Superstructure for creating a flat sleeping area on the curved vehicle roof of a VW T25 / T3 (registered trademark) when retrofitting a folding or pop-up roof

Abstract

Accessory part for the interior fittings of a vehicle of the type VW T25 / T3 (registered trademark) with a retrofitted folding or pop-up roof, comprising a superstructure in the area of ​​the curved roof above the C and D pillars of the body, characterized in that the superstructure consists of several support elements made of poplar plywood, which are non-positively connected to one another in the longitudinal and transverse directions by means of glued mortise and tenon joints to form a rib-shaped supporting structure, wherein the underside of the support elements has a negatively shaped profile to adapt to the curvature of the vehicle roof and the upper side forms a flat support surface for receiving a fold-out lying surface element.

Description

Technical area:

[0001] The invention relates to a vehicle-specific component for the camping conversion of motor vehicles, in particular VW T25 / T3 (registered trademark) buses with retrofitted pop-up roofs, and serves to create a flat sleeping area in the upper area of ​​the interior. State of the art:

[0002] When retrofitting a folding or pop-up roof, an opening is created in the vehicle roof above the B and C pillars to provide access to a sleeping area in the upper section. However, the rear section of the vehicle roof has a curvature above the C and D pillars, which prevents the formation of a flat sleeping area. Conventional designs usually consist of improvised or rigid platforms that do not adapt to the curved roof shape and are not structurally connected to the body. Object of the invention:

[0003] The aim is to provide a superstructure element that adapts precisely to the curved roof structure and at the same time forms a stable, level lying surface for camping purposes. Solution:

[0004] The solution consists of a rib-shaped supporting structure made of poplar plywood, whose components are connected to one another longitudinally and transversely via glued slotted joints and at the edges with glued tenon joints. The edge beams define the outer contour and are connected at the corners via glued tenon joints. The support elements are formed on the underside as a negative to the vehicle roof in the area of ​​the C and D pillars and precisely follow the contour of the curved sheet metal roof in both the longitudinal and transverse directions. The upper sides of the edge, main, and secondary beams are straight and are connected to one another by two cover plates, which are placed on the straight upper sides of the beams and connected by glued plug-in joints.The plug-in connection is achieved by means of milled recesses on the underside of the two cover plates, which replicate the rib-shaped structure of the edge, main, and secondary beams, thus forming a positive connection between the underlying support elements. The front of the structure and the end face of the tenon joints are covered with a poplar plywood panel. This is attached to the edge beam behind it with metal screws. The attachment to the roof of the body is via four L-brackets, each of which is connected to the edge beams themselves with an M6 carriage bolt, and the L-brackets are connected to the sheet metal roof of the vehicle body using an M6 rivet nut and M6 hexagon screw. Two M6 countersunk nuts are installed on the front right and left edges of the two cover plates, which are used to secure a fold-out sleeping surface element stored in front of it. Industrial applicability:

[0005] The invention can be used in series production as a retrofit accessory for vehicles with camping conversions and can be manufactured industrially and sold in specialist shops. Drawing description: Fig. 1 shows a top view of the assembled superstructure element. Fig. 2 shows the front view of the superstructure. Fig. 3 shows the rear view. Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show side views of the component. Fig. Figure 6 shows an isometric view of the superstructure as an overall view from above. Fig. Figure 7 shows an isometric view of the cover plate as a bottom view. Fig. 8, shows an isometric view of the superstructure as an overall view from below. Fig. Figure 9 shows an overview of all components of the structure. Example of implementation based on Fig. 1-8:

[0006] The edge beams (2, 7, 8, 9) are connected at the corners using tenon joints. The main beam elements (3-6) and the secondary beam elements (10-12) are connected lengthwise and crosswise using orthogonal slotted joints. The tenon joints on the front (visible side) are connected to a cover panel (1) using screws on the front edge beam (2). Two cover plates (13, 14) with milled recesses on the underside for the contour of the rib structure, which consist of edge beams (2, 7, 8, 9), main beams (3-6), and secondary beams (10-12), close off the top. T-nuts (16) are located on the front outer edge, on the left and right of the superstructure, for holding a foldable lying surface element. The edge beams (8, 9) are screwed to L-brackets (15) using carriage bolts. The L-brackets (15) are then attached to the vehicle roof using rivet nuts and hexagon screws.

Claims

[1] Accessory for the interior fitting of a vehicle of the type VW T25 / T3 (registered trademark) with a retrofitted folding or pop-up roof, comprising a superstructure in the area of ​​the curved roof above the C and D pillars of the body, characterized by that the superstructure consists of several support elements made of poplar plywood, which are connected to one another in the longitudinal and transverse directions by means of glued mortise and tenon joints to form a rib-shaped supporting structure, wherein the underside of the support elements has a negatively shaped profile to adapt to the curvature of the vehicle roof and the upper side forms a flat support surface for receiving a fold-out lying surface element. [2] Accessory according to claim 1, characterized by that the edge support elements are made of 15 mm thick poplar plywood coated with HPL and are connected to each other by means of glued orthogonal tenon joints at the corners. [3] Accessory according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the main and secondary support elements are made of 5 mm thick poplar plywood and are connected to the edge supports in the longitudinal and transverse directions by means of glued orthogonal slot joints and at the edges by means of tenon joints. [4] Accessory according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the lateral edge support elements of the superstructure are screwed to the vehicle roof via four metal L-angles, each of which is screwed to the edge support itself with an M6 carriage screw and to the body with an M6 hexagon screw and M6 rivet nuts. [5] Accessory according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the top of the superstructure is covered with at least two cover plates made of 10 mm thick poplar plywood, the underside of which is provided with approximately 5 mm deep milled recesses that replicate the course of the rib-shaped support structure. [6] Accessory according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that there are two M6 countersunk nuts on the front right and left edges of the two cover plates for fastening a fold-out lying surface element stored in front of it.

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