Patent Description:
Work vehicles such as agricultural vehicles usually comprises a cabin configured to protect the user of the vehicle for dangerous impact with elements such as branches or stones.

Such agricultural vehicles may comprise a front windscreen and a roof being provided with an opening above the driver seat, next to the front windscreen.

Consequently, such models are also provided with a sunshade assembly having at least the purpose of covering the opening on the roof.

A sunshade assembly with the above purpose may be mounted on the roof, immediately behind the opening, to form a roof assembly and usually includes a roller blind and a rod, which is adapted to slide below the opening and carry one end of the roller blind for extending and retracting the latter.

More in detail, the rod slides between a backward position, in which the roller blind is mostly wounded, and an advanced position, in which the roller blind is unwound and covers the opening as shown in <CIT> or <CIT>.

In general, the need is felt to provide the known roof assemblies with locking elements to keep the advanced position of the rod in a stable and tough manner while maintaining simplicity and lightness of this latter.

In fact, without an effective locking of the rod in the advanced position, the same rod might move and vibrate in an uncontrolled manner, with uncomfortable effects on the user.

The above need becomes more pressing in case the sunshade assembly is suitable for covering also the front windscreen.

Indeed, some of the previously described sunshade assemblies are also provided with a rigid sun visor carried by the rod in a pivotal manner to cover the front windscreen when the rod is in the advanced position; the rigid sun visor increases the weight supported by the rod and the occurrence of vibrations, especially when handled by the user.

Solutions of the above kind are disclosed, for instance, in <CIT> and in <CIT>.

Although the simplicity and compactness of such solutions, practical issues arises for stably locking the rod while allowing rotation of the visor.

Therefore, the need is also felt to improve the latter solutions from the point of view of their stability in use and robustness in an optimized and economic manner.

An aim of the invention is to satisfy at least one of the above-mentioned needs.

The aforementioned aim is reached by a roof assembly for a vehicle, as claimed in the appended set of claims.

With reference to <FIG>, reference numeral <NUM> refers to an agricultural vehicle comprising a chassis <NUM> provided with a cab defined by a plurality of walls, including e.g. a front wall <NUM> and a roof <NUM>, for defining a driving compartment <NUM>.

For the sake of clarity, terms like "front", "rear", "advanced", "backward", "behind" etc. refers hereinafter to a forward driving direction of vehicle <NUM>.

Agricultural vehicle <NUM> comprises a driver seat <NUM> within driving compartment <NUM>, while front wall <NUM> and roof <NUM> respectively have a front windscreen or opening <NUM>, and a top transparent portion or opening <NUM>, correspondingly in front of and above the driver seat <NUM>.

Furthermore, agricultural vehicle <NUM> comprises a sunshade assembly <NUM> according to the invention, which is carried by the roof <NUM> and configured for covering the top opening <NUM> and, advantageously, the front windscreen <NUM>.

Sunshade assembly <NUM> and roof <NUM> are both constitutive parts of a roof assembly of the vehicle <NUM>.

Sunshade assembly <NUM> comprises a frame <NUM>, which is fixedly coupled to roof <NUM> behind top opening <NUM> and is arranged below the latter. Frame <NUM> carries in a fixed position a guide device <NUM> extending along a first direction A, almost parallel to roof <NUM>, until ending next to front wall <NUM>.

With detail, guide device <NUM> extends between a back end, behind top opening <NUM>, and a front opposite end next to front wall <NUM>. In particular, guide device <NUM> comprises a couple of guide members 12a, more precisely a couple of rectilinear parallel rails along first direction A.

Moreover, as shown in <FIG>, sunshade assembly <NUM> comprises a deployable shade device <NUM>, which is carried by guide device <NUM> and is deployable or extendable along first direction A, in such a manner to cover the top opening <NUM>.

Advantageously, the deployable shade device <NUM> is further deployable along a second direction B, transversal to first direction A, in such a manner to cover also the front windscreen <NUM>.

More in detail, deployable shade device <NUM> comprises a sliding support, precisely a rod <NUM>, which is coupled to the guide device <NUM> in a sliding manner along first direction A.

Moreover, deployable shade device <NUM> further comprise a first sun visor <NUM> and, preferably, a second sun visor <NUM> both having respective portions carried by rod <NUM> on an inner thereof, as shown in <FIG>.

Specifically, first sun visor <NUM> has an end 15a carried in a fixed position by frame <NUM> or roof <NUM> and is extensible along first direction A through the displacement of rod <NUM> toward the front end of guide device <NUM>.

Sun visor <NUM> i.e. reaches the smallest extension, namely a retracted configuration, when rod <NUM> is moved to the back end of guide device <NUM>, whereas the same sun visor <NUM> reaches a larger extension, namely a deployed configuration, when rod <NUM> is moved to the front end of guide device <NUM>.

On the other hand, second sun visor <NUM> is extensible along second direction B and is provided with a movable end <NUM>, which is displaceable along second direction B between a position closest to rod <NUM> (<FIG>), in which sun visor <NUM> is in a respective retracted configuration, and a position farthest from rod <NUM> (<FIG>), in which sun visor <NUM> is in a respective deployed configuration such as to cover the front windscreen <NUM>, partly in the embodiment shown.

In particular, first sun visor <NUM> and, preferably, second sun visor <NUM> comprise respective roller blinds <NUM>, <NUM>, more specifically flexible curtains, which are respectively housed within rod <NUM> and woundable around axes C, D (<FIG>) fixed with respect to rod <NUM> and, in the embodiment shown, both horizontal and orthogonal to the driving direction of vehicle <NUM>.

When the first and second sun visors <NUM>, <NUM> are in the respective deployed configurations, the roller blinds <NUM>, <NUM> are almost completely unwound.

Moreover, first and second sun visor <NUM>, <NUM> are provided with corresponding return devices (not shown) of known kind that respectively operate to tension the first and second sun visor <NUM>, <NUM> themselves, as well as to bring them in the retracted configuration autonomously.

For instance, return devices are winding devices respectively coupled to roller blinds <NUM>, <NUM> to wind back the roller blinds <NUM>, <NUM> themselves when at least partially unwound. Precisely, winding devices may comprise torsional spring respectively wound around axes C, D and coupled to roller blinds <NUM>, <NUM> to wind back these latter as said above.

In order to ease a manual displacement of rod <NUM>, sunshade assembly <NUM> further comprises a handle <NUM> (<FIG>), which is carried by rod <NUM> in a fixed position, more precisely on a bottom portion of rod <NUM>.

Similarly, sunshade assembly <NUM> comprises, moreover, another handle <NUM> (also shown in <FIG>), which is carried by the end <NUM> of second sun visor <NUM> in a fixed position.

Handles <NUM>, <NUM> comprise respective backs 24a, 24b that, in the embodiment shown, face to each other when end <NUM> is in the position closest to rod <NUM>.

Sunshade assembly <NUM> further comprises restraining devices to keep both first and second sun visor <NUM>, <NUM> in the respective deployed configurations, against the action of the aforementioned return devices.

For example, sunshade assembly <NUM> comprises a known kind trigger mechanism associated to second sun visor <NUM> and activating in the deployed positon thereof. Such a known kind of trigger mechanism is neither illustrated nor described in further detail, for the sake of brevity. Handle <NUM> may be exploited by the user for releasing the trigger mechanism, for instance by the pressure of a button on handle <NUM> or by slightly pulling down handle <NUM>.

On the other hand, for keeping first sun visor <NUM> in the deployed configuration, sunshade assembly <NUM> comprises a locking seat <NUM>, which is defined by frame <NUM> and is adjoined to the front end of guide device <NUM> or, in other words, is arranged immediately downstream of guide device <NUM>, according to the driving direction of vehicle <NUM>.

Locking seat <NUM> receives rod <NUM> when first sun visor <NUM> is in the deployed configuration; here, rod <NUM> disengage the guide device <NUM> and is movable within locking seat <NUM> between an incoming position, in which is aligned with guide device <NUM> (more precisely with both guide members 12a), and a locking position, in which is prevented from escaping from locking seat <NUM>, such that the first sun visor <NUM> is kept in the deployed configuration against the action of the corresponding return device.

More in detail, the restraining device associated to first sun visor <NUM> comprises a couple of identical support elements <NUM>, of which only one in shown in <FIG>, and preferably defined by a couple of receptacles.

Support elements <NUM> are respectively arranged adjacent to guide members 12a, within locking seat <NUM>, and engaged in contact by rod <NUM> in the incoming position, such that rod <NUM> is supported by the support elements <NUM> in the incoming position.

Support elements <NUM> are movable within locking seat <NUM> to carry the rod <NUM> toward the locking position and, more precisely, are coupled to frame <NUM> in a swiveling manner about a hinge axis H, fixed with respect to frame <NUM>.

When the first sun visor <NUM> is in the retracted configuration, support elements <NUM> are maintained, for example by means of elastic reaction of torsional springs, in a receiving position, in which form respective extensions of guide members 12a or, in other words, an extension of guide device <NUM>, such that rod <NUM> can reach the incoming position by sliding along support elements <NUM>.

On the other hand, when first sun visor <NUM> is in the deployed configuration and rod <NUM> is in the locking position, the support elements <NUM> still support rod <NUM>, precisely in a sliding manner, and are displaced from the receiving position, specifically rotated, such that rod <NUM> and first sun visor <NUM> cannot anymore engage with guide device <NUM> and come back to retracted configuration, respectively, despite the action of the corresponding return device.

In other words, support elements <NUM> are brought in a separating position, where continuity between support elements <NUM> and guide device <NUM> is interrupted and frame <NUM> interferes with the freedom of movement of rod <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, frame <NUM> closes receptacles defined by support elements <NUM>, such that rod <NUM> lying on support elements <NUM> (<FIG>) remains entrapped in a niche <NUM> defined by frame <NUM> and support elements <NUM>.

Preferably, the restraining device associated to first sun visor <NUM> comprises at least one engagement member <NUM> carried in a fixed position by frame <NUM>, in particular making part of frame <NUM>, and engaging with rod <NUM> in a releasable manner when the latter is in the locking position, such as to limit mobility of rod <NUM> and, in particular, to block swiveling of support elements <NUM>.

In particular, the rod <NUM> is prevented from moving transversally to the driving direction of vehicle <NUM>.

In the embodiment shown, two engagement members <NUM> are provided as protrusion towards locking seat <NUM> for engaging with respective seats <NUM> provided in the rod <NUM>.

In <FIG>, only one engagement member <NUM> and seat <NUM> are illustrated, being preferably identical to the others not shown.

Engagement members <NUM> are arranged below the front end of guide device <NUM> at a back portion of locking seat <NUM>; in such a manner, rod <NUM> is pulled back by the return device for first sun visor <NUM> when carried by support elements <NUM> in the separating position. In particular, rod <NUM> slides along support elements <NUM> toward the engagement members <NUM>, i.e. along an opposite direction to the driving direction, until seats <NUM> are engaged by engagement members <NUM>. Here, rod <NUM> reaches the locking position.

Handle <NUM> may be exploited by user for releasing the engagement between engagement members <NUM> and rod <NUM>, in particular by pushing handle <NUM> toward handle <NUM>. Then, once rod <NUM> slides along support elements <NUM> away from engagement members <NUM>, support elements <NUM> can swivel about hinge axis H to come back to the receiving position, for instance by means of the aforementioned elastic reactions. Here, rod <NUM> can move toward the back end of guide device <NUM>.

Evidently, the spacing between backs 24a, 24b is sufficient to allow the maneuver just described.

The operation of the sunshade assembly <NUM> is herein described with reference to <FIG>.

The user of vehicle <NUM> pushes handle <NUM> along first direction A toward the front wall <NUM>; accordingly, rod <NUM> moves toward support members <NUM> maintained in the receiving position by the torsional spring (<FIG>).

Then, rod <NUM> reaches the incoming position and first sun visor <NUM> the deployed configuration, in which the top opening <NUM> is fully covered (<FIG>). Here, the user pulls down handle <NUM> to overcome the elastic reaction of the torsional spring and bring support members <NUM> in the separating position (<FIG>). The user releases handle <NUM> and the return device of sun visor <NUM> causes the sliding of rod <NUM> toward engagement members <NUM> within niche <NUM>.

Hence, rod <NUM> reaches the locking position when engagement members <NUM> engage seats <NUM>, where first sun visor <NUM> is still in the deployed configuration (<FIG>). At this point, the user pulls down handle <NUM> until end <NUM> reaches the position farthest to rod <NUM>, i.e. until second sun visor <NUM> reaches the deployed configuration, in which cover a portion of the front windscreen <NUM>.

Here, the aforementioned trigger mechanism activates and the deployable shade device <NUM> is fully deployed and in use.

To bring the second sun visor <NUM> in the retracted configuration, the user pulls down the handle <NUM> to release the trigger mechanism and, successively, release the same handle <NUM> such that the corresponding return device bring the second sun visor <NUM> in the retracted configuration.

The maneuvers for bringing the first sun visor <NUM> in the retracted configuration are specular to the ones already described for bringing the same in the and, therefore, are not further specified in detail.

In view of the foregoing, the advantages of the roof assembly according to the invention are apparent.

Frame <NUM>, defining locking seat <NUM>, is compact and simple to be manufactured. Within locking seat <NUM>, rod <NUM> has a reduced space to move but sufficient to keep efficiently the deployed configuration of first sun visor <NUM>.

Support elements <NUM> are the only movable components that are coupled to frame <NUM>, thus rendering sunshade assembly <NUM> particularly simple, cost effective, and reliable. In addition, support elements <NUM> play a convenient supporting role for rod <NUM>, which can therefore enter and move smoothly within locking seat <NUM>.

The optional second sun visor <NUM> carried by the same rod <NUM> for carrying also first sun visor <NUM> is useful to cover part of the front windscreen <NUM>, so as to solve the problem of implementing a dedicated sun visor in the presence of an opened roof, like roof <NUM>.

Furthermore, the particular choose of roller blind <NUM> for sun visor <NUM> is extremely convenient, since only a traction force need to be exerted on frame <NUM> through rod <NUM> to deploy second sun visor <NUM>. On the contrary, a torque and a force are needed according to known solutions with a pivotal front sun visor.

Eventually, it is apparent that handles <NUM>, <NUM> are arranged strategically, in such a manner that a user is able to deploy the deployable shade device <NUM> with very simple gestures.

It is clear that modifications can be made to the described roof assembly without departing from the scope of protection defined by the appended set of claims.

For example, guide device <NUM> may have a different shape or have different constructional features; in particular, only a single guide member may define guide device <NUM>. Moreover, frame <NUM> may directly define guide device <NUM>.

Components like the second sun visor <NUM> or support elements <NUM> are not strictly necessary, so that they can be even lacking.

Support elements <NUM> may be replaced by a single beam extending transversally to first direction A and shaped to receive rod <NUM> in the incoming position.

Axis C, around which roller blind <NUM> is wound may be fixed to frame <NUM> or roof <NUM>, whereas end 15a may be carried by rod <NUM>.

Finally, engagement members <NUM> may be replaced by a single engagement member with different shape or being differently arranged with respect to frame <NUM>. Moreover, engagement member <NUM> may be replaced by a seat, instead of a protrusion, engaged by a corresponding protrusion on rod <NUM>.

Engagement members <NUM> are not essential to carry out the function of preventing rod <NUM> from escaping from locking seat <NUM>, since the walls defining locking seat <NUM> may form a sufficient barrier for rod <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A roof assembly for a vehicle (<NUM>), comprising a vehicular roof (<NUM>) provided with a light admitting portion (<NUM>) and a sunshade assembly (<NUM>) carried by said vehicular roof (<NUM>), the sunshade assembly (<NUM>) comprising:
• a guide device (<NUM>) fixed with respect to said vehicular roof (<NUM>);
• a deployable shade device (<NUM>) comprising a sliding support (<NUM>) coupled to said guide device (<NUM>) in a sliding manner along a first direction (A) and a first sun visor (<NUM>) having an end carried by said sliding support (<NUM>) and being extensible, so as to be configurable, in reply to a corresponding sliding of said sliding support (<NUM>), between a retracted configuration and a deployed configuration, in which respectively reaches a smaller and a larger extension;
• restraining means (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) configured to cooperate in contact with said deployable shade device (<NUM>) to keep said first sun visor (<NUM>) in the deployed configuration, in which said first sun visor (<NUM>) covers said light admitting portion (<NUM>); and
• a locking seat (<NUM>) adjoined to an end portion of said guide device (<NUM>), so as to receive said sliding support (<NUM>) when said first sun visor (<NUM>) is in the deployed configuration;
said assembly is characterized in that said sliding support (<NUM>) is movable within said locking seat (<NUM>) between an incoming position, in which said sliding support (<NUM>) is aligned with said guide device (<NUM>) to engage therewith, and a locking position, in which said deployable shade device (<NUM>) cooperates in contact with said restraining means (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>), such that said sliding support (<NUM>) is prevented from escaping from said locking seat (<NUM>);
and wherein said restraining means (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprises releasable locking means configured to exert a locking action onto said sliding support (<NUM>) when in the locking position to prevent said locking position to move toward the incoming position
and wherein said locking means comprises at least one engagement member (<NUM>) fixed with respect to said roof (<NUM>), engaging in a releasable manner with said sliding support (<NUM>) while in the locking position, and configured at least to limit mobility of said sliding support (<NUM>) when engaged therewith.