Abstract: A fabric roof assembly is disclosed which can be electrically operated comprises a plurality of transverse cross-members adapted to slide in guide rails which extend along each side of an opening of the roof. The assembly includes a front member which supports a front end of the fabric panel, movement of the front member within the opening causing the fabric panel to move from an open position to a position covering the opening. A tensioning and closing mechanism is carried by the front member to tension and close the roof, and driving members are provided which slide along the guides rails and to operate with the front member through the tensioning and closing mechanism. The driving member is the only part which needs to work in the guide rails, with the tensioning and closing mechanism supported by the front member. This allows the walls of the guide rails to be kept to a minimum.

Abstract: A fabric roof assembly is disclosed which can be electrically operated comprises a plurality of transverse cross-members adapted to slide in guide rails which extend along each side of an opening of the roof. The assembly includes a front member which supports a front end of the fabric panel, movement of the front member within the opening causing the fabric panel to move from an open position to a position covering the opening. A tensioning and closing mechanism is carried by the front member to tension and close the roof, and driving members are provided which slide along the guides rails and to operate with the front member through the tensioning and closing mechanism. The driving member is the only part which needs to work in the guide rails, with the tensioning and closing mechanism supported by the front member. This allows the walls of the guide rails to be kept to a minimum.

Abstract: A hinged panel, mounted in a frame, has a latch comprising a toggle mechanism having a first link connected to the panel by a first pivot pin and a second link connected at one end to the first link by a second pivot pin. At its end opposite to the second pivot pin, the second link has an open-ended slot for receiving a third pivot pin which is mounted on the frame. A resilient retention lever is pivotally mounted on the second link and has a hook-like formation adapted to engage with the third pivot pin to retain it in the slot. At least one part of the periphery of the third pivot pin is flattened for that part of its length which is engaged by the hook-like formation. The retention lever is so arranged that the hook-like formation can disengage from the third pivot pin only by traversing the flattened surface.

Abstract: An opening roof for a motor vehicle comprises a frame mounted in an opening in a vehicle roof. A trim member is attached to the bottom of the frame and has an outwardly projecting flap which covers the adjacent edge of the vehicle roof trim. A portion of the frame projects below the vehicle and carries first and second protuberances on side surfaces facing towards and away from the opening respectively. The trim member has first and second side walls which abut against respective side surfaces of the frame. The first side wall has a latching formation shaped to engage with the first protuberance and the second side wall has first and second spaced complementary formations each shaped to engage with the second protuberance whereby a free end of the flap is disposed at a first distance below the top of the frame when the first complementary formation is engaged with the second proturberance and at a second distance below the top of the frame when the second complementary formation is so engaged.

Abstract: A vehicle roof with a roof opening which can be closed by a panel which is pivotable about its front edge. A strut, with a rack on one side, has one end pivotally attached to the rear edge of the panel. A geared shaft is mounted on the underside of the vehicle roof and engages with the rack to raise and lower the rear edge of the panel. The shaft is spring biased into geared engagement at separate locations along its length. Stop formations adjacent to the end of the strut opposite to that which is attached to the roof panel are engaged by a blocking lever to prevent movement of the strut beyond the range of positions in which the geared shaft can engage with the rack.

Abstract: An opening roof assembly for a motor vehicle comprises a rigid panel adapted to close an opening in a vehicle roof, respective guide tracks arranged to be secured to the vehicle roof on each side of the opening below the level of the vehicle roof, and respective support assembly for each side of the panel. Each support assembly comprises a first support member having thereon a cam surface of arcuate shape with its concave side upwards and its front end lower than its rear end, a second support member having a cam follower retained in engagement with the cam surface, one of the support members being slidably mounted on the corresponding guide track and the other support member being secured to the underside of the panel. Relative movement between the two support members thus causes the first support member to pivot relative to the second support member to raise the rear edge of the panel.

Abstract: A hinge for an opening roof panel for a vehicle comprises a spade member and a socket. The spade member is secured to the one surface of the panel with an arcuate portion projecting in an arc centered on the desired hinge axis. The socket is secured to the frame and has an open-ended arcuate channel, centered on the desired hinge axis, at least one wall of the channel being formed by a wall member mounted on a resilient member which, when relaxed, causes the width of the part of the channel to be less than the thickness of the arcuate portion of the spade member. The hinge can also be used to secure a draught deflector to the front edge of the aperture in the vehicle roof when the panel has been completely removed.

Abstract: A sliding roof assembly for a vehicle has a glass sliding panel 10 mounted in a pair of mutually parallel side members 20 each having an integral drain channel 26. An inwardly facing guide channel 24 is disposed on the outer wall of the drain channel 26 and engages with a respective edge of the panel 10. The side members 20 extend below the vehicle roof so that the panel 10 extends below the vehicle roof when in its open position. A second guide channel 54 is formed on the inner side wall of the drain channel 26 and has a sun blind 34 slidably mounted therein.

Abstract: In a combined ventilator and window for installation in the roof of a motor coach, a panel 18 is mounted on angularly movable arms 28 so that the panel 18 can be moved between a closed position, opened positions in which either side of the panel 18 or either end of the panel 18 is opened, and an open position in which the panel 18 is parallel to and spaced from its closed position. The arms 28 are pivotally mounted on the frame 10 at 38 and have detent means 36, 40 to hold them in their alternative positions. The other ends of the arms 28 are pivotally connected to brackets 46, 74 depending from the panel, the latter pivotal connections being adapted to permit relative movement between the arms 28 and the panel 18 additional to movement about the respective axes of pivotal coupling.

Abstract: An opening roof comprises a frame which surrounds an opening in a roof of a vehicle and a rigid panel movable with respect to the frame to expose portions of the opening for ventilation purposes. The frame includes a flange which projects outwardly from a depending web to overlie a portions of the roof surrounding the opening. The frame is secured in position by clamping strips which act between the outer face of the web and the lower face of the roof remote from the flange, and screws which project through openings in the web to urge the strips into engagement with the web and the flange into engagement with the roof.

Abstract: In order to mount a sunshine roof assembly in the roof of a vehicle a mounting ring 10 is fitted in an aperture in the vehicle roof. The mounting ring has a downwardly extending flange 20 on three of its sides which project through the aperture in the vehicle roof. The fourth side 22 is of U-shaped cross-section so as to embrace the corresponding edge of the aperture. The mounting ring is fitted into the aperture from above and secured to the vehicle roof. The sunshine roof assembly is then fitted from below and secured to the downwardly extending flange 20 on three of the sides of the aperture.

Abstract: A vehicle opening roof comprises a frame which surrounds a longitudinal opening in the roof of a vehicle and a panel assembly which is guided between spaced parallel guide rails forming the side members of the frame. A transverse mounting member is slidably guided between the guide rails and incorporates a handle-operated locking mechanism for engagement with a front rail at the front end of the frame to lock the panel assembly in the closed position. The mounting member also incorporates a first bracket for connection to a rigid panel, a second bracket for connection to a rigid flap at the forward end of a flexible covering, and a transmission mechanism for connection to the flap and operable in synchronism with the handle-operated locking mechanism to draw the flap down into engagement with the roof at the front end of the opening.

Abstract: In an opening roof assembly for an opening in the roof of a vehicle the roof covering is tightened or released by a handle mechanism which is coupled to a flap through a pair of rods. The rods are moved towards and away from each other in response to rotation of the handle mechanism. The free ends of the rods work in inclined slots in downwardly depending flanges on the flap so that relative movement between the rods causes the flap to move angularly with respect to a front cross-member of the roof assembly on which it is pivotally mounted. Rotation of the handle mechanism in a direction to tighten the covering is accompanied by the flap being drawn down into close sealing engagement with the roof around the front of the opening.

Abstract: In an opening roof assembly for a vehicle a flexible fabric covering is supported by a number of slidably mounted cross-members which are guided at their ends in guide rails, and the guide rails form the side members of a unitary frame adapted to be received in an opening in a roof of a vehicle and secured to the roof.