Extension Patents (Class 296/99.1)
  • Patent number: 11932316
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle comprising a chassis which has a longitudinal axis and which is supported by wheels; a cab mounted on the chassis, the cab including two side walls; a wind deflecting assembly comprising at least two side deflector panels, each side deflector panel having a front edge linked to a rear portion of the corresponding cab side wall and a rear edge, and extending vertically over at least part of the height of the corresponding cab side wall rear portion; and at least one lighting assembly which is mounted on a side deflector panel and which includes at least a working lamp configured to illuminate an area located rearward of the cab.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: Volvo Truck Corporation
    Inventors: Nicolas Berne, Olivier Hermann
  • Patent number: 11912112
    Abstract: An extendible roof mounted automotive accessory is provided that includes at least one generally horizontal panel; at least one strut having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, where the at least one strut is pivotally coupled at the first end to the at least one panel; and at least one coupling, where the at least one strut is pivotally coupled at the second end to the at least one coupling. The accessory is configured therewith so that the panel may be extended from a first position to a second position within a horizontal plane above a roof of a vehicle so as to provide shade or other functionality to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Inventor: Igor Chepets
  • Patent number: 11904670
    Abstract: A sliding soft-top convertible roof is provided. In another aspect, a convertible roof apparatus including rollers which sandwich a fore-and-aft elongated guide rail therebetween. A further aspect includes roof bow mounted brackets extending between an elongated and stationary guide rail and channels within which move cables for raising and lowering a roof cover, with the brackets being moveably coupled to the guide rail. Still another aspect includes a sport utility vehicle having a passenger compartment and a rear cargo compartment, where a sliding soft-top convertible roof is retractable to a position rear of the passenger compartment, lower than a nominal closed roof surface and above only a forward portion of the cargo compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: MyTop IP, LLC
    Inventors: Christoph Koslowski, Joachim Maass
  • Patent number: 11865904
    Abstract: Provided is an automatic light blocking device for a vehicle, wherein a light blocking slider protrudes in a sliding manner from the ceiling or roof of the vehicle in order to block sunlight shining into the interior of the vehicle. To this end, an automatic light blocking device for a vehicle comprises: a light blocking body provided on the ceiling or roof of the vehicle and having at least one sliding groove which is open in the direction in which light is to be blocked; a light blocking slider which is slidably inserted into and coupled to the sliding groove; and a driving unit for sliding the light blocking slider along the light blocking body by using power applied from the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Inventor: Young Sung Geum
  • Patent number: 11535091
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a body that defines an aperture. A closure panel is coupled to the body and is movable between an open position and a closed position. The closure panel covers the aperture when the closure panel is in the closed position. A support member has a first end and a second end. The first end is coupled to the body. The second end is coupled to the closure panel. The support member is operable between a compressed position and an extended position. The extended position of the support member corresponds with the open position of the closure panel. A collapsible member is coupled to the body and the support member. The collapsible member is movable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The collapsible member includes a first section and a second section. The collapsible member also includes a fluid drainage system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, David Brian Glickman, Peter Phung, Paul Kenneth Dellock, Pietro Buttolo, John Robert Van Wiemeersch
  • Patent number: 11472275
    Abstract: A self-contained, self-extending, roof-mounted shading apparatus, capable of both vertical and horizontal movement to provide shade for a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Shady Spot, Inc.
    Inventors: Winifred Gurley, Paul Gurley
  • Patent number: 11446990
    Abstract: An accessory door panel for a utility vehicle provides a fabric door panel which can be quickly deployed and installed within a utility vehicle for emergency weather use where the utility vehicle has had the factory doors removed at the discretion of the driver. The fabric door panel is fitted to the contours of the door opening and may be stored from an overhead horizontal support member over the door or alternatively stored within a container mounted to the floor at the bottom of the door opening, the door being made of a flexible material that can be stretched across the door opening and anchored at several points along the door frame by independent anchors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Inventors: James Bell, Jakob Andrew Bell
  • Patent number: 11376931
    Abstract: An extendable roof system for carts, or more specifically golf carts, the extendable roof system having at least one extendable side panel stored inside a housing attached to a cart roof top, and a method of using such a system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: J AND J CREATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Jeremy Ritchey, John Joseph Bellanca
  • Patent number: 11305700
    Abstract: A upper room storage system for utility vehicles is provided. The upper room storage system is adapted to associate with a structural roof of a utility vehicle, so that when retrofitted to a utility vehicle with a cargo bed, the cargo bed maintains full functionality. The upper room storage system embodies a storage box with a plurality of lockable entry points, providing access from at least two sides of the utility vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Inventor: John Joseph Koeppel
  • Patent number: 11279422
    Abstract: A new concept vehicle comprises six major components: Sedan body shell with back opening, Entity of movable roof, rear pillars, and liftable back window, Unit of foldable trunk top and tailgate, Rear side windows with glass panels, Auto track systems, and Affiliate parts. Based on a basic sedan body with rear trunk opening, the entity of movable roof, rear pillar and liftable back window moves backward or forward along the track systems, and the unit of foldable trunk top and tailgate that enclose the trunk and body back works together with rear side windows and other components to make two types of vehicle configurations of standard sedan and light SUV/station wagon (which concept can also be extended to application and configuration on a pickup truck).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Inventor: Shuguang Gu
  • Patent number: 11260729
    Abstract: An automobile includes a body side panel including: a first pillar disposed rearward of a door of the automobile; a second pillar disposed rearward of the first pillar; an interior panel connecting the first pillar and the second pillar; a rear quarter panel attached to the exterior of the body side panel and forming a cavity between the rear quarter panel and the interior panel; and a retractable window disposed between the first pillar and the second pillar; wherein the retractable window is configured to move between a first position and a second position, the first position being defined by a roof of the automobile, the first pillar, and the second pillar, and the second position being inside the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Assignee: Fisker Inc.
    Inventors: Henrik Fisker, Martin Welch
  • Patent number: 11059357
    Abstract: A vehicle cab having a moveable roof section. The movement of the roof section is based on the location of the sun relative to the vehicle cab, such that the roof section moves to act as a sun shade for the cab. The roof section is provided with a sun sensor to determine the sun location, so that the roof section can automatically move to provide an adaptive sun shade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: AGCO International GmbH
    Inventors: Valentin Daniel Joel Leconte, Koffi Djidjan
  • Patent number: 10953734
    Abstract: A method for enhancing the rain and sun protection of a golf cart roof using a rain and sun shield device. The rain and sun shield for a covered golf cart is semi-permanently attached to the roof of a golf cart. The device is easy to install; will retrofit to any standard golf cart roof; does not interfere with the parking and storing profile (i.e. are sized to fit within the perimeter of any standard golf cart roof when in the closed position) of a fleet of golf carts. The device is easily opened and closed to provide the golf cart user with added sun and rain protection when in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: SWIC, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Seitz, Michael E. Walker, Philip C. Hollowell
  • Patent number: 10525805
    Abstract: A method for enhancing the rain and sun protection of a golf cart roof using a rain and sun shield device. The rain and sun shield for a covered golf cart is semi-permanently attached to the roof of a golf cart. The device is easy to install; will retrofit to any standard golf cart roof; does not interfere with the parking and storing profile of a fleet of golf carts. The device is easily opened and closed to provide the golf cart user with added sun and rain protection when in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: SWIC, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas M. Seitz, Jr., Michael E. Walker, Philip C. Hollowell
  • Patent number: 9956856
    Abstract: A rain awning system and an electric vehicle using the system, wherein the rain awning system having an awning stretching and storing device mounted on a frame front crossbeam, the awning stretching and storing device having a roller, awning fabric rolled around the roller and a drive assembly for driving the rotation of the roller, and the roller and the drive assembly are both fixed to the frame front crossbeam which is connected to a support plate; and the rain awning system further having an awning fabric drive device which is provided on the support plate and is used for driving the awning fabric rolled around the roller to stretch outwardly, and a guide assembly for guiding the movement of the awning fabric is provided between the awning fabric and a door. The electric vehicle having the rain awning system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: SHENZHEN ZHILUN DRIVING TECHNOLOGY FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shugang Gong, Wen Zhang, Yanan Guo, Zhiling Guo, Xingping Liang
  • Patent number: 9499034
    Abstract: A vehicle canopy comprises a stationary support bar that has substantially vertical base sections, tilted vertical sections tilted at an angle with respect to the respective base sections. A horizontal section extends between the tilted vertical sections. The horizontal section or the stationary support bar has a first peak height. A set of subsidiary stationary support bars is connected to the vertical base sections of the stationary support bar. The subsidiary stationary support bar has a second peak height less than the first peak height. A first support member has a set of mounting plates mounted above corresponding vertical base sections of the stationary support bar for supporting the first support member. A set of mounting flanges is on the subsidiary stationary supports. A second support member is supported by the mounting flanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Abhijeet Hingne, Frederick W. Nelson, Donald L. Goodrich
  • Patent number: 9227491
    Abstract: A slidable cover for truck rack comprising an impermeable horizontal cover plate that is slideably attached to an existing truck rack or cargo rack on a vehicle so that the cover plate remains fixed in the vertical direction but is slidable in a horizontal direction so that the cover plate may be slid back and forth horizontally to move the protection area that the cover plate provides. Cover plate may be slid rearwards to provide shelter over the rear of the vehicle or cover plate may be slid forwards to provide shelter over the cargo area of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Inventors: James K. Story, Jr., Deborah J. Caudill
  • Patent number: 9010347
    Abstract: A portable awning for the car. The present invention is to overcome the deficiency of bad effect of insulation and inconvenience for user. The point of solution includes a casing able to be separated into two portions along the length direction, and an awning body able be stored within the said two portions of the casing respectively, is characterized in that: the said awning body is a foldable body with continuous honeycomb section, the said two portions of the casing are provided with fixed structure used for fixing the car. Each Honeycomb Tube of the said awning body is an opening structure at the both ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Inventor: Xiaopeng Wang
  • Patent number: 8845004
    Abstract: An attachable vehicle roof canopy comprising: a weather protective canopy comprising a weather protective material comprising sun blocking material, a bottom edge, a top edge, two side edges, and four corners; a slide out rod means extending from the bottom edge to the top edge and beyond; at least one upper connecting means for connecting the attachable vehicle roof canopy to a vehicle roof of a tractor or a golf cart: and at least one lower connecting means for connecting the attachable vehicle roof canopy to a vehicle roof of a tractor or a golf cart; and a golf cart comprising the attachable vehicle roof canopy. The attachable vehicle roof canopy adds additional protection to the occupants of a vehicle such as a tractor or a golf cart from rain and sun.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventor: Richard Arlen DeVoss, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8733826
    Abstract: A conversion system that converts a four-door style vehicle into a pick-up style vehicle. The conversion system converts the four-door style vehicle into a pick-up style vehicle when rear doors of the vehicle are removed and replaced by inner and outer side panels that form a side panel assembly for the bed of the vehicle. Additional features of the conversion system include a bed floor assembly, a bulkhead assembly, and a roof assembly that isolate the cabin of the vehicle from the newly formed bed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Keith D Montone, Steven T Houtman, Anthony D Cavallo, Pietro Gorlier, James P Sassorossi
  • Patent number: 8607845
    Abstract: A vehicle awning framework comprises a base stand (1), above which a pair of driving axles (2) is parallelly arranged from the front to the rear. A pair of driving axle supports (3) is sleeved on each driving axle(2). Two shaft gears(4) are sleeved respectively at the two ends of said driving axle(2), and respectively fixedly connected with a driving axle supports(3). The two ends of the driving axle (2) are respectively fixedly connected with a gear connection connectors (5) through which a laterally-turning axle (6) rotated around the gear connecting connectors (5) is arranged. The laterally-turning axle (6) rotates around itself when it turns outward, so that laterally-turning shafts (8) on the laterally-turning axle (6) are spread to the left and right sides, and the awning can be closed and folded entirely along with the turning of the laterally-turning shafts (8). Therefore the vehicle awning framework can be operated automatically and easily.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Inventor: Meizhong Wu
  • Patent number: 8596707
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a roof assembly for covering a region adjacent a structure. The roof assembly comprises a plurality of roof assembly portions, each roof assembly portion comprising a layer portion and a support portion for supporting the layer portion. The roof assembly portions comprise first and second side roof assembly portions, and a corner roof assembly portion that is positioned between the first and second side roof assembly portions. The roof assembly portions are moveable between a retracted and an expanded configuration wherein the side roof assembly portions and the corner roof assembly portion move together between the configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: EMU Innovations Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Susanne Fiander, Nicholas Kebbell
  • Patent number: 8303020
    Abstract: An enclosure assembly (20) for enclosing a cargo compartment of an open-air cart having a cap (30) shaped to mate with a rear section of a roof (200) of a cart for the secure fitting of cap (30) over the rear section of the roof of the cart, brackets (40) attachable to the cart using the cart's existing structure, and a cover (25) one edge of which is to be attached to cap (30) and its side portions to brackets (40), so when cover (25) is attached to cap (30) and brackets (40), assembly (20) is formed and ready for installation on the cart. Installation is achieved when cap (30) is positioned over the rear section of the roof and brackets (40) are attached to the cart using only attachments that exist on the cart, providing for a two-step installation without altering or drilling any holes in the cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Inventor: Michael P. Held
  • Publication number: 20120139282
    Abstract: A new combination vehicle of pickup and SUV which comprising four major parts: sliding roofing back, foldable middle plate, side window glasses, and auto sliding track system. By changing their performances the vehicle is convertible from either pickup truck to SUV or vice versa. It combines features, functions and characteristics of both vehicles, and meets the needs of both vehicle drivers, and furthermore saves the space, energy and protects the environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventor: Shuguang Gu
  • Patent number: 8079629
    Abstract: A rain guard assembly for providing shelter to an occupant entering or exiting a vehicle is described. Generally, the retractable rain guard assembly may comprise a housing integrally mounted within a roof of an automobile, a covering retractably held within the housing and having one or more engagement portions positioned along a free end of the covering, and one or more securement members positioned along a door of the automobile and aligned in a manner corresponding to positions of the one or more engagement portions. The one or more securement members are actuatable to engage to corresponding engagement portions such that opening of the door relative to the roof extends the covering therebetween. The covering may be engaged remotely, such as by a key fob, or automatically by a water detection sensor on the automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Inventor: Eileen M. Raynor
  • Patent number: 7914064
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a retractable roof system that provides slidable roof sections for vehicles and truck bed shells/caps, where the cargo area roof panels and rear window panel (hatch above tailgate) may be moved forward and above the seating area roof section, by means of a telescoping track system. Additionally, as applied to vehicles, the roof section above the seating areas may be moved rearward and above the cargo area roof section. The retractable roof system truck bed shell/cap assembly will come in segments that can be stored and shipped in a relatively small container. The shell/cap structure is composed of metal frame members and window panels. Right and left telescoping track assemblies are mounted on the metal frame members, with roof panels secured between them. Side and front window panels are attached to the exterior of the metal frame members to form the shell/cap walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Inventor: Jacob J. Joab
  • Patent number: 7819458
    Abstract: A rain guard assembly for providing shelter to an occupant entering or exiting a vehicle is described. Generally, the retractable rain guard assembly may comprise a housing integrally mounted within a roof of an automobile, a covering retractably held within the housing and having one or more engagement portions positioned along a free end of the covering, and one or more securement members positioned along a door of the automobile and aligned in a manner corresponding to positions of the one or more engagement portions. The one or more securement members are actuatable to engage to corresponding engagement portions such that opening of the door relative to the roof extends the covering therebetween. The covering may be engaged remotely, such as by a key fob, or automatically by a water detection sensor on the automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Inventor: Eileen M. Raynor
  • Patent number: 7604281
    Abstract: A rain guard assembly for providing shelter to an occupant entering or exiting a vehicle is described. Generally, the retractable rain guard assembly may comprise a housing integrally mounted within a roof of an automobile, a covering retractably held within the housing and having one or more engagement portions positioned along a free end of the covering, and one or more securement members positioned along a door of the automobile and aligned in a manner corresponding to positions of the one or more engagement portions. The one or more securement members are actuatable to engage to corresponding engagement portions such that opening of the door relative to the roof extends the covering therebetween. The covering may be engaged remotely, such as by a key fob, or automatically by a water detection sensor on the automobile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Inventor: Eileen M. Raynor
  • Patent number: 7086684
    Abstract: In an extendable protective awning and motor vehicle having a protective awning, the protective awning includes a base frame which may be fastened to the vehicle and a protective surface which may be moved between at least one retracted basic position and an extended end position by a linkage. The base frame is designed for arrangement in the interior of the vehicle in the region of the upper boundary of a door, window or flap opening of the vehicle, so that the protective surface may be extended from its basic position through the opened door, window or flap opening into this position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Joachim Glaser, Carsten Mueller, Waldemar Wallenwein
  • Patent number: 6948766
    Abstract: A protector for vehicles' door openings with hingedly mounted doors to cover an adjacent area and protect is from rain and snow. The protector includes at least one frustro-conical roller member with a rollable sheet. The rollable sheet has two straight lateral ends and two curved lateral ends. Male and female hook members for removably mounting one of the straight lateral ends to the upper end of the door so that when the door is swung open the rollable sheet is unrolled substantially covering the area adjacent to the door's opening. Each frustro-conical roller member includes spring bias assembly for urging the rolling back of the rollable sheet after being rolled out. When at least two roller members and at least two rollable sheets are contiguous, the rollabe sheets include a zipper member for releasably joining the contiguous curved lateral ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Inventors: Ileana Capote, Juvenal Rivero
  • Patent number: 6890014
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for enabling the enlargement of the cabin for a vehicle having an enclosed cabin and a cargo bed extending rearwardly from the cabin. The apparatus includes a rear wall removably coupled to the cabin. A guide element is positioned along a floor of the cargo bed and a base portion of the rear wall is slideably coupled to the guide element, which enables the rear wall to be translated rearwardly from the cabin to vary a volume thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: E. Mackey King, Paul Lester
  • Publication number: 20030141739
    Abstract: The present invention provides sunshade apparatuses for automobile. An awning (12) is mounted above roof carry bars (10) of a vehicle. Within seconds of manual operation, the awing can either be retracted to occupy a small area typically 0.7×8 feet or be fully extended to generate a large rectangular shade area typically 7×8 feet above the automobile roof. If front part of the awning is made of a semi-transparent material for safe driving consideration of not blocking traffic lights, the awning may be manually retracted or extended by a driver within seconds even when the driver is driving. The sunshade apparatuses comprise multi-parallelogram shaped supporters (16). These supporters are extendable and retractable along the direction of vehicle width. Awning ribs (14) or awning rollers are perpendicularly mounted on the multi-parallelogram shaped supporters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventors: Dahai Dong, Eugene Yuejin Chang
  • Patent number: 6588824
    Abstract: A convertible top for covering part of a passenger compartment of a land vehicle. The convertible top includes a retractable frame that retracts forwardly toward a permanent top section. The retractable frame is covered by a flexible cover and a rigid rear member moves longitudinally as the convertible top is moved between an extended and retracted position. The rigid rear member includes track followers that are moved in longitudinally extending tracks on the rear portion of the vehicle body. The retractable frame may be either a parallel bar expanding linkage, or telescoping slide supports.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: CTS Fahrzeug Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Frank G. Neubrand
  • Patent number: 6517135
    Abstract: A motor vehicle with a convertible passenger compartment (2) is formed from a fixed front section (3) which has the motor vehicle roof (5) and a rear movable sliding module (4) which is movably supported on the body and can be moved to vary the size of the passenger compartment (2) relative to the fixed front section (3) between a short position and a long position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventor: Francois de Gaillard
  • Patent number: 6447044
    Abstract: A sheltered aircraft supply vehicle includes an entrance station located above the cab of the vehicle. The vehicle body is elevatable. A cover system is mounted to the vehicle body and is extended outwardly above the entrance station when the body is elevated. The cover system includes a roof section disposed over the entrance station and includes downwardly depending wings which contact side walls of the entrance station to create a closed tunnel between the vehicle body and an aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: Cramaro Tarpaulin Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Bob Buker, Michael Cramaro
  • Publication number: 20020078987
    Abstract: This invention comprises a parked vehicle shade device called an auto sun buffer zone, which provides a buffer zone to keep the vehicle cool when parked outdoors under the sun. The shade device covers the top, front windshield, rear window, side windows, trunk and hood (all the upper surfaces) of the vehicle. A space (buffer zone) is provided between the top of the vehicle and the shade device, which provides a zone through which air can pass, which is more effective in cooling. The shade device provides protection to occupants in a parked vehicle sitting in the sun, and to the interior and exterior of an unoccupied vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventor: Gus Montes
  • Publication number: 20020079718
    Abstract: A convertible top for covering part of a passenger compartment of a land vehicle. The convertible top includes a retractable frame that retracts forwardly toward a permanent top section. The retractable frame is covered by a flexible cover and a rigid rear member moves longitudinally as the convertible top is moved between an extended and retracted position. The rigid rear member includes track followers that are moved in longitudinally extending tracks on the rear portion of the vehicle body. The retractable frame may be either a parallel bar expanding linkage, or telescoping slide supports.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventor: Frank G. Neubrand
  • Patent number: 6325447
    Abstract: An electric lift camper top is provided for covering a rectangular head clearance opening (31) in a vehicle top structure for camper modification. The camper top consists of a bottom frame (32), including compression springs (38), attached to the vehicle surrounding the opening with a top frame (42) which is in turn attached to the compression springs urging the frames apart. A roof (54) is attached onto the top frame covering the opening in the vehicle. A flexible wall (58) is attached to both the top and bottom frame, securing them together forming a sealed enclosed area, when extended, to allow head room within the vehicle interior. Raising and lowering linkage means, employing front and rear connecting arms (78) and (80) are also jointly attached to the top and bottom frame. Electric drive means, in the form of an electric motor (82) and worm gear (84), are attached to the linkage such that the connecting arms are angularly separated raising or lowering the roof electrically using vehicle electric power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Inventor: Ming C. Kuo
  • Patent number: 6213137
    Abstract: An umbrella opening device for a vehicle includes a casing slidably received in a housing and moved inward and outward of the housing with a motor. A follower is rotatably received in the casing for supporting an an umbrella with a support. A motor is coupled to the follower for rotating the follower and the support and the umbrella to an erect position and to open the umbrella above the driver or the passenger. The casing has a rack engaged with a gear of the motor for being moved relative to the housing by the motor. A cover may be opened by the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Inventor: Tzu-Nan Wang
  • Patent number: 6206451
    Abstract: A retractable automobile shade device having a pair of sun shade panels for covering the front and rear of the vehicle which retract within a rectangular housing. The housing is mounted on the roof of the vehicle via special clamps which attach to the luggage rack or the rain gutters. Each shade panel has a pull handle located on the end for manual deployment. An optional privacy screen that surrounds and encloses the vehicle adds further protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2001
    Inventor: Arnold Kawika Maano