WO2020109984A1

WO2020109984A1 - Convertible car

Info

Publication number: WO2020109984A1
Application number: PCT/IB2019/060151
Authority: WO
Inventors: Giuseppe SARDO
Original assignee: Sardo Giuseppe
Priority date: 2018-11-29
Filing date: 2019-11-26
Publication date: 2020-06-04
Also published as: IT201800010676A1

Abstract

The convertible car (1) comprises at least one load-bearing chassis comprising at least one bodywork (2), at least one passenger area (3) provided with at least two passenger seats (4) positioned side by side, and at least one windshield (5a,5b), the car (1) comprising at least one separation panel (6), movable between an exposed position, in which is adapted to separate the passenger area (3) into separate cabins, and a home position, in which it defines a single environment, and covering means (8a,8b) which comprise at least one roof (9) and at least one of either a rear window (10), the windshield (5a,5b) or the separation panel (6), mechanically connected to each other and movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein at least the roof (9) and the separation panel (6) are integrally associated with each other.

Description

CONVERTIBLE CAR

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a convertible car.

Background Art

By the term convertible car used herein, are meant those cars that, in use, can modify their own configuration of use.

This way, it is possible to experiment various travel conditions depending on the specific needs of the travelers.

There are various types of convertible cars, from the“Targa top” type with a completely or partially removable rigid roof, in vogue in the Sixties, to the “Spider” with a foldable canvas cover; in the early years of the new millennium, the“Coupe-Cabriolet” cars with a re-closable rigid cover gained considerable fame.

A drawback of the current convertible cars consists in the fact that they allow only the switch from the“coupe” or“sedan” configuration (i.e. with coverage) to an open configuration (i.e. without coverage).

Furthermore, the convertible cars known today do not allow satisfying the needs of individual travelers, who are bound to choose on a single travelling mode.

For example, during a journey some travelers may prefer to travel in open mode while others may prefer a closed mode, just as some may feel the desire to relax while others may listen to music or make personal or business calls.

At the same time, another drawback is the impossibility of effectively adjusting the natural microclimate for each individual traveler.

Description of the Invention

The main aim of the present invention is to devise a convertible car which allows varying its configuration of use in a different way with respect to the cars currently known.

Within this aim, one object of the present invention is to devise a car capable of transforming itself from a completely open,“barchetta” style, to a“spider” style mode, or to a completely closed mode,“coupe” or“sedan” style. Another object of the present invention is to devise a car which allows customizing, depending on the passenger area, the configuration and modes of use.

Another object of the present invention is to devise a convertible car which allows overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art in the context of a simple, rational, easy, effective to use and low-cost solution.

The objects set forth above are achieved by the present convertible car having the characteristics of claim 1.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be more evident from the description of a preferred, yet not exclusive, embodiment of a convertible car, illustrated by way of a non-limiting example in the accompanying tables of drawing in which:

Figure 1 is an axonometric view of a first embodiment of a car according to the invention;

Figure 2 is an axonometric view of the car of Figure 1 in a further configuration of use;

Figure 3 is an axonometric view of a second embodiment of a car according to the invention;

Figure 4 is an axonometric view of a third embodiment of a car according to the invention;

Figure 5 is an axonometric view of the car of Figure 4 in a further configuration of use;

Figure 6 is an axonometric view of a fourth embodiment of a car according to the invention;

Figure 7 is an axonometric view of the car of Figure 6 in a further configuration of use.

Embodiments of the Invention

With particular reference to these illustrations, reference numeral 1 globally indicates a convertible car.

The convertible car 1 is provided with at least one load-bearing chassis comprising at least one bodywork 2, at least one passenger area 3 which is provided with at least two passenger seats 4 positioned side by side, and at least one windshield 5a, 5b.

For the purposes of the present description,“bodywork” means the external coverage of the car that covers the load-bearing chassis, and“passenger area” means the internal area of the car in which the passengers are lodged, consisting of the seats, the dashboard and the interior.

According to the invention, the car 1 comprises at least one separation panel 6 movable between an exposed position, which is adapted to separate the passenger area 3 into separate cabins, and a home position in which it defines a single environment.

In other words, when the separation panel 6 is in the home position, the passenger area 3 constitutes a single space for all travelers.

Conveniently, the separation panel 6 can be associated in a sliding manner with the passenger area 3, between the exposed position and the home position.

The movement of the separation panel 6 takes place longitudinally relative to the passenger area 3.

In practice, the separation panel 6 represents a sliding window which is adapted to separate, when in the exposed position, the passenger from the driver.

The passenger area 3 can also be provided with a hands-free system that allows communication between the separate cabins.

According to the invention, the car 1 also comprises covering means 8a, 8b which comprise at least one roof 9 and at least one of either a rear window 10, the windshield 5a, 5b or the separation panel 6, mechanically connected to each other and movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration.

In the context of the present discussion, the term“mechanically connected” means a connection between the elements with a number of degrees of freedom equal to or greater than zero. In other words, the connection may allow the mutual movement of the elements or represent a structural constraint.

In particular, in the covering means 8a, 8b, at least the roof 9 and the separation panel 6 are integrally associated with each other. It should be specified that the exposed position and the home position of the separation panel 6 correspond to the closed configuration and the open configuration respectively, of the covering means 8a, 8b.

The roof 9 can also comprise at least one portion movable between a folded position and a stretched position, when the covering means 8a, 8b are in the closed configuration.

Conveniently, the covering means 8a, 8b can be composed of at least two parts to form separate passenger areas 3.

More in detail, the covering means 8a, 8b comprise first covering means 8a and second covering means 8b which are separate and adjacent to each other, which can be moved independently from each other, each adapted to cover a respective passenger seat 4, in the closed configuration.

It is in fact provided that the right-hand side and the left-hand side of the car 1 can switch independently from an open configuration to a closed configuration, depending on the preferences of the individual travelers.

In other words, as shown in the figures, each of the covering means 8a and 8b comprises at least one roof 9 and a separation panel 6 integrally associated with each other.

In order not to excessively obstruct the driver’ s field of vision, the first covering means 8a and the second covering means 8b can be misaligned and spaced apart from each other.

In particular, with reference to the figures, the second covering means 8b, corresponding to the passenger, can be in a rearward position relative to the first covering means 8a of the driver.

Advantageously, the windshield 5a, 5b is movable between an exposed position, projecting from the bodywork 2, in which it makes up the front window of the passenger area 3, and a home position, in which it is displaced relative to the exposed position, freeing the passenger area 3 at the front.

In the home position, the car 1 is therefore without the windshield 5a, 5b, so that the area in front of the passengers is free. In particular, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the windshield 5a, 5b is associated with the bodywork 2 in a sliding manner, between the exposed position and the home position.

The bodywork 2 is suitably provided with a suitable slot and window winder mechanisms capable of allowing the aforementioned sliding movement.

Conveniently, the sliding movement of the windshield 5a, 5b is adjustable in a continuous manner, similarly to what is provided for the side windows, to allow a gradual and customizable movement thereof.

Advantageously, the windshield 5a, 5b comprises a first windshield 5a and a second windshield 5b separate from each other and arranged side by side and movable independently from each other, between a relative home position and a relative exposed position in which they define the front window of a respective passenger seat 4.

This way, separate front windows are defined for the right-hand side and for the left-hand side of the car 1, so that both the driver and the passenger have the possibility of independently moving the corresponding windshield 5a, 5b to further customize their passenger area 3 and choosing individually the microclimate of the individual areas.

Conveniently, the two windshields 5a and 5b can be misaligned with each other, with the second windshield 5b corresponding to the passenger, positioned in a rearward position relative to the first windshield 5a, corresponding to the driver, in order to allow better view to the driver themselves.

Windshields 5a and 5b can be connected to the respective covering means 8a and 8b, with the latter in a closed configuration.

The car 1 also comprises at least one wiper device 7 associated with the bodywork 2 and connectable to the windshield 5a, 5b with the latter in an exposed position.

The wiper device 7 is therefore supported by the bodywork 2 and is movable with respect to it to connect to the windshield 5a, 5b, when this is in the exposed position. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 5, the covering means 8a, 8b are associated with the bodywork 2 in a sliding manner, which in turn comprises guide means, to facilitate the sliding thereof.

In this embodiment, the rear window 10 is locked together with the bodywork 2 and is surrounded by the covering means 8a, 8b during the sliding thereof, to then hermetically connect thereto, when in the closed configuration.

Alternatively, the rear window 10 can be associated in a sliding manner with the bodywork 2, between an exposed configuration, in which it is connected to the roof 9, and a home configuration, in which it frees the passenger area 3 at the rear.

The bodywork 2 is provided, also in this case, with a suitable slot and window winder mechanisms capable of allowing the aforementioned sliding movement. In turn, also the windshield 5a, 5b in the exposed position, and the side windows, connect to the covering means 8a, 8b so as to ensure the air-tight closure of the passenger area 3.

By bringing the covering means 8a, 8b to the closed configuration, therefore, the separation of the passenger area 3 into two separate areas is obtained at the same time.

Advantageously, the covering means 8a, 8b are completely removable and stackable, in fact, the covering means 8a, 8b can be conveniently removed from the guide means.

Conveniently, the car 1 comprises sealing means between the covering means 8a, 8b and the bodywork 2 to ensure the air-tight closure of the passenger area 3. In a further embodiment, the covering means 8a, 8b comprise at least the roof 9, the separation panel 6 and the rear window 10, integrally associated with each other.

In this case, the covering means 8a, 8b are associated by interlocking with the bodywork 2, between the open configuration and the closed configuration.

In particular, the connection to the bodywork 2 may provide for the presence of rotating elements to allow the possibility also of a“tilting” movement, in order to facilitate the access and/or exit of the passengers to/from the car 1. The covering means 8a, 8b comprise removable locking means (not visible in detail in the figures), which can be operated by the passengers to anchor or release the covering means 8a, 8b themselves to/from the bodywork 2.

The locking means are of a type known to the person skilled in the art, e.g. of the interlocking type, such as those commonly used in car doors.

In a further embodiment, the covering means 8a, 8b comprise at least the roof 9, the separation panel 6 and the windshield 5a, 5b.

As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the windshield 5a, 5b is associated movable with the roof 9, with the latter in the closed configuration, between the exposed position and the home position.

Conveniently, the windshield 5a, 5b is movable in rotation relative to the roof 9, between the exposed position and the home position.

In particular, the windshield 5a, 5b is connected to the roof 9 by means of hinges.

In the home position, the windshield 5a, 5b is at least partly superimposed on the roof 9. (Figure 3)

In a further embodiment, starting from at least one of either the exposed position or the home position, the windshield 5a, 5b is further movable in translation with respect to the roof 9 in a transition position in which it is moved away from the bodywork 2.

More in detail, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, to switch from the home position to the exposed position, the windshield 5a, 5b performs a sliding movement relative to the substantially horizontal roof 9, up to the transition position and, subsequently, a rotation towards the exposed position to make up the front window of the passenger area 3.

In this embodiment, the roof 9 comprises at least one housing 12 adapted to house the windshield 5a, 5b, with the latter in the home position.

A further embodiment cannot however be ruled out, in which to move from the home position to the exposed position, the windshield 5a, 5b first performs a rotation up to the transition position, in which it is arranged in a transverse position relative to the roof 9 and, subsequently, a sliding movement towards the exposed position. In a further embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7, the covering means 8a, 8b comprise at least the roof 9, the rear window 10, the separation panel 6 and the windshield 5a, 5b, integrally associated with each other.

The covering means 8a, 8b therefore define a sort of rigid“dome” which allows, at the same time, to switch from the“barchetta” mode to the“coupe” or“sedan” mode and to divide the passenger area 3 into two separate areas.

Conveniently, also in this case the covering means 8a, 8b can be connected to the bodywork 2 through interlocking means provided with rotation elements to also allow the possibility of a“tilting” movement, in order to facilitate the access and/or exit of passengers to/from the car 1.

In particular, this embodiment provides that the covering means 8a, 8b are connected to the bodywork 2 through one of either the windshield 5a, 5b or the rear window 10.

Moreover, the covering means 8a, 8b comprise at least one built-in wiper device 7 which comprises at least one quick coupling for the cleaning liquid, at least one quick coupling for the electric connection, and at least one quick coupling for the connection to a motor assembly for the operation of the wiper blades.

In turn, the bodywork 2 comprises the tank for the cleaning liquid, the electrical connection devices and the motor unit for the operation of the wiper device 7.

It has in practice been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects and in particular it is emphasized that the convertible car 1 allows switching, mainly but not exclusively, from a completely open mode, barchetta style, either to a“spider” style mode, or to a completely closed mode, “coupe” or“sedan” style, and customizing, depending on the passenger area, the preferred configuration of use.

The present convertible car 1 allows therefore being able to carry out one’s journey in a comfortable way, thus allowing the regulation of the natural microclimate in each passenger area and without disturbing the other travelers.

Claims

1) Convertible car (1) comprising at least one load-bearing chassis comprising at least one bodywork (2), at least one passenger area (3) provided with at least two passenger seats (4) positioned side by side, and at least one windshield (5a, 5b), characterized by the fact that it comprises at least one separation panel (6) movable between an exposed position, which is adapted to separate said passenger area (3) into separate cabins, and a home position in which it defines a single environment, and by the fact that it comprises covering means (8a, 8b) which comprise at least one roof (9) and at least one of either a rear window (10), said windshield (5a, 5b) or said separation panel (6), mechanically connected to each other and movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein at least said roof (9) and said separation panel (6) are integrally associated with each other.

2) Car (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that said covering means (8a, 8b) are associated with said bodywork (2) in a sliding manner, said bodywork (2) comprising guide means, and said rear window (10) being associated with said bodywork (2) in an integral or sliding manner.

3) Car (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said covering means (8a, 8b) comprise removable locking means to anchor/release said covering means (8a, 8b) relative to said bodywork (2), said covering means (8a, 8b) being completely removable from said bodywork (2).

4) Car (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said covering means (8a, 8b) comprise at least said roof (9), said rear window (10) and said separation panel (6) are integrally associated with each other.

5) Car (1) according to claim 4, characterized by the fact that said rear window (10) is hinged to said bodywork (2) for the movement of said covering means (8a, 8b) with respect to it.

6) Car (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said windshield (5a, 5b) is movable between an exposed position, projecting from said bodywork (2), in which it makes up the front window of said passenger area (3), and a home position, in which it is displaced with respect to the exposed position, freeing said passenger area (3) at the front.

7) Car (1) according to claim 6, characterized by the fact that said windshield (5a, 5b) comprises a first windshield (5a) and a second windshield (5b) separate from each other and arranged side by side and movable independently from each other, between a relative home position and a relative exposed position in which they define the front window of a respective passenger seat (4).

8) Car (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said covering means (8a, 8b) comprise at least said roof (9), said separation panel (6) and said windshield (5a, 5b).

9) Car (1) according to claim 8, characterized by the fact that said windshield (5a, 5b) is associated movable with said roof (9), between said exposed position and said home position, with said covering means (8a, 8b) in the closed configuration.

10) Car (1) according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that said windshield (5a, 5b) is movable in rotation relative to said roof (9), between said exposed position and said home position.

11) Car (1) according to claim 10, characterized by the fact that, in said home position, said windshield (5a, 5b) is at least partly superimposed onto said roof (9).

12) Car (1) according to one or more of claims 9 to 11, characterized by the fact that, starting from at least one of either said home position or said exposed position, said windshield (5a, 5b) is further movable in translation with respect to said roof (9) in a transition position in which it is moved away from said bodywork (2).

13) Car (1) according to one or more of claims 9 to 12, characterized by the fact that said roof (9) comprises at least one housing (12) adapted to house said windshield (5a, 5b), with the latter in said home position.

14) Car (1) according to claim 8, characterized by the fact that said windshield (5a, 5b) is integrally associated with at least said roof (9) and with said separation panel (6). 15) Car (1) according to claim 14, characterized by the fact that said windshield (5a, 5b) is hinged to said bodywork (2) for the movement of said covering means (8a, 8b) with respect to it.

16) Car (1) according to one or more of claims 4 or 5 and 14 or 15, characterized by the fact that said covering means (8a, 8b) comprise at least said roof (9), said rear window (10), said separation panel (6) and said windshield (5a, 5b), integrally associated with each other.

17) Car (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said covering means (8a, 8b) comprise first covering means (8a) and second covering means (8b) which are separate and adjacent to each other, which can be moved independently from each other, each adapted to cover a respective passenger seat (4), in said closed configuration.

18) Car (1) according to claim 17, characterized by the fact that said first covering means (8a) and said second covering means (8b) are misaligned and spaced away from each other.

19) Car (1) according to one or more of claims 8 to 18, characterized by the fact that said covering means (8a, 8b) comprise at least one built-in wiper device (7) which comprises at least one quick coupling for the cleaning liquid, at least one quick coupling for the electric connection, and at least one quick coupling for the connection to a motor assembly for the operation of the wiper blades.

20) Car (1) according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by the fact that said windshield (5a, 5b) is associated in a sliding manner with said bodywork (2), between the exposed position and the home position, wherein the sliding movement of said windshield (5a, 5b) relative to said bodywork (2) is adjustable in a continuous manner.

21) Car (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said roof (9) comprises at least one portion movable between a folded position and a stretched position, said covering means (8a, 8b) being in said closed configuration.