Sliding cover for a roof opening that can be closed by a foldable or collapsible surface element

Abstract

A sliding cover is proposed for a roof opening of a commercial vehicle cargo space that can be closed by a surface element, with longitudinal beams (1) extending along the two side edges of the roof opening, with at least one crossbar (2) supporting the surface element, which extends between the longitudinal beams (1) and is provided at each end with a slide (4) which is guided on the respective longitudinal beam (1) by means of rollers (40, 60) mounted on the slide (4), with a guide channel (63) formed in the longitudinal beam (1) for a side guide roller (60), and with a running surface (35A) formed on the longitudinal beam (1) for a further roller, which is designed as a support roller (40) and is arranged further inwards in the vehicle compared to the side guide roller (60). To ensure optimal use of the maximum available cargo space height at the level of the longitudinal beams, while still allowing the sliding cover to be opened and closed smoothly and with minimal operating force, the basic body (3) of the slide (4) is a profile element with a step (51) extending along the longitudinal beam (1). At the step (51), the profile element transitions from a higher first profile section (55A) to a lower second profile section (55B), to which the axle (61) of the side guide roller (60) is attached. The support roller (40) is located next to the step (51) under the first profile section (55A) and is supported on a running surface (35A) on the upper surface (35) of the longitudinal beam (1).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a sliding cover for a roof opening of a commercial vehicle loading space which can be closed by a foldable or collapsible surface element, having the features of the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0002] A sliding cover for a commercial vehicle cargo area with these features is known from EP 1 867 509 A2. Longitudinal members with a square and therefore relatively voluminous cross-section extend along the side edges of the closable roof opening. Cross bars extend between the longitudinal members and are provided with a carriage at each end, which is guided on the longitudinal member by means of rollers mounted thereon. Guide channels in the longitudinal member are designed to accommodate and guide the rollers. A first guide channel is provided with an opening in the top side of the longitudinal member. Side guide rollers with a vertical roller axis roll in this guide channel. A second guide channel is open towards the inside of the vehicle. Support rollers with a horizontal roller axis roll in it. The support rollers are arranged further inside the vehicle than the side guide rollers.The base body of the carriage is a profile element made of sheet metal to which all roller axes are attached.

[0003] Similar sliding covers are shown in EP 3 293 027 B1 and WO 2006 / 105779 A2.

[0004] DE 10 2020 114 966 A1 discloses a sliding cover for a commercial vehicle in which, with the aim of achieving a particularly compact design, the longitudinal beam is provided with only one guide channel, and the end of the cross member is provided with only two rollers running in the guide channel on vertical roller axes. The guide channel is closed on three sides and has a slot-like opening at the top. This opening is wider than the roller axes, but narrower than the rollers themselves. The rollers are special sliding rollers and, in addition to their barrel-shaped circumference, have a circular surface with which they slide on the floor of the guide channel. As a result, one and the same rollers absorb both the horizontal and vertical forces when the cross member moves.

[0005] The invention is based on the object of creating a sliding cover for a roof opening in a commercial vehicle cargo area that can be closed by a surface element. The elements involved in the sliding guide are compact and, at the height of the longitudinal beams, allow for optimal use of the maximum available cargo space height. Nevertheless, the sliding cover should open and close smoothly and with minimal operating force.

[0006] To solve this problem, a sliding cover for a roof opening of a commercial vehicle loading space that can be closed by a foldable or collapsible surface element is proposed, having the features of claim 1. Components of this sliding cover are - longitudinal beams extending along both side edges of the roof opening, - at least one cross member supporting the surface element, which extends between the longitudinal beams and is provided at each end with a carriage which is guided on the respective longitudinal beam by means of rollers mounted on the carriage, - a guide channel formed in the longitudinal beam comprising two opposing running surfaces and an opening arranged therebetween in the upper side of the longitudinal beam, through which opening extends the axis of a roller designed as a lateral guide roller, - a running surface formed on the longitudinal beam for a further roller, which is designed as a support roller with a horizontal roller axis and is arranged further inside the vehicle than the lateral guide roller.

[0007] According to the invention, the base body of the carriage is formed by a profile element on which a step extending along the longitudinal beam is formed. At this step, the profile element transitions from a higher first profile section, to which the crossbar is attached, into a second profile section arranged at a lower level, to which the axle of the lateral guide roller is attached. The support roller is arranged next to the step below the first profile section and is supported on a running surface on the upper side of the longitudinal beam.

[0008] The advantages of this sliding cover are that the elements involved in the sliding guide are compact, allowing optimal use of the maximum available cargo space height at the height of the longitudinal beams. Nevertheless, it ensures that the sliding cover can be opened and closed smoothly and with little operating force. This is the case even if the cross member should bend slightly, for example due to additional weight on the cover caused by heavy wetness or snow loads. Another reason for stiff operation and the resulting increased operating force can be that components of the sliding cover are damaged or permanently deformed due to excessive forces.

[0009] Preferred embodiments of the sliding cover are specified in the subclaims.

[0010] It is advantageous if the profile element forming the base body of the slide is provided with a vertical recess of such a size that, when the sliding cover is closed, this recess provides space for those components of the sliding cover that would otherwise protrude upwards. A further step can therefore be formed on the profile element, at which the profile element transitions from the lower, second profile section into a higher, third profile section, whereby the two steps, together with the lower, second profile section, form a channel that is open at the top. For a compact design, the channel is located completely and with its entire width above the longitudinal beam.

[0011] The channel or recess provides space for a lifting element that can be positioned to open the sliding cover. This element, together with other lifting elements if necessary, supports the surface element. The lifting element is connected to the carriage via a pivot bearing, with the pivot bearing located on the steps.

[0012] To form the pivot bearing, the steps can be provided with openings in their vertical sections into which the pivot pins of the lifting element engage. Preferably, the openings in the two steps are arranged axially aligned with each other.

[0013] Preferably, the lifting element is located completely above the longitudinal beam and, in the lowered position, is lowered into the channel. A compact design is achieved because the lifting element is not located to the side of the longitudinal beam, but completely above it. In the lowered position, the lifting element is lowered into the channel to save space.

[0014] With regard to the lifting element, it is further proposed that this, together with a second lifting element, forms a pair of supports for the surface element that can be positioned against each other in an articulated manner.

[0015] While a sliding cover can generally be installed using sliding elements alone, the operating forces required to open and close the load compartment cover are high, especially when additional weight is placed on the load compartment cover, such as heavy rain or snow. Operating forces also increase significantly if individual components of the cover are damaged or distorted due to excessive force.

[0016] Therefore, a pure roller construction is preferred, and in particular, it is proposed that the support roller be located at a free end of its roller axis facing the center of the vehicle. Preferably, the support roller is covered at the top exclusively by the first profile section.

[0017] With regard to the design of the longitudinal beams, it is proposed that these each have an L-shaped cross-section with a vertical first leg which extends along the side of the commercial vehicle loading space, and a second leg which laterally delimits the roof opening, wherein the second leg is designed as a double wall comprising an upper and a lower wall, the running surface of the support roller is located on the upper wall, and both walls together delimit a groove which is open towards the cross bow.

[0018] One design of the longitudinal beams provides for the running surface for the support roller to be located at the bottom of a recess that is lower than the rest of the upper surface of the longitudinal beam. This recess allows the lateral guide roller and the support roller located further inside the vehicle to have identical roller bodies.

[0019] For improved and, above all, smoother guidance during opening and closing, the carriage is preferably provided with a total of two lateral guide rollers, both of which run in the guide channel, with the greatest possible distance from each other.

[0020] Further advantages and details are set out in the following description, which is based on the drawing. It shows: Fig. 1 a commercial vehicle with a sliding cover which can be moved along two longitudinal members of the commercial vehicle body ( Fig. 1 out of 20,094); Fig. 2a a perspective partial view of the sliding cover in a partially opened state, without reproduction of the foldable surface element ( Fig. 2a out of 20 094); Fig. 3 in a first embodiment, a cross section through one of the longitudinal beams including a carriage that can be rolled on the longitudinal beam and one end of a cross member that connects two carriages to one another; Fig. 4 the objects of Fig. 3 in a second embodiment.

[0021] Fig. 1 shows a commercial vehicle body 16 and a driver's cab 17 of a commercial vehicle. The commercial vehicle body 16 can, for example, also be part of a semi-trailer supported on a towing vehicle. It depicts a so-called curtainsider, in which flexible side tarpaulins 18 on both sides, together with the stanchions 19 connected to the side tarpaulins 18, can be moved forwards or backwards to create large side openings. The stanchions 19 connect the floor of the commercial vehicle body 16 to longitudinal members 1 that extend along both sides of the roof 14 of the commercial vehicle body 16. The construction comprising the left and right longitudinal members 1 and the stanchions 19 holds the side tarpaulins 18 and, together with the loading area floor, forms the load-bearing structure.

[0022] The two longitudinal members 1 are arranged and designed symmetrically relative to the vehicle center. All elements of the roof 14 are attached to them. The roof 14 is not rigid, but is composed, among other things, of successive, foldable elements. In particular, the roof 14 is a folding or sliding roof, the upper end and cover of which is formed by a flexible tarpaulin serving as a surface element 20. The tarpaulin or surface element 20 can be folded in a controlled manner to open the roof and thereby shortened in the vehicle's longitudinal direction, creating a long roof opening between the longitudinal members 1, which allows loading and unloading of the cargo space from above.

[0023] The surface element 20 rests on and is attached to cross braces 2. The cross braces 2 extend like traverses between the left longitudinal beam 1 and the right longitudinal beam 1 and are movable along the longitudinal beams 1. A plurality of cross braces 2 are provided along the length of the roof to effectively support the surface element 20, e.g., against snow loads. The cross braces 2 can be of the same type or of different types.

[0024] The individual crossbar 2 is rigidly connected at each of its two ends to a rolling carriage 4. Partly laterally guiding and partly supporting rollers are mounted on the carriage 4, allowing the carriages and thus the crossbar 2 to be moved along the longitudinal members 1 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle with little resistance.

[0025] The Fig. Figure 2a shows a perspective partial section of the sliding cover, but for the sake of clarity without the tarpaulin or the flexible surface element 20. The surface element is not only attached to the crossbar 2, but also to lifting elements 10. In particular, Fig. 2a, that the lifting elements 10 are arranged in pairs between successive slides 4.

[0026] In the illustrated embodiment, the lifting elements 10 are wire lifting arms. The two lifting arms of each pair can be positioned relative to each other and are provided with pivot pins 21 at their slide-side ends. The pivot pins 21 are long enough to engage complementary openings 22 in the base body 3 of the respective slide 4. The pivot pins 21, together with the openings 22, form a horizontal pivot axis that pivotably mounts the lifting arm 10 on the slide 4.

[0027] The other, adjustable ends of the two lifting arms are connected in a joint 5 on the joint axis A. A spring element 6 extends around the joint 5, which is supported with a first spring end 7a on the lifting end of the first lifting arm of the pair, exerting a downward force, and with a second spring end 7a on the lifting end of the second lifting arm of the pair, exerting a downward force. The force is therefore exerted at the two spring ends 7a, each of which has hooks 8 that are hooked into the respective lifting arm 10. A central section 9 of the spring element 6 is arranged between the spring ends 7a and acts as a helical spring around the joint axis A of the joint 5. The two lifting elements 10 of the pair are therefore mounted in the common joint 5 and are subject to an actuating force in the erection direction.

[0028] The Fig. Figure 2a shows the situation with the sliding cover already partially open. The two lifting brackets 10 are positioned against each other in a slatted roof configuration, significantly lifting the hinged joints 5 from the longitudinal beams 1. In this position, the spring element 6 is already largely relaxed. Pushing the roof further open then requires no greater effort. Potential energy is thus stored in the spring element 6 due to the deformation, which is released during the opening process and raises the lifting elements.

[0029] For a compact design, the lifting elements 10 are not located next to, but rather with their entire width completely above the longitudinal beam 1, and here in particular a horizontal leg 32 of the longitudinal beam that laterally borders the roof opening. This ensures that, when the sliding cover is closed, the lifting elements 10 rest on the carriage 4 with part of their length, and are located above the section of the longitudinal beam 1 between successive carriages 4 with another part of their length.

[0030] The two longitudinal beams, of which Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, only one longitudinal beam 1 is shown, are extruded metal profiles of L-shaped cross-section with a vertical first leg 31, which extends along the side of the commercial vehicle loading area and is supported on the stanchions 19, and with the horizontal leg 32, which laterally delimits the roof opening. Just like the first leg 31, the second leg 32 is also designed as a double wall. It consists of an upper wall 33 and a lower wall 34. Together, the two walls 33, 34 define a groove 37 which is open towards the cross bow 2 and is useful for a variety of applications. For example, the groove 37 can accommodate rollers or sliding elements and guide them along the longitudinal beam, which are part of load securing measures.

[0031] Only on the upper wall 33, the upper side of which also forms the upper side 35 of the longitudinal beam 1, is there a running surface 35A for a roller rotatably mounted on the carriage 4. This roller is a support roller 40 with a horizontal roller axis 41 extending transversely to the vehicle's longitudinal direction.

[0032] The base body 3 of the carriage 4 is formed by a profile element. The profile element is preferably a deformed metal sheet on which, among other things, a depression in the form of an upwardly open channel 50 is formed. The channel 50 extends in the longitudinal direction of the longitudinal member 1 and is located completely, i.e. with its entire width, above the second leg 32 of the longitudinal member 1. The channel 50 is delimited by its flat channel base, a first step 51 delimiting the channel towards the inside of the vehicle, and a second step 52 delimiting the channel towards the outside of the vehicle. The width and height of the channel 50 are dimensioned such that when the roof opening is closed and thus in the fully lowered position of the lifting element 10, the lifting element 10 is lowered into the channel and therefore does not require any additional installation height.

[0033] To create the channel 50, the profile element firstly has a first step 51, at which the base body 3 transitions from a higher first profile section 55A, to which the cross member 2 is rigidly attached, into a second profile section 55B arranged at a lower level. This second profile section 55B is the bottom of the channel 50. To create the channel 50, a further step 52 is also present, at which the base body 3 transitions from the lower second profile section 55B again into a higher third profile section 55C. The first and third profile sections 55A, 55C are preferably located in the same horizontal plane.

[0034] In the vertical areas of steps 51, 52 are the openings 22, which, as already described, are part of the pivot bearing of the lifting element 10. The openings 22 in step 51 on the one hand and step 52 on the other hand are aligned horizontally and are preferably bores.

[0035] The crossbar 2 is guided on the longitudinal beam 1 by means of rollers 40, 60 which are freely rotatably mounted on the carriage base body 3.

[0036] For the lateral guidance of the carriage 4, a guide channel 63 is formed in the longitudinal beam 1, consisting of two opposing running surfaces and an opening 64 arranged therebetween in the upper side 35 of the longitudinal beam 1. The vertical axis 61 of a roller 60 supported on the running surfaces extends through the opening 64. The opening 64 can be narrowed, as is the case with the Fig. 3, or may extend over the entire width of the guide channel 63.

[0037] The roller 60 serves as a lateral guide roller, guiding the carriage 4 primarily in a lateral direction. The axis 61 of the roller 60 is attached to the second profile section 55B and thus to the bottom of the channel 50. For further improved guidance, a total of two such lateral guide rollers 60 are provided, both of which run in the guide channel 63 with the greatest possible distance from each other.

[0038] For the vertical support of carriage 4 and crossbar 2, however, the support roller 40 with its essentially horizontal roller axis 41 is primarily provided. The support roller 40 rolls with low friction on the running surface 35A on the upper side 35 and, for optimal support and smooth running even in the case of weight loads acting on the cover and thus on the crossbar 2, it is arranged further inside the vehicle than the lateral guide rollers 60, i.e., closer to the crossbar 2.

[0039] For an even more precise and torsion-resistant support, two such support rollers 40 can of course also be used, which then both roll on the running surface 35A.

[0040] The roller axis 41 of the or each support roller 40 is attached to a bracket 66. The bracket 66 is a partial section of the first step 51 and is directed downwards toward the longitudinal beam 1, with the free end of the bracket 66 having only a small vertical distance from the top side 35 of the longitudinal beam. Preferably, the roller axis 41 of the support roller 40 is anchored in an opening of the bracket 66 and extends approximately in the same plane as the second profile section 55B. The bracket 66 is formed during the deformation of the sheet metal from which the carriage body 3 is made.

[0041] The variant Fig. 4 differs from the variant Fig. 3 in that the running surface 35A for the support roller 40 is located at the bottom of a recess that is slightly lowered compared to the remaining upper surface 35 of the longitudinal beam 1. This measure enables product standardization and thus cost reduction, as space is created so that equally dimensioned roller bodies can be used for the lateral guide rollers 60 and the support roller 40 arranged further inside the vehicle.

[0042] In addition, the variant Fig. 4 further rollers 70 with horizontal roller axis are present, which run in a guide channel 71 in the outside of the vertical leg 31 of the longitudinal beam 1. Reference symbol 1 longitudinal beam 2 cross bows 3 basic bodies 4 sleds 5 Articulated connection 6 spring element 7a spring end 8 hooks 9 Middle section 10 lifting element 14 Roof 16 Commercial vehicle body 17 Driver's cab 18 side tarpaulin 19 Runge 20 surface elements 21 pivot pins 22 Opening 31 first leg 32 second leg 33 upper wall 34 lower wall 35 Top 35A tread 37 grooves 40 support roller 41 Roller axle 50 channel 51 first stage 52 second stage 55A first profile section 55B second profile section 55C third profile section 60 roller, side guide roller 61 Axis 63 guide channel 64 Opening 66 tab 70 rolls 71 guide channel A joint axis QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 1 867 509 A2

[0002] EP 3 293 027 B1

[0003] WO 2006 / 105779 A2

[0003] DE 10 2020 114 966 A1

[0004]

Claims

[1] Sliding cover for a roof opening of a commercial vehicle loading space that can be closed by a foldable or collapsible surface element (20), with - longitudinal beams (1) extending along both side edges of the roof opening, - at least one cross member (2) supporting the surface element (20), which extends between the longitudinal beams (1) and is provided at each end with a carriage (4) which is guided on the respective longitudinal beam (1) by means of rollers (40, 60, 70) mounted on the carriage (4), - a guide channel (63) formed in the longitudinal beam (1) comprising two opposing running surfaces and an opening (64) arranged therebetween in the upper side (35) of the longitudinal beam (1), the axis (61) of a roller designed as a lateral guide roller (60) extending through the opening (64), - a running surface formed on the longitudinal beam (1) for a further roller, which is designed as a support roller (40) with a horizontal roller axis (41) and is arranged further inside the vehicle than the lateral guide roller (60), characterized by that the base body (3) of the carriage (4) is formed by a profile element on which a step (51) extending along the longitudinal beam (1) is formed, on which step the profile element transitions from a higher first profile section (55A), to which the crossbar (2) is fastened, into a second profile section (55B) arranged in a lower plane, to which the axis (61) of the lateral guide roller (60) is fastened, and that the support roller (40) is arranged next to the step (51) under the first profile section (55A) and is supported on a running surface (35A) on the upper side (35) of the longitudinal beam (1). [2] Sliding cover according to claim 1, characterized bythat a further step (52) is formed on the profile element, at which step the profile element transitions from the lower, second profile section (55B) into a higher, third profile section (55C), the two steps (51, 52) and the lower, second profile section (55B) together forming a channel (50) open at the top. [3] Sliding cover according to claim 2, characterized by that the channel (50) is located completely and with its entire width above the longitudinal beam. [4] Sliding cover according to one of claims 1-3, characterized by an erectable lifting element (10) which supports the surface element (20) and is connected to the carriage (4) in a pivot bearing, the pivot bearing being located on the steps (51, 52). [5] Sliding cover according to claim 4, characterized bythat the steps (51, 52) are provided with openings (22) in their vertical areas, into which the pivot pins (21) of the lifting element (10) engage and thus form the pivot bearing. [6] Sliding cover according to claim 4 or 5, characterized by that the lifting element (10) is completely above the longitudinal beam (1). [7] Sliding cover according to one of claims 4-6, characterized by that the lifting element (10) is lowered into the channel (50) in the lowered position. [8] Sliding cover according to one of claims 4-7, characterized by that the lifting element (10) together with a second lifting element (10) forms a pair of supports for the surface element (20) which can be positioned against one another in an articulated manner. [9] Sliding cover according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the support roller (40) is located at a free end of its roller axis (41) facing the center of the vehicle. [10] Sliding cover according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the support roller (40) is covered upwards exclusively by the first profile section (55A). [11] Sliding cover according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the longitudinal beams (1) are each of L-shaped cross-section with a vertical first leg (31) which extends along the side of the commercial vehicle loading space, and a second leg (32) which laterally delimits the roof opening, wherein the second leg (32) is designed as a double wall comprising an upper (33) and a lower (34) wall, the running surface (35A) of the support roller (40) is located on the upper wall (33), and both walls (33, 34) together delimit a groove (37) which is open towards the cross bow (2). [12] Sliding cover according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the running surface (35A) is located at the bottom of a recess which is lowered relative to the remaining upper side (35) of the longitudinal beam (1). [13] Sliding cover according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the lateral guide roller (60) and the support roller (40) arranged further inside the vehicle have the same roller bodies. [14] Sliding cover according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the carriage (4) is provided with a total of two lateral guide rollers (60), both of which run in the guide channel (63).

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