DRAUGHT DEFLECTOR FOR VEHICLES

Abstract: A draught deflector for an opening roof in a motor vehicle comprises a two-part deflector having a rigid panel portion (16) and a flexible panel portion (18) of U-shaped cross-section, with its limbs embracing the inner edge of the rigid panel portion (16). The deflector has two end hinges (24) connected to both of the panel portions (16, 18) and a central hinge (28) connected only to the flexible panel portion (18) so that the two panel portions (16 and 18) are capable of relative radial movement except at their ends. This permits the free edge of the flexible panel portion (18) to conform closely to the front edge of the roof opening in spite of the transverse curvature of the vehicle roof.

Description: Draught Deflector for Vehicles This invention relates to draught deflectors for passenger vehicles having a longitudinal opening in the roof adapted to be closed by a sliding or folding panel. Deflectors for this purpose commonly consist of a transverse member adapted to be hinged to a stationary cross member at the front end of the roof opening so as to be movable between an inoperative position below the closed roof panel and an operative position in which it extends rearwardly and upwardly from its hinges to deflect air flow upwardly over the windscreen and front part of the car away from the roof opening. Patent specifications GB-A-1070018 and GB-A-1353150 disclose draught deflectors of this type comprising a rigid panel attached to said stationary transverse member by three hinges, one at each end and one at the centre. Because on most vehicles, the stationary transverse member has a substantial curvature in the transverse direction of the vehicle, the connection between the panel and the centre hinge is arranged to permit relative sliding movement in a direction perpendicular to the hinge axis as the deflector is moved between its operative and inoperative positions. However, the curvature of the transverse member makes it difficult to ensure that there is no gap between the hinge edge of the deflector and the adjacent vehicle roof. Any such gap can result in the production of undesirable wind noise. According to the invention, in a draught deflector for an opening roof in a motor vehicle comprising a panel extending across the front of the vehicle roof opening and three spaced hinges, one part of each hinge being adapted for connection to a stationary transverse member extending across the front of the roof opening and the other part of each hinge being connected to the panel member, the panel has a rigid panel portion with an exposed edge forming the trailing edge of the deflector and a flexible panel portion overlying part of the rigid panel portion and being movable relative to the rigid panel portion in a direction perpendicular to said trailing edge, said other part of at least one of the three hinges being connected to the flexible panel portion. Preferably the panel portions are interconnected so as to inhibit relative movement at locations adjacent to the end hinges. An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the front of an opening vehicle roof fitted with a draught deflector in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 is a fragmentary plan view from below of the deflector shown in Figure 1, and Figures 3, 4 and 5 are cross-sectional views taken on the lines 3 - 3, 4 - 4 and 5 - 5 respectively in Figures 1 and 2. Referring to Figure 1, an opening roof for a motor vehicle includes a frame 10 bounding the aperture in the vehicle roof. A draught deflector 12 in accordance with the invention is mounted on the front transverse member 14 of the frame 10. Turning now to Figures 2 to 5, it should be understood that the deflector is symmetrical about the section line 3 - 3 in Figure 2 so that the components illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 have counterparts at the other end of the deflector. The deflector 12 consists of a panel 16 and U-shaped member 18 which is slightly shorter than the panel 16 and has each of its ends embraced by one part 20 of a respective end hinge. Each hinge part 20 being connected to the panel 16 by a respective rivet 22. The hinge parts 20 inhibit movement of the ends of the flexible member 18 relative to the panel 16 but the central region thereof is capable of limited relative movement, as will be explained hereinafter. Each hinge part 20 contains a hole for receiving a squared end of a respective hinge pin 24. A rounded end of each hinge pin 24 is received in a corresponding hinge part 26 which in turn, is adapted to be secured to the transverse frame member 14 (Figures 1 and 5). Referring particularly to Figures 2 and 3, the U-shaped member 18 has a central cut-out which is bridged by a hinge pin 28 carrying a hinge part 30 which is also secured to the transverse member 14. As can clearly be seen from Figure 2, the hinge pin ?8 is not in alignment with the hinge pin 24, this being due to the above mentioned curvature of the vehicle roof. In use, the deflector can pivot from the deployed position shown in Figure 1 to a position in which its trailing edge 32 projects forwardly towards the windscreen adjacent to the head lining within the car. As a result of the misalignment of the pivot pins of the various hinges, the edge of the panel 16 nearest to the hinges moves inwardly and outwardly between the limbs of the U-shaped member 18, such movement being accommodated by the clearance space 34 (Figure 3). The hinge parts 26 of the end hinges may be formed-of spring steel configured so as to grip their respective hinge pins 24 so as to hold the deflector 12 in any preset position. If it is desired to make the operation of the wind deflector bistable between its deployed and non-deployed positions, parts of the pivot pins 24 may be formed with cam profiles which will engage by respective leaf springs or springloaded plungers.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A draught deflector for an opening roof in a motor vehicle comprising a panel (12) extending across the front of the vehicle roof opening and three space hinges, one part (26, 303 of each hinge being adapted for connection to a stationary transverse member (14) extending across the front of the roof opening and the other part (24, 28) of each hinge being connected to the panel (12), characterised in that the panel (12) has a rigid panel portion (16) with an exposed edge (32) forming the trailing edge of the deflector and a flexible panel portion (18) overlying the part of the rigid panel portion (16) and being movable relative to the rigid panel portion (16) in a direction perpendicular to said trailing edge (32), said other part (28) of at least one of the three hinges being connected only to the flexible panel portion (18). 2. A draught deflector according to claim 1, characterised by means (22, 24) interconnecting the rigid panel portion (16) and the flexible panel portion (18) adjacent to the ends thereof, so as to inhibit relative movement therebetween. 3. A draught deflector according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the flexible panel portion (18) is of U-shaped cross-section with the limbs of the U-shape embracing the edge of the rigid panel portion (16) opposite to the trailing edge (32) thereof.

Inventors: BETTERIDGE, TIMOTHY DAVID, FISHER, SIDNEY EDWARD
Applicants: BRITAX WEATHERSHIELDS LIMITED
Application year: 1981
Main classification: B60J7
IPC codes: B60J7