Convertible vehicle with an at least partially flexible roof and at least one cross-connecting support

• US 6,409,247 B1
• Filed: 12/20/2000
• Issued: 06/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Valmet Automotive Oy
• Original Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
• Inventors: Maass, Joachim
• Primary Examiner(s): Gordon, Stephen T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MORROW, JASON S
• Application Number:
  US09/745,164
• Time in Patent Office: 552 Days
• Field of Search: 296/107.01, 296/108, 296/109, 296/114, 296/115, 296/107.09, 296/107.15, 296/117, 296/107.13, 296/107.14, 296/116
• US Class Current: 296/107.13
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/1265 characterised by kinematic movements, e.g. using parallelogram linkages B60J7/126 takes precedence

Abstract

For a convertible vehicle with a foldable at least partially flexible roof where longitudinal side support components and between these, cross-connecting supports are arranged for the support of at least the flexible roof section, at least one bow is arranged in a longitudinally moveable fashion with regard to the longitudinal side support components and in a movable fashion subject to the opening or closing of the roof via at least one control device.

Claims

1. An operable mechanisms for use with a roof for a convertible vehicle in which the roof is movable between up and down positions, comprising generally elongated side supports extending generally in a direction from front to rear of the vehicle when the roof is in the up position, at least one cross support extending generally transversely of said side supports, mounting portions movably mounting said at least one cross support on said side supports to provide for displacement of said at least one cross support relative to the elongated extent of said side supports, and a control device which effects said displacement when said roof is moved between said up and down positions.

2. A convertible mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said control device comprises a generally elongate link member disposed generally parallel to at least a portion of said side member.

3. A convertible mechanism according to claim 2 wherein said mounting portions includes a link connection which connects said link member to said at least one cross member and a multi-linkage connection which connects said link member to said side members.

4. A convertible mechanism according to claim 3 wherein said multi-linkage connection is operable to displace said link member relative to the elongated extent of said side support.

5. A convertible mechanism according to claim 1 wherein each of said side supports comprise generally elongate first and second side support sections and a pivot connection pivotably connecting said first and second side support sections, said first side support section being pivotal relative to said second side support section about said pivotal connection between an operable position and a folded position, said first and second side support sections being disposed at a first angle relative to one another when said first side support section is in said operable position, said first and second side support sections being disposed at a second angle relative to one another when said first side support section is in said folded position, said first angle being different from said second angle.

6. A convertible mechanism according to claim 5 wherein said first angle is a substantially straight angle.

7. A convertible mechanism according to claim 5 said control device is operable to dispose said first side support section in said operable position when said roof is in said up position and to dispose said first side section in said folded position when said roof is in said down position.

8. A convertible mechanism according to claim 5 wherein said mounting portions mount said at least one cross support on said first side section to dispose said at least one cross support in a first position on said first side support section when said first side section is in said operable position and to dispose said at least one cross support in a second position on said first side section when said first side section is in said folded position, said first position being spaced from said second position along the elongated extent of said first side section.

9. A convertible mechanism according to claim 8 wherein said mounting portions includes an elongate guide and a sliding part slidable in said guide.

10. A convertible mechanism according to claim 9 wherein said guide is provided on said first side support section and said at least one cross member is connected to said sliding part.

11. A convertible mechanism according to claim 9 wherein said mounting portions enable displacement of said sliding part relative to said elongate guide in a direction generally lateral to the elongate extent of said elongate guide.

12. A convertible mechanism according to claim 9 wherein said control device includes a link member operably connected to said sliding part and a multi-linkage connecting said link member to said first and second side support sections.

13. A convertible mechanism according to claim 12 wherein said multi-linkage includes a first lever pivotably connected to said first side support section, a second lever pivotably connected to said second side support section, a lever pivot pivotably connecting said first and second levers, and a link pivot pivotably connecting said link member to said first lever.

14. A convertible mechanism according to claim 5 wherein said at least one cross support is designated a first cross support and further comprising a second cross support mounted on said side first side support section, said second cross support being disposed forwardly of said first cross support when said first side support section is in said operable position, said second cross support being disposed rearwardly of said first cross support when said first cross support is in said folded position.

15. A convertible mechanism according to claim 14 further comprising a third cross support and a pivotal mounting between said third cross support and said control device, said third cross support being disposed rearwardly of the first cross support when the first side support section is in said operable position, said third cross support being disposed forwardly of the first cross support when the first side support section is in said folded position.

16. An operable mechanism for use with a roof for a convertible vehicle in which the roof is movable between up and down positions, comprising generally elongated side supports extending generally in a direction from front to rear of the vehicle when the roof is in the up position, each of said side supports comprising generally elongate first and second side support sections and a pivot connection pivotably connecting said first and second side support sections, said first side support section being pivotal relative to said second side support section about said pivotal connection between an operable position and a folded position, said first and second side support sections being disposed at a first angle relative to one another when said first side support section is in said operable position, said first and second side support sections being disposed at a second angle relative to one another when said first side support section is in said folded position, said first angle being different from said second angle, at least one cross support extending generally transversely of said elongated side supports, mounting portions movably mounting said at least one cross support on said first side support section to provide for displacement of said at least one cross support relative to the elongated extent of said first side support section, and a control device which effects said displacement when said roof is moved between said up and down positions, said control device being operable to dispose said first side support section in said operable position when said roof is in said up position and to dispose said first side section in said folded position when said roof is in said down position.

17. A convertible mechanism according to claim 16 wherein said mounting portions include an elongate guide on said first side support section and a sliding part connected to said at least one cross member and slidable on said guide.

18. A convertible mechanism according to claim 17 wherein said control device includes a link member operably connected to said sliding part and a multi-linkage connecting said link member to said first and second side support sections, said multi-linkage including a first lever pivotably connected to said first side support section, a second lever pivotably connected to said second side support section, a first pivot connection pivotably connecting said first and second pivot levers, and a second pivot connection pivotably connecting said link member to said first lever.

19. A convertible mechanism according to claim 16 wherein said multi-linkage includes a first lever pivotably connected to said first side support section, a second lever pivotably connected to said second side support section, a first pivot connection pivotably connecting said first and second levers, and a second connection pivot pivotably connecting said link member to said first lever.