FOLDABLE ROOF TENT FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE AND VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH SUCH A ROOF TENT

Abstract

The present invention provides a foldable roof tent for a motor vehicle comprising an upper roof panel (16) which is mounted to move between a high deployed position and a low closed position and at least one flexible side wall (18) which, in the high deployed position, extends between the roof of the vehicle (10) and the movable upper panel (16); which, in the low closed position, is folded transversely inwards; and which comprises at least one side panel (33) which, in the low closed position, is at least partially folded back on itself, characterized in that said side panel (233) comprises at least one foldable portion which, in the low closed position, is folded accordion-style on itself, and in that said foldable portion comprises magnetic means (Mi) for assisting its accordion-style folding. Figure for abstract: 2

Description

Title of the invention: FOLDABLE ROOF TENT FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE AND VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH SUCH A ROOF TENT Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a foldable roof tent for a motor vehicle.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to a tent comprising a side wall which, in the closed position, is folded transversely inwards, at least partially folded back on itself.

[0003] The invention relates to such a roof tent which is in particular suitable for equipping a leisure vehicle such as for example a camper van or a van, or the roof of the cabin of a transport vehicle. Technical background

[0004] According to a known arrangement, such as for example illustrated in [Fig.l] attached, in a known manner, a foldable roof tent for a motor vehicle comprises: - at least one upper structure which is mounted movably between a deployed upper position in which it is distant from the roof of the vehicle and a closed lower position in which it is adjacent to the roof of the vehicle or to a fixed lower structure connected to the roof; - and at least one flexible side wall: — which, in the high deployed position, extends between the roof of the vehicle, or the fixed lower structure connected to the roof, and the movable upper structure; — which, in the closed low position, is folded transversely towards the inside of the roof tent; — and which comprises at least one side panel which, in the deployed upper position, extends vertically and which, in the closed lower position, is at least partially folded back on itself. Summary of the invention

[0005] The invention provides a foldable roof tent for a motor vehicle comprising: - at least one upper structure which is movably mounted between a deployed upper position in which it is distant from the roof of the vehicle and a closed lower position in which it is adjacent to the roof of the vehicle or to a fixed lower structure connected to the roof of the vehicle; - and at least one flexible side wall: — which, in the high deployed position, extends between the roof of the vehicle, or the fixed lower structure connected to the roof, and the movable upper structure; — which, in the closed low position, is folded transversely inwards; - and which comprises at least one side panel which, in the upper deployed position, extends vertically and which, in the lower closed position, is at least partially folded back on itself, characterized: - in that said side panel comprises at least one foldable portion which, in the closed lower position, is folded accordion-style on itself, - and in that said portion includes means for assisting its accordion folding.

[0006] According to other characteristics of the invention: - said assistance means are magnetic means; - said assistance means comprises a series of magnets, or a series of groups of magnets, which are arranged vertically in a spaced manner and which are magnetically polarized so as to attract each other; - each magnet is arranged outside said side panel; - each group of magnets comprises a row of at least two magnets aligned horizontally; - each magnet, or each group of magnets, is housed in a receiving pocket; - the flexible side wall is made of a woven or non-woven textile; - in the area of ​​said side panel, the flexible side wall has folds to assist its accordion folding.; - said side panel comprises at least two foldable portions spaced laterally from each other and each of which is produced according to the present invention. The invention also provides a motor vehicle, in particular a leisure vehicle, characterized in that it is equipped with a roof tent according to the invention. Brief descriptions of the figures

[0007] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the reading of the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

[0008] [Fig-1] - [Fig.l] is a partial exterior schematic perspective view of a vehicle roof equipped with a foldable roof tent shown in its deployed high position;

[0009] [Fig.2] - [Fig.2] is a partial schematic view in interior perspective of the roof tent of [Fig.l] which represents a front part of the longitudinal panel of its flexible side wall which is equipped with means according to the invention for assisting its accordion folding;

[0010] [Fig.3] - [Fig.3] is a view similar to that of [Fig.l] which represents the tent roof in the lower closed position;

[0011] [Fig.4] - [Fig.4] is a schematic representation in section through a vertical plane and longitudinal of the part of the front side panel shown in [Fig.2];

[0012] [Fig.5] - [Fig.5] is a partial schematic, from the inside of the part of the front side panel shown in [Fig.4];

[0013] [Fig.6] - [Fig.6] is a view similar to that of [Fig.4] which illustrates an example accordion folding of the front side panel portion shown in [Fig.4]. Detailed description of the invention

[0014] For the description of the invention and the understanding of the claims, the vertical, longitudinal and transverse orientations according to the reference V, L, T indicated in the figures, the longitudinal L and transverse T axes of which extend in a horizontal plane, will be adopted without limitation.

[0015] The terms "longitudinal", "transverse", "vertical" and "horizontal" here refer to the longitudinal L, transverse T and vertical V orientations of a recreational vehicle, and the transverse axis is oriented from right to left considering the forward rolling direction of the vehicle.

[0016] By convention, the longitudinal axis L is oriented from the rear to the front of the vehicle.

[0017] In the following description, identical, similar or analogous elements will be designated by the same reference numbers.

[0018] Example of realization [Fig.l] partially shows a recreational motor vehicle 10 comprising a roof or pavilion 12 which is equipped with a foldable or collapsible roof tent 14 shown in the high, deployed position, or deployed state, providing an additional, sealed interior habitable space 15 which extends above the horizontal plane in which the roof 12 extends.

[0019] In this high deployed position, this living space 15 is directly accessible from the interior of the vehicle 10 and it can in particular allow the use of a sleeping area above a part of the roof or pavilion 12.

[0020] The space 15 is delimited vertically downwards by a part of the roof 10 and upwards by a movable upper structure which is here a movable roof panel 16 which is preferably in the form of a rigid or semi-rigid shell whose outline is generally rectangular.

[0021] The space 15 is also delimited laterally by a flexible side wall 18 which, in the deployed high position, extends generally vertically between the roof 12 of the vehicle 10 and the movable roof panel 16 which - in a known manner - is held in the high position by means 20 for guiding the deployment, assisting with deployment and supporting it.

[0022] The movable roof panel 16 is here in an inclined position with its edge front transverse 19 located higher than its rear transverse edge 13.

[0023] The lower peripheral edge 22 of the flexible side wall 18 is here connected to a rigid lower frame 24 attached to the upper face of the roof 12.

[0024] The flexible side wall 18 is for example made of a woven or non-woven textile of the type used for making tents.

[0025] The roof tent 14 is designed to be used in its deployed high position, when the vehicle is stationary, and it is foldable to a closed low position, or closed state, in which the flexible side wall 18 is folded inwards on itself and is then housed in the volume delimited by the roof 12 and the movable roof panel 16 which is then adjacent to the upper face of the roof 12 of the vehicle 10.

[0026] The flexible foldable side wall 18 here comprises four side panels 26, 28 and 30, including in particular a front transverse side panel 26 which extends generally vertically and transversely.

[0027] Due to the inclination of the movable roof panel, the rear transverse side panel 28 is of reduced height.

[0028] The two opposite longitudinal side panels 30 also extend vertically and here comprise transparent windows 32.

[0029] During the folding and closing operations, it is important that the flexible side wall 18 is folded correctly, in particular inside and without being stuck between the roof 12 and the peripheral lateral edge 17 of the movable roof panel 16.

[0030] It is also important that it can be folded in a "compact" manner in the areas in which automatic locking means are arranged in the closed position.

[0031] In particular, but without limitation, this problem affects the longitudinal side panel 30 which notably comprises a large height of flexible side wall to be folded back on itself.

[0032] According to the state of the art, it is for example known to equip the flexible side wall with rigid inserts in several parts which, when folded, cause an inward orientation of the flexible side wall 18 and which are arranged close to the front side panel 26. However, such arrangements are bulky in the folded position and do not guarantee correct folding of the flexible side wall 18.

[0033] In addition to an example of embodiment of the means according to the invention (which will be described in detail later) making it possible to assist an accordion folding of each longitudinal side panel 30 in its front panel 33, figures 2 and 3 also show some of the known handling, closing and safety elements equipping the roof tent 14.

[0034] This includes in particular an automatic safety locking system intended to prevent any accidental opening of the roof tent 14 which, like a motor vehicle seat safety belt, comprises an upper rigid bolt 36 fixed under the lower face of the movable roof panel 16, near its lateral edge 19, and a lower buckle 38 forming a striker which is rigidly fixed to the rigid lower frame 24, here along its lateral edge 25.

[0035] Such a system - which may exist in several copies - makes it possible to automatically lock the roof tent 14 in its lower closed position.

[0036] A similar system has also been partially shown for locking the roof tent at an intermediate height and comprising a bolt 40 and a complementary loop 42 which are here carried by flexible strap elements.

[0037] As can be seen in [Fig.2], at least one flexible handle 44 is also provided, fixed to the flexible side wall 18, 33 and allowing an occupant to exert a first traction force in order to cause closing.

[0038] Another rigid handle 46 is also provided and fixed to the lower face of the movable roof panel 16 to then exert a final closing force by acting directly on this movable roof panel.

[0039] In order to overcome the drawbacks of the state of the art relating to the folding of the roof tent mentioned above, the invention proposes that, without limitation and for example, at least each front longitudinal panel 33 comprises at least one foldable portion which, in the closed low position, is automatically folded in an accordion on itself thanks to means for assisting its accordion folding.

[0040] An accordion fold means that the panel is folded several times, according to Pi folds of horizontal orientation, alternately in opposite directions.

[0041] The flaps delimited by two consecutive folds are substantially of the same width, so that the folded parts stack vertically substantially one on top of the other once the panel or at least part of the panel is folded.

[0042] Thus, in its folded state, the size of the panel 33 in a horizontal plane corresponds substantially to that of a rectangle whose length corresponds to the longitudinal width of the panel 33 whose width corresponds to that of each flap delimited by two consecutive folds.

[0043] As can be seen in [Fig.4], by way of non-limiting example, the panel 33 - between its two edges 22 and 23 - is divided into eight consecutive “flaps” capable of being folded accordion-style on top of each other and which are delimited by seven folds or folding zones P1 to P7.

[0044] To assist accordion folding, it is possible to mark or pre-mark the horizontal folds Pi directly in the material constituting the flexible wall or using rigid or semi-rigid rectilinear rods or ribs.

[0045] According to the exemplary embodiment illustrated in the figures, the means for assisting accordion folding are magnetic means.

[0046] These assistance means comprise, for example, a series of seven groups of magnets M1 to M7.

[0047] Without limitation and as can be seen in [Fig.5], each group of magnets Mi comprises five magnets aligned horizontally.

[0048] Each group of magnets Mi is located substantially halfway up the flap delimited by two consecutive folds.

[0049] In its front panel 33, the longitudinal side panel 30 is here provided with seven groups of magnets M1 to M7 which are spaced vertically in a regular manner.

[0050] The magnets of the consecutive groups of magnets are magnetically polarized so as to attract each other during folding and so that, in the closed lower position, they are stuck to each other.

[0051] For example, the magnets of consecutive groups are polarized in opposite ways.

[0052] It is particularly advantageous to arrange a part of the panel with magnetic means for assisting folding in the area located transversely to the right of the upper rigid bolt 36 - lower loop 38 assembly in order to guarantee that in this area, the textile does not affect its proper functioning when closing.

[0053] When opening or deploying the roof tent 14, under the effect of the elements 20 which in particular apply a force to open the movable roof panel 16, the flexible side wall deploys and stretches and, in the area comprising assistance means, the accordion fold unfolds and the magnets magnetically bonded to each other separate from each other.

[0054] In order to preserve the appearance and comfort of use of the habitable interior space 15, the magnets and groups of magnets are preferably arranged outside the flexible side wall, here outside the panel 33.

[0055] The mounting and fixing of the magnets and groups of magnets Mi can be carried out using any technique suitable for this purpose and in particular depending on the magnets used.

[0056] For example, it is possible to produce each group of magnets in the form of a subassembly such as a pocket made of textile material which is then sewn or glued onto the external fabric of the fabric used.

[0057] If the fabric constituting the flexible wall is double-thick, it is possible to insert the magnets between these two thicknesses.

[0058] Similarly, the number of magnets Mi of each group of magnets can vary from 1 to n.

[0059] Each “group” of magnets can also be replaced by a single magnet in the shape of a rigid horizontal extension plate or in the form of a magnetic strip.

[0060] In addition to the phenomenon of magnetic attraction, the weight of the magnets used provides additional assistance by gravity when folding or folding in an accordion.

[0061] Alternatively, it is possible to alternate a magnet or group of magnets and a metal plate.

[0062] According to another variant embodiment not shown, the assistance means may consist of alternating series of self-gripping strips with loops and hooks associated with heavy elements facilitating the folding and mutual attachment of the self-gripping strips.

[0063] The invention is not limited to its application to the front panels 33 of each longitudinal panel 30, but can be applied to other parts or portions of the side wall 18.

Claims

Claims

1. Foldable roof tent (14) for a motor vehicle (10) comprising: - at least one upper structure (16) which is mounted to move between a high deployed position in which it is distant from the roof (12) of the vehicle and a low closed position in which it is adjacent to the roof (12) of the vehicle or to a fixed lower structure (24) connected to the roof (12) of the vehicle (10); - and at least one flexible side wall (18): - which, in the high deployed position, extends between the roof (12) of the vehicle, (10) or the fixed lower structure (24) connected to the roof, and the movable upper structure (16); - which, in the low closed position, is folded transversely inwards;- and which comprises at least one side panel (33) which, in the deployed high position, extends vertically and which, in the closed low position, is at least partially folded back on itself, characterized: - in that said side panel (33) comprises at least one foldable portion which, in the closed low position, is folded accordion-style on itself, - and in that said portion comprises means (Mi) for assisting its accordion-style folding.;

2. Roof tent according to claim 1, characterized in that said assistance means are magnetic means (Mi).

3. A vehicle roof tent according to claim 2, characterized in that said assistance means comprises a series of magnets (Mi), or a series of groups of magnets, which are arranged vertically in a spaced manner and which are magnetically polarized so as to attract each other.

4. Roof tent according to claim 3, characterized in that each magnet (Mi) is arranged outside said side panel (33).

5. Roof tent according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that each group of magnets comprises a row of at least two magnets aligned horizontally.

6. Roof tent according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that each magnet, or each group of magnets, is housed in a receiving pocket.

7. Roof tent according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible side wall (18) is made of a woven or non-woven textile.

8. Roof tent according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in the area of said side panel (33), the flexible side wall (18) has folds (Pi) to assist its accordion folding.

9. Roof tent according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said side panel (33) comprises at least two foldable portions spaced laterally from each other and each of which, in the closed low position, is folded accordion-style on itself and comprises means (Mi) for assisting its accordion-style folding.

10. Motor vehicle, in particular a leisure vehicle, characterized in that it is equipped with a roof tent according to any one of the preceding claims.

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