US 12,552,234 B2Granted

Roof system for a vehicle

AssigneeInalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.

InventorsEduardus Christianus Henricus van Boxtel, Matheus Simon Wilhelmus Ruiter

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A roof system for a vehicle, comprises a movable roof panel for a roof opening. Stationary guide rails slidably guide an operating mechanism that operates the panel. The operating mechanism comprises a first device for moving the panel rear edge towards a raised position and a second device including a lever for moving the panel front edge in a vertical direction. A guiding slide is driven to move the panel both vertically and horizontally through the first and second devices. The lever comprises a first pivotal connection to the panel, and, remote from that spaced second and third connections. The third connection connects the lever to the guiding slide. A fourth connection on the lever is arranged near the third connection and connects the lever to the guiding slide when the third connection is disconnected from the guiding slide during a movement of the front edge of the panel upwardly.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A roof system for a vehicle having a roof opening in a roof part thereof, comprising:

at least a closure which is movable between a closed position in which it closes the roof opening and an open position in which it opens the roof opening and is positioned at least partially above an adjoining portion of the roof part,
a stationary guide rail at each longitudinal side of said roof opening, suitable for slidably guiding an operating mechanism that operates the closure in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, said operating mechanism comprising:
a first device for moving the rear edge of the closure towards a raised position relative to the closed position and above the adjoining roof part,
a second device including a lever for moving the front edge of the closure in a vertical direction;
and
a guiding slide which is slidably accommodated in each guide rail and is drivable by a drive member in order to move the closure both in vertical and in horizontal direction through the first and second devices,
wherein the lever comprises,
at a first end, a first pivotal connection to the closure,
remote from the first end, spaced second and third connections, at least the third connection connecting the respective lever at least to the guiding slide in order to enable control of the movements of said lever, and
a fourth connection on the lever, the fourth connection being positioned closer to the third connection than to the first connection and connecting the lever to the guiding slide when the third connection is disconnected from the guiding slide during a movement of the front edge of the closure in a vertical upward direction.

7 more elements

A roof system for a vehicle having a roof opening in a roof part thereof, comprising:

at least a closure which is movable between a closed position in which it closes the roof opening and an open position in which it opens the roof opening and is positioned at least partially above an adjoining portion of the roof part,
a stationary guide rail at each longitudinal side of said roof opening, suitable for slidably guiding an operating mechanism that operates the closure in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, said operating mechanism comprising:
a first device for moving the rear edge of the closure towards a raised position relative to the closed position and above the adjoining roof part,
a second device including a lever for moving the front edge of the closure in a vertical direction;
and
a guiding slide which is slidably accommodated in each guide rail and is drivable by a drive member in order to move the closure both in vertical and in horizontal direction through the first and second devices,
wherein the lever comprises,
at a first end, a first pivotal connection to the closure,
remote from the first end, spaced second and third connections, the third connection slidably connecting the respective lever at least to the guiding slide in order to enable control of the movements of said lever, the second connection connecting the lever to the stationary guide rail, the second connection including a cam on the lever and a locator in the stationary guide rail, which locator comprises a curve having a downward curve portion, the cam being positioned in the locator in forward positions of the closure and is moved to the downward curve portion when the front edge of the closure is moved in a vertical upward direction.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 18/329,114Filed 31 Aug 2023
Published: US 2023/0415552 A128 Dec 2023
Granted: 17 Feb 2026
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification17 codes

B60J 7/0435
Sunroofs e.g. sliding above the roof: pivoting upwardly to vent mode and moving at the outside of the roof to fully open mode
B60J 7/024
Of sliding type , e.g. comprising guide shoes: characterised by the height regulating mechanism of the sliding panel
B60J 7/043
With rigid plate-like element or elements , e.g. open roofs with harmonica-type folding rigid panels: sunroofs e.g. sliding above the roof
B60J 7/0573
Driving or actuating arrangements e.g. manually operated levers or knobs: power driven arrangements, e.g. electrical