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 
     The invention concerns a convertible vehicle with a foldable roof that has at least one rear bracket. 
     Tops with rear brackets must be moved during opening in such a way that the brackets are first lifted from a support 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 when in its closed position. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the invention is to provide an interference-free and reliable opening mechanism for roof constructions of this kind. 
     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 are 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. 
     If the roof is constructed as a so-called fin top with two essentially triangular brackets, when viewed from the top, there 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. 
    
    
     Additional advantages and details can be seen in the accompanying drawings and description. 
     IN THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 shows a convertible vehicle according to the invention in a schematic perspective view, 
     FIG. 2 shows a detail view of the linkage parts essentially corresponding to section II—II in FIG. 1, 
     FIG. 3 shows a similar view to FIG. 2 when the brackets are opened, 
     FIG. 4 shows a similar view to FIG. 3 as the opening of the roof proceeds further, 
     FIG. 5 shows a similar view to FIG. 4 with the roof completely open, 
     FIG. 6 shows the linkage parts according to FIG. 2 in the closed initial position, 
     FIG. 7 shows the linkage parts in the position according to FIG. 3, and 
     FIG. 8 shows the linkage parts in the position according to FIG.  5 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     According to the illustrated embodiment, 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  5   a.  When the roof  2  is in the closed position, the brackets  4  rest on the rear cover  5  and must be lifted off the rear cover  5  in order to make it possible to open the roof. When the rear cover  5  is open, the roof  2  and the rear brackets  4  can be moved as a whole into an area in the chassis of the vehicle in which it can be covered by the rear cover  5 . 
     A rear window  6  is located forward of and between the brackets  4  and can be opened separately when the roof is in the closed position. In its lowered position  7 , the rear window  6  is disposed in a box-shaped receptacle  8  on the chassis side. 
     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  11  and the upper edge  12  of the receptacle  8  on the chassis side. 
     In order to make this procedure possible, the cross support  9 , which is firmly connected to the brackets  4 , must be moved along a motion path  13 , combining a superimposed lifting and a rotation motion. In order to assume optimal concealment of the cross support  9  in the closed state of the roof  2 , the cross support  9  can be located underneath the rear cover  5 . Based on its low position, the cross support  9  must first be lifted in order for it to clear the upper edge  12  of the receptacle  8  when opening the roof. 
     To enable the combined motion path  13 , the brackets  4  are mounted so that they can rotate on control rods  14  each of which is in turn connected through a first intermediate guide rod  15  and a second intermediate guide rod  16  to a rear roof-frame part  17 . The rear roof-frame part  17  can be rotated around a main bearing  18  on a side of the chassis  30 , whereby the main bearing  18  is disposed in a fixed position on the chassis. A drive element  26  (e.g. FIG.  6 ), for example a hydraulic cylinder, provides for the rotation and is connected to the rear roof-frame part  17  with a pivot axle  27 . At one end, the first intermediate guide rod  15  is connected to the control rod  14  through a pivot axle  19  and on the other end, it is connected to the rear roof-frame part  17  through another pivot axle  20 . By rotating this roof-frame part  17  about the main bearing  18 , a pulling motion is exerted on the pivot axle  20  in the direction of the arrow  21 . In this way, the pivot axle  19  of the control rod  14  is moved simultaneously, so that a rotation motion is transmitted to the control rod  14 . 
     Moreover, the control rod  14  is attached to a lower pivot axle  22  which forms a bearing disposed in a rocker  23  constructed as an elongated hole. Coaxially to the pivot axle  22 , the second intermediate guide rod  16  is connected to the control rod  14 . A pivot axle  24  at the other end of the intermediate guide rod  16  is also mounted to the rear roof-frame part  17  so that it can rotate. When the rear roof-frame part  17  is rotated about the main bearing  18 , a pulling motion is exerted on the pivot 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 pivot axle  22  of the control rod  14  upwardly. These two simultaneous motions result in the motion path  13 . 
     The control rods  14  are not fixed on the chassis side  30 , but are connected to the rear roof-frame part  17  merely through the first and second intermediate guide rods  15 ,  16 . The end of the control rod  14  opposite the pivot axles  19 ,  22  is connected to the rear brackets  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 pivot axel  19  and the pivot axel  22  which forms a bearing at its end on the chassis side and is comprised of a gripping neck region extending to the rear bracket  4 .