U.S. patent number RE34,098 [Application Number 07/718,213] was granted by the patent office on 1992-10-13 for frame arrangement for a vehicle roof.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Webasto AG Fahrzeugtechnik. Invention is credited to Karl Dworschak, Hans Jardin, Alfons Lutz, Bernd Schleicher, Peter Wolf.
United States Patent |
RE34,098 |
Schleicher , et al. |
October 13, 1992 |
Frame arrangement for a vehicle roof
Abstract
A frame arrangement for a vehicle roof that has a roof opening
that is closable by a displaceable cover panel that, along with
driving and guiding components thereof, is supported on a frame
bounding the roof opening which has only the function of a support,
i.e., does not form a necessary part of a fully functional
installation unit, comprising a guide insert and a covering. The
guide insert and the covering form the tracks for a slidable guide
element and the cable guide channels for actuating cables, which
interact with an appropriately suitable actuation device for
displacing the cover panel. The guide insert can be made of plastic
or metal, and the covering is advantageously divided into a front
side section and side sections. These sections of the covering can
be uniformly produced of plastic or metal or individual sections
can be produced of plastic and others, in turn, of metal. Also, the
guide insert as well as the covering can be produced entirely of
plastic. Further, the guide insert can also form a guide for a
sliding internal headliner panel.
Inventors: |
Schleicher; Bernd (Munich,
DE), Lutz; Alfons (Emmering, DE), Jardin;
Hans (Inning, DE), Dworschak; Karl (Munich,
DE), Wolf; Peter (Victoria, AU) |
Assignee: |
Webasto AG Fahrzeugtechnik
(Stockdorf, DE)
|
Family
ID: |
25858803 |
Appl.
No.: |
07/718,213 |
Filed: |
June 20, 1991 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
|
233452 |
Aug 18, 1988 |
|
|
|
Reissue of: |
481818 |
Feb 20, 1990 |
04969681 |
Nov 13, 1990 |
|
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Aug 20, 1987 [DE] |
|
|
3727720 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
296/223;
296/216.08 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60J
7/022 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B60J
7/02 (20060101); B60J 007/057 () |
Field of
Search: |
;296/216,221-223 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2046996 |
|
Jul 1977 |
|
DE |
|
2836801 |
|
Mar 1980 |
|
DE |
|
3532103 |
|
Mar 1987 |
|
DE |
|
Primary Examiner: Pedder; Dennis H.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Sixbey, Friedman, Leedom &
Ferguson
Parent Case Text
This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 233,452, filed Aug.
18, 1988, now abandoned.
Claims
We claim:
1. Frame arrangement for a vehicle roof of the type having a roof
opening in a fixed roof surface, a cover panel for closing and at
least partially opening said roof opening, at least one guide
element on each of opposite lateral sides of the cover panel which
is slidable in a respective guide track at each side of the roof
opening, an actuating cable connected to each guide element and
disposed in a respective cable guide channel for producing
displacement of the cover panel, and a sheet metal support frame
which is connected to the fixed roof surface and supports the
cover, tracks and cable guide channels with each cable guide
channel running along a respective lateral side part of the frame,
across a front part of the frame and terminating in a channel
extension for a trailing section of the actuating cable that is
located on .[.a forward corner section of.]. an opposite lateral
side part of the frame, and said frame also forming a peripherally
extending drip molding between a raised circumferential edge of the
frame and an inner, at least partially circumferentially extending,
upstanding ridge that is formed by an inverted generally U-shaped
formation of the frame; wherein, for producing a smooth and quiet
actuating and guiding of the actuating cables and guide elements,
an upwardly open part of said cable guide channels and an upwardly
facing lower sliding surface of the tracks are formed by a guide
insert which has an inverted, generally U-shaped portion which
straddles said upstanding ridge on the lateral side parts of said
frame with each track being located on one side of the upstanding
ridge of the frame and with the cable guide channels running
adjacent each other on an opposite side of said upstanding ridge;
and wherein a covering is mounted on said guide insert, said
covering closing the upwardly open part of the lateral cable guide
channels and forming a downwardly facing upper sliding surface of
the tracks.
2. Frame arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said covering
mounted on said guide insert is divided into a front side section
having corner portions, and side sections, each of which forms a
respective cover rail.
3. Frame arrangement according to claim 2, wherein a guide pin is
integrated, as an insert, into the side sections of said
covering.
4. Frame arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said guide
insert is formed of a thermoplastic material.
5. Frame arrangement according to claim 4, wherein side sections of
said covering are formed of a sheet metal part.
6. Frame arrangement according to claim 4, wherein side sections of
said covering are formed of a plastic part.
7. Frame arrangement according to claim 4, wherein side sections of
said covering are formed of a combination of plastic and metal
parts.
8. Frame arrangement according to claim 6, wherein safety detents
are provided on said covering.
9. Frame arrangement according to claim 6, wherein a catch
projection is formed on a front section of said covering.
10. Frame arrangement according to claim 2, wherein a catch
projection for the cover panel is provided on the front side
section of said covering.
11. Frame arrangement according to claim 2, wherein at least one of
the sliding surfaces of said tracks is constructed of a metal
part.
12. Frame arrangement according to claim 11, wherein said metal
part is a flat sheet metal part located between said covering and
said guide insert.
13. Frame arrangement according to claim 2, wherein said guide
insert, at least in the area of the side parts of the frame, has a
stiffening rib that is braced on the frame at said opposite side of
said ridge.
14. Frame arrangement according to claim 13, wherein said
stiffening rib is formed on the guide insert.
15. Frame arrangement according to claim 14, wherein said guide
insert is formed of a thermoplastic material.
16. Frame arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said guide
insert is formed of sheet metal.
17. Frame arrangement according to claim 16, wherein side sections
of said covering are formed of a sheet metal part.
18. Frame arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said guide
insert is formed of a thermoplastic material; and wherein a sheet
metal part is disposed between said covering and said guide insert,
said sheet metal part forming.[.,.]. a reinforcement for said
covering and said upper sliding surface of the track for said guide
element.
19. Frame arrangement according to claim 18, wherein said guide
insert, at least in the area of the side parts of the frame, has a
stiffening rib that is braced on the frame at said opposite side of
said ridge.
20. Frame arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said guide
insert also forms guides for a sliding inside roof headliner in
conjunction with an upper surface of said frame.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a frame arrangement for a vehicle roof
that has a roof opening that can be closed by a cover panel, which
is slidably and/or swingably displaceable to at least partially
uncover the roof opening, and which is supported by a frame
perimetrically bounding the roof opening. In particular, to such an
arrangement wherein at least one guide element is disposed at each
side of the cover panel and along which the cover panel is
longitudinally slidable on tracks provided on side parts of the
frame by a respective actuating cable that is guided in a cable
channel and connected to an actuating device, and wherein a cover
rail is used to form the cable guide channel and/or the tracks.
From German Offenlegungsschrift No. 35 32 103 and U.S. Pat. No.
4,749,227 frame arrangements for a vehicle roof of the
above-mentioned type are known. In these known arrangements, the
frame is provided with grooves that form a part of the cable guide
channels. Connected to the frame, over these grooves constructed in
the frame, is a cover rail which closes the open sides of the
grooves to form cable guide channels that are closed on all sides.
This cover rail extends beyond the grooves in the frame to form
laterally running tracks for the guide element or elements of the
cover in conjunction with an appropriate guide surface that is
constructed on the frame. Also, in the case of the arrangement of
German Offenlegungsschrift No. 35 32 103, at the transitions
between the laterally provided cover rails and the separate front
part misalignment unavoidably occurs, even if usually slight,
between the grooves provided in the frame for the guide channels of
the actuating cable, so that, because of this circumstance, a
stiffness of the actuation and sometimes an undesirable production
of noise may result. Furthermore, since these frame arrangements
have the tracks and/or cable channels constructed directly in the
frame, the frame must be provided together with the remainder of
the assembly comprised of the cover and its drive components, i.e.,
cannot be a separate unit manufactured by a supplier to be applied
to a frame separately produced by the vehicle manufacturer.
A vehicle roof is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,293,161 that has a
frame consisting of plastic which, on the one hand, has sliding
surfaces for the guide elements or guide shoes for the cover panel
and, on the other hand, guide channels for the actuating cable.
Here also, the grooves in the frame partially define the guide
channels for the actuating cable and are covered by covers which,
simultaneously, form, on the side parts of the frame, a sliding
surface for the guide shoes. In this case, essentially the same or
similar difficulties occur as in the above-mentioned
arrangements.
From U.S. Pat. No. 3,822,912, a cable drive and guide for a sliding
cover panel of a vehicle roof is known, wherein a sheet metal part
is fastened to the frame as a covering that forms, in conjunction
with a suitably constructed profile of the frame and another sheet
metal part fastened to the frame, a guide channel or channels for
the actuating cable, and tracks for the guide elements of a
suitable extension of the cover panel. Nothing is indicated as to
the manner in which the actuating channels are guided at the front
of the roof opening. With this configuration, at least three
interacting parts are, thus, needed for the formation of the tracks
and the cable channels, by which the assembly is made more
difficult and production becomes more expensive, and since the
guide channels for the actuating cables are defined at least in
part by the frame, the construction of the frame must be adapted to
the path of these guide channels.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,332,416, a vehicle roof is disclosed in which
the guide channels with the incorporated actuating cables and the
tracks with the incorporated guide elements are combined into an
installation unit which can be preassembled and which is then set
into a frame perimetrically bounding the roof opening. Since this
installation unit contains all the operational parts of the sliding
roof (except for the frame), the operational testing can take place
right before installation. However, in this arrangement there are,
again, transition areas from the side parts to the front side that
are subject to potential misalignment problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Thus, a primary object of this invention is to overcome the
difficulties described above in a manner providing a frame
arrangement for a vehicle roof of the above-described type in
which, in a way that is simple from a structural and manufacturing
engineering viewpoint, a quiet functioning as well as a smooth and
reliable actuating and guiding of the guide elements of the
slidable cover is made possible. In particular, it is a particular
object to achieve such effects in such a way that the parts
belonging to the movement mechanism, such as the tracks, the cable
guide parts and the like can be combined into a functional sub-unit
that can be handled independently of the frame, so that the frame
has only a support and holding function.
According to the invention, for this purpose a frame arrangement
for a vehicle roof of the initially described type is distinguished
in that a guide insert is provided which can be inserted into
suitable recesses of the frame, and which, in the area of the side
parts of the frame, forms at least one part of the guide channel
and at least one sliding surface of the tracks for the guide
element and which, in the area of the front side of the frame,
forms, at least partially, two adjacent guide channels and which,
on the corner areas, also forms, at least partially, channels for
the trailing end sections of the guide cables. This guide insert
extends in one piece over the side parts and the front side of the
frame.
In the configuration according to the invention, there are thus no
transitions, in the area of the guide insert, on the guide channels
for the actuating cables constructed in the guide insert, so that
the actuation of such a roof is smooth and quiet. Further,
according to the invention, the guide insert is constructed of a
monocoque or modular construction and a completely functional
actuation unit is obtained, in combination with the covering which
is connected to the guide insert, so that the two-sided tracks for
the guide elements and the guide channels, in conjunction with the
covering and guide insert, are formed in a closed style.
According to an advantageous development according to the
invention, the covering that works with the guide insert is divided
into a front side section with corner portions and opposite side
sections. Thus, the actuating cables and the entire actuating
mechanism and also the guide elements can easily be incorporated
into the allocated guide channels and tracks. Suitably, the side
sections of the covering are configured so that it simultaneously
forms the opposite sliding surface of the tracks.
As a function of an appropriate design of these side sections of
the covering, a link pin for the cover pivoting mechanism may also
be integrated, as an insert, in these side sections of the
covering, so that the assembly is simplified by the use of few
parts.
As a function of the stresses that must be borne by the guide
insert and/or the coverings, all or some of the sections of the
covering can be constructed as a sheet metal part or may be formed
of plastic. Preferably, to achieve manufacturing simplification and
weight saving, the guide insert is produced completely of plastic,
preferably a thermoplastic, and in particular of a sheet molding
compound. With such a construction, a complicated design can be
achieved with the desired manufacturing precision.
To reduce the number of additional parts requiring assembly, safety
detents and/or lateral facings and/or a catch projection can be
provided on the covering.
When the covering, in the frame arrangement according to the
invention, is formed totally of plastic or at least of plastic
parts, such as, for example, the side sections, then, in accordance
with the invention, a metal part is used which, for example, forms
the top sliding surface of the tracks. This metal part can be
constructed as a flat sheet metal part and can be placed between
the covering or sections of the covering and the guide insert. In
this way, a stiffening of the tracks for the guide elements is
obtained in the frame arrangement according to the invention, so
that the guide elements can move smoothly and without tilting in
the tracks. Advantages also result with regard to wear when at
least one sliding surface of the tracks is metallic.
To additionally stiffen the guide insert when it is formed of
plastic, according to an advantageous design according to the
invention, a stiffening rib is provided on the guide insert which
is, preferably, formed on the guide insert and braced on the frame.
This stiffening rib is suitably provided in the areas of the guide
insert where only a single guide channel for the actuating cable is
present, i.e., in the area of the side parts of the frame. This
stiffening rib faces away from the tracks and simultaneously acts,
for example, as a guide for a sliding inside roof headliner
panel.
A further embodiment of the frame arrangement according to the
invention is distinguished in that the guide insert consists
entirely of metal and is, preferably, produced and formed of sheet
metal. When such a guide insert made of metal is attached on the
frame, potential difficulties which could result if the guide
insert is made of plastic, due to the differing thermal expansion
characteristics of plastic and metal, can be avoided. In this way,
stresses between the frame and the guide insert, caused by the
abovementioned factors, can be avoided. Further, such a guide
insert consisting of metal can also, for example, be clipped onto
the frame with any kind of suitable means so that it can be mounted
on the frame independently of the covering.
The above-indicated combinations of materials are, of course, not
exclusive and further combinations of materials are also possible.
In particular, with a configuration of the guide insert of plastic,
sufficient design freedom for the insert is achieved to enable the
insert to be adapted to the respective requirements desired without
difficulties. Further, the configuration according to the invention
makes it possible that, for example, when desired by the vehicle
manufacturer, the vehicle manufacturer can incorporate the frame
into the roof opening provided in the roof of the vehicle on the
vehicle assembly line and then the installation unit of functional
components assembled with the guide insert and covering is
subsequently put into the frame and solidly connected to it. By
suitable allocation of recesses in the frame, which can optionally
be configured of multiple parts, the arrangement of the guide
insert and covering combined into a functional installation unit
can be incorporated in a space-saving way in the frame, and the
functional unit can be mounted quickly and simply on the frame
without impairing the operability of the actuation device.
Developments related to those disclosed herein are disclosed in our
co-pending, commonly assigned U.S. patent application filed on even
date herewith, based on German Application No. P 37 27 719.7.
These and further objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become more obvious from the following description
when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show,
for purposes of illustration only, several embodiments in
accordance with the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective cutaway view of a frame arrangement
according to the invention;
FIGS. 2 to 4 show corresponding sectional views taken along lines
II--II, III--III and IV--IV, respectively, in FIG. 1; and
FIGS. 5 to 7 are views, corresponding to FIGS. 2 to 4, of a
modified embodiment of a frame arrangement according to the
invention, taken along lines II--II, III--III and IV--IV,
respectively, in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the embodiment represented in FIGS. 1 to 4, the frame
arrangement is designated, overall, by 1. Frame arrangement 1
comprises a frame 2 and a guide insert 3. In the example
represented, frame 2 consists of a sheet metal part and the latter
is on a vehicle fixed roof surface 32 so as to extend along the
border of a roof opening formed in fixed surface 32. An aperture 33
of frame 2 is aligned below the roof opening.
Frame 2 has side parts 4 (only the one on the right is shown in
FIG. 1), a front side 5 and a rear side 6. A transversely extending
reinforcement 7 is provided between front side 5 and rear side 6.
In the example represented, a drip molding 8 is formed in the outer
area of frame 2 by providing frame 2 with a raised edge. Frame 2
has only a support function and has recesses 2a in which guide
insert 3 is suitably inserted in a mating relationship. Guide
insert 3 forms a sliding surface 9, specifically the lower one, of
tracks which are designated, overall, by numeral 10. Tracks 10 are
provided on the opposite longitudinally extending side parts 4 of
frame arrangement 1. Since the other side of frame arrangement 1,
i.e., that having the left side of frame 2 and guide insert 3 that
are not shown in the drawing, is constructed as a mirror image of
the part represented, only a side part 4 and a part of front side 5
will be explained in more detail.
In the embodiment represented in FIGS. 1 to 4, guide insert 3 is
formed of plastic, such as, for example, of sheet molding compound
(SMC). Guide insert 3 has a guide channel 11 for a diagrammatically
represented actuating cable 12 in side parts thereof. In the area
of guide insert 3 corresponding to front side 5 of frame 2, two
adjacent guide channels 15 and 16 are provided. In this area,
actuating cables 12 and 12a work for the actuation and adjustment
of cover 34 together with a conventional actuation device, likewise
not further represented. This actuation device can consist of a
manual drive or a motor drive with a drive pinion received between
cables 12, 12a to drive them in opposite directions as it rotates.
Further, in guide insert 3, guide channels 11, 15 and 11, 16 are
constructed so that they have no crossovers, i.e., guide channels
11, 15 do not cross channels 11, 16. For this purpose, in guide
insert 3, on the corner areas at the transition between front side
5 and side parts 4, guide channel sections 15a are constructed for
the trailing ends of actuating cables 12, 12a.
A covering designated, overall, by numeral 13 is provided on guide
insert 3 for interacting with it. Covering 13 is in the form of a
cover rail that is suitably divided into a front side section 13a,
which includes a corner portion, and side sections 13b. As can be
seen from FIG. 2, front side section 13a closes the top of guide
channels 15, 16, which are constructed as recesses in guide insert
3.
As can be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4, side sections 13b of covering 13
not only close the top of guide channels 11, 15 for actuating
cables 12, 12a, but thereby, simultaneously, covering 13 also forms
a track, designated overall by 10, in conjunction with opposite,
lower sliding surface 9, i.e., covering 13 forms upper sliding
surface 17 of a track in which at least one guide element 19,
which, for example, may be constructed in the form of a
conventional guide shoe, can move (FIGS. 1 and 4). Further, side
sections 13b of covering 13 are formed with a longitudinal slit 14
through which a connection between the guide element or elements 19
and actuating cable 12 is produced. Actuating cable 12 is
configured, for example, as a pressure-resistant threaded cable.
Cover panel 34 is connected to guide element 19 and is moved along
tracks 10 by the actuation device, not represented in more detail,
by actuating cables 12, 12a in a suitable way. Since the
construction of these guide elements 19 and the manner in which
they are moved is conventional, a more detailed description thereof
is unnecessary.
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, not only does guide insert
3 consist of plastic, but also covering 13 with its sections 13a
and 13b is made of plastic, suitably a thermoplastic, and in
particular, of sheet molding compound (SMC). However, as will be
explained in more detail below, other materials may be used. When
covering 13 consists entirely of plastic or at least side sections
13b of covering 13 are produced of plastic, according to FIGS. 3 to
4, a metal part 30 is preferably provided that is placed between
guide insert 3 and side sections 13b of covering 13. The overall
arrangement, consisting of side section 13b of covering 13, part
30, and guide insert 3, is attached to frame 2 in any suitable way,
for example, with the aid of screws 26. In the embodiment of FIGS.
3 and 4, metal part 30 is constructed as a flat sheet metal part
and it forms top sliding surface 17 of tracks 10. With this metal
part 30, a stiffening of tracks 10 is, thus, achieved so that a
smooth sliding movement of guide element 19 is guaranteed.
As can be seen further from the sectional view according to FIG. 4,
to stiffen and define a guide 27 for a sliding inside roof
headliner (not represented), a stiffening rib 31 is provided on
guide insert 3 which is suitably a molded-on portion of guide
insert 3. This stiffening rib 31 bears directly on frame 2 and
prevents an inward/downward bending of the centrally protruding
part 35 of guide insert 3. Alternatively, of course (although this
is not represented in further detail) frame 2 could have a raised
edge in this area, in which case guide insert 3 can sit on the
raised edge so that the stiffening rib 31 can be omitted.
As can be seen further from FIG. 1, in the corner area on the top
side of covering 13, in particular of front side section 13a of the
latter, a safety detent 24 (similar to the stops 76, 77 of U.S.
Pat. No. 4,749,227) is constructed that enables the cover panel to
be kept reliably in the proper position. Further, in the area of
front side section 13a of covering 13, about in the middle of it, a
catch projection 25 can be formed that, likewise, interacts with
the cover panel, when closed.
A guide pin 28, which interacts in the usual way with guide element
19 (such as in the manner of link pin 69 of U.S. Pat. No.
4,749,227), is configured according to FIG. 1 as an insert
designated, overall, by 29 which, preferably, is formed of metal
and which is directly embedded during the production of side
section 13b of covering 13, so that this guide pin 28 is integrated
within the plastic material of side section 13b of covering 13.
Such an embodiment, of course, depends on the load capacity of side
section 13b of covering 13, since this guide pin 28, during its
interaction with guide element 19, is subjected to relatively high
loads. In addition, such an embodiment is suitable only if at least
side section 13b of covering 13 consists of plastic, so that the
arrangement of the guide pin 28 with insert 29 can be taken into
account during the production of covering 13.
In FIGS. 5 to 7, a modified embodiment of a frame arrangement
designated, overall, by 1' is shown and explained, in which the
parts that are the same or similar to those in the preceding
figures are provided with the same reference symbols, while parts
that differ with regard to their material selection and/or their
construction, but have similar functions, are distinguished by
prime (') designations.
As an essential difference from the embodiment described above,
that of FIGS. 5 to 7 utilizes a guide insert 3', which is
incorporated into recesses 2a of frame 2, that is formed of metal,
suitably sheet metal. This guide insert 3' of sheet metal forms
lower sliding surface 9' of the tracks, designated overall by 10,
and carries a covering 13' which also is formed of metal in this
example. This covering 13' forms top sliding surface 17' of tracks
10. Further, covering 13' is a cover rail that covers guide
channels 11, 15, and 11, 16, as in the example explained above.
Additionally, in frame arrangement 1' according to FIGS. 5 to 7,
guide 27 for the sliding inside roof headliner panel is defined on
the bottom by frame 2 and on the top by guide insert 3'.
The embodiment of frame arrangement 1' explained relative to FIGS.
5 to 7, has, in comparison to the one explained initially, a
greater inherent rigidity, since guide insert 3' and covering 13'
consist entirely of metal. Also, here no difficulties can result
due to temperature influences, since the interacting materials have
essentially the same thermal expansion coefficient.
Although not represented, features of both embodiments of frame
arrangements 1 and 1', explained above, can be combined with one
another interchangeably. This means, for example, that guide insert
3' can be produced of metal and covering 13, or at least several
sections 13a, 13b of covering 13 can be produced of plastic. On the
other hand, guide insert 3 could also be produced of plastic and be
constructed corresponding to FIGS. 1 to 4, while ' covering 13' or
sections 13a, 13b of covering 13' are formed of metal. As a
function of the kind of stress anticipated, material pairings can,
thus, be selected so that parts to be subjected to higher stresses
are produced of metal and those which will experience lower
stresses made of plastic. Also, considerations regarding reliable
operational guiding of guide element 19 in tracks 10 can be taken
into account in the material pairings, so that, for example, at
least side sections 13b can be produced of metal and metal part 30,
shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, can be omitted. Since front side section
13a of covering 13 is the least stressed of all parts, a
construction of plastic suitably lends itself here.
Of course the invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments
represented, but modifications are, of course, possible, especially
with regard to material selection or the mutual matching of the
materials of the parts, which will be apparent to the man skilled
in the art. Also, of course, instead of connections using screws
26, other types of connections with frame 2 can be provided, and
they can involve, for example, clip connections, clamp connections
or the like.
As the embodiments above have shown, a frame arrangement 1 or 1' is
provided in which frame 2 has only a support function, so that it
can be prefabricated and, optionally, be incorporated into the
vehicle roof as it is prepared with the roof opening by the
manufacturer. The unit consisting of guide insert 3 or 3' and
covering 13 or 13' with the cover panel and associated actuation
elements representing a fully functional installation unit for the
roof construction which can be operationally tested, handled, and
mounted without regard to the provision of frame 2. In case of the
need for repair, the installation unit, constructed in this way,
can be completely removed and replaced by a new one while the frame
remains fixed in place, simplifying and reducing the cost of such a
replacement. On the other hand, the installation unit, depending on
the customer's wish, can be adapted to suit differing requirements
with regard to the functional possibilities, for example guides 27
for the sliding inside roof headliner can be omitted if one is not
desired, yet the same frame 2 may still be used. In this way,
because the functional installation unit can be adapted, without
difficulties, to the circumstances required in each case while
frame 2 can be retained, unchanged, it is possible to obtain the
benefit of being able to provide installation units with different
functional possibilities to a manufacturer or vehicle dealer that
can be interchangeably installed and/or replaced in a simplified
process.
While we have shown and described various embodiments in accordance
with the present invention, it is understood that the same is not
limited thereto, but is susceptible of numerous changes and
modifications as known to those skilled in the art, and we,
therefore, do not wish to be limited to the details shown and
described herein, but intend to cover all such changes and
modifications as are encompassed by the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *