Patent ID: 6866323
Filing Date: 2005-03-15
Classification: B60J

Abstract:
1. A convertible vehicle ( 2 ) with a rigid retractable roof ( 1 ), the vehicle ( 2 ) including a front roof portion ( 3 ) and a rear roof portion ( 4 ), the rear roof portion ( 4 ) being pivotally mounted on the bodywork ( 6 ) of the vehicle ( 2 ) about a transverse pivot axis ( 5 ), the front roof portion ( 3 ) being pivotally mounted on either side of the vehicle ( 2 ) to one end ( 7 ) of each of two respective lever arms ( 8 ) hinged at their other ends ( 9 ) to the bodywork ( 6 ) of the vehicle, and being hinged at its rear end ( 10 ) to the front end ( 11 ) of the rear roof portion ( 4 ) in such a manner that when the roof system ( 1 ) is in its retracted position in the rear trunk ( 16 ) of the vehicle ( 2 ), the front roof portion ( 3 ) occupies a substantially horizontal position over the rear roof portion ( 4 ), the vehicle including in the front top portion of the rear trunk ( 16 ) a top transverse stiffening beam ( 50 ), the vehicle being characterized in that the length (L 1 ) in the longitudinal direction ( 12 ) of the rear roof portion ( 4 ) is greater than the length (L 2 ) of the front roof portion ( 3 ), and the transverse pivot axis ( 5 ) of the rear roof portion ( 4 ) is disposed so that when in the retracted position in the rear trunk ( 16 ) of the vehicle ( 2 ), the rear roof portion ( 4 ) occupies an inclined position going from the front bottom zone ( 13 ) situated at the bottom ( 14 ) of the rear trunk ( 16 ) at the front of said trunk and extending substantially rearwards and upwards, said rear roof portion ( 4 ) sweeping, during pivoting, through a volume (V 3 ) situated between a front first curved surface ( 18 ) and a rear second curved surface ( 19 ) defining, respectively in the passenger space ( 25 ) and in the rear trunk ( 16 ), a first volume (V 1 ) that is in front and centrally positioned and that is accessible from inside the vehicle ( 2 ), and a second volume (V 2 ) that is behind and that can be accessed from outside via the rear of the vehicle ( 2 ), and in that the vehicle includes a partition wall ( 26 ) having a generally C-shaped longitudinal section, said wall being situated in front of said front first curved surface ( 18 ) and extending from said front bottom zone ( 13 ) firstly rearwards, then upwards, and then at least in part forwards so as to bear against said top stiffening beam ( 50 ), the partition wall ( 26 ) extending between two side walls ( 27 ) to which it is fixed in order to form a receptacle ( 51 ) defining respectively downwards and rearwards and also sideways a useful central first volume (V 1 a ) forming part of said central first volume (V 1 ).