Convertible

Abstract

A convertible has a top which can be opened and, in the closed state, has a headliner facing an interior of the convertible. The novel top has a rear window frame and at least two separate roof sections which, when the top is closed, are placed in front of the rear window frame in the direction of travel and, during the opening and closing of the top, can be moved in relation to each other and relative to the convertible via a top linkage. A respective, separate and self-supporting lining element which faces the interior of the convertible and which each forms a section of the headliner is disposed on each roof section.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal section taken through the top of a convertible according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view from the inside of a headliner of the top.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and first, particularly, to FIG. 1 thereof, a top 1 which can be opened of a convertible has, in the closed state, a headliner 3 facing an interior 2 of the convertible. The top 1 is formed with a rear window frame 4 with a rear window 5 arranged thereon, and at least two separate roof sections 7, 7′ which, when the top 1 is closed, are placed in front of the rear window frame 4 in the direction of travel 6. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the top 1 of the convertible has a total of three separate roof sections 7, 7′, 7″ in front of the rear window frame 4 in the direction of travel 6. In this case, the frontmost roof section 7, as seen in the direction of travel 6, is designed as an integral roof frame while the following roof sections 7′ and 7″ are designed as first and second surface panels.

In order to open and close the top 1, the roof sections 7, 7′, 7″ can be moved in relation to one another and relative to the convertible via a top linkage 8. When the top 1 is open, the second surface panel 7″ is located below the rear window frame 4 while the integral roof frame 7 and the first surface panel 7′ are stored above the rear window frame 4.

All of the roof sections 7, 7′, 7″ and the rear window frame 4 are configured as separate elements and have a certain degree of inherent stability. The roof sections 7, 7′, 7″ and/or the rear window frame 4 can be formed from light metal, plastic or polyurethane paper honeycombs, which ensures the required degree of rigidity of the roof sections 7, 7′, 7″ and/or of the rear window frame 4. It is important in this case that the roof sections 7, 7′, 7″ and/or the rear window frame 4, firstly, are of as lightweight design as possible, in order, in particular, to be able to keep an actuator for opening and closing the top 1 small, but, secondly, have a required minimum degree of rigidity in order to provide a high level of travelling comfort.

According to the invention, a separate and self-supporting lining element 9, 9′, 9″ which faces the interior 2 of the convertible and in each case forms part of the headliner 3 is arranged on each roof section 7, 7′, 7″. A self-supporting lining element 9, 9′, 9″ of this type can be connected to the associated roof section 7, 7′, 7″, for example via a screw connection or clip connection. Since the headliner 3 is immediately visible to the passengers of the convertible sitting in the interior 2, its configuration in terms of design is of particular importance especially in higher-cost convertibles. The self-supporting lining elements 9, 9′, 9″ according to the invention therefore have a surface 10, 10′, 10″ which faces the interior 2 and can be formed, for example, from one of the following materials or can have at least one of the following materials: leather, plastic, wood, metal, fabric. This list already shows that, with the lining elements 9, 9′, 9″ according to the invention, a great degree of freedom with respect to the configuration of the headliner 3 arises, with it furthermore being conceivable that at least one surface 10 of at least one lining element 9 is kept in the color of the convertible.

It is likewise conceivable that the respective lining element 9, 9′, 9″ has a self-illuminating or illuminable surface 10, 10′, 10″ facing the interior 2. For example, a fluorescent film or coating is suitable in this case as the self-illuminating surface, while an “integrated circuit film” which illuminates when an electric voltage is applied can be used as the illuminable surface. In this case, the self-illuminating or illuminable surface 10, 10′, 10″ can be stretched over almost the entire area, facing the interior 2, of the respective roof section 9, 9′, 9″ or else the self-illuminating or illuminable surface 10, 10′, 10″ facing the interior 2 is covered at least in a partial region by a mask which is light-permeable at least in some regions, thus enabling an individual pattern of illumination to be produced. A mask 11 of this type can be configured, for example, in the form of a perforated film which covers the self-illuminating or illuminable surface 10, 10′, 10″ in such a manner that the impression of a starry sky is produced.

A respective joint 12, 12′, 12″ is arranged between the individual roof sections 7, 7′, 7″ and/or the rear window frame 4, as can be seen in FIG. 2, with a respective sealing element or seal 13, 13′, 13″, which is designed in particular as an acoustic seal, being provided in the respective joints 12, 12′, 12″. An acoustic seal of this type can be realized, for example, in the form of a microfiber fleece sewn into a tube. The seals 13, 13′, 13″ here are predominantly given the task of sonic sealing, since sealing against external weathering influences, such as, for example, rain or wind, is already taken on by a flexible covering 14 which forms a continuous covering over the outside, which faces away from the interior 2, of the rear window frame 4 and the roof sections 7, 7′, 7″. The covering 14 is preferably of hydrophobic design and is connected to the individual roof sections 7, 7′ and to the rear window frame 4 in such a manner that an opening movement of the top 1 is not obstructed. In particular, the covering 14 is not connected to the roof section 7″, since, during the opening of the top 1, said roof section, as mentioned at the beginning, is stored under the rear window frame 4. The covering 14 therefore means that the top 1 according to the invention is expressly not configured in the manner of a hard top.

The associated lining element 9, 9′, 9″, which preferably bears in a sheet-like manner in the region of the roof sections 7, 7′, 7″, is designed in the region of the rear window frame 4 as a self-supporting lining element 9′″ which frames the rear window 5 and forms part of the headliner 3 in the region of the rear window frame 4.

The construction of the top 1 causes, as mentioned above, joints 12, 12′, 12″ to run between the individual roof sections 7, 7′, 7″ and between the roof section 7″ and the rear window frame 4, which may, under some circumstances, have an adverse effect on the optical overall impression of the headliner 3. For this reason, the lining elements 9, 9′, 9″, 9′″ are designed in such a manner that in each case two lining elements, for example 9, 9′, of two adjacent roof sections 7, 7′ cover the joint 12 running between the two adjacent roof sections 7, 7′ and, in particular, prevent a view of the seal 13 arranged in the joint 12. This can take place, for example, by an overlapping design of the lining elements 9 to 9′″ in the region of the respective joint 12. Various overlapping variants are illustrated according to FIG. 1. In addition, it should be understood that the headliner 3 can be assigned lateral strips 15 of an elastically expandable material, such as, for example, fabric, which cover the top linkage 8 and can run from the roof section 7 and over the rear window frame 4, inclusively.

Claims

1. A convertible with a top movably disposed between an open state and a closed state, the top having a headliner disposed to face an interior of the convertible in the closed state of the top, the convertible comprising: a rear window frame and at least two separate roof sections movably disposed relative to one another and relative to the convertible;a top linkage for moving said at least two separate roof sections relative to one another and relative to the convertible, and into the closed state in which said at least two separate roof sections are disposed forward of said rear window frame in a forward direction of travel of the convertible; anda respective, separate and self-supporting lining element disposed on each one of said roof sections, facing the interior of the convertible and forming a part of said headliner.

2. The convertible according to claim 1, which comprises a sealing element mounted in each case in a joint between mutually adjoining said roof sections and/or between a respective said roof section and said rear window frame.

3. The convertible according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the following is true: said sealing element is an acoustic seal; andsaid sealing element has a microfiber fleece sewn into a tube.

4. The convertible according to claim 2, wherein two said lining elements of mutually adjacent said roof sections cover the joint formed between the adjacent said roof sections and obstruct a view of said sealing element.

5. The convertible according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the following is true: said lining elements has a surface formed of a material selected from the group consisting of leather, plastic, wood, metal, and fabric facing the interior; andsaid surface of said lining elements, configured to face the interior has a color of the convertible.

6. The convertible according to claim 1, wherein the respective said lining element has a self-illuminating or illuminable surface facing the interior of the convertible.

7. The convertible according to claim 6, which comprises a mask configured to be light-permeable at least in some regions thereof, covering said self-illuminating or illuminable surface facing the interior.

8. The convertible according to claim 1, wherein the top of the convertible consists essentially of said rear window frame and three separate roof sections, and wherein, in the closed state of the top, said three separate roof sections are placed in front of said rear window frame in the forward direction of travel.

9. The convertible according to claim 1, which comprises a flexible covering disposed on an exterior of the top, facing away from the interior, said flexible covering being continuous over said rear window frame and said at least two roof sections.

10. The convertible according to claim 1, which comprises a self-supporting lining element disposed on said rear window frame and facing the interior of the convertible, said lining element framing the rear window and forming a part of said headliner.