GB2099913A

GB2099913A - Sliding roofs for vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2099913A
Application number: GB8212842A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: GLASS TRANSPORT SYSTEMS Ltd
Current assignee: GLASS TRANSPORT SYSTEMS Ltd
Priority date: 1981-05-12
Filing date: 1982-05-04
Publication date: 1982-12-15

Abstract

A sliding panel assembly especially useful on vehicle roofs, wherein the panel 3 slides relative to a fixed frame by virtue of a fluid-operated system 12-17 inclusive which can be actuated and controlled from the ground, the fluid operation most effectively being by means of a deformable conduit having a piston 18 which moves along the conduit on supply of pressurised fluid, and the panel 3 being movable with the piston 18. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Sliding panel assembly This invention relates to a sliding panel assembly.

According to the present invention there is provided a sliding panel assembly having a frame, a panel located on the frame and movable along the frame, fluid-driven means for moving the panel along the frame, and means for supplying pressurised fluid to the fluid-driven means.

Preferably the fluid-driven means includes a conduit which has a co-operating piston, the piston being arranged so as to resist the passage of fluid along the conduit and to be movable along the conduit under pressure of the fluid. The piston is connected to the panel so as to be movable with it. This arrangement can be implemented for example by making the conduit deformable, preferably resilient, and having the piston bear externally on the conduit wall to deform it and there restrict the conduit's cross-sectional area. In this way the supply of pressurised fluid, for example compressed air, into the conduit on one side of the piston forces the piston to move along the conduit, taking the panel with it.

The piston is preferably one or more bearing members disposed on opposite sides of the conduit and spaced or biassed together so as to deform the conduit between them. The distance between the bearing members is therefore less than the distance across the conduit in its undeformed state. The constriction of the conduit can be partial or total, provided that a pressure difference exists across the constriction when pressurised fluid is supplied on one side of the constriction. This pressure difference causesthe piston, and thus the panel, to move along the conduit. A suitable device for achieving this movement of the panel is that sold as the "Rol-Air Mota" of Kay Pneumatics. Pressurised air can be provided from a works supply or, in the case of a vehicle, from the vehicle braking system.

The sliding panel may be mounted on the frame through wheels or rollers running in a guide channel on the frame, and preferably the arrangement is such as to allow for "racking" or distortion of the frame when the vehicle is in use; for example the wheels or rollers can be mounted on spindles which extend into apertures on the panel and which are axialiy movable in the apertures. Thus racking is compensated by movement of the spindles within the apertures.

The sliding panel can be provided adjacent a rigid roof panel or adjacent a second sliding panel. In the former case it is preferable for the sliding panel to overlap the rigid panel inboard of the rigid panel. It has been a problem with conventional sliding roofs that the sliding panel can fall forward over the vehicle cab under heavy breaking of the vehicle, as they have generally been located to overlap above the rigid panel. The present arrangement overcomes this danger.

The actuating mechanism for the fluid drive of the panel is preferably located low on the vehicle so as to be operable from the ground.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, which is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle having a sliding roof assembly of this invention, with portions shown expanded in detail.

In this embodiment of the invention a commercial van 1 has a roof in two sections, namely a forward, fixed panel 2 and a rearward, longitudinally movable panel 3. The movable panel is mounted and slidable in a plane parallel to and lowerthan that of the fixed panel 2. The movable panel 3 has on its underside periphery brackets 4 defining with the panel apertures 5 within which spindles 6 fit. The spindles 6 carry rotatable wheels 7 which are located to run within channels 8 secured to the fixed framework of the vehicle. A strip 9 of weatherproof material extends along each side of the movable panel 3 to prevent water penetrating between the panel 3 and the channels 8, and as a secondary precaution further channels 10 are provided below the channels 8 to drain into a tube 11 any water leaking past the strip 9.

Movement of the panel 3 along the vehicle 1 is caused by a pneumatic drive having a reservoir 12, an isolator switch 13, a flow regulator and filter 14, a two-way switch 15 and air lines 16. The lines 16 communicate with the ends of air hoses 17 running along each side of the vehicle roof adjacent the channels 8, and the hoses 17 each have mounted on them rolling pistons 18 of a "Rol-Air-Mota" system from Kay Pneumatics. The pistons 18 are secured to the panel 3. This system operates by pinching each air hose 17 between a pair of rollers mounted within the piston 18, so that if air is selectively led under pressure to the hose 17 on one side ofthe piston 18 the rollers move along the hose 17 towards the !ow-pressure side.

The movable panel 3 is normally locked in the closed position, i.e. at its rearmost position abutting a rear frame 19 of the vehicle. Locking can be mechanical or power-operated. In this position the fixed and movable panels 2 and 3 work together to form a continuous roof for the vehicie. If access from above is required the switch 15 is set to feed air along the lines 16A and the flow regulator 14 actuated. Pressurised air then flows along the lines 16A and the air hoses 17 rearward of the piston 18, forcing the piston 18, and thus the panel 3, forward under the fixed panel 2. Smooth running of the panel 3 is ensured by the wheels 7 rolling in the channels 8.

As the vehicle 1 moves along, particularly when it is heavily laden, distortion or "racking" can occur in the form of out-of-plane twisting. The assembly of this embodiment of the invention allows for this, as racking simply causes the spindles 6 to slide within the apertures 5, thus minimising stress.

While the invention has been particularly described for use with vehicles it can also be used for example on seagoing containers, in factories and other premises, and in many other environments.

The drawing(s) originally filed was/were informal and the print here reproduced is taken from a later filed formal copy. Modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A sliding panel assembly having a frame, a panel located on the frame and movable along the frame, fluid-driven means for moving the panel along the frame, and means for supplying pressurised fluid to the fluid-driven means.

2. An assembly according to Claim 1, wherein the fluid-driven means has a conduit for passage of fluid and a piston co-operating with the conduit and effective to resistthe passage fluid along the con dust so as to move along the conduit under pressure of the fluid, the piston being connected to the panel.

3. An assembly according to Claim 2, wherein the conduit is deformable and the piston bears externally on the conduit wall thereby deforming the conduit and restricting its cross-sectional area.

4. An assembly according to Claim 3, wherein the piston comprises a pair of bearing members on opposite sides of the conduit and spaced from each other by a distance smaller than the distance across the conduit in its undeformed state.

5. An assembly according to Claim 4, wherein the bearing members are spaced so as to close the conduit by its deformation between them.

6. An assembly according to Claim 4 or 5, wherein the bearing members are wheels or rollers.

7. An assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the means for moving the panel is pneumatically driven.

8. An assembly according to Claim 7, wherein the panel is on a vehicle and the means for supplying pressurised fluid includes the vehicle braking system.

9. An assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the panel is mounted on the frame through wheels or rollers.

10. An assembly according to Claim 9, wherein the wheels or rollers are mounted on spindles which are axially movable relative to the panel.

11. An assembly according to Claim 9 or 10, wherein the wheels or rollers are held in and movable along channel members on the frame.

12. An assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, wherein the panel is mounted adjacent a fixed panel on the frame and is movable parallel to and belowthefixed panel.

13. An assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 12, wherein the panel is on a vehicle and controls are provided for the pressurised fluid supply means on or adjacent the vehicle chassis.

14. An assembly according to any one of Claims 1 to 13, wherein waterproof sealing means are provided between the panel and the frame.

15. A sliding panel assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.