Abstract:
A convertible vehicle ( 1 ) with an unfoldable roof ( 2 ), which can be placed under a cover ( 5 ) in the open position and has at least one rear bracket ( 4 ), which rests on the cover ( 5 ) in the closed position of the roof ( 2 ), and is constructed in such a way that the opening motion of the roof ( 2 ) includes a combined lift/rotation motion ( 13 ) of the bracket ( 4 ).

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The invention concerns a convertible vehicle with an unfoldable roof that has at least one rear bracket.  
           [0002]    Tops with rear brackets must be moved during opening in such a way that the brackets are first lifted from a cover on which they rest when the roof is closed, and can then be placed in a rear part of the vehicle with a downward motion. With some roof geometries, at least a partial area of the brackets can rest in front of an obstacle, such as a step in the chassis or an additional component, in the closed position.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The object of the invention is to provide a collision-free and reliable opening mechanism also for roof constructions of this kind.  
           [0004]    Because the opening motion of the brackets is a lift/rotation motion, the brackets can be lifted over an obstacle, so that, for example, a swiveling axis around which the brackets can be rotated and which rests beneath a step on the chassis side can be lifted over the obstacle as a whole when the roof is opened.  
           [0005]    If the roof is constructed as a so-called fin top with two essentially triangular brackets, when viewed from the top, then these can be connected together with a cross support which increases stability, and the cross support, for example a tube or a similar object, can be located entirely under the window railing line so that it is not visible when the roof is closed. However, by using the lift/rotation motion according to the invention, the cross support can be lifted over an obstacle on the chassis side. This is especially advantageous with a rear window that can be lowered and which can be mounted in a module on the chassis side. Based on the invention, the side brackets with the cross support can then be moved over the upper edge of the module.  
           [0006]    Additional advantages and details can be seen in the accompanying drawings and description. 
       
    
    
     IN THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]    [0007]FIG. 1 shows a convertible vehicle according to the invention in a schematic side view,  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 2 shows a detail view of the linkage parts, essentially corresponding to section II in FIG. 1,  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 3 shows a similar view to FIG. 2 when the brackets are opened,  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 4 shows a similar view to FIG. 3 as the opening of the roof proceeds further,  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 5 shows a similar view to FIG. 4 with the roof completely open,  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 6 shows the linkage parts according to FIG. 2 in the closed initial position,  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 7 shows the linkage parts in the position according to FIG. 3, and  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 8 shows the linkage parts in the position according to FIG. 5. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0015]    According to the embodiment example, the convertible vehicle  1  has a roof  2  that consists of two back areas  3  with triangular shapes. These back areas  3  are supported by brackets  4 , so-called fins, that will hold the roof  2  with a rear cover  5 . The roof  2  can be constructed completely or partially as a flexible, textile cover. When the roof  2  is in the closed position, the brackets  4  rest on the cover  5  and must be lifted off the cover in order to make it possible to open it. When the cover  5  is open, the roof  2  and the rear brackets  4  can be moved as a whole into a chassis area in which it can be covered by the cover  5 .  
         [0016]    A rear window  6  is located in front of and between the rear brackets  4 ; it can be opened separately when the roof is in the closed position, and in its lowered position  7 , it rests in a box-shaped receptacle  8  on the chassis side.  
         [0017]    The brackets  4  are connected with a cross support  9 , for example a tube, in order to increase the stability of the roof. When the brackets are opened (FIGS. 2 and 3), the cross support  9  must pass through an intermediate area  10  between a roof-frame part  11  and the upper edge  12  of the receptacle  8  on the chassis side.  
         [0018]    In order to make this procedure possible, the cross support  9 , which is firmly connected to the brackets  4 , must be placed on the motion path  13 , which is superimposed, combining a lifting and a rotation motion. In order to assure optimal invisibility of the connection tube  9  in the closed state of the roof  2 , it can be located underneath the cover  5 . Based on its low position, it must first be lifted in order for it to clear the upper edge  12  of the receptacle  8  when opening the roof.  
         [0019]    To enable the combined motion path  13 , the side brackets  4  are mounted so that they can rotate on the side control rods  14  each of which is in turn connected through an intermediate guide rod  15  and a second intermediate guide rod  16  to the rear roof-frame part  17 . The rear roof-frame part  17  is adjoined by a rear cover part and can be rotated around a main bearing  18  on the chassis side, whereby the main bearing  18  assumes a fixed position in the chassis. A drive element  26 , for example a hydraulic cylinder, assists the rotation; it is connected to the roof-frame part  17  with an axle  27 . At one end, the first intermediate guide rod  15  is connected to the control rod  14  through an articulated axle  19  and on the other end, it is connected to the roof-frame part  17  through another swiveling axle  20 . By rotating this roof-frame part  17 , a pulling motion is exerted on the swiveling axle  20  in the direction of the arrow  21 ; in this way, the articulated axle  19  of the control rod  14  is moved simultaneously, so that a rotation motion is transmitted to the control rod  14 .  
         [0020]    Moreover, the control rod  14  is attached to a lower articulated axle  22  with a bearing in a rocker  23  constructed as a long hole. Coaxially to the articulated axle  22 , the second intermediate guide rod  16  is connected to the control rod  14 . At the other end, the intermediate guide rod  16  on the swiveling axle  24  is also mounted to the rear roof-frame part  17  so that it can rotate. When the rear frame part  17  is rotated around the main bearing  18 , a pulling motion is exerted on the swiveling axle  24  in the direction of the arrow  25 , whereby the second intermediate guide rod  16  with its opposite end in the rocker  23  moves the articulated axle  22  of the control rod  14  upward. These two simultaneous motions result in the motion path  13 .  
         [0021]    The control rods  14  are not fixed on the chassis side, but are connected to the rear roof-frame part  17  merely through the two intermediate guide rods  15 ,  16 . The end of the control rod  14  opposite the articulated axles  19 ,  22  is connected to the rear bracket  4  and the cross support  9  through a link  28 . Overall, the control rod  14  is constructed like a swan&#39;s neck, so that it allows the connection of the articulated axles  19 ,  22  through a bearing at its end on the chassis side and is comprised of a gripping neck region extending to the rear bracket  4 .