Patent ID: 6942286

Claim:
A retractable roof for vehicles having a roof skin with an outer contour and a roof opening ( 12 ), comprising: a fixed roof area ( 3 ) connected to the rear edge ( 12 A) of the roof opening ( 12 ) and forming a portion of the roof skin ( 14 ), at least one cover panel ( 1 , 2 ) that is at least movable between a closed position to close the roof opening ( 12 ), and an open position to at least partially expose the roof opening ( 12 ), the roof opening having side edges ( 12 B, 12 C) extending in the driving direction (F), guide rails ( 16 ) which are attached to the vehicle at the side edges ( 12 B, 12 C) which guide said at least one cover panel ( 1 , 2 ), and at least one cover panel-supporting element ( 20 ) connected to said at least one cover panel ( 1 , 2 ), said at least one cover panel being positioned at least partially above said fixed roof area ( 3 ) when moved to a non-closed position, said guide rails ( 16 ) including at least on guide rail extension ( 16 A) extending rearwardly beyond the rear edge ( 12 A) of the roof opening ( 12 ) and being entirely below the roof skin contour, the roof skin ( 14 ) including at least one recess adjacent said at least one extension ( 16 A) of said guide rails, said at least one recess defining a lateral opening ( 18 ) extending in the driving direction (F) of the vehicle which functions as an extension of the side edges ( 12 B, 12 C) of the roof opening, said at least one cover panel-supporting element ( 20 ) guiding said at least one cover panel ( 1 , 2 ) along said guide rails ( 16 , 16 A), said at least one cover panel-supporting element ( 20 ) engaging said at least one extension ( 16 A) of said guide rails ( 16 ) below the roof skin contour ( 14 ) and extending at least partially through said lateral opening ( 18 ) when said at least, one cover panel is moved to a completely open position, wherein said cover panel-supporting elements ( 20 ) are fixedly connected to said at least one cover panel ( 1 , 2 ).