Construction of a commercial vehicle with a sliding roof

Abstract

Body (1) of a commercial vehicle (N), in particular a truck, trailer or semi-trailer, with a sliding roof (16) adjustable from a rear position that at least substantially closes a roof opening (17) to at least a front position that at least partially opens the roof opening (17) and with longitudinal beams (6) supporting the sliding roof (16), wherein the sliding roof (16) has a closing bar (18) adjustable from a closed position that engages behind the longitudinal beams (6) to an open position that does not engage behind the longitudinal beams (6), wherein the closing bar (18) in the open position is supported on the longitudinal beams (6) via a guide carriage (19) and is displaceable along the longitudinal beams (6), wherein the sliding roof (16) has at least one bow (20, 21) extending transversely to the longitudinal beams (6) and displaceable along the longitudinal beams (6), wherein the at least one bow (20,21) in the rear position of the sliding roof (16) is spaced further away from the guide carriage (19) in a direction parallel to the longitudinal beams (6) than in the at least one front position of the sliding roof (16), and wherein the at least one bow (20, 21) in the closed position of the sliding roof (16) is at least partially connected to the guide carriage (19) via at least one spring element (23) exerting a restoring force at least partially parallel to the longitudinal beams (6), characterized in that the restoring force and the effective length of the spring element (23) parallel to the longitudinal beams (6) are dimensioned such that, in the open position with the roof (3) inclined to the rear, the end bracket (18) is forcibly moved forward with the guide carriage (19) into a safety position that no longer projects beyond the rear wall (11) after the sliding roof (16) has been unlocked.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a superstructure of a commercial vehicle, in particular a truck, trailer or semi-trailer, with a sliding roof adjustable from a rear position that at least substantially closes a roof opening to at least a front position that at least partially releases the roof opening and back, and with longitudinal beams supporting the sliding roof, wherein the sliding roof has a closing bracket adjustable from a closed position that engages behind the longitudinal beams to an open position that does not engage behind the longitudinal beams and back, wherein the closing bracket in the open position is supported on the longitudinal beams via a guide carriage and is slidable along the longitudinal beams, wherein the sliding roof has at least one bow extending transversely to the longitudinal beams and slidable along the longitudinal beams.wherein the at least one bow in the rear position of the sliding roof is spaced further away from the guide carriage in a direction parallel to the longitudinal beams than in the at least one front position of the sliding roof, and wherein the at least one bow in the closed position of the sliding roof is connected to the guide cheek at least partially via at least one spring means exerting a restoring force at least partially parallel to the longitudinal beams.

[0002] Commercial vehicles of the aforementioned type, such as trucks, trailers, and semi-trailers, are primarily intended for the transport of goods, preferably general cargo, on public roads. For this purpose, these vehicles feature various types of bodies designed to accommodate the goods being transported in a cargo space. For example, box bodies with fixed side walls and a fixed roof, which enclose the cargo space, are well-known. Because these box bodies are enclosed, they are particularly suitable for transporting moisture-sensitive and / or temperature-sensitive goods, i.e., for so-called dry transport and / or refrigerated transport.

[0003] In addition to box bodies, there are also so-called tarpaulin bodies, in which the side walls and roof are closed by at least one tarpaulin. The front wall of tarpaulin bodies is usually a solid wall, while the rear wall is typically formed by two hinged doors to allow loading from the rear when necessary. If a tarpaulin can be moved along the side wall, these are also called curtain-sided vehicles.

[0004] The roof of tarpaulin-covered bodies typically features laterally arranged longitudinal beams, which are connected to each other via bows to form a frame structure running transversely to the vehicle. Additionally, crossbeams are provided at the front and rear walls, connecting the longitudinal beams. This frame structure then supports the tarpaulin covering the roof. To allow loading and unloading of the cargo area through a roof opening, tarpaulin-covered bodies, especially curtainsiders, regularly feature sliding covers. In these sliding covers, the bows are held by carriages on the longitudinal beams and are designed to slide along the length of the vehicle.

[0005] For loading or unloading, the closed roof is opened as follows. First, the rear doors are opened. Then, a locking bar is moved from the closed position to the open position. In the closed position, the locking bar engages behind the rear crossmember and the longitudinal beams, thus preventing the sliding roof from sliding forward. Additionally, a locking mechanism in the locked position can prevent the sliding roof from sliding forward. To open the sliding roof, the driver pushes the locking bar upwards against the restoring force of at least one gas spring until a dead center is overcome and the gas spring moves the locking bar into the open position. In this open position, the locking bar no longer engages behind the crossmember and longitudinal beams, and the sliding roof can therefore be pushed forward.To do this, the sliding soft top must first be unlocked if necessary. To achieve this, the driver pulls the pull rod on an operating device designed as a locking cable. This disengages a locking element from the longitudinal frame member or the cross member, whereupon the sliding soft top can be moved along the longitudinal frame members to a forward position that at least partially opens the roof. The driver pulls the roof forward as far as desired using the locking cable. When the driver releases the locking cable, the locking element returns to its starting position, but the sliding soft top is not relocked. The end bar is attached to a guide carriage that runs along the longitudinal frame members and can be moved forward together with the end bar.

[0006] To close the sliding soft top, the driver uses the pull rod to grasp the locking cable again and pulls it backward along with the soft top. If necessary, the locking element is simultaneously moved into a non-locking position against the restoring force of a locking spring. With the soft top in the rear position, the driver releases the locking cable, which returns the locking element of the locking mechanism to the locking position, thus securing the soft top to the longitudinal frame members or the cross member. The driver must then use the pull rod to move the end bar from the upper, open position to the lower, closed position, where the end bar engages behind the rear cross member and the longitudinal frame members. Finally, the rear doors can be closed.

[0007] When the sliding soft top is moved from its rear position, which at least substantially closes the roof opening, to a forward position, which at least partially opens it, the guide carriage, along with the end bar, is moved forward along the longitudinal frame members. The guide carriage then moves closer to the bows of the sliding soft top. Depending on how far the sunroof is opened, the bows, or individual bows, may also be moved forward along the longitudinal frame members. When the sunroof is fully opened, the bows and guide carriage move together, and when the sunroof is closed again, they move apart. This typically occurs in an accordion-like fashion. The roof fabric will then expand in a wave-like pattern and subsequently straighten out again.

[0008] Many bodywork units equipped with sliding roofs also feature a height-adjustable roof. This allows either the entire roof or just the rear section, specifically the rear crossmember, to be raised and lowered. This enables the transport of taller loads or allows the roof to be lowered at the rear to improve aerodynamics. If a significant gap remains between the load and the roof after loading, the rear section can be lowered, reducing drag while the vehicle is in motion. With height-adjustable roofs, the height of the rear doors is typically adjusted to the lowest roof position.To prevent a gap from forming between the rear doors and the roof when the roof is raised, thus preventing moisture or unauthorized access to the cargo area, the closing bar extends down to at least the top edge of the rear doors when closed. However, if at least the rear section of the roof can be raised and lowered significantly, this can result in very long closing bars, which, when open, may protrude considerably beyond the rear wall of the tarpaulin body.

[0009] If the rear bar extends beyond the back wall of the tarpaulin body in the open position, and the tarpaulin body is reversed up to a ramp for loading and / or unloading, the rear bar could collide with an obstacle and be damaged. To avoid this, the rear bar could be left in the lowered position; however, this would prevent the full height of the back wall from being used during loading and unloading, as it would be partially blocked by the rear bar. Alternatively, the driver could open the sliding roof far enough so that the rear bar no longer protrudes beyond the back wall. However, if the roof is tilted backward, for example, because the body roof is lowered or the vehicle is parked on a slope, the rear bar could still be accidentally moved back into its original position.Damage to the end bar is therefore not easily preventable, or only with considerable effort on the part of the driver.

[0010] A design of the type mentioned above is known from DE 43 44 592 A1 (D1). In this design, leaf springs are provided between adjacent carriages to prevent the tarpaulin from being pinched or dragging when the sliding roof is adjusted.

[0011] Therefore, the present invention is based on the objective of designing and further developing the aforementioned and previously explained structure in such a way that damage to the end bracket can be reliably avoided, even in the case of very extensive height adjustment of the roof.

[0012] This problem is solved in a construction according to the preamble of claim 1 in that the at least one bow in the closed position of the sliding roof is connected to the guide carriage at least partially via at least one spring means which exerts a restoring force at least partially parallel to the longitudinal beams.

[0013] Due to the restoring force of at least one spring, the guide carriage is pulled towards the at least one bow after the sliding roof is unlocked, without requiring any additional manual action. The guide carriage is thus automatically or forcibly pulled forward from the rear end of the roof. Since the end bar is fixed to the guide carriage, the end bar is also moved forward and away from the rear wall along with the guide carriage by the restoring force. The end bar therefore no longer protrudes, or at least not as far, beyond the rear wall of the body as it did before the sliding roof was unlocked. This eliminates, if necessary, the effort required by a person skilled in the art to at least partially open the sliding roof and also to potentially lock the sliding roof in the at least partially opened position.As a result of the restoring force, the guide carriage, together with the end bracket, can be held in a position shifted forward relative to the rear end of the roof, even if the roof is tilted backwards.

[0014] Sliding soft tops can usually be locked in the open position, preventing them from accidentally closing. If the lock is released and the soft top is not held in place, the spring's restoring force prevents the guide carriage from striking the rear crossmember at high speed, even with the roof tilted backwards, due to the considerable weight of the carriage and end bar assembly. The spring's restoring force slows the guide carriage and, if necessary, brings it to a stop before it collides with the crossmember.

[0015] Since the guide carriage is connected to at least one bow via the spring mechanism, the restoring force of the spring mechanism ensures that the guide carriage is pulled towards the at least one bow after unlocking. The distance between the guide carriage and the bow is thus reduced. Furthermore, the at least one bow is positioned in front of the guide carriage relative to the roof, so that the guide carriage is pulled forward not only towards the at least one bow, but also relative to the roof, as described. This also functions regardless of whether the at least one bow is also pushed forward relative to the roof when the sliding convertible top is at least partially opened. Furthermore, the impulse transmitted from the guide carriage to the at least one bow by the restoring force can cause the at least one bow to move further forward together with the guide carriage.The end bracket is then moved further forward and therefore protrudes less to the rear or is further away from the rear wall of the structure.

[0016] When it is stated that at least one bow is connected to the guide carriage via at least one spring, this does not necessarily imply a direct connection between the spring and the guide carriage and / or the bow. The spring can be connected indirectly to the bow as well as indirectly to the guide carriage. It is therefore sufficient if the bow is connected to the guide carriage via the spring, creating a functional connection that allows the guide carriage to be moved towards the at least one bow by means of the restoring force. In this way, a reduction in the distance between the at least one bow and the guide carriage compared to the closed position of the sliding roof can be achieved if the guide carriage can move freely along the longitudinal rails.Nevertheless, in many cases a direct connection between a bow and the guide carriage will be preferred for the sake of simplicity.

[0017] Against this background, it is not necessary for the spring element to be elastic along its entire length. It is sufficient if the spring element provides sufficient elasticity to generate the restoring force, at least in certain sections. Other areas of the spring element can be relatively stiff or inelastic and merely serve to connect it to different sections of the sliding roof. For example, two bows or two longitudinally spaced sections of the sliding roof fabric can be directly connected to opposite ends of the spring element. Here, too, the restoring force can ensure that the two bows or the two fabric sections are pulled towards each other as a result of the spring element's restoring force.Consequently, their distance decreases and the guide carriage, which is at least indirectly connected to the bows or the tarpaulin, is pulled forward accordingly.

[0018] In a first particularly preferred embodiment of the structure, the at least one bow, in the closed position of the sliding roof, is at least partially connected to the guide rails via at least two spring elements, each exerting a restoring force at least partially parallel to the longitudinal beams. In this way, the restoring force can be distributed more evenly across the width of the guide carriage, transverse to the longitudinal beams, so that it cannot tilt and therefore does not lock. This is particularly true if the at least two spring elements are significantly spaced apart transversely to the longitudinal beams. The distance can be, for example, at least 1 m, preferably at least 1.5 m, and particularly at least 2 m.Alternatively or additionally, the two spring elements can also be assigned to opposite longitudinal beams and / or be provided at least essentially symmetrically to a central axis between the longitudinal beams.

[0019] It is particularly simple and reliable if at least one of the spring elements is at least partially designed as an elastic band. For the sake of simplicity, it can also be advantageous if at least one of the spring elements is at least partially made of rubber. To provide higher restoring forces and / or a longer service life, it is alternatively or additionally advantageous if at least one of the spring elements is at least partially designed as a coil spring and / or at least partially as a gas spring. The coil spring can, for example, be connected to the guide carriage and / or the at least one bow via a cable or similar connection. The gas spring can, for example, be connected with a reversing mechanism so that the guide carriage can be pulled forward towards the at least one bow by extending the gas spring.

[0020] Regardless of the type of spring element, it can be fixed directly to the at least one bow at one end, with the end facing away from the guide carriage when the sliding roof is closed. Under certain conditions, this is not only simple in design but also particularly reliable.

[0021] Alternatively or additionally, an end of the at least one spring element facing the guide carriage when the sliding roof is closed can be directly attached to at least one further bow and / or directly to the guide carriage. The spring element therefore does not necessarily have to be directly connected to the guide carriage. It may suffice if the at least one spring element is attached to a bow that is in turn connected to the guide carriage or has a corresponding operative relationship with it. The corresponding bow connected to the rear end of the spring element can be pulled towards the at least one bow located further forward relative to the roof, to which the front end of the spring element is connected. In doing so, the first-mentioned bow can also pull the guide carriage forward in this direction.

[0022] To ensure that the guide carriage is pulled sufficiently far forward by the at least one spring element, the spring element should be adjustable over a sufficient length by applying the restoring force. To provide the necessary length, the at least one spring element can extend in one direction parallel to the longitudinal beams over at least one further bow. It is therefore not necessary for the spring element to extend forward from its rear end only as far as the next bow. It can be advantageous for the spring element to extend at least to the bow after the next one, or to a bow located even further forward with respect to the roof. The bows located between the front and rear ends of the spring element are thus bridged by the spring element.

[0023] In many cases, it is preferable if the at least one spring element is not fixed to the at least one additional bow spanned by the spring element, in order to avoid excessively restricting the expansion and contraction of the spring element. However, it can still prove useful if the at least one spring element is guided on the at least one additional bow spanned by the spring element. This allows a defined extension of the spring element to be achieved and prevents accidental failure of the spring element.

[0024] For the proper use of the structure, the restoring force and the effective length of the spring element parallel to the longitudinal beams are dimensioned such that, in the open position with the roof horizontally aligned, the end bar is automatically moved forward with the guide carriage into a safety position that no longer protrudes beyond the rear wall after the sliding roof is unlocked. The structure can then be reversed up to a ramp with the roof horizontal without the risk of damaging the end bar by colliding with an obstacle. The effective length is defined as the length by which the spring element can contract after the sliding roof is unlocked in order to pull the guide carriage forward. The spring element must then be extended again by this effective length each time the sliding roof is moved into the closed position, sealing the roof opening.

[0025] It can be even more advantageous if the restoring force and the effective length of the spring element parallel to the longitudinal beams are dimensioned such that, in the open position with the roof tilted backwards, the end bar is forcibly moved forwards with the guide carriage into a safety position that no longer protrudes beyond the rear wall after the sliding roof is unlocked. This allows the vehicle to be reversed up to a ramp even with the roof tilted backwards or lowered at the rear, without the risk of damaging the end bar by colliding with an obstacle. However, this may require at least a spring element with a greater effective length and possibly a stronger spring element. Consequently, a greater force may sometimes be required to close the sliding roof.The effective length and the restoring force can be dimensioned in particular such that, in the open position with the roof inclined backwards and with a commercial vehicle parked on a horizontal surface, the closing bracket is forcibly moved forwards with the guide carriage into a safety position that no longer protrudes beyond the rear wall after the sliding roof has been unlocked.

[0026] The advantages of the previously described sliding roof are particularly evident when the rear section of the roof can be lowered by a significant amount. This is because the closing bar becomes longer, increasing the risk that it might accidentally protrude beyond the rear wall of the body when open. Therefore, the described advantages are especially realized when the rear end of the roof, particularly a rear cross member, can be positioned at least 10 cm, preferably at least 20 cm, and particularly at least 30 cm, lower than the front end of the roof, particularly a front cross member.

[0027] To ensure that the sliding roof fabric unfolds when the roof is opened and does not impede further opening, at least one fabric lifter can be provided between at least some of the roof's frame members for locally raising the fabric between the frame members. This is particularly advantageous when fabric lifters are located on opposite sides of the sliding roof. Alternatively or additionally, at least one fabric lifter can be provided between at least one frame member and the guide carriage for locally raising the fabric between the frame member and the guide carriage in order to fold the sliding roof fabric in this area. This is also especially true if the fabric lifters are located on opposite sides of the sliding roof.

[0028] In the case of at least one tarpaulin lifter, the at least one spring element can be guided and / or attached to the at least one tarpaulin lifter. The spring element then remains securely held on the sliding tarpaulin and does not come into disruptive contact with the load or other obstacles. Therefore, it is further preferred if each spring element is guided and / or attached to at least one tarpaulin lifter on opposite sides of the sliding tarpaulin.

[0029] To allow for height adjustment of the roof at its rear end, it is advantageous for the roof of the superstructure to be supported at its rear end by rear corner posts, wherein the rear corner posts are height-adjustable at least between a shortened position for positioning the rear end of the roof in a low position and at least one extended position for positioning the rear end of the roof in a high position. Furthermore, it may be preferable if the rear corner posts can also be arranged in at least one intermediate position between the shortened and extended positions for positioning the rear end of the roof in at least one intermediate position between the low and high positions.

[0030] A particularly high degree of flexibility is achieved when the roof of the superstructure is supported at its front end by front corner posts, and these front corner posts are designed to be positioned in the same way as the rear corner posts, whether extended or shortened. The roof can be sloped backwards in both positions. Alternatively, the roof can run horizontally, for example, when the rear corner posts are in their extended position.

[0031] To increase flexibility and, if necessary, to reduce the air resistance of the superstructure, the roof of the superstructure can be supported at the front end of the superstructure by front corner posts, wherein the front corner posts are designed to be height-adjustable at least between a shortened position for positioning the front end of the roof in a low position and at least an extended position for positioning the front end of the roof in a high position.

[0032] To create a stable roof and a durable sliding soft top, it can be advantageous if the end bar, in the closed position, engages behind a rear cross member of the roof, particularly one connecting the longitudinal beams, and does not engage behind the rear cross member in the open position. This allows the cross members to easily provide sufficient roof rigidity.

[0033] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing that illustrates only one embodiment. The drawing shows Fig. 1A-B a construction of a commercial vehicle according to the invention in a high and a low position with a side tarpaulin according to the invention in a perspective view, Fig. 2A-B the structure from Fig. 1 with a sliding roof in different positions in a perspective detail view and Fig. 3A-C the sliding roof from Fig. 2 in different positions in a perspective detail view.

[0034] In the Fig. Figure 1A depicts a commercial vehicle N in the form of a semi-trailer, towed by a tractor unit Z. The commercial vehicle N has a body 1 in the form of a tarpaulin-covered body, specifically a curtainsider. The body 1 has a tarpaulin 2 on the roof 3 and a side tarpaulin 4 on each of the two side walls 5 of the body 1. The two side tarpaulins 4 on the side walls 5 can be moved forwards or backwards along longitudinal beams 6 to open and close the side wall 5 as desired. In the closed position, the side tarpaulin 4 is fixed to a front corner post 7 and a rear corner post 8, while in the open position, the side tarpaulin 4 exposes the side wall 5 for loading and unloading the cargo space of the body 1. For this purpose, tarpaulin tensioning tubes 9 are provided on the side tarpaulin 4, which can be hooked into the front corner post 7 and the rear corner post 8.The front tarpaulin tensioning tube 9 can also be a so-called hook profile. The tarpaulin tensioning tube 9 or the hook profile is hooked into the front corner post 7, just as the rear tarpaulin tensioning tube 9 is hooked into the rear corner post 8. In the illustrated and thus preferred assembly 1, a tensioning device 10 is provided on the rear corner post 8, with which the tarpaulin tensioning tube 9 hooked there can be rotated about its longitudinal axis in order to wind a portion of the side tarpaulin 4 onto the tarpaulin tensioning tube 9 and thus tension the side tarpaulin 4 or pull it taut in the longitudinal direction of the assembly 1.

[0035] The rear wall 11 of the superstructure 1 is closed by hinged doors 12 and rear doors, respectively. The front corner posts 7 and the rear corner posts 8 support the roof 3 of the superstructure 1 and brace the roof 3 of the superstructure 1 against a floor structure 13 of the superstructure 1. In the illustrated and thus preferred superstructure 1, the front corner posts 7 and the rear corner posts 8 are each connected to a crossbeam 14 of the roof 3. In the illustrated and thus preferred superstructure 1, the front corner posts 7 and the rear corner posts 8 are height-adjustable. The front corner posts 7 and the rear corner posts 8 can each be adjusted between a shortened position for positioning the adjacent area of ​​the roof 3 in a low position and at least one extended position for positioning the corresponding area of ​​the roof 3 in a high position.The front corner posts 7 and the rear corner posts 8 can, for this purpose, have a post body fixed to the floor structure 13, on or in which a post slide connected to the roof 3 is held, which can be partially extended and retracted relative to the post body to adjust the roof 3. In particular, if the rear end of the roof 3 is lowered relative to the front end of the roof 3 by shortening the rear corner posts 8, the air resistance of the superstructure 1 can be reduced. In the . Fig. 1B is setup 1 with one opposite the Fig. 1A shows the correspondingly lowered roof 3 at the rear end.

[0036] Especially in the Fig. Figure 2A-B shows that not only the hinged doors 12 and the side tarpaulins 4 can be opened for loading and unloading, but also the roof 3. For this purpose, the roof structure 15 has a sliding cover 16, which consists of the parts shown in the Fig. 1A-B shown closed position in the Fig. 2A shows the still locked position as well as the one shown in the Fig. 2B shows the unlocked and open position, providing a roof opening 17, and can be adjusted back. In the Fig. For the sake of clarity, 2A-B are merely details of the commercial vehicle N from the Fig. 1A-B shown.

[0037] To open the sliding roof 16, as described in the Fig. As shown in Figure 2A, the hinged doors 12 of the superstructure 1 are first opened. Then, the end bar 18 of the sliding roof 16 can be pivoted upwards from a closed position, in which the end bar 18 engages behind the cross member 14 located in the area of ​​the rear wall 11 and the rear ends of the laterally provided longitudinal beams 6 connected by the rear cross member 14, to an open position, in which the end bar 18 no longer engages behind the cross member 14 and the longitudinal beams 6, but is located above the cross member 14 and the longitudinal beams 6. Initially, however, the sliding roof 16 is still locked in the rear closed position, which closes the roof opening 17, with the longitudinal beams 6 and / or the cross member 14. Now, however, the sliding roof 16 can be unlocked and removed from the position shown in the Fig. 2A rear position shown in the Fig. The front position shown in 2B can be adjusted, with the sliding roof 16 being guided on the side longitudinal beams 6 of the roof structure 15.

[0038] In the Fig. Figures 3A-C show the sliding roof 16 together with the longitudinal beams 6 of the roof 3, in different positions. For clarity, the tarpaulin 2 of the roof 3 has also been omitted. Fig. Figure 3A shows the sliding soft top 16 in its closed rear position, in which it closes the roof opening 17. In this position, the guide carriage 19, which carries the end bar 18, is locked to the longitudinal beams 6 to prevent it from sliding forward. The end bar 18 is also shown in its closed position, engaging behind the longitudinal beams 6. Bows 20 and 21 are provided in front of the guide carriage 19, extending transversely to the longitudinal beams 6 and guided by carriages 22 along the longitudinal beams 6. Corresponding bows, spaced at regular intervals, are also provided in the front section of the sliding soft top 16 (not shown). The guide carriage 19 is also guided along the longitudinal beams 6, allowing it, along with the end bar 18 and the bows 20 and 21, to be moved forward and backward along the longitudinal beams 6.

[0039] The front ends of two spring elements 23, which are elastic bands, are connected to one of the bows 20. The spring elements 23 are located adjacent to the opposite longitudinal beams 6 and extend at least substantially parallel to the longitudinal beams 6 rearward toward the guide carriage 19, to which the rear ends of the spring elements 23 are connected. Between the front and rear ends of the spring elements 23, the spring elements 23 extend over further bows 21, the spring elements 23 not being fixed to these bows 21 but merely guided in eyelets 24. If necessary, this guidance could be omitted, or the spring elements 23 could also be guided, for example in eyelets, on the tarpaulin lifters 25, which extend between the bows 20, 21 and between the rearmost bow 21 and the guide carriage 19.When the sliding roof 16 is closed, the tarpaulin lifters 25 are arranged in a flat, elongated orientation approximately parallel to the longitudinal beams 6. However, when the sliding roof 16 is opened forward, the tarpaulin lifters 25 rise section by section, causing the tarpaulin 2 of the sliding roof 16 to also rise in a wave-like pattern.

[0040] As is particularly evident in the Fig. As shown in Figure 3B, to open the sliding roof 16 and release the roof opening 17 for loading and unloading, the driver can first pivot the end bar 18 upwards from the closed position to the open position, where it no longer engages the longitudinal beams 6. The guide carriage 19 remains locked to the longitudinal beams 6. In this open position, the free end of the end bar 18 extends rearward beyond the rear wall 11 of the body 1. To release this locking mechanism of the guide carriage 19, the driver can pull on a locking cable 26 using a pull rod.

[0041] Once the locking mechanism of the sliding roof 16 is released, the guide carriage 19, as shown in the Fig.As shown in Figure 3C, the guide carriage 19 is automatically pulled forward, specifically in the illustrated and thus preferred configuration 1, to such an extent that the end bracket 18 does not project beyond the rear wall 11 of the configuration 1. The forward pull of the guide carriage 19 is effected by the restoring force of the spring elements 23 after the guide carriage 19's locking mechanism on the longitudinal beams 6 has been released. The restoring force then causes the spring elements 23 to contract, shortening accordingly. Consequently, the distance between the guide carriage 19 and the bow 20, to which the front ends of the spring elements 23 are attached, also decreases after the guide carriage 19's locking mechanism on the longitudinal beams 6 has been released. Since this bow 20 cannot be moved further rearward, the spring elements 23 pull the guide carriage 19 forward, even if the corresponding bow 20 were also moved forward.The guide carriage 19 also moves the other bows 21 forward, which are bridged by the spring elements 23, so that the distance between all these bows 20, 21 decreases. At the same time, the tarpaulin lifters 25, on which the tarpaulin 2 rests and thus assumes a wave-like shape so as not to block the sliding roof 16 from being opened, are raised. Reference symbol list 1. Structure 2 Plane 3 roof 4 side panels 5 side wall 6 Longitudinal beam 7 front corners 8 rear corner kicks 9 tarpaulin tensioning tube 10 Clamping device 11 Back panel 12 hinged doors 13 Soil structure 14 crossbeams 15 Roof structure 16 Sliding roof 17 Roof opening 18 End clips 19 guide cars 20 bows 21 bows 22 trolleys 23 Spring elements 24 eyelets 25 tarpaulin lifters 26 Locking cable N Commercial vehicle Z tractor

Claims

[1] Body (1) of a commercial vehicle (N), in particular a truck, trailer or semi-trailer, with a sliding roof (16) adjustable from a rear position that at least substantially closes a roof opening (17) to at least a front position that at least partially opens the roof opening (17) and with longitudinal beams (6) supporting the sliding roof (16), wherein the sliding roof (16) has a closing bar (18) adjustable from a closed position that engages behind the longitudinal beams (6) to an open position that does not engage behind the longitudinal beams (6), wherein the closing bar (18) in the open position is supported on the longitudinal beams (6) via a guide carriage (19) and is displaceable along the longitudinal beams (6), wherein the sliding roof (16) has at least one bow (20, 21) extending transversely to the longitudinal beams (6) and displaceable along the longitudinal beams (6),wherein the at least one bow (20, 21) in the rear position of the sliding roof (16) is spaced further away from the guide carriage (19) in a direction parallel to the longitudinal beams (6) than in the at least one front position of the sliding roof (16) and wherein the at least one bow (20, 21) in the closed position of the sliding roof (16) is connected to the guide carriage (19) at least partially via at least one spring element (23) exerting a restoring force at least partially parallel to the longitudinal beams (6), characterized by , that the restoring force and the effective length of the spring element (23) parallel to the longitudinal beams (6) are dimensioned such that the end bracket (18) in the open position with the roof (3) tilted backwards is forcibly moved forwards with the guide carriage (19) into a safety position that no longer protrudes beyond the rear wall (11) after the sliding top (16) has been unlocked. [2] Structure according to claim 1, characterized by , that the at least one bow (20,21) in the closed position of the sliding roof (16) is connected at least partially to the guide carriage (19) via at least two spring means (23) which each exert a restoring force at least partially parallel to the longitudinal beams (6). [3] Structure according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the at least one spring means (23) is designed at least partially as an elastic band, in particular partially made of rubber, and / or at least partially as a coil spring and / or at least partially as a gas spring. [4] Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that in the closed position of the sliding roof (16) an end of the at least one spring means (23) facing away from the guide carriage (19) is fixed directly to the at least one bow (20). [5] Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by, that in the closed position of the sliding roof (16) an end of the at least one spring means (23) facing the guide carriage (19) is fixed directly to at least one further bow and / or directly to the guide carriage (19). [6] Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that at least one spring means (23) extends in a direction parallel to the longitudinal beams (6) over at least one further bow (21). [7] Structure according to claim 6, characterized by , that the at least one spring means (23) is not fixed to the at least one further bow (20) and / or that the at least one spring means (23) is guided on the at least one further bow (21). [8] Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by, that the restoring force and the effective length of the spring element (23) parallel to the longitudinal beams (6) are dimensioned such that the end bracket (18) in the open position with the roof (3) horizontally aligned is forcibly moved forward with the guide carriage (19) into a safety position that no longer protrudes beyond the rear wall (11) after the sliding top (16) has been unlocked. [9] Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by , that the rear end of the roof (3), in particular a rear cross member (14) of the roof (3), is arranged at least 10 cm, preferably at least 20 cm, in particular at least 30 cm, lower than the front end of the roof (3), in particular a front cross member (14) of the roof (3). [10] Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by, that at least one tarpaulin lifter (25) for locally lifting the tarpaulin (2) between the bows (20, 21) of the sliding roof (16), in particular on opposite sides of the sliding roof (16), is provided and / or that at least one tarpaulin lifter (25) for locally lifting the tarpaulin (2) between the bows (20, 21) is provided between at least one bow (21) and the guide carriage (19), in particular on opposite sides of the sliding roof (16). [11] Structure according to claim 10, characterized by , that the at least one spring element is guided and / or attached to at least one tarpaulin lifter and that, preferably, each spring element is guided and / or attached to at least one tarpaulin lifter on opposite sides of the sliding roof (16). [12] Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by, that the roof (3) of the superstructure (1) is supported at the rear end of the superstructure (1) by rear corner posts (8) and that the rear corner posts (8) are designed to be height-adjustable at least between a shortened position for positioning the rear end of the roof (3) in a low position and at least an extended position for positioning the rear end of the roof (3) in a high position. [13] Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized by , that the roof (3) of the superstructure (1) is supported at the front end of the superstructure (1) by front corner posts (7) and that the front corner posts (7) are designed to be arranged in an unchanged position with the rear corner posts (8) in the extended position as well as with the rear corner posts (8) in the shortened position when the roof (3) is inclined backwards. [14] Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized by, that the roof (3) of the superstructure (1) is supported at the front end of the superstructure (1) by front corner posts (7) and that the front corner posts (7) are designed to be height-adjustable at least between a shortened position for positioning the front end of the roof (3) in a low position and at least an extended position for positioning the front end of the roof (3) in a high position. [15] Structure according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized by , that the end bracket (18) in the closed position engages behind a rear cross member (14) of the roof (3), in particular connecting the longitudinal members (6), and does not engage behind the rear cross member (14) in the open position.

Images