Land vehicles: bodies and tops – Tops – Roof structure
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-16
2001-09-11
Pape, Joseph D. (Department: 3612)
Land vehicles: bodies and tops
Tops
Roof structure
C296S180100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06286899
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a wind deflector for an openable motor vehicle roof which can be moved between a rest position and an operating position, and which has an operating area which has at least two surface elements which can move relative to one another
2. Description of Related Art
A wind deflector of the type mentioned above is known from German DE 195 20 348 C1 and corresponding European Patent 0 747 251. This wind deflector has a base body which is pivotably mounted on the frame of the motor vehicle roof, and two auxiliary plates which can be moved relative to the base body to increase the raising height. The base body and the auxiliary plates are provided in their lateral end areas with a guide means for guiding the auxiliary plate which is adjacent at the time. The auxiliary plate which is uppermost in the raised state of the wind deflector is connected to a raising lever which has the other end supported on the roof frame and which is pre-tensioned by means of a pre-tensioning spring, such that it pre-tensions the wind deflector in the direction of the maximum raised position. The wind deflector is located on the front edge of a roof opening which can be closed by a cover which can be moved in the lengthwise direction of the roof, and with the cover closed, is kept in the rest position by the cover against the pre-tensioning force of a lever, in which position the base body and the two auxiliary plates are pushed together in a rest which is formed on the roof frame such that the auxiliary plates and the base body are located in succession, viewed in the lengthwise direction of the roof. When the cover also releases the pre-tensioned lever of the wind deflector when the roof opening is opened, the wind deflector swings upward with its end attached to the uppermost auxiliary plate in the direction of the pre-tensioning force, by which the wind deflector is extended in the manner of a fan and is raised upward, reaching its maximum operating area. In this position, the auxiliary plates and the base body are essentially on top of one another, i.e., offset relative to one another in the vertical direction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of this invention is to devise a wind deflector which in its rest position occupies only a small volume, offers a large operating area in its operating position and still can be easily moved into its operating position without external elements.
This object is achieved in a wind deflector as claimed of the type mentioned initially in that the surface elements are coupled among one another such that they are pre-tensioned towards the relative position in which the operating area is maximum.
The approach in accordance with the invention has the advantage that, because the maximum operating area need not be effected by additional external elements, simplification of the wind deflector raising mechanism is possible.
Preferably, coupling of the surface elements is effected by adjacent surface elements each being pre-tensioned by a pre-tensioning arrangement which acts between them. This allows a simple and space saving structure of the coupling mechanism.
Preferably, the surface elements can be telescoped into one another. This enables simple and reliable guidance of the surface elements relative to one another.
Preferably, the pre-tensioning arrangement is formed by springs with ends adjoining the opposite surfaces of adjacent surface elements.
In another embodiment, an adjustment element which is pretensioned towards the operating position of the wind deflector engages the uppermost surface element in order to adjust the wind deflector between the rest position and the operating position.
Preferably, the adjustment element is made as a pivot arm which is upwardly pre-tensioned, which can be swung out with its front end, and which with its front end, is coupled to the uppermost surface element and is activated by the closing element of the roof opening, for example, a sliding cover.
These and further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which, for purposes of illustration only, show several embodiments in accordance with the present invention.
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Hirschvogel Engelbert
Staltmayer Thomas
Nixon & Peabody LLP
Pape Joseph D.
Patel Kiran B.
Safran David S.
Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
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