 2004-04-30 |
WO2002038407A9 (en) | 2003-01-23 |
EP2065238B1 (en) | 2014-02-26 |
US7334835B2 (en) | 2008-02-26 |
DE60127572D1 (en) | 2007-05-10 |
EP1332060A1 (en) | 2003-08-06 |
EP1829723A1 (en) | 2007-09-05 |
JP2007269318A (en) | 2007-10-18 |
US20060043775A1 (en) | 2006-03-02 |
EP2065238A2 (en) | 2009-06-03 |
US20040051347A1 (en) | 2004-03-18 |
WO2002038407A1 (en) | 2002-05-16 |
US7063372B2 (en) | 2006-06-20 |
JP4243480B2 (en) | 2009-03-25 |
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Legal Events
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |