Pivotal Panel Patents (Class 296/216.02)
  • Patent number: 11772466
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a roof opening, a front window that is located forward from the roof opening, and a rear window that is located rearward from the roof opening. The vehicle also includes a first panel and a second panel. The first panel and the second panel obstruct the roof opening in a closed position and are movable to an open position in which the first panel is positioned adjacent to an exterior surface of the front window and the second panel is positioned adjacent to an exterior surface of the rear window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Philipp J. Wolf, John Raff, Donald R. Monroe, Samuel G. Fowle, Antonio B. Martinez, Albert J. Golko, Ali Tavakoli Targhi, David J. Donohue, David E. Kingman, Ibuki Kamei, Christopher L. Porritt
  • Patent number: 11655660
    Abstract: A roof system for a vehicle having a roof opening in a roof part thereof, comprises a closure which is movable by an operating mechanism including at least a guide rail extending in a longitudinal direction of the roof system. A slide which is slidable in the guide rail cooperates at least with a closure support. The slide comprises a body and at least two curves provided in the body and each cooperating with at least a cam. The cams are provided on at least the closure support and the curves have such extent that they cross each other between their ends. The curves are arranged in substantially parallel walls of the body of the slide that face away from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.
    Inventor: Eduardus Christianus Henricus Van Boxtel
  • Patent number: 11433748
    Abstract: In a sunroof device, a driving shoe includes a first plate being made of metal and including a first engaging wall engaging with a first guide portion of a support member, a second plate being made of metal and including a second engaging wall engaging with a second guide portion of the support member, and a sliding portion sliding with a guide rail. The driving shoe, by moving along the guide rail with the first engaging wall and the second engaging wall engaging with the first guide portion and the second guide portion, respectively, causes a rear edge portion of a movable panel to ascend or descend via the support member. In the driving shoe, the first plate and the second plate are coupled to each other in a width direction by the sliding portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Aisin Corporation
    Inventors: Shota Motomura, Akinobu Muro, Katsutoshi Kato
  • Patent number: 11247541
    Abstract: A front shoe as a sliding member includes a pair of support walls facing each other in a vehicle width direction, and a fulcrum shaft disposed in a bridging manner between both support walls. A support bracket as a support member supporting a movable panel and integrally moving while being joined to the front shoe includes a joint block having an engagement portion for the fulcrum shaft and serving as a second joint portion joined to a first joint portion on the front shoe side. Further, the joint block is arranged between both support walls while being relatively rotatable about the fulcrum shaft. On the joint block, a cushion member interposed between the joint block and the support walls while being fixed thereto is disposed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Aisin Corporation
    Inventors: Taiki Asano, Shota Motomura, Katsura Inoue, Katsutoshi Kato
  • Patent number: 11117452
    Abstract: A device for a vehicle roof may have a guide element with a slideway, a bolt which can be displaced relative to the guide element and can be guided thereby on the slideway. The bolt and the guide element have a common contact area which may be formed by a protrusion on the bolt and the slideway, the protrusion being configured to introduce a corresponding notch into the slideway during the displacement along the slideway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventors: Ingo Teufel, Björn Pluciennik
  • Patent number: 10792986
    Abstract: An arrangement with a cover for a vehicle roof is disclosed having a guide rail which extends along a vehicle longitudinal direction (X), a raising rod which is displaceable along the vehicle longitudinal direction (x) relative to the guide rail, a rear raising lever with respect to the vehicle longitudinal direction (X), which is coupled pivotably to the cover, and which—is guided with a first guide element in a first slotted link which is fixed in position with respect to the guide rail, is guided with a second guide element in a second slotted link which is fixed in position with respect to the guide rail, is guided with a third guide element in a third slotted link which is fixed in position with respect to the guide rail, and is coupled to the raising rod by means of a rotary bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventors: Julian Knöpfle, Sebastian Gering
  • Patent number: 10752098
    Abstract: A lifting guide mechanism for a sunroof device that can be reduced in weight, thickness, and cost is provided. A second rear guide pin (27) is provided behind and above a first rear guide pin (26) which can be received in a guide groove (34). A first upper wall (32) is formed with a rear opening part (36) to allow the first rear guide pin (26) to get in and out of the guide groove (34). A first rear lifting guide member (39) is provided on the first upper wall (32) so as to project upward at rear of the rear opening part (36) to guide the second rear guide pin (27) when a movement of a movable panel (11) is switched between sliding and tilting. This eliminates the need for a member for guiding the first rear guide pin (26) in the guide groove (34), and thus, the panel guide rail (14) may have a single-level structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Yachiyo Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sou Takakura, Tsutomu Iwaya
  • Patent number: 10427493
    Abstract: A heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) module, for a HVAC system, mountable to a work machine, the HVAC module comprising a housing having at least one air outlet and at least one air inlet communicable with ducting on the work machine for conveying air into and out of the operator cab of the work machine. The module also includes a mounting assembly for pivotably attaching the housing to the work machine. The housing is moveable between an operating position where the outlet and inlet are in contact with a ducting interface on the work machine, and a maintenance position, where the housing is pivoted upwards to disconnect from ducting interface of the work machine to allow access to underlying components of the work machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Underground Mining Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Brendan Smith, Michael Wolfert, Leon White
  • Patent number: 9981536
    Abstract: An arrangement having a cover for a vehicle roof which, starting from a closed position for closing a roof opening, can be raised in the rear region thereof for opening using deployment means and which can be displaced toward the rear over the vehicle roof into an open position. The deployment means have a sliding member which can be displaced in a guide rail along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle by means of a drive and which has a first coupling element and a second coupling element. The deployment means further have a cover carrier which is mechanically coupled to the cover and which cover carrier has with respect to the longitudinal vehicle direction a front slotted link and a rear slotted link which is arranged behind the front slotted link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: WEBASTO SE
    Inventor: Dominik Hölzel
  • Patent number: 9752897
    Abstract: A system (1) for detecting a readiness of a closure element (10) of a motor vehicle to lock has a first sensor (12) for detecting a position signal of the closure element (10) and a second magnetic sensor (14) for detecting a magnetic field signal (18). The first sensors (12, 14) are connected by a data link to an electronic unit (20), and the magnetic field signal (18) and the position signal are passed by a data link to the electronic unit (20). The electronic unit (20) has a memory (22) with at least one stored magnetic field signal value (24). The electronic unit (20) generates a change in the output signal when there is a positive comparison of the magnetic field signal value (24) with the detected magnetic field signal (18), and when an end position of the closure element (10) is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignees: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft, Magna Car Top Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Reiner Armbruster, Gunnar Wilke
  • Patent number: 9597948
    Abstract: A hatch assembly attachable to a roof of a vehicle includes a removable dome attached to a frame including opposed first and second linkage mechanisms and a latch assembly. The frame includes an annular sidewall section defining an aperture and an outwardly extending flange portion peripheral to the annular wall portion and includes a continuous upper peripheral surface. The dome has an outer planar surface covering the aperture and an inner surface including a hinge portion attached to the first linkage assembly. A latch assembly attaches to the inner surface of the dome on a side of the dome that is opposed to the hinge portion. The latch assembly rotatably couples to a lock wedge, which includes a helical locking surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: SPHEROS NORTH AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Timo Butz, Marko Tapio Jokila
  • Publication number: 20150035320
    Abstract: In an aspect, a sunroof assembly is provided for a vehicle, and comprises a sunroof panel, a final gear and a drive arm. The sunroof panel has a longitudinal axis and which is mounted to the vehicle for longitudinal movement between an open position and a closed position. The final gear is mounted to a stationary member of the vehicle, and is pivotable about a pivot axis between a first position and a second position. The drive arm is pivotable with the final gear about the pivot axis and which has a drive end that is laterally movable relative to the sunroof panel but that is operatively connected to the sunroof panel to drive the sunroof panel longitudinally between the open and closed positions during pivoting movement of the final gear between the first and second positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Eric V. Kalliomaki, Raymond Edward Fortin, Michael Smart
  • Patent number: 8882186
    Abstract: A tangent 140 on a contact part 80 on which a hollow seal member 32 of a weather strip 30 mounted on a side door 21 first touches a roof door 23 is a straight line which divides an angle ?2 on an acute angle side between an advancing locus 110 of the side door 21 and an advancing locus 120 of a roof door 23 into a substantially half angle ?1, the two advancing loci intersecting on the contact part 80.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Michihiko Matsumoto, Eiichi Baba, Kenichi Kitayama
  • Patent number: 8807645
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for sealing the aperture of a tipped-back sliding roof of a car. The device has a control device designed to monitor the gearbox of the car and ensure that the aperture is sealed when the reverse gear is engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Gemo G. Moritz GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Kari Rudolfi
  • Publication number: 20140159434
    Abstract: A glass roof of a motor vehicle includes a fixed part and a panel that is mobile with respect to the fixed part. The panel is able to close an opening formed in or next to the fixed part in a closed position. Movement of the mobile panel is implemented with the aid of two shuttles guided in translation respectively in two rails, each of the shuttles engaging with a peg secured to the mobile panel. The mobile panel carries two bearing elements that bear against bearing surfaces formed respectively on a longitudinal portion of the rails, defining a third movement zone in which the mobile panel is slid with respect to the fixed part, parallel to the rails. The bearing surface is interrupted in an end portion of each of the rails so as to allow the bearing elements to move in a direction perpendicular to the rails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: ADVANCED COMFORT SYSTEMS FRANCE SAS - ACS FRANCE
    Inventor: Mickael Desbois
  • Patent number: 8581719
    Abstract: An exemplary sunroof for mounting in a vehicle roof is provided. The sunroof includes a panel and a warning apparatus. The sunroof includes a first bottom surface for facing toward an inside of the vehicle. The warning apparatus includes a PCB attached to the panel, and a warning unit mounted on the first bottom surface and electrically connected to the PCB. The warning unit is configured to send an emergency alert signal when the panel is raised up to be substantially perpendicular to the vehicle roof. A vehicle includes the sunroof is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuan-Lung Kuo, Hou-Yao Lin
  • Patent number: 8511526
    Abstract: A mounting platform attached to a vehicle through an existing opening. A base portion having a clamp is placed through a brake light assembly opening, after the brake light assembly has been removed, and is securely held to the roof of a vehicle. A platform portion is attached to the base portion. The mounting platform is used to mount accessories such as light bars, emergency lights, antennas, or any other accessory desired to be mounted to the vehicle. The mounting platform may be easily installed and removed from the vehicle without any damage or modification to the vehicle and without drilling any additional holes in the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Inventor: Thomas E. Schellens
  • Publication number: 20130207419
    Abstract: A panel that may be raised and lowered in the rear area of a vehicle to provide added headroom. The panel may be secured to an opening defined by a roof of the vehicle. The panel may be secured to an opening defined in a tailgate of the vehicle. Side walls and a real wall may be provided that extend between the opening and the panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
  • Publication number: 20130169007
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for closing off an opening provided in the body of a motor vehicle, including: a stationary glass portion PF to be rigidly connected to said vehicle, and a movable glass panel PM capable of moving, relative to the stationary portion PF, between a closed position, in which the glass panel closes off an opening OUV provide in said stationary portion PF, and at least one open position, in which said opening OUV is at least partially uncovered. According to the invention, the movable panel PM is mounted on a movable frame CM that is provided with tilting means for tilting the movable panel PM relative to said movable frame CM. The invention enables the use of more compact tilting means than those used in the prior art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: ADVANCED COMFORT SYSTEMS FRANCE SAS-ACS FRANCE
    Inventors: François Cousson, Daniel Martineau
  • Patent number: 8424962
    Abstract: A sunroof device which includes a roof panel that is openable/closable, a front slider that is connected to the roof panel via a pin engaging unit that is comprised of the first lift guide groove and the first lift guide pin, a rear slider that is connected to the roof panel via a pin engaging unit that is comprised of a second lift guide groove and a second lift guide pin, and a driving motor that drives the front slider and the rear slider, wherein the first lift guide pin is positioned in the second horizontal stroke which is a horizontal groove and the second lift guide pin is positioned in the second horizontal stroke that is a horizontal groove when the roof panel is completely tilted up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Yachiyo Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tatsuaki Uehara, Akira Murasawa, Ayumi Mihashi
  • Patent number: 8419120
    Abstract: A panel that may be raised and lowered in the rear area of a vehicle to provide added headroom. The panel may be secured to an opening defined by a roof of the vehicle. The panel may be secured to an opening defined in a tailgate of the vehicle. Side walls and a real wall may be provided that extend between the opening and the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Michael Babbage, Henry W. Hausler
  • Patent number: 8333426
    Abstract: A rise-up panoramic roof provided on a roof opening of a body of a vehicle comprises a frame member and a lift assembly. The frame member has a forward portion and a rear portion. The forward portion is hingedly connected to the vehicle body such that the frame member does not slide relative to the body. The frame member is configured to hold a roof panel. The lift assembly is configured to move the frame member between a closed position where the rear portion of the frame member closes the opening of the vehicle body and a raised, open position where the frame member is raised from the vehicle body and the rear portion is located above the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Inc., Yachiyo Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Kitayama, Michael A. Schrader, Matthew Weyand Schmitt, Yoshitaka Higuchi
  • Patent number: 8297692
    Abstract: A vehicle sun roof device includes a panel for covering an opening in a roof of the vehicle. The panel can be moved horizontally to uncover the opening or tilted to raise its rear end section to a venting position. A drive system for tilting the panel includes front and rear shoes. The rear shoe tilts the panel by applying a force to the rear end section of the panel. The front shoe includes an upwardly facing support surface and a downwardly facing support surface. A bracket fixed to the panel and extending in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle includes an upwardly facing bearing surface and a downwardly facing bearing surface arranged to slidably engage the downwardly facing support surface and the upwardly facing support surface, respectively, of the front shoe. The support surfaces and the bearing surfaces are configured to define a virtual pivot axis for the panel as the panel tilts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin Technical Center of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Stefan Chlapecka, Nobuhiro Mizoguchi, Yoji Nagashima
  • Patent number: 8167357
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a vehicle body having a hatch frame slidably mounted thereto. A hatch closure is pivotally mounted to the hatch frame. The hatch frame is slidably movable between a slide closed position and a slide open position and the hatch closure is pivotally movable between a pivot closed position and a pivot open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Kitayama, Michael A. Schrader, Matthew Weyand Schmitt
  • Patent number: 8152230
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a tailgate, a panoramic roof assembly and a dual-action rear hatch. The panoramic roof assembly has a plurality of positions including a closed position and a raised position. The dual-action rear hatch has a sliding mode wherein the hatch is movable from a closed position to a slide forward position wherein the rear hatch is received under the roof assembly when in the raised position, and has a flip-open position wherein the rear hatch is flipped-open while in a slide closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Kitayama, Michael A. Schrader, Matthew Weyand Schmitt
  • Publication number: 20120068501
    Abstract: A vehicle roof having at least one cover element, which selectively closes or at least partially exposes a roof opening and which, with respect to a vehicle longitudinal center plane, comprises a carrier element on either side, the carrier element comprising a guide web that interacts with an adjusting device that is guided in a guide rail and comprises a drive carriage, which interacts with the guide web at least to pivot the cover element and comprises a guide element on which the guide web rests. When moving the cover element in the vehicle longitudinal direction, each guide element of the drive carriages serves as a dog element, which engages in a corresponding dog recess configured at the respectively associated carrier element of the cover element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: WEBASTO AG
    Inventors: Manfred Faerber, Lloyd George Racine, Tsukasa Butsuen
  • Patent number: 8132846
    Abstract: A slide hatch assembly for selectively closing a rear cargo opening on a vehicle includes a hatch frame slidably mounted to a vehicle body of the vehicle. The hatch assembly further includes at least one front rail mounted to the vehicle body and at least one rear rail mounted to the vehicle body. At least one front roller assembly slidably connects the hatch frame to the at least one front rail and at least one rear roller assembly slidably connects the hatch frame to the at least one rear rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Kitayama, Michael A Schrader, Matthew Weyand Schmitt
  • Patent number: 8056956
    Abstract: A convertible roof includes an outer cover with a recess defined therein. The roof has a front roof edge which joins the windshield frame when the convertible roof is in a closed position. The front region of the roof includes a rigid assembly disposed under the cover. The rigid assembly includes a frame part. A sun roof part is received in the recess defined by the cover and is openable to a position raised out of a plane defined by the roof cover. The recess defined by the cover is open to the front.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventor: Udo Heselhaus
  • Publication number: 20110227751
    Abstract: An exemplary sunroof for mounting in a vehicle roof is provided. The sunroof includes a panel and a warning apparatus. The sunroof includes a first bottom surface for facing toward an inside of the vehicle. The warning apparatus includes a PCB attached to the panel, and a warning unit mounted on the first bottom surface and electrically connected to the PCB. The warning unit is configured to send an emergency alert signal when the panel is raised up to be substantially perpendicular to the vehicle roof. A vehicle includes the sunroof is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: YUAN-LUNG KUO, HOU-YAO LIN
  • Patent number: 7905543
    Abstract: A safety device in a closing-opening device of a vehicle which is provided with millimeter wave sensors as a detection device enables detecting an obstacle accurately for preventing a caught-in accident in advance caused by the closing-opening device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: Yachiyo Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshiyasu Ito
  • Patent number: 7854475
    Abstract: The present invention provides a sliding roof for a vehicle including a plurality of roof panels separately mounted on an opening of a fixed roof of the vehicle in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, a guide frame attached at a lower portion of each side edge of the opening, and an anchor installed into the guide frame to engage with at least part of the roof panel, so as to assist open-close operations of the plurality of the roof panels in the vicinity of a closed state thereof. Sliding of sliders attached to the each guide frame allows the plurality of the roof panels to open or close in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle. The sliding roof for a vehicle further includes a guide member installed into the guide frame to guide a movement of engagement portions of the plurality of the roof panels adjacent in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The anchor and the guide member are installed into an identical groove formed on the guide frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignees: Yachiyo Industry Co., Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyasu Ito, Hiroyuki Tsukamoto, Kouichi Hotta, Michio Tamura
  • Publication number: 20100314913
    Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle is provided, comprises a roof opening defined in a stationary roof part of the vehicle. A roof assembly having a movable panel for opening and closing said roof opening, of which panel the rear end, as viewed in the longitudinal direction of the car, can be moved upward and downward by a moving mechanism comprising at least a tilting lever having a first end slideably and rotatably engaging the stationary roof part and an opposite second end rotatably engaging the panel, wherein the first end of the tilting lever is drivable by drive means for its sliding motion relative to the stationary roof part and wherein the tilting lever for realising its rotational movement comprises a follower positioned between its first and second ends cooperating with a guide curve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Eduardus Christianus Henricus Van Boxtel, Peter Christiaan Leonarus Johannes Manders, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Sander De Bie
  • Patent number: 7758110
    Abstract: A roof part mounted movably by means of a bearing device on a bearing slide, which is mounted in a manner such that it can be shifted on a guide of the vehicle roof and can be displaced along the guide by means of a drive, wherein, for improved adjustment of the movable roof part, the roof part can be displaced relative to the bearing slide by means of an additional controllable adjusting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Webasto AG
    Inventor: Rudolf Dietl
  • Patent number: 7731574
    Abstract: A vent assembly has a base and a cover connected to the base. The cover moves between a closed and open position. A fan is optionally mounted for rotation in the base. A mechanism, including a strut system, raises and lowers the cover. The strut system is connected with the cover at two positions spaced from one another. When the cover is in its closed position, a retention force is provided by the strut system and is distributed about the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Fan-Tastic Vent
    Inventors: Stephen A. Milks, Penny Milks, legal representative
  • Patent number: 7631929
    Abstract: An open roof construction and roof assembly for a vehicle comprises a stationary roof part, a roof opening provided therein and a panel which is slideable for opening and closing said roof opening. The panel and stationary roof part are provided with a pin and curve part assembly for guiding and locking the panel in its closing position. The curve part is provided with an extension part projecting from the curve part for engaging the arriving pin and leading it into curve formed in the curve part, said extension part being movable between an extended position when the panel is in its opening position and a collapsed position when the panel is in its closing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2009
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventor: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Patent number: 7585016
    Abstract: A construction machine having a flip roof top to provide space for improved ingress into and egress from the cab of the construction machine. The construction machine includes a chassis, a construction tool coupled to the chassis, and a cab mounted on the chassis. The cab has a frame that supports a back panel, a pair of opposing side panels, a front door panel and a roof panel. The back, side and front door panels cooperate to define an interior cab space. Operator controls are disposed in the interior cab space and are operatively coupled to the construction tool. The roof panel has opposing first and second edges. The first edge is pivotally coupled to the frame. The roof panel is pivotal between a closed position, wherein the second edge is proximal the frame, and an open position wherein the second edge is pivoted upward away from the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Todd M Wehrenberg
  • Patent number: 7578550
    Abstract: A sunroof device having a guide shoe provided with a first engagement portion and a check block with second and third engagement portions for inhibiting movement thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuki Sawada, Toshio Iwata, Katsuyoshi Iwashita, Kiyozumi Fukami
  • Publication number: 20090102242
    Abstract: The invention relates to a utility vehicle (1) with a hinged cover element (12) which covers a fuel tank (15) and at least part (24) of an ascent region when the cover element is in a covering position. The cover element (12) can be pivoted from the covering position to an open position. A safeguarding element (11) is non-rotatably coupled to the cover element (12), so that the cover element (12) and the safeguarding element (11) have the same pivot axis and are both moved to the open position simultaneously.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: AGCO GMBH
    Inventor: Robert Honzek
  • Patent number: 7490894
    Abstract: A sliding roof system for a motor vehicle includes a guide rail, a cover support, a cover attached to the cover support, a front bearing block articulated to the cover support, and a carriage that is movably received in the guide rail and engages the cover support. The cover support is articulated on the front bearing block such that the cover support can be swiveled around a virtual swiveling point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor, GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Oechel, Stefan Kunkel, Stefan Vogel
  • Publication number: 20090039682
    Abstract: A vehicular sunroof apparatus in which a sunroof panel for opening and closing an opening in a vehicle roof has a front panel and a rear panel. The sunroof apparatus also includes a rear panel drive mechanism for effecting rising/lowering and opening/closing movements of the rear panel relative to the opening. A restricting part provided in the rear panel drive mechanism restricts a front end part of the rear panel from rising when a rear end part of the fully closed rear panel is lowered.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Yoshiyasu Ito, Hiroyuki Tsukamoto, Kouichi Hotta, Michio Tamura
  • Publication number: 20090015039
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle with a roof or roof section which may be placed below a cover piece in the rear section of the vehicle, whereby the cover piece can be opened to provide a loading opening for luggage or a through opening for the roof. The cover piece is retained by at least one displacement mechanism in the vehicle, embodied such that the displacement mechanism, on at least one vehicle side, comprises a movement with only one degree of freedom for both opening directions of the cover piece.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventor: Stefan Meinert
  • Patent number: 7445275
    Abstract: A vehicle sunroof including a sunroof frame mounted to a vehicle roof opening and having opposing lateral sides. The sunroof frame has an outer edge adjacent to the outer surface of the vehicle roof and an inner edge located within the vehicle cabin. The vehicle sunroof also includes a number of solar panels. Each solar panel includes a solar collection surface for collecting sunlight for producing solar energy. The solar panels extend between and are connected to the opposing lateral sides of the sunroof frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: David Woodhouse, Tyler Blake, Freeman Thomas
  • Publication number: 20080252106
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle roof with two cover elements (14, 16), a front one of which can be deployed and a rear one of which serves as the sliding cover, can be lowered under the stationary vehicle roof and displaced. An embodiment of the invention relates to an actuating mechanism of a drive slide which interacts with a deployment lever in order to swivel the front cover element (14), said lever being hinged to a support of the front cover element (14). The deployment movement of the deployment lever is supported by a spring. According to another aspect of the invention, the actuating mechanism comprises a slide unit which comprises one control track each for the front cover element (14) and for the rear cover element (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Inventor: Chris De Jong
  • Patent number: 7364227
    Abstract: A movable roof opening-closing structure rotatively opening and closing a movable roof toward backward at an outside of a vehicle body through a linkage equipped with a first link bar and a second link bar, wherein the linkage is configured with an inequilateral four-bar linkage having a fixed bar at a vehicle body side, and wherein an instant center of the movable roof against the vehicle body when the movable roof is at an entirely closing position is located at one of positions where is ahead of a front end of the movable roof and behind of a rear end of the movable roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignees: Yachiyo Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyasu Ito, Hiroyuki Tsukamoto, Akio Kobori, Michio Tamura, Akihiko Kuribayashi
  • Publication number: 20080001440
    Abstract: A construction machine having a flip roof top to provide space for improved ingress into and egress from the cab of the construction machine. The construction machine includes a chassis, a construction tool coupled to the chassis, and a cab mounted on the chassis. The cab has a frame that supports a back panel, a pair of opposing side panels, a front door panel and a roof panel. The back, side and front door panels cooperate to define an interior cab space. Operator controls are disposed in the interior cab space and are operatively coupled to the construction tool. The roof panel has opposing first and second edges. The first edge is pivotally coupled to the frame. The roof panel is pivotal between a closed position, wherein the second edge is proximal the frame, and an open position wherein the second edge is pivoted upward away from the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2006
    Publication date: January 3, 2008
    Inventor: Todd Michael Wehrenberg
  • Patent number: 7178862
    Abstract: A sliding roof system includes at least one guide rail, a carriage shiftable in the guide rail, and a cover support coupled with the carriage. The cover support is adapted to be attached to a cover that is movable to open and close a roof opening. A first lifting lever has one end connected to the cover support and another end connected to the carriage with guide pieces received within slots formed in the carriage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor GmbH
    Inventor: Holger Oechel
  • Patent number: 7024822
    Abstract: Articulating window assemblies are provided comprising, in combination, a windowpane and a hinge having a hinge axis. The hinge comprises a first hinge member that cooperates with a second hinge member and optionally with a hinge pin to form a hinge joint. The first hinge member has at least an encapsulation section with at least a first encapsulant void, optionally two or more encapsulant voids. A continuous body of encapsulant overlays at least a portion of an outward-facing surface of the encapsulation section, at least partially fills the first encapsulant void, overlays at least a portion of an inward-facing surface of the encapsulation section and overlaps either at least a portion of an external peripheral edge of the encapsulation section, a portion of a void edge defining a second encapsulation void, or both from both the outward-facing surface and the inward-facing surface. This provides a mechanical grip of the first hinge member by the encapsulant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Dura Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Del Wayne Scheer, David Anderson Webb, Ramakrishna Putumbaka, Daniel Edward Laughner, Murray Michael Murphy
  • Patent number: 7015669
    Abstract: A drive apparatus for an opening/closing body for a vehicle includes a drive unit including a rotational drive apparatus, a reduction gear mechanism linked with a rotational shaft of the rotational drive apparatus, and an output member linked with the rotational shaft through the reduction gear mechanism and linked with the opening/closing body through a connection member, a first pulse signal generator provided at the drive unit and generating a first pulse signal on the basis of a rotation of the rotational shaft, a second pulse signal generator provided at the drive unit and generating a second pulse signal on the basis of a rotation of either one of the reduction gear mechanism and the output member, and a control means for calculating an opening/closing position of the opening/closing body on the basis of the first pulse signal emitted by the first pulse signal generator utilizing the second pulse signal emitted by the second pulse signal generator as a base point and controlling the rotational drive app
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Youji Nagashima, Kenji Maeta, Naoto Kamioku, Kouji Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7004538
    Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a motor driving an opening and closing body of a sunroof device includes a drive portion and a control portion. The drive portion supplies current to the motor to rotate the motor. The drive portion has a changing device for changing the torque of the motor. The control portion controls the changing device such that the torque of the motor is increased as the traveling speed of a vehicle is increased during a closing operation of the opening and closing body. Therefore, closure force and catching force of the opening and closing body during a closing operation is optimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Assignee: Asmo Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuto Kitoh
  • Patent number: 6938949
    Abstract: A vehicle body has a first body portion forming an enclosed passenger compartment that includes a roof having a panel opening and a rear window opening. A rear window is fixed in a frame that is hingedly attached to the first body portion. A rigid roof panel is hingedly attached to the frame, forming a roof assembly that is movable between a storage position and a closed position. The roof assembly closes the panel opening and the rear window opening in the closed position. A second body portion forms a storage compartment external to the passenger compartment and is open adjacent the rear window opening. The roof assembly is movable to the storage position in the storage compartment, exposing the passenger compartment to outside air through the panel opening and the rear window opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Randal Peart