Patents Assigned to Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
  • Convertible vehicle
    Patent number: 7413236
    Abstract: The invention relates to a convertible vehicle (1) provided with a moveable roof (2) which comprises a flexible roof covering in at least certain areas (4), said flexible roof covering being retained by a partial section of the outer edge thereof (6) via at least one retaining strip (11) on at least one frame part (7;8) of a roof stand (3). The retaining strip (11) extends in an essentially parallel manner in relation to the frame part (7;8) of the roof stand (3) when in a connecting position and is retained thereon. The invention is characterised in that that the retaining strip (11) can be connected to the frame part (7;8) due to displacement thereof using a displacement component (15) extending parallel to the extension thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Licher, Heiko Schonhorst
  • MANUFACTURE OF CONVERTIBLE TOPS
    Publication number: 20080184561
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventor: Jorg Halker
  • MOTOR VEHICLE WITH A TAILGATE
    Publication number: 20080185867
    Abstract: A convertible vehicle has a vehicle body with a passenger compartment, a convertible roof receiving space, and a baggage space defined therein. A convertible roof has a rear part with a rear window. The convertible roof has a closed position wherein it extends over the passenger compartment and an open position wherein the convertible roof is at least partially received in the roof receiving space. A tailgate at least partially covers the baggage space and has an open position and a closed position. The tailgate is movable to the open position to define a loading opening for baggage. The rear window is automatically pivoted upwardly to provide an additional loading opening for baggage when the roof is in the closed position and the tailgate is moved to the open position to provide the loading opening for baggage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Tobergte, Markus Grave
  • Composite Material for a Folding Vehicle Roof and Method for Production of a Composite Material
    Publication number: 20080185877
    Abstract: A composite material for a folding vehicle roof of a convertible vehicle is provided in which a lower layer that faces the interior of a vehicle when the vehicle roof is closed is constructed at least in part as a woven textile layer, which is bonded on its side that faces away from the interior of the vehicle when the vehicle roof is closed to a leather layer via an intermediate layer and characterized in that on the side of the leather layer that faces an intermediate layer, which serves to improve the water impermeability of the composite material, an intermediate layer that impregnates the leather layer and also serves to improve the water impermeability of the composite material, along with strengthening a bond between the leather layer and the intermediate layer, is applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: WILHELM KARMANN GMBH
    Inventor: Jutta Sommer
  • Motor vehicle
    Patent number: 7404587
    Abstract: A motor vehicle includes a roof having at least one part which can be moved as a whole between an opened position and a closed position and which, in the closed position, extends between an area near a wind shield frame and a rear rigid roof part. The rear rigid roof part includes two lateral tips which, when the roof is closed, are overlapped on their upper side by frame parts which can be moved upward to create an opening for the passage of the movable roof part. The roof has a rear window which is mounted relatively far towards the front so that the rear window is not window is not moved upwardly when the frame parts are moved upwardly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventor: Franz-Ulrich Brockhoff
  • Convertible Vehicle with a Separately Moveable Rear Window
    Publication number: 20080157558
    Abstract: The invention relates to a convertible vehicle with a rear window, which is surrounded on its side by flexible covering areas and which can move relative thereto. In order to ensure a sealing between the covering areas and the rear window, a flexible and tensible cloth loose section is provided, which is frequently also designated as a water pocket. The inventive convertible vehicle is designed in such a manner that the cloth slack section is fastened at the bottom to a cloth retainer engaging underneath the rear window, and the cloth retainer has, for retaining, a retaining opening that is passed through by a portion of the cloth slack section. In addition, the cloth slack section comprises a thickened edge stop at its edge, which is located toward the inside with regard to the vehicle transversal direction and which faces the lateral edge of the rear window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2006
    Publication date: July 3, 2008
    Applicant: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Heiner Bensmann, Heiko Pohlmann, Holger Plettendorf
  • Hood compartment cover for a cabriolet vehicle with a retractable hood
    Patent number: 7392873
    Abstract: A convertible vehicle has a carbody and a foldaway top connected to the carbody. A top compartment receives the foldaway top when folded open. A top compartment lid is provided for closing the top compartment. A hinge device is connected to the carbody and to the top compartment lid so that the top compartment lid is pivotable relative to the carbody. The top compartment lid has a front end interacting with a locking device in the area of a lateral side rail for locking it on the side rail by a push-pivot movement; it is released by a reverse movement. A lifting drive acting on the top compartment lid is supported on the carbody spaced from the hinge device and is pivotably connected to the top compartment lid. The top compartment lid is pivotable in the area of the hinge device relative to support part of the hinge device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventor: Norbert Habacker
  • CONVERTIBLE VEHICLE COMPRISING AN UPWARDLY PROJECTING PILLAR PART OF THE ROOF
    Publication number: 20080143138
    Abstract: A stowable roof for a convertible vehicle is retractable from a closed state to an open state. The roof includes a pillar part which extends upwardly from the window beltline when the roof is in the closed state. The pillar part is movable rearwardly and downwardly when the roof is retracted to the open state. A guide track has at least a portion extending transversely inwardly. The pillar part engages the guide track such that the pillar part is guided transversely inwardly during retraction of the roof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Spickermann
  • Convertible Vehicle
    Publication number: 20080122249
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cabriolet vehicle comprising a displaceable roof which can be maintained in the closed position thereof at a point on the windscreen frame. According to the invention, at least one displaceable engaging element and one spring-loaded pivotable drive lever which engages in a direct or indirect manner with said element is provided for the movement thereof in or out of the engaged position for the maintenance thereof. The cabriolet vehicle is embodied in such a manner that the pivotable drive lever, which acts against the spring force with a component which is oriented away from the pivotable axis of the pivotable drive lever and which also enables the pivotable drive lever to be displaceably mounted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Applicant: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventor: Norbert Habacker
  • Retracting mechanism for use with both hard and hybrid retractable tops for vehicles
    Patent number: 7377574
    Abstract: A retractable top for a vehicle includes a front section, a middle section and a rear section. A first embodiment includes rigid front, middle and rear sections. A second embodiment includes rigid front and rear sections and a membranous middle section. A single retracting mechanism design is utilized for both the first and second embodiments, which allows selective movement of the front, middle and rear sections of the top between an open position and a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Richter, David Connolly, Markus Wulf, Frank Neubrand
  • Convertible Vehicle
    Publication number: 20080093881
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cabriolet vehicle comprising a roof that can be stored underneath a cover part in the open position, at least two displaceable engagement organs and an associated drive being provided to secure the closed cover part. The drive interacts with the engagement organs to transmit the driving force, by means of a respective force transmission element comprising a component that extends in the transverse direction of the vehicle. Said cabriolet is characterized in that the drive comprises a driven organ lying approximately in the transverse direction of the vehicle on the plane of the force transmission elements and that a gear mechanism, which diverts the displacement direction for the second force transmission element, can be displaced by means of a rectilinear coupling organ that is connected to the first force transmission element and runs parallel to the drive organ.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: WILHELM KARMANN GMBH
    Inventors: Heinrich Selle, Hermann Heidtmann
  • Convertible Vehicle with a Roof Comprising Several Roof Sections
    Publication number: 20080093880
    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: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: WILHELM KARMANN GMBH
    Inventors: Manfred Westermann, Jurgen Theuerkauf
  • Vehicle trunk lid opening device
    Patent number: 7357437
    Abstract: A device for selectively moving a rear vehicle trunk lid (30) from a closed position into a forwardly-inclined intake position and into a rearwardly-inclined loading position comprises at least one support lever that is pivotable about an axis stationary relative to the vehicle. In its closed position, a rear edge of the rear trunk lid is in hinged connection with the support lever (12). A catch component (20) is arranged on the support lever (12) in front of and above the hinge connection (18, 46) for engagement with another catch component (48) that is provided on the rear trunk lid. The front wall of the rear trunk lid is connected with the vehicle via a hinge (40) that is rearwardly slidable out of a slotted link (44) that is stationary relative to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventor: Jürgen Kuhr
  • Vehicle with Openable Roof Structure
    Publication number: 20080073940
    Abstract: A roof structure for a sun roof system includes a roof frame extending at least between an A-pillar and a rear structural pillar of a vehicle. At least one roof element of the roof system is movably guided in or on the roof frame substantially in the vehicle longitudinal direction between a closed roof position and an opened roof position. The roof element is rotatable relative to the roof frame and is lowerable along the structural pillar. The structural pillar is inwardly offset relative to an outer shell of the vehicle, so that the outer shell is completely formed without contacting the structural pillar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: WILHELM KARMANN GMBH
    Inventor: Winfried Bunsmann
  • Top for a Convertible Vehicle
    Publication number: 20080054671
    Abstract: A top for a convertible vehicle with a flexible roof panel, which is attached to an arrangement of convertible-top rods and, in its rear area, to an attachment device of the vehicle body, in which a clamping device, acting on the flexible roof panel in the region of its attachment to the vehicle body in the closed state of the convertible top, is provided. The clamping device is designed with at least one bracket that forces the flexible roof panel in the closed state of the convertible top against an auto-body closure seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: WILHELM KARMANN GMBH
    Inventor: Udo Heselhaus
  • Convertible Vehicle Comprising a Roof Held at Lateral Roof Linkage Parts
    Publication number: 20080054673
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cabriolet vehicle comprising a roof which is provided with lateral roof linkage parts and can be stowed away in the rear of the vehicle, said vehicle being embodied in such a way that at least one holding-down device acting on the roof linkage parts of the stowed roof is associated with the body of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Olaf Weismuller, Klaus Russke
  • Cabriolet
    Publication number: 20080054672
    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: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Publication date: March 6, 2008
    Applicant: WILHELM KARMANN GMBH
    Inventors: Heino Feussahrens, Winfried Bunsmann
  • Capacitive sensor and detection device with capacitive sensors for the detection of an obstruction situation
    Patent number: 7323885
    Abstract: A capacitive sensor, in particular for the detection of an obstruction of objects or body parts by motor driven devices, includes an arrangement of a multitude of electrodes on a support and means to measure a capacitance or a capacitance change. The sensor is of a flat and film-like embodiment with a support made out of a film material for the arrangement of the electrodes. Furthermore, a capacitive sensor system, for detection of an obstruction situation of objects or body parts with motor driven devices uses several sensors of the above design, is disclosed, whereby an obstruction situation is detected, if a selection of several sensors is responding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Gutendorf
  • Convertible
    Publication number: 20080018132
    Abstract: A convertible vehicle with at least one front roof area, having a flexible covering in the direction of travel, and a rigid roof area, including a rear window. The front roof area includes several lateral frame parts lying one behind the other, which can be folded opposite to each other, at least in the essentially horizontal axes, and can be covered by the rear roof area in the stored position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Publication date: January 24, 2008
    Applicant: WILHELM KARMANN GMBH
    Inventor: Stefan Meinert
  • Soft Top For A Motor Vehicle
    Publication number: 20070296241
    Abstract: Disclosed is a soft top for a motor vehicle, comprising longitudinal struts that span a roof opening and a flexible roof skin which spans the width of the vehicle and is fastened to a windshield frame in the front and a bow spanning the width of the vehicle in the rear in the mounted state. One respective longitudinal strut that delimits the roof skin in the transversal direction of the vehicle is embodied as a lateral rail which can be connected at least to one lateral vehicle element. In order to put the soft top down, it can be folded in the transversal direction of the vehicle, the roof skin and the longitudinal struts being joined so as to form a pre-assembled unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Publication date: December 27, 2007
    Applicant: WILHELM KARMANN GMBH
    Inventor: Winfried Bunsmann