Roof rails for a motor vehicle, motor vehicle and method for mounting roof rails on the roof of a motor vehicle

Abstract

Roof rail (3) for a motor vehicle (1), comprising at least one gallery rail (5) and at least one fastening device (11) for fastening the gallery rail (5) to the roof (2) of the motor vehicle (1), wherein the fastening device (11) comprises a fastening element (12) and a cover (13) that at least partially receives the fastening element (12), wherein the fastening element (12) rests against the cover (13) on its side facing away from the gallery rail (5), and wherein the fastening element (12) has a first fastening recess (18) and a second fastening recess, wherein the first fastening recess (18) is provided and configured to receive a first screw connector (14) for fastening the fastening element (12) to the gallery rail (5) and the second fastening recess is provided and configured to receive a second screw connector (15) for fastening the fastening element (12) to the roof (2),wherein the cover (13) has a fastening element receptacle (29) in the form of a recess, in which the fastening element (12) is arranged such that it abuts a fastening element receptacle base (30) formed by the cover (13) and which limits the fastening element receptacle (29) in the direction away from the gallery rod (5), and wherein the fastening element (12) has a base element (20) which abuts the cover (13), characterized in that the fastening element (12) is an extruded part, and that from the base element (20) extends, on the one hand, a gallery rod connection element (21) projecting beyond the base element (20) in the direction of the gallery rod (5) and receiving the first fastening recess (18), and on the other hand, a roof connection element (22) offset in the direction away from the gallery rod (5) and receiving the second fastening recess.wherein the roof connection element (22) extends at least partially through a passage opening (33) of the cover (13) in the direction away from the gallery rod (5) and the gallery rod connection element (21) forms a counter support for a bottom wall (9) of the gallery rod (5) on a side facing away from the gallery rod (5) and the bottom wall (9) is positively locked between the counter support and a screw connector head of the first screw connector (14).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a roof rail for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one railing bar and at least one fastening device for fastening the railing bar to the end of a roof of the motor vehicle, wherein the fastening device comprises a fastening element and a cover that receives the fastening element at least in part, wherein the fastening element rests against the cover on its side facing away from the railing bar, and wherein the fastening element has a first fastening recess and a second fastening recess, wherein the first fastening recess is provided and designed to receive a first screw connector for fastening the fastening element to the railing bar and the second fastening recess is provided and designed to receive a second screw connector for fastening the fastening element to the roof,The cover has a fastening element receptacle in the form of a recess, in which the fastening element is arranged such that it rests against a fastening element receptacle base formed by the cover, which delimits the fastening element receptacle in the direction away from the rail, and the fastening element has a base element that rests against the cover. The invention further relates to a motor vehicle with a roof and roof rails attached to the roof, as well as to a method for mounting roof rails on a roof of a motor vehicle.

[0002] From the prior art, for example, the document WO 2013 / 107683 A1 is known. This describes a roof rail for a motor vehicle, with at least one railing bar and with at least one support element fastened to the railing bar for bridging a gap between the railing bar and the roof of the motor vehicle and for securing the roof rail to the roof of the motor vehicle, as well as with at least one cover for the support element, wherein the railing bar, support element and cover are designed as separate components. It is provided that at least one end region of the railing bar is designed as a bent section, the front end of which forms a roof support end, that the support element is designed as an extruded part and that the support element and cover are located at least partially in the region of the bent section.

[0003] Furthermore, the generic document DE 20 2011 005 653 U1 discloses a fastening element for connecting two components, comprising a bolt-like base body which can be secured at one end - the base part - to a first component and which can be inserted through an opening in the second component with its other end - the head part - and secured to this second component. The base body is provided with at least two pre-tensioned spreading arms provided on its head part, which spread outwards from the base body by means of spring force and which can be pressed against the base body against the spring force for inserting the head part through the opening in the second component. Each spreading arm is shaped such that it has a contact surface at its free end and each contact surface cooperates with a support surface of the second component to support the base body on the second component.

[0004] The object of the invention is to propose a roof rail for a motor vehicle which has advantages over known roof rails, in particular can be fixed particularly reliably and permanently to the roof of the motor vehicle and is visually particularly pleasing.

[0005] This is achieved according to the invention with a roof rail for a motor vehicle with the features of claim 1. It is provided that the fastening element is in the form of an extruded part, and that from the base element, on the one hand, a gallery bar connection element projects beyond the base element in the direction of the gallery bar and receives the first fastening recess, and on the other hand, a roof connection element offset in the direction facing away from the gallery bar and receives the second fastening recess, wherein the roof connection element at least partially passes through a passage opening in the cover in the direction facing away from the gallery bar and the gallery bar connection element forms a counter-holder for a base wall of the gallery bar on a side facing away from the gallery bar and the base wall is held in a form-fitting manner between the counter-holder and a screw connector head of the first screw connector.

[0006] Advantageous embodiments with expedient further developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0007] Roof rails are preferably an integral part of the vehicle, but can of course also be installed separately. Roof rails are used, for example, to attach a roof rack to the vehicle. The roof rack rests on the roof of the vehicle via the roof rails. However, roof rails can, of course, also be installed on the vehicle for purely aesthetic reasons.

[0008] The roof rail has at least one rail and at least one fastening device. The rail is understood to be a component of the roof rail which, after the roof rail has been mounted on the motor vehicle, preferably extends in the longitudinal direction of the motor vehicle or at least approximately in the longitudinal direction, i.e., is arranged parallel or approximately parallel to a longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle. The rail extends over a substantial portion of the roof's extent in the direction of the longitudinal axis, preferably over at least 70%, at least 80%, or at least 90%. However, other orientations and extensions of the rail are also fundamentally feasible.

[0009] For example, the roof rail is designed such that, after the roof rail has been mounted on the motor vehicle, it rests on the roof of the motor vehicle over at least a large part of its longitudinal extent, in particular continuously or uninterruptedly. Preferably, the roof rail is resting on the roof of the motor vehicle over its entire longitudinal extent. However, it can also be provided that the roof rail is only supported in certain areas on the roof of the motor vehicle, in particular only at the ends by means of the fastening device or by means of several fastening devices. It is also possible for the roof rail to be supported on the ends by means of the fastening devices and to be spaced from the roof only in certain areas between the fastening devices. The roof rail presented here can basically be used for all of the aforementioned designs of the roof rail.

[0010] The support of the gallery bar on the roof is preferably effected by means of a protective film, in particular made of plastic, in particular of an elastomer and / or a foam, which reliably prevents damage to the roof by the roof rails or, conversely, damage to the roof rails by the roof and / or creates a waterproof connection between the roof rails and the roof of the motor vehicle, so that penetration of moisture from an external environment into the motor vehicle via the roof rails or via an attachment of the roof rails to the roof is prevented. The protective film can be regarded as a component of the roof within the scope of this description. Therefore, if the roof rails are supported on the roof, this can be effected directly without a protective film or, preferably, via the protective film.In the former case, the roof rails rest directly on the roof, in the latter case on the protective film arranged on the roof.

[0011] The gallery bar is or can be fastened to the roof of the motor vehicle at its ends using at least one fastening device. End-side fastening means that the fastening device engages one end of the gallery bar and connects this to the roof of the motor vehicle. In other words, the fastening device is arranged at one end of the gallery bar or is fastened to it. Fastening means that the gallery bar is completely fixed by the fastening device, i.e. in the direction of a longitudinal axis, a vertical axis and a transverse axis of the motor vehicle, and allows or permits no play or at most very little play between the gallery bar and the roof.

[0012] Particularly preferably, the gallery bar is fastened to the roof of the motor vehicle using a plurality of fastening devices. Each of the fastening devices serves to fasten the gallery bar to the roof at the end, such that the plurality of fastening devices engage spaced-apart ends of the gallery bar and fix it with respect to the roof. A region of the gallery bar present between the regions of the gallery bar fastened using the fastening devices is supported, for example, at least in part, preferably continuously or only in part, on the roof of the motor vehicle or is continuously spaced from the roof. In any case, the gallery bar is supported on the roof at least at its end via the fastening devices; in particular, the gallery bar itself rests against the roof of the motor vehicle or the protective film there.

[0013] The roof rail particularly preferably has a plurality of gallery bars, which are arranged in particular at a distance from one another and parallel to one another on the roof of the motor vehicle. Each of these gallery bars is fastened to the roof of the motor vehicle at its end by means of at least one fastening device. Preferably, a plurality of fastening devices are used to fasten each of the gallery bars, in particular exactly two fastening devices. In this respect, the invention also relates to a roof rail for a motor vehicle, with at least one gallery bar and a plurality of fastening devices for fastening the respective end of the gallery bar to a roof of the motor vehicle, wherein each of the fastening devices has a fastening element in the form of an extruded part and a cover that accommodates the fastening element at least in part.In this case, it is again intended that the fastening element rests against the cover on its side facing away from the gallery rod.

[0014] The fastening element is generally designed as an extruded part, i.e. manufactured using the extrusion process. This means that the fastening element has a consistently uniform cross-section in one direction, namely in an extrusion direction in which the extruded part is produced by extrusion. Preferably, the extrusion process is used to first produce a blank, which is then divided into several fastening elements, which are in particular identical, by cutting them in planes arranged parallel to one another. Designing the fastening element as an extruded part enables particularly high strength while simultaneously low manufacturing costs. The fastening element is particularly preferably made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The material EN AW-6060, in particular EN AW-6060-T66, is particularly preferably used for the fastening element.Additionally or alternatively, the material is designed according to DIN EN 573-3 T66 and / or DIN EN 755-2. The material can also be referred to as 3.3206.

[0015] Since the fastening element can only be adapted to the contours of the roof and the railing bar in one direction due to its design as an extruded part, the fastening device has a cover, which can also be referred to as an adapter, in addition to the fastening element. For example, it is intended that identically designed fastening elements are used for a variety of roof rails, whereby these in particular have differently designed railing bars. Each of the roof rails has covers that adapt the identical fastening elements to the different railing bars. Accordingly, the fastening element can be produced in large quantities, resulting in a particularly significant cost advantage.

[0016] The cover is preferably made of plastic and is manufactured in particular by plastic injection molding, i.e. is an injection-molded part. This results in a high degree of flexibility in the design of the cover, so that the fastening device can be adapted extremely precisely to the gallery bar and / or the roof despite the fastening element being designed as an extruded part. The result is, on the one hand, a high level of strength in the connection between the gallery bar and the roof, namely due to the use of the fastening element, and, on the other hand, a particularly pleasing visual impression of the roof rails. It is preferably provided that the cover is manufactured in one piece and from the same material, in particular by injection molding. In this respect, the cover does not consist of several parts that are fastened to one another, for example in a form-fitting and / or material-fitting manner.Instead, the cover is manufactured as a single piece, i.e., as a single element. This also leads to cost-effective and efficient production.

[0017] In conventional roof rails, the fastening element alone serves to support and secure the rail bar, whereas the cover - if present at all - merely conceals the fastening element. According to the invention, however, the cover also has a load-bearing effect; in particular, the fastening element and consequently also the rail bar are supported on the roof of the vehicle via the cover. Accordingly, the roof rail is designed such that the fastening element rests against the cover on its side facing away from the rail bar, so that after the roof rail is mounted on the roof, the cover is located between the fastening element and the roof and is held there, in particular by a clamp.

[0018] The fastening element has a side facing the roof rail in the direction of a vertical axis of the motor vehicle and a side facing away from the roof rail. In addition, the roof rail has an upper side facing away from the motor vehicle, particularly in the direction of a vertical axis of the motor vehicle or when viewed in longitudinal section. The side facing the roof rail is arranged above the side facing away from the roof rail in the direction of the vertical axis. In other words, when the roof rails are arranged as intended on the roof of the motor vehicle, the side facing the roof rail is the same as the side facing away from the roof and facing the outside environment. Conversely, in this case the side facing away from the roof rail is the same as the side facing the roof and facing away from the outside environment, each viewed in longitudinal section. In this respect, the fastening element rests against the cover on its side facing the roof of the motor vehicle.Alternatively, the fastening element rests against the cover on the side facing away from the top of the rail. In other words, the fastening element rests against the cover on its underside, viewed longitudinally and when the roof rails are positioned as intended.

[0019] It is therefore provided that the railing bar is fastened to the fastening element, wherein the fastening element in turn rests on the roof of the motor vehicle or is fastened to it after the roof rails have been mounted on the motor vehicle. It can be provided that the fastening element is supported exclusively directly on the roof of the motor vehicle, i.e. lies directly on this or the protective film. Preferably, however, the fastening element is supported at least partially on the roof via the cover. Particularly preferably, at least a large part of the fastening element is spaced from the roof by means of the cover, so that at most a small part of the fastening element is supported directly on the roof or the protective film, whereas the rest of the fastening element is supported exclusively on the roof or the protective film via the cover.This reliably prevents damage to the roof caused by the fastening element.

[0020] A further development of the invention provides that the cover has a fastening element receptacle in which the fastening element is arranged such that it rests against a fastening element receptacle base formed by the cover, which delimits the fastening element receptacle in the direction facing away from the gallery rod. The fastening element receptacle is formed on the side of the cover facing the gallery rod and thus on the side facing away from the roof. The fastening element receptacle only partially penetrates the cover, so that it is delimited by the fastening element receptacle base, which is also formed by the cover. The fastening element receptacle is thus formed as a recess in the cover.

[0021] The fastening element is arranged at least partially in the fastening element receptacle. In doing so, it rests against the fastening element receptacle base and is supported thereon. The above-described resting of the fastening element on the cover on its side facing away from the gallery rod particularly preferably refers to the resting of the fastening element on the fastening element receptacle base. The fastening element receptacle is preferably shaped and / or dimensionally adapted to the fastening element. In particular, the fastening element receptacle and the fastening element are designed such that spaced-apart, parallel side surfaces of the fastening element rest flatly against the edges delimiting the fastening element receptacle, namely in each case permanently.This ensures that the fastening element is reliably held relative to the cover in at least one direction, particularly in the direction of a transverse axis of the motor vehicle. In any case, the arrangement of the fastening element in the fastening element receptacle ensures reliable locking of the cover and fastening element relative to each other.

[0022] A further development of the invention provides that the fastening element arranged in the fastening element receptacle rests on the one hand against the fastening element receptacle base and on the other hand is at least partially aligned with an edge delimiting the fastening element receptacle, preferably over at least 50%, at least 60% or at least 70% of its longitudinal extent. The edge delimits the fastening element receptacle in the direction of the gallery bar or in the direction facing away from the roof of the motor vehicle. The edge is circumferential and continuous, i.e. uninterrupted. Particularly preferably, the edge is part of a support surface delimiting the cover in the direction of the gallery bar and adapted to the shape of the fastening element, on which support surface the gallery bar is supported in a preferred embodiment. In this case, the support surface serves to support the gallery bar in the direction of the roof.However, it can also be provided that the gallery rod does not rest against the support surface and is therefore arranged at a distance from it. In this case, the support surface can be referred to, for example, as the envelope surface of the cover.

[0023] The support surface preferably closes off the cover in the direction of the gallery rod. The cover therefore has no areas that protrude beyond the support surface. The support surface is shaped to fit the fastening element and is curved in one direction in particular, while running straight throughout in a direction perpendicular to this direction. The fastening element now rests on the fastening element receiving base on one side. On the other side, i.e. on the side facing the gallery rod, it is aligned with the edge and / or the support surface over at least part of its longitudinal extent, in particular over a predominant part of its longitudinal extent. The alignment thus exists over at least 50% of the longitudinal extent of the fastening element, but preferably over a greater extent, for example over at least 60% or at least 70% of its longitudinal extent.

[0024] A further development of the invention provides that the fastening element has a first fastening recess and a second fastening recess, wherein the first fastening recess is provided and designed to receive a first screw connector for fastening the fastening element to the gallery rod, and the second fastening recess is provided and designed to receive a second screw connector for fastening the fastening element to the roof. The fastening element has at least the two fastening recesses, namely the first fastening recess and the second fastening recess, preferably exclusively the first fastening recess and the second fastening recess. The fastening recesses are designed as through-openings, thus each completely penetrate the fastening element.

[0025] The first screw connector, by means of which the fastening element is attached to the gallery rod, is arranged in the first fastening recess. The second screw connector, by means of which the fastening element is attachable or is attached to the roof, is arranged in the second fastening recess. The two fastening recesses are preferably arranged parallel to one another at a distance. This means that a longitudinal center axis of the first fastening recess runs parallel to a longitudinal center axis of the second fastening recess.

[0026] The screw connectors, i.e. the first screw connector and the second screw connector, are preferably understood to mean screws or bolts. Accordingly, each of the screw connectors has at least one screw connector head and a screw connector thread. Particularly preferably, the first fastening recess is a threaded recess. A thread is therefore formed on the fastening element in the first fastening recess. This thread interacts with the screw connector thread of the first screw connector to hold the first screw connector in the first fastening recess. In other words, the first screw connector is screwed into the first fastening recess. Particularly preferably, the fastening element is fastened to the gallery rod exclusively by means of the first screw connector and likewise exclusively by means of the second screw connector.This allows a certain compensating movement or a spring effect to be achieved by means of the fastening element, so that the gallery rod is permanently and reliably held to the roof.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the fastening element rests on the cover between the first fastening recess and the second fastening recess, viewed in longitudinal section. The fastening element therefore has a contact surface that, viewed in longitudinal section, is located between the two fastening recesses. This contact surface rests on the cover, which has a counter-contact surface. The contact surface and the counter-contact surface rest against one another over a large area—and accordingly not merely at points or along a line—so that reliable support of the fastening element on the cover is ensured.

[0028] A preferred embodiment provides that the first fastening recess and the second fastening recess each extend completely through the fastening element. The design of the two fastening recesses as through-holes has already been mentioned. Such a design of the fastening element is simple and cost-effective to implement. For example, the fastening recesses are created by drilling, i.e., they are present as bores.

[0029] A further development of the invention provides that the fastening element has a base element which rests on the cover, and from the base element, on the one hand, a gallery bar connection element projects beyond the base element in the direction of the gallery bar and receives the first fastening recess and, on the other hand, a roof connection element offset in the direction facing away from the gallery bar and receiving the second fastening recess, wherein the roof connection element at least partially, in particular completely, passes through a passage opening of the cover in the direction facing away from the gallery bar.

[0030] The rail connection element connects the fastening element to the rail, and the roof connection element connects the fastening element to the roof of the vehicle. After the roof rails have been properly installed on the vehicle, the fastening element is attached to the rail via the rail connection element, and to the roof via the roof connection element. For each fastening, the rail connection element has the first fastening recess, and the roof connection element has the second fastening recess. The rail connection element and the roof connection element are spaced apart from one another and connected to one another via the base element.

[0031] The base element rests against the cover and thus has the contact surface, which rests flat against the counter-contact surface of the cover. At least the roof connection element does not rest against the cover on its side facing away from the gallery bar or the side facing the roof, but is arranged in the through-opening of the cover. The through-opening extends completely through the cover in the direction away from the gallery bar, so that the through-opening is open towards the roof. This ensures reliable attachment of the fastening element to the roof, since any force acting between the fastening element and the roof is transmitted directly, i.e. not merely indirectly via the cover.

[0032] A preferred embodiment provides that the roof attachment element protrudes from the passage opening on the side facing away from the railing bar, in particular, protrudes beyond the cover. The roof attachment element is thus designed to rest directly on the roof after the roof rails have been mounted on the vehicle. Preferably, the roof attachment element protrudes beyond the cover, so that when the fastening element is attached to the roof using the second screw connector, no deformation of the cover, in particular no compression of the cover, occurs.

[0033] A further development of the invention provides that the cover has a pocket recess on its side facing away from the gallery rod, into which the second fastening recess opens and whose base, formed by the cover, forms an edge continuously delimiting the second fastening recess. The pocket recess extends through the cover only partially, preferably in the direction of a longitudinal central axis of the second fastening recess by a maximum of 30%, a maximum of 40%, or a maximum of 50%. The pocket recess is preferably delimited by a continuous edge in a plane perpendicular to this longitudinal central axis. For example, the pocket recess is polygonal, in particular rectangular, or round, when viewed in cross-section.

[0034] The blind recess is defined by the base in the direction of the gallery rod. This base forms the edge that continuously defines or encompasses the second fastening recess. The blind recess preferably has dimensions in the radial direction relative to the longitudinal center axis of the second fastening recess that are at least 50%, at least 75%, or at least 100% larger than the dimensions of the roof connection element in the same direction. This ensures sufficient flexibility of the cover in the area of ​​the second screw connector.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the roof connection element has a projection beyond the base element that is at least equal to or greater than the wall thickness of the cover in the area of ​​the bag recess and / or the wall thickness of the fastening element receiving base. The advantages of such a configuration have already been mentioned in this description.

[0036] A further development of the invention provides that the fastening element has a support extension resting on the cover, which extends from the roof connection element on the side facing away from the base element, is offset from the roof connection element in the direction facing the base element when viewed in longitudinal section, and rests against the cover in a supporting manner. The fastening element thus also has the support extension, which serves to support the fastening element with respect to the cover. The support takes place - viewed in longitudinal section - on the side of the roof connection element facing away from the base element.As a result, a force exerted by the second screw connector on the fastening element during or after installation of the roof rails on the motor vehicle is evenly transferred into the cover, which in turn reliably supports the fastening element and thus effectively prevents the fastening element from tilting.

[0037] A further development of the invention provides that the roof connection element is U-shaped when viewed in longitudinal section, so that it forms a screw connector attachment receptacle for the positively locking reception of a screw connector attachment of the second screw connector. Due to the U-shape of the roof connection element, it is offset from the base element of the fastening element. More precisely, the roof connection element has several legs, with the second fastening recess formed in one of the legs. This leg is connected via two further legs, on the one hand, to the base element and on the other hand, to the support extension. These two legs are arranged at a distance from one another, namely in such a way that, viewed in longitudinal section, the screw connector attachment receptacle is located between them.

[0038] The second fastening recess opens into the screw connector boss receptacle, namely on its side facing the gallery rod or on its side facing away from the roof. The screw connector boss receptacle is intended and designed to positively receive the screw connector boss of the second screw connector. The screw connector boss is understood to be a preferably polygonal, in particular square or rectangular, body of the second screw connector, which preferably follows a screw connector head. The screw connector boss can also be referred to as a screw boss or bolt boss.

[0039] The screw connector shoulder receptacle and the screw connector shoulder are designed such that, after the roof rails have been mounted on the motor vehicle, the screw connector shoulder is present in the screw connector shoulder receptacle and is held there in a form-fitting manner in the circumferential direction with respect to a longitudinal center axis of the second screw connector. In other words, the second screw connector is held in a rotationally fixed manner with respect to the fastening element by means of the screw connector shoulder and the screw connector shoulder receptacle. This enables simple mounting of the roof rails or simple fastening of the fastening element to the roof of the motor vehicle, in particular by screwing a screw nut onto the second screw connector. The second screw connector engages through a recess formed in the roof.On the side of the roof facing away from the roof rails, i.e. inside the vehicle, the screw nut is screwed onto the second screw connector so that the roof is held between the screw nut and the fastening element, in particular held in a clamped manner.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, the fastening element has, on its side facing the gallery rod, a recess designed as a screw connector head receptacle, in which a screw connector head of the second screw connector is arranged. The screw connector head receptacle preferably adjoins the screw connector shoulder receptacle directly. For example, it has only a small depth. In particular, its depth is at most 5%, at most 2.5%, or at most 1% of the depth of the screw connector shoulder receptacle. The screw connector head receptacle enables simple and error-free positioning of the screw connector head of the second screw connector.

[0041] A further development of the invention provides that the gallery rod connection element forms a counter-holder for a bottom wall of the gallery rod on the side facing away from the gallery rod, and the bottom wall is held in a form-fitting manner between the counter-holder and a screw connector head of the first screw connector. To fasten the gallery rod to the fastening element, the fastening element is inserted into the gallery rod so that the bottom wall of the gallery rod rests against the counter-holder. The first screw connector is then arranged in the first fastening recess and connected or screwed to the fastening element. This is done in such a way that the screw connector head of the first screw connector presses the bottom wall of the gallery rod against the gallery rod connection element or its counter-holder and holds it there.Such a design of the roof rail allows for quick and easy attachment of the gallery bar to the fastening element.

[0042] A preferred embodiment provides that, viewed in longitudinal section, the roof attachment element extends at least as far in the direction away from the rail as the first screw connector. The roof rail is preferably designed such that, after being attached to the roof of the vehicle, both the roof attachment element and the first screw connector are supported on the roof or the protective film. This reliably prevents the first screw connector from becoming loose.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, the gallery bar connection element protrudes beyond the base element of the fastening element in longitudinal section. The gallery bar connection element thus protrudes beyond the base element in both directions, i.e., both toward the gallery bar and toward the roof of the vehicle, forming two projections extending in opposite directions. This ensures a reliable, positive-locking connection between the fastening element and the cover.

[0044] A further development of the invention provides that the cover has a further through-opening into which the first fastening recess opens and / or into which the gallery rod connecting element engages, so that the first screw connector is arranged at least partially in the further through-opening. In addition to the through-opening, the cover thus has the further through-opening, which also completely extends through the cover. The further through-opening is arranged such that the first fastening recess opens into it. Preferably, the gallery rod connecting element also engages in the further through-opening, so that the cover is fixed in a form-fitting manner with respect to the fastening element, at least in the longitudinal direction. In each of the described embodiments, the first screw connector engages in the further through-opening.This ensures simple and quick attachment of the fastening element and the cover to the gallery rod.

[0045] A further development of the invention provides that the fastening element and the cover are suspended in an end recess of the gallery rod so that the base wall rests against the counter-holder of the fastening element and the cover. The recess in the gallery rod is formed, for example, by a cutout in the base wall. Accordingly, an upper side of the gallery rod completely overlaps the recess. The fastening element and the cover are preferably suspended in the recess in the gallery rod so that the base wall rests against both the counter-holder and the cover. In addition, the upper side of the gallery rod is preferably supported on the cover, which for this purpose has a shaped support contour. Accordingly, a reliable and visually attractive connection of the gallery rod to the roof of the motor vehicle is realized.

[0046] A further development of the invention provides that a form-locking holding device is arranged on the fastening element, which form-locking holding device interacts with a form-locking holding counter-device of a hold-down device that overlaps the second fastening recess on the side of the gallery bar, wherein the hold-down device has a holding device on its side facing away from the form-locking holding counter-device that interacts with a form-locking holding counter-device of the cover, so that the hold-down device is held in a latching manner on the fastening element and the cover.

[0047] The hold-down device serves to fasten the second screw connector to the fastening element and the cover. For this purpose, the second screw connector is arranged in the second fastening recess and subsequently the hold-down device is arranged over the second screw connector, in particular over a screw connector head of the second screw connector. This is done in such a way that the hold-down device presses the second screw connector against the fastening element, in particular into the screw connector head receptacle. Preferably, the hold-down device has a projection projecting in the direction of the second screw connector, which bears against the second screw connector or even engages in a driving profile of the second screw connector, for example in a slotted driving profile, a Phillips driving profile, or a hexalobular socket driving profile.

[0048] Viewed in longitudinal section, the hold-down device is held in a form-fitting manner on the fastening element or the cover on opposite sides of the second screw connector. The form-fitting holding counter-device and the holding device serve this purpose. The form-fitting holding counter-device interacts in a form-fitting manner with the form-fitting holding device of the fastening element, and the holding device interacts in a form-fitting manner with the hold-down device of the cover. For example, the form-fitting holding device is provided as a form-fitting recess, in particular as an insertion recess, while the form-fitting holding counter-device is designed as a form-fitting projection or insertion projection. The holding device is preferably designed as a latching projection, and the hold-down device as a latching recess. Such a design enables rapid attachment of the hold-down device to the fastening element and the cover.

[0049] The invention further relates to a motor vehicle having a roof and a roof rail attached to the roof according to the embodiments within the scope of this description.

[0050] The advantages of such a design of the vehicle and the roof rails have already been pointed out. Both the vehicle and the roof rails can be further developed according to the details in this description, so reference is made to these details in this regard.

[0051] The invention also relates to a method for mounting a roof rail on a roof of a motor vehicle, in particular a roof rail according to the embodiments in the context of this description, wherein the roof rail has at least one rail bar and at least one fastening device for fastening the rail bar to the end of a roof of the motor vehicle, wherein the fastening device has a fastening element and a cover that accommodates the fastening element at least in part, wherein the fastening element is arranged on its side facing away from the rail bar so that the cover is held in a clamping manner between the fastening element and the roof, and wherein the fastening element has a first fastening recess and a second fastening recess,wherein the first fastening recess is provided and designed to receive a first screw connector for fastening the fastening element to the gallery rod, and the second fastening recess is provided and designed to receive a second screw connector for fastening the fastening element to the roof, wherein the cover has a fastening element receptacle in the form of a recess, in which the fastening element is arranged such that it rests against a fastening element receptacle base which delimits the fastening element receptacle in the direction facing away from the gallery rod and is formed by the cover, and wherein the fastening element has a base element which rests against the cover.

[0052] It is provided here that the fastening element is in the form of an extruded part, and that from the base element, on the one hand, a gallery bar connection element projects beyond the base element in the direction of the gallery bar and receives the first fastening recess, and on the other hand, a roof connection element offset in the direction facing away from the gallery bar and receiving the second fastening recess, wherein the roof connection element at least partially passes through a passage opening in the cover in the direction facing away from the gallery bar and the gallery bar connection element forms a counter-holder for a base wall of the gallery bar on a side facing away from the gallery bar and the base wall is held in a form-fitting manner between the counter-holder and a screw connector head of the first screw connector.

[0053] With regard to the advantages and possible advantageous further training, reference is again made to the explanations in this description.

[0054] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a region of a motor vehicle with a roof and a roof rail attached to the roof, wherein the roof rail has at least one gallery bar and a fastening device for attaching the gallery bar to the roof, Fig. 2 a schematic representation of a cover of the fastening device, Fig. 3 a schematic representation of the fastening device, which has a fastening element in addition to the cover, and Fig. 4 a schematic longitudinal section through an area of ​​the motor vehicle.

[0055] The Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a region of a motor vehicle 1 having a roof 2 and roof rails 3. The roof rails 2 are attached to the roof. A protective film 4 is arranged between the roof 2 and the roof rails 3 in order to prevent mutual damage to the roof 2 and the roof rails 3. The protective film 4 can also be regarded as part of the roof 2, so that the roof has the protective film 4 in certain regions, namely where the roof rails 3 rest on the roof 2 or touch it. The roof rails 3 have a roof bar 5. In principle, the roof rails 3 can have any number of roof bars 5. In this case, the plurality of roof bars 5 preferably run parallel to one another. Only the roof bar 5 will be discussed below. If there are multiple roof bars 5, the explanations apply analogously to each of these roof bars 5.

[0056] The gallery rod 5 has, on its side facing away from the roof 2, an upper side 6 which is curved towards an end 7 in the direction of the roof 2. Side walls 8 extend from the upper side 6, only one of which is visible here. The side walls 8 run parallel to one another and preferably extend over a large part of the extent of the gallery rod 5. At the bottom, the gallery rod 5 is delimited at least in regions by a base wall 9 which is connected to the upper side 6 via the side walls 8. The base wall 9 has a smaller extent in the longitudinal direction of the roof rail 3 than the upper side 6 and the side walls 8. As a result, a recess 10 (not visible here) is formed in the region of the end 7. A fastening device 11 engages in the recess 10 and is arranged at the end of the gallery rod 5.

[0057] The fastening device 11 serves to fasten the gallery rod 5 to the roof 2 of the motor vehicle 1 at the end. The fastening device 11 has a fastening element 12 and a cover 13. Both the fastening element 12 and the cover 13 are manufactured in one piece and from the same material. While the fastening element 12 is an extruded part, the cover 13 is an injection-molded part and is accordingly manufactured by injection molding. The fastening element 12 is preferably made of metal, in particular of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The cover 13 is made of a material that is different from the material of the fastening element 12, in particular has a lower strength. The cover 13 is preferably made of plastic, for example a thermoplastic.

[0058] The fastening element 12 is fastened to the rail bar 5 by means of a first screw connector 14 and to the roof 2 of the motor vehicle 1 by means of a second screw connector 15. It can be seen that the protective film 4 has recesses 16 and 17 for the screw connectors 14 and 15. The fastening element 12 has a first fastening recess 18 and a second fastening recess (not visible here). After the roof rail 3 has been mounted on the roof 2 of the motor vehicle 1, the first screw connector 14 is arranged in the first fastening recess 18, and the second screw connector 15 is arranged in the second fastening recess.

[0059] The fastening element 12 has a base element 20. Viewed in the longitudinal direction, a gallery rod connection element 21 extends from the base element 20 on one side and a roof connection element 22 extends from the base element 20 on the other. The first fastening recess 18 is formed in the gallery rod connection element 21 and the second fastening recess is formed in the roof connection element 22. The gallery rod connection element 21 projects beyond the base element 20 both in the direction of the gallery rod 5 and in the direction away from the gallery rod 5, so that projections forming the gallery rod connection element 21 extend from the base element 22 in this direction. The roof connection element 22 is offset in the direction away from the gallery rod 5 or projects beyond the base element 20 in this direction.Preferably, the roof connection element 22 projects further beyond the base element 20 in the direction away from the gallery bar 5 than the gallery bar connection element 21.

[0060] The roof connection element 22 is U-shaped in longitudinal section. Accordingly, it has legs 23, 24, and 25, with leg 23 being connected to the base element 20 and a support extension 26 via legs 24 and 25. The legs 24 and 25 run parallel to one another and each extend from leg 23. They are spaced apart from one another, so that a screw connector shoulder receptacle 27 is present between them. The second fastening recess, which is formed in the leg 23 and extends completely through it, opens into this recess. In the area of ​​the legs 24 and 25, the fastening element 12 has a recess designed as a screw connector head receptacle 28.

[0061] The cover 13 has a fastening element receptacle 29, which is delimited by a fastening element receptacle base 30 in the direction away from the gallery rod 5. The fastening element 12 is supported by a contact surface 31 on the fastening element receptacle base 30, which in this respect forms a counter-contact surface 32. A through-opening 33 and another through-opening 34 extend from the fastening element receptacle 29. The through-opening 33 and the through-opening 34 extend completely through the cover 13 and the fastening element receptacle base 30, respectively, in the direction of the roof 2.

[0062] The roof connection element 22 is arranged in the through-opening 33; the gallery rod connection element 21 partially engages in the through-opening 34. The gallery rod connection element 21, the roof connection element 22, the through-opening 33, and the through-opening 34 are dimensioned such that the fastening element 12 is held in a form-fitting manner in the fastening element receptacle 29. The fastening element receptacle 29 is enclosed by a continuous edge 35. Aside from the fastening element receptacle 29, the cover 13 preferably has a support contour 36, which is adapted in shape and dimensions to an inner side of the gallery rod 5, such that the support contour 36 supports the end 7 of the gallery rod by resting flatly on the inside against the end 7 of the gallery rod 5.

[0063] In addition to the elements already explained, the roof rail 3 has a hold-down device 37 which, after the roof rail 3 has been mounted on the roof 2, engages over the second screw connector 15 and thereby holds it in the second fastening recess. This prevents a screw connector shoulder 38 from coming out of the screw connector shoulder receptacle 27 and a screw connector head 39 from coming out of the screw connector head receptacle 28. The hold-down device 37 is preferably fastened in a locking manner to the fastening element 12 and the cover 13. For this purpose, a form-locking holding device 40 is formed on the fastening element 12, which cooperates in a form-locking manner with a form-locking counter-device 41 of the hold-down device 37.

[0064] On the side facing away from the form-fitting holding device 41 in longitudinal section, a holding device 42 is formed on the hold-down device 37, which engages in a locking manner with a holding device 43 formed on the cover 13. The hold-down device 37 has a projection 44 projecting in the direction of the second screw connector 15. This projection is designed such that, after the roof rail 3 has been mounted on the roof 2, it rests against the screw connector head 39 and thereby holds the second screw connector 15 in the second fastening recess. In addition, the projection 44 can be shaped to fit a driving profile of the second screw connector 15 and engage therein, so that it holds the second screw connector 15 in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0065] The Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of the cover 13. The through-openings 33 and 34, each of which completely penetrates the fastening base 30, are clearly visible. Reference is made in full to the further explanations regarding the cover 13 within the scope of this description.

[0066] The Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of the fastening device 11 with the screw connectors 14 and 15 arranged thereon. It now becomes particularly clear how the hold-down device 37 is attached to the fastening element 12 and the cover 13. It can also be seen that the fastening element 12 is flush with the edge 35 of the cover 13.

[0067] The Fig.4 shows a longitudinal sectional view through a region of the motor vehicle 1, again showing the roof rail 3 with the roof bar 5 and the fastening device 11, as well as the roof 2 of the motor vehicle 1. The recess 10 can be seen, which is formed at the end in the roof bar 5 and into which the fastening device 11 engages. The fastening element 12 is preferably completely received in the roof bar 5. The cover 13 is designed such that, in the longitudinal direction of the roof bar 5, it completely bridges a distance between one end of the base wall 9 and one end of the top side 6 of the roof bar 5, so that the cover 13 rests on the top side 6 on the one hand and on the bottom wall 9 on the other hand and accordingly closes the recess 10, in particular completely. The side walls 8 preferably rest on the cover 13 on opposite sides.It is particularly preferred that the cover 13 rests on the bottom wall 9 and the upper side 6 is supported on the cover 13, namely on the support contour 36. The fastening element 12 and the cover 13 are thus suspended in the recess 10 of the gallery rod 5 and fastened there.

[0068] The described configuration of the motor vehicle 1, in particular the roof rail 3, enables a particularly reliable, cost-effective, and visually appealing attachment of the roof rail 5 to the roof 2 of the motor vehicle 1. This is achieved in particular by manufacturing the fastening element 12 as an extruded part and using the cover 13 as an adapter. The fastening element 12 ensures sufficient strength of the fastening device 11, whereas the cover 13 allows adaptation to different roof rails and / or different roofs 2 without modifying the fastening element 12. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 1 motor vehicle 2 roof 3 roof rails 4 protective film 5 Gallery staff 6 Top 7 End 8 Side wall 9 Floor wall 10 Recess 11 Fastening device 12 Fastening element 13 Cover 14 1. Screw connectors 15 2. Screw connectors 16 recess 17 Recess 18 1. Mounting recess 20 Basic element 21 Gallery rod connection element 22 Roof connection element 23 legs 24 legs 25 legs 26 supporting process 27 Screw connector attachment 28 screw connector head holder 29 Fastener holder 30 Fastener support base 31 contact surface 32 Counter contact surface 33 Passage opening 34 Passage opening 35 Rand 36 Support contour 37 hold-down clamps 38 screw connector attachment 39 screw connector head 40 Form-lock holding device 41 Form-locking holding device 42 Holding device 43 Holding device 44 lead

Claims

[1] Roof rail (3) for a motor vehicle (1), with at least one gallery bar (5) and at least one fastening device (11) for fastening the gallery bar (5) to a roof (2) of the motor vehicle (1), wherein the fastening device (11) has a fastening element (12) and a cover (13) which at least partially accommodates the fastening element (12), wherein the fastening element (12) rests on the cover (13) on its side facing away from the gallery bar (5), and wherein the fastening element (12) has a first fastening recess (18) and a second fastening recess,wherein the first fastening recess (18) is provided and designed to receive a first screw connector (14) for fastening the fastening element (12) to the gallery rod (5), and the second fastening recess is provided and designed to receive a second screw connector (15) for fastening the fastening element (12) to the roof (2), wherein the cover (13) has a fastening element receptacle (29) in the form of a recess, in which the fastening element (12) is arranged such that it rests on a fastening element receptacle base (30) which delimits the fastening element receptacle (29) in the direction facing away from the gallery rod (5) and is formed by the cover (13), and wherein the fastening element (12) has a base element (20) which rests on the cover (13), characterized byin that the fastening element (12) is in the form of an extruded part, and in that from the base element (20) there extends, on the one hand, a gallery bar connection element (21) which projects beyond the base element (20) in the direction of the gallery bar (5) and receives the first fastening recess (18), and, on the other hand, a roof connection element (22) which is offset in the direction away from the gallery bar (5) and receives the second fastening recess, wherein the roof connection element (22) at least partially passes through a passage opening (33) in the cover (13) in the direction away from the gallery bar (5), and the gallery bar connection element (21) forms, on a side facing away from the gallery bar (5), a counter-holder for a base wall (9) of the gallery bar (5), and the base wall (9) is held in a form-fitting manner between the counter-holder and a screw connector head of the first screw connector (14). [2] Roof railing according to claim 1, characterized bythat the fastening element (12) arranged in the fastening element receptacle (29) rests on the one hand on the fastening element receptacle base (30) and on the other hand is at least partially aligned with an edge (35) delimiting the fastening element receptacle (29). [3] Roof railing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the cover (13) has, on its side facing away from the gallery rod (5), a pocket recess into which the second fastening recess opens and whose base formed by the cover (13) forms an edge continuously delimiting the second fastening recess. [4] Roof railing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that the fastening element (12) has a support extension (26) resting on the cover (13), which extends from the roof connection element (22) on the side facing away from the base element (20), is offset from the roof connection element (22) in the direction facing the base element (20) as seen in longitudinal section, and the fastening element (12) rests against the cover (13) in a supporting manner. [5] Roof railing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the roof connection element (22) is U-shaped when viewed in longitudinal section, so that it forms a screw connector attachment receptacle (27) for the positive reception of a screw connector attachment (38) of the second screw connector (15). [6] Roof railing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the cover (13) has a further passage opening (34) into which the first fastening recess (18) opens and / or into which the gallery rod connection element (21) engages, so that the first screw connector (14) is arranged at least partially in the further passage opening (34). [7] Roof railing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the fastening element (12) and the cover (13) are suspended in an end recess of the gallery rod (5) so that the bottom wall (9) rests against the counter-holder of the fastening element (12) and the cover (13). [8] Roof railing according to one of the preceding claims, characterized byin that a form-fitting holding device (40) is arranged on the fastening element (12), which form-fitting holding device interacts with a form-fitting counter-device (41) of a hold-down device (37) which overlaps the second fastening recess on the side of the gallery rod (5), wherein the hold-down device (37) has, on its side facing away from the form-fitting counter-device (41), a holding device (42) which interacts with a counter-device (43) of the cover (13) in a form-fitting manner, so that the hold-down device (37) is held in a latching manner on the fastening element (12) and the cover (13). [9] Motor vehicle (1) with a roof (2) and a roof rail (3) fastened to the roof (2) according to one of the preceding claims. [10] A method for mounting a roof rail (3) on a roof of a motor vehicle (1), wherein the roof rail (3) has at least one rail bar (5) and at least one fastening device (11) for fastening the rail bar (5) to the end of a roof (2) of the motor vehicle (1), wherein the fastening device (11) has a fastening element (12) and a cover (13) that receives the fastening element (12) at least in part, wherein the fastening element (12) is arranged on its side facing away from the rail bar (5) so as to bear against the cover (13) so that the cover (13) is held clamped between the fastening element (12) and the roof (2), and wherein the fastening element (12) has a first fastening recess (18) and a second fastening recess,wherein the first fastening recess (18) is provided and designed to receive a first screw connector (14) for fastening the fastening element (12) to the gallery rod (5), and the second fastening recess is provided and designed to receive a second screw connector (15) for fastening the fastening element (12) to the roof (2), wherein the cover (13) has a fastening element receptacle (29) in the form of a recess, in which the fastening element (12) is arranged such that it rests on a fastening element receptacle base (30) which delimits the fastening element receptacle (29) in the direction facing away from the gallery rod (5) and is formed by the cover (13), and wherein the fastening element (12) has a base element (20) which rests on the cover (13), characterized byin that the fastening element (12) is in the form of an extruded part, and in that from the base element (20) there extends, on the one hand, a gallery bar connection element (21) which projects beyond the base element (20) in the direction of the gallery bar (5) and receives the first fastening recess (18), and, on the other hand, a roof connection element (22) which is offset in the direction away from the gallery bar (5) and receives the second fastening recess, wherein the roof connection element (22) at least partially passes through a passage opening (33) in the cover (13) in the direction away from the gallery bar (5), and the gallery bar connection element (21) forms, on a side facing away from the gallery bar (5), a counter-holder for a base wall (9) of the gallery bar (5), and the base wall (9) is held in a form-fitting manner between the counter-holder and a screw connector head of the first screw connector (14).

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