Abstract:
A convertible vehicle has a vehicle body with a passenger compartment, a convertible roof receiving space, and a baggage space defined therein. A convertible roof has a rear part with a rear window. The convertible roof has a closed position wherein it extends over the passenger compartment and an open position wherein the convertible roof is at least partially received in the roof receiving space. A tailgate at least partially covers the baggage space and has an open position and a closed position. The tailgate is movable to the open position to define a loading opening for baggage. The rear window is automatically pivoted upwardly to provide an additional loading opening for baggage when the roof is in the closed position and the tailgate is moved to the open position to provide the loading opening for baggage.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application claims priority from German application No. 10 2006061835.1, filed Dec. 21, 2006, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a motor vehicle having a tailgate for at least partially covering a baggage space and having a rear window arranged in the rear part of the roof. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   DE 20 2004 018 877 U1 illustrates a fixed roof vehicle with a rear window that can be pivoted open independently of the tailgate. The rear window is further pivotable with the upwardly hinged tailgate, which is pivotable about the same axis and into which said rear window is embedded. The rear window, however, abuts outwardly, which is undesired for a uniform visual effect. In addition, due to the common pivot axis of the tailgate and the rear window, the design options are limited. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a convertible vehicle with a vehicle body having a passenger compartment, a convertible roof receiving space, and a baggage space defined therein. A convertible roof has a rear part with a rear window. The convertible roof has a closed position wherein it extends over the passenger compartment and an open position wherein the convertible roof is at least partially received in the roof receiving space. A tailgate at least partially covers the baggage space and has an open position and a closed position. The tailgate is movable to the open position to define a loading opening for baggage. The rear window is automatically pivoted upwardly to provide an additional loading opening for baggage when the roof is in the closed position and the tailgate is moved to the open position to provide the loading opening for baggage. 
   The present invention provides an enlargement of the loading opening for baggage in a convertible vehicle. At the same time, it is not necessary to move the tailgate and the rear window separately. Because of the automatic pivoting of the rear window, it is only necessary to move the tailgate without having to concern oneself with the movement of the rear window. In a convertible vehicle, it is necessary for the roof, which supports the rear window, to separate from the body. As such, it is impossible for a tailgate to extend upwardly beyond the rear window. The present invention makes it possible to provide a loading opening which extends from the upper hinge arrangement of the rear window down to the lower edge of the tailgate, that is down to or into the bumper. 
   The tailgate has a dual function in that it at least partially covers both a receiving space for the opened roof and a baggage space, and it can be opened in the same direction both to provide a passage opening for the roof into or out of its receiving space and to provide a loading opening for baggage. The present invention allows a convertible vehicle to be made with a very short tail end, such as a hatchback. A vehicle in accordance with the invention can be a small automobile, a compact, SUV, van or station wagon. 
   The tailgate can be opened with the rear window remaining in the fixed position or the tailgate can be opened with an automatic opening of the rear window, thereby allowing a high degree of flexibility in operation. In order to open the roof of a convertible vehicle, the tailgate is opened to provide a passage opening for the roof into its receiving space and the rear window remains in the roof and can be stowed jointly therewith. 
   The present invention may also be used with a closed vehicle structure to be able to load or unload small pieces of baggage without any great lifting or to allow smaller pets fast access. 
   In some embodiments, the rear window can be pivoted open and is biased towards the open position. As such, a separate drive means is not required to open the window. When the tailgate is at least partially open, the tailgate overlaps the rear window and therefore blocks its movement. As such, a separate lock or a similar securing mechanism for the rear window can be dispensed with. When the tailgate is closed, the rear window can automatically be moved downwardly against the force of the drive means acting on it and can also be held in the closed position by the closed tailgate. These features can also be realized not only in a convertible, but also in a closed vehicle structure. 
   In preferred embodiments, rear window is biased towards the open position, with the opening movement being blocked by the closed tailgate. The tailgate holds the lower edge of the rear window tight in the closed position, for example by having a roller member or slide member associated with the lower edge of the window that is guided by the inner side of the tailgate. 
   With either direct or indirect guidance of the lower rear window edge by the tailgate, both the opening and closing of the rear window can be coupled in a compulsory manner to the movement of the tailgate. The automatic aspect of the rear window movement can then be operative on the opening and closing without a user having to spend any time thinking about it. 
   The tailgate can be pivoted upwardly to provide a loading opening for baggage and the rear window can be held in this position in its pivoted open position below the tailgate and partly covered by the tailgate. A particularly large loading opening, for instance from the bumper up to the hinge axis of the pivoted open rear window can thus be achieved in such a position. In addition, the rear window and the tailgate cooperate to provide a cover for rain protection when they are open. 
   The hinging of the tailgate can nevertheless be disposed below a window belt line, which extends below the side windows and substantially along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. This line at the upper edge of the body defines a dividing line between the roof and the body. 
   The vehicle be made as a hatchback and the tailgate can include a substantially upright trunk trim panel part that defines the rear end of the receiving space. As such, a vehicle in accordance with the invention can also be made as a small automobile or as a compact. 
   The rear window can pivot open without a frame or be held in a pivot frame co-movable with it. In the latter case, with the roof and rear window closed, the lower termination of the pivot frame can be sealingly engaged behind by the upper edge of a closed tailgate. This pivot frame can then not be pivoted open when the tailgate is closed. The rear window can engage a seal of the pivot frame from the outside and the lower edge of the window can be a little above the lower edge of the pivot frame. With this design, window can be pivoted open separately with respect to the pivot frame when the tailgate is closed. A particularly flexible handling is thus made possible. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic side view of a rear portion of a convertible vehicle in accordance with the present invention with the roof, tailgate, and rear window closed; 
       FIG. 2  is a longitudinal section of the tailgate and rear window region of the vehicle of  FIG. 1 , approximately in the transverse center of the vehicle; 
       FIG. 3  is a similar view to  FIG. 2  with the tailgate pivoted partially upwardly and the rear window moved therewith; 
       FIG. 4  is a similar view to  FIG. 3  with the tailgate and rear window opened further; 
       FIG. 5  is a similar view to  FIG. 4  with the tailgate and rear window almost completely open; 
       FIG. 6  is a similar view to  FIG. 5  with the tailgate and rear window completely open, the rear window being partly overlapped by the tailgate in this position; 
       FIG. 7  is a similar view to  FIG. 2  illustrating an alternative embodiment, wherein the lower end of said rear window is held in a guide rail during opening and closing; 
       FIG. 8  is a similar view to  FIG. 7  with the tailgate starting to open and a twin roller guide on the rear window engaging an inner guide rail; 
       FIG. 9  is a similar view to  FIG. 8  with the tailgate and rear window partially opened; 
       FIG. 10  is a similar view to  FIG. 9  with the tailgate and rear window opened further; 
       FIG. 11  is a similar view to  FIG. 10  with the tailgate and rear window opened still further; 
       FIG. 12  is a similar view to  FIG. 11  with the tailgate and rear window completely open, the rear window being partly overlapped by the tailgate in this position; 
       FIG. 13  is a similar view to  FIG. 7  with the inner guide track folded outwardly to provide freedom of movement for opening of the convertible roof; and 
       FIG. 14  is a view similar to  FIG. 13  with the rear window stored. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   A convertible vehicle  1  in accordance with the present invention can be a four-seater vehicle, a vehicle with multiple seats provided with at least one rear bench, or a two-seater. The hatchback design can be found frequently in the small and compact automobile sector and, for instance, with SUVs, station wagons or vans. 
   The movable roof  2  adjoins a windshield frame  3  indirectly or directly in the closed position. The illustrated roof  2  is a retractable hard top (RHT), having a plurality of generally plate-shaped assemblies that are mutually separated at their outer surface. Alternatively, the roof can be a soft top, with a flexible covering. 
   A rear window  5  is disposed in the retractable roof  2 . With the roof  2  closed, the rear window can be pivoted open with respect to rear side columns  6  which laterally encompass the rear window and can be lowered when the retractable roof is opened. 
   The roof  2  can be moved downwardly when it is opened. A receiving space may be provided for the receiving the roof and the receiving space may be at least partly covered by a tailgate  7 . The tailgate acts in a dual function for at least partially covering the roof receiving space and a baggage space. The baggage space can include the roof receiving space. In particular with a retractable hard top, the tailgate pivots open both to provide a passage opening for the roof  2  and to provide a loading opening for baggage. Both tailgate opening movements can nevertheless take place in the same way, namely such that the rear edge of the tailgate is raised upwardly and forwardly to provide both openings. In the simplest version, the tailgate pivots around a transverse axis that is fixed with respect to the vehicle. In the illustrated embodiment, a four-bar linkage is used so that the front edge of the tailgate  7 , with the roof  2  closed, is transposed upwardly and also rearwardly when opened. 
   In the illustrated embodiment, the rear window  5  is disposed in a frame part  8  of the roof  2  that is open at the lower end. The frame part  8  and rear window  5  can be lowered when the roof is opened. The frame part  8  may be one part or multipart and be fixedly connected to the sections of the roof  2  disposed laterally of the rear window  5 . The frame part  8  may be stowed with these lateral roof sections in the body when the roof is opened. 
   The frame part  8  extends along the upper edge and laterally around the rear window  5 , when it is closed, and can therefore be substantially U-shaped and downwardly open. 
   The rear window  5  may pivot open as a frameless assembly with respect to this frame part  8 , for example by means of gas-pressurized springs  9  active with respect to the frame part  8 . In this version, the pivot hinges  10  may directly engage the rear window  5 . Alternatively, the rear window  5  may be held in a pivot frame  11  co-movable with it, as is shown in  FIGS. 2 to 6 . Two different types of opening of the rear window  5  are possible with this design. The rear window can be pivoted open with the pivot frame  11  or it can be pivoted open individually with the frame  11  fixed so that the rear window  5  may be opened with the tailgate  7  closed (not shown). 
   The rear window  5  can nevertheless be pivoted open with respect to the pivot frame  11  when the tailgate is in this closed position. The tailgate  7  seals and holds the lower edge of the pivot frame  11 , but the rear window  5  may still be opened since the lower edge of the rear window  5  ends a little above the lower edge of the pivot frame  11 . 
   When the tailgate and rear window are pivoted open, a particularly large loading opening is provided, extending approximately from the bumper up to the upper roof surface. Nevertheless, it is not necessary for the tailgate itself to extend completely from the top to the bottom. Rather, the tailgate  7  extends downwardly only approximately from the horizontal window belt line  12  when the tailgate is in the closed position. When the rear window  5  and the tailgate  7  are pivoted open, the rear window  5  can be held in its pivoted open position beneath the tailgate  7  and partly covered thereby. The danger of injury to the head is reduced when the tailgate and rear window are in the fully opened position. In addition, because the tailgate  7  and the rear window  5  both cover the loading opening, they provide protection against weather during loading or unloading. 
   When the convertible roof is opened, the rear window may remain fixedly connected to the frame parts  8  in the manner of a conventional rear window. 
   The tailgate  7  can be opened manually or automatically, and the rear window  5  can be automatically pivoted upwardly to an open position with respect to the closed roof, since the movement of the rear window is coupled to the movement of the tailgate (e.g.  FIG. 3  to  FIG. 6 ). 
   The coupling of the rear window to the tailgate does not necessarily have to be operative on each opening of the tailgate  7 . It may be possible to selectively allow the rear window  5  either to pivot upwardly to the open position automatically when the tailgate is opened to provide a loading opening for baggage or to leave the rear window in its closed position embedded in the roof  2 , in particular when the tailgate  7  is opened to provide a passage opening for the roof  2 . For this purpose, for example, two different opening buttons can be provided on the tailgate  7  or the dashboard with which the type of opening can be respectively distinguished. 
   In the first embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in  FIGS. 1 to 6 , the rear window  5  is biased towards the open position, for example, via gas-pressurized springs  9 , telescopically extensible rails or other measures. This opening movement is, however, blocked by a section of the tailgate  7  which extends over the rear window when the tailgate is in its closed position ( FIG. 2 ). This blocking may be accomplished by at least one roller body or slide body  13  associated with the lower edge of the rear window  5 . In the illustrated embodiment, a roller is guided by the inner side of the tailgate and is pressed by the action of spring force against a guide track  14  arranged in the tailgate  7 . 
   The hinging arrangement of the tailgate  7  is disposed below the window belt line  12 , which extends under the side windows and substantially in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In the illustrated embodiment, the window belt line  12  extends over forwardly projecting side wings  15  of the tailgate  7 . In a plan view, the tailgate  7  is thereby approximately U-shaped and only has a narrow transverse web in the region of the window belt line  12  in the middle region. The vehicle therefore does not need any notchback, but can be made as a hatchback vehicle, with the tailgate  7  including a substantially upright trunk trim panel part  16  terminating the receiving space to the rear. 
   When the tailgate  7  is opened, the guide track  14  pivots rearwardly and upwardly with the tailgate so that the roller body or slide body  13  has additional movement space. Consequently, the gas-pressurized spring  9  is able to push outward continuously ( FIG. 2  to  FIG. 6 ). In the open position of the tailgate  7  ( FIG. 6 ), the rear window  5  is then pivoted open up to a position beyond horizontal by pivoting, for example, approximately 90° or more. 
   In this open position, the rear window  5  is held below the tailgate  7  and partially covered by it—with the aforesaid advantages. When the tailgate  7  is closed, the guide track pushes the roller body  13  against the force of the springs  9  and the rear window  5  is thus forced into its closed position. 
   Since the pressing of the rear window  5  against the guide track  14  in this embodiment is only effected via spring force, the window  5  can also be secured against this spring force, for instance by an additional lock for holding it in the closed position. 
   In the second embodiment of the present invention, shown in  FIGS. 7 to 14 , in contrast, the pivoting open and closed of the rear window  5  is coupled in a compulsory manner to the movement of the tailgate  7 . A twin roller  17  associated with the rear window  7  can be moved within a closed guide track  18  in the tailgate  7 . 
   The opening of the tailgate  7 , along with rear window  5 , is shown in  FIGS. 7 to 12 .  FIGS. 13 and 14 , in contrast, illustrate the opening of the convertible roof with the rear window  5  embedded in the side regions  6  of the roof. An upper part  19  of the inner (front) guide rail  20  can be pivoted like a switch for this procedure. When the tailgate  7  and the rear window  5  are both closed, as shown in  FIG. 7 , the twin roller  17  is located in an expanded funnel opening  21  of the guide track  18  and does not have any contact with the inner guide rail  20 . This allows the upper part  19  of the inner guide rail  20  to pivot to the position show in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . If the upper part  19  remains in the inwardly guiding position shown in  FIG. 7 , the twin roller  17  runs automatically and in a compulsory manner into the guide track  18  when the tailgate  7  is opened. After the tailgate is displaced through a small opening angle, for example, up to 8° ( FIG. 8 ), the twin roller is disposed in the guide track. A spring or other force on the rear window  5  is not necessary in this embodiment since the twin roller  17  is captured in the track  18  and is bound to it in a compulsory manner when the tailgate  7  is opened further. This compulsory movement is illustrated in  FIG. 8 to 12 . The relative position of the rear window  5  to the tailgate  8  can almost correspond to that of the first embodiment during this procedure. 
   When the roof  2  is opened like a convertible, in contrast, the rear window is pivotable forwardly in its embedded position in the roof  2  into an approximately horizontal position ( FIG. 14 ). This is possible the upper section  19  of the inner guide rail  20  is switched to the rearward location. This switching was not necessary in the first embodiment due to the possibility of moving the roller  13  inwardly from the guide track  14 . 
   Other coupling approaches between the tailgate  7  and the rear window  5  are also possible. 
   The invention furthermore also allows moving the tailgate  7  into a first open position opened less widely to provide the passage opening for the roof  2  and into a second open position moved further open to provide the loading opening, even though the tailgate moves in the same direction both times. A high headroom can thus be achieved during loading. The risk of an impact on a garage ceiling is, however, considerably reduced when the roof is opened. 
   The invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It is, therefore, to be understood that the terminology used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Thus, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.