Retractable roof for vehicles

Abstract

A retractable roof for vehicles having at least one cover panel, selectively closing a roof opening. The cover panel can be displaced above the roof skin along guides which have extensions that extend beyond the rear edge of the roof opening. These extensions extend essentially below the roof skin of the fixed roof area.

1 . Retractable roof for vehicles, 
 with a roof opening ( 12 ),    with a fixed roof area ( 3 ), connecting to the rear edge ( 12 A) of the roof opening ( 12 ) and forming a roof skin ( 14 ),    with at least one cover panel ( 1 ,  2 ), selectively closing the roof opening ( 12 ) or at least partially exposing it again,    with guide rails ( 16 ), fixedly attached to the vehicle, by means of which at least the one cover panel ( 1 ,  2 ) is guided and    with a basic part, fastened at the vehicle or attachable to the vehicle, and delimiting the retractable roof at at least two opposite edges and forming or carrying the guide rails,    wherein at least the one cover panel ( 1 ,  2 ) can be displaced along the guide rails ( 16 ), starting from a closed position can be moved into an open position located above the fixed roof area ( 3 ), and the guide rails ( 16 ) have extensions ( 16 A) which, in the direction of displacement (T) of at least the one cover panel ( 1 ,  2 ), extend beyond the rear edge ( 12 A) of the roof opening ( 12 ) which [edge] delimits the fixed roof area ( 3 ),    characterized in that    the extensions ( 16 A) extend essentially below the roof skin ( 14 ) of the fixed roof area ( 3 ),    the roof skin ( 14 ) has in the area of the extensions ( 16 A) of the guide rails ( 16 ) recesses, respectively exposing one opening ( 18 ), as an extension of the lateral roof opening edges ( 12 B,  12 C) and    cover panel-supporting elements ( 20 ) for guiding at least the one cover panel ( 1 ,  2 ) along the guide rails are provided, are fixedly connected to at least one cover panel ( 1 ,  2 ) and that at least in the completely open position of at least the one cover panel ( 1 ,  2 ) at least rear cover panel-supporting elements ( 20 A) engage with the extensions ( 16 A) of the guide rails ( 16 ) below the roof skin ( 14 ) and extend at least in the completely open position through the assigned opening ( 18 ).    
     
     
         2 . Retractable roof, in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that at least the one cover panel ( 1 ,  2 ) can be displaced vertically by means of the cover panel—supporting elements ( 20 ).  
     
     
         3 . Retractable roof, in accordance with  claim 1 , characterized in that a second cover panel ( 2 ) is provided which, starting from the closed position, can be lowered into a lowered position located below the fixed roof area ( 3 ) and can be moved along guide rails, fixedly connected to the vehicle, in particular along the guide rails ( 16 ), while in the lowered state below the fixed roof area ( 3 ).  
     
     
         4 . Retractable roof, in accordance with one of  claims 1  to  3 , characterized in that the fixed roof area ( 3 ) is in the form of an independent cover panel.  
     
     
         5 . Retractable roof, in accordance with  claim 4 , characterized in that attachment elements ( 26 ) for mounting the fixed roof area ( 3 ) along the extensions ( 16 A) of the guide rails ( 16 ) or at the basic part, are provided.  
     
     
         6 . Retractable roof, in accordance with  claim 5 , characterized in that the attachment elements ( 26 ) are channel-like and extend essentially across the length of the fixed roof area ( 3 ).  
     
     
         7 . Retractable roof, in accordance with one of  claims 1  to  6 , characterized in that at least one sealing strip ( 24 A,  24 B) for closing off each opening ( 18 ) is provided.  
     
     
         8 . Retractable roof, in accordance with the  claims 1  to  7 , characterized in that the guide rails ( 16 ) and their extensions ( 16 A) have water channels ( 22 ) which extend essentially across the entire length of the cover panels ( 1 ,  2 ) and of the fixed roof area ( 3 ).  
     
     
         9 . A retractable roof for vehicles having a roof opening, comprising: 
 a fixed roof area connected to the rear edge of the roof opening and forming a roof skin, a majority of the fixed roof area being generally planar and positioned in a generally planar roof skin plane at least one cover panel that is at least movable between a closed position to close the roof opening, and an open position to at least partially expose the roof opening, guide rails which are attached to the vehicle and guide said at least one cover panel, a delimiter which is attached to the vehicle to delimit the retractable roof at at least two opposite edges, and at least one cover panel-supporting element connected to said at least one cover panel, said guide rails being positioned on said delimiter, one of said at least one cover panel being positioned at least partially above said fixed roof area when moved to a non-closed position, said guide rails including at least one guide rail extension extending rearwardly beyond the rear edge of the roof opening and being entirely below the roof skin plane, said roof skin including at least one recess adjacent the at least one extension of said guide rails, said at least one recess defining a lateral opening extending in the driving direction of the vehicle which functions as an extension of the side edges of the roof opening, said at least one cover panel-supporting element guiding said at least one cover panel along the guide rails, said at least one cover panel-supporting element engaging the at least one extension of the guide rails below the roof skin plane and extending at least partially through said recess opening when said at least one cover panel is moved to a completely open position.    
     
     
         10 . The retractable roof as defined in  claim 9 , wherein one of said at least one cover panel is vertically displaced by said at least one cover panel-supporting element when said at least one cover panel supporting element is moved along a guide bar of said guide rails.  
     
     
         11 . The retractable roof as defined in  claim 9 , wherein said at least one cover panel includes a second cover panel, said second panel being moveable into a lowered position that is located below the fixed roof area.  
     
     
         12 . The retractable roof as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said at least one cover panel further includes a second cover panel, said second panel being moveable into a lowered position that is located below the fixed roof area.  
     
     
         13 . The retractable roof as defined in  claim 11 , wherein said second panel is moveable along said guide rails to a position located below the fixed roof area.  
     
     
         14 . The retractable roof as defined in  claim 12 , wherein said second panel is moveable along said guide rails to a position located below the fixed roof area.  
     
     
         15 . A retractable roof for vehicles having a roof opening, comprising: a fixed roof area connected to the rear edge of the roof opening and forming a roof skin, a majority of the fixed roof area being generally planar and positioned in a generally planar roof skin plane, at least one cover panel that is at least movable between a closed position to close the roof opening, and an open Position to at least partially expose the roof opening, guide rails which are attached to the vehicle and guide said at least one cover panel, a delimiter which is attached to the vehicle to delimit the retractable roof at at least two opposite edges, and at least one cover panel-supporting element connected to said at least one cover panel, said guide rails being positioned on said delimiter, one of said at least one cover panel being positioned at least partially above said fixed roof area when moved to a non-closed position, said guide rails including at least one guide rail extension extending rearwardly beyond the rear edge of the roof opening and being entirely below the roof skin plane, said roof skin including at least one recess adjacent the at least one extension of said guide rails, said at least one recess defining a lateral opening extending in the driving direction of the vehicle which functions as an extension of the side edges of the roof opening, said at least one cover panel-supporting element guiding said at least one cover panel along the guide rails, said at least one cover panel-supporting element engaging the at least one extension of the guide rails below the roof skin plane and extending at least partially through said recess opening when said at least one cover panel is moved to a completely open position, wherein said fixed roof area is an independent cover panel separate from the vehicle roof.  
     
     
         16 . The retractable roof as defined in  claim 15 , wherein one of said at least one cover panel is vertically displaced by said at least one cover panel-supporting element when said at least one cover panel supporting element is moved along a guide bar of said guide rails.  
     
     
         17 . The retractable roof as defined in  claim 15 , wherein said at least one cover panel includes a second cover panel, said second panel being moveable into a lowered position that is located below the fixed roof area.  
     
     
         18 . The retractable roof as defined in  claim 15 , wherein said at least one cover panel includes a second cover panel, said second panel being moveable into a lowered position that is located below the fixed roof area, said second panel is moveable along said guide rails to a position located below the fixed roof area.  
     
     
         19 . The retractable roof as defined in  claim 15 , wherein one of said at least one cover panel is vertically displaced by said at least one cover panel-supporting element when said at least one cover panel supporting element is moved along a guide bar of said guide rails, said at least one cover panel further includes a second cover panel, said second panel being moveable into a lowered position that is located below the fixed roof area, said second panel is moveable along said guide rails to a position located below the fixed roof area.  
     
     
         20 . The retractable roof as defined in  claim 15 , including attachment elements that mount said fixed roof area to the vehicle, said attachment elements being positioned along said at least one guide rail extension.  
     
     
         21 . The retractable roof as defined in  claim 16 , including attachment elements that mount said fixed roof area to the vehicle, said attachment elements being positioned along said at least one guide rail extension.  
     
     
         22 . The retractable roof as defined in  claim 17 , including attachment elements that mount said fixed roof area to the vehicle, said attachment elements being positioned along said at least one guide rail extension.  
     
     
         23 . The retractable roof as defined in  claim 19 , including attachment elements that mount said fixed roof area to the vehicle, said attachment elements being positioned along said at least one guide rail extension.  
     
     
         24 . The retractable roof as defined in  claim 20 , wherein said attachment elements are channel-like and extend essentially in the driving direction of the vehicle across the length of the fixed roof area.  
     
     
         25 . The retractable roof as defined in  claim 21 , wherein said attachment elements are channel-like and extend essentially in the driving direction of the vehicle across the length of the fixed roof area.  
     
     
         26 . The retractable roof as defined in  claim 22 , wherein said attachment elements are channel-like and extend essentially in the driving direction of the vehicle across the length of the fixed roof area.  
     
     
         27 . The retractable roof as defined in  claim 23 , wherein said attachment elements are channel-like and extend essentially in the driving direction of the vehicle across the length of the fixed roof area.  
     
     
         28 . The retractable roof as defined in  claim 9 , including at least one sealing strip for at least partially closing off said lateral opening.  
     
     
         29 . The retractable roof as defined in  claim 10 , including at least one sealing strip for at least partially closing off said lateral opening.  
     
     
         30 . The retractable roof as defined in  claim 11 , including at least one sealing strip for at least partially closing off said lateral opening.  
     
     
         31 . The retractable roof as defined in  claim 13 , including at least one sealing strip for at least partially closing off said lateral opening.  
     
     
         32 . The retractable roof as defined in  claim 15 , including at least one sealing strip for at least partially closing off said lateral opening.  
     
     
         33 . The retractable roof as defined in  claim 20 , including at least one sealing strip for at least partially closing off said lateral opening.  
     
     
         34 . The retractable roof as defined in  claim 24 , including at least one sealing strip for at least partially closing off said lateral opening.  
     
     
         35 . The retractable roof as defined in  claim 27 , including at least one sealing strip for at least partially closing off said lateral opening.  
     
     
         36 . The retractable roof as defined in  claim 9 , wherein said guide rails and said at least one guide rail extension include at least one water channel extending in the driving direction of the vehicle at least partially across the length of said at least one cover panel and of said fixed roof area.  
     
     
         37 . The retractable roof as defined in  claim 10 , wherein said guide rails and said at least one guide rail extension include at least one water channel extending extending in the driving direction of the vehicle at least partially across the length of said at least one cover panel and of said fixed roof area.  
     
     
         38 . The retractable roof as defined in  claim 11 , wherein said guide rails and said at least one guide rail extension include at least one water channel extending extending in the driving direction of the vehicle at least partially across the length of said at least one cover panel and of said fixed roof area.  
     
     
         39 . The retractable roof as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said guide rails and said at least one guide rail extension include at least one water channel extending extending in the driving direction of the vehicle at least partially across the length of said at least one cover panel and of said fixed roof area.  
     
     
         40 . The retractable roof as defined in  claim 15 , wherein said guide rails and said at least one guide rail extension include at least one water channel extending extending in the driving direction of the vehicle at least partially across the length of said at least one cover panel and of said fixed roof area.  
     
     
         41 . The retractable roof as defined in  claim 20 , wherein said guide rails and said at least one guide rail extension include at least one water channel extending extending in the driving direction of the vehicle at least partially across the length of said at least one cover panel and of said fixed roof area.  
     
     
         42 . The retractable roof as defined in  claim 24 , wherein said guide rails and said at least one guide rail extension include at least one water channel extending extending in the driving direction of the vehicle at least partially across the length of said at least one cover panel and of said fixed roof area.  
     
     
         43 . The retractable roof as defined in  claim 28 , wherein said guide rails and said at least one guide rail extension include at least one water channel extending extending in the driving direction of the vehicle at least partially across the length of said at least one cover panel and of said fixed roof area.  
     
     
         44 . The retractable roof as defined in  claim 35 , wherein said guide rails and said at least one guide rail extension include at least one water channel extending extending in the driving direction of the vehicle at least partially across the length of said at least one cover panel and of said fixed roof area.  
     
     
         45 . The retractable roof as defined in  claim 9 , wherein said fixed roof area is substantially aligned with further roof structure positioned laterally thereof.  
     
     
         46 . The retractable roof as defined in  claim 13 , wherein said fixed roof area is substantially aligned with further roof structure positioned laterally thereof.  
     
     
         47 . The retractable roof as defined in  claim 9 , wherein said at least one cover panel is a first and a second cover panel having a width transverse to the driving direction of the vehicle and a length in the driving direction of the vehicle, said widths of said first and second cover panels being substantially equal.  
     
     
         48 . The retractable roof as defined in  claim 47 , wherein said fixed roof area has a width transverse to the driving direction of the vehicle and said roof area width being substantially equal to said width of said first and second cover panels.  
     
     
         49 . A retractable roof for vehicles having a single roof opening, comprising: 
 a fixed roof area connected to the rear edge of the roof opening and forming a roof skin, a majority of the roof skin being generally planar and positioned in a generally planar roof skin plane, at least a first and a second cover panel that are at least movable between a closed position to close the single roof opening, and an open position to at least partially expose the single roof opening, guide rails which are attached to the vehicle and guide said at least a first and a second cover panel, a delimiter which is attached to the vehicle to delimit the retractable roof at at least two opposite edges, and at least one cover panel-supporting element connected to said first cover panel, said guide rails being positioned on said delimiter, said first cover panel being positioned at least partially above said fixed roof area when moved to a non-closed position, said second cover panel being moveable along said guide rails to a position located below said fixed roof area when moved to a non-closed position, said guide rails including at least one guide rail extension extending rearwardly beyond the rear edge of the roof opening and being below the roof skin plane, said at least one cover panel-supporting element guiding said first cover panel along the guide rails, said at least one cover panel-supporting element engaging said at least one extension of said guide rails below said roof skin plane.    
     
     
         50 . A retractable roof for vehicles having a single roof opening, comprising: 
 a fixed roof area connected to the rear edge of the roof opening and forming a generally planar roof skin, said roof skin being substantially aligned with further roof structure positioned laterally thereof, at least a first and a second cover panel that are at least movable between a closed position to close the single roof opening, and an open position to at least partially expose the single roof opening, guide rails which are attached to the vehicle and guide said at least a first and second cover panel, a delimiter which is attached to the vehicle to delimit the retractable roof at at least two opposite edges, and at least one cover panel-supporting element connected to said first cover panel, said guide rails being positioned on said delimiter, said first cover panel being positioned at least partially above said fixed roof area when moved to a non-closed position, said second cover panel being moveable along said guide rails to a position located below said fixed roof area when moved to a non-closed position, said guide rails including at least one guide rail extension extending rearwardly beyond the rear edge of the roof opening and being below the plane of the roof skin of the fixed roof area, said at least one cover panel-supporting element guiding said first cover panel along the guide rails, said at least one cover panel-supporting element engaging said at least one extension of said guide rails below said roof skin.    
     
     
         51 . The retractable roof for vehicles as defined in  claim 9 , wherein said at least one cover panel supporting element has a central portion which extends through said recess opening and said central portion is strip like with a thickness and a width, said width defining oppositely facing side surfaces which are transverse to the driving direction of the vehicle.  
     
     
         52 . The retractable roof for vehicles as defined in  claim 5   1 , wherein said fixed roof area is closely adjacent to the side edges of the roof opening such that said oppositely facing side surfaces of said at least one cover supporting element are closely adjacent to the fixed roof area and the side edges of the roof opening.  
     
     
         53 . The retractable roof for vehicles as defined in  claim 52 , wherein the fixed roof area has side edges adjacent said recess opening, said retractable roof further including a flexible sealing strips attached to both said side edges of said fixed roof area, said sealing strips extending toward and resiliently engaging the respective adjacent side edges of the roof opening thereby sealing said recess opening, and said sealing strips allowing said at least one cover panel supporting element to extend through said recess opening as said one of said at least one cover panel is moved to the non-closed position.  
     
     
         54 . The retractable roof for vehicles as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the fixed roof area has side edges adjacent said recess opening, said retractable roof further including a flexible sealing strips attached to both said side edges of said fixed roof area, said sealing strips extending toward and resiliently engaging the respective adjacent side edges of the roof opening thereby sealing said recess opening, and said sealing strips allowing said at least one cover panel supporting element to extend through said recess opening as said one of said at least one cover panel is moved to the non-closed position.  
     
     
         55 . The retractable roof for vehicles as defined in  claim 49 , wherein said at least one cover panel supporting element has a central portion which extends through said recess opening and said central portion is strip like with a thickness and a width, said width defining oppositely facing side surfaces which are transverse to the driving direction of the vehicle.  
     
     
         56 . The retractable roof for vehicles as defined in  claim 55 , wherein said fixed roof area is closely adjacent to the side edges of the roof opening such that said oppositely facing side surfaces of said at least one cover supporting element are closely adjacent to the fixed roof area and the side edges of the roof opening.  
     
     
         57 . The retractable roof for vehicles as defined in  claim 56 , wherein the fixed roof area has side edges adjacent said recess opening, said retractable roof further including a flexible sealing strips attached to both said side edges of said fixed roof area, said sealing strips extending toward and resiliently engaging the respective adjacent side edges of the roof opening thereby sealing said recess opening, and said sealing strips allowing said at least one cover panel supporting element to extend through said recess opening as said one of said at least one cover panel is moved to the non-closed position.  
     
     
         58 . The retractable roof for vehicles as defined in  claim 49 , wherein the fixed roof area has side edges adjacent said recess opening, said retractable roof further including a flexible sealing strips attached to both said side edges of said fixed roof area, said sealing strips extending toward and resiliently engaging the respective adjacent side edges of the roof opening thereby sealing said recess opening, and said sealing strips allowing said at least one cover panel supporting element to extend through said recess opening as said one of said at least one cover panel is moved to the non-closed position.  
     
     
         59 . The retractable roof for vehicles as defined in  claim 50 , wherein said at least one cover panel supporting element has a central portion which extends through said recess opening and said central portion is strip like with a thickness and a width, said width defining oppositely facing side surfaces which are transverse to the driving direction of the vehicle.  
     
     
         60 . The retractable roof for vehicles as defined in  claim 59 , wherein said fixed roof area is closely adjacent to the side edges of the roof opening such that said oppositely facing side surfaces of said at least one cover supporting element are closely adjacent to the fixed roof area and the side edges of the roof opening.  
     
     
         61 . The retractable roof for vehicles as defined in claim  60 , wherein the fixed roof area has side edges adjacent said recess opening, said retractable roof further including a flexible sealing strips attached to both said side edges of said fixed roof area, said sealing strips extending toward and resiliently engaging the respective adjacent side edges of the roof opening thereby sealing said recess opening, and said sealing strips allowing said at least one cover panel supporting element to extend through said recess opening as said one of said at least one cover panel is moved to the non-closed position.  
     
     
         62 . The retractable roof for vehicles as defined in  claim 50 , wherein the fixed roof area has side edges adjacent said recess opening, said retractable roof further including a flexible sealing strips attached to both said side edges of said fixed roof area, said sealing strips extending toward and resiliently engaging the respective adjacent side edges of the roof opening thereby sealing said recess opening, and said sealing strips allowing said at least one cover panel supporting element to extend through said recess opening as said one of said at least one cover panel is moved to the non-closed position.