Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Tops – Roof structure
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-14
2001-07-24
Pedder, Dennis H. (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Tops
Roof structure
C296S216020
Reexamination Certificate
active
06264269
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an open roof construction in accordance with the preamble of claim
1
.
2. Description of the Related Art
Open roof constructions of this type are known in various versions. If such open roof constructions are manufactured for the after-market, the construction of the vehicle roof must be taken into account. In particular in the case of passenger cars, an interior unit comprising interior lighting, for example, and possibly control elements for said interior lighting or other electrical facilities is often centrally provided in the roof lining thereof. If said interior unit is maintained, the space which is available for an open roof construction in rearward direction is limited, so that the maximum daylight opening of the open roof construction is limited as well. Nevertheless, there is a continued demand for ever larger daylight openings and for the associated panels.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide an open roof construction of the type referred to in the preamble, wherein the above-described problem is eliminated in an efficient manner.
In order to accomplish that object, the open roof construction according to the invention is characterized in that the frame is provided with rearward protrusions at the rear, laterally of a central part thereof, whilst the panel extends as far as said protrusions at the rear.
The presence of said rearward protrusions on the frame and on the roof opening, which is adapted thereto, makes it possible to further enlarge the daylight opening of the open roof construction, without there being a need to remove or move the interior unit of the vehicle, since the central part of the frame is not extended in rearward direction, and a recess is formed in the frame and in the roof opening, as it were, in which the interior unit can be accommodated.
The panel likewise extends as far as the protrusions in rearward direction, whilst the rear edge of the panel preferably extends rectilinearly. Especially if the panel is made of a tinted transparent material or of a non-transparent material, the deviating daylight opening is hidden from view in the closed position of the panel, and the open roof construction has a large, substantially rectangular panel, which enhances the outward appearance of the vehicle.
In case the frame is arranged for being mounted in the opening in the fixed roof from above, and if, to that end, the frame is provided with an upper frame part comprising an inner part, which fits the roof opening, and a substantially flat flange, which adjoins said part in outward direction and which is adapted for abutment on the fixed roof surrounding the roof opening, it is preferred, according to the invention, to have the rear edge of the flange extending rectilinearly at the location of the central part of the rear side of the frame.
In case the panel shape is different from that of the daylight opening of the frame, it will be advantageous if, in its closed position, the front side of the panel abuts on the inner frame and is positioned inwardly of the flat flange, whilst the panel extends to above the flat flange on its rear side.
In this embodiment, the open roof construction is given a so-called “wedge look” with a rising line, seen from the side, which is in keeping with many vehicle designs. Furthermore, this aspects results in an extra large panel, which can terminate at its rear level with the rear edge of the flat flange of the frame.
A smooth transition between the front edge and the rear edge of the frame is obtained when the inner frame slopes upwards in a rearward direction with respect to the flat flange at the side edges, whilst the frame is preferably fitted with a cover rim at its side edges, which cover rim covers the side edge of the panel and which slopes upwards in rearward direction.
An optimum sealing between the frame and the panel is achieved when the seal is located as closely to the daylight opening or to the adjusting means as possible. In order to prevent water from collecting between the panel and the flat flange of the frame present thereunder, the invention proposes to provide a main seal on the inner part of the frame, on which the panel abuts in the closed position thereof, whilst an auxiliary seal is placed on the flange at the rear of the frame, on which flange the panel also abuts in its closed position.
The invention furthermore relates to a vehicle which is fitted with the open roof construction as described above.
The invention will be explained in more detail hereafter with reference to the drawings, which schematically illustrate an embodiment of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4466656 (1984-08-01), Igel
patent: 247182 (1987-07-01), None
patent: 2 491 841 (1982-04-01), None
patent: 2 044 686 (1980-10-01), None
Inalfa Industries B.V.
Pedder Dennis H.
Westman Champlin & Kelly P.A.
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