Open roof construction for a vehicle

Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle having an opening (1) in the fixed roof (2), comprises an adjustable panel (3) which, in its closed position, closes the opening (1) in the fixed roof (2) and which, by operating an adjusting mechanism, is capable of being pivoted from its closed position to a backwardly and upwardly inclined position at first and thereupon being moved backwardly into positions above the fixed roof (2), and vice versa. The panel (3) is pivotally supported at its front side by a transverse pivot shaft (26). A tilt out lever (9) is provided at a distance behind said pivot shaft (26) and is pivotally connected to the panel (3) at its upper end. The lower end of the tilt out lever (9) is at least pivotally operatively connected to a slide (7), which is slidably guided in a stationary guide (8) extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and is adapted to be engaged by a drive means such as a cable-like pull-push means (4). According to the invention the slide (7) is a control slide, which not only positively controls the movements of the tilt out lever (9) but also of a height adjusting means (27) carrying said pivot shaft (26) at the front side of the panel (3).

Description: The invention relates to an open roof construction for a vehicle of the type as described in EP-A-0 182 431 and according to the preamble of claim 1. Upon such open roof constructions, also referred to as spoiler roofs, high demands are made these days in regard of the performance in controlling the movements of the panel. For instance, the front edge of the panel should be kept in engagement with the sealing means on the front edge of the roof opening during the pivotal movement of the panel to prevent air from flowing into the interior of the vehicle along the front edge of the panel. This can be obtained for instance, such as is known in the prior art, by a well chosen position of the pivot shaft at the front side of the panel. With this structure, however, another requirement cannot be met, which are frequently made upon spoiler roofs these days, that is that the front edge of the panel should be below the level of the fixed roof when the panel is in a rearwardly displaced position. An additional requirement is that the panel is pressed into the sealing means at the circumference of the roof opening by a sufficiently measured force when the panel is in its closed position to prevent leakage and to avoid the use of a water drain. It is an object of the invention to provide an open roof construction of the type mentioned in the preamble, which is able to meet the described requirements and wherein a stable and fully controlled movement of the panel takes place. For this purpose the open roof construction according to the invention is characterized by the features of the characterising part of claim 1. As a result of the height adjusting means at the front side of the panel that is positively controlled by the control slide, all required movements can be converted to the panel in co-operation with the tilt out lever. Further features and advantages of the open roof construction for a vehicle according to the invention will appear from the following description with reference to the drawing, which shows an embodiment of the invention by way of example. Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a part of the adjusting mechanism of an open roof construction for a vehicle according to the invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view corresponding to that of fig. 1, wherein, however, the adjusting mechanism is shown in its assembled condition. Fig. 3 is a side view of the adjusting mechanism of fig. 2, wherein the stationary guide is left out for clearity purposes and wherein the panel is in its closed position. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the adjusting mechanism of fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a side view corresponding to that of fig. 3, wherein, however, the rear side of the panel is just unlocked. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the adjusting mechanism of fig. 5. Fig. 7 is a side view corresponding to that of fig. 3, wherein, however, the locking element is uncoupled from the control slide. Fig. 8 is a plan view of the adjusting mechanism of fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a side view corresponding to that of fig. 3, wherein, however, the panel is in the maximum upwardly pivoted position. Fig. 10 is a side view corresponding to that of fig. 9, wherein, however, the front side of the panel is raised off of the sealing means of the roof. Fig. 11 is a side view corresponding to that of fig. 10, wherein, however, the panel is slid a small distance backwardly. Fig. 12 is a side view corresponding to that of fig. 11, wherein, however, the front side of the panel is moved a small distance downwardly below the level of the fixed roof. Fig. 13 is a side view corresponding to that of fig. 12, wherein, however, the panel is slid fully backwardly. The drawing shows by way of example an embodiment of an open roof construction for a vehicle having an opening 1 in the fixed roof 2 (fig. 3). This open roof construction comprises a panel 3, which, in its closed position, closes the opening 1 in the fixed roof 2 (fig. 3), and which, by operating an adjusting mechanism, is capable of being pivoted from its closed position into a backwardly and upwardly inclined position at first (fig. 9) and thereupon being moved backwardly into positions above the fixed roof (fig. 13); and vice versa. The adjusting mechanism for adjusting the panel 3 is provided at least at one side, but in general at both sides of the open roof construction. An actuating member (not illustrated) is connected to a bracket 5 on a control slide 7 by means of a pull-push means 4, the control slide 7 being guided in a longitudinal slot 6 of a substantially horizontal stationary guide 8. In general, at either side of the vehicle such stationary guide 8 is arranged, each guide guiding a control slide 7 at the respective side of the vehicle, while each control slide 7 is adapted to be moved by its own cable-like pull-push means 4 in its stationary guide 8 and both pull-push means 4 can be commonly displaced. In the embodiment represented in the drawing only the control slide 7 disposed at one side of the vehicle and the stationary guide 8 as well as elements co-operating therewith and being further described hereinafter are shown, it being understood that in general at the other side of the vehicle similar members are used, which constitute the mirror image of the elements represented in the drawing. The panel 3 is displacably supported near the front side in a manner to be described hereinafter. At a distance behind the front side of the panel 3 the panel 3 and the control slide 7 are connected to each other by a tilt out lever 9 and an intermediate element 10 being slidable in the stationary guide 8. The upper end of the lever 9 is pivotally connected to a bracket 12 at the lower side of the panel 3 by means of a transversally extending pivot bolt 11 (see fig. 3). The lower end of the tilt out lever 9 is pivotally connected to the intermediate element 10 by means of a transverse pivot pin 13. Furthermore, the tilt out lever 9 is provided at its side facing the intermediate element 10 with a part-circular guide rib 14 extending concentrically to the pivot pin 13, the guide rib 14 being guided in a correspondingly shaped guide slot 15 arranged in the intermediate element 10. The pivot pin 13 runs through the tilt out lever 9 and extends beyond the tilt out lever 9 into a guiding sleeve 16 provided at the side of the tilt out lever 9 facing away from the intermediate element 10. This guiding sleeve 16 is concentric to the pivot pin 13 and engages under a horizontal flange 17' defining a longitudinal slot 17 in the stationary guide 8 at the upper side. In this way the horizontal flange 17' guides the guiding sleeve 16 of the tilt out lever. By the engagement between the guiding sleeve 16 horizontal flange 17' of the stationary guide 8 on one hand and the guide rib 14 and the guide slot 15 on the other hand a stable guiding of the tilt out lever 9 is effected. The intermediate element 10 has a transverse guide peg 18 near its front end, the guide peg 18 engaging in a control slot 19 formed in the control slide 7. This control slot 19 includes a rear slot portion 19' inclining slightly downwardly in forward direction and a slot portion 19'' joining thereto and being inclined downwardly in forward direction under a substantially steeper angle. On the intermediate element 10 oppositely of the guide peg 18 and at the side facing away from the control slide 7 a laterally projecting retaining cam 20 is arranged which is provided at its front and rear side with parallel surfaces inclining downwardly in rearward direction. A guide element 21 forming part of the stationary guide 8 comprises at a side facing the intermediate element 10 a recess 22 being opened at the lower side and having surfaces at the front and rear side which are complementary with the front and rear surfaces of the retaining cam 20 on the intermediate element 10. This retaining cam 20 is adapted to come into engagement with the recess 22 of the guide element 21 from below. A protrusion 23 facing the guide element 21 and being arranged near the front end of the intermediate element is able to co-operate with a sloping surface 24 disposed behind the recess 22 in the guide element 21 and extending parallel to the front and rear surfaces of the recess 22, the sloping surface 24, through a co-operation with the protrusion 23 on the intermediate element 10, urging the retaining cam 20 thereof into the recess 22 upon a certain forward displacement of the intermediate element 10. The engagement between the guide peg 18 on the intermediate element 10 and the control slot 19 in the control slide 7 causes the retaining cam 20 to be retained in the recess 22. The front side of the panel is supported by a tumbler 27 through a bracket 25 mounted to the panel (fig. 3) and being pivotable about the transverse pivot bolt 26, the tumbler 27 being adapted to tumble in a vertical longitudinal plane and to slide in the stationary guide 8, thereby serving as height adjusting means. Said tumbler 27 has a transverse guide pin 28 near its rear end, the guide pin 28 being in engagement with a control slot 29 formed in the control slide 7. This control slide 29 includes a rear slot portion 29' inclining slightly downwardly in forward direction, a central slot portion 29'' joining thereto and inclining downwardly in forward direction under a somewhat steeper angle and a front slot portion 29''' joining to the central slot portion 29'' and inclining downwardly in forward direction under a substantially steeper angle. The guide pin 28 on the tumbler 27 is in engagement with the control slot 29 in a slidable manner during the pivoting movement of the panel 3, and the guide pin 28 is locked in the front lower end of the control slot 29 during the sliding movement of the panel 3. At the side of the tumbler 27 facing away from the control slide 7 a laterally projecting locking cam 30 is provided oppositely to the guide pin 28. This locking cam 30 can come into engagement with a recess 31 from below, the recess being formed in the guide element 21 and being open at the lower side. During said engagement, the tumbler 27 is locked against a sliding displacement in the longitudinal direction of the stationary guide 8. The displacement of the locking cam 30 into and out of the respective recess 31 is controlled by the movement of the guide pin 28 of the tumbler 27 in the control slot 29 in the control slide 7. When the locking cam 30 has come out of engagement with recess 31, the locking cam 30 is guided by the longitudinal slot 17 formed in the stationary guide 8 under the horizontal flange 17'. The tumbler 27 further has a guide cam 32 arranged at its side facing the guide element 21 and positioned in the longitudinal centre. This guide cam 32 on the tumbler 27 is in engagement with the front end of a short horizontal guide slot 33 in the forward position of the panel. In this position, the guide cam 32 serves as tumbling axis for the tumbling movement of the tumbler 27. The guide slot 33 in the guide element 21 has an opening 34 at its rear end, the opening 34 being inclined downwardly in rearward direction and the guide cam 32 on the tumbler 27 being able to leave and enter the guide slot 33 through said opening 34. When the guide cam 32 leaves or enters the guide slot 33 it is displaced in vertical direction, whereby the tumbler tumbles around the guide pin 28. A ramp 35 inclining upwardly in forward direction and defining the lower edge of the opening 34 of the guide slot 33, facilitates entering of the guide cam 32 into the guide slot 33. When the guide cam 32 leaves the guide slot 33 it comes into engagement with the longitudinal slot 17 formed under the horizontal flange 17' of the stationary guide 8. The tumbler 27 has a first shoulder portion 36 near its front end at the side facing away from the guide element 21, and a second shoulder portion 37 joining to the rear end of the first shoulder portion 36 through a junction portion. The second shoulder portion 37 is in engagement with the lower side of a further horizontal flange 38 (fig.1) of the stationary guide 8 when the tumbler 27 is in its upper position (fig. 11), and the first shoulder portion 36 being in engagement with this further horizontal flange 38 when the tumbler is in positions in which the guide cam 32 has left the guide slot 33 (fig. 12, 13). The adjusting mechanism further comprises a locking device, causing the rear side of the panel 3 to be pressed downwardly into a sealing means 39 at the circumference of the roof opening 1 and to be held there. For this purpose the locking device has a locking element 40 slidably accommodated in the stationary guide 8 and being provided with a downwardly turned locking surface 41 inclining upwardly in forward direction. The panel 3 comprises a flange 42 (see for instance fig. 3) disposed near the lower side of the panel 3 and extending thereunder, the flange 42 being adapted to be engaged by the locking surface 41 of the forwardly moving locking element 40 near the closed position of the panel 3. When the locking element 40 is displaced further forwardly, the flange 42 is urged downwardly as a consequence of the inclined course of the locking surface 41. The flange 42 is curved upwardly and downwardly at its front and rear end respectively. The curved front end of the flange 42 is in contact with the guiding surface 43 extending parallel to the locking surface, when the opposite rear end of the flange 42 is in engagement with the locking surface 41, thereby locking up the flange 42 completely in the locking element 40. For the purpose of displacing the locking element 40 it is permitted to be locked temporarily with the control slide 7, that is during the displacement thereof in the vicinity of its forward position. On behalf thereof the locking element 40 is connected to a support means 45 by a connecting rod 44, the support means 45 lying a distance in front of the locking element 40 and being slidably accommodated in the stationary guide 8. This support means 45 carries a coupling lever 47 being rotatable about a vertical journal 46. This coupling lever 47 has a guide pin 48 at its front end, the guide pin 48 extending downwardly and being threadingly coupled to the coupling lever 47, and the guide pin 48 engaging in a control slot 49 being directed upwardly and being formed in the guide element 21. This control slot 49 includes a front slot portion 49' extending parallel to the stationary guide 8 and a rear slot portion 49'' joining to the rear end of the front slot portion 49' and being inclined outwardly in the direction to the control slide 7. The coupling lever 47 is provided with a hook-like part 50 in its portion lying opposite to the guide pin 48 with respect to the journal 46, the hook-like part 50 being able to come into and out of engagement with a counter part 51 formed on the control slide 7 by rotating the coupling lever 47 about the journal 46. At the end of the hook-like part 50 facing the journal 46 of the coupling lever 47 a stop means 52 is formed, being able to co-operate with the counter part 51 on the control slide 7. When the coupling lever 47 is in the uncoupled position, with the guide pin 48 adjacent the rear end of the inclined rear slot portion 49'' of the control slot 49, and the control slide 7 is moved forwardly, while the panel 3 moves to the closed position, the counter part 51 on the control slide 7 comes into contact with the stop means 52 on the coupling lever 47, whereby the coupling lever 47 is carried along forwardly (see fig. 8). Herein the guide pin 48 on the coupling lever 47 is moved obliquely forwardly in the inclined slot portion 49'', thereby causing the coupling lever 47 to rotate about the journal 46. In this way the hook-like part 50 on the coupling lever 47 comes into engagement with the counter part 41 on the control slide 7. When the guide pin 48 has reached the front end of the inclined slot portion 49'' of the control slot 49 the coupling operation of the coupling lever 47 and therefore the locking element 40 with the control slide 7 is completely accomplished. The uncoupling operation thereof takes place in a similar way in a reverse sense. An advantage of the temporary coupling between the locking element and the control slide is that the locking element only moves a very restricted distance, whereby the panel can be engaged closely near the rear side thereof without requiring a large space. The operation of the adjusting mechanism of the open roof construction according to the invention will hereafter be elucidated with reference to fig. 3-13. The control slide 7 is left out in the side views of fig. 3, 5, 7 and 9-13 for clarity purposes. In fig. 3 and 4 the adjusting mechanism is illustrated in a position, in which the panel 3 is in its fully closed position. The tilt out lever 9 is pivoted fully downwardly. The flange 42 near the rear side of the panel 3 is at the lower edge of the locking surface 41 of the locking element 40. The retaining cam 20 of the intermediate element 10 is fully accommodated in the recess 22 in the guide element 21. The guide pin 18 of the intermediate element 10 is in engagement with the rear end of the control slot 19 and the control slide 7 (fig. 4). The locking cam 30 on the tumbler 27 is in its upper position in the recess 31 of the guide element 22, while the guide cam 32 of the tumbler 27 abuts the front wall of the guide slot 33 in the guide element 21. The guide pin 28 on the tumbler 27 is in its rear position in the control slot 29 in the control slide 7 (fig. 4). The coupling lever 47 is in its coupled position, in which the hook-like part 15 thereof engages around the counter part 51 on the control slide 7, and the guide pin 48 abuts the front wall of the front slot portion 49' of the control slot 49 (fig. 4). Fig. 5 and 6 show the position of the adjusting mechanism, in which the rear side of the panel 3 is moved a small distance upwardly such that the rear edge and the side edges of the panel are free of the sealing means 39 at the circumference of the roof opening 1, while only the front edge of the panel 3 is still in engagement with the sealing means 39 (fig. 5). For this purpose, as can best be seen in fig. 6, the control slide 7 has been displaced backwardly such a distance by the pull-push means, that the guide pin 48 on the coupling lever 47 coupled to the control slide 7 has reached the transition between the first slot portion 49' and the second slot portion 49'' of the control slide 49 in the guide element 21. As a result thereof the locking element 40 is displaced the same distance backwardly, whereby the flange 42 near the rear side of the panel 3 has been moved along the guide surface 43 of the locking element 40 and has been pushed upwardly as a result of the inclined course thereof. In the position according to fig. 5 the guide peg 18 on the intermediate element 10 has passed through the slot portion 19' of the control slot 19 in the control slide 7 and has reached the transition between the slot portions 19' and 19'' thereof. As a consequence of the very gentle inclination of the passed slot portion 19' the retaining cam on the intermediate element 10 has been displaced obliquely downwardly in rearward direction a very small distance in the recess 22 in the guide element 21. The tumbler 27 has been tumbled about the guide cam 32 a very small angle as a consequence of the relative displacement of the guide pin 28 in the slightly declining rear slot portion 29' of the control slot 29 in the control slide 7 (fig. 6), whereby the retaining cam 20 is moved a very small distance downwardly in the recess. Fig. 7 and 8 show the position of the adjusting mechanism, in which the panel 3 has been pivoted further upwardly such that the lock at the rear side of the panel 3 has been released and the locking element 40 has been uncoupled from the control slide 7. Underlying said first mentioned movement is that, upon the caused backward displacement of the control slide 7, the intermediate element 10 has been carried along through the guide pin 18 which has come into engagement with the slot portion 19'' of the control slot 19 in the control slide 7, which extends substantially vertical downwardly. The downward displacement of the guide pin 18 in this slot portion 19'' is imposed by the engagement between the opposite retaining cam 20 on the intermediate element 21 and the recess 22 in the guide element 21, which recess 22 inclines downwardly in rearward direction. It can be seen in fig. 7, that, in the mean time, the retaining cam 20 has left the recess 22 and has arrived in the longitudinal slot 17 of the stationary guide 8. Because the retaining cam 20 has been locked against an upward displacement in the longitudinal slot 17, the opposite guide pin 18 on the intermediate element 10 will be retained in the lower position in the slot portion 19'' of the control slot 19 in the control slide 7, so that the intermediate element 10 and the control slide 7 are connected to each other in a non-slidably manner and should be taken as one part upon a further rearward displacement. As a result thereof the tilt out lever 9 is only pivotable with respect to the control slide 7 in these positions. A consequence thereof is that when the pivot pin 13 of the tilt out lever 9 is moved backwardly, while the front pivot bolt 26 of the panel 3 is hold in its position in horizontal sense, the tilt out lever 9 pivots upwardly, thereby moving the panel upwardly at the pivot bolt 11, as is shown by a comparism of fig. 5 and 7. Fig. 7 further illustrates that the flange 42 near the rear side of the panel 3 has come out of engagement with the locking surface 41 of the locking element 40 as a result of the pivoting movement of the panel 3 by means of the tilt out lever 9 and by the small rearward displacement of the locking element 40 through the partial coupling to the control slide 7. In fig. 8 it can be seen that the guide pin 48 on the coupling lever 47 has passed through the inclined slot portion 49'' in the guide element 21, whereby the coupling lever 47 has been rotated about the vertical journal 46 and the hook-like part 50 on the coupling lever 47 has released from the counterpart 41 on the control slide 7. In this way the locking element 40 has been uncoupled from the control slide 7, so that, upon a further rearward displacement of the control slide 7, the locking element 40 and the parts connected thereto remain stationary. A spring means (not shown) causes the locking element to remain in this position. Upon the rearward displacement of the control slide 7 between the positions of fig. 5 and 7, the guide pin 28 on the tumbler 27 has passed through the gently declining slot portion 29'' of the control slot 29 in the control slide 7, as a consequence whereof the opposite locking cam 30 moves a very small distance downwardly in the recess 31 in the guide element 21. As a result thereof the tumbler 27 tumbles about the guide cam 32 and the pivot bolt 26 near the front end of the tumbler 27 just moves sufficiently upwardly to compensate the downward displacement of the front edge of the panel 3 caused by the pivoting movement of the panel 3. In this way a proper engagement between the front edge of the panel 3 and the sealing means 39 at the front edge of the roof opening 1 is maintained. Fig. 9 shows the position of the adjusting mechanism, in which the panel 3 has reached the maximum upwardly pivoted position. For this purpose the control slide 7 has been moved further backwardly with respect to the position of fig. 7 and 8, whereby the tilt out lever 9 is pivoted upwardly. It has not been shown that the guide pin 28 on the tumbler 27 has reached the transition between the central slot portion 29'' and the front slot portion 29''' of the control slot 29 in the control slide 7. Hereby the tumbler 27 has again tumbled slightly about the guide cam 32. In fig. 10 there is illustrated the position of the adjusting mechanism, in which the front edge of the panel 3 has been moved slightly rearwardly and upwardly such that the front edge of the panel 3 has been released from the sealing means 39 at the front edge of the roof opening 1. This is accomplished by the tumbling movement of the tumbler 27 about the guide cam 32, whereby the pivot bolt 27 connected to the panel 3 has been moved upwardly. The tumbling movement of the tumbler 27 is a result of the displacement of the guide pin 28 in the inclined front slot portion 29''' of the control slot 29 in the control slide 27 upon the rearward sliding displacement thereof. In fig. 10 the guide pin 28 has reached the lower end of the slot portion 29''' (not shown). The locking cam 30 has been moved downwardly to such an extent as a result thereof that it has left the recess 31 in the guide element 21 and has arrived in the longitudinal slot 17 of the stationary guide 8. As a consequence thereof the locking of the tumbler 27 against a backward sliding thereof has been released, so that the tumbler 27 is permitted to be moved rearwardly. Because the locking cam 30 of the tumbler 27 is vertically locked up in the longitudinal slot 17 of the stationary guide 8, the guide pin 28 on the tumbler 27 being aligned with the locking cam 30 is locked in the lower position in the inclined slot portion 29''' of the control slot 29 in the control slide 7, so that a connection is formed which prevents a sliding movement between the control slot 7 and the tumbler 27 in the longitudinal direction of the stationary guide 8. Upon a further rearward displacement of the control slide 7 the tumbler 27 is moving along as an integrated part. Fig. 11 illustrates the position of the adjusting mechanism, in which the panel 3 has been moved a small distance rearwardly such that the front edge of the panel 3 is lying behind the sealing means 39 at the front edge of the roof opening 1, as seen in horizontal direction. The tumbler 27 has been displaced backwardly together with the control slide 7 and the guide cam 32 has reached the rear end of the horizontal guide slot 33 in the guide element and is lying in front of the inclined downwardly directed opening 34. Fig. 12 shows the position of the adjusting mechanism, in which the front edge of the panel 3 is lying below the level of the fixed roof 2 at the front edge of the roof opening 1. This is effected by the tumbling movement of the tumbler 27 about the guide pin 28 such that the pivot bolt 26 on the tumbler 27 connected to the panel 3 has been moved downwardly. The tumbling movement of the tumbler 27 has been caused by the fact that the guide cam 32 has left the guide slot 33 downwardly along the ramp 35 and has reached the lower longitudinal slot 17, in which the guide cam 32 is accommodated in a slidable manner. In fig. 13 there is shown the position of the adjusting mechanism, in which the panel is in its fully rearwardly slid position. This is caused by the rearward displacement of the control slide 7, the intermediate element 10, the tilt out lever 9 and the tumbler 27 as an integral assembly. Both the tumbler 27 and the tilt out lever 9 are guided at both sides by different means, so that the stable support for the panel 3 is provided in all positions. The movements of the adjusting mechanism and the panel in the direction to the closed position of the panel take place in a similar way but in opposite sense. The invention provides an open roof construction for a vehicle, which effects a fully positive control of both the front and rear side of the panel. As a result thereof it is possible that the front edge of the panel abuts the sealing means at the front edge of the roof opening in every forward pivot position of the panel, while it is also possible to move the front edge of the panel below the level of the fixed roof in the rearwardly slid positions of the panel. Furthermore there is provided a very stable support of the panel free of rattling, without utilizing troublesome springs. Additionally the structure has a minimum built-in height.

Claims: Open roof construction for a vehicle having an opening (1) in the fixed roof (2), comprising an adjustable panel (3) which, in its closed position, closes the opening (1) in the fixed roof (2) and which, by operating a drive means (4), is capable of being pivoted from its closed position to a backwardly and upwardly inclined position at first and thereupon being moved backwardly into positions above the fixed roof (2), and vice versa, wherein the panel (3) is pivotally supported at its front side by a transverse pivot shaft (26), a tilt out lever (9) being provided at a distance behind said pivot shaft (26) and being pivotally connected to the panel (3) at its one end, the other end of the tilt out lever (9) being at least pivotally operatively connected to a control slide (7), which is slidably guided in a stationary guide (8) extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and is adapted to be engaged by the drive means such as a cable-like pull-push means (4), there being also provided a height adjusting means (27) connected to the panel (3) and having a forcing guide element (28) cooperating with a forcing guide element (29) of the slide (7), characterized in that the control slide positively controls movements of the tilt out lever (9) and of the height adjusting means (27) in both directions of movement, the height adjusting means (27) being connected to the panel (3) through the pivot shaft (26) to enable the panel (3) to pivot relative to the height adjusting means (27) which is in continuous engagement with the slide (7) through the forcing guide elements (28, 29), there also being provided further forcing guide elements (30-35) between the height adjusting means (27) and the stationary guide (8) to control movements of the height adjusting means (27) during displacements of the control slide (7). Open roof construction according to claim 1, characterized in that the height adjusting means (27) is a tumbler adapted to tumble in a vertical longitudinal plane. Open roof construction according to claim 2, characterized in that the tumbler (27) and the control slide (7) are in continuous engagement, wherein the control slide (7) and the tumbler (27) are in sliding engagement during the pivoting movement of the panel (3), and the control slide (7) and the tumbler (27) are in locking engagement with each other during almost the whole sliding movement of the panel (3). Open roof construction according to claim 3, characterized in that the engagement between the tumbler (27) and the control slide (7) is effected by means of a guide pin (28) fixed to the tumbler (27), the tumbler (27) engaging in a control slot (29) formed in the control slide (7). Open roof construction according to claim 4, characterized in that the tumbler (27) comprises a laterally projecting locking cam (30) engaging into a recess (31) formed in the stationary guide (8) when the panel (3) is in its forward position and which is able to come out of engagement with said recess (31) by tumbling the tumbler (27) under influence of displacement of the control slide (7), whereafter the tumbler (27) is able to slide backwardly together with the control slide (7) locked thereto. Open roof construction according to claim 5, characterized in that for tumbling the tumbler (27) the control slot (29) in the control slide (7), in which the guide pin (28) of the tumbler (27) engages, inclines at least partially downwardly in a forward direction, the locking engagement between the control slide (7) and the tumbler (27) being effected by the engagement between the locking cam (30) on the tumbler and an overhead flange (17') of the stationary guide (8) on the one hand and by the engagement of the guide pin (28) of the tumbler (27) with the forward lower end of the control slot (29) in the control slide (7), extending with an angle to the stationary guide (8), on the other hand. Open roof construction according to claim 6, characterized in that the control slot (29) in the control slide (7) includes a plurality of joining slot portions (29', 29'', 29''') inclining downwardly in forward direction, the front slot portion (29''') being inclined at a substantially steeper angle than the other slot portion(s) (29', 29''). Open roof construction according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the tumbler (27) comprises a guide cam (32) and the stationary guide being provided with a short horizontal guide slot (33) having a downwardly inclined opening (34) at its rear side, the guide cam (32) on the tumbler (27) being in engagement with the front end of the guide slot (33) in the stationary guide (8) when the panel (3) is in the forward position, and the guide cam (32) on the tumbler (27), upon the backward displacement thereof, leaving the guide slot (33) in the stationary guide (8) in a downwardly inclined direction, such that the pivot shaft (26) between the tumbler (27) and the front side of the panel (3) is moved downwardly. Open roof construction according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that there is provided a locking element (40) for positively pushing the rear side of the panel (3) downwardly into sealing means and keeping it there in the closed position of the panel (3), the locking element (40) comprising a locking surface (41) inclining upwardly in forward direction and being adapted to come into engagement with a flange means (42) fixed to the panel (3) when the panel (3) is near its closed position, the locking element (40) is adapted to be coupled to the control slide (7) in order to move it in the longitudinal direction of the stationary guide (8). Open roof construction according to claim 9, characterized in that the coupling operation of the locking element (40) and the control slide (7) takes place by means of a coupling lever (47) rotatably connected in its central portion to the locking element (40) by means of a substantially vertical journal (46), the coupling lever (47), on the one hand being in engagement with a further control slot (49) by means of a substantially vertical guide peg (48), the further control slot (49) being formed in the stationary guide (8) and inclining at least partially in transverse direction, the coupling lever (47), on the other hand, having a hook-like part (50) adapted to engage around a counter part (51) on the control slide (7) to couple the locking element (40) to the control slide (7). Open roof construction according to claim 10, characterized in that the coupling lever (47) is provided with a stop means (52) facing the control slide (7), the counter part (51) formed on the control slide (7) abutting against the stop means (52) during its forward movement whereby the coupling lever (47) and therefore the locking element (40) is carried along forwardly together with the control slide (7), while the coupling lever (47) is pivoted about the vertical journal (46) as a result of the course of the further control slot (49) in the stationary guide (8), and the hook-like part (50) engages around the counter part (51) on the control slide (7). Open roof construction according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the coupling lever (47) is pivotally mounted onto a support means (45) being slidable in the stationary guide (8) and being connected to the locking element (40) positioned rearwardly thereof by means of a connecting rod (44). Open roof construction according to one of claims 9-12, characterized in that the tilt out lever (9) is connected to the control slide (7) through an intermediate element (10) pivotally engaged by the tilt out lever (9) on one hand and partially slidably in engagement with the control slide (7) on the other hand, the intermediate element (10) being retained with respect to the stationary guide (8) while the control slide (7) moves with respect to the intermediate element (10) during the locking and unlocking movement of the panel (3). Open roof construction according to claim 13, characterized in that the intermediate element (10) has a laterally extending retaining cam (20), and the stationary guide being provided with a recess (22) inclining downwardly in rearward direction and being open at the lower side, the retaining cam (20) being able to engage into said recess (22) to lock the intermediate element (10). Open roof construction according to claim 14, characterized in that the intermediate element (10) comprises a transverse guide pin (18) at its forward end, the guide pin (18) lying at the other side than the retaining cam (20) but being aligned therewith and being in engagement with a third control slot (29) formed in the control slide (7) and having a rear slot portion (19') inclining slightly downwardly in forward direction and a front slot portion (19'') extending substantially vertically downwardly. Open roof construction according to claim 13, 14 or 15, characterized in that the tilt out lever (9) is provided at its side facing the intermediate element (10) with a partly circular guide rib (14) extending concentrically to the pivot shaft (13) of the tilt out lever (9) and being guided in a correspondingly shaped guiding slot (15) formed in the intermediate element (10), the tilt out lever (9) having at its side facing away from the intermediate element (10) a guide sleeve (16) extending concentrically to the pivot shaft (13) and being guided under a flange (17') of a longitudinal slot (17) in the stationary guide (8).

Inventors: HUYER JOHANNES NICOLAAS, HUYER, JOHANNES NICOLAAS
Applicants: VERMEULEN HOLLANDIA OCTROOIEN, VERMEULEN-HOLLANDIA OCTROOIEN II B.V.
Application year: 1988
Main classification: B60J7
IPC codes: B60J7