Abstract: A vehicle roof contains a first movable roof part, a guide device for displacing the first roof part relative to a second roof part for optionally at least partially opening and closing a roof opening. The guide device contains first and second lateral guide rails of a lateral guide and at least one third guide rail of a central guide, in which the first roof part is guided with front and rear slide bearings adjacent to its front and rear edges. In order to be able to increase further the comfort in a motor vehicle, it is provided that the front slide bearings are guided in the first and second guide rails of the lateral guide and the rear slide bearing is guided in the central guide.

Abstract: Providing a cover storage member 30, which constitutes the rear end of the roof of a vehicle, and a guiding means 40 for transferring the cover storage member 30 between the position at the rear end of the roof and the position inside the vehicle. The cover storage member 30 shall be equipped with a winding means for winding up the cover member. The guiding means 40 shall be equipped with rails 41 installed between the position at the rear end of the roof and the position inside the vehicle, and a transferring means for moving the cover storage member 30.

Abstract: According to a slider structure of a sunroof apparatus, the apparatus includes: a roof panel attached to an opening of a fixed roof; a panel support stay, where a cam groove is formed, is fixed to a side edge of the roof panel; and a slider that moves along a guide rail, is engaged with the cam groove through a pin, and tilts and slides the roof panel, wherein the slider structure includes: a pair of lifters that interpose the panel support stay, are divided, and are engaged with the cam groove through the pin; and a pair of slide shoes that are attached to the lifters, respectively, are connected with each other, integrate the lifters, and are slid on the guide rail.

Abstract: A passenger vehicle roof includes front and rear roof parts. The front roof part is longitudinally slidable. The front roof part cooperates with the rear roof part via a control lever such that upon an opening longitudinal motion of the front roof part the control lever lowers the rear roof part in a forcibly guided manner and upon a closing longitudinal motion of the front roof part the control lever raises the rear roof part.

Abstract: A sunroof system for a motor vehicle includes two guide rails at least approximately parallel to one another and a slide in each guide rail. The slide is displaceable in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. A front opening mechanism and a rear opening mechanism are assigned to a front edge and a rear edge, respectively, of a cover of the sunroof system. The front opening mechanism has a transmission lever and the rear opening mechanism has an opening lever. The slide, when displaced rearwards along the guide rail, is first coupled to the rear opening mechanism and then to the front opening mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sliding roof for a vehicle including a plurality of roof panels separately mounted on an opening of a fixed roof of the vehicle in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, a guide frame attached at a lower portion of each side edge of the opening, and an anchor installed into the guide frame to engage with at least part of the roof panel, so as to assist open-close operations of the plurality of the roof panels in the vicinity of a closed state thereof. Sliding of sliders attached to the each guide frame allows the plurality of the roof panels to open or close in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle. The sliding roof for a vehicle further includes a guide member installed into the guide frame to guide a movement of engagement portions of the plurality of the roof panels adjacent in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The anchor and the guide member are installed into an identical groove formed on the guide frame.

Abstract: A vehicle with a sliding glass roof system capable of operating in multiple modes, such as a rear liftgate, a sunroof, a retractable roof, and a convertible, is provided. The vehicle includes a retractable glass roof, lift glass, and carrier assembly in a single system. In an exemplary embodiment, the vehicle includes a sliding roof panel configured to engage a carrier that also holds and supports a glass cargo liftgate. The sliding roof panel is configured to open in a sunroof and a convertible mode. The glass cargo liftgate is configured to open as a liftgate and in the convertible mode. The sliding roof and liftgate system includes a combination of attachments, gas struts, hinges, latches, seals and the like.

Abstract: A vehicle roof having a folding arrangement and a device for receiving the folding arrangement. The folding arrangement has a plurality of slats which are arranged parallel to one another, wherein adjacent slats are coupled along respective longitudinal sides by an elastomer. The folding arrangement is moveable between a closed position, in which the slats block an opening in the roof and an open position, in which the slats are retracted and folded together into the device.

Abstract: A vehicle roof having an opening, a folding arrangement, and a device for receiving the folding arrangement. The folding arrangement has at least two slats made of plastic which are arranged parallel to one another, and the folding arrangement can be retracted, while being folded, into the device in order to at least partially unblock the opening. The folding arrangement closes the opening completely when in the closed position. The slats are curved as a result of bracing when in the closed position and are oriented in a substantially flat and plane-parallel manner when retracted into the device.

Abstract: A sliding roof structure of a vehicle includes rails 5a, 5b installed on the right and left roof side portions of the vehicle and a cover member 2 that can be slid and folded along the rails 5a, 5b, wherein the cover member 2 is comprised of a detachable inner cover member 30 and an outer cover member 40, which is slid along the rails 5a, 5b and to which the inner cover member 30 is mounted in detachable state, or the cover member 2 is comprised of a base cover member 7, which is made by attaching a bottom cover sheet 9 to the bottom frame member 10, and a top cover member 8, which is made by attaching a top cover sheet 8a to the top frame member 14, either the top frame member 14 or the bottom frame member 10 is equipped with an engaging portion 14a and the other with a groove 12 for supporting the engaging portion 14a, and the engaging portion 14a is inserted into the groove 12 and the top cover member 8 attached to the base cover member 7 in detachable state.

Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle comprises a roof opening in a fixed roof part and a roof assembly having a movable panel for opening and closing said roof opening. At opposite sides of the panel flexible cover members are provided for covering lateral gaps created when the panel moves towards an open position. Further it comprises two guide members extending along corresponding opposite sides of the roof opening for guiding respective parts of the open roof construction. The cover members are integrally connected with the respective guide members.

Abstract: A vehicular sunroof apparatus includes a front panel, a rear panel, a linking rod, a rod-locking part, and a slider linking part. The linking rod is connected to a rear slider provided for opening the rear panel. The rod-locking part is disposed on a vehicle roof for locking a distal end of the linking rod when the rear panel is in a fully closed state. The slider linking part is provided on a front slider provided for opening/closing the front panel. The slider linking part is designed to engage with the distal end part and to release the distal end part from the locking engagement with the rod-locking part when the front slider moves from a fully closed position to a half-open position.

Abstract: In a sun roof system, a panel bracket (13) attached to a sun roof panel (11) is provided with a guide slot (14) having a prescribed profile and extending in a fore-and-aft direction, and is slidably supported on a guide rail (21) by a front slider (15) and a rear slider (16). The rear slider is provided with a pin (17c) engaged by the guide slot. The panel bracket is also provided with a front cam piece (41) and a rear cam piece (42) slidably supported by the guide rail. The guide rail is provided with a horizontal main cam groove (21b, 21d), a front cam groove (43) for smoothly guiding the front cam piece into and out of the main cam groove and a rear cam groove for smoothly guiding the rear cam piece into and out of the main cam groove.

Abstract: An open roof construction and roof assembly for a vehicle comprises a stationary roof part, a roof opening provided therein and a panel which is slideable for opening and closing said roof opening. The panel and stationary roof part are provided with a pin and curve part assembly for guiding and locking the panel in its closing position. The curve part is provided with an extension part projecting from the curve part for engaging the arriving pin and leading it into curve formed in the curve part, said-extension part being movable between an extended position when the panel is in its opening position and a collapsed position when the panel is in its closing position.

Abstract: A vehicle includes a wheeled frame and sidewalls with a cockpit therein. A top is provided having a perimeter contoured for engaging a sidewall perimeter in a closed position and providing a canopy for the cargo/living space in an open position. Linear actuators are provided for moving the top between the open and closed positions along with a motor mechanism for operating the linear actuation. A panel moveably attached to the top enables operator entry and exit from the vehicle with the top in the closed position through an access provided by the panel.

Abstract: An outer sliding sunroof apparatus having a roof panel attached to an opening of a fixed roof of a vehicle, a drive device for opening and closing the roof panel, and a control unit for controlling the drive device includes a load detector for detecting load applied to the drive device when the roof panel in a closed state is tilted up and moved toward a rear of the vehicle, wherein when the load detector detects the load not less than a predetermined amount of load, the control unit is configured to move the roof panel in the closing direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a shade assembly for a transparent bodywork surface (10) of a vehicle, said assembly comprising at least one section of variable light transmission. The assembly comprises at least one film, whose light transmission characteristics can be modified by the application of an electric current. According to the invention, the film forms part of a displaceable window blind web (12). The invention also relates to a vehicle roof comprising a roof opening, which is closed by a transparent pane (10) and can be shaded by a shade assembly as cited in the invention.

Abstract: An integrated plastic window assembly for an automotive vehicle having molded-in functional features includes molded-in guide members to guide a movable panel within or across a plastic fixed panel. In one embodiment adapted to an automotive backlite, a movable panel slidably resides in guide members molded in the lateral edges of a fixed panel. In another embodiment adapted to a sunroof, the window assembly includes a fixed panel molded with a frame having molded-in guide members in which a movable panel slidably resides.

Abstract: A retractable roof assembly for a vehicle is provided that includes relatively movable rigid panels that are positioned to cover a passenger/cargo compartment of the vehicle in an extended position and that are stacked one above another in a retracted position. A telescoping track is provided on opposite lateral sides of the vehicle to guide movement of the roof panels. D-pillars of the roof assembly are slidable between a position wherein they are spaced from the C-pillars to a retracted position in which the D-pillars are adjacent to the C-pillars. Side windows of the vehicle are retracted into the rear quarter panel area of the vehicle.

Abstract: A panel system for use within an interior of a vehicle includes a panel member configured for placement along the overhead portion of the interior of the vehicle. A support member substantially surrounds the panel member and is configured for attachment to the vehicle. The support member includes frame segments interconnected by connectors. At least one fastener is provided for securing the panel member to the support member. An accessory mounted is to a receiving structure on a frame segment and is configured for use by an occupant of the vehicle.

Abstract: An open air system can be utilized on a vehicle with a liftgate configuration. The open air system does not interfere or hinder operation of the liftgate between the open and closed positions. The open air system can include one or more roof panels that are moveable relative to the vehicle roof to provide an open air motoring experience. The moveable panels can be moved to a position above or below the liftgate. The moveable panels can move with the liftgate between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A modular roof of an automobile (1) comprising a bodyshell roof structure (2) which has a front and rear transverse member (3 or 4) and a right and left side member (5 or 6). The modular roof has at least two modular roof elements (7, 14, 15) which are fixed directly to the roof structure (2). The modular roof elements (7, 14, 15), which extend over the entire breadth of the roof structure, are preferably fixed, especially releasably fixed, to the side members (5, 6) which lie opposite each other.

Abstract: A drive apparatus for an opening/closing body for a vehicle includes a drive unit including a rotational drive apparatus, a reduction gear mechanism linked with a rotational shaft of the rotational drive apparatus, and an output member linked with the rotational shaft through the reduction gear mechanism and linked with the opening/closing body through a connection member, a first pulse signal generator provided at the drive unit and generating a first pulse signal on the basis of a rotation of the rotational shaft, a second pulse signal generator provided at the drive unit and generating a second pulse signal on the basis of a rotation of either one of the reduction gear mechanism and the output member, and a control means for calculating an opening/closing position of the opening/closing body on the basis of the first pulse signal emitted by the first pulse signal generator utilizing the second pulse signal emitted by the second pulse signal generator as a base point and controlling the rotational drive app

Abstract: An open air system for an automotive vehicle includes a roof panel, which can be retracted to a stowed position below a storage compartment cover. In another aspect of the present invention, two or more generally rigid roof panels are movable from above a passenger compartment to below a generally horizontal plane. A further aspect of the present invention provides a back window, which can be raised and lowered.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cover for a sliding roof system having at least two guide elements, which are movably arranged on two opposite sides of the cover such that the distance between them is variable. The two guide elements are each attached in a sliding guide, which predefines a displacement direction for the guide elements that differs from the displacement direction of the cover, such that the cover is centered with regard to the two guide elements. The invention also relates to a sliding roof system having two guide tracks, which extend along a roof of a motor vehicle at a changing distance, and a cover.

Abstract: An open air system (21) for an automotive vehicle includes a roof panel (23, 25), which can be retracted to a stowed position below a storage compartment cover (29). In another aspect of the present invention, two or more generally rigid roof panels (23, 25) are movable from above a passenger compartment (33) to below a generally horizontal plane (261). A further aspect of the present invention provides a back window (27), which can be raised and lowered.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided that includes a roof with a roof opening and a rear body portion with a rear opening. Spaced apart guide rails are supported on an exterior surface of the roof. A retractable roof panel is supported on the guide rails by guide members that move along the guide rails along a path. The roof opening and the roof panel extend to the rearward end where the roof panel defines a rear header. The retractable roof panel may be driven from a closed positioned forward to an open position where the roof panel is adjacent to the exterior surface of the roof. The rear gate assembly, which is arranged in the rear opening, may be opened to provide access to the rear cargo area of the vehicle. With the rear gate assembly and retractable roof panel open, large items may be slid into the cargo area and may extend above the plane of the roof.

Abstract: An open air system (21) for an automotive vehicle includes a roof panel (23, 25), which can be retracted to a stowed position below a storage compartment cover (29). In another aspect of the present invention, two or more generally rigid roof panels (23, 25) are movable from above a passenger compartment (33) to below a generally horizontal plane (261). A further aspect of the present invention provides a back window (27), which can be raised and lowered.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided that includes a roof with a roof opening and a rear body portion with a rear opening. Spaced apart guide rails are supported on an exterior surface of the roof. A retractable roof panel is supported on the guide rails by guide members that move along the guide rails along a path. The roof opening and the roof panel extend to the rearward end where the roof panel defines a rear header. The retractable roof panel may be driven from a closed positioned forward to an open position where the roof panel is adjacent to the exterior surface of the roof. The rear gate assembly, which is arranged in the rear opening, may be opened to provide access to the rear cargo area of the vehicle. With the rear gate assembly and retractable roof panel open, large items may be slid into the cargo area and may extend above the plane of the roof.

Abstract: An open air system (21) for an automotive vehicle includes a roof panel (23, 25), which can be retracted to a stowed position below a storage compartment cover (29). In another aspect of the present invention, two or more generally rigid roof panels (23, 25) are movable from above a passenger compartment (33) to below a generally horizontal plane (261). A further aspect of the present invention provides a back window (27), which can be raised and lowered.

Abstract: An open air system (21) for an automotive vehicle includes a roof panel (23, 25), which can be retracted to a stowed position below a storage compartment cover (29). In another aspect of the present invention, two or more generally rigid roof panels (23, 25) are movable from above a passenger compartment (33) to below a generally horizontal plane (261). A further aspect of the present invention provides a back window (27), which can be raised and lowered.

Abstract: A motor vehicle sun screen device for a vehicle roof module has at least one guideway which extends from back to front in a longitudinal direction of a roof module, a housing which is mounted on the roof module, a first sun screen that can be moved forward from the housing and that is guided in the guideway, at least one cassette mounted on the lower edge of the first sun screen, and a second sun screen contained in the cassette.

Abstract: A roof arrangement is particularly useful in a passenger car with a sliding cover which is provided for closing or partially exposing a roof opening and is linked to a lateral guiding device. The roof arrangement also has an element which can be moved with the cover and has a connection line as well as a line guiding device for the connection line. In order to be able to lay the connection line for the element in a simple manner, a screen which can be moved with the cover and which at least partially covers the lateral guiding device is provided. The connection line is guided on the screen.

Abstract: A motor vehicle having a front roof region which has a roof opening which may be closed by a sliding convertible top, having a rear roof region which includes roof columns connected to one another via a body crossmember, and having sliding guidance of the sliding convertible top along lateral guides of the front and rear roof regions, the sliding convertible top being guided roughly horizontally rearwardly in the front roof region and so as to be lowered downwardly into a stowage position in the rear roof region by the guides. The guides in the rear roof region are arranged on a side of the roof columns which faces the interior space of the motor vehicle, the sliding convertible top being guided in front of the body crossmember of the rear roof region between the roof columns.

Abstract: The sunroof system (1) for a vehicle (2) comprises, for guiding the movement of the panels (3, 4), two parallel curved runners (5) fixed to the bodywork of the vehicle and each extending between a point (A) close to the front of the central panel (4) and a point (B) close to the bottom of the rear boot (7) of the vehicle and the rear part (9) of the cabin (6).

Abstract: A cover assembly is secured to a panel and operable to selectively cover or reveal an opening in the panel. The cover assembly includes a sliding cover and a housing. The housing is secured to the panel and includes lateral and vertical guide members. The lateral guide members engage the cover and maintain the cover in alignment with the opening as the cover is moved between an open position and a closed position. The vertical guide members engage a lower surface of the cover and serve to bias the cover upwardly as the cover is moved into the closed position so that the cover upper surface is substantially flush with the panel upper surface when the cover is closed.

Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle having a roof opening includes a closure element for the roof opening, which is driven by a driving element. The closure element can be locked in at least one position with respect to the vehicle, whilst the driving element can be disconnected from the closure element in that position for the purpose of driving another element. A coupling arm is pivotally connected to the closure element and engages the driving element. The coupling arm, in a first pivoted position thereof, is substantially rigidly connected to the driving element, and in a second pivoted position the closure element is fixed in position with respect to the vehicle the guide, whilst on the other hand the driving element is made movable with respect to the coupling arm and the closure element.

Abstract: A roof arrangement for a vehicle, which is particularly useful in a passenger car, has a roof frame, a sliding cover, and two lateral guideways, in which the sliding cover is movably guided for closing or at least partially exposing a roof opening. The sliding cover interacts with several bearing devices. Each bearing device, on one side, is linked to the sliding cover and, on the other side, is supported by way of a guiding element in one of the guideways. Each of the bearing devices has a lever arrangement which is fastened to the guiding element as well as to the sliding cover in a pivot bearing. In order to avoid bearing device rattling noise when the sliding cover is open, the lever arrangement is supported in its pivot bearing against at least one of the guiding element and the sliding lid by way of an elastic element made of a rubber-elastic material.

Abstract: A openable motor vehicle roof with at least one cover (10, 12) which can be moved out of a closed position in which it closes a roof opening along a roof guideway (14) to the rear into a deposited position in a rear gate (16) of the motor vehicle. The rear gate is provided with a guideway (22) for the at least one cover and is coupled to the vehicle body to swing about a transverse pivot axis that is located on or near its upper end in order to be swung out of the closed position into an open position. The guideways (14, 22) and the rear gate (16) are made such that the transfer of the at least one cover to the rear gate takes place in a transfer position of the rear gate which lies between the closed position and the open position of the rear gate (16).

Abstract: A covering system for a rear passenger seat of an automotive vehicle includes a panel that is positionable in an extended position that generally conceals the rear passenger seat and a retracted position that generally reveals the passenger seat. The covering system further includes an automatic drive system capable of driving the panel between the extended position and the retracted position. The covering system of the present invention enables a four-seat convertible vehicle to be quickly and conveniently converted into a two-seat roadster-style vehicle.

Abstract: A sliding roof device includes a housing disposed along at least front edge of an opening formed on a roof of a vehicle, a casing disposed along the housing, a driving force transmitting member slidably mounted and guided in the housing and driven by a driving mechanism and a sliding panel connected to the driving force transmitting member and being movable so as to open and close the opening by the sliding movement of the driving force transmitting member, wherein the casing is formed by a flexible raw material and a plural engaging portions which are displaced at least one of upper and lower and front and rear are formed on the housing, and wherein the casing is securely engaged with the engaging portions so as to be arranged zigzag.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided that includes a roof with a roof opening and a rear body portion with a rear opening. Spaced apart guide rails are supported on an exterior surface of the roof. A retractable roof panel is supported on the guide rails by guide members that move along the guide rails along a path. The roof opening and the roof panel extend to the rearward end where the roof panel defines a rear header. The retractable roof panel may be driven from a closed positioned forward to an open position where the roof panel is adjacent to the exterior surface of the roof. The rear gate assembly, which is arranged in the rear opening, may be opened to provide access to the rear cargo area of the vehicle. With the rear gate assembly and retractable roof panel open, large items may be slid into the cargo area and may extend above the plane of the roof.

Abstract: A subassembly element in the form of an intermediate product for a multipart cover element for motor vehicles contains at least two subassembly parts, e.g., for a multipart sunroof or sliding roof cover or for a multipart loading zone or cargo space cover, containing edge regions on the adjacent edges of the subassembly parts which are correspondingly shaped such that they had least partially overlap in the closed position. All subassembly parts are present in the form of one connected-together part and are shaped in accordance with the predetermined contour of the cover element. A channel-shaped depression is arranged at least in the outer side of the subassembly element in the edge region in which two respective subassembly parts adjoin one another. The contour of the channel-shaped depression is comprised of the desired contours of the edge regions of adjacent subassembly parts of the respective cover element.

Abstract: A convertible track system for an automotive vehicle includes a plurality of frame members each having a predetermined surface area, at least one of the frame members having a portion of exposed surface area adapted to receive a mounting mechanism thereon.

Abstract: A openable motor vehicle roof with at least one cover (10, 12) which can be moved out of a closed position in which it closes a roof opening along a roof guideway (14) to the rear into a deposited position in a rear gate (16) of the motor vehicle. The rear gate is provided with a guideway (22) for the at least one cover and is coupled to the vehicle body to swing about a transverse pivot axis that is located on or near its upper end in order to be swung out of the closed position into an open position. The guideways (14, 22) and the rear gate (16) are made such that the transfer of the at least one cover to the rear gate takes place in a transfer position of the rear gate which lies between the closed position and the open position of the rear gate (16).

Abstract: This invention relates to an air bag system for accommodation behind a vehicle covering. The air bag system contains an air bag, which advances in a main inflating direction when the air bag system is triggered, and a gas generator for supplying the air bag with pressure gas during triggering of the air bag system. The gas generator and the air bag are connected by a gas distributing duct which extends at least partially at an angle with respect to the main inflating direction of the air bag. In this case, the gas distributing duct is formed of air bag material. Furthermore, the invention relates to a manufacturing process and a triggering process for such an air bag system as well as to a motor vehicle having such an air bag system, of which at least the air bag is arranged on a sliding roof frame part.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided that includes a roof with a roof opening and a rear body portion with a rear opening. Spaced apart guide rails are supported on an exterior surface of the roof. A retractable roof panel is supported on the guide rails by guide members that move along the guide rails along a path. The roof opening and the roof panel extend to the rearward end where the roof panel defines a rear header. The retractable roof panel may be driven from a closed positioned forward to an open position where the roof panel is adjacent to the exterior surface of the roof. The rear gate assembly, which is arranged in the rear opening, may be opened to provide access to the rear cargo area of the vehicle. With the rear gate assembly and retractable roof panel open, large items may be slid into the cargo area and may extend above the plane of the roof.

Abstract: A sunroof assembly is provided for securing to an exterior surface of a vehicle roof. The vehicle roof has exterior and interior surfaces. Opposing rails are secured to opposing sides of the exterior surface of the vehicle roof. A sunroof is supported between the rails and is movable between closed and opened positions with the sunroof disposed in a sunroof opening in the closed position. A housing, which is preferably a portion of a deflector, is secured to the exterior of the vehicle roof. In the preferred embodiment which incorporates a deflector, the deflector is secured between the opposing rails. A drive motor is disposed in the housing for moving the sunroof between the closed and opened positions. At least one drive element interconnects the drive motor and the sunroof. Since the drive motor and housing are located exteriorly on the vehicle roof, the sunroof assembly may be installed as a single unit and multi-piece drive elements are unnecessary.

Abstract: A roof arrangement for a vehicle, which is particularly useful in a passenger car, has a roof frame, a sliding cover, and two lateral guideways, in which the sliding cover is movably guided for closing or at least partially exposing a roof opening. The sliding cover interacts with several bearing devices. Each bearing device, on one side, is linked to the sliding cover and, on the other side, is supported by way of a guiding element in one of the guideways. Each of the bearing devices has a lever arrangement which is fastened to the guiding element as well as to the sliding cover in a pivot bearing. In order to avoid bearing device rattling noise when the sliding cover is open, the lever arrangement is supported in its pivot bearing against at least one of the guiding element and the sliding lid by way of an elastic element made of a rubber-elastic material.

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.