Patents Assigned to Magna Car Top Systems GmbH
  • Patent number: 7354104
    Abstract: A soft-top for a motor vehicle includes a cover and a support frame. The support frame has at least two parts supporting the cover. The at least two parts are movable relative to one another between a clamped position and a folded position such that the support frame is movable between the clamped position in which the support frame is extended with the cover thereon and the folded position in which the support frame is folded with the cover thereon upon. An adjustment device adjusts the at least two parts to move the support frame with the cover thereon between the clamped and the folded positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Wojciech Wezyk, Berthold Klein, Thomas Halbweiss, Waleri Katrini
  • Publication number: 20080074895
    Abstract: A vehicle roof includes a convertible folding top having roof segments and a C-pillar. The roof segments have an inner roof lining which adjoins the C-pillar. The folding top is movable between a closed position in which the roof segments, the C-pillar, and the inner roof lining are extended and an opened position in which the roof segments, the C-pillar, and the inner roof lining are folded. A lamp is situated in an opening of one of the inner roof lining and the C-pillar. The lamp has a light within a spacing between a lamp housing and a lamp cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: MAGNA CAR TOP SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Thomas Halbweiss, Gunter Kretzmer
  • Patent number: 7344179
    Abstract: Linkages of a vehicle hardtop having two main links. The two main links have link attachments to a main bearing. The link attachments are offset with respect to each other in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. The first main link is connected to the front link attachment of the main bearing. The second main link is a C-pillar link that is attached to and moves with the rear roof part of the hardtop. An intermediate link connects the second main link to the main bearing. A connection link connects the intermediate link to the first main link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Marcus Papendorf, Gernot Bruder
  • Patent number: 7344180
    Abstract: A convertible vehicle includes a roof having roof parts including a rear roof part. The roof is movable between a closed position in which the parts cover the vehicle and a stored position in which the parts are stacked within a storage compartment of the vehicle. A trunk lid opens and closes the compartment. The rear roof part includes C-pillars on respective sides of the vehicle and a window. The window is independently movable from the rear roof part between a normal position in which the window lies between the C-pillars and a raised position in which the window lies outside of the rear roof part. An adjusting device connected between the rear roof part and the window moves the window between the normal and raised positions. A storage shelf connected to the trunk lid extends below the rear roof part into the vehicle when the roof is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Halbweiss, Robert Koschien
  • Patent number: 7334831
    Abstract: A convertible top for a vehicle includes a folding top frame. The folding top frame has a transversely extending front bow and a pair of oppositely disposed first and second side rails. The front bow has first and second ends. The folding top frame is movable between a closed position in which the folding top frame is longitudinally extended and a stored position in which the folding top frame is folded. The convertible top further includes first and second rotary joints each having a transversely extending swivel axis. The rotary joints respectively link the ends of the front bow to the side rails such that the front bow swivels about the transversely extending swivel axes of the rotary joints as the folding top frame moves between the closed and stored positions in order to reduce space requirements in the stored position of the folding top frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Wojciech Wezyk, Thomas Halbweiss, Berthold Klein
  • Publication number: 20080042467
    Abstract: A multipart roof for a vehicle is adjustable on a vehicle body between a closed position and an opened position. The roof includes a front roof part and a rear roof part. The roof parts are movable via a lever such that in the opened position of the roof the front roof part assumes an upright position in a storage compartment of the vehicle. The lever includes a coupling gear having multiple gear elements to effect the open position of the roof parts. The gear elements are in mechanical linkage with the vehicle body and with the front roof part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: MAGNA CAR TOP SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Gernot Bruder, Philipp Wolf
  • Patent number: 7325858
    Abstract: A folding top assembly includes roof and transmission systems. The roof system includes a main link for rotatably coupling a roof to a vehicle. The main link includes a first end for coupling to the roof and a second end for rotatably coupling to the vehicle such that the main link is rotatable to move the roof between closed and opened positions. The transmission system includes tilting and drive levers. The tilting lever has two arms and a center. The second tilting arm and the first drive lever end are rotatably coupled to one another, the second drive lever end and an extension of the second main link end are rotatably coupled to one another, and the tilting center is rotatable such that the tilting lever, the drive lever, and the main link rotate to move the roof upon the first tilting arm being actuated by the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Marcus Papendorf, Gernot Bruder, Holger Roder
  • Publication number: 20080006665
    Abstract: A bicycle carrier includes a base holder mountable to a vehicle and a support holder for holding a bicycle. The holders both include front and rear frames which extend transversely to a longitudinal vehicle direction. The support holder is movable in the longitudinal direction between a neutral position in which the holders extend over one another and an operating position in which the holders extend out from one another. The front frames meet when the support holder is in the neutral position and the rear frames meet when the support holder is in the operating position. A switch has a pair of switching components respectively located on one of the pair of front frames or the pair of rear frames. The switching components contact one another to activate the switch when the pair of frames meet and the switch actuates an indicator device upon being activated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Applicant: MAGNA CAR TOP SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Harald Bergerhoff, Michael Waller, Gerald Hahn
  • Publication number: 20080007084
    Abstract: A cover assembly for the stowage compartment of a vehicle roof movable between a covered position in which the roof covers the vehicle interior and a stowage position in which the roof is lowered into the stowage compartment. A swivel arm connects middle and cover sections such that the cover section is movable upon movement of the swivel arm relative to the middle section between the covered position in which the cover section is disposed to a side of the middle section and the stowage position in which the cover section is disposed beneath the middle section. In the covered position the cover section is supportable on the body of the vehicle. A floating bearing supports the cover section on the end of the swivel arm connected to the cover section such that the cover section is adjustable along X, Y, and Z axes relative to the swivel arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Applicant: MAGNA CAR TOP SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Holger Roeder, Michael Neuberger
  • Publication number: 20080006667
    Abstract: A bicycle carrier for a vehicle includes a holding column and a support device. The holding column is movable between a horizontal position and an upright position. The holding column is operable for receiving a crank arm of a pedal of a bicycle when the holding column is in the upright position. The support device fixes the holding column in the upright position when the holding column is in the upright position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Applicant: MAGNA CAR TOP SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Harald Bergerhoff, Michael Waller, Gerald Hahn
  • Publication number: 20080006664
    Abstract: A bicycle carrier includes a base holder mountable to a vehicle and a support holder for holding a bicycle. The support holder is movably connected to the base holder to be movable along a longitudinal direction of the vehicle between a neutral position in which the holders extend over one another and an operating position in which the support holder extends out from the base holder. A tail light is movably connected to the support holder to be movable between a stored position in which the tail light is stowed in the support holder when the support holder is in the neutral position and a functional position in which the tail light extends out from the support holder and is orientated transversely to the longitudinal vehicle direction when the support holder is in the operating position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Applicant: MAGNA CAR TOP SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Harald Bergerhoff, Michael Waller, Gerald Hahn
  • Publication number: 20080006663
    Abstract: A bicycle carrier for a vehicle includes a support holder for holding a bicycle aligned transversely to a longitudinal direction of a vehicle. A retaining bracket connected to the support holder has a guide holder and retaining bracket sections. The bracket sections are movably connected to the guide holder to move transversely to the longitudinal vehicle direction. The bracket sections hold respective wheels of a bicycle held on the support holder. Fixing elements are respectively connected to the retaining bracket and a corresponding bracket section. Each fixing element includes a locking member movable between a locked position in which the fixing element locks the corresponding bracket section in place and an unlocked position in which the fixing element unlocks the corresponding bracket section. Actuating mechanisms respectively associated with the fixing elements are operable to move the locking member of the corresponding fixing element between the locked and unlocked positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Applicant: MAGNA CAR TOP SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Harald Bergerhoff, Michael Waller, Gerald Hahn
  • Publication number: 20080007040
    Abstract: A bicycle holder for a vehicle includes a holding element for receiving a crank arm of a pedal of a bicycle when the crank arm is brought into a vertical position and inserted into the holding element. A stop member is operable with the holding element such that a crank arm inserted into the holding element is vertically supported on the stop member. A control element is fixed to the stop member. The control element applies pressure transversely to a crank arm inserted into the holding element. The control element has first and second actuators supported on opposite sides of a crank arm inserted into the holding element. Each of the actuators is vertically movable relative to the holding element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Applicant: MAGNA CAR TOP SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Eberhard Maucher, Sandro Hans, Gerald Hahn
  • Publication number: 20080006662
    Abstract: A bicycle carrier includes a base holder mountable to a vehicle, a support holder for holding a bicycle, and a fixing device. The base holder includes first and second guide rails. The support holder includes first and second support rails. The support rails movably engage with the guide rails such that the support holder is movable between a neutral position in which the support holder extends over the base holder and an operating position in which the support holder extends from the base holder. The fixing device can act on the first rails to disrupt the movable engagement between these rails. The fixing device is actuatable between an unlocked position in which the first rails are movable relative to one another and a locked position in which the first rails are locked in place while the support holder is in the operating position to lock the support holder in place.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Publication date: January 10, 2008
    Applicant: MAGNA CAR TOP SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Harald Bergerhoff, Michael Waller, Gerald Hahn
  • Patent number: 7309099
    Abstract: A roof assembly for a vehicle includes a roof having roof parts. A rod kinematic system is connected to the roof parts to move the roof parts between a closed position of the roof in which the roof parts adjoin one another along a planar level to thereby cover the vehicle interior and a stored position of the roof in which the roof parts stack on top of one another to thereby expose the vehicle interior. First and second locking devices are associated with the roof parts. The locking devices have locking elements which engage one another to lock the stacked roof parts together when the roof is in the stored position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Netzel, Michael Neuberger
  • Patent number: 7309097
    Abstract: A covering apparatus protects motor vehicle occupants from an openable roof of the vehicle in which the roof is movable along an enveloping surface between a stored position in which the roof is opened and a closed position in which the roof is closed. The apparatus includes a cover movable between a rest position in which the cover is stowed and a protecting position in which the cover is extended, wherein the cover moves between the rest position and the protecting position without intersecting the enveloping surface of the roof prior to or during movement of the roof between the stored and closed positions of the roof. In the resting position, the cover is located between the vehicle interior and the enveloping surface formed by the opening and closing motion of the roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Berthold Klein, Emil Schnell, Thomas Halbweiss
  • Publication number: 20070284911
    Abstract: A soft top roof for a vehicle includes a top cover with a window pane. A fastening section borders at least part of the window pane. A clamping part clamps the top cover to the fastening section in order to connect the top cover and the window pane. The clamping part has a hollow space into which a portion of the top cover projects. A casting mass within the hollow space holds the portion of the top cover projecting into the hollow space such that the casting mass fixes the top cover to the fastening section and thereby connects the top cover to the window pane by material bonding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2007
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Applicant: MAGNA CAR TOP SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Konrad Herz, Guenter Kretzmer
  • Publication number: 20070284910
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a roof having roof parts, a roof kinematic system, and a transmission kinematic system. The roof parts are movable between a closed position covering the vehicle interior and a stored position exposing the vehicle interior. The roof kinematics system has a guide rod pivotably supported about a vehicle body-side rotary joint and pivotably supported to a roof part to movably connect the roof part to the vehicle such that upon actuation of the rod the roof kinematic system moves the roof part. The transmission kinematic system has a spring and a displaceable tensioning lever. The spring is connected to the rod and the lever. When the spring is pretensioned the spring acts upon the rod with a swivel torque about the rotary joint to actuate the rod to move the roof part. The lever places the spring under pretension upon being displaced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Publication date: December 13, 2007
    Applicant: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Gernot Bruder
  • Publication number: 20070262605
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a roof, a roof part kinematic system (RPKS), and a transmission kinematic system (TKS). The roof includes roof parts movably connected together to be movable between a closed position in which the parts cover the vehicle interior and a stored position in which the roof parts expose the vehicle interior. The RPKS includes a guide rod pivotably supported at one end about a vehicle body-side rotary joint and pivotably supported at another end to one of the parts to movably connect the part to the vehicle such that upon RPKS actuation the RPKS moves the roof part between the positions. The TKS has a spring connected at one end to the guide rod. The spring acts on the guide rod with a swivel torque about the first rotary joint during the part transfer. The spring orientation traverses the first rotary joint during the part transfer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2007
    Publication date: November 15, 2007
    Applicant: MAGNA CAR TOP SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventor: Gernot Bruder
  • Publication number: 20070257521
    Abstract: A removable top system for a vehicle having a front removable roof section and a rear removable roof section. Different removable roof coverings may be interchangeably combined to provide a complete roof for a sport utility vehicle having a permanent hoop dividing the front and rear roof sections. Soft top and hard top roof coverings are selectively provided. Different retraction mechanisms are disclosed for retracting and storing the removable roof sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Publication date: November 8, 2007
    Applicant: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Fallis, Michael Willard