Patents Assigned to Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
  • Patent number: 7909384
    Abstract: An actuation device (30) for a flap element, in particular a variable top receptacle (20), having at least one wall element (22) that is pivotable between a first and a second position, wherein the actuation device comprises a fixedly borne spring element (34) and the spring element traverses a point of maximum deflection between its first and second position by interacting with the wall element (22) during pivoting of the wall element (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventor: Daniel Trost
  • Patent number: 7891728
    Abstract: A motor vehicle, especially a cabriolet vehicle, with a motor vehicle chassis is provided to whose underbody area at least two reinforcing struts are allocated, each of which trends from a chassis attachment with a component in the direction of a vertical longitudinal mid-plane. A connection support is provided free under the underbody and with a distance to it, at which support two of these struts are held in close distance to each other with respect to the vehicle transverse direction, as well as two further struts, which from there extend away, in each case, with a component in the direction of the vertical longitudinal mid-plane, wherein the connection support is angled about at least one axis extending transverse to the vehicle between the mountings for the two struts and the mountings for the two further struts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Franz Westing, Andreas Bente, Vinzenz Partmann
  • Patent number: 7883138
    Abstract: A convertible includes an automobile body and a movable roof having at least a rear roof part and an upper roof part, wherein the rear roof part extends at least between a belt line and the upper roof part. The upper roof part is located above a passenger compartment and in front of the rear roof part. The rear roof part has a middle section that encloses a rear window and is located between lateral main posts of the automobile body when the roof is closed. The main posts and the middle section are each rotationally connected with the automobile body and with the upper roof part by joints which form a multijoint linkage whose axis of rotation lie in a common plane in at least one movement position of the roof, so that at least one additional support of the upper roof part located in front of the rear roof part is provided for supporting the upper roof part with respect to the automobile body, wherein the additional support is active in the at least one movement position of the roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Russke
  • Patent number: 7866726
    Abstract: A convertible top assembly for a motor vehicle includes a rear panel, a front panel and a pair of outer side panels. The front panel is movably coupled to the rear panel and movable relative to the rear panel between an extended position extending between the rear panel and a windshield header of the vehicle and a retracted position stacked with the rear panel. The outer side panels are movably coupled to the rear panel for movement between a use position extending outwardly from opposite sides of the rear panel and a stowed position disposed inwardly from the use position. The convertible top assembly further includes a linkage operatively connecting the front panel and outer side panels so as to cause movement of the outer side panels between the use position and the stowed position in response to movement of the front panel between the extended position and the retracted position, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Neubrand
  • Patent number: 7857374
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cabriolet vehicle having a roof which is provided with lateral roof linkage parts and can be stowed away in the rear of the vehicle. At least one hold-down device acts on the roof linkage parts of the stowed roof and is associated with the body of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Olaf Weismuller, Klaus Russke
  • Patent number: 7849602
    Abstract: A convertible vehicle having a roof moveable between a stored position to a closed position, and method of manufacturing said convertible vehicle. The roof is supported by a pair of lateral main support units fixed to opposite sides of the vehicle body. Each lateral main support unit has a fastening flange movable along a portion thereof for securing the roof to pins disposed on the vehicle body. The convertible roof is manufactured such that the main support units and the linkage parts are assembled upside down on a fixture replicating the vehicle body. Thus alignment of the roof to the vehicle body is ensured. Furthermore manufacturing tolerances are accommodated by moving the fastening flanges along a portion of the lateral main support units such that the fastening flanges are registered to the pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventor: Jörg Hälker
  • Patent number: 7850222
    Abstract: A convertible vehicle with a roof, which includes, in the closed state, a section of a laterally running roof strut on an area directly or indirectly adjacent to the windshield frame that protrudes farther into the passenger compartment than roof areas lying behind it. The section, on a surface facing the passenger compartment, has at least one large-area recess, coverable by at least one deformable covering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Petra Liedmeyer, Uwe Willenborg, Norbert Bahlmann
  • Publication number: 20100289292
    Abstract: A top for a convertible vehicle includes a folding roof which can be moved by a top linkage between a closed position in which it can be fixed to a windshield frame and an open position in which it is stowed in a rear side stowage position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventor: Norbert Habacker
  • Publication number: 20100276965
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Theuerkauf, Norbert Habacker, Michael Schroeder, Andreas Baumeier
  • Patent number: 7819461
    Abstract: A convertible top includes a plurality of panel assemblies movably coupled to each other for movement between a closed position in which the panel assemblies are arranged end to end to cover a passenger compartment of a motor vehicle and an open position in which the panel assemblies are disposed in a storage space adjacent the passenger compartment. Each of the panel assemblies has an outer surface and a fabric trim cover separate from the other of the panel assemblies. The trim covers remain along the outer surface during movement of the top between the closed position and the open position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Hendrik Loetter, Dag Reckhorn
  • Publication number: 20100264685
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventor: Frank Neubrand
  • Patent number: 7806458
    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: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Meinert
  • Patent number: 7806460
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the actuation of at least one pivotable external element of a vehicle, in particular of a top element of a convertible vehicle, with at least one pivot joint and a drive. The drive may be an electric motor which introduces a drive torque directly into the at least one pivot joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Jorg Jahn, Peter Gutendorf, Ansgar Pellenwessel
  • Patent number: 7806459
    Abstract: A convertible vehicle has a vehicle body with a passenger compartment defined therein and a rearward body region with a top storage well defined therein. A movable roof has a closed position extending over the passenger compartment and a stowed position in the top storage well. The top storage well has a base element that is movable between a raised position and a lowered position. The base element covers an intermediate space between the rearward side of the seats and the inner side of the rear roof region when the roof is in the closed position and the base element is in the raised position. A coupling linkage interconnects the base element with the rear roof region such that movement of the roof from the stowed position to the closed position causes movement of the base element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Olaf Weismüller, Udo Heselhaus
  • Publication number: 20100230995
    Abstract: The invention relates to a convertible vehicle (1) comprising a displaceable roof (2) that can be opened as a whole in relation to its opening. Said displaceable roof (2) comprises a sunroof (4) that can be displaced in relation to a surrounding roof part (5) when the roof is in the closed position. Said convertible vehicle is configured in such a manner that it is possible to directly open the roof from a closed position when the roof part (4) is open as well as from a closed position when the roof part (4) is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Applicant: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventor: Holger Hilbk
  • Publication number: 20100225146
    Abstract: This invention relates to a convertible vehicle comprising a mobile roof which is held by means of lateral bars in such a way that it can move in relation to the vehicle body, and comprises a lining layer, i.e. a headliner, facing the passenger compartment. Said vehicle is embodied in such a way that, when the roof is closed, the outer transversal edges of the headliner extend below lateral profiled elements and against same, said profiled elements being used as carriers for seals for side window panes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2008
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: WILHELM KARMANN GMBH
    Inventors: Markus Richter, Heiner Bensmann, Holger Schramm
  • Patent number: 7784849
    Abstract: A convertible vehicle with at least two successive roof sections that are separated on their exterior surface at a groove when the roof is closed, with a rear roof section being displaceable rearwards and downwards for the opening of the roof and a roof section arranged in front of it being movable towards the rear roof section. The rear roof section, being divided into a central section and externally located frame parts, is designed in such a way that the forward roof section is supported by the central section and the frame parts are appended in the groove area and can be lifted during the opening of the roof from a common plane with the central section in such a way that the frame parts are dislocated rearwards and, at least in parts, downward opposite the central section when the roof is open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Westermann, Jürgen Theuerkauf
  • Patent number: 7784850
    Abstract: A convertible with a roof, which can be displaced longitudinally in an approximately horizontal position towards the rear of the vehicle, between a closed position, in which the roof is held directly or indirectly against the windshield frame and an intermediate position, in which the fixture between the roof and the windshield frame is released, is provided. The roof, for at least part of the lowering motion, is held in a receiving space of the car body in the rear intermediate position and in the lowered condition it can be displaced longitudinally towards the front of the vehicle. At least one displaceable locking element for the roof can be actuated during the longitudinal displacement of the stowed-away roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Heino Feussahrens, Winfried Bunsmann
  • Patent number: 7780218
    Abstract: A locking device (10) for locking a convertible top (18) in its opened position comprises a catch element (14) and an opposing element (16) bringable into engagement therewith for locking, wherein the catch element or the opposing element is attached on the convertible top (18) and the other element of the catch element and the opposing element is borne on a vehicle body side. One element (14, 16) is displaceably borne in a retainer (20) and is biased in a locking direction by a biasing device (22). The retainer (20) is movable together with the biasing device (22) and with the element (14) borne in the retainer as a function of the movement of the convertible top (18) into an active position and into an idle position. In the active position, an engagement between the catch element and the opposing element is possible, which is excluded in the idle position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventor: Norbert Habacker
  • Patent number: 7780216
    Abstract: A folding convertible top for a convertible vehicle includes a rotational angle detection device disposed in a rotary hinge (1) for detection of the rotational angle between linkage arms (2, 4) of a convertible top frame that are pivotably connected with each other by a bearing pin (10; 22). A rotational angle encoder (8; 18; 30) is connected with one linkage arm so as to rotate therewith and a sensor element (6; 20; 32) is connected with the other linkage arm so as to rotate therewith. The rotational angle encoder and/or the sensor element is/are disposed adjacent to the bearing pin on respective surfaces of the linkage arms facing towards each other or within housing parts (24, 26) connected to the respective linkage arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Jorg Jahn, Peter Gutendorf