Pivotable vehicle roof
View Patent ↗A convertible vehicle roof ( 20 ) comprises a forward roof element ( 22 ) and a rearward roof element ( 24 ). An unchangeable, upwardly opened, recessed storage area ( 14 ) for the roof elements is defined in a rear trunk lid ( 12 ). The forward roof element may be pivoted relative to the rearward roof element about a first axis (A 1 ) that is perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal plane. The forward roof element and the rearward roof element also may be pivoted together about a second axis (A 2 ) that extends perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal plane. At least the forward roof element is curved such that, in the open position of the vehicle roof, i.e. when it is folded onto the rearward roof element and is stored in the storage area, it forms a substantially continuous, curved outer shell together with the rear trunk lid.
1. A convertible vehicle comprising:
a vehicle body,
a rear trunk lid and defining an unchangeable, upwardly opened storage area, and
a vehicle roof that is pivotable between an open and closed position with respect to the vehicle body and comprises a forward roof element pivotably coupled to a rearward roof element, wherein the forward roof element is settable on the rearward roof element and is settable together with the rearward roof element in the storage area,
wherein the storage area is dimensioned so as to substantially completely accommodate the forward and rearward roof elements on the rear trunk lid when the vehicle roof is disposed in the open position,
wherein the storage area is defined by a recess within the rear trunk lid,
wherein the storage area is bounded within the rear trunk lid by a pair of opposing, lateral elevations and a rear-sided elevation, such that the elevations align with the outer surface of the forward roof element when the roof elements are set in the storage area, and
when the vehicle roof is disposed in the open position, an outer surface of the forward roof element forms a substantially continuous, curved outer shell together with the rear trunk lid.
2. A convertible vehicle according to claim 1 , further comprising a latching device arranged and constructed to permit the rear trunk lid to be opened only when the vehicle roof is disposed in the closed position.
3. A convertible vehicle according to claim 2 , wherein the roof elements are rigid roof elements.
4. A convertible vehicle according to claim 3 , wherein the forward roof element is pivotable relative to the rear roof element about a first axis that is disposed substantially perpendicular to a plane extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and
the forward and the rearward roof elements are pivotable together about a second axis that extends perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal plane.
5. A convertible vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the roof elements are rigid roof elements.
6. A convertible vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the forward roof element is pivotable relative to the rear roof element about a first axis that is disposed substantially perpendicular to a plane extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and
the forward and the rearward roof elements are pivotable together about a second axis that extends perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal plane.
7. A convertible vehicle comprising:
a vehicle body,
a rear trunk lid having a predetermined, upwardly facing recess defined in an upper surface thereof, and
a vehicle roof that is pivotable between an open and closed position with respect to the vehicle body and comprises a forward roof element pivotably coupled to a rearward roof element, wherein the forward roof element is arranged and constructed to be folded together with the rearward roof element and the folded-together roof elements are arranged and constructed to be substantially completely disposed within the recess,
wherein when the folded-together roof elements are disposed within the recess, an outer periphery of the forward roof element is arranged and constructed to form a substantially continuous, curved outer shell together with at least the rear trunk lid, and
wherein the recess in the rear trunk lid is defined at least by a pair of opposing, lateral elevations and a rear-sided elevation, such that the elevations at least substantially align with the outer periphery of the forward roof element when the roof elements are disposed in the recess.
8. A convertible vehicle according to claim 7 , further comprising a latching device arranged and constructed to only permit the rear trunk lid to be opened when the vehicle roof is disposed in the closed position.
9. A convertible vehicle according to claim 7 , wherein the roof elements are rigid roof elements.
10. A convertible vehicle according to claim 7 , wherein the forward roof element is pivotable relative to the rear roof element about a first axis that is disposed substantially perpendicular to a plane extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and
the forward and the rearward roof elements are pivotable together about a second axis that extends perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal plane.
11. A convertible vehicle according to claim 10 , wherein the roof elements are rigid roof elements.
12. A convertible vehicle according to claim 11 , further comprising a latching device arranged and constructed to only permit the rear trunk lid to be opened when the vehicle roof is disposed in the closed position.