Patents Assigned to Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
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Patent number: 8459721Abstract: A top for a convertible motor vehicle includes a top linkage operable to move the top between a closed position and an open position. The top linkage includes at least one functional component having a first position and a second position. The functional component is generally in the first position at a start of the opening movement and at the start of the closing movement, and also at an end of an opening movement and at the end of the closing movement. The functional component is moved from the first position to the second position for at least a portion of the opening movement and of the closing movement when the top linkage is between the open and closed positions. The movement of the functional component from the first position to the second position provides clearance for at least one element that moves during movement of the top linkage.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2008Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbHInventors: Juergen Theuerkauf, Norbert Habacker, Michael Schroeder, Andreas Baumeier
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Patent number: 8366174Abstract: A convertible vehicle has a movable top with a sunroof part that is movable with respect to the surrounding top region. The sunroof part has a closed position and an open position, as well as an interference-preventing position and an intermediate position. The top is movable from the top closed position with the sunroof part in the closed position and the top is movable from the top closed position with the sunroof part in the open position.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2008Date of Patent: February 5, 2013Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbHInventor: Holger Hilbk
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Patent number: 8235448Abstract: This invention relates to a convertible vehicle having a movable roof supported by lateral linkage parts. An inner lining or headliner faces the passenger compartment when the roof is closed. The outer transverse margins of the headliner extend below and contact lateral sections, which also serve as carriers for seals for the side window panes.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2008Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbHInventors: Markus Richter, Heiner Bensmann, Holger Schramm
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Patent number: 8162378Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle with a roof, comprising a moving flexible roof region, provided with a cover, embodied such that the roof comprises a further roof region separate from the flexible region and divided into rigid roof sections, whereby in the fully open roof position the flexible roof region lies below a rigid roof section extending over the same in the form of a cover.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2006Date of Patent: April 24, 2012Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbHInventor: Nils Kreiling
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Patent number: 8132841Abstract: A convertible vehicle has a movable top with a sunroof part that is movable with respect to the surrounding top region. The sunroof part has a closed position and an open position, as well as an interference-preventing position and an intermediate position. The sunroof part is moved to the interference-preventing position during at least part of the movement of the top from the top closed position to the top open position and is moved to the intermediate position when in the top open position.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2008Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbHInventors: Joerg Steuernagel, Marian Dziubiel, Morten Goedecke, Thomas Oberhoff
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Patent number: 8132840Abstract: A motor vehicle with a center drive tonneau cover assembly for covering a convertible top in a stored configuration is provided. The assembly has a tonneau cover with a linkage system that pivotally couples the cover to the vehicle. The linkage system can have a center link that is located generally along a longitudinal center portion of the vehicle body. The linkage system is operable to move the tonneau cover between a closed position and the open position in which the center link occupies free space between the tonneau cover and the convertible top in the stored configuration within the storage compartment. In addition, with the center link provides free space between a side portion of the tonneau cover and an adjacent portion of a side body panel of the vehicle body.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2009Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbHInventor: Frank Neubrand
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Patent number: 8132329Abstract: A method and tool for mass manufacturing convertible roofs having an outer shell, a frame and lateral linkage parts for supporting the outer shell, the outer shell including at least two outer shell parts is provided. The method includes the steps of providing an upper tool fixture and a lower tool fixture, aligning and assembling the frame and outer shell in the lower tool fixture such that the frame and outer shell are upside down, aligning and assembling connection members onto the frame part so the roof can fittingly engage the windshield frame when the roof is in a closed position, and lowering the lateral linkage parts onto the assembled frame and outer shell using the upper tool fixture.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2006Date of Patent: March 13, 2012Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbHInventors: Jörg Hälker, Johannes Dreising, Paul Lothar
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Publication number: 20120007384Abstract: A folding top (3) for a convertible is disclosed, with at least two roof segments (7), which can be moved by means of a folding top linkage (11) between a closed position covering a passenger compartment (10) and an open position uncovering at least some areas of the passenger compartment (10), and with an interior ceiling (15) facing the passenger compartment (10), which has at least one zone (18) that is loosely guided relative to at least one roof segment (7). At least one wire-type shaping element (19) cooperates with the interior ceiling (15) in order to shape the interior ceiling (15).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2009Publication date: January 12, 2012Applicant: Wilhelm Karmann GmbHInventors: Markus Richter, Udo Rademacher
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Patent number: 8056956Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 12, 2006Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbHInventor: Udo Heselhaus
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Patent number: 8056957Abstract: A convertible top includes a linkage assembly that is movable between an extended position and a retracted position, with a mid position defined therebetween. A spring system assists movement of the linkage assembly from the extended position to the mid position and also from the retracted position to the mid position.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2010Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbHInventors: Frank Neubrand, Ryan Mitchell, Wolfgang Richter, Holger Schramm, Sven Hollenbeck
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Patent number: 8038200Abstract: A cabriolet includes a displaceable roof that can be secured in its closed position on a windscreen frame. To secure the roof, the cabriolet is equipped with at least two displaceable engagement bodies and at least one associated drive, which interacts with the engagement bodies to transmit the drive force via intermediary elements having a component that extends in the transverse direction of the vehicle. The drive includes a drive member, which is generally parallel to the transverse direction of the vehicle on the plane of the intermediary elements and which is used to displace a gear that controls the displacement of one or more intermediary elements by means of a coupling member that lies on the plane of the drive member.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 2005Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbHInventors: Jörg Plassmeyer, Heinrich Selle, Ralf Buecker, Dirk Flaspöhler, Hermann Heidtmann, Udo Heselhaus
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Publication number: 20110227364Abstract: A convertible top includes a linkage assembly that is movable between an extended position and a retracted position, with a mid position defined therebetween. A spring system assists movement of the linkage assembly from the extended position to the mid position and also from the retracted position to the mid position.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2010Publication date: September 22, 2011Applicant: Wilhelm Karmann GmbHInventors: Frank Neubrand, Ryan Mitchell, Wolfgang Richter, Holger Schramm, Sven Hollenbeck
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Patent number: 8020916Abstract: The invention relates to a convertible vehicle with at least two roof sections; that, when the roof is closed, are situated one behind the other with regard to the direction of travel (F), of which, when roof section that is situated behind the other section when the roof is closed, at least one separately openable part of the or a roof section, which is situated in front of roof section, can be displaced with a component pointing toward the rear, and the convertible vehicle is ready to be driven when the roof sections are in this position.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2005Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbHInventors: Winfried Bunsmann, Klaus Russke
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Patent number: 8002326Abstract: A linkage of a convertible top supports a portion of a cover and provides movement of the top between an extended position extending over a passenger compartment and a retracted position. A rear bow supports a rear edge of the cover and articulates the rear edge of the cover during movement of the top between the extended and retracted positions. The top also includes a backlight assembly having a rear window and supporting a rear portion of the cover. The backlight assembly forms part of an articulating mechanism that moves the rear bow.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2007Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbHInventor: Frank Neubrand
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Patent number: 7992302Abstract: A lower tool frame is used in manufacturing a plurality of convertible roofs. Structural roof parts are disposed in the lower tool frame upside down with respect to their use position. Forward connection parts are provided for selectively connecting the forward end of the convertible roof to a windshield frame and rearward connection parts are provided for attaching the rearward end of the convertible roof to a vehicle body. A single upper tool frame is lowerable onto the lower tool and is used to position the forward and rearward connection parts with respect to the structural roof parts. The single upper tool frame is used to assemble all of the convertible roofs for a series of vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2008Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbHInventor: Jorg Halker
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Patent number: 7959208Abstract: A convertible soft top for a motor vehicle is provided. The convertible soft top has a front portion and a rear portion. The front portion has a header element that can attach to a frame around a front window of the motor vehicle and a pair of in-folding side rails. The in-folding side rails afford for the length of the front portion to be reduced and allow for the front portion to be stored on top of the rear portion in a clam shell configuration.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2008Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbHInventor: Frank Neubrand
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Publication number: 20110127758Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle with a roof, comprising a moving flexible roof region, provided with a cover, embodied such that the roof comprises a further roof region separate from the flexible region and divided into rigid roof sections, whereby in the fully open roof position the flexible roof region lies below a rigid roof section extending over the same in the form of a cover.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 2, 2006Publication date: June 2, 2011Applicant: Wilhelm Karmann GmbHInventor: Nils Kreiling
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Patent number: 7950718Abstract: A convertible soft top for a motor vehicle is provided. The convertible soft top has a front portion and a rear portion, the top also having and movable between an extended position and a retracted position. The top includes a fabric cover that extends across the front portion and the rear portion, the fabric cover forming a pair of spaced apart fins that extend from the front portion in a rearwardly direction when the top is in the extended position. The convertible soft top is dimensioned such that a motor vehicle with a conventional opening for heretofor convertible tops can be used with the soft top of the instant invention.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2008Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbHInventor: Frank Neubrand
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Patent number: 7922232Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle (1) provided with a roof (2) comprising at least one part (3) which is fully movable for the opening thereof and extends from an area adjacent to a windscreen frame (4) to the rear particularly rigid part (5) of the roof. The inventive motor vehicle is characterized in that the movable part (3) of the roof, which is otherwise in a closed position, can be raised in the back area thereof.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2003Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbHInventor: Udo Heselhaus
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Patent number: 7909385Abstract: The invention relates to a convertible vehicle (1) provided with a roof (2) which comprises at least one rigid rear part (3) provided with a rear screen (4) and displaceable, independent of a roof area (5) which is arranged therebefore, in the direction of travel (F). The inventive convertible vehicle is characterized in that the roof area (5) arranged before the rear part (3) in the direction of travel (F) comprises at least two parts of the roof (6, 7) which are arranged in tandem when the roof is closed, displaceable at least partially on each other in order to be opened and can be stored is said connected position in the body (8).Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2003Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbHInventor: Klaus Russke