Lamella roof for a motor vehicle

A lamella roof for a motor vehicle is provided with each lamella roof part exhibiting securing catches which extend essentially over the width of the roof cutout and engage behind corresponding securing catches of the respectively adjacent lamella roof parts in the event of the lamella assembly being deformed by force.

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The invention relates to a lamella roof for a motor vehicle, which is 
arranged in a roof cutout of a vehicle bodywork and exhibits a plurality 
of lamella roof parts which are arranged parallel to and one behind the 
other in the vehicle longitudinal direction when the roof cutout is 
closed, the lamella roof parts adjoining one another in a sheet-like 
lamella assembly. In order to uncover the roof cutout, the lamella roof 
parts can be moved rearwards, the lamella assembly being gradually 
separated in the process. 
Such lamella roofs are known for passenger cars (German Patent Documents DE 
41 23 229 C2 and DE 42 33 507C1). A roof cutout is provided in a roof of 
the passenger-car bodywork, the cutout being closed off by means of a 
lamella assembly. The lamella assembly exhibits a plurality of lamella 
roof parts which are arranged parallel to and one behind the other in the 
vehicle longitudinal direction. In order to open the lamella roof, i.e., 
in order to uncover the roof cutout, the lamella assembly is moved 
rearwards by a drive device, the lamella assembly being gradually 
separated in that the lamellae become upright individually and are stowed 
in a rear region of the roof cutout. The lamella roof parts are each 
guided laterally in corresponding side guides of the roof cutout. 
An object of the invention is to provide a lamella roof of the type 
mentioned in the introduction, the stability of which is increased as 
regards the action of force due to an accident or due to breaking-open or 
breaking-in. 
This object is achieved according to preferred embodiments of the present 
invention by providing that each lamella roof part exhibits securing 
catches which extend essentially over the width of the roof cutout and 
engage behind corresponding securing catches of the respectively adjacent 
lamella roof parts in the event of the lamella assembly being deformed by 
force. Consequently, in the event of force being exerted, the lamella roof 
parts latch one inside the other over the entire width of the roof cutout, 
with the result that the sheet-like lamella assembly remains largely 
intact. By virtue of the individual lamella roof parts catching one inside 
the other, premature separation of the sheet-like lamella assembly is thus 
prevented. Of course, the securing catches of corresponding lamella roof 
parts are designed such that, in the normal operation of the lamella roof, 
they do not adversely affect the various opening and closing movements of 
the lamella roof, including the pivoting-out movement of the individual 
lamella roof parts during the pushing-back operation. 
In one development of the invention, the securing catches are provided in 
the region of associated connection regions of adjacent lamella roof 
parts, the connection regions overlapping one another parallel to the 
plane of the lamella assembly. This means that deformation occurring, in 
particular, transversely with respect to the plane of the lamella assembly 
are absorbed. 
In a further development of the invention, the connection regions exhibit 
longitudinal edges which are bent over in angular form towards the 
respectively corresponding connection region, an undercut being formed in 
the process. This constitutes a particularly simple and effective 
development since the longitudinal edges bent over in angular form are 
arranged integrally on the associated lamella roof parts and extend over 
the entire length of each lamella roof part, i.e., over the entire width 
of the roof cutout. 
In a further development of the invention, in the normal operation of the 
lamella roof, the longitudinal edges of corresponding connection regions 
of lamella roof parts are spaced apart from one another such that all 
those movements of the lamella roof parts which occur during opening or 
closing can be carried out without adverse effect. This achieves increased 
stability of the lamella roof without its freedom of movement being 
adversely affected. Increased safety is thus obtained for the vehicle 
occupants, the degree of comfort remaining the same. 
In a further development of the invention, interspaces remaining between 
corresponding connection regions of the lamella roof parts are sealed by 
elastic seals which are each connected to at least one of the two 
connection regions. This achieves a sufficient sealing between the 
individual lamella roof parts, which ensures leak-tightness of the lamella 
roof. 
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will 
become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention 
when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
A passenger car (1) according to FIG. 1 exhibits a roof (2) which extends 
in the vehicle longitudinal direction from a windscreen (6) to a rear end 
(7) of the passenger car (1). The roof (2) exhibits a roof cutout which 
opens the interior of the passenger car (1) towards the top and extends 
over approximately the entire length and over approximately the entire 
width of the roof (2). In the illustrated embodiment, the roof cutout 
extends over a substantial portion of the length of the front side windows 
FW adjacent a front seat section and over the entire length of a rear side 
door window MW and over a substantial part of a rear window RW. 
The roof cutout of the roof (2) can be closed off by a lamella roof (3). 
The lamella roof (3) exhibits a multiplicity of lamella roof parts (4, 5) 
which extend over the width of the roof cutout and are arranged parallel 
to and one behind the other in the vehicle longitudinal direction. In the 
closed state of the lamella roof (3), all the lamella roof parts (4, 5) 
adjoin one another in a flush manner and form a sheet-like lamella 
assembly, as is represented in FIG. 1. 
Each lamella roof part (4, 5) is guided in a longitudinally displaceable 
manner in lateral guides on both sides of the roof cutout. Moreover, each 
lamella roof part (4, 5) can be opened out/upwards in a rear region of the 
roof cutout. When the lamella roof (3) is opened, the lamella assembly 
comprising the lamella roof part (4, 5) gradually separates in that the 
respectively rearmost lamella roof part is opened out/upwards and the 
respectively following lamella roof part (4, 5) is stacked against it in 
parallel. In the fully open state of the lamella roof (3), the sheet-like 
lamella assembly has been separated to the full extent and the linearly 
displaceable lamella roof parts have been pivoted out and lined up in a 
row, in the manner of a stack, in the rear region of the roof cutout. 
Opening and closing of the lamella roof (3) are carried out by a drive 
device, which is not shown and is not described in any more detail. 
According to FIG. 2, the lamella roof part (4) constitutes the lamella roof 
part which is at the front in the direction of travel, and the lamella 
roof part (5) constitutes the adjoining lamella roof part (5) which is 
adjacent towards the rear. Both lamella roof parts (4, 5) exhibit a core 
(4C, 5C) which consists of an energy-absorbing material and is enclosed by 
a stable thin-walled plastic or sheet-metal casing (45, 55). Both the 
lamella roof part (4) and the lamella roof part (5) constitute a 
plate-like element in each case. 
The lamella roof part (4, 4S) exhibits a securing catch or connection 
region (8) which is drawn rearwards towards the lamella roof part (5, 5S) 
The upper side, serving as outer skin (4S), of the casing is drawn 
rearwards in a simple manner parallel to the surface of the adjoining 
lamella roof part (4, 4S). The rear lamella roof part (5) exhibits a 
corresponding securing catch or connection region (9). Said connection 
region (9) constitutes an extension of the casing (5S) forming the 
underside of the lamella roof part (5). In the closed state of the lamella 
roof (3), in which state all the lamella roof parts form a sheet-like 
lamella assembly, the connection regions (8, 9) are thus in alignment with 
the upper sides and the undersides of the lamella roof parts (4, 5). Both 
the connection region (8) and the connection region (9) extend over the 
entire length of each lamella roof part (4, 5), ie., over the entire width 
of the roof cutout. 
The connection region (8) exhibits a longitudinal edge (10) which extends 
over the entire width of the roof cutout and is bent back obliquely 
downwards at an angle of approximately 45.degree. with respect to the 
lamella roof part (4), i.e., towards the connection region (9). The 
connection region (9) exhibits a longitudinal edge (11) which likewise 
extends over the entire length of the lamella roof part (5), i.e., over 
the entire width of the roof cutout, and is bent over upwards 
approximately parallel to the longitudinal edge (10) of the connection 
region (8). The two longitudinal edges (10 and 11) overlap one another in 
a plane which is perpendicular with respect to the movement plane of the 
lamella assembly, i.e., in a vertical plane. Moreover, the connection 
regions (8 and 9) also overlap one another in the movement plane of the 
lamella assembly, with the result that the longitudinal edges (10 and 11) 
form corresponding undercuts. The longitudinal edges (10 and 11) are 
spaced apart from one another. This produces, between the connection 
regions (8 and 9), an interspace which ensures sufficient freedom of 
movement for the lamella roof parts (4, 5) during opening and closing of 
the lamella roof. 
The lamella roof parts (4, 5) move via displaceable swivel bearings (16), 
only a swivel bearing (16) being schematically represented in FIG. 2. Each 
swivel bearing (16) forms the front bearing point of each lamella roof 
part (4, 5), about which the respective lamella roof part pivots out 
upwards during separation of the lamella assembly, i.e., during the 
opening movement of the lamella roof (3). Said movements are not hindered 
by the connection regions (8, 9) between adjacent lamella roof parts (4, 
5). 
In each case one elastic seal (13, 14, 15) is provided between the 
connection regions (8, 9) of adjacent lamella roof parts (4, 5), which 
seal, when the lamella assembly is in the closed state, seals the 
interspace between the corresponding connection regions (8, 9) over the 
entire width of the roof cutout. This achieves sufficient leak-tightness 
for the lamella assembly in sheet-like form. The elastic seal (13, 14, 15) 
exhibits a sealing profile (13) which is provided with a hollow profile 
part (15), consists of an elastic material and is fastened on the 
longitudinal edge (10) of the upper connection region (8). For this 
purpose, the lamella roof part (4) exhibits an additional retaining web 
(12) at the level of each connection region (8). The hollow-profile part 
(15) is integral with the sealing profile (13) and, for reasons of 
clarity, is represented in the non-deformed state. However, the 
hollow-profile part (15) is only in said non-deformed state when the 
lamella assembly has been separated and the corresponding lamella roof 
parts (4, 5) are opened out obliquely upwards in the rear region of the 
roof cutout. In the depicted position according to FIG. 2, the 
hollow-profile part (15) would have to press to a considerable extent 
against the upper side of the connection region (9) and from beneath 
against the longitudinal edge (11). However, it is evident to a person 
skilled in the art how the hollow-profile part (15) deforms in this 
pressed position, as schematically depicted in dash lines 15' in FIG. 2. 
Provided a mating piece for the sealing profile (13), on the end side of 
the longitudinal edge (11), is a sealing border (14), which is pushed onto 
the end side of the longitudinal edge (11) over the entire width of the 
roof cutout, i.e., over the entire length of the lamella roof part (5). 
This forms, for the longitudinal edge (11), a blunt and edge which 
prevents damage to the elastic sealing profile (13). 
As soon as the sheet-like lamella assembly is subjected to force due to a 
break-in attempt or an accident, the longitudinal edges (10, 11) latch one 
inside the other as the lamella roof parts (4, 5) begin to deform, and 
thus prevent quick separation of the sheet-like lamella assembly. Since 
the entire sheet-like lamella assembly is, in addition, guided laterally 
on the roof cutout, it is virtually impossible for the lamella assembly to 
break out of the same. 
Although the invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is 
to be clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and 
example, and is not to be taken by way of limitation. The spirit and scope 
of the present invention are to be limited only by the terms of the 
appended claims.