WO2017042575A1

WO2017042575A1 - Raising roofs for vehicles

Info

Publication number: WO2017042575A1
Application number: PCT/GB2016/052790
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wayne PENDLEBURY
Original assignee: The Hilo Roof Company Ltd
Priority date: 2015-09-09
Filing date: 2016-09-09
Publication date: 2017-03-16
Also published as: GB2542553A; GB201515991D0

Abstract

A raising roof system (10) for a vehicle (60) comprising a frame affixable, in use, to the periphery of an aperture in the vehicle's (60) roof, a raising roof (32) moveable between a lowered position and a raised position having an upper surface and a periphery arranged to seat against the frame (12) when in the lowered position, and a raising/lowering mechanism interposed between the frame (80) and the raising roof (32), wherein the raising/lowering mechanism comprises at least one scissor-lift mechanism interposed between the frame (80) and the roof (32) and a linear actuator (50) acting substantially vertically between the frame and the roof (32). The main advantage of the invention is that the force exerted by the linear actuator (50) is applied directly to the roof (30), against the direction of gravity. Thus, a smaller and/or less powerful linear actuator (50) is required to safely and/or effectively raise and lower the roof (30).

Description

Title: Raising roofs for vehicles

Description: This invention relates to vehicle roofs, and in particular, to raising vehicle roofs.

A vehicle may be fitted with a raising roof to provide the convenience of the option of having greater internal headroom when parked and reduced vehicle height when the vehicle is in motion.

Many types of vehicles have raising roofs, such as camper vans (in which the increased headroom is required to enable occupants to stand within the vehicle and to provided additional interior space for a bed) and service vehicles, such as mobile shops and ambulances (in which the occupants may need to stand to use bulky equipment when the vehicle is stationary).

There are many types of raising roof that are already available on the market, and these generally comprise in inverted box that sits atop the vehicle that can be raised or lowered as required.

Known raising roofs have a certain minimum height requirement to accommodate the raising/lowering mechanism, which increases the overall height of the vehicle - even with the raising roof in a lowered position. The reason for this is that the raising roof needs to be structurally connected to the vehicle and this is most easily achieved by connecting the raising/lowering mechanism of the raising roof to the vehicle's existing roof bar mounting points. As such, the raising/lowering mechanism mounted to the top of the vehicle and the inverted box of the raising roof covers the mechanism and has sidewalls that form a skirt to come down to meet, and form a seal with, the vehicle's roof. Such a configuration, even if made compact, necessarily raises the height of the vehicle's roof, which has a number of significant disadvantages:

Firstly, the height of the vehicle is increased, which increases its frontal area thereby significantly affecting the vehicle's aerodynamic drag coefficient, which is generally accepted to increase with the square of the vehicle's height. This causes the vehicle's road handling and fuel economy to adversely affected. Secondly, vehicles fitted with known raising roofs often encounter difficulties driving in height-restricted areas, such as multi-storey car parks, which can mean that it is difficult to use a vehicle fitted with a raising roof as an everyday vehicle.

Thirdly, the raising roof can have an unpleasing aesthetic appearance, which can have an adverse effect on the desirability of a vehicle fitted with a raising roof and may reduce its value.

Granted UK Patent No: GB2494750B ("Raising roofs for vehicles", The Hilo Roof Company Limited, GB1212670.2 (17 July 2012), published 20 March 2013) describes a raising/lowering roof system that addresses one or more the above problems, and teaches providing a support frame located inboard and below the roofline of the vehicle, such that the raising roof lies substantially flush with the roofline of the vehicle when in a lowered positon.

However, even the roof described in GB2494750 suffers from a number of drawbacks, which include:

The roof of GB2494750 is manually actuated, that is to say, it requires a user to stand inside the vehicle and to push the roof up, or to pull down on it, to raise and lower it, respectively. This can be inconvenient, especially for the elderly or less physically-able users. Further, shorter users may need to stand of a step (e.g. a seat of the vehicle) to reach the roof when in the raised position, to lower it. Also, the manual actuation of the roof, notwithstanding any lift-assist devices (e.g. gas struts) that may be fitted, still requires some force to be applied to the roof by a user.

The roof of GB2494750 is moveable between raised and lowered positions. However, when in the lowered position, it needs to be secured by a locking screw or bolt located at each corner to stop the roof from raising inadvertently. The need to lock the roof when in the lowered position, and to unlock it before raising the roof, adds additional steps to the raising/lowering procedure, which can be time-consuming and inconvenient. Furthermore, if a user forgets to lock the roof down before driving off in the vehicle, say, there is a risk that the roof my pop-up whilst driving. Thus, the roof described in GB2494750 is not immune from human error. A need therefore arises for an alternative and/or improved type of raising roof system for vehicles, and it is an object of the invention to provide such an alternative and/or improved raising roof system and/or to solve one or more of the above problems.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a raising roof system for a vehicle comprising a frame affixable, in use, to the periphery of an aperture in the vehicle's roof, a raising roof moveable between a lowered position and a raised position having un upper surface and a periphery arranged to seat against the frame when in the lowered position, and a raising/lowering mechanism interposed between the frame and the raising roof, wherein the raising/lowering mechanism comprises at least one scissor-lift mechanism interposed between the frame and the roof and a linear actuator acting substantially vertically between the frame and the roof.

The invention is distinguished over existing motorised scissor-lift mechanisms by the provision of a substantially vertical linear actuator. The main advantage of this is that the force exerted by the linear actuator is applied directly to the roof, against the direction of gravity. Thus, unlike known motorised scissor-lift mechanisms in which the linear actuator acts between the pivot points of the linkages of the scissor-lift mechanism (i.e. indirectly on the load to be lifted), the linear actuator only needs to be specified to raise/lower the weight of the roof (plus a safety factor), as opposed to the weight of the roof resolved through the action of the scissor-lift mechanism. The main benefit of the arrangement of the invention is that a smaller and/or less powerful linear actuator needs to be used to safely and/or effectively raise and lower the roof.

Further, in a known motorised scissor-lift mechanism, the linear actuator is substantially horizontal, and this is so to enable the lower part of the support frame of the mechanism to lie on a flat surface (i.e. the linear actuator does not protrude below the level of the support frame). This arrangement increases the width of the mechanism, which when fitted to the aperture in a vehicle rood, reduces the open width of the aperture, thus reducing its utility. However, in the invention, the linear actuator can extend below the level of the frame because it is fitted to a vehicle, with an interior space of the vehicle, which can easily accommodate the linear actuator. This also reduces the linear actuator's intrusion into the aperture in the vehicle roof. Conveniently, in certain embodiments, the linear actuator can be hidden within a structural element (such as a vertical grab rail) or within interior furniture of the vehicle. Thus, the problem of providing a flat base of the raising/lowering mechanism is not necessarily applicable to the case of a raising/lowering mechanism for a vehicle.

The frame suitably comprises set of load-bearing beams interconnected to form a shape corresponding to the shape of an aperture in the vehicle's roof. Each beam suitably comprised a first substantially horizontal portion whose lower surface seats, in use, against a portion of the vehicle's roof surrounding the aperture therein and a second portion extending downwardly, in use, through the aperture and into the interior of the vehicle. The raising/lowering mechanism may then be operatively connected to a second beam portion of at least one of the beams such that the upper surface of the raising roof is substantially flush with the vehicle's roof when the raising roof is in the lowered position.

By providing a frame having a portion that extends into the vehicle's interior to which the raising/lowering mechanism is affixed, the raising/lowering mechanism is lowered and brought inside the vehicle (when the roof is in a lowered position), rather than being located on top of the vehicle, which enables the raising roof to lie substantially flush with the vehicle's roof when lowered. This feature of the invention can alleviate and/or solve many of the problems associated with known types of raising roofs for vehicles, in particular, the vehicle's overall height, its aerodynamics, appearance and usability.

The load-bearing beams may additionally comprise an additional, substantially horizontally extending flange portion extending from the second portion to which the raising/lowering mechanism may be connected. The additional, substantially horizontally extending flange portion may provide a lip for supporting a bed support surface within the interior of the vehicle.

The first substantially horizontal portion of the structural beams may be affixed to the vehicle using an adhesive, a sealant and/or mechanical fasteners, such as screws, nuts and bolts and/or rivets. The structural frame may therefore replace the strength of the roof, which may otherwise be reduced by cutting the aperture out of it. The structural frame may also provide strength to protect occupants of the vehicle in a roll-over situation.

The raising roof is preferably manufactured from a lightweight material, such as glass- or carbon fibre-reinforced plastic for rigidity, ease of manufacture, resistance to degradation by the elements and to reduce its weight, which can improve the vehicle's fuel economy to which it is fitted. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the raising roof is manufactured from a G P moulding having an outer and an inner skin with a honeycomb or foam material interposed between the skins to provide thermal and/or acoustic insulation, and to increase the rigidity of the raising roof and hence its resistance to deformation under wind loading.

The periphery of the raising roof is preferably provided with a weather tight seal, such as a compressible foam or rubber strip that seats against the frame to keep rainwater and wind out of the interior of the vehicle.

The first, substantially horizontal portion of the structural beams of the frame are preferably provided with drainage channels to drain rainwater away from the interior of the vehicle. The beams may comprise drainage holes to allow collected rainwater to drain out of the frame, which drainage holes, where provided, may be connected to drainage tubes that can be routed through the vehicle, for example through the vehicle's roof pillars, to drain below the vehicle or via the vehicle's wheel arches. Most preferably, a drainage hole is provided at each of the corners of the frame to that the frame can drain regardless of the orientation of the vehicle, for example, if it is parked on an incline.

The raising/lowering mechanism comprises at least one scissor-lift mechanism interposed between the frame and the roof. The scissor lift mechanism is preferably designed to include an over- centring position that serves to lock the roof in the raised and/or lowered position. The or each scissor-lift mechanism suitably comprises a pair of struts that are pivotally connected to one another, and an upper and a lower cross member. A first one of the struts is suitably pivotally affixed to the lower cross member at a fixed pivot point, and is slidingly connected to the upper cross member, for example, via a roller adapted to roll within a channel of the upper cross member. Conversely, a second one of the struts is suitably pivotally affixed to the upper cross member at a fixed pivot point, and is slidingly connected to the lower cross member, for example, via a roller adapted to roll within a channel of the upper cross member.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the linear actuator is arranged to act substantially vertically along a line that intersects the pivot point between the first and second linkages of a respective scissor lift mechanism when the roof is in the fully raised position. Such a configuration suitably maximises the available lifting power of the linear actuator by making it act perpendicularly between the upper and lower cross members at its highest point, which in preferred embodiments also coincides with a point just beyond the aforementioned over-centre positon. Thus, maximum lifting/lowering force is available to overcome the over-centring force of the scissor-lift mechanism.

Additionally, the raising roof system may comprises a flexible web or awning forming, when in the raised position, a wall around the space between the roof and the frame. The awning is suitably waterproof and/or weather tight to keep out the elements. The shape and configuration of the awning is suitably such that when the raising/lowering mechanism is at its fully-open position, the linear actuator serves to tension the awning.

The awning may comprise one or more window/door apertures, which in preferred embodiments, comprise any one or more of the group comprising: a openable/closeable fly screen; an openable/closeable transparent sheet (or "window"); and an openable/closeable opaque sheet.

Suitably, the awning comprises an elasticated "waistband" that extends around it (e.g. in a substantially horizontal plane) which serves to draw-in the awning as the roof is lowered. The waistband may be formed in a pocket of the awning, or it may simply comprise an elasticated cord extending externally around the awning.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the raising roof system comprises two or more, scissor-lift mechanisms comprising linear actuators as described herein. Preferably, there are two actuated scissor lift mechanisms located on opposite sides of the frame, and a third, passive (non- actuated) scissor-lift mechanism which serves, in use, to inhibit or prevent tilting of the roof during raising or lowering.

It will be appreciated that the invention could be used, for example, in a camper van type vehicle. Additionally or alternatively, the invention could be used to provide a hybrid "sport lid" cum "canopy roof" for the bed of a truck-type vehicle. Additionally or alternatively, the invention could be used in other types of vehicles, such as vans, or estate (station wagon)-type ambulances where, on occasion, standing headroom within the vehicle may be required.

The raising/lowering mechanism may be configured to cause the raising roof to rise horizontally, or to raise and tilt (or vice-versa) so that the internal head room of the vehicle, when the raising roof is raised, is higher towards the front, rear or either side of the vehicle, as desired.

The raising roof may be lockable in the lowered position by one or more catches or locking members. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a lock-down member is provided at each corner of the roof, and may comprise a removable hand-locking bolt that can be concealed, for example, behind a windscreen sun visor, or behind a flap in the headlining of the vehicle. Preferably, at least one of the locking members is secured by a key- or remotely-operated lock, most preferably integrated into the vehicle's central locking system so that the roof cannot be inadvertently raised.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, however, the linear actuators serve to lock the roof in the lowered or raised positon by virtue of their gearing, which inhibits extension or retraction of the linear actuators except using a motorised drive thereof. The motorised drive may be switchable using a key-operated key switch, or using a remote control (e.g. a key fob), which has a PIN or ID code that uniquely matches that of a corresponding receiver of the motorised linear actuator's controller.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the operation of the linear actuators are synchronized, for example, using encoders and a processor that controls the speed of each linear actuator to ensure that the roof raises evenly, i.e. not tilted. Each linear actuator suitably comprises a limiter, which limits the extent of the actuators' extension and/or retraction. This can comprise a load cell that senses the load applied by the linear actuator, which increases at the fully raised position (e.g. when the awning is being tensioned) or at the fully lowered position (e.g. when the roof is pulled down tight against the vehicle's roof). The provision of a load cell in the or each linear actuator suitably serves to evenly tension the awning, where provided, when the roof is raised, and to ensure that it is pulled down evenly, when in the lowered position. The same effects may be achieved using encoders that measure the absolute extension and/or retraction of the linear actuators, although it will be appreciated that the use of load cells is preferred because it can compensate for variations, such as manufacturing tolerances and/or stretching of the awning, where provided, thereby providing a consistent result in spite of minor variations.

A second aspect of the invention provides a vehicle fitted with a raising roof system as described herein.

A third aspect of the invention provides a kit of parts for converting a vehicle to a vehicle with a raising roof as described herein.

Embodiments of the invention shall now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figures 1 to 3 are a sequence showing a schematic side view of a raising roof in accordance with the invention;

Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of a raising roof in accordance with the invention in a raised position;

Figure 5 is a perspective schematic view of the raising roof of Figure 4 in a lowered position; and

Figure 6 is a schematic side perspective view of the raising roof of figure 4 in the raised position showing an awning.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, a raising roof 10 in accordance with the invention comprises a main support frame 12 comprising a set of four structural beams that sit in a correspondingly shaped aperture 14 in a roof 16 of a vehicle (not shown). Each of the support beams 12 comprises a generally flat upper lip 18, which seats in a rebate 20 surrounding the aperture 14 in the vehicle roof 16. Depending substantially vertically down from the upper lip 18 is a vertical beam portion 22, which extends down through the opening 14 in the vehicle roof 16 and which terminates in an inwardly-directed lower lip portion 24 that lies at a level slightly below the level of the roof 16 of the vehicle (not shown).

The lower lip portion 24 supports a lower track 26, which is formed as a channel. The raising/lowering mechanism 10 further comprises an upper channel 30, which when lowered, as shown in Figure 3, rests upon the lower channel 26, within the aperture 14 of the roof 16.

A raisable roof 32 is secured atop the upper channel 30 such that when lowered, as shown in Figure 3, its peripheral edges 34 are brought into contact with the upper surface of the roof 16 of the vehicle (not shown). Although not shown in the drawings, the peripheral lip 34 of the roof 32 comprises a resiliently deformable seal to form a weather tight seal between the roof 32 and the top of the vehicle 16 when the roof 32 is in the lowered position.

The lower 26 and upper 30 channels are interconnected by a pair of struts 36, 38 a first one 36 of which is pivotally connected 40 at its lower end to the lower channel 26, and which is slidingly attached to the upper channel 30 by a roller 42, which can move within the channel 30. Likewise, the second strut 38 is pivotally connected 44 at its upper end to the upper channel 30 and comprises a roller 46 at its lower end which slides within the lower channel 26 in the same way as the first strut 36.

A linear actuator 50, in the form of a telescopic motorised drive, is arranged vertically and has a fixed lower portion 52, which extends down into the interior of the vehicle 54 and which is hidden from view, in use, by concealing it within a pillar, grab rail or furniture of the vehicle (not shown). The upper part of the linear actuator 26 is driven by a motor (not shown) of the actuator 50 between an extended position, as shown in Figure 1 and a retracted position, as shown in Figure 3, in which the upper portion 56 is housed within the lower portion 52 of the actuator 50. It will be appreciated that by driving the linear actuator 50 between the fully-extended position, as shown in Figure 1, and the fully-retracted position, as shown in Figure 3, the roof 32 of the raising/lowering roof 10 can be raised or lowered as desired.

As can be seen in the drawings, the linear actuator 50 is orientated substantially vertically, that is to say substantially perpendicular to the lower 26 and upper 30 channels. The reason for this is that the linear actuator acts directly upon the roof 32 to raise and lower it and thus the weight of the roof 32 is born by the linear actuator 50 as opposed to by the struts 36, 38, which essentially serve only to guide the movement of the roof 32 along a substantially straight, vertical trajectory as it moved between the raised and lowered positions.

As can be seen from Figure 4 of the drawings, a raising/lowering mechanism 10 as described above is provided on either side of the vehicle 60 and the linear actuators 50 are synchronised so they extend and/or retract at substantially the same speed.

In Figures 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, it can be seen that an awning 70 is provided, which is between the raisable roof 32 and the aperture 14 in the vehicle roof 16 to form an enclosure around the aperture 14 when the roof 32 is in the raised position.

The awning 70 is manufactured from a web of flexible material, such as canvas or PVC sheet and is able to collapse into the interior of the vehicle when the roof 32 is lowered, but which is pulled taut by the raising/lowering mechanism 10 when the roof 32 is fully raised.

An elasticated cord 72 extends around the waist of the awning 70 such that when the roof 32 is in a position other than in the fully-raised position (as shown in Figure 1), the awning 70 is drawn inwardly by the tension in the elasticated cord 72. This conveniently pulls the awning 70 inboard thereby preventing it from being trapped between the lower 26 and upper 30 channels, or between the roof 32 of the raising/lowering roof 10 and the roof 16 of the vehicle 60 as/when the roof 32 is lowered.

Due to the inboard and lowered position of the lower channel 26, when the roof 32 is fully lowered (as shown in Figure 3) the upper channel member 30 lies within the opening 14 in the vehicle's roof 16. Therefore, the roof 32 of the raising/lowering roof system 10 is substantially flush with the vehicle's roofline when the raisable roof 32 is in the lowered position. This makes for a compact and aesthetically pleasing finish when the roof 32 is in the lowered position.

Turning now to Figure 4, it can be seen that the raising/lowering roof 10 comprises several key elements namely: a lower support frame 12 affixed within an aperture 14 in a roof 16 of the vehicle 60; a corresponding upper support frame 80 underneath the raising roof 32, to which the raisable roof 32 is affixed; a pair of actuated raising/lowering mechanisms 10 (one located on either side of the vehicle, each with its own linear actuator 50); and a passive scissor-lift mechanism extending between a rear part of the lower support frame 12 and the rear part of the upper support frame 80.

As mentioned previously, due to the inboard and lowered configuration of the lower support frame 12, when the roof 32 is in the lowered position, as shown in Figure 5, it lies substantially flush with the existing roofline 16 of the vehicle 60 thus forming an aerodynamic, and aesthetic pleasing, finish.

Turning now to Figure 6 of the drawings, the raising/lowering roof 10 of the invention is shown a raised position with an awning 70 fitted to it. When the raising/lowering mechanism is in the fully raised position (as shown) the awning is tensioned by the linear actuators 50, which are each fitted with load cells to sense the tensioning of the awning 70. Thus, when the roof 32 is fully raised and when the awning 70 is tensioned, the linear actuators are configured to stop driving upward and to come to a halt.

It can also be seen in Figure 6 that the elasticated cord 72 extends around the outside of the awning 70 and is secured loosely by eyelets located at each of the four corners of the awning 70. Thus, as the roof 32 is lowered by the actuators 50, the elasticated cord 72 draws in the waist of the awning 70 inward, as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings in particular, to prevent the awning 70 from becoming trapped by the mechanism or by the roof 32 as it is lowered. As can also be seen in Figure 6 of the drawings, the linear actuator 50 is substantially vertical and when the roof 32 is in the fully raised position, the linear actuator acts through a point that coincides with the intersection of the first 36 and second 38 struts.

Furthermore, the awning 70 comprises a number of window apertures 76, which, in the illustrated embodiment, each comprise zip-closable, transparent window panes, thereby forming a "lantern" effect within the vehicle. In most embodiments of the invention, the apertures 76 will also be provided with zip-closable fly screens and/or zip-closable curtains to permit the glazing panels to be opened for ventilation and for the glazing panel to be closed off, for example at night time.

It will also be appreciated from Figures 4 and 6 in particular, that the lower part 52 of the vertical linear actuators 50, can be readily concealed within the vehicle, for example within the B pillar (as shown in Figure 4) or within other items of furniture or grab rails etc. within the vehicle (not shown).

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiments, which are merely exemplary of the invention and in particular any shapes, dimensions or materials (whether expressly stated or implied) are merely illustrative of the invention without necessarily being restrictive of the scope of the invention, which scope is determined by the appendent claims.

Claims

Claims:

1. A raising roof system for a vehicle comprising a frame affixable, in use, to the periphery of an aperture in the vehicle's roof, a raising roof moveable between a lowered position and a raised position having un upper surface and a periphery arranged to seat against the frame when in the lowered position, and a raising/lowering mechanism interposed between the frame and the raising roof, wherein the raising/lowering mechanism comprises at least one scissor-lift mechanism interposed between the frame and the roof and a linear actuator acting substantially vertically between the frame and the roof.

2. A raising roof system for a vehicle comprising: a frame affixable, in use, to the periphery of an aperture in the vehicle's roof; a raising roof moveable between a lowered position and a raised position, the raising roof comprising an upper surface and a periphery arranged to seat against the frame when in the lowered position; and a raising/lowering mechanism interposed between the frame and the raising roof, wherein the raising/lowering mechanism comprises at least one scissor-lift mechanism and a linear actuator, and wherein the linear actuator acts substantially vertically between the frame and the roof, in use such that the weight of the roof is borne by the linear actuator.

3. The raising roof of claim 1, wherein the linear actuator extends below the level of the frame.

4. The raising roof of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the scissor-lift mechanism comprises a pair of struts that are pivotally connected to one another, and an upper and a lower cross member.

5. The raising roof of claim 3, wherein a first one of the struts is pivotally affixed to the lower cross member at a fixed pivot point, and is slidingly connected to the upper cross member and wherein a second one of the struts is pivotally affixed to the upper cross member at a fixed pivot point, and is slidingly connected to the lower cross member.

6. The raising roof of claim 4, wherein the struts are slidingly connected to their respective cross members via a roller adapted to roll within a channel of the lower and upper cross member, respectively.

7. The raising roof of any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the linear actuator of each scissor-lift mechanism is arranged to act substantially vertically along a line intersecting the pivot point between the first and second struts when the roof is in the fully raised position.

8. The raising roof of any preceding claim, wherein the frame comprises set of load-bearing beams interconnected to form a shape corresponding to the shape of an aperture in the vehicle's roof, and wherein each beam comprises a first substantially horizontal portion whose lower surface seats, in use, against a portion of the vehicle's roof surrounding the aperture therein; a second portion extending downwardly, in use, through the aperture and into the interior of the vehicle; and an inwardly-directed lip portion extending from the lower edge of the second portion, to which inwardly-directed lip portion, the scissor-lift mechanism is affixed.

9. The raising roof of claim 7, wherein the inwardly-directed lip portion forms a supporting lip for supporting a bed support surface within the interior of the vehicle.

10. The raising roof of claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the dimensions of the second portion are such that when the roof is in the lowered position, the upper cross-member of the scissor lift mechanism lies at a level that is flush with, or below, the roofline of the vehicle.

11. The raising roof of claim 9, wherein when the roof is in the lowered position, the upper surface of the raising roof is substantially flush with the vehicle's roofline.

12. The raising roof of any of claims 7 to 10, wherein the first substantially horizontal portion of the structural beams are affixed to the vehicle using an adhesive, a sealant and/or mechanical fasteners, such as screws, nuts and bolts and/or rivets.

13. The raising roof of any preceding claim, wherein the roof is manufactured from a GRP moulding having an outer and an inner skin with a honeycomb or foam material interposed between the skins.

14. The raising roof of any preceding claim, wherein a periphery of the raising roof comprises a seal.

15. The raising roof of any preceding claim, further comprising an awning extending between the periphery of the periphery of the aperture in the vehicle's roof and the underside of the raising roof.

16. The raising roof of claim 14, wherein the awning comprises any one or more of the group comprising: a zip-closeable window panel; a zip-closeable fly screen; and a zip-closeable curtain.

17. The raising roof of claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the awning further comprises an elasticated "waistband" extending around it.

18. The raising roof of claim 16, wherein the elasticated waistband is adapted, in use, to draw-in the awning as the roof is lowered.

19. The raising roof of claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the elasticated waistband comprises an elasticated cord extending around, and being secured at intervals to, the awning, by eyelets.

20. The raising roof of claim 16 or claim 17, wherein the waistband comprises an elasticated cord extending around the awning in a pocket or channel of the awning.

21. The raising roof of any preceding claim, comprising two actuated scissor-lift mechanisms, one located on either side of the frame.

22. The raising roof of claim 20, further comprising a passive scissor-lift mechanism adapted, in use, to inhibit or prevent tilting of the roof during raising or lowering.

23. The raising roof of any preceding claim, wherein the linear actuators serve to lock the roof in the lowered or raised positon by virtue of their gearing, which inhibits extension or retraction of the linear actuators except using a motorised drive thereof.

24. The raising roof of any preceding claim, wherein the movement of the linear actuators are synchronized.

25. The raising roof of claim 23, wherein each linear actuator comprises an encoder, and wherein a processor is provided for controlling the speed of each linear actuator by monitoring the encoder outputs in real-time.

26. The raising roof of any preceding claim, wherein each linear actuator comprises a limit switch, which limits the extent of the actuators' extension and/or retraction.

27. The raising roof of claim 25, wherein the limit switch comprises a load cell.

28. A vehicle fitted with a raising roof system according to any preceding claim.

29. A kit of parts for converting a vehicle to a vehicle with a raising roof according to any preceding claim.

30. A raising roof, a vehicle or kit substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.