Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Tops – Roof structure
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-14
2001-11-27
Pedder, Dennis H. (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Tops
Roof structure
C296S107120
Reexamination Certificate
active
06322137
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a folding roof for a vehicle. In a prior art embodiment of such a folding roof, tensioning elements in the form of tensioning wires extend alternately under first supporting bows and over second supporting bows. In this manner, the second supporting bows are loaded in a downward direction by the tensioning wires when the folding roof is in the closed position.
The object of the present invention is to provide an improved folding roof of the kind referred to in the introduction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A folding roof for a vehicle having an opening in its fixed roof comprises a stationary part to be fixed to the roof, which includes guide rails disposed at the longitudinal edges of the opening. An adjustable closure element supported by the frame is adjustable between a closed position, in which it closes the roof opening, and an open position, in which it opens the roof opening. The closure element includes an operating beam extending in a transverse direction, which is connected to a foldable cover and a drive device. The cover is supported by vertically adjustable second supporting bows, which are adjustably supported at their ends by connecting members. Tensioning elements are guided along said guide rails, which engage said second supporting bows via at least one point of engagement and which are connected to said driving device. The tensioning elements are tensioned when the cover is being closed, thereby exerting a downward force on the second supporting bows via said points of engagement. Each tensioning element is guided via an associated second sliding shoe on either side of the points of engagement of the second supporting bows, in such a manner that the tensioning element extends steeply adjacently to the point of engagement in the closed position of the cover.
This manner of guiding the tensioning wires via second sliding shoes enables a better tensioning characteristic of the tensioning wires. Especially if the tensioning wires extend steeply adjacently to the points of engagement at the second supporting bows, a considerable part of the tensioning force in the tensioning wires will actually be used for exerting a downward force on the second supporting bows. This makes it possible to realise a better seal and a better protection against a possible break-in via the folding roof. Furthermore, the first supporting bows need not absorb any downward force from the tensioning elements in the closed position of the folding roof, as a result of which a better seal can be obtained at those locations as well.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1786662 (1930-12-01), Leather
patent: 145013 (1931-05-01), None
patent: 0 376 203 (1990-07-01), None
patent: 694099 (1930-11-01), None
Inalfa Industries B.V.
Koehler S.
Pedder Dennis H.
Westman Champlin & Kelly P.A.
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