Extendable B-pillar for a convertible vehicle

Abstract

A B-pillar segment (24) for a convertible vehicle (10) comprises a stationary lower part (30) and an upper part (28) displaceable relative to the stationary part (28), wherein the upper part (28) is insertable into the lower part (30) when the side windows (18, 20) of the vehicle (10) are opened.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the following, the invention will be described in an exemplary manner with the assistance of the appended figures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a convertible vehicle having a representative B-pillar segment according to the present teachings with the convertible top in the closed position;

FIG. 2 shows the convertible vehicle of FIG. 1 with an opened convertible top;

FIGS. 3-7 show the lowering movement of the upper part of the B-pillar segment and the side window panes in various opening states; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view from above of the representative B-pillar of the convertible vehicle.

Claims

1. A B-pillar segment for a convertible vehicle, comprising: a stationary lower part arranged and constructed to be fixedly attached to a vehicle body of the convertible vehicle, andan upper part that is displaceable relative to the stationary lower part,wherein the upper part is insertable into the lower part at least when a side window of the vehicle is opened.

2. A B-pillar segment according to claim 1, wherein the upper part has a length that substantially corresponds to the distance between a lower edge of the side window and a roof frame of the convertible vehicle.

3. A B-pillar segment according to claim 2, wherein the upper part is completely insertable in the lower part.

4. A B-pillar segment according to claim 3, wherein the B-pillar segment is arranged and constructed to perform a supporting function.

5. A B-pillar segment according to claim 4, wherein when it is not in its lowered state, the upper part of the B-pillar segment is arranged and constructed to be disposed between and to connect adjacent side windows of the convertible vehicle.

6. A convertible vehicle comprising a B-pillar segment according to claim 5 fixedly attached to a vehicle body substantially between front and rear side doors of the convertible vehicle.

7. A convertible vehicle according to claim 6, wherein front and/or rear side windows of the convertible vehicle are lowerable into the side doors of the convertible vehicle.

8. A convertible vehicle according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the front and rear side windows is lowerable into the respective side door by a combined translational movement and rotational movement in the plane of the window pane of the respective side window.

9. A convertible vehicle according to claim 8, wherein the upper part of the B-pillar segment is arranged and constructed to be lowered and raised in a manner synchronized with lowering and raising, respectively, of at least one of the side windows.

10. A convertible vehicle comprising: a vehicle body,a front side door and a rear side door disposed on one side of the vehicle body, each side door comprising a raisable and lowerable side window, andan extendable B-pillar including: a stationary lower part fixedly attached to the vehicle body substantially between the front side door and the rear side door andan upper part that is displaceable relative to the stationary lower part, wherein the upper part is insertable into the lower part at least when at least one side window of the vehicle is opened.

11. A convertible vehicle according to claim 10, wherein the upper part has a length that substantially corresponds to the distance between an upper edge of the side doors and a roof frame of the convertible vehicle and the upper part is completely insertable in the lower part.

12. A convertible vehicle according to claim 11, wherein the B-pillar is arranged and constructed to support the roof frame when the upper part is displaced to an upward position relative to the lower part.

13. A convertible vehicle according to claim 12, wherein the upper part of the B-pillar is disposable between adjacent front and rear side windows of the convertible vehicle.

14. A convertible vehicle according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the front and rear side windows is arranged and constructed to be lowered into the respective side door by a combined translational movement and rotational movement substantially in the plane of the window pane of the side window.

15. A convertible vehicle according to claim 14, wherein the upper part of the B-pillar is arranged and constructed to be lowered and raised relative to the lower part of the B-pillar in a manner synchronized with lowering- and raising, respectively, of at least one of the side windows.

16. A convertible vehicle according to claim 15, wherein the stationary lower part of the B-pillar extends substantially between a floor of the convertible vehicle and the upper edge of the side doors, the stationary lower part providing at least one hinge point for attaching the rear side door.

17. A convertible vehicle according to claim 16, wherein when the upper part of the B-pillar is disposed in an upward-most position relative to the lower part and the front and rear side windows are disposed in upward-most position relative to the respective side doors, the upper part forms a connection between the front and rear side windows.

18. A convertible vehicle according to claim 17, wherein when the upper part of the B-pillar is disposed in the upward-most position relative to the lower part and the side windows are disposed in upward-most position relative to the respective side doors, the upper part forms a sealed connection between the front and rear side windows.

19. A convertible vehicle according to claim 18, wherein the front side window is arranged and constructed to be raised and lowered with substantially only a translational movement substantially within the plane of the front side window pane and the rear side window is arranged and constructed to be raised and lowered with a combined translational and rotational movement substantially within the plane of the rear side window pane.

20. A convertible vehicle according to claim 19, where the upper part of the B-pillar is arranged and constructed to be raised and lowered substantially with raising and lowering of the rear side window.