Centrally hinged bonnet

Abstract

A bonnet is provided having a central bar 2 for fitting longitudinally over a front section of a car; a pair of left and right bonnet sections 4, 6; and a pair of front and back cross-bars for connect

Description

Introduction The present invention relates to centrally hinged bonnets, otherwise known as butterfly bonnets, for automobiles, in particular cars. Background to the Invention The front part of a car is covered by a bonnet. Very early cars, in particular those in the 1910s, 1920s, 1930s and 1940s had a bonnet comprising two sections that were either hingedly connected to each other alone a central line of the front part of the car, or attached to either side of a central strut or bar running the length of the front of the car. When both sections are open, the appearance is of a butterfly, with the central strut equating to the body of the butterfly and the open bonnet sections equating to the wings of the butterfly. Hence, this style of bonnet is known as a “butterfly bonnet”. As cars developed, another type of bonnet became more popular, namely the back edge hinged bonnet. It is this type of bonnet that is generally found on most cars today. While the butterfly bonnet is aesthetically more pleasing, and where a luggage compartment is provided underneath the bonnet may provide easier access, there are disadvantages associated therewith. In particular, a hinged length always provides an opportunity for leaks to occur, and where two hinged lengths, there are two opportunities for leakage. In addition, as hinged lengths are over central sections of the space beneath the bonnet, which is generally used for the engine, or may be additionally or alternatively used for storage, leakage here could be damaging to the engine or luggage. In contrast, the back edge hinged bonnet has a single hinged length, leading to fewer opportunities for leakage. In addition, the connection between the fixed section and the hinged length is at the back of the bonnet, leakage is less likely to be harmful. One issue with the connection of the bonnet to the rest of the car, is that a car is usually built from back to front, with the main side frames assembled, and connected and then the tailgate, back doors, front doors, and front side panels connected. However, at the end of this process, one side of the vehicle may be further forward that the other side. This will be by a few millimetres only, but as a bonnet needs to fit to both sides, and the front of the vehicle must be straight, any difference must be compensated for. While fitting the front flap or bumper at a slight angle can assist, typically, at least some of the compensation must occur in the fitting of the bonnet. The object of the invention is to provide an improved butterfly bonnet, in particular one which is earlier to fit and adjust for fitting. Summary of the Invention According to the invention there is provided a bonnet comprising:- a central bar for fitting longitudinally over a front section of a car; a pair of left and right bonnet sections; and a pair of front and back cross-bars for connection of the bonnet; wherein the central bar has:- a longitudinal central section adapted to sit flush with the left and right bonnet section, and side extensions from the longitudinal central section extending underneath edges of the bonnet sections; and wherein the central bar is fixedly connected to the front and back cross-bars, and wherein the left and right bonnet sections are hingedly connected to the front and back cross-bars. Usually, seals may be provided on the side extensions of the central bar. Additionally or alternatively, seals may be provided on undersides of inside edges of the left and right bonnet sections. These seals ensure good connection between the central bar and bonnet sections, minimise leakage, minimise visibility of the change from central bar to bonnet section, direct water flow and improve aerodynamics. The side extensions will be short relative to the dimensions of the other elements, typically 5 - 50mm, preferably 10-30 mm, and most preferably 10 - 20mm. Advantageous, the central bar will be mounted at a slight downwards angle on the car, namely from close to the windscreen towards the bumper, to direct any water down the bonnet towards a front of the car. Details To help understanding of the invention, a specific embodiment thereof will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a car having a bonnet according to the invention in which one side is open and the other side is closed; Figure 2 is a top perspective view of the open bonnet of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a closer top perspective view of the bonnet of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a closer view of the back cross bar and connection for the bonnet section; and Figure 5 is another top perspective view of the bonnet of Figure 1. Referring to Figures 1 - 5, a butterfly bonnet 1 comprises a central bar 2, a pair of left and right bonnet sections 4,6 and a pair of front and back cross bars 8, 10 for mounting of the butterfly bonnet 1. The central bar 2 is an elongate member that is mounted longitudinally on the front of a car in use, centrally between its sides, and is fixedly connected to the back and front cross bars 8, 10. In use, the back cross bar 8 is mounted on brackets 12 attached directly or indirectly to the wheel support 14 or side frame 16, while the front cross bar 10 is mounted on brackets 18 attached directly or indirectly to engine mount towers 20. The left and right bonnet sections 4, 6 are hingedly connected to the front and back cross bars 8, 10. A hinge 22 (not shown) is attached close to the back edge 24 of the left bonnet section 4 and to the back cross bar 10, and another hinge 26 (not shown) is attached close to the front edge 28 of the left bonnet section 4 and the front cross bar 8. Equally, a hinge 30 is attached close to the back edge 32 of the right bonnet section 6 and to the back cross bar 10, and another hinge 34 is attached to the front edge 36 of the right bonnet section 6 and the front cross bar 8. When closed, the back edge 24 of the left bonnet section 4 and the back edge 28 of the right bonnet section 6 rest against the back cross bar 8 and the windshield connector 38. Equally, the front edge 32 of the left bonnet section 4 and the front edge of the left bonnet section 6 rests against the front cross bar 10 and the front panel 39. The outside edge 40 of the left bonnet section 4 and the outside edge 42 of the right bonnet section 6 rest against the left and right side panels 44, 46 respectively. The central bar 2 comprises a central portion 48, sized and shaped to align with the left and right bonnet sections 4, 6 to create a bonnet surface when closed. As previously mentioned, the central bar 2 is fixedly connected to the back and front cross bars 8, 10, which hold the central bar 2 along a central line of the front of the car. In accordance with the invention, side extensions 50 to the central portion 48 are provided, which are depressed slightly with regards to the central portion 48, and on which the inside edges 54 (not shown) left and right bonnet sections, 4, 6 sit when closed. Thus, the extensions 50 extend under the left and right bonnet sections 4, 6, with the left and right bonnet section being flush with the central portion 48. These extensions 50 act to prevent ingress of water and dirt onto the engine, or storage space, whatever is beneath the bonnet. Seals 52 are provided between the bonnet sections 4, 6 and the side extension 50. As shown the seals are provided on the side extensions 50. However, seals could additionally or alternatively be provided on the inside edges 54, 56 of the left and right bonnet section, which sit upon the extensions on closure. Advantageously, the whole bonnet 1 will be set at a slight angle from back, adjacent the windshield to the front, adjacent the bumper, of the vehicle. Any water that passes between the central portion 48 and the left and right bonnet sections, on the extensions, will then be directed to the front of the vehicle for egress therefrom. This will be the case when the vehicle is stationary, although while driving the air flow will push the water back onto the windscreen. 5 The extensions 50 may be provided with upturned edges 58 to further prevent the ingress of water and debris and channel the same to the front of the vehicle for discharge. This feature is not essential and may not be provided. io The invention is not intended to the limited to the details of the above embodiments. For example, the bonnet sections may be provided in a different colour to the central section.

Claims

1. A bonnet for a vehicle comprising:-a central bar for fitting longitudinally over a front section of a vehicle;a pair of left and right bonnet sections; anda pair of front and back cross-bars for connection of the bonnet; wherein the central bar has:-a longitudinal central section adapted to sit flush with the left and right bonnet section, andside extensions from the longitudinal central section extending underneath the bonnet sections;wherein the central bar is fixedly connected to the front and back cross-bars; andwherein the left and right bonnet sections are hingedly connected to the front and back cross-bars.

2. A bonnet according to claim 1, wherein seals are provided on the extensions between the extensions and bonnet sections in use.

3. A bonnet according to claim 1, wherein the seals are provided on undersides of inside edges of the left and right bonnet sections.

4. A bonnet according to claims 1 - 3, wherein the extension is provided with upturned edges.

5. A bonnet according to any preceding claim, wherein the central bar is mounted at a slight downwards angle on the car, namely from close to the windscreen towards the bumper, to direct any water down the bonnet.

6. A bonnet according to any preceding claim, wherein the back cross bar is mounted on brackets attached directly or indirectly wheel support or a side frame of the vehicle.

7. A bonnet according to any preceding claim, wherein the front cross bar is mounted on brackets attached directly or indirectly to engine mount towers.

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