Vehicle roof structure

1. A vehicle roof structure, comprising:

a roof bow configured and dimension to install to opposing roof rails of a vehicle body structure, the roof bow having a first end and a second end, a first overall length being measured from the first end to the second end and a first overall width being measured perpendicular to the first overall length, the roof bow having a forward flange section, a rearward flange section and a central section that extend in a lengthwise direction of the roof bow between the first end and the second end, where forward and rearward directions are defined relative to a forward and rearward directions of the vehicle body structure, the central section defining a recessed area having an upper surface that is lower than respective upper surfaces of the forward and rearward flange sections;

a vibration dampening plate installed to an upper surface of the roof bow proximate the central section of the roof bow spaced apart from the first end and the second end of the roof bow; and

a weighted member fixedly attached to a lower surface of the vibration dampening plate such that the weighted member is at a level above the upper surface of the recessed area of the roof bow with a non-contacting relationship with the roof bow.

2. The vehicle roof structure according to claim 1 , wherein

the vibration dampening plate defines a second overall width that is greater than the first overall width.

3. The vehicle roof structure according to claim 2 , wherein

the vibration dampening plate includes a forward portion, a central portion and a rearward portion, with the central portion being fixedly attached to the roof bow, such that the forward portion extends forward of the forward flange section and the rearward portion extends rearward of the rearward flange section.

4. The vehicle roof structure according to claim 3 , wherein

the forward portion extends a first distance forward of the forward flange section and the rearward portion extends a second distance rearward of the rearward flange section, the first distance being greater than the second distance.

5. The vehicle roof structure according to claim 3 , wherein

the forward portion extends a first distance forward of the forward flange section and the rearward portion extends a second distance rearward of the rearward flange section, the second distance being greater than the first distance.

6. The vehicle roof structure according to claim 1 , wherein

the weighted member includes at least two elongated metallic members welded to one another and to the vibration dampening plate.

7. The vehicle roof structure according to claim 6 , wherein

the at least two elongated metallic members include four elongated metallic members welded to one another.

8. The vehicle roof structure according to claim 7 , wherein

the four elongated metallic members are welded such that a first and second ones of the four elongated metallic members are welded together and to the vibration dampening plate by a first weld layer, and, the second, third and fourth ones of the four elongated metallic members are welded to one another by a second weld layer that overlaps the first weld layer.

9. The vehicle roof structure according to claim 1 , wherein

the weighted member includes the four elongated metallic members that are welded such that a first and second ones of the four elongated metallic members are welded together and to the vibration dampening plate by a first weld layer, and, the second, third and fourth ones of the four elongated metallic members are welded to one another by a second weld layer that overlaps the first weld layer.

10. The vehicle roof structure according to claim 1 , wherein

the weighted member is attached to the vibration dampening plate such that the weighted member extends over the central section of the roof bow between the forward flange section and the rearward flange section.

11. A vehicle roof structure, comprising:

a pair of roof side rails extending in a vehicle longitudinal direction, the pair of roof side rails at least partially defining a roof ditch;

a first roof bow having a first end and a second end, the first roof bow extending between and supported to the pair of roof side rails in a direction perpendicular to the vehicle longitudinal direction, the first roof bow having a forward flange section, a rearward flange section and a central section that extend in a lengthwise direction of the first roof bow between the first end and the second end and defining a recessed area having an upper surface that is lower than respective upper surfaces of the forward and rearward flange sections; and

a vibration dampening plate installed to an upper surface of the first roof bow proximate the central section of the first roof bow spaced apart from the first end and the second end of the first roof bow; and

a weighted member fixedly attached to a lower surface of the vibration dampening plate such that the weighted member is at a level above the upper surface of the recessed area of the first roof bow with a non-contacting relationship with the first roof bow.

12. The vehicle roof structure according to claim 11 , wherein

predetermined areas of the vibration dampening plate are provided with an adhesive or mastic material thereby fixing the first roof bow to a roof panel installed above the first roof bow, the roof panel further being attached to the roof side rails proximate the roof ditch.

13. The vehicle roof structure according to claim 11 , wherein

the weighted member includes the four elongated metallic members that are welded such that a first and second ones of the four elongated metallic members are welded together and to the vibration dampening plate by a first weld layer, and, the second, third and fourth ones of the four elongated metallic members are welded to one another by a second weld layer that overlaps the first weld layer.

14. The vehicle roof structure according to claim 11 , wherein

the weighted member is attached to the vibration dampening plate such that the weighted member extends over the central section of the roof bow between the forward flange section and the rearward flange section.

15. A vehicle roof structure, comprising:

a first roof bow configured and dimension to install to opposing roof rails of a vehicle body structure, the first roof bow having a first end and a second end, a first overall length being measured from the first end to the second end and a first overall width being measured perpendicular to the first overall length, the first roof bow having a forward flange section, a rearward flange section and a central section that extend in a lengthwise direction of the first roof bow between the first end and the second end, where forward and rearward directions are defined relative to a forward and rearward directions of the vehicle body structure, the central section defining a recessed area having an upper surface that is lower than respective upper surfaces of the forward and rearward flange sections;

a vibration dampening plate installed to at least an upper surface of the rearward flange section proximate the central section of the first roof bow spaced apart from the first end and the second end of the first roof bow;

a second roof bow located rearward of the first roof bow such that a portion of vibration dampening plate extends rearward from the first roof bow, the portion of the vibration dampening plate being attached to a central section of the second roof bow; and

a weighted member located in an area between the first roof rail and the second roof rail and being fixedly attached to a lower surface of the vibration dampening plate such that the weighted member has a non-contacting relationship with the first roof bow and the second roof bow.

16. The vehicle roof structure according to claim 11 , further comprising

a second roof bow located rearward of the first roof bow;

a second vibration dampening plate attached to the second roof bow; and

a second weighted member attached to an underside of the second vibration dampening plate.