WO1991019618A1

WO1991019618A1 - Roof structure

Info

Publication number: WO1991019618A1
Application number: PCT/NL1991/000102
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jan Asse Franciscus Van Piekeren
Original assignee: R.B. Design Nederland
Priority date: 1990-06-19
Filing date: 1991-06-19
Publication date: 1991-12-26
Also published as: AU8202891A; NL9001389A

Abstract

Structure, comprising a supporting structure and a collapsible roof (2). The collapsible roof (2) comprises a flexible cover (6) in which at least two hose-type elements (8) fitted in the direction of collapsing are provided. The collapsible roof (2) can be tensioned by placing these hose-type elements (8) under pressure, for example with air. The supporting structure (3) is designed to border on the collapsible roof (2) and is provided with openings (17) for the accomodation of the hose-type elements (8) fitted inthe case of the cover.

Description

ROOF STRUCTURE

The invention relates to a roof structure accor¬ ding to the preamble of Claim 1.

Such a roof structure is known from US Patent Specification 2,747,929. Rubber hoses which can be plac- ed under pressure by means of air are fitted on the roof material of a convertible roof. The roof material will be tensioned as a result, and a rigid roof will be pro¬ duced. The roof shown in the US patent specification is fixed at one side to the rear side of the vehicle and it is assumed that it is fixed at the other side near the upright of the windscreen.

It has been found in practice that such a fixing is unsatisfactory. The rigidity obtained in a conven¬ tional convertible roof with bar system cannot be match- ed, the result of which is that problems occur in parti¬ cular when the vehicle is driven at higher speeds. An undesirable wind noise and flapping then occur.

It would, of course, be possible to eliminate this disadvantage by providing a bar system in the con- vertible roof, but this would remove all the advantages which can be obtained with an inflatable roof, in parti¬ cular the low costs and the low measurement accuracy standards required.

The object of the present invention is to provi- de a roof structure which is rigid when opened out, and which can be achieved simply and cheaply.

This object is achieved in the case of a roof structure of the type described above by the charact¬ erising features of Claim 1. Since a so-called roll bar is already present in most vehicles, and such roll tubes are very likely to become compulsory in Europe in the future, the present invention makes it possible in a particularly surprising way to use this roll bar for fixing the roof structure. Since the tubes are installed in the openings of the roof structure in a non-inflated state, the standards for accuracy of the dimensions of the inflatable hoses relative to the openings in the roll bar are low. A roof which is free from flapping and other wind noise can be constructed more cheaply in this way. The incorporation of hose-type elements which can be placed under pressure means, on the one hand, that so long as no pressure is applied easy handling of the cover is guaranteed and, on the other, a particu¬ larly rigid roof is achieved when pressure is applied. For realizing bent structures and the like, according to a preferred embodiment, the hose-type elements can have a rigid form locally. If the cover has to seal at the sides against a boundary wall, such as, for example, the side windows in a car, it is advantageous if the hose- type elements form the outer boundary of the cover. Any irregularities can be compensated in an optimum manner by placing the hose-type elements under pressure. The hose-type elements are preferably made of non-stretch material. The hose-type elements can be fixed to the roof by means of, for example, at least locally fitted loops.

The invention will be explained in greater de¬ tail below with reference to an example of an embodiment shown in the drawing. In the drawing: Fig. 1 shows schematically in side view a motor car provided with the roof according to the present invention, in the inflated state;

Fig. 2 shows the roof according to the invention in top view. In Fig. 1 a vehicle is indicated by 1, which vehicle is provided with a roof according to the inven¬ tion which is indicated in its entirety by 2. The vehi¬ cle is provided with a fixed roll bar 3 and a fixed windscreen 4 fitted in a frame of which the top boundary is indicated by 5. Roof 2 is composed of a flexible cover 6 in which tubular channels, indicated by 7, are provided. These tubular channels 7 contain hoses 8 made of a non-stretch plastic material, and connected to each other by means of pipes 9 and to a valve 11 by means of pipe 10. Cover 6 is provided at the front side with conventional closing means 12 for fixing to the top boundary 5 of the frame. These can be snap-in devices, toggle levers or other closures known in the state of the art. A source of compressed air can be applied to valve 11. A cassette 13 is also shown schematically. Near corner 14 hose 8 is fixed to cover 6, not by flexi¬ ble part 7, but by a rigid corner part 15.

The device described above works as follows:

In the open position of the collapsible roof it is stored in the cassette.

When the hoses 8 are not under pressure the roof is in a slack state, in which only the rear part is slightly stiffened by rear window 16. In the flexible state the cover is fixed by closing means 12 to the top boundary 5 of the frame.

When the flexible cover is being fitted hoses 8 fall into the openings 17 and 18 provided for them in roll bar 3. These openings are designed in such a way that the insertion gap is smaller than their diameter. After fitting in this way, the hoses 8 are placed under pressure by means of valve 11 and pipes 9 and 10. This produces a rigid structure, and the hoses will engage in the openings 17 and 18, so that the flexible cover is fixed to the roll bar. The lateral hoses 8 will also provide a seal with the side windows 19 of the vehicle. The fluid to be introduced through valve 11 can compri¬ se, for example, air.

It must be understood that it is possible to introduce fluid in all kinds of other ways. For example, a compressor can be fitted in the boot of the car, through which compressor electrical control can be achieved. Of course, any other fluid known in the state of the art can be used. In this case pressure sensors can be fitted in the fluid system, so that if for any reason the pressure is too low when the roof is closed, further fluid can be added. One or more non-return valves can also be present to facilitate the inflation of the roof.

Although the roof structure is shown here with reference to a motor car as an example, it must be un¬ derstood that it can be used in other roof structures used in the art. For example, applications in vessels are a particular consideration. The material of the cover can comprise any material known in the state of the art, such as vinyl. Such structures all fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. Roof structure comprising a collapsible roof, comprising a flexible cover provided with means which tension the cover and are fixed to the cover, the cover- tensioning means comprising at least two hose-type elements fitted in the direction of collapsing, which elements are designed to take a fluid to be placed under pressure; and also a support, characterised in that the support (3) is designed to provide a boundary in the opened-out state of the roof (2), and in that the sup¬ port (3) is thereby provided with openings (17, 18) for the accommodation of the hose-type elements.

2. Roof structure according to Claim 1, in which the hose-type elements of the roof structure are fitted at the outer limit of the cover.

3. Roof structure according to any of the preceding claims, in which the hose-type elements of the collap¬ sible roof locally have a rigid form.

4. Roof structure according to any of the preceding claims, in which the hose-type elements are made of non- stretch material.

5. Roof structure according to any of the preceding claims, in which the cover at least locally is provided with fixing loops accommodating the hose-type elements.

6. Roof structure according to any of the preceding claims, in which the openings (17, 18) comprise a narrowed insertion part.