Vehicle roof with an adjustable convertible top

• US 6,443,517 B1
• Filed: 11/14/2000
• Issued: 09/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: CTS Fahrzeug-Dachsystme GMBH
• Original Assignee: CTS Fahrzeugdach Systeme GmbH
• Inventors: Just, Jan, Aydt, Matthias
• Primary Examiner(s): Pape, Joseph D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BLANKENSHIP, GREGORY A
• Application Number:
  US09/710,882
• Time in Patent Office: 658 Days
• Field of Search: 296/107.01, 296/107.08, 296/107.09, 296/107.16, 296/76, 296/136, 280/756
• US Class Current: 296/107.09
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/1265 characterised by kinematic movements, e.g. using parallelogram linkages B60J7/126 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/202 being characterised by moveable cover parts for closing the gap between boot lid and rearmost seats
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2021/132 Roll bars for convertible vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 21/13 Roll-over protection electrical circuits for triggering safety arrangements B60R21/01

Abstract

A vehicle roof has a convertible top which can be adjusted between a closed position and an open position. The top spans the vehicle interior in the closed position and is deposited in a convertible top depositing device in the open position. Furthermore, a rollover bar is coupled with the convertible top depositing device. For a facilitated assembly and function testing, the rollover bar forms a cohesive, firmly connected unit with the convertible top depositing device and the convertible top. The unit can be integrated in the vehicle as a preassembled module.

Claims

1. Vehicle roof, comprising a convertible top adjustable between a closed and an open position, spannable over a vehicle interior in the closed position and depositable in a convertible top depositing device in the open position, a rollover bar coupleable with the convertible top depositing device and forming a cohesive, firmly connected unit with the convertible top depositing device and the convertible top so as to be integratable as a preassembled module in a vehicle,

a transverse frame operatively arranged at the rollover bar to support individual bars of the rollover bar and to receive components assigned to the convertible top depositing device, and connection points for connecting the preassembled module with the vehicle are provided in the transverse frame, wherein the convertible top depositing device comprises a convertible top pan and a convertible top compartment lid operatively associated therewith for closing the convertible top pan.

2. Vehicle roof according to claim 1, wherein supporting arms operatively connect the convertible top depositing device with the rollover bar.

3. Vehicle roof according to claim 2, wherein adjusting kinematics for the convertible top compartment lid are integrated in the preassembled module and are held at least by the supporting arms.

4. Vehicle roof according to claim 3, wherein the convertible top compartment lid is operatively connected with the rollover bar via only the adjusting kinematics.

5. Vehicle roof according to claim 3, wherein the convertible top compartment lid includes a swivelling axis arranged in an area of the adjusting kinematics and situated on a side of the supporting arms facing away from the rollover bar.

6. Vehicle roof according to claim 5, wherein the convertible top compartment lid is operatively connected with the rollover bar via only the adjusting kinematics.

7. Vehicle roof according to claim 1, wherein the convertible top comprises a convertible top structure, a fabric covering and a ceiling.

8. Vehicle roof according to claim 1, wherein a hydraulic adjusting system for adjusting the convertible top and a convertible top compartment lid is integrated in the preassembled module.

9. Vehicle roof according to claim 8, wherein a control unit for controlling the hydraulic adjusting system is operatively integrated in the preassembled module.

10. Vehicle roof according to claim 1, wherein linking of the convertible top to the preassembled module is at a distance from the rollover bar which is smaller than a swivelling axis of the convertible top compartment lid.

11. Vehicle roof according to claim 1, wherein the preassembled module is connectable with the vehicle by connection points (11) arranged on the rollover bar (3).

12. Vehicle roof according to claim 2, wherein the supporting arms have additional connection points with the vehicle.

13. A roof for a vehicle having a convertible top adjustable between a closed position and an open position, which roof spans a vehicle interior in the closed position and is deposited in a folding-top compartment in the open position, and a rollover bar which is coupled with the folding-top compartment, the rollover bar forming a cohesive, fixedly connected unit with the folding-top compartment and the folding top, which unit can be integrated in the vehicle as a preassembled module, comprising a cross frame operatively provided on the rollover bar to support individual bars of the rollover bar and to receive the folding-top compartment with connection points for connecting the module with the vehicle being provided in the cross frame and supporting arms extending rearwardly of the vehicle to laterally link the folding-top compartment to the cross frame, wherein in an area of an end thereof facing away from the cross frame, the supporting arms include adjusting kinematics for a lid of the folding-top compartment with a swivelling axis arranged on a side of the supporting arms facing away from the rollover bar, and the folding-top compartment lid is connected with the rollover bar solely via the adjusting kinematics.

14. The roof according to claim 13, wherein the convertible top comprises a convertible top structure, a fabric covering and a ceiling.

15. The roof according to claim 13, wherein a hydraulic adjusting system for adjusting the convertible top and a convertible top compartment lid is integrated in the preassembled module.

16. The roof according to claim 15, wherein a control unit for controlling the hydraulic adjusting system is operatively integrated in the preassembled module.

17. The roof according to claim 15, wherein linking of the convertible top to the preassembled module is at a distance from the rollover bar which is smaller than a swivelling axis of the convertible top compartment lid.