Patents Assigned to Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
  • Patent number: 8894137
    Abstract: Open roof construction for a vehicle having a roof assembly with a panel and a mechanism for closing and opening a roof opening. The moving mechanism comprises two stationary guides extending at least partly in a non-parallel manner along opposite longitudinal edges of the roof opening and two pivot arms each having a first end movably attached to the panel and a second end connected to one of the stationary guides. Each pivot arm is provided with at least one guide member, whereas the movable panel comprises at least two guide parts along which the guide members will move when the respective pivot arms pivot around a respective pivot axis. The shape of said guide parts is such that as a result of the cooperation between corresponding guide members and guide parts the movable panel may be moved in a vertical and/or horizontal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Peter Christiaan Leonardus Johannes Manders, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Patent number: 8870276
    Abstract: A locking mechanism for a movable member of an open roof construction for a vehicle comprises a stationary part having a first guide, a locking lever movable in a first direction drives said movable member and locks and an operating part movable in said first direction to control the locking lever. The locking lever comprises a first cam engaging the first guide comprising a first guide part extending substantially parallel to said first direction and a second guide part connecting to said first guide part in a second direction and capable of receiving the first cam of the locking lever to prevent movement of the locking lever. The operating part generates a force on the locking lever in/opposite the second direction when the operating part is moved in a first/second sense along said first direction, such that the first cam moves into/out of the locking second guide part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Ruud Geurts, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Publication number: 20140311690
    Abstract: A rollo assembly is provided, comprising a winding shaft defining an axis of rotation and a flexible rollo screen of which a first end is attached to the winding shaft, such that the rollo screen by an appropriate rotation of the winding shaft around its axis of rotation may be wound on or off the winding shaft. Part of the rollo screen wound off from the winding shaft extends along a certain path. The winding shaft is movable in a direction perpendicularly to its axis of rotation in such a manner that the part of the rollo screen wound off from the winding shaft always extends substantially along the same path independently from the amount of rollo screen wound off from the winding shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Applicant: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventor: Theordorus Wilhelmus Camps
  • Patent number: 8864219
    Abstract: In a method for connecting two objects, comprising applying to at least one of said objects a volume of an adhesive of the type which, when cured, is flexible and thereafter a step of bringing the other of said objects in contact with said volume of adhesive, there is the additional step of, before applying said volume of adhesive, providing a stiffening device extending from and attached to the object to which said volume is to be applied and with a height which is less than the height of the completed volume of adhesive, after which additional step the volume of adhesive is applied around said stiffening device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventor: Carolus Theodorus Wilhelmus Petrus Jansen
  • Patent number: 8857903
    Abstract: A roof system includes a closure that opens a roof opening in a vehicle. An operating mechanism for the closure includes a first device including a lever configured to move the rear edge of the closure towards a raised position above the roof. A second device includes a lever configured to move the front edge of the closure in a vertical direction. At least one of the levers has a first pivotal connection at a first end of the closure, and spaced second and third connections connecting the respective lever at least to a guiding slide. At least one of the levers is pivotally connected to a sliding member at one of said second and third connections. The sliding member is separate from the guiding slide, slides in the longitudinal direction of the guide rail and is supported by the guide rail in directions perpendicularly to the longitudinal sliding direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Ruud Geurts
  • Patent number: 8840174
    Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle is provided, comprising a stationary roof, a roof opening provided therein, a movable panel for opening and closing said roof opening and two stationary guides positioned along opposite longitudinal edges of the roof opening for guiding two guide shoes provided close to the forward edge of the movable panel. The guides each comprise at least a vertically extending guide part for a guiding cooperation with a corresponding vertically extending guide shoe part. The guide shoes are attached to the movable panel in a substantially vertically and horizontally adjustable manner by means of substantially transversally extending adjustment screws. In a position of the movable panel fully closing the roof opening the adjustment screws are covered by the stationary guides as seen in a transverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Eduardus Christianus Henricus Van Boxtel
  • Patent number: 8833835
    Abstract: A shading assembly for shading an opening with at least two opposite opening sides in a structure comprises a flexible shading member which is movable between a position completely covering said opening and a position at least partially freeing said opening. Said flexible shading member is defined by two shading member parts which each have a first edge connected to one of said opposite opening sides and an opposite second edge, wherein said second edges of both shading member parts together define an elongate releasable connection device of the type further comprising a movable operating member which upon movement along said second edges connects or disconnects said second edges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Peter Christiaan Leonardus Johannes Manders, Stephan Christiaan Vervoort
  • Publication number: 20140246884
    Abstract: An open roof system for a vehicle comprises at least first and second movable elements, each movable between a retracted and a deployed position. At least two drive cable assemblies transfer the motor torque to said movable elements. The drive cable assemblies comprise a flexible first part having first and second ends, the first part being driven by a motor. The first end portion of the flexible first part connects to one of the first and secondmovable elements, and a first guiding channel guides the second end. The drive cable assembly further comprises an elongated second part, guided in a second guiding channel to one of the first and second movable elements and connected thereto. During at least part of the operation, the elongated second part moves substantially in the same direction as an end portion of the first part of the cable assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Peter Christiaan Leonardus Johannes Manders
  • Patent number: 8814259
    Abstract: A frame for an open roof construction is provided, said frame comprising at least one channel member for guiding a drive member, such as a drive cable. Said channel member, as seen in cross section, comprises a base part which is defined by a corresponding local depression of the frame and a cover part connected to said base part. The connection between said base part and said cover part is continuous over the length of said channel member. It is possible that the cover part is connected to the base part through die slide injection molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventor: Timothy Scott Lawrence
  • Publication number: 20140203598
    Abstract: An assembly is provided for operatively connecting a first object which is capable of a to and fro movement, with a second object, in such a manner that the second object, when connected to the first object, will move in correspondence with the first object. The first and second objects are provided with first and second facing ends, respectively, provided with cooperating first and second coupling provisions, respectively, wherein at least one of said objects is housed in a guide. The coupling provision of at least one of said facing ends is capable of cooperation with said guide for moving said coupling provision from a first position disengaging the other coupling provision to a second position engaging the other coupling provision in which both objects are connected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Eduardus Christianus Hendricus Van Boxtel, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Publication number: 20140175840
    Abstract: A vehicle open roof construction includes a closure element movably supported and adjusted by a driving slide. A front longitudinal guide track extends along a roof opening, whereas a rear longitudinal guide track is mounted at least substantially rearward of the roof opening. A front support which is movably guided by said front longitudinal guide track supports the closure element, while a rear support also supports the closure element and includes a lifting device and a guiding device for engagement in said rear longitudinal track upon rearward movement of the closure element. The lifting device and the guiding device are integrated as a rotatable element. A forcing mechanism determines whether the rotatable element acts either as the lifting device or the guiding device. The rotatable element is adjustable in vertical direction with respect to and independently of the rear guide track when the movable element acts as the lifting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Martinus Wilhemus Maria Nabuurs, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Patent number: 8757710
    Abstract: A roof assembly for a vehicle roof opening comprises a pair of guide rails extending in a non-parallel way and at a distance from each other. At least one closure element is adjustable in order to at least cover and at least partly open the opening. At least one pair of sliding elements opposite of each other on each of opposite sides of the closure element is provided for slidably engaging in the respective guide rail. The sliding elements are slidably connected to the closure element in a substantially lateral direction. A biasing device is used for biasing the sliding elements relative to the closure element in a substantially lateral direction by being attached to the closure element on one end and being operatively connected to each pair of opposite sliding elements on the other end with interposition of a synchronizing device equalizing the movements of the sliding elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventor: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Publication number: 20140130992
    Abstract: A rollo assembly comprises a rollo screen with opposite longitudinal ends and opposite transverse ends, a winding shaft for winding and unwinding the rollo screen at one of said longitudinal ends, a pull beam connected to the other one of said longitudinal ends and two longitudinal guides for cooperation with the transverse ends of the rollo screen and for guiding the pull beam. At least one support member for the rollo screen extends underneath the rollo screen between two opposite longitudinal support member guides. The support member moves in said longitudinal direction along the support member guides when the rollo scrieen moves between its fully wound position and a partially wound off position, and is kept stationary in an end position when the rollo screen moves between its partially wound off position and its fully wound off position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventor: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
  • Publication number: 20140132026
    Abstract: A rollo assembly is provided, comprising a rotatable winding shaft and a flexible sun screen having forward and rearward ends. The rearward end of the sun screen can be wound on or off the winding shaft and the forward end of the sun screen is provided with an operating beam. The winding shaft is received in a housing that comprises an opening for the passage of the sun screen with a length at least substantially corresponding with a transversal width of the sun screen. The operating beam at its side facing towards the housing carries a sealing member extending above the sun screen transversally over a length at least substantially corresponding with the length of the opening in the housing, for engaging the housing when the sun screen is maximally wound onto the winding shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 11, 2013
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Mark Broeren, Marinus Wilhelmus Maria Nabuurs
  • Publication number: 20140117725
    Abstract: Open roof construction for a vehicle is provided, comprising a roof opening provided in a stationary roof part of the vehicle and movable means for opening and closing the roof opening. At least a first and second drive member are provided for cooperation with the movable means, which at least first and second drive member are movable in a direction of the vehicle by a common drive source and are spaced in said direction. At least one elongate buckling resistant member is provided extending substantially in said direction and movable between a disconnect position in which the first and second drive members of the movable means are operatively disconnected and a connect position for operatively connecting the first and second drive members of the movable means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Alphonsus Theodorus Bernardus Rooijakkers, Theodorus Gerardus Franciscus Van Rooij
  • Publication number: 20140097646
    Abstract: An open roof construction includes at least one closure element for selectively opening and closing a roof opening and a wind deflector assembly having a wind deflector arm pivotally connected to a stationary part and a wind deflector body extending in a transverse direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. A spring biases the wind deflector assembly in an upward direction to a first, operative position, in which the wind deflector body is positioned above the surface of the roof opening, from a second, inoperative position in which the wind deflector body is positioned in a storage position, below the surface of the roof. At least one guiding clamp guides the wind deflector assembly, at least during a part of the movement from the first operative position to the second inoperative position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventor: Alexander Nienkemper
  • Patent number: 8689853
    Abstract: A sunshade assembly comprises a flexible sunscreen having two opposite lateral edges, a forward edge and a rearward edge. A rotatable winding shaft is provided for winding and unwinding the sunscreen at its rearward edge, and an operating beam connected to the forward edge of the sunscreen as well as two spaced guiding members cooperating with the opposite lateral edges of the sunscreen. The sunscreen near to each lateral edge is provided with a receiving arrangement for slideably receiving a tensioning member. Each receiving arrangement extends bow-shaped with its outer ends closer to the respective lateral edge than its parts between said outer ends. Each tensioning member further is a longitudinal member extending through a corresponding receiving arrangement and being tensioned in its longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Petrus Martinus Josephus Clephas, Michael Cornelis Anthonius Relouw, Harry Schrans
  • Publication number: 20140084638
    Abstract: A drive mechanism comprising a guide channel and a cooperating slide shoe the which guide channel comprises a first part extending in a substantially horizontal direction configured to move the shoe on a first level and a second part extending downwardly relative to said substantially horizontal direction configured to move the shoe to a lower second level an elongate drive member is attached to the shoe and extends along the channel, substantially in parallel to the first part of the channel. At least one portion of the shoe moves relative to the remainder of the shoe so as not to interfere with the drive member when the shoe is positioned at the lower second level. The drive member is located within the vertical projection at a level above the level assumed by the lowermost part of the guide shoe when the guide shoe is positioned at the lower second level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Ruud Geurts
  • Publication number: 20140084637
    Abstract: A drive mechanism includes a guide channel and a slide shoe. The guide channel comprises a first part extending in a substantially horizontal direction for moving the shoe on a first level, and a second part extending downwardly relative to the horizontal direction for moving the shoe to a lower second level. A drive member attaches to the shoe and extends along the channel, substantially parallel to the first part. The guide channel defines two spaced guide channel parts cooperating with two corresponding guide shoe parts. The guide shoe between its spaced guide shoe parts includes a recess allowing the guide shoe to move from the first to the second level without engaging the drive member. The drive member is located within the vertical projection at a level above the level assumed by at least one of the guide shoe parts when the guide shoe is at its second level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Ruud Geurts
  • Patent number: 8668256
    Abstract: The application discloses a panel assembly for use in a open roof construction for a vehicle. The panel assembly comprises a panel main body, and at least one reinforcement member positioned in the vicinity of at least a part of the edges of said panel main body, and firmly connected thereto by means of a part molded in a molding process to said panel main body and said reinforcement member. A provision is made for locally at least reducing adherence of the moldable material to said reinforcement member and/or said panel main body during molding. There is also disclosed a method of manufacturing the panel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventor: Sander De Bie