# US 10,369,871 B2 · Frame of a vehicle roof and production thereof > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,369,871 B2 - Document ID: US10369871B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/526,266 - Filed: 2015-10-06 - Published: 2017-11-02 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2015-10-06 - Assignees: Webasto SE - Applicants: Webasto SE - Inventors: Dominik Hoelzel - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10369871B2 ## CPC - B60J 7/043: Sunroofs (B60J7/047 - B60J7/053 take precedence){e.g. sliding above the roof} - B29C 44/1228: {Joining preformed parts by the expanding material} - B60J 7/022: {Sliding roof trays or assemblies} - B60J 10/30: characterised by the fastening means - B60J 10/84: arranged on the vehicle body - B62D 25/06: Fixed roofs (non-fixed roofs or like shelters B60J7/00; roof liners B60R13/02; insulating elements B60R13/08) - B62D 27/026: {Connections by glue bonding (in general F16B11/00; processes C09J5/00)} - B62D 29/002: {a foamable synthetic material or metal being added in situ (shaping of substances in a plastic state by foaming, in general B29C44/00)} - B29K 2075/00: Use of {PU, i.e.} polyureas or polyurethanes {or derivatives thereof}, as moulding material - B29K 2105/04: cellular or porous - B29K 2705/12: Iron - B29L 2031/3002: {Superstructures characterized by combining metal and plastics, i.e. hybrid parts} - B60J: WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES (fastening, suspending, closing, or opening of such devices E05) - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - B29K: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES B29B, B29C OR B29D, RELATING TO MOULDING MATERIALS OR TO MATERIALS FOR {MOULDS, } REINFORCEMENTS, FILLERS OR PREFORMED PARTS, e.g. INSERTS - B29L: INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES ## Abstract The invention relates to a frame, comprising, on each of its two sides relative to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the roof, a respective longitudinal beam made of sheet metal and at least one transverse beam made of sheet metal and connecting the two longitudinal beams to each other. The longitudinal beams and the at least one transverse beam are connected to each other via joint lines made of polyurethane foam. Moreover, a method for producing the frame is proposed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vehicle roof comprising a frame, which at least partially surrounds a roof opening, which can be closed or at least partially released as desired by means of a lid element, and/or serves for supporting and fixing a rigid roof panel forming a hard top section, comprising, on each of its two sides relative to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the roof, a respective longitudinal beam made of sheet metal and at least one transverse beam made of sheet metal and connecting the two longitudinal beams to each other, wherein the longitudinal beams and the at least one transverse beam are connected to each other via joint lines made of polyurethane foam. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The vehicle roof according to claim 1, wherein it comprises at least one functional section, which is made of polyurethane foam and is connected to at least one of the longitudinal beams and/or the at least one transverse beam. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The vehicle roof according to claim 2, wherein the functional section comprises a holding section for a seal of a roof opening system. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The vehicle roof according to claim 3, wherein the holding section comprises a seal groove, into which the seal is inserted. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The vehicle roof according to claim 2, wherein the functional section secures a reinforcing sheet to at least one of the longitudinal beams and/or the at least one transverse beam. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The vehicle roof according to claim 2, wherein the functional section comprises a panel, which is formed on at least one of the longitudinal beams and/or on the at least one transverse beam. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The vehicle roof according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle roof comprises at least one visible surface, which is made of a polyurethane foam connected to the transverse beam and/or to at least one of the longitudinal beams. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The vehicle roof according to claim 7, wherein the visible surface comprises a grain, which is formed in the polyurethane foam. ### Claim 9 A vehicle roof comprising a frame, which at least partially surrounds a roof opening, which can be closed or at least partially released as desired by means of a lid element, and/or serves for supporting and fixing a rigid roof panel forming a hard top section, comprising, on each of its two sides relative to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the roof, a respective longitudinal beam made of sheet metal and at least one transverse beam made of sheet metal and connecting the two longitudinal beams to each other, wherein the vehicle roof comprises at least one functional section, which is made of a polyurethane foam and is connected to at least one of the longitudinal beams and/or the transverse beam. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The vehicle roof according to claim 9, wherein the functional section comprises a holding section for a seal of roof opening system. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The vehicle roof according to claim 10, wherein the holding section comprises a seal groove, into which the seal is inserted. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The vehicle roof according to claim 9, wherein the functional section secures a reinforcing sheet to at least one of the longitudinal beams and/or the transverse beam. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The vehicle roof according to claim 9, wherein the functional section forms a panel on at least one of the longitudinal beams and/or the transverse beam. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The vehicle roof according to claim 13, wherein the vehicle roof comprises a visible surface, which is made of a polyurethane foam connected to at least one of the longitudinal beams and/or the transverse beam. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The vehicle roof according to claim 14, wherein the visible surface comprises a grain, which is formed in the polyurethane foam. ### Claim 16 A vehicle roof comprising a frame, which at least partially surrounds a roof opening, which can be closed or at least partially released as desired by means of a lid element, and/or serves for supporting and fixing a rigid roof panel forming a hard top section, comprising, on each of its two sides relative to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the roof, a respective longitudinal beam made of sheet metal and at least one transverse beam made of sheet metal and connecting the two longitudinal beams to each other, wherein the vehicle roof comprises a visible surface, which is made of a polyurethane foam connected to at least one of the longitudinal beams and/or the transverse beam. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The vehicle roof according to claim 16, wherein the visible surface comprises a grain, which is formed in the polyurethane foam. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The vehicle roof according to claim 1, characterized by a disk element, which is fixed to the two longitudinal beams via a molding section made of a polyurethane foam. ### Claim 19 A method for producing a frame of a vehicle roof, which at least partially surrounds a roof opening, which can be closed or at least partially released as desired by means of a lid element, and/or serves for supporting and fixing a rigid roof panel forming a hard top section and which comprises, on each of its two sides relative to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the roof, a respective longitudinal beam made of sheet metal and at least one transverse beam made of sheet metal and connecting the two longitudinal beams to each other, wherein the longitudinal beams and the transverse beam are connected to each other via a polyurethane foam according to a foam molding process and under formation of joint lines. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method according to claim 19, wherein the longitudinal beams and the transverse beam are inserted into a foaming mold, in which the joint lines are formed. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The method according to claim 19, wherein a functional section is realized during the foam molding process, said functional section being connected to at least one of the longitudinal beams and/or to the transverse beam.