Motor vehicle roof with at least two movable parts

Abstract

A motor vehicle roof having at least two laterally adjacent parts with respect to the motor vehicle's longitudinal axis when the parts are in a closed position. The laterally adjacent parts may be moved between the closed position and an open position by moving one or both of the laterally adjacent parts in a translational movement parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The laterally adjacent parts are retained between and parallel to two side roof frames that are permanently connected to the body. The laterally adjacent parts may be moved to an open position above or below a rear roof panel. The rear roof panel extends across the vehicle in a transverse direction between the side roof frames and is movable in a longitudinal direction to a position above or below the laterally adjacent roof panels. A front roof panel may be provided that may be raised on a back edge to provide a wind deflector.

1 . A motor vehicle roof comprising: 
 at least two laterally adjacent moveable roof parts that are disposed next to one another in a closed position with respect to the motor vehicle's longitudinal axis, the movable roof parts being movable between a closed position and an open position, the roof parts are laterally adjacent to one another in the closed position and are retained between side roof frames that are permanently secured to the body, each of the laterally adjacent roof parts may be shifted in a translational motion between the open and closed position.    
   
   
       2 . The motor vehicle roof of  claim 1  wherein the laterally adjacent roof parts may be moved independently of one another.  
   
   
       3 . The motor vehicle roof of  claim 1  wherein the laterally adjacent roof parts may be moved in a direction parallel to the vehicle's longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       4 . The motor vehicle roof of  claim 1  wherein the roof opening has a central longitudinal member and is closed by a front roof part, a rear roof part and the laterally adjacent roof parts.  
   
   
       5 . The motor vehicle roof of  claim 4  wherein the laterally adjacent roof parts are each guided with respect to the roof sections that are permanently secured to the body on first bearing units lying in the outer front area of the laterally adjacent roof part, a second bearing unit lying in the outer back area of the laterally adjacent roof parts, and a third bearing unit disposed in the inner front area of laterally adjacent roof parts, wherein the third bearing units are guided on the central longitudinal member.  
   
   
       6 . The motor vehicle roof of  claim 1  wherein a rear roof part is provided that is rearwardly adjacent the laterally adjacent roof parts.  
   
   
       7 . The motor vehicle roof of  claim 6  wherein the rear roof part is arranged behind the two laterally adjacent roof parts.  
   
   
       8 . The motor vehicle roof according to  claim 6  wherein an edge of a forwardly adjacent roof part or a rearwardly adjacent roof part is moved in a vertical direction to provide clearance for opening one or both of the laterally adjacent roof parts.  
   
   
       9 . The motor vehicle roof of  claim 6  wherein the back roof part is movable in a translational motion along the motor vehicle's longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       10 . The motor vehicle roof of  claim 9  wherein the rear roof part may be opened by moving it above or beneath the two laterally adjacent roof parts.  
   
   
       11 . The motor vehicle roof of  claim 6  wherein the laterally adjacent roof parts and the rear roof part can be moved into an open position at the same time.  
   
   
       12 . The motor vehicle roof of  claim 11  wherein the two laterally adjacent roof parts lie next to one another and the rear roof part may be disposed either above or below the laterally adjacent roof parts when any of the roof parts is in an open position.  
   
   
       13 . The motor vehicle roof according to  claim 1  further comprising a front roof part mounted in front of the two laterally adjacent roof parts.  
   
   
       14 . The motor vehicle roof according to  claim 1  wherein at least one roof part is made of a transparent material.  
   
   
       15 . The motor vehicle roof according to  claim 14  wherein the roof part is made of polycarbonate.  
   
   
       16 . The motor vehicle roof according to  claim 14  wherein the roof part is made of glass.