Patents by Inventor Benedict N. Ehlen

Benedict N. Ehlen has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 4159144
    Abstract: A vehicle body sunroof module includes a stamped sheet metal pan having a forward portion with an opening registering with an opening of the roof and a rearward portion located rearward the roof opening to store the closure panel in its open position. The pan has a generally planar base wall which extends generally parallel to the roof and an upstanding peripheral flange which stiffens the pan against flexure. The flange has a discontinuity, preferably in the form of a pleat, located generally adjacent the juncture between the forward and rearward pan portions to permit flexure of the pan about a transverse axis and mounting of the forward and rearward portions in disparate planes to conform with the contour of a particular roof. A guide track is mounted on the flange along each side of the pan and receives a slide or roller connected with the closure panel to support the closure for sliding movement between open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1979
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Benedict N. Ehlen, Joseph F. Koral, Frederick C. Willenberg