Top And Window Combination Patents (Class 296/107.07)
  • Patent number: 6485085
    Abstract: The invention relates to a convertible top arrangement for a vehicle, comprising a top mechanism, which actuates a convertible top and is arranged on a body of the vehicle, a rear window, which is designed to close an aperture in the convertible top when the top mechanism is closed, a rear-window mechanism arranged outside the top mechanism engaging on the rear window and on the body, the rear-window mechanism of the rear window being capable of being lowered outside the convertible top, thereby freeing the aperture, and raised against the convertible top, thereby closing the aperture, wherein the rear-window mechanism is designed as a double four-joint system that can be folded up in a Z shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Edscha Cabrio - Verdecksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Walter Pecho, Georg Kopp, Klaus Obendiek
  • Publication number: 20020158485
    Abstract: A retractable top for a motor vehicle, comprising a first and a second main link, a rear roof part, said rear roof part being connected to said first main link a rear-window part, said rear-window part being associated with an aperture in said rear roof part in a closed position of the top, and a link mechanism, said rear-window part being fixed in an articulated manner on the first main link, said rear-window part being connected to the second main link by said link mechanism, and said articulated fixing of the rear-window part on the first main link being provided at an end of said rear-window part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 3, 2002
    Publication date: October 31, 2002
    Applicant: Edscha Cabrio-Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Obendiek
  • Patent number: 6471283
    Abstract: A motor-vehicle soft top has a soft-top outer material having an inner edge, an outside face, and an inside face. A glass pane has an outer edge extending along the pane inner edge, an outside face, and an inside face. The inner material edge and outer pane edge overlap each other. A cast plastic frame element extends along the material inner edge and has an outside face bonded to the inside face of the material inner edge. The profile is generally S- or Z-section, having an inside flange carrying the outer pane edge, an outside flange, and a web extending between the flanges. An adhesive strip between an outside face of the inside flange and the inside face of the outer pane edge secures the pane in place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2002
    Assignee: Parat Automotive Schonenbach GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Windpassinger, Heinrich Krieg
  • Patent number: 6464284
    Abstract: A convertible top for a vehicle includes right and left linkages for extension and retraction, a plurality of transverse bows and a cover supported by the bows and the right and left linkages. Each linkage includes a rear four bar linkage mounted to the vehicle and connected to a center rail, and a forward four bar linkage supporting a front rail and connected to the center rail. A pushing link interconnects the rear and forward linkages so that the front rail is inverted to a position adjacent the center rail, and the center rail is shifted rearward as the rear four bar linkage contracts. The pushing link is disposed so that it does not exceed the height of the center rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: CTS Fahrzeug Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Frank G. Neubrand
  • Patent number: 6464285
    Abstract: A convertible top of a motor vehicle with a convertible top fabric and a plastic window which is located in a cut-out of the fabric of the top. In an edge area (4) of the window (2), either an edge (3) of the fabric (1) of the convertible top bordering the cut-out or an attachment means which is connected to the fabric (1) of the convertible top is securely molded in. The window (2) can be produced in a casting or injection molding process and in this production process the edge (3) of the fabric or the attachment means is embedded in the window during its manufacture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Schütt
  • Patent number: 6454342
    Abstract: A convertible vehicle has a folding top frame (3) with a rear folding top clamping collar (4; 4′; 4″), which is constructed in mirror image fashion to the longitudinal median plane (2) of the vehicle. By being shifted about a main bearing (5) attached to the car body, a folding top (7) can be stowed in or returned from a rear folding top compartment (8). The flexible roof skin (6) has in the rear region particularly a dimensionally stable rear window (9) with an essentially rectangular circumferential contour, which extends above the folding top clamping collar (4; 4′; 4″). Only in the region of the upper transverse side edge (10) as well as of its two longitudinal side edges (11, 12) is the dimensionally stable rear window (9) provided with a connection taking hold of the flexible roof skin (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Udo Heselhaus, Karl Rothe, Klaus Russke, Werner Schnieder
  • Patent number: 6435597
    Abstract: A profiled seal for sealing between a vertically sliding window pane and a roof frame of a convertible automobile comprises a length of profiled elastomer which is co- extruded with a metal reinforcement. The profiled seal has a three-dimensional shape and can be fixed to connection parts of the roof frame. A holding section having a U-shaped cross-section is part of the length of profiled elastomer and contains the embedded reinforcement which is likewise U-shaped in cross-section. A sealing section is formed laterally as one on a first limb of the holding section which can be placed in a self-clamping and sealing manner on an attachment flange. A foot formed as one on the first limb comprises on a first longitudinal edge adjacent to a free longitudinal edge of the first limb a longitudinal groove into which a dimensionally stable edge flange of a roof of the convertible engages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Meteor Gummiwerke K.H. Bädje GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Jens Anders, Martin Gentemann
  • Patent number: 6435598
    Abstract: In a convertible vehicle top which is movable between a closed position in which it covers an interior vehicle space and an open position in which it is contained in a storage compartment, the vehicle includes rear side windows which are pivotally connected to the vehicle top and the edges of the rear side window remote from the vehicle top are held in sealing engagement with the vehicle body when the top is closed but are pivoted inwardly during movement of the top from the closed to the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: CTS Fahrzeug-Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Halbweiss, Harald Bergerhoff, Christian Holst
  • Patent number: 6431637
    Abstract: Convertible vehicle with a roof which can be folded up and is provided with a rear window and two lateral clamping collars at the rear. The rear window is movably in a guideway defined by a roof frame part on the roof and a car body frame part on the car body. In a closed position of the roof, the rear window is movable from a closed normal position into a lowered position. The roof is constructed so that the clamping collars are connected firmly with one another over a transverse connecting part and, between the roof frame part and the car body frame part, a space is provided in the guideway for the passage of the transverse connecting part during the folding up of the roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventor: Joachim Maass
  • Publication number: 20020105206
    Abstract: A retractable vehicle top and rear quarter window combination includes a roof formed by a front roof section and a rear roof section that are pivotally connected to each other and moveable by a top stack drive. The top stack drive includes a linkage having right and left balance links that pivotally connect a respective side of the front roof assembly to one of a right and left bracket. A window pivot bracket pivotally connects each of quarter windows to one of the balance links. The rear quarter windows are rotated inwardly by quarter window control links to pivot the rear quarter window on the balance link as the rear roof is moved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Applicant: CTS Fahrzeug Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Frank G. Neubrand
  • Publication number: 20020105205
    Abstract: A convertible roof and tonneau cover system having a retractable convertible roof and a tonneau cover selectively enclosing the retractable convertible roof. The tonneau cover extends upward to obstruct a backwash of wind during vehicle travel, thereby serving as a wind deflector. A backlite is mounted within the tonneau cover and a drive mechanism is provided that is operable to simultaneously move the retractable convertible roof and the tonneau cover each between raised and lowered positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventor: Michael Willard
  • Patent number: 6425620
    Abstract: Roof arrangement for a convertible with a rigid roof element (3), a rigid rear element (5) which has a rear window (31), a stowage space (16) for the folding roof located in the rear area of the vehicle for holding the roof arrangement (1), and a forced control mechanism (14) for opening and closing the roof arrangement (1), the rear element (5) having a U-shaped frame (23) with a rear lower cross strut (25) and two lateral C columns (29) and the rear window (31) with its rear lower edge being pivotally connected via the window pivot axis (33) to the bottom cross strut (25) of the rear element (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Schütt, Stefan Miklosi
  • Patent number: 6419294
    Abstract: A retractable hard top for a vehicle including a linkage and a top guide track for moving the hard top from a top up position to a stowed position. As the retractable hard top is moved between the top up and stowed positions the trunk is raised by the trunk linkage. A tonneau is provided to cover the retractable hard top storage area in both the top up and stowed position. Rear quarter windows are shifted from a top up position in which they function as windows to a stowed position in which the windows are rotated to a stowed position. The retractable hard top, trunk lid, rear quarter window, tonneau, and roll bar may be assembled as a single unitary module including the linkages that coordinate operation of the retractable hard top, trunk lid, rear quarter window, and tonneau.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: CTS Fahrzeug Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Frank G. Neubrand
  • Patent number: 6419295
    Abstract: A retractable vehicle top and rear quarter window combination includes a roof formed by a front roof section and a rear roof section that are pivotally connected to each other and moveable by a top stack drive. The top stack drive includes a linkage having right and left balance links that pivotally connect a respective side of the front roof assembly to one of a right and left bracket. A window pivot bracket pivotally connects each of quarter windows to one of the balance links. The rear quarter windows are rotated inwardly by quarter window control links to pivot the rear quarter window on the balance link as the rear roof is moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: CTS Fahrzeug Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Frank G. Neubrand
  • Patent number: 6409248
    Abstract: A dual bow assembly for supporting a flexible covering member of a Jeep-type vehicle in proximity to a forward top covering member. The vehicle includes a forwardly situated seating area upon which the forward covering member is secured and a rearwardly situated storage area defined by a belt line extending around sides and a rear of the vehicle. A pair of spaced apart roll bars extend along the seating and storage area of the vehicle and the flexible covering member is associated with the vehicle storage area. A first substantially “U” shaped bow is located proximate a forward end of the vehicle storage area and envelopes the spaced apart roll bars. Opposing and linearly extending ends of the first bow each include a linkage member pivotally associated with the linearly extending ends at a first location and pivotally engaged with the vehicle belt line at a second location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Inventor: Carol Bores
  • Publication number: 20020074822
    Abstract: A convertible vehicle with a folding top (7), which has a flexible roof skin (6), and the folding top frame (3) of which is constructed in mirror image fashion to the longitudinal median plane (2), has a dimensionally stable frame (15) embracing a rear window (9), with side legs (19, 20) and an upper transverse leg (21), it being possible to transfer the frame, together with the folding top (7), into or out of a folding top compartment (8) at the rear by shifting it about a main bearing (5) attached to the car body, wherein the frame (15), constructed as a frame part (G), has in the region of its basic strut (18) a longitudinal contour (side struts 16, 17), which is extended in the nature of a folding top clamping collar (4), and the frame part (G), which can be swiveled by more than 90° into the opening position, is hinged by connecting parts (26, 27; 28, 29) directly at the folding top frame (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Publication date: June 20, 2002
    Inventors: Karl Rothe, Klaus Russke
  • Patent number: 6382703
    Abstract: A folding roof for convertible vehicles includes a front roof part hinged to a rear roof part whose rear end is hinged to the vehicle. The front and rear roof parts can be stowed in the trunk of the vehicle with the front roof part folded over the rear roof part connected to its hinge to the vehicle. The rear roof part has a central roof part hinged to the rear roof part, extending as far as the hinge between the front and rear roof parts and cooperating with an arrangement which, when the roof is stowed in the trunk, holds the central roof part at a distance above the rear roof part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: France Design
    Inventors: Gérard Queveau, Paul Queveau, Jean-Marc Guillez
  • Publication number: 20020038961
    Abstract: In a convertible vehicle top which is movable between a closed position in which it covers an interior vehicle space and an open position in which it is contained in a storage compartment, the vehicle includes rear side windows which are pivotally connected to the vehicle top and the edges of the rear side window remote from the vehicle top are held in sealing engagement with the vehicle body when the top is closed but are pivoted inwardly during movement of the top from the closed to the open position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: April 4, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas Halbweiss, Harald Bergerhoff, Christian Holst
  • Publication number: 20020030380
    Abstract: A convertible vehicle has a folding top frame (3), which is constructed in mirror-image fashion to the longitudinal median plane (2) of the vehicle, with a rear folding top clamping collar (4). The latter can be shifted jointly with a folding top (7) about a main bearing (5) fastened to the car body, and stowed in a rear folding top compartment (8) or returned from this. The flexible roof skin (6) has, in the rear region, a rear window (9), which extends above the folding top clamping collar (4), especially is dimensionally stable and can be detached in the region of the lower transverse side edge (13) from the folding top clamping collar (4). Pursuant to the invention, the rear window (9) is supported in the closed position with its lower transverse side edge (13) directly from above on the folding top clamping collar (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Publication date: March 14, 2002
    Inventors: Karl Rothe, Werner Schnieder, Udo Heselhaus
  • Publication number: 20020024230
    Abstract: A lowerable rear window in a folding top has a window which, during opening of the folding top, can be lowered about a horizontal axis into a depositing space of the vehicle. Lateral steering levers which are guided corresponding to the movement of the folding top during opening and closing are used for guiding the rear window. The rear window reaches directly under a vehicle body element without the need for a connection made of a folding top cover between the vehicle body element and the rear window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Applicant: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Kurt Pfertner, Mathias Froschle
  • Publication number: 20020017801
    Abstract: A vehicle roof which can be adjusted between a closed position and an opening position has an adjusting device and at least one side window which during the transfer between the closed and opening position can be pivoted via a rotational joint by an actuating element. The actuating element is coupled on one side to the side window at a distance from the side-window rotational axis and is connected on its opposite side to an element of the adjusting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Applicant: CTS Fahrzeug Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfram Salz, Andreas Hasselgruber, Lothar Reiff, Thomas Halbweiss
  • Publication number: 20020005653
    Abstract: A convertible vehicle has a folding top frame (3) with a rear folding top clamping collar (4; 4′; 4″), which is constructed in mirror image fashion to the longitudinal median plane (2) of the vehicle. By being shifted about a main bearing (5) attached to the car body, a folding top (7) can be stowed in or returned from a rear folding top compartment (8). The flexible roof skin (6) has in the rear region particularly a dimensionally stable rear window (9) with an essentially rectangular circumferential contour, which extends above the folding top clamping collar (4; 4′; 4″). Only in the region of the upper transverse side edge (10) as well as of its two longitudinal side edges (11, 12) is the dimensionally stable rear window (9) provided with a connection taking hold of the flexible roof skin (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Publication date: January 17, 2002
    Inventors: Udo Heselhaus, Karl Rothe, Klaus Russke, Werner Schnieder
  • Patent number: 6322131
    Abstract: The invention relates to a convertible vehicle with a roof, which can be folded up and is provided with a rear window, it being possible, in the closed position of the roof, to lower the rear window at least regionally from a normal position into a lowered position below a window parapet line forming the upper boundary of the car body. In order to simplify the installation of a movable rear window for such an embodiment, provisions are made so that the rear window, in the lowered position as well as in the normal position, is held in a frame, which is firmly connected with the roof, as a result of which special adjustment of the rear window or of a different component with respect to the roof is superfluous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Maass, Frank Lehnig
  • Patent number: 6322130
    Abstract: The invention concerns a folding top mechanism (1) for a convertible, a rollover protection system and a convertible. The top mechanism (1) is combined with a rollover bar (25) providing rollover protection, said rollover bar being pivotally connected to the top mechanism (1) so that it turns in synchronism with it, and that the rollover bar (25) forms a frame to which a rear window (4) is connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Valmet Automotive Oy
    Inventors: Ari Wandén, Matti Kinnanen
  • Publication number: 20010033089
    Abstract: A convertible vehicle (1) with a roof (2), which can be folded up and is provided with a rear window (8) and has, at the rear, two lateral clamping collars (5; 6) which are essentially triangular in plan view, the rear window (8) being held movably in a guideway (10) with a roof frame part (11), assigned to the roof (2) and a car body frame part (12), which is assigned to the car body and, in the closed position of the roof (2) being movable at least regionally from a closed normal position into a lowered position, is constructed so that the clamping collars (5; 6) are connected firmly with one another over a transverse connecting part (13) and, between the roof frame part (11) and the car body frame part (12), an interruption (10c) is provided in the guideway (10) for the passage of the transverse connecting part (13) during the folding up of the roof (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventor: Joachim Maass
  • Patent number: 6302470
    Abstract: A convertible vehicle with a roof, which can be folded up, is provided with a rear window, can be stowed in a rear region of the vehicle and is braced over at least one tension bracket in the closed state with respect to the car body, the tension bracket being pivotable in the forwards direction for opening the roof and hereby bringing about a forward displacement of the rear window. In the case of such a construction, in order to be able to carry out the forward shifting of the rear region of the folding top, comprising the rear window, without being obstructed by upright parts, such as the rear head supports or roll bars, provisions are made so that the rear window is held in a frame which, on the folding top side, is opened downward and, during the opening and closing of the roof, can be swiveled up with respect to this frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Maass, Frank Lehnig
  • Patent number: 6283532
    Abstract: A convertible top for a vehicle having a back lite that is moved to form a tonneau cover over the convertible top when stored. The convertible top is moved by a top stack linkage that includes back lite control links. The back lite is initially moved to provide clearance for the bows of the convertible top to be folded underneath the back lite.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: CTS Fahrzeug Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Frank G. Neubrand
  • Patent number: 6270146
    Abstract: A backlight assembly for a convertible roof of a vehicle has a fabric roof cover having a backlight opening formed therein and a plurality of apertures formed therein about a periphery of the backlight opening. A glazing is disposed in the backlight opening. The glazing has a flange extending about a periphery thereof which overlaps a portion of the fabric roof cover. The flange has a plurality of fastener-receiving structures, each of which are received within a corresponding one of the plurality of apertures in the roof cover. A first frame member extends about a periphery of the glazing and overlaps the flange and sealingly engages the roof cover. A second frame member extends about periphery of the glazing and overlaps the flange. The second frame member is disposed opposite the first frame member with the flange and the roof cover disposed therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Decoma International Inc.
    Inventors: Gerhard F. Hirmer, Lassi M. Ojanen
  • Patent number: 6260904
    Abstract: A covering arrangement such as a soft top for a motor vehicle comprises a surface element such as a soft top element connected to another structural element which is in the form of a second surface element, or a roof channel or gutter, or a window pane member, or a frame linkage assembly member. The first-mentioned surface element and the other structural element are connected together by a strip-shaped PUR-casting resin bead element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Parat Automotive Schonenbach GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ludwig Hartmann, Rudolf Kastner
  • Patent number: 6257648
    Abstract: A hard-top vehicle has a front-roof part, a rear-roof part, which is provided with a fixed rear window, lateral main links for moving the front-roof part and rear-roof part, and lateral vehicle pillars which are connected to the main links. The rear window is provided with a frame so that it can be pivoted relative to the vehicle pillars. The frame is provided laterally in each case, in its top region and its bottom region, with arresting elements. For arresting purposes and for a clamping connection of the rear window to the vehicle pillars, clamping elements act on the arresting elements. The clamping elements are arranged on the vehicle pillars or on parts which are connected to the vehicle pillars. The clamping elements are provided with actuating devices arranged on the vehicle pillars or on parts which are connected to the vehicle pillars.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Bernhard Schenk
  • Patent number: 6231110
    Abstract: A rear window is provided as a curved window, curved with an arc-like shape in the car width direction, with flexible frames disposed parallel along the upper side and the lower side of the curved window, mounted to a convertible top or hood. The flexible frames regain the straight shape at the time of folding the rear window so as to eliminate the curvature of the rear window in the car width direction as well as a linear fold can be formed in this direction without forming disadvantageous folds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shungo Umeda, Tatsuya Ohara, Michio Tamura
  • Patent number: 6186577
    Abstract: A convertible is provided with a roof construction which has at least one roof part and a rear window part. The construction can be at least partially deposited in a trunk space in an opening position in the rear area of the vehicle under a rear opening hood. To provide an opening which exposes the trunk space toward the rear, the rear opening hood is laterally linked, in each case by a guiding linkage, along a first forward swivelling axis to a lateral auxiliary frame. Two lateral auxiliary frames are supported on the vehicle body side in the lower rear area of the vehicle behind the first swivelling axis, in each case, by an additional control arm which, by way of a point of rotation, is connected with the pertaining auxiliary frame. At least one of the two auxiliary frames can be connected by way of a releasable locking element with the motor vehicle body. In the rear area, the rear opening hood is connected by a second rearward swivelling axis with the vehicle body for depositing the roof construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Martin Guckel, Peer-Olaf Kober