Abstract:
A covering of a convertible top compartment of a convertible which has a convertible top which can be deposited in a convertible top compartment, the covering having at least one first cover part and one second cover part which are supported to be able to pivot relative to one another. Here, it is provided that the covering ( 4 ) can be displaced by a displacement arrangement between a closed position in which the convertible top ( 2 ) is deposited in the convertible top compartment ( 5 ) and the first cover part ( 14 ) and the second cover part ( 15 ) form a flat covering for the opening ( 37 ) of the convertible top compartment, an intermediate position in which the first cover part ( 14 ) and the second cover part ( 15 ) at least partially overlap and are removed from the opening ( 37 ) of the convertible top compartment to a location underneath the path of motion of the opening or closing convertible top ( 2 ), and a deposited position in which the first cover part ( 14 ) and the second cover part ( 15 ) are located under the closed convertible top ( 2 ) essentially lying on top of one another.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The invention relates to the covering of the convertible top compartment of a convertible type motor vehicle which has a convertible top which can be deposited in the convertible top compartment, the covering having at least one first cover part and one second cover part which are supported to be able to pivot relative to one another. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     German Utility Model DE 298 02 871 U1 discloses covering of the initially mentioned type which has two cover parts located in succession in the middle, the cover parts being flanked by lateral cover parts. The two front lateral cover parts are coupled on the opening edge of the convertible top compartment to be able to pivot around two axes which are aligned parallel to the direction of travel. The two successive middle cover parts can be pivoted relative to one another around transverse pivot axes at their bottoms and can be raised vertically. The two rear lateral cover parts are coupled to be able to pivot around lengthwise axes on the rear middle cover part. By means of a manually actuated connecting rod means, the covering can be moved between its closed position and its open position. 
     German Utility Model DE 299 21 497 U1 describes the lateral rod assembly flap of a covering for a convertible folding top which has at least two sections which can be displaced relative to one another, especially two component flaps which are supported to be able to pivot relative to one another. 
     German Utility Model DE 298 12 164 U1 discloses the cover of a convertible top compartment of a convertible which has at least two lateral side parts which can be pivoted relative to the main part of the cover of the convertible top compartment and each of which can cover or clear a through opening for the rod assembly parts of the convertible top, depending on its location. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The primary object of the present invention is to devise a covering of the initially mentioned type which can be changed from a large-area cover position with the convertible top opened into a comparatively small lowered position for a convertible top which is closed over the interior of the motor vehicle. 
     The object is achieved in/accordance with the invention in that the covering can be displaced by a displacement means between a closed position in which the convertible top is deposited in the convertible top compartment and the first cover part and the second cover part form a flat covering for the opening of the convertible top compartment, an intermediate position in which the first cover part and the second cover part are removed from the opening of the convertible to p compartment, at least partially overlapping and located underneath the path of motion of the opening or closing convertible top, and a deposited position in which the first cover part and the second cover part are located under the closed convertible top essentially lying on top of one another. Thus, the covering which has at least two cover parts can be transferred out of a large-area closed arrangement in the opening of the convertible top compartment into a comparatively densely packed and space-saving arrangement which is located in front of the convertible top, while it is being extended from the convertible top compartment or is being deposited in it. The cover parts, which are positioned stacked on one another in a/space-saving arrangement, can be moved, for example, by pivoting around a fixed pivot axis into their intermediate position in which they are located essentially vertically or also inclined, for example, behind the seats. 
     Due to its comparatively low height, in the intermediate position, the convertible top can be moved away/over it. In the closed position of the convertible top, then, the cover parts, in a stacked state, can be moved, for example, into a horizontal position between the seats and the bottom end of the convertible top and assume the function of a hat shelf which covers the front part of the convertible top compartment towards the interior of the motor vehicle. 
     The object is achieved in the initially mentioned cover also in that the first cover part is the front cover part and the second cover part is the rear cover part which are located in the closed position in a transverse alignment behind one another, and upon opening, are located at least partially overlapping one another in the same direction. Thus, the cover parts are not pivoted relative to one another, for example, with their insides against one another, but their top sides face in the same direction. 
     The object is furthermore also achieved in the initially mentioned covering in that, according to the invention, the first cover part is at least the middle cover part and the second cover part is a lateral cover part that is supported, in the closed position, on each of the two opposing lateral outside edges of the middle cover part, and upon opening, can be pivoted relative to the middle cover part around two pivot axes. The motion via the two pivot axes allows an improved, variable, lowering motion of the lateral cover part to under or over the middle cover part to which it is assigned and on which it is preferably pivotally supported. 
     Preferably, the first cover art is the front cover part and the second cover part is the rear cover part and they are located behind one another in the closed position in a transverse alignment in the lengthwise direction of the motor vehicle. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the first cover part is at least the middle cover part and the second cover part is present twice and is located as a lateral cover part in the closed position on each of the two opposite outside edges of the middle cover part. Thus, wide openings of the convertible top compartment can also be closed by a covering which can be transferred into a space-saving arrangement which is shortened in the transverse direction so that this arrangement can be positioned under the closed convertible top, the pivoted-in or folded-in lateral cover parts offering a passage space for the rod assembly bearing parts. Both during opening and closing of the convertible top, the rod assembly bearing parts move in the passage area or a through opening on the respective top side edge area of the motor vehicle which can be closed by the lateral cover part with the convertible top deposited. 
     Feasibly, the front cover part is supported to pivot around a front transverse axis on the body-mounted bearing means and can be swung by a connecting rod means which is movably supported, on the one hand, on a guide or guide rail by a drive means, and on the other hand, is pivotally connected to the front cover part. When the front transverse axis of the front cover part is located on the guide, not fixed, but movably, the front cover part, preferably together with at least one other cover part, can be displaced especially downward when the covering is opened on this guide. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the connecting rod means contains a multi-bar or four-bar mechanism arrangement which is pivoted around its support on the guide rail by forced control when moved along the guide rail and in doing so swings the front cover part via a connecting arm. 
     Feasibly, the two connecting rods of the four-bar mechanism arrangement are pivotally mounted on the carrier part of the rear cover part in hinges which are spaced apart from one another, and when they are moved along the guide rail they are pivoted relative to one another, by which the carrier part, and thus, the rear cover part are pivoted in a superimposed pivoting motion. 
     To execute the deposition motion, it is advantageous if the connecting arm is pivotally supported on the carrier part and on the front cover part. However, there can also be different bearing and hinge arrangements. 
     Feasibly, the two connecting rods of the four-bar mechanism arrangement are each pivotally supported on a carriage, the carriages are movably supported on a guide rail, and in the initial displacement motion which moves the cover parts from the closed position into the intermediate position, they are moved coupled to one another. To further move the cover parts into the deposited position, one connecting rod is moved further on the guide rail, while the other connecting rod is kept locked by means of its carriage on the guide rail so that the two cover parts are pivoted back into the deposited position via the pivoting of the carrier part. 
     It is provided in one preferred embodiment that the second cover part or the side part is supported to be able to pivot around the first pivot axis on the first cover part or rear cover part such that it can be swung down out of the closed position in the opposite direction to the pivoting motion of the rear cover part with its top into the swing-out position, and in doing, so can be displaced to a level underneath or above the rear cover part, and that the side part is supported to be able to pivot around the second pivot axis of a pivot joint which is supported on the rear cover part such that it can be pivoted out of its swing-out position to under or over the rear cover part. In doing so, the side part can be attached to the retaining rod of a rod mechanism which is coupled to the connecting arm and is moved controlled by it. 
     It is also possible for the rod mechanism to be movably supported on a bearing part which is kept locked during the displacement motion of the side part into the swing-out position on the pivot axis. In the swing-out position, the rod mechanism is in its end position, and after unlocking the pivot axis, the bearing part with the side part held on it can be swung to under or also over the rear cover part, or with the corresponding support, also the front cover part. 
     In one especially simple embodiment, the cover parts are supported via their bearing means on two guides or guide rails which are laterally opposite one another with respect to the motor vehicle and which are located, for example, laterally behind the seats. The guides or guide rails can run essentially vertically on the motor vehicle, and thus, require little space. 
     One embodiment of the covering is explained in detail below with reference to the accompanying the drawings. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of the rear area of a convertible with a covering which covers an opened convertible top which has been deposited in the convertible top compartment; 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the rear area of a convertible as shown in FIG. 1, but, with the covering having been moved into the intermediate position in which the convertible top can be moved out of the convertible top compartment into its closed position; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective top view of the right half of a covering which covers the convertible top compartment, which contains a front cover part, a rear cover part and a side cover part, each with its right bearing and adjustment means, in the closed position; 
     FIG. 4 is a view of the covering shown in FIG. 3 with the covering moved along a first displacement path; 
     FIG. 5 shows the covering of FIG. 4 moved along a further displacement path, the lateral cover part having been pivoted to the rear around a transverse axis; 
     FIG. 6 shows the covering of FIG. 5 with the covering moved along a further displacement path, the lateral cover part having been pivoted to under the rear cover part of the covering so that the cover parts are essentially vertically aligned; 
     FIG. 7 shows the covering of FIG. 6 with the covering moved along a further displacement path into a horizontal cover position (with the convertible top closed); 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective top view of the bearing and displacement means for the front, the rear and the lateral cover part for the closed position of the covering shown in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective top view of the bearing and displacement means for the intermediate position of the covering shown in FIG. 4; 
     FIG. 10 is a perspective top view of the bearing and displacement means for the intermediate position of the covering as shown in FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective top view of the bearing and displacement means for the intermediate position of the covering as shown in FIG. 9; 
     FIG. 12 is a perspective top view of the bearing and displacement means for the intermediate position of the covering between the positions of views of FIGS. 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective top view of the bearing and displacement means for the intermediate position of the covering as shown in FIG. 2 &amp; 6; and 
     FIG. 14 is a view as shown in FIG. 13, but with the bearing and adjustment means in the deposited position of the covering as shown in FIG.  7 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A convertible  1  with a rear area shown schematically and in extract form in FIGS. 1 &amp; 2 contains a convertible top  2  which is covered with a top fabric (in FIGS. 1 and 2, only the convertible top rod assembly without the top fabric is shown), especially a folding convertible top which can be displaced in a known manner between its closed position (not shown) in which it extends from the top edge of the windshield over the motor vehicle interior and the seats  3  to the rear as far as the rear convertible top compartment  5 , and its open position (FIG. 1) in which it has been deposited in the convertible top compartment  5  and covered by the covering  4  of the convertible top compartment  5 , which covering is located on the top opening  37  of the compartment  5 . The convertible top compartment  5  is located in front of the trunk space  7  which is covered by a trunk lid  6  or it occupies the front section of the trunk space  7 . 
     The convertible top  2  contains a foldable convertible top rod assembly  8  (see FIG. 2) with rod assembly bearing parts which are located on both sides and which movably support the convertible top  2  on the body. The rod assembly bearing parts contain, for example, a main column  9 , with a window seal  10  which is supported on it and to which is also attached the convertible top fabric, and a main connecting rod  11 . The main column  9  and connecting rods  11 , in the conventional manner, form a four-bar pivot mechanism arrangement and pivotally support a middle convertible top part  12 , and a front convertible top part  13  which is pivotally coupled to the middle convertible top part  12 . 
     The covering  4  of the convertible top compartment  5  contains a front cover part  14  and a rear cover part  15  (see FIGS. 1 &amp; 3) which extend transversely relative to the lengthwise center line of the motor vehicle, and a left lateral cover part (not shown in FIGS. 3 to  13 ) and a right lateral cover part  16 . When the convertible top  2  has been deposited in the convertible top compartment  5 , the four cover parts  14 ,  15 ,  16  form a flat covering  4  of the convertible top  2  (FIG. 3) or the opening  37  of the convertible top compartment. As a result of the arrangement of the cover  4  which is symmetrical to the lengthwise center line M of the motor vehicle the description is made essentially using the right half of the cover  4  and its assigned bearing and adjustment means. 
     The front cover part  14  is pivotally supported on its lateral outside edge section  17  via a support part  18  which projects down from the front cover part  14  (see also FIGS. 8 to  14 , only in FIG. 11 the front cover part  14 , the rear cover part  15  and the lateral cover part  16  being shown) on the head bearing part  19  of a roughly vertical bearing rail  20  of the bearing and adjustment means for the covering  4 , such that the top of the front cover part  14  can be pivoted forward out of the roughly horizontal cover position (FIG. 3) (FIGS. 2 &amp; 4 to  6 ). The bearing rail  20  is mounted in the respective side area of the body spaced away from the seats  3  of the motor vehicle. 
     A carrier part  21  spaced away from its lateral outside end is securely mounted on the rear cover part  15  via a brace  39  (see FIG. 9) and a support part  40 . The carrier part  21  is formed, for example, in a roughly U-shape and is located in the vertical lengthwise plane such that the lower leg  22  of the carrier part  21  is pointed to the rear. The carrier part  21 , and thus, the rear cover part  15  are pivotally held by the main connecting rod  23  and an auxiliary connecting rod  24  which together with the leg  22  form a four-bar mechanism arrangement in a front hinge  25  or rear hinge  26  located on the lower leg  22 . The main connecting rod  23  and the auxiliary connecting rod  24  are bent inward at right angles towards their opposing ends and are pivotally mounted on the respective carriages  27  and  28  which are movably supported on a guide  29  of the vertical bearing rail  20  and can be moved by a drive means, for example, a drive cable  58  which can be driven by a drive motor  59  (see FIG.  3 ). The main connecting rod  23  contains a permanently mounted control leg  30  or one made in one piece, which, in a side top view, is located on the carriage-side end of the main connecting rod  23 , for example, at an angle to it. 
     A connecting arm  31  is, on the one hand, pivotally connected to the head bearing part  19 , and on the other, to the control leg  30  in the hinges  32 ,  33 . 
     As can be seen in FIG. 8, another connecting arm  34  is pivotally coupled at one end to the lower leg  22  of the carrier part  21  at a hinge  35  which is located between the two hinges  25 ,  26  of the main connecting rod  23  and the auxiliary rod  24 , and at the other end is pivotally coupled to a rear carrier  36  which projects laterally from the front cover part  14  by a hinge  37 . 
     In the closed position of the cover  4  (FIG.  3  &amp;  8 ), the carriages  27 ,  28  of the main connecting rod  23  and the auxiliary connecting rod  24  coupled to one another are held in the top position on the bearing rail  20 , for example, by the drive cable or a drive rod of the drive means. When the carriages  27 ,  28  which are coupled to one another are lowered (FIGS. 9 to  11 ), the connecting arm  31  pivots the control leg  30  of the main connecting rod  23  forward against the vertical bearing rail  20  so that, at the same time, the main connecting rod  23  also pivots forward around its pivot bearing on the carriage  27 . Since the main connecting rod  23  and the auxiliary connecting rod  24  together with the leg  22  form a multi-bar mechanism or a four-bar mechanism, according to the chosen layout of the four-bar mechanism, the lower leg  22  of the carrier pad  21 , and thus the rear cover part  15 , are raised and pivoted forward. At the same time, the other connecting arm  34  entrains the front cover part  14  and pivots it around its pivot bearing axis  18 ′ on the head part  19  of the vertical bearing rail  20 . 
     The two coupled carriages  27 ,  28  are moved down by the drive means into an intermediate position (see FIGS. 2 &amp; 13) in which, in the interplay of the described connecting rods and levers, the front cover part  14  is swung into a roughly vertical position and the rear cover part  15  is swung by the pivoted main and auxiliary connecting rods  23 ,  24  which have been moved down onto the bottom of the front cover part  14  roughly congruently to it. 
     On the support part  40 , which projects laterally from the rear cover part  15 , by means of a swivel hinge  41  which has a swivel axis  42  which is roughly perpendicular to the rear cover part  15 , a carrier part  43  is pivotally supported; on its outer side wall  44  which is angled down, a rod mechanism  45  is pivotally mounted. The rod mechanism  45  contains a front control rod  47  which can be pivoted around a hinge  46 , a rear retaining rod  49  which can be pivoted around a hinge with the pivot axis  48 , and a connecting arm  50  which couples the control rod  47  and the retaining rod  49  to one another by hinges  51 ,  52 . A coupling rod  53  is pivotally coupled at one end to/the connecting arm  34  of the front cover part  14  in a ball-and-socket joint  54  and at the other end to the control rod  47  in another ball-and-socket joint  55 . 
     The lateral cover part  16  is mounted on the retaining rod  49  such that, in the position of the rod mechanism  45  and the adjustment means for the front and rear cover parts  14 ,  15  shown in FIG. 8, the lateral cover part  16  is located superficially flush with the front and rear cover parts  14 ,  15 . 
     The carrier part  43  is fixed rotationally around the swivel axis  42  relative to the support part  40  over the first path of motion of the coupling rod  50  and the rod mechanism  45  by a lock means  56  (shown only in FIG.  8 ). After unlocking the lock means  56 , for example, by a projection  57  of the control rod  47 , during the second path of motion of the coupling rod  50 , with the rod mechanism  45  stationary, and for example, adjoining the stop on the side wall  44  of the carrier part  43  with the control rod  47 , the carrier part  43  is swivelled to the rear inwardly around the swivel axis  42 , while at the same time and jointly with the support part  40  of the rear cover part  15 , it is pivoted forward to the vertical (FIGS.  12  &amp;  13 ). 
     The progression of the motion of the covering  4  when the convertible top  2  deposited in the convertible top compartment  5  is closed is explained below. Out of the closed position of the cover (FIGS. 1,  3  &amp;  8 ), the two carriages  27 ,  28  which are coupled to one another by the drive means, for example, by a locking block means (not shown, described for example, in published German Patent Application DE 43 29 580 A1 for a sliding roof mechanism) or which are moved synchronously by their own drives, are moved downward out of their upper position on the bearing rail  20  (FIGS.  4  &amp;  9 ). In doing so, the main and auxiliary connecting rods  23 ,  24  of the four-bar mechanism arrangement pivot forward and are guided down, pivoting the front cover part  14  forward around its fixed pivot axis  18 ′ and raise it in doing so. The leg  22  of the carrier part  21  connecting the main connecting rod  23  and the auxiliary connecting rod  24  is moved forward and pivoted at the same time so that the rear cover part  15  is moved forward in the direction to the bottom of the front cover part  14 , and in doing so, is tilted according to the front cover part  14 . 
     The coupling rod  53  transfers the motion of the connecting arm  34  to the rod mechanism  45 . Since, initially, the lock means  56  keeps the carrier part  43  locked against twisting, the rod mechanism  45  moves such that the retaining rod  49 , and thus the lateral cover part  16  attached to it, are pivoted to the rear around the transversely aligned pivot axis of the hinge  48  as its front edge is raised (FIGS. 4,  9  &amp;  11 ). 
     As the carriages  27 ,  28 , a d thus the main connecting rod  23  and the auxiliary connecting rod  24 , continue to move down, the described progression of motion continues until the retaining rod  49  of the rod mechanism  45 , and thus the lateral cover part  16 , are pivoted, for example, by roughly 180° and the rod mechanism  45  rests against a stop. With the last motion of the rod mechanism  45 , the projection  57  unlocks the lock means  56  so that further motion of the coupling rod  53  relative to the rod mechanism  45  which lies on the stop, pivots the rod mechanism together with the carrier part  43  around the swivel axis  42  of the swivel hinge  41  inwardly to the rear (FIG.  12 ). Thus, the lateral cover part  16 , with its bottom pointing obliquely forward and up (FIG.  5 ), is swung to under the rear cover part  15  and is raised simultaneously with it and the front cover part  14  roughly to the vertical (FIG.  6  and FIGS.  2  &amp;  13 ). 
     At this point, the opening  37  of the convertible top compartment is cleared and the convertible top  2  can be extended out of the convertible top compartment  5  and moved over the covering  4  into its closed position which overlaps the vehicle interior (FIG.  2 ). 
     When the convertible top  2  is closed, or during the last path of motion of the convertible top  2  into the closed position, the carriage  28  of the auxiliary rod  24  is moved farther down, while the carriage  27  of the main connecting rod  23  is held securely in its position. Coupling and de-coupling can take place, for example, by means of the locking block means. The downward motion of the auxiliary connecting rod  24  pivots the leg  22 , and thus the rear cover part  15  and the connecting arm  34 , and thus the front cover part  14 , around its pivot axis  18 ′ on the head bearing part  19  by roughly 90° back into a roughly horizontal position (FIGS. 7 &amp; 14) in which the covering  4  at least partially covers the front part of the opening  37  of the convertible top compartment  37 , which top part is located under the closed convertible top  2 , depending on the layout. The covering  4  in this lowered position forms, for example, a hat shelf which follows directly behind the seats  3  or which is spaced apart from them, so that a stowage space is still accessible from above behind the seats  3 .