Motor vehicle with a convertible top

• US 6,296,295 B1
• Filed: 06/09/1999
• Issued: 10/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: 21ST CENTURY GARAGE LLC
• Original Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Wagner, Oliver, Jambor, Arno
• Primary Examiner(s): Pedder, Dennis H.
• Application Number:
  US09/328,482
• Time in Patent Office: 846 Days
• Field of Search: 296/180.1, 296/146.14, 296/147, 296/85, 296/107.07, 296/218, 280/756
• US Class Current: 296/146.14
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 1/183 slidable
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/1678 the axis being horizontal
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/1692 the roof being movable by a linkage system
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/223 specially adapted for convertible cars

Abstract

A motor vehicle having a convertible top and whose interior is shielded from drafts by means of a rearward protective wall for extensive protection of the occupants. The interior of the motor vehicle is largely enclosed around a circumference along upper edges of the side walls by the windshield, the side windows and the protective wall. A detachable roof part encloses the interior. As a result, minimum expenditures are required to place the roof part in an open or closed position.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle, comprising:

a windshield;

two side windows operatively connected to the windshield;

at least one seat having a headrest;

a protective, imperforate, one-piece wall that adjoins the two side windows, wherein an interior of the motor vehicle is bounded by the windshield, the side windows and the protective wall; and

a detachably fastenable roof part for closing the interior;

further comprising a rollover bar system, wherein the roof part is fastenable on the windshield and on the rollover bar system.

2. A motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the roof part is a solid roof shell.

3. A motor vehicle according to claim 1, wherein the rollover bar system comprises two rollover bars that extend to an upper edge of the protective wall.

4. A motor vehicle according to claim 3, further comprising two follower bodies located behind each of the two rollover bars, each follower body having an elevation that tapers from one of the rollover bars toward the rear of the motor vehicle.

5. A motor vehicle, comprising:

a windshield;

two side windows operatively connected to the windshield;

at least one seat having a headrest;

a protective, imperforate, one-piece wall that adjoins the two side windows, wherein an interior of the motor vehicle is bounded by the windshield, the side windows and the protective wall; and

a detachably fastenable roof part for closing the interior,

wherein the protective wall is independently movable in a vertical direction between operative and inoperative positions.

6. A motor vehicle according to claim 5, wherein the protective wall extends in a transverse plane between the two side windows behind the at least one seat and has lateral edges that abut back edges of the two side widows.

7. A motor vehicle according to claim 6, further comprising a guiding linkage for opening and closing the roof part.

8. A motor vehicle according to claim 7, further comprising:

a rear storage space for housing the roof part in an open position; and

a rear lid that covers the guiding linkage and the roof part in the open position.

9. A motor vehicle according to claim 5, further comprising guides for guiding the protective wall into the vehicle.

10. A motor vehicle according to claim 5, wherein said protective wall comprises mineral glass or plastic.

11. A motor vehicle comprising:

a windshield;

two side windows operatively connected to the windshield;

at least one seat having a headrest;

a protective, imperforate, one-piece wall that adjoins the two side windows, wherein an interior of the motor vehicle is bounded by the windshield, the side windows and the protective wall; and

a detachably fastenable roof part for closing the interior,

wherein top sides of the side windows slope downward from the windshield to a top edge of the protective wall.

12. A window assembly for a convertible, comprising:

two side windows; and

a protective, imperforate, one-piece wall comprising a window that extends in a transverse plane behind at least one seat of the convertible,

wherein the protective wall has lateral edges that adjoin back edges of the two side windows, and further comprising

a windshield that is operatively connected to the two side windows,

wherein top sides of the side windows slope downward from the windshield to a top edge of the protective wall.