Abstract: The invention relates to an open roof-construction for a vehicle having a roof opening, comprising a panel, which is movable from the closed position in the roof opening to a rearwardly and downwardly inclined position, from which the panel is displaceable to a completely or partially opened position under the fixed roof, whereafter the panel may be returned again to the closed position, while furthermore the panel can be moved from the closed position to a rearwardly and upwardly inclined ventilation position and from this ventilation position can be moved back again to the closed position, while for displacing the panel a pull-push means on at least one side engages a slide plate which is guided in a stationary, substantially horizontal rail, the panel being displaceably supported near its front side, while the panel and the slide plate are connected with each other at a distance from the front side of the panel by a relatively pivotally moveable two leg link connection means having a guide pin on one leg,

Abstract: A movable roof apparatus for vehicles includes a movable roof disposed on a roof of the vehicle so as to open and close an aperture formed in the roof. Seal member is provided on a rim portion of one of the movable roof, thereby the movable roof being positioned in the aperture in the airtight state. A driving mechanism is provided on the roof and operatively connected with the movable roof through a cam mechanism for moving the movable roof.

Abstract: A sliding/lifting roof for motor vehicles having a cover closing an opening in the roof in its closed position and, at both longitudinal sides of the opening in the roof, being guided in a slideable manner, by means of a respective guiding member in a longitudinal guide. The cover is disposed so that it can be pivoted around a swivel axis extending transversely, is connected, via a tilt-out mechanism, with a drive member, and, by a sliding of the drive member, can be swung out, while lifting its rear edge, above the roof surface, or is slideable, by lowering its rear edge, under the fixed roof surface. The tilt-out mechanism has a link that is connected with the drive member and a tilt-out lever that engages with the link, with the tilt-out lever being rotatably coupled to the cover and, with respect to the link, being longitudinally movable in the sliding direction of the roof by a certain distance as well as being swingable.

Abstract: A method for installing a modular sliding roof panel assembly in a vehicle having an opening in the roof. The sliding roof panel assembly includes a roof panel movably mounted on a housing. A reinforcement ring having a central aperture with a shape complementary to the shape of the roof opening is connected to the housing prior to attachment of the reinforcement ring to the edges of the stationary roof structure bounding the roof opening.

Abstract: A telescopic winch for tilting a cover closing a roof opening in a motor vehicle, with a plurality of threaded parts, screwable into one another, of which the outermost or innermost is connected with an axially fixed wheel and the other threaded part is connected with the cover. In order to make a telescopic winch of this type electrically drivable and to provide it with an emergency manual drive, provision is made for a crown gear to be on an outside jacket of the wheel, said crown gear being in mesh with a worm shaft of an electric motor unit, and for the mesh between the crown gear and worm shaft to be releasable. Separation between the crown gear and the worm shaft can be accomplished either by removing the wheel or by pivoting the electric motor unit.

Abstract: A vehicle roof provided with an opening closable by a cover and a frame of substantially U-shaped cross section extending along the edge of the roof opening. One side of the substantially U-shaped frame is higher than the other side thereof, and the higher side extends outside of the vehicle in the form of a flange for covering the edge of the vehicle roof defining the opening. A clamping arrangement for pressing the flange against the outer surface of the roof is provided, near the higher side, inside of the vehicle. To facilitate the installation of such a vehicle cover, especially in the case of a used vehicle, the clamping arrangement comprises a plurality of retaining plates which are pressed against the vehicle roof by screws. When the screws have been loosened, the retaining plates can be pivoted so that the frame can be introduced from outside of the vehicle into the roof opening without removing the retaining plates and screws.

Abstract: A sliding roof for automobiles, comprising a raisable lid associated with a roof opening, which lid is pivotally journalled in the region of its forward edge about a horizontal axis oriented transversely to the direction of travel, is supported slidably on lateral guide rails on the forward third of its length and thereby can be displaced partly over the rear, fixed roof surface in its raised position while maintaining its raised angle, a raising device consisting of a threaded telescopic device participating displacements being provided in the region of the support on each side of the lid, the threaded nut of which is connected rotationally locked with a pinion coaxial therewith, which is in engagement with a threaded cable, journalled displaceably in tension and compression transmitting manner, of a drive device.

Abstract: A vehicle sunroof with a cover closing a roof hatch, said cover being slidable rearward under the roof to open the roof hatch, and having two laterally directed, lengthwise displaceable brake rods, as well as two first guide parts running lengthwise of the vehicle along both sides of the cover. A roof frame extends rearward on both sides of the roof hatch, to which frame second guide parts, complementary to the first guide parts, are fastened, said parts meshing with the first guide parts and locating them in the vertical direction. In order to facilitate manufacture and installation of a vehicle sunroof of this type, provision is made for the roof frame to have a sloping surface on each side, opposite the ends of the brake rods in each intermediate open position, and an approximately horizontal support surface abutting said areas laterally and externally, for coacting with the brake rods despite variations in their lengthwise adjustment.

Abstract: A lifter apparatus for moving a roof panel between closed, open and vent positions in an opening of a roof of a vehicle. The lifter apparatus includes a link pivotally connected at a first end to a slidable guide shoe mounted in a longitudinally extending guide rail attached to the vehicle. The second end of the link is slidingly disposed in an aperture formed in an attachment member secured to the roof panel. A cam block mounted on the guide shoe engages the attachment member to urge the attachment member upward such that the roof panel is urged into registry with the roof opening to close the roof opening. Further movement of the guide shoe causes the link to pivot about the first end to a substantially vertical orientation such that the second end of the link slides along the aperture in the attachment member and urges the attachment member and roof panel upward to the vent position.

Abstract: A stretcher is arranged to span an intervening space between adjacent two brackets for the installation of a sliding roof frame with a view to uniformly stretching a portion of a headlining adjacent the two brackets.

Abstract: A crank drive for the control of the sliding movement and of the tilting movement of the cover of sliding-lifting roofs of motor vehicles. A crank is provided that is rotatably disposed on a support to be mounted in a stationary manner, with said support having an internal toothing that is concentric with respect to the rotating axis of the crank, a toothed ring having an external toothing being in mating engagement with said internal toothing. The toothed ring is disposed on an eccentric firmly connected with the crank, with respect to rotation, so that it can be rotated around an axis which, with respect to the rotating axis of the crank, is radially displaced by an amount that is about equal to the difference of the tooth-root circle radii.

Abstract: A modular sliding roof panel assembly for a vehicle having an opening in the roof. The sliding roof panel assembly includes a movable roof panel having front and rear guide shoes engaging guide tracks mounted to an integrally formed plastic housing affixed to the interior side of the vehicle roof. Guide blocks secured to the longitudinal edges of the movable roof panel have cam tracks formed therein which are engaged by a cam follower mounted on the rear guide shoes to lower the rear edge of the movable roof panel below the stationary roof of the vehicle as the roof panel slides to the open position and to raise the rear edge of the roof panel above the stationary roof structure when the movable roof panel is pivoted about the front end. A water trough extending transversely across the rear edge of the housing is connected to the front guide shoes for sliding movement therewith.

Abstract: A pivotal-sliding roof panel apparatus for a vehicle having an opening in the roof. The apparatus includes a housing securable to the roof structure of the vehicle. A movable roof panel is slidably mounted within the housing and is selectively movable between closed, fully-opened and partially opened, venting positions. A drive motor and a pair of drive belts are connected to the movable roof panel for selectively moving the movable roof panel between various positions. Guide rails are mounted on the housing for directing the sliding movement of the movable roof panel. First and second lifters are mounted on opposed sides of the roof panel and are operative for raising and lowering the roof panel.

Abstract: An edge trim and weather seal assembly for a movable sun roof of a vehicle comprises an edge strip secured in use around an edge of a sun roof panel by means of a bonding agent, and a seal strip mounted on the edge strip to form a weather seal with the vehicle roof opening. The edge strip has top and bottom flanges overlying upper and lower edge portions of the sun roof panel and secured thereto by the bonding agent, and a recess or well portion in the bottom flange receives excess bonding agent and prevents its spillage out onto the exposed part of the sun roof panel. The seal strip has a locating edge portion for engaging the recess in the bottom flange of the edge trim to retain the seal strip on the edge trim.

Abstract: A sliding roof structure for an automobile body including a roof panel formed with a roof opening defined by a downwardly bent peripheral flange, a roof side rail formed at each side of the roof panel, a reinforcement member of an inverted channel shape having a downwardly extending inboard flange, a substantially horizontal top wall and a downwardly extending outboard flange. The reinforcement member is attached at the inboard flange with the peripheral flange of the roof panel and a sliding roof carrying frame is attached to the roof side rails through brackets. The reinforcement member has locating pins downwardly extending for engagement with locating holes in the frame.

Abstract: A sunroof for a roof opening defined by a downward facing roof flange includes a rectangular carrier frame which underlies the roof flange and has a central sunroof opening therein. A glass closure panel is connected to the front of the carrier frame by hinges permitting pivoting of the closure panel to an angularly raised ventilator position. A seal mounted on the carrier frame is adapted for vertically compressed sealing engagement with both the roof flange and the closure panel. A track extends longitudinally along each side of the roof opening. A rear guide block slidable along the track is connected to the carrier frame by a lifter link which is pivoted to the carrier frame and stands vertically upright to hold the carrier frame closed against the roof panel and compress the seal therebetween. The lifter link is connected to the rear guide block by a pin and slot connection which permits the lifter link to remain vertically upright and stationary while the rear guide block is driven further forward.

Abstract: A modular sliding roof panel assembly for a vehicle having an opening in the roof. The sliding roof panel assembly includes a movable roof panel having front and rear guide shoes engaging guide tracks mounted to an integrally formed plastic housing affixed to the interior side of the vehicle roof. Guide blocks secured to the longitudinal edges of the movable roof panel have cam tracks formed therein which are engaged by a cam follower mounted on the rear guide shoes to lower the rear edge of the movable roof panel below the stationary roof of the vehicle as the roof panel slides to the open position and to raise the rear edge of the roof panel above the stationary roof structure when the movable roof panel is pivoted about the front end. A water trough extending transversely across the rear edge of the housing is connected to the front guide shoes for sliding movement therewith.

Abstract: A protector for a movable panel within a roof aperture is disclosed. In order to urge all of the rain drops and the like to drop into a water collecting channel fixed relative to the roof, the protector is formed with a downwardly extending lip which when the movable panel is in its closed position assumes a position above the center line of the water collecting channel.

Abstract: A sun roof is arranged to descend without tilting (thus avoiding abrasion of the weather stripping) into a space below the roof panel and thereafter to slide into a housing for same. The actuating mechanism either reduces or maintains the distance between the shoes, which serve as bogies for the roof, to induce smooth sliding of the unit when moving in and out of the storage position, and applies the driving force to the leading pair of shoes to further increase the smoothness of the sliding when moving the unit from the storage housing. When tilting the sun roof for ventilation, the mechanism lifts one end and maintains the other end essentially stationary by applying a slight lift which offsets the tendency for the other end to sink due to the tilting. Again the weather strip is protected from abrasion.

Abstract: A sliding roof panel arrangement for opening and closing an opening in the roof of a motor vehicle is provided with a crash protection construction for preventing the unintentional closing of an open sliding cover due to the influence of high inertial forces as occur from strong deceleration during a collision. In accordance with a first embodiment, a flyweight is pivotally connected to the sliding cover and is arranged so as to engage a notched bar mounted on a fixed roof portion under the influence of said high inertial forces. According to a modified embodiment, a safety belt arrangement is secured to the sliding cover at one end and is wound upon an automatic blocking roll-up mechanism secured to a fixed roof portion at its other end.

Abstract: A sliding roof for automobiles with a sliding top for closing a roof aperture in its closed position and which can be selectively lowered from its closed position and pushed underneath a fixed rearward roof section or can be swung out in an upward direction is provided with constraining or guide plates which are adjustable in the longitudinal direction of lateral guides for the sliding top. During closing of the sliding top, a guide member fixedly joined to the sliding top contacts these guide plates to direct the closed sliding top into its forward end position. Since these guide plates must be set in their proper positional relationship with the sliding top in its closed position, but can only be fixedly secured with the top in an open position, in accordance with a preferred embodiment, detent elements are provided which act to at least temporarily retain the guide plates in a position to which they have been adjusted without the securing element for the guide plates being engaged.

Abstract: A vehicle roof with a roof aperture of the type having a parametric frame and a displaceable closure panel for opening and closing the aperture is formed through the use of a pre-assembled installation unit which is attachable to the frame and upon which the closure panel is mounted. The installation unit comprises all of the parts necessary for guiding and displacing the closure panel operationally associated with each other in a manner enabling complete testing of the drive for the displaceable closure panel without attachment of the installation unit to the aperture frame.

Abstract: A sun-roof structure of an automobile body including a roof panel having a roof opening which is defined by a downwardly extending flange. The flange is comprised of an upper seat portion and a lower marginal portion. A sliding panel is adapted to close the roof opening and has a weather strip along its periphery so as to be engaged with the seat portion of the flange. An auxiliary panel has an inboard end formed with a downwardly extending flange which is welded to the marginal portion. The outboard edge portion of the auxiliary panel is secured to the inner surface of the roof panel. The guide rail for the sliding panel is secured to the auxiliary panel.

Abstract: A sliding roof assembly for motor vehicles comprises a translucent rigid sliding cover which covers a roof opening in its closed position and is slidable down and out of this position and behind a fixed rear roof part, a sliding headlining that is slidable relative to the sliding cover panel and jointly movable therewith, and an arrangement for automatically engaging the sliding headlining, when the sliding cover is open, for displacing the sliding headlining with the cover to an open position where they both disappear completely behind a stationary frame cover. An arrangement is also provided for returning the sliding headlining to an intermediate open position wherein a handle thereof projects out of the stationary frame cover when the sliding cover is closed.

Abstract: A sliding roof assembly for motor vehicles of the type having a translucent, rigid sliding cover that closes a roof opening of a fixed roof part in a closed position and is lowerable down and out of the opening and is slidable behind a rear roof part in an open position as well as a sliding headlining that is slidable independently of the sliding cover and jointly therewith is improved in accordance with the present invention by the construction of guide channels for the sliding headlining by surfaces of a U-shaped shield connected to the sliding cover and a portion of an upper surface of lateral tracks used to guide the sliding cover.

Abstract: A rigid cover assembly for vehicle roofs having an opening that can be opened or closed by displacement of a rigid cover panel is provided with a mounting arrangement for the cover panel that is simple to install, provides a good sealing action, and permits considerable dimensional tolerances for the cover panel, even when made of glass or the like. In accordance with preferred embodiments, a peripheral mounting frame is placed in abutment with the bottom edge surface area of the cover panel. This mounting frame is bent downward and outward and then extends upward at its outer edge area so as to have an essentially U- or V-shaped section upon which a sealing section is pushed on from above. The sealing section has a flange which peripherally overlies the top surface of the cover panel.

Abstract: A sliding roof panel for selectively covering or uncovering an opening in a vehicle is disclosed. The panel is supported by a pair of spaced apart parallel tracks disposed longitudinally above the vehicle roof on each side of the opening. The panel is movable from a first position wherein it is biased against the vehicle roof over the opening to a second position wherein the panel is raised above the vehicle roof and the supporting tracks to a third position wherein the panel is moved along the tracks uncovering the opening. A linkage actuated by a pivoting handle moves the panel from the first position to the second position. A cam operated interlock allows the panel to be moved from its first to its second position or from its second position to its first position only when the panel is vertically over the roof opening. The panel can be moved by hand from its first, to its second, and to its third position; and from its third to its second to its first position.

Abstract: A vehicle roof including a fixed roof provided with an opening, a rail unit disposed around the opening, and a sliding roof slidably guided by the rail unit to close or open the opening. The rail unit comprises a pair of lateral guide rails disposed on opposite sides of the opening, a front rail disposed on the forward side thereof, and a pair of cornering members each interposed between the front rail and one of the lateral guide rails so as to interconnect each other. The rail unit and the sliding roof may be assembled before installation to the vehicle body, and be fitted to the vehicle body by insertion through an aperture thereof.

Abstract: A sliding cover panel assembly for a motor vehicle roof that includes a cover panel that is slidably guided in tracks between positions opening and closing a roof opening via sliding shoes connected to the cover panel and having an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the height of the cover panel relative to the roof opening when the cover panel is in a position closing the roof opening. In a preferred embodiment, the height adjusting mechanism includes a lever that is mounted to the cover panel so as to be rotatable about an axis intermediate its ends, a locking arrangement associated with the lever securing the lever in any rotational position relative to the cover panel and a link arm having one end swivelably connected to an end of the lever and another end connected to a sliding shoe via a swivelable connection. By rotational adjustment of the lever of the height adjustment mechanism about its rotational axis, the height of the cover panel relative to the sliding shoe can be adjusted.

Abstract: A sliding closure panel assembly of the type wherein a cover panel is shifted between positions openings and closing an opening in a vehicle body member, such as a roof, is provided with lateral shields composed of overlapping essentially strip-shaped components. The shields are easily attached in place, are adjustable in width and cover gaps between a frame surrounding the body opening and the underside of the cover panel.

Abstract: A movable roof panel for vehicles having an opening in the roof is slidable between open and closed positions. A pair of longitudinally extending guide rails having recessed, horizontally disposed guide tracks therein, are connected to a frame assembly surrounding the edges of the roof opening. The guide tracks define a forward, vertically inclined portion and a rearward, substantially horizontal position. Front and rear guide pins extending from brackets connected to the longitudinal edges of the movable roof panel slidably engage the guide tracks to control the movement of the movable roof panel between open, closed and intermediate positions. Alternately, a stationary roof panel is disposed in the roof opening with the movable roof panel.

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 lifting device in a vehicle sliding roof device, wherein a link mechanism which connects the stay of a slide roof member to a slider slidably disposed on a guide rail is provided with a regulating member, and the guide rail is provided with a constraining member which constrains the lifting of the regulating member in association with the link mechanism. A cut-away portion for permitting vertical motion of the regulating member is provided at a slide roof member lifting position on the constraining member of the guide rail, and a lift guide is adjustably provided in the vicinity of such cut-away portion. In this manner, the slide roof member is lifted only at the position wherein the roof opening is closed, to thereby prevent the slide roof member from being lifted unexpectedly at a position other than such closed position.

Abstract: A vehicle, in particular a motor-car, provided with a sliding roof assembly. This sliding roof assembly comprises a sliding panel which is mounted in a frame so as to be movable forward and backward, and which closes a ventilating opening in its forward position and releases this ventilating opening in its opened position, while a roof plate, fastened on the frame, forms a covered portion behind this ventilating opening underneath which the sliding panel extends at least partly when in its opened position. The assembly consisting of the frame, the sliding panel and the roof plate is inserted from above into a substantially rectangular opening in the vehicle roof and is connected on the vehicle roof by means of a peripheral supporting rim of this assembly. The upper side of this assembly is provided with a cover. The supporting rim of the assembly is at least substantially flat in the direction perpendicular to the adjacent edge of the opening in the vehicle roof.

Abstract: A vehicle sunroof comprised of a movable panel which is either transparent, translucent, opaque, or solid where movement is controlled by activation of an electric motor which causes the movable panel to drop down and slide rearward into an opening between the vehicle roof and the interior upholstry and which includes a light-weight housing, a transporting mechanism for providing purely vertical movement to the panel, a sealing means, a threaded shaft, forward and rear slide blocks, a slide plate, a riser bar, a verticle slide, all combined into a single, self-contained unit.

Abstract: In a vehicle roof having a roof opening and a sliding panel for the roof opening, driving apparatus for the sliding panel including two rails mounted on the vehicle roof on each side of the panel for guiding the panel, shoe members engaging with each guide rail and provided on both sides of forward and rearward end portions of the sliding panel, a driving cable operatively connected to the rearward pair of shoe members for closing and opening the roof opening and a link member pivotally mounted between each rearward shoe and the panel and provided with an end tooth portion for frictional engagement with the guide rail. The tooth portion of the link member is engaged with the guide rail when the sliding panel is open, thereby preventing vibration of the sliding panel.