Rigid Patents (Class 296/107.2)
  • Patent number: 10843543
    Abstract: A vehicle construction having a displaceable top between a closed-top position and a cleared position and that has, in a rear portion of the top, a rigid top part element extending in the transverse direction of the vehicle and being movable, a rear pillar on each of the two sides in relation a vertical longitudinal center plane of the vehicle as well as a rear window that can be displaced between a closed position, in which it closes a vehicle tail opening, and an open position, in which the tail opening is cleared at least partially. A circumferential sealing system that is in contact with the rear pillars and against the rigid top part in the closed position of the rear window, in relation to the vehicle environment from the inside, is linked to the rear window in a permanent fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventor: Alexander Haimerl
  • Patent number: 9283833
    Abstract: A top for a convertible vehicle having at least one roof element, which is displaceable in relation to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the roof, is guided slidably in the longitudinal direction of the roof on both sides at one guide rail, respectively, said guide rail being arranged at a respective lateral roof beam, a rear roof cassette being displaceable between an erected position for adjoining, in the rear, to the lateral roof beams in the longitudinal direction of the roof and a storage position that is lowered with respect to the former position and the roof cassette accommodating the roof element in the uncovering position thereof, as well as a sealing arrangement that is arranged in the region of the roof opening and seals a vehicle interior off with respect to a vehicle environment in the closed position of the roof element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: WEBASTO-EDSCHA CABRIO GMBH
    Inventors: Georg Kopp, Magnus Sviberg, Jason Bowles, Alexander Haimerl
  • Patent number: 9108493
    Abstract: A vehicle construction having one roll bar respectively on both sides relative to a vertical longitudinal center plane of the vehicle construction and a convertible roof, the roll bar extending in the vehicle longitudinal direction and supporting itself in the rear region of the vehicle construction, and the convertible roof being displaceable between a closed position spanning a vehicle interior as well as the roll bars and an uncovered position uncovering the vehicle interior to the top and including a linkage, which can have a link arrangement on both sides, pivotably mounted at a main bearing fixed relative to the vehicle construction. The main bearings and/or the link arrangements each include at least one bridging element, which reaches over the respective roll bar and to which at least one link of the link arrangement is linked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: WEBASTO-EDSCHA CABRIO GMBH
    Inventors: Alexander Haimerl, Georg Kopp
  • Publication number: 20150015022
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hardtop passenger vehicle with a driver's seat and passenger seats. The passenger vehicle includes a chassis and body with a passenger compartment including a substantially U-shaped roof construction, which covers at least some of the seats of the vehicle in which portions of the roof construction can be removed. The substantially U-shaped roof construction includes at least two shape retaining, nestable roof elements that are movable relative to each other and are positioned at least one behind another, at least when in a covering position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: Augustinus Maria Verachtert
  • Publication number: 20140175827
    Abstract: Above a belt line, a motor vehicle body exhibits a windshield segment, a rear segment and a roof segment that is connected with the rear segment so that it can be displaced in a displacement direction, which in a first configuration bridges an intermediate space between the windshield segment and rear segment, and in a second configuration overlaps the rear segment. The roof segment can be swiveled out of the first configuration around a roof segment axis into an intermediate position, in which a rear edge of the roof segment extends in the displacement direction under a front edge of the rear segment without any overlap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Baptiste BRUANT, Ralf MEYER, Simon GROSS
  • Patent number: 8668241
    Abstract: A locking device is provided for a sliding-roof arrangement of a motor vehicle with two guide rails which can be arranged so as to be spaced apart in vehicle transverse direction, on which guide rails a slide connectable with a sliding roof is movably mounted. At least one of the slides comprises lock for steplessly locking the slide at random positions of the respective guide rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Thorsten Schurna, Michael Splieth
  • Patent number: 8382190
    Abstract: A convertible top assembly for a motor vehicle having a seating compartment with front and rear seating areas includes multiple panels with a front panel displaceable over the rear seating panel and at least two panels displaceable to form a stack that is displaced rearwardly of the seating compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Robert E. Fallis, III, Michael T. Willard, Robert D. Wiechowski
  • Publication number: 20130020823
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle having a front end, a rear end, and a longitudinal axis. The vehicle includes a passenger compartment disposed between the front end and the rear end. A roof overlies the passenger compartment. The roof is comprised of a pair of roof beams extending parallel to the longitudinal axis adjacent opposed sides of the vehicle. A first forward transverse beam extends between the roof beams. A second rearward transverse beam extends between the first and second roof beams. A first removable roof panel closes a space between the first and second transverse beams. A second removable roof panel closes a space rearward of the second transverse beam. The roof panels can be assembled to form a shelf in a storage compartment of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventors: Travis Newberg, Yousuf Riad, Michael P. Hullihan, Christopher David Hall, Joshua Kramer
  • Patent number: 8308220
    Abstract: A sliding guide rail for a convertible vehicle may include a front rail, a middle rail into which the front rail slides to enter, a rear rail into which the middle rail slides to enter, a wire screw for supplying the sliding power to the front rail, a rolling member for facilitating the sliding movement, and locking means for locking the front rail to the middle rail and the middle rail to the rear rail, thus providing a sliding mechanism by a single driving device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kookmin University Industry-Academy Cooperation Foundation
    Inventors: Tae Wan Park, Chang Wook Park, Seung Jin Heo, Jay Il Jeong, Jong Hoon Lee, In Sik Hwang
  • Patent number: 8287038
    Abstract: A stroller or carseat shade is formed from a fabric having a middle section tapered on two sides. Rod tunnels run from a first taper across the middle section to a second taper. An elastic section is formed to wrap around and cling to an existing canopy on a stroller or car seat. The shade is symmetrical relative to a front to back axis. Fasteners are positioned at a series of overlapping stop positions parallel to the front to back axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Inventor: Heather Henderson
  • Patent number: 8020916
    Abstract: The invention relates to a convertible vehicle with at least two roof sections; that, when the roof is closed, are situated one behind the other with regard to the direction of travel (F), of which, when roof section that is situated behind the other section when the roof is closed, at least one separately openable part of the or a roof section, which is situated in front of roof section, can be displaced with a component pointing toward the rear, and the convertible vehicle is ready to be driven when the roof sections are in this position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Winfried Bunsmann, Klaus Russke
  • Patent number: 7922233
    Abstract: A sliding roof for a convertible vehicle may include front, middle, and rear roofs, guide rails for sliding the front, middle, and rear roofs, and lift links for lifting the front and rear roofs such that the guide rail of the middle roof slides toward the guide rail of the rear roof and packaged adjacent to the rear of the vehicle. The sliding roof may include a latch which fixes a side pillar of the front roof to a windshield frame during operation of a sunroof and fixes the side pillar to the sunroof during packaging of the roof, thus ensuring the space of a rear seat of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kookmin University Industry-Academy Cooperation Foundation
    Inventors: Tae Wan Park, Chang Wook Park, Seung Jin Heo, Jay Il Jeong, Il Hwan Kim, Jong Hoon Lee, In Sik Hwang
  • Patent number: 7611189
    Abstract: A vehicle with a sliding glass roof system capable of operating in multiple modes, such as a rear liftgate, a sunroof, a retractable roof, and a convertible, is provided. The vehicle includes a retractable glass roof, lift glass, and carrier assembly in a single system. In an exemplary embodiment, the vehicle includes a sliding roof panel configured to engage a carrier that also holds and supports a glass cargo liftgate. The sliding roof panel is configured to open in a sunroof and a convertible mode. The glass cargo liftgate is configured to open as a liftgate and in the convertible mode. The sliding roof and liftgate system includes a combination of attachments, gas struts, hinges, latches, seals and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Brian Nielander, Michael Shinedling
  • Publication number: 20090230720
    Abstract: The openable roof system (R) comprises: a covering element or roof (3) which in the vicinity of its rear end (3b) is mounted rotatably about a horizontal axis (4) between two parallel side uprights (5) of the bodywork of the motor car (1), close to the rear of the passenger compartment (2), and; an essentially vertical stowage compartment (6) open towards the top, formed in the motor car (1) between and below said uprights (5). The arrangement is such that the covering element or roof (3) can be pivoted about the axis (4) between a closed position, where it is arranged so as to lie at least approximately horizontally, and a midway open position, where it is arranged so as to lie substantially vertically. The covering element or roof (3) is then displaceable downwards from said midway open position into a final concealed position where it is contained so as to lie substantially vertically inside the stowage compartment (6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2005
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: Fioravanti S.r.l.
    Inventor: Leonardo Fioravanti
  • Patent number: 7556311
    Abstract: A passenger vehicle roof includes front and rear roof parts. The front roof part is longitudinally slidable. The front roof part cooperates with the rear roof part via a control lever such that upon an opening longitudinal motion of the front roof part the control lever lowers the rear roof part in a forcibly guided manner and upon a closing longitudinal motion of the front roof part the control lever raises the rear roof part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfram Salz
  • Patent number: 7506916
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes at least one displaceable roof section, which when closed abuts the windscreen frame at the front of the vehicle and whose lateral outer areas respectively abut a support. The supports can be relocated in lateral columns of the windscreen frame, where the ends of the supports at the front of the vehicle and the section of the supports lying in the exit region of the lateral column are guided without play in a housing channel that is formed by the respective lateral column, by a respective roller bearing, at a defined distance from the wall of the receiving channel. An optimized guidance system and stability are achieved., if the end of the support at the rear of the vehicle is held in a central manner in a locking device on a rear roof section. The locking device is configured with a cylindrical fastening element comprising a centering recess, in which a rocker-mounted locking lever, designed to engage in a cavity of the support, is located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventor: Jürgen Kuhr
  • Patent number: 7401851
    Abstract: A rumble seat for increasing passenger capacity of a motor vehicle by at least one occupant includes a combination seat back frame and roll bar moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. The combination seat back frame and roll bar can be selectively operated for carrying at least one additional passenger when in the extended position, while providing a substantially uninterrupted exterior motor vehicle contour when in the retracted position. A track mechanism and a plurality of rotatable elongate linkages can be provided for guiding movement of the combination seat back frame and roll bar between the retracted and extended positions. The track mechanism can include a guide track having an L-shaped configuration with an upper horizontally extending segment and a lower vertically extending segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Nissan Design America, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Plavetich, John Cupit
  • Patent number: 7354095
    Abstract: A stowage mechanism 30 for a rear roof member 6 of a motor vehicle 1, 101 is also disclosed which is particularly small allowing it to be easily packaged in the motor vehicle 1, 101. The stowage mechanism 30 uses a combination of a chain 31 and a guide slot 32 to control the movement of the rear roof member 6 between raised and stowed positions which require the rear roof member 6 to be rotated, moved forwards and then lowered to reach the stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steve David Fleming, John K. Harding, Alan Richard Condon, Torsten Gerhardt, Boris Ferko
  • Patent number: 7278676
    Abstract: The invention relates to a retractable roof for a vehicle, comprising a rigid front roof element (5) and a rigid rear roof element (4). It comprises a rear roof element at the rear roof thereof, guided by a first sliding rail (8) which is connected to the structure (1) of the vehicle and the front part thereof which is coupled to a second sliding rail (13) cooperating with a manoevring arm (10) which is coupled to the structure of the vehicle and which is actuated by drive means (9); a rigid element (18) connects the rear part of the rear roof element; the rear part of the front roof element is guided by a third sliding rail and the front part is coupled to the arm; means (21-23) are provided to cause the front roof element to slide on the third sliding rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: SEBA - Societe Europeene de Brevets Automobiles
    Inventors: Gérard Queveau, Jean-Marc Guillez, Paul Queveau
  • Patent number: 7237824
    Abstract: A retractable roof for a vehicle comprises two telescopic tube arrangements disposed on opposite sides respectively of the roof which comprises first and second panels (1) and (2). Each arrangement comprises three tubes (7, 8 and 9) dimentioned mentioned to be telescopically received one within the other, of hollow elliptical cross-section and made of carbon fiber. Expandable bags are disposed inside tubes (7) and (8). Each bag is disposed within a braided sock made of a low friction material to control movement and diameter of the bag within the corresponding tube, and facilitate its expansion and contraction. By supplying and withdrawing pressure fluid to and from the bags, the roof may be moved between extended and contracted positions. Expandable seals are disposed between adjacent roof panels and between those panels and the front and rear screens of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Bentley Motors Limited
    Inventor: Antony Dodworth
  • Patent number: 7156446
    Abstract: A convertible motor vehicle first and second storage compartments extending transversely behind a seat. A rigid roof shell has two posts defining a rear opening. The first compartment extends laterally forward past the seat. Guide rails extend laterally in the first compartment forward past the seat. Respective guide slides on the rear end posts ride on the guide rails, and the roof shell is displaceable along the guide rails between an up position wholly out of the first storage compartment and a down position wholly in the first compartment with the guide slides laterally flanking the seat. A rear windshield fits in the opening between the posts. A guide in the second storage compartment displaces the rear windshield between a lowered position in the second compartment and a raised position fitting between the rear end posts of the windshield in the up position thereof and closing the rear opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventor: Petros Perakis
  • Patent number: 7150491
    Abstract: The invention relates to a retractable roof for passenger vehicles, especially a hard top for two-seater convertibles, roadsters or similar, comprising a dimensionally stable shell consisting of a roof part and rear support pillars which are rigidly connected to the roof part at an obtuse angle, a rear window for a window opening and an accommodating area located perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle directly behind the seats, wherein the roof part can be moved in and out with the support columns thereof by means of guiding and drive means. The roof part is kinematically and restrictively guided on a guide track with the support pillars thereof. The aim of the invention is to provide a retractable roof of the above-mentioned variety which exhibits the required structural rigidity yet which is lightweight, operates smoothly and is mechanically simply and easy to use while at the same time being compact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Inventor: Petros Perakis
  • Patent number: 7036866
    Abstract: A convertible motor vehicle has a seat, a trunk behind the seat, and a storage compartment extending transversely of the direction behind the seat and forward of the trunk and extending laterally of the seat in the direction forward past the seat. An arcuate and rigid roof shell has two rear end posts defining a rear opening and riding via slides in guide rails laterally spacedly flanking the seat and extending from the compartment in the direction forward past the seat. The roof can move along the guide rails between an up position wholly out of the storage compartment and a down position wholly in the compartment with the guide slides laterally flanking the seat. A rear windshield displaceable between a lowered position in the storage compartment and a raised position fitting between the rear end posts of the windshield in the up position thereof and closing the rear opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2006
    Inventor: Petros Perakis
  • Patent number: 7000625
    Abstract: This invention is the only sun protection cover to fit strollers, carriages, joggers and baby/toddler car seats. The design and fabric combination allows babies and toddlers visibility and maximum protection while at the same time providing excellent front and cross ventilation. On a windy day, when using the cover attached to carriage, stroller or jogger, the cover continues to maintain its shape, essential to providing continued UVR protection for the baby or toddler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2006
    Assignee: Protect-A.Bub USA, LLC
    Inventors: Karen Joan Dickson, Rachel Blakeman
  • Patent number: 6957843
    Abstract: The invention concerns a folding roof for vehicle, comprising a rigid front roof element (1), a rigid intermediate roof element (2) and a rigid rear roof element (3). The displacement of the rear element towards the rear deck (5) is guided by fingers (6) borne by the rear part of the rear element (3) and slidably engaged in the slide rails (7), (10) extending inside the deck (5). The displacement of the intermediate element (2) and the front element (1) is guided by the slide rails borne by two adjacent roof elements and by fingers engaged in said slide rails and borne by two other adjacent roof elements, enabling the front element (1) and the intermediate element (2) to slide towards each other and to slide towards the rear element (3) so that the three elements can be superimposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: France Design
    Inventor: Jean-Marc Guillez
  • Patent number: 6938943
    Abstract: A top for a convertible vehicle having a vehicle body. The top includes a roof part held movably on the vehicle body and moveable from a closed state to an open state, a rear window element having a side, and a pillar element disposed on the roof part and disposed at the side of the rear window element in the closed state of the roof part. The pillar element is inwardly pivotable relative to the roof part toward a center of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: Edscha Cabrio Dachysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Obendiek, Franz Haberl
  • Patent number: 6827392
    Abstract: An open air system (21) for an automotive vehicle includes a roof panel (23, 25), which can be retracted to a stowed position below a storage compartment cover (29). In another aspect of the present invention, two or more generally rigid roof panels (23, 25) are movable from above a passenger compartment (33) to below a generally horizontal plane (261). A further aspect of the present invention provides a back window (27), which can be raised and lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: ASC Incorporated
    Inventors: Stephen Doncov, Christopher J. Dilluvio, Donald R. Monroe, Jeffrey J. Murtfeldt
  • Patent number: 6814391
    Abstract: A convertible motor vehicle roof with a roof part (12), with a rear part (14) which adjoins the roof part, and with side roof members (10) which are pivotally coupled on both sides to the roof part (12). To open the motor vehicle roof, the rear part (14) together with the roof part (12) and the side roof members (10) can be lowered into a stowage space (22) located in the rear and the side roof members (10) can be swung to the outside before or during lowering into the storage space (22), the swivel bearing means (28) which supports the respective side roof member (10) on the roof part (12) having at least two connecting rods or a connecting rod and a crank guide and being formed especially as a planar four-joint linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Biecker, Marco Lauterbach, Gerhard Schwarz, Fritz Wegener, Burkhard Reinsch
  • Patent number: 6786528
    Abstract: The invention concerns a motor vehicle retractable roof, comprising front (1), intermediate (2) and rear (3) roof elements. The displacement of the rear element (3) towards the rear deck is controlled by at least an arm (6) articulated to the vehicle chassis and to the rear element (3). The rear element (3) is linked to the intermediate element (2) through two levers (9, 10) forming a deformable quadrilateral. The intermediate element (2) is linked to the front element (1) through two other levers (15, 16) forming a deformable quadrilateral. The arm (16) is linked in articulation to one (10) of the two levers linking the rear (3) and intermediate (2) elements, through a hinge link (21). The other lever (9) linking the rear (3) and intermediate (2) elements is linked to one (16) of the levers linking the intermediate (2) and front (1) elements through a hinge link (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: France Design
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Guillez, Gérard Queveau
  • Publication number: 20040113453
    Abstract: The invention concerns a vehicle retractable roof comprising three rigid roof elements (1, 2, 3) mobile between a position wherein they cover the vehicle passenger compartment (4) and a position wherein, they are stowed inside the vehicle rear deck (5), the front element (1) being capable of sliding relative to the intermediate element (2) and the latter being capable of sliding relative to the rear element (3) through pins (6, 7; 8, 9) borne by the front element (1) and by the intermediate element (3) engaged in slide rails (10, 11; 12, 13) extending along the intermediate (2) and rear (3) elements. The invention is characterised in that the displacement of the rear element (3) towards the rear deck (5) is controlled by a pivoting arm (14) articulated in a fixed point (15) of the vehicle body and articulated to said rear element (3) and by a slide rail (17) extending inside the rear deck (5) wherein is engaged a pin (18) integral with the rear part of the rear element (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2004
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Guillez, Gerard Queveau
  • Publication number: 20040041434
    Abstract: The invention concerns a folding roof for vehicle, comprising a rigid front roof element (1), a rigid intermediate roof element (2) and a rigid rear roof element (3). The displacement of the rear element towards the rear deck (5) is guided by fingers (6) borne by the rear part of the rear element (3) and slidably engaged in the slide rails (7), (10) extending inside the deck (5). The displacement of the intermediate element (2) and the front element (1) is guided by the slide rails borne by two adjacent roof elements and by fingers engaged in said slide rails and borne by two other adjacent roof elements, enabling the front element (1) and the intermediate element (2) to slide towards each other and to slide towards the rear element (3) so that the three elements can be superimposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventor: Jean-Marc Guillez
  • Patent number: 6688670
    Abstract: A convertible roof (2) of a convertible motor vehicle with at least one front roof part which is movably supported on the body by a bearing (8), and a rear roof part (13) which can be moved over the front roof part (5) and can be lowered with it into a rear stowage space (3). An especially simple structure can be achieved when the rear roof part (13) on the front side can be moved over the front roof part (5) by a raising mechanism (27) which is movably supported on a lengthwise guide (32) which is located on the front roof part (5). A carriage (31) can be guided on the lengthwise guide (32) of the front roof part (5) and the raising lever (28) of the raising mechanism, which lever is pivotally connected to the rear roof part (13), is supported on the carriage to be able to pivot and to be moved by the raising mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Biecker, Marco Lauterbach, Gerhard Schwarz, Fritz Wegener, Burkhard Reinsch
  • Patent number: 6648397
    Abstract: A Lowerable motor vehicle roof, with at least one openable front roof part (13) which is movably supported lengthwise on side roof members (8), and a rear roof part or rear element (7) which can be moved into the storage position in the body. The at least one front roof part (13) is located first in a storage space in the body (1) or on part of the roof (5) when the roof (5) is being lowered, and then the roof (5) is lowered into its storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Schütt, Philipp Hutterer
  • Patent number: 6595522
    Abstract: A covering system for a rear passenger seat of an automotive vehicle includes a panel that is positionable in an extended position that generally conceals the rear passenger seat and a retracted position that generally reveals the passenger seat. The covering system further includes an automatic drive system capable of driving the panel between the extended position and the retracted position. The covering system of the present invention enables a four-seat convertible vehicle to be quickly and conveniently converted into a two-seat roadster-style vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Assignee: ASC Incorporated
    Inventors: Bernard W Schaller, Todd Grubbs, George A Corder
  • Patent number: 6557921
    Abstract: In a hardtop vehicle roof comprising at least two roof parts which are movable between a closed position, in which the roof covers the interior space of the vehicle and an open position, in which the roof is in storage compartment behind the interior vehicle space, the roof parts are separated from each other along a separation line extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and are fitted, when the roof is open, into the storage compartment behind the interior space in a position transverse to the longitudinal vehicle direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2003
    Assignee: CTS Fahrzeug-Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Wojciech Wezyk, Thomas Halbweiss
  • Patent number: 6481781
    Abstract: In a hard top vehicle roof which is movable between a closed position, in which it covers the interior of a vehicle, and a storage position, in which it is contained in a vehicle storage space, the vehicle roof includes a rear roof part, which is pivotally mounted on the vehicle body and a front roof part, which is mounted on the rear roof part so as to be movable below and in parallel relationship to the rear roof part for movement therewith into the storage space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: CTS FahrzeugDachsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Bergerhoff, Christian Holst
  • Publication number: 20020149226
    Abstract: In a hardtop vehicle roof comprising at least two roof parts which are movable between a closed position, in which the roof covers the interior space of the vehicle and an open position, in which the roof is in storage compartment behind the interior vehicle space, the roof parts are separated from each other along a separation line extending in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and are fitted, when the roof is open, into the storage compartment behind the interior space in a position transverse to the longitudinal vehicle direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventors: Wojciech Wezyk, Thomas Halbweiss
  • Publication number: 20020135200
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle, especially a limousine or a coupe, with a motor vehicle roof (4) with body-mounted lengthwise roof beams (5), with a roof opening (8) in the motor vehicle roof (4), with a movable cover (9) for selectively closing or at least partially clearing the roof opening (8), and with a rear window (11) which adjoins the motor vehicle roof (4), and a trunk lid (2), and the cover (9) and rear window (11) can be moved by guide means into the open position in which they are located on top of one another on the trunk lid (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Inventor: Francosis De Gaillard
  • Patent number: 6419296
    Abstract: In a roof arrangement for a convertible with a fixed roof part (5), a rigid rear part (4), and a storage compartment (33) for the folding top located in the rear area of the body (2) for holding the roof arrangement (3) and with a forced control mechanism (49) for opening and closing the roof arrangement (3) such that to open the roof arrangement (3), first the rear part (4) is swung over the roof part (5) and then the roof part (5) together with the rear part (4) stacked over it is swung into the storage compartment (33) for the folding roof, the forced control mechanism (49) has a single lever (55) which is located between the rear part (4) and the rear body (2) and which is connected by one end side via the first pivot joint (67) to the rear part (4) and is coupled by the other end side to the body (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Dintner, Peter Reihl
  • Patent number: 6312041
    Abstract: The invention concerns a roof (1) extending between the windscreen upper rim (2) and the top edge (3) of a bow (4) extended upwards. The roof (1) is in two parts (8, 9), the first part (8) located near the bow (4) being linked with the vehicle lateral part (10) by two articulated arms (11, 12) mobile between a position extending upwards wherein said roof first part (8) is located in front of the bow (4) and a tilted position towards the rear wherein said arms (11, 12) and said roof first part (8) are located in the rear trunk (5), the second roof part (9) being linked to the first part by means enabling the second roof part (9) to be moved onto the first part (8) when the arms (11, 12) are tilted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: France Design
    Inventors: Gérard Queveau, Paul Queveau, Jean-Marc Guillez
  • Patent number: 6299234
    Abstract: A hard-top vehicle is provided with a roof structure which includes a roof part and a rear-window part connected pivotably thereto. The roof structure is lowered from a closed position, in which it bears in the region of a front windscreen frame and covers the rear-passenger-compartment region, into an open position, towards the tail-end region of the vehicle, via a positive-control device. The positive control device is supported in the tail-end region of the vehicle bodywork and can be pivoted about a tail-end pivot pin fixed to the vehicle, into a folding-top compartment. The positive-control device includes at least one control element which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the roof part in the region of a roof pivot pin. In this arrangement, the control element is designed as a linkage which acts on a guide part, in the region of the roof pivot pin, with a guide rod and a main guide rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Holger Seel, Kurt Schaible, Bernhard Schenk