Patents Assigned to Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
  • Patent number: 9738142
    Abstract: A roof assembly for a vehicle, having a roof opening in its fixed roof, comprises at least one movable panel closing said roof opening in its closed position and being movable from said closed position rearwardly and upwardly above the fixed roof. A driven operating mechanism supports the panel and comprises a telescope including a first telescopic part attached to the panel and a second telescopic part attached to a remainder of the operating mechanism. A height adjusting mechanism is provided between the panel and the operating mechanism. This height adjusting mechanism is arranged and adjusts the height between the first and second telescopic parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.
    Inventor: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Patent number: 9649920
    Abstract: A roof assembly for a vehicle comprises a stationary part for attaching the roof assembly to the vehicle's fixed roof. At least one closing element is movably supported by the stationary part and is capable of moving between a closed position within the roof opening and an open position in which the rear of the closing element is raised and the closing element is moved rearwardly. The closing element is provided with at least a retaining hook configured to hook behind a locking device on the stationary part in the closed position of the closing element to provide a mechanical lock for the closing element in upward direction. The locking device is movable between a locking position and an unlocking position. The closing element is configured to actuate the locking device to move from the unlocked to the locked position when the closing element is moved to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.
    Inventors: Ronny Marinus Jacobus Snellenberg, Etienne Philippe Marcel André Coiffard, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Ruud Geurts
  • Patent number: 9649918
    Abstract: A sunshade assembly comprises a flexible sunscreen having opposed longitudinal edges and opposed transversal edges, a rotatable winding shaft and an operating beam and two opposed longitudinal guides each defining a guide channel for receiving therein and guiding inwardly through an entrance opening folded parts of corresponding ones of said longitudinal edges of the sunscreen. The operating beam at opposite ends includes positioning members around which inwardly folded wings of the longitudinal edges of the sunscreen are positioned. The positioning members extend into corresponding ones of said longitudinal guides longitudinally in a direction towards the winding shaft such that the positioning members only at a leading end thereof facing away from the winding shaft are connected to the operating beam and are movable with the operating beam. Each positioning member is positioned entirely within the respective guide channel without extending through the entrance opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.
    Inventors: Eduardus Christianus Henricus Van Boxtel, Ruud Geurts, Robert Rikkert, Paulus Johannes Wilhelmus Munsters, Joonggl Shin, Dave Keller
  • Patent number: 9636980
    Abstract: A roof system for a vehicle having a roof opening with a movable closure. A stationary guide rails guide operating mechanisms that operates the closure. The operating mechanism comprises a first device configured to move a rear edge upwardly and rearwardly and a second device including a lever to move a front edge of the closure. A guiding slide in the guide rail is coupled to the first device and the second device so as to move the closure. The lever has a pivotal connection to the closure and, remote from the pivotal connection, a sliding connection to the guiding slide by a first guide member and a sliding connection to a first stationary guide curve by a second guide member during movement of the closure. A third guide member on the lever of the second device engages a second stationary guide curve during movement of the closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.
    Inventors: Eduardus Christianus Henricus Van Boxtel, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Patent number: 9550409
    Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle comprises an opening in a stationary roof part and a rollo assembly positioned below said roof opening intended for covering the roof opening. The rollo assembly comprises a rollo screen and a winding shaft for the rollo screen which is rotatable around a stationary axis of rotation, and the rollo screen, starting from the winding shaft, firstly extends in a first direction, next around a reversal member and finally back in an opposite second direction and ends at a rollo screen edge. The reversal member is movable in parallel to said first and second directions in correspondence with the amount of rollo screen being wound on or off said winding shaft. The rollo screen is provided with light emitting members which are activated through connections provided at the interface between said rollo screen edge and a stationary part of the open roof construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.
    Inventor: Suyanto Teri Wahiyu Ten-Jet-Foei
  • Patent number: 9415665
    Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle comprises a stationary part and at least one closure element. A rear guide track is mounted at least substantially rearward of a roof opening. The closure element is supported by a rear support including a lifting device and a guiding device for engagement in said rear guide track upon rearward movement of the closure element. The lifting device includes a height-adjustable, movable element. The lifting device is movably connected to the stationary part and includes a guide track for the guiding device that is connected to the closure element, which guide track of the lifting device connects to the rear guide track during at least a part of the rearward movement of the closure element to allow the guiding device thereof to move between the guide track of the lifting device and the rear guide track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventor: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Patent number: 9387750
    Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle comprises a roof panel that is tiltable and can be moved in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. Two movable cover assemblies cover a free space which in a tilted position of the roof panel is formed between corresponding ones of panel side edges and opening side edges. Each cover assembly comprises three rods, a first rod in a stationary position in the vicinity of a corresponding opening side edge, a second rod having a forward end pivotally connected to the stationary roof close to the corresponding opening side edge and a rearward end slidably connected to the corresponding panel side edge and a third rod positioned inward from the second rod and is biased for an inward movement. A flexible cover member extends at least from the first rod to the second rod and from the second rod to the third rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventor: Gerardus Franciscus Jacobus Haumann
  • Patent number: 9375998
    Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle is provided, comprising a roof opening in a stationary roof part, a movable panel for opening and closing said roof opening and two panel operating assemblies positioned at two opposite longitudinal sides of the roof opening. As seen in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the panel operating assemblies have a varying width in the transverse direction of the vehicle. In one embodiment the width of the panel operating assemblies varies in a gradual and/or step-wise fashion. In another embodiment the width of the panel operating assemblies decreases in a forward and/or backward direction of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventor: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Patent number: 9340097
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for operatively connecting a first object which is capable of a to and fro movement, with a second object, in such a manner that the second object, when connected to the first object, will move in correspondence with the first object. The first and second objects are provided with first and second facing ends, respectively, provided with cooperating first and second coupling provisions, respectively, wherein at least one of said objects is housed in a guide. The coupling provision of at least one of said facing ends is capable of cooperation with said guide for moving said coupling provision from a first position disengaging the other coupling provision to a second position engaging the other coupling provision in which both objects are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Eduardus Christianus Hendricus Van Boxtel, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Patent number: 9333839
    Abstract: A drive mechanism for an open roof construction includes a stationary guide part defining a first guide channel, a bracket having a forward end and a rearward end. The forward end includes a guide shoe cooperating with the first guide channel. A lifting unit cooperates with the rearward end of the bracket to lift/lower said rearward end and slide the bracket relative to the lifting unit. A driven slide moves relative to the stationary guide part and is configured to move the guide shoe along the first guide channel and is further configured to lift/lower the rearward end of the bracket. A panel carrier is supported by the bracket and slides in a direction substantially corresponding with the direction of the sliding movement of the bracket. The driven slide is configured to cause the sliding movement of a panel carrier relative to the bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Peter Christiaan Leonardus Johannes Manders, Suyanto Teri Wahiyu Ten-Jet-Foei
  • Patent number: 9321335
    Abstract: A roof assembly for a vehicle comprises a stationary part for attaching the roof assembly to the vehicle's fixed roof. At least one closing element is movably supported by the stationary part and is capable of moving between a closed position within the roof opening and an open position in which the rear of the closing element is raised and the closing element is moved rearwardly. The closing element is provided with at least a retaining hook configured to hook behind a locking device on the stationary part in the closed position of the closing element to provide a mechanical lock for the closing element in upward direction. The locking device is movable between a locking position and an unlocking position. The closing element is configured to actuate the locking device to move from the unlocked to the locked position when the closing element is moved to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Ronny Marinus Jacobus Snellenberg, Etienne Philippe Marcel André Coiffard, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Ruud Geurts
  • Patent number: 9308803
    Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle having an opening in its fixed roof comprises a stationary part and at least a panel supported by the stationary part and configured to close the opening in the fixed roof. The panel include two substantially parallel sheets connected and sealed to each other at least along their circumference in order to create a space there between containing gas. The space communicates with a pressure equalizing device equalizing the pressure in the space with the ambient pressure. The pressure equalizing device can be an open or closed system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Martinus Wilhelmus Maria Nabuurs, Robert Rikkert, Sander De Bie
  • Patent number: 9296282
    Abstract: An open roof construction is provided for a vehicle having a roof opening in a stationary roof part of the vehicle. The roof opening comprises forward and rearward roof opening edges which each extend transversely and two opposite, longitudinally extending roof opening side edges. At least at some of said roof opening side edges and forward and rearward roof opening edges have roof opening flanges extending substantially downwardly from the respective roof opening side edges and forward and rearward roof opening edges. A stationary roof panel permanently closes part of the roof opening, while a movable panel closes and opens a remainder of the roof opening. The stationary panel has panel edges extending along the roof opening side edges and along one of the forward and rearward roof opening edges and near to some of which downwardly extending panel brackets are provided which are attached to corresponding roof opening flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Karim Dayoub, Adam Alexander Bonner
  • Patent number: 9290087
    Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle comprises a roof opening in a stationary roof part and a seal extending along the roof opening and a panel movable between a closing and opening position for closing and opening, respectively, said roof opening. The panel comprises a first panel part which both in the closing and opening positions is positioned inside the seal, as seen in a top plan view, as well as a second panel part which both in the closing and opening positions is positioned outside the seal. Front and rear mechanisms cause movement of the panel. At least one mechanism is provided at the first panel part. A movable element is positioned outside the seal and has a drive mechanism. The second panel part is provided with at least one drive member which is operatively coupled to the drive mechanism of the movable element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Peter Christiaan Leonardus Johannes Manders, Mark Broeren
  • Patent number: 9266415
    Abstract: A roof assembly for a vehicle includes a stationary part to be attached to the vehicle roof and at least one closure element movably supported by said stationary part. The element is movable between a closed position closing a roof opening, and an open, rearward position above a roof area behind the roof opening. At least one front guide track extends at least along the roof opening, whereas a rear guide track is mounted at least substantially rearward of the opening. A guiding device engages said rear guide track upon rearward movement of the closure element. The guiding device includes a lever which supports the element at least in the open position, the lever being rotatable around a pivoting axis and being provided with a loading member to load the lever at a distance from the pivoting axis at least when the element is in its closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Rainer Gerhard Jüngling
  • Patent number: 9259997
    Abstract: Disclosed is a center reinforcement structure of a panoramic sunroof that is coupled in a vehicle width direction between a front glass and a rear glass disposed at a ceiling of a vehicle. The center reinforcement structure may include a frame which is disposed in the vehicle width direction, and has one end that is tightly attached and fixedly coupled to a lower portion of the rear glass, and a first center reinforcement which is coupled to a lower portion of the frame, and has a first closed cross-sectional portion that is formed at one side of the first center reinforcement by sequentially bending a first plate to provide a first closed space, and a first joint portion that is formed at the other side of the first center reinforcement by overlapping both ends of the first plate substantially in parallel so that both ends of the first plate are in surface contact with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Sang-Sub Um, Do-Won Sung, Sun-Gyu Hwang
  • Patent number: 9242536
    Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle includes a first closing element movably supported by a stationary part and is configured to move to an upward position with at least its front edge. A second closing element movably supported by the stationary part and is positioned rearward of the first closing element. The second closing element moves between a closed position in which it closes said roof opening and an at least partly open position. An air guide on a lower side of the first closing element guides and directs the air caught by said first closing element when in its upward position during driving of the vehicle to create a boundary layer of air which is situated between the outside and the inside of the vehicle at the position of the roof opening when said second closing element is in its at least partly open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventor: Robert Rikkert
  • Patent number: 9233601
    Abstract: A structure of a sunroof deflector may include a roof panel which is disposed at a ceiling of a vehicle, and has an opening portion that is openable and closable by a sunroof glass; a sunroof frame, a deflector bracket disposed between a rainwater drainage portion and a sealing weather strip, a first deflector which is accommodated in the deflector bracket to be slidable upward and downward, selectively protrudes to an outside of the opening portion, and has a first catching portion formed to a rear surface of an upper end thereof; a second deflector which is accommodated in the deflector bracket to be slidable upward and downward, selectively protrudes to the outside of the opening portion, and has a second catching portion that is formed to a front surface of a lower end thereof and protrudes to be selectively caught by the first catching portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Jeong-Min Lee, Hwa-Kyoung Sung
  • Patent number: 9233600
    Abstract: A roof assembly for a vehicle comprises a stationary part and at least one rigid panel. The panel is movable between a closed position and a rear position. A downwardly extending side cover is connected to side edges of said panel and to the stationary part. The side cover hides an operating mechanism from a side view and has front and rear ends. The side cover is substantially stationary with respect to the stationary part and is slidably guided in a guide rail. The guide rail only starts at a distance from the front end of the cover when the panel is in its closed position. This distance is minimally Bmin and maximally: Amax=L?S?Bmin wherein: L=Length of side cover S=maximum sliding movement of guide rail of panel Bmin=Minimum overlap between side cover and guide rail in rear position of panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Nicolas Philippe Jesus Reynaud, Robert Rikkert
  • Patent number: 9227488
    Abstract: A tensioning device for tensioning a flexible elongate member, such as a cord, comprises a first winding member which can rotate around an axle for, directly or indirectly, winding and unwinding the elongate member at a first end thereof, and a second winding member which can rotate around said axle for, directly or indirectly, winding and unwinding the elongate member at the second end thereof. The first and second winding members are interconnected by a tensioning member striving to cause a relative rotation between the first and second winding members for creating a prestress or tension in the elongate member. A restriction device is provided for limiting the maximum possible relative rotation between the first and second winding members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventor: Peter Christiaan Leonardus Johannes Manders