Patents by Inventor Frank G. Neubrand
Frank G. Neubrand 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).
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Patent number: 6729672Abstract: A retractable hard top for a vehicle including a linkage and a top guide track for moving the hard top from a top up position to a stowed position. The retractable hard top linkage includes a pivot bracket that is movable within the top guide track to limit the clearance necessary for folding the hard top into a stowed position. A tonneau is provided to cover the retractable hard top storage area in both the top up and stowed position. Rear quarter windows are shifted from a top up position in which they function as windows to a stowed position in which the windows are shifted outboard of the retractable hard top and rotated to a stowed position. The retractable hard top, trunk lid, rear quarter window, tonneau, and roll bar may be assembled as a single unitary module with the linkages that coordinate operation of the retractable hard top, trunk lid, rear quarter window, and tonneau to facilitate assembly to a vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2003Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: CTS Fahrzeug Dachsysteme GmbHInventor: Frank G. Neubrand
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Publication number: 20030193211Abstract: A retractable hard top for a vehicle including a linkage and a top guide track for moving the hard top from a top up position to a stowed position. The retractable hard top linkage includes a pivot bracket that is movable within the top guide track to limit the clearance necessary for folding the hard top into a stowed position. A tonneau is provided to cover the retractable hard top storage area in both the top up and stowed position. Rear quarter windows are shifted from a top up position in which they function as windows to a stowed position in which the windows are shifted outboard of the retractable hard top and rotated to a stowed position. The retractable hard top, trunk lid, rear quarter window, tonneau, and roll bar may be assembled as a single unitary module with the linkages that coordinate operation of the retractable hard top, trunk lid, rear quarter window, and tonneau to facilitate assembly to a vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2003Publication date: October 16, 2003Applicant: CTS Fahrzeug Dachsysteme GmbHInventor: Frank G. Neubrand
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Patent number: 6588824Abstract: A convertible top for covering part of a passenger compartment of a land vehicle. The convertible top includes a retractable frame that retracts forwardly toward a permanent top section. The retractable frame is covered by a flexible cover and a rigid rear member moves longitudinally as the convertible top is moved between an extended and retracted position. The rigid rear member includes track followers that are moved in longitudinally extending tracks on the rear portion of the vehicle body. The retractable frame may be either a parallel bar expanding linkage, or telescoping slide supports.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2001Date of Patent: July 8, 2003Assignee: CTS Fahrzeug Dachsysteme GmbHInventor: Frank G. Neubrand
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Patent number: 6464284Abstract: A convertible top for a vehicle includes right and left linkages for extension and retraction, a plurality of transverse bows and a cover supported by the bows and the right and left linkages. Each linkage includes a rear four bar linkage mounted to the vehicle and connected to a center rail, and a forward four bar linkage supporting a front rail and connected to the center rail. A pushing link interconnects the rear and forward linkages so that the front rail is inverted to a position adjacent the center rail, and the center rail is shifted rearward as the rear four bar linkage contracts. The pushing link is disposed so that it does not exceed the height of the center rail.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2001Date of Patent: October 15, 2002Assignee: CTS Fahrzeug Dachsysteme GmbHInventor: Frank G. Neubrand
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Publication number: 20020105206Abstract: A retractable vehicle top and rear quarter window combination includes a roof formed by a front roof section and a rear roof section that are pivotally connected to each other and moveable by a top stack drive. The top stack drive includes a linkage having right and left balance links that pivotally connect a respective side of the front roof assembly to one of a right and left bracket. A window pivot bracket pivotally connects each of quarter windows to one of the balance links. The rear quarter windows are rotated inwardly by quarter window control links to pivot the rear quarter window on the balance link as the rear roof is moved.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2001Publication date: August 8, 2002Applicant: CTS Fahrzeug Dachsysteme GmbHInventor: Frank G. Neubrand
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Patent number: 6419294Abstract: A retractable hard top for a vehicle including a linkage and a top guide track for moving the hard top from a top up position to a stowed position. As the retractable hard top is moved between the top up and stowed positions the trunk is raised by the trunk linkage. A tonneau is provided to cover the retractable hard top storage area in both the top up and stowed position. Rear quarter windows are shifted from a top up position in which they function as windows to a stowed position in which the windows are rotated to a stowed position. The retractable hard top, trunk lid, rear quarter window, tonneau, and roll bar may be assembled as a single unitary module including the linkages that coordinate operation of the retractable hard top, trunk lid, rear quarter window, and tonneau.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2001Date of Patent: July 16, 2002Assignee: CTS Fahrzeug Dachsysteme GmbHInventor: Frank G. Neubrand
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Patent number: 6419295Abstract: A retractable vehicle top and rear quarter window combination includes a roof formed by a front roof section and a rear roof section that are pivotally connected to each other and moveable by a top stack drive. The top stack drive includes a linkage having right and left balance links that pivotally connect a respective side of the front roof assembly to one of a right and left bracket. A window pivot bracket pivotally connects each of quarter windows to one of the balance links. The rear quarter windows are rotated inwardly by quarter window control links to pivot the rear quarter window on the balance link as the rear roof is moved.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2001Date of Patent: July 16, 2002Assignee: CTS Fahrzeug Dachsysteme GmbHInventor: Frank G. Neubrand
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Patent number: 6416111Abstract: A convertible top having right and left side rails that fold toward each other as the convertible top is retracted. A segmented one bow is articulated to allow the side rails to converge and move from an extended position wherein they extend longitudinally relative to the vehicle to a retracted position wherein the side rails extend transversely.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2001Date of Patent: July 9, 2002Assignee: CTS Fahrzeug Dachsysteme GmbHInventor: Frank G. Neubrand
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Publication number: 20020084673Abstract: A convertible top for a vehicle includes right and left linkages for extension and retraction, a plurality of transverse bows and a cover supported by the bows and the right and left linkages. Each linkage includes a rear four bar linkage mounted to the vehicle and connected to a center rail, and a forward four bar linkage supporting a front rail and connected to the center rail. A pushing link interconnects the rear and forward linkages so that the front rail is inverted to a position adjacent the center rail, and the center rail is shifted rearward as the rear four bar linkage contracts. The pushing link is disposed so that it does not exceed the height of the center rail.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2001Publication date: July 4, 2002Inventor: Frank G. Neubrand
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Publication number: 20020079718Abstract: A convertible top for covering part of a passenger compartment of a land vehicle. The convertible top includes a retractable frame that retracts forwardly toward a permanent top section. The retractable frame is covered by a flexible cover and a rigid rear member moves longitudinally as the convertible top is moved between an extended and retracted position. The rigid rear member includes track followers that are moved in longitudinally extending tracks on the rear portion of the vehicle body. The retractable frame may be either a parallel bar expanding linkage, or telescoping slide supports.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 31, 2001Publication date: June 27, 2002Inventor: Frank G. Neubrand
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Patent number: 6386615Abstract: Apparatus for covering a retractable top for a motor vehicle, comprises a decklid and a tonneau cover. The decklid is attached to the vehicle, and is at least partially defining an opening through which the top may retract. The tonneau cover is slidably secured to the decklid to open and close the opening.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2001Date of Patent: May 14, 2002Assignee: CTS Fahrzeug Dachsysteme GmbHInventors: Frank G. Neubrand, Raymond W. Ninness
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Publication number: 20020036413Abstract: A retractable hard top for a vehicle including a linkage and a top guide track for moving the hard top from a top up position to a stowed position. As the retractable hard top is moved between the top up and stowed positions, the trunk is raised by rearward movement of the trunk linkage in connection with a guide member. The guide member also provides a forward movement of the trunk linkage for closing the trunk lid.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2001Publication date: March 28, 2002Inventors: Frank G. Neubrand, Andreas C. Hasselgruber, Christian Holst
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Publication number: 20020014782Abstract: A retractable hard top for a vehicle including a linkage and a top guide track for moving the hard top from a top up position to a stowed position. As the retractable hard top is moved between the top up and stowed positions the trunk is raised by the trunk linkage. A tonneau is provided to cover the retractable hard top storage area in both the top up and stowed position. Rear quarter windows are shifted from a top up position in which they function as windows to a stowed position in which the windows are rotated to a stowed position. The retractable hard top, trunk lid, rear quarter window, tonneau, and roll bar may be assembled as a single unitary module including the linkages that coordinate operation of the retractable hard top, trunk lid, rear quarter window, and tonneau.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2001Publication date: February 7, 2002Applicant: CTS FAHRZEUG-DACHSYSTEME GmbHInventor: Frank G. Neubrand
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Patent number: 6318792Abstract: An articulated tonneau cover having a center panel and right and left corner panels that are pivotally connected to the center panel. Right and left corner panels are moved between an extended position in which the corner panels are adjacent to right and left edges of the center panel and a retracted position in which the right and left corner panels are inboard of the center panel. A motor drives the corner panels between their extended and retracted positions. Cam ramp pivots shift the corner panels vertically as they are pivoted relative to the center panel so that the corner panels are substantially coplanar with the center panel when they are in their extended position. When the corner panels are in their retracted position they are disposed below and parallel to the center panel. Side counter panels are provided forward of the corner panels and are moved in conjunction with the center panels by means of a cylinder and four bar link.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2000Date of Patent: November 20, 2001Assignee: CTS Fahrzeug Dachsysteme GmbHInventors: Frank G. Neubrand, Siegbert Matter
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Patent number: 6293605Abstract: A retractable hard top for a vehicle including a linkage and a top guide track for moving the hard top from a top up position to a stowed position. As the retractable hard top is moved between the top up and stowed positions the trunk is raised by the trunk linkage. A tonneau is provided to cover the retractable hard top storage area in both the top up and stowed position. Rear quarter windows are shifted from a top up position in which they function as windows to a stowed position in which the windows are rotated to a stowed position. The retractable hard top, trunk lid, rear quarter window, tonneau, and roll bar may be assembled as a single unitary module including the linkages that coordinate operation of the retractable hard top, trunk lid, rear quarter window, and tonneau.Type: GrantFiled: January 19, 2001Date of Patent: September 25, 2001Assignee: CTS Fahrzeug-Dachsysteme GmbHInventor: Frank G. Neubrand
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Patent number: 6283532Abstract: A convertible top for a vehicle having a back lite that is moved to form a tonneau cover over the convertible top when stored. The convertible top is moved by a top stack linkage that includes back lite control links. The back lite is initially moved to provide clearance for the bows of the convertible top to be folded underneath the back lite.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2001Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Assignee: CTS Fahrzeug Dachsysteme GmbHInventor: Frank G. Neubrand
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Patent number: 6254165Abstract: A tonneau cover connected by a power driven linkage to the decklid of a vehicle is disclosed. The tonneau cover is movable from an extended position covering a storage well for a convertible top or retractable hardtop of a vehicle to a tonneau stowed position wherein the tonneau cover is suspended below the decklid of the vehicle. The linkage system includes right and left side linkages each of which include a four bar link made up of the tonneau cover, a cylinder mounting bracket, a front control link and a rear control link. The linkage is driven by a hydraulic cylinder through an arc of approximately 180°. The hydraulic cylinder is movably mounted on a cylinder rod that is mounted to the decklid.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2000Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Assignee: CTS Fahrzeug Dachsysteme GmbHInventor: Frank G. Neubrand
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Publication number: 20010005089Abstract: A retractable hard top for a vehicle including a linkage and a top guide track for moving the hard top from a top up position to a stowed position. As the retractable hard top is moved between the top up and stowed positions the trunk is raised by the trunk linkage. A tonneau is provided to cover the retractable hard top storage area in both the top up and stowed position. Rear quarter windows are shifted from a top up position in which they function as windows to a stowed position in which the windows are rotated to a stowed position. The retractable hard top, trunk lid, rear quarter window, tonneau, and roll bar may be assembled as a single unitary module including the linkages that coordinate operation of the retractable hard top, trunk lid, rear quarter window, and tonneau.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2001Publication date: June 28, 2001Applicant: CTS FAHRZEUG-DACHSYSTEME GmbHInventor: Frank G. Neubrand
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Publication number: 20010005086Abstract: A retractable hard top for a vehicle including a linkage and a top guide track for moving the hard top from a top up position to a stowed position. As the retractable hard top is moved between the top up and stowed positions the trunk is raised by movement along a track to which the trunk linkage is connected. The retractable hard top linkage includes a pivot bracket that is movable within the top guide track to limit the clearance necessary for folding the hard top into a stowed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 19, 2001Publication date: June 28, 2001Applicant: CTS FAHRZEUG-DACHSYSTEME GmbHInventor: Frank G. Neubrand
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Publication number: 20010004156Abstract: Apparatus for covering a retractable top for a motor vehicle, comprises a decklid and a tonneau cover. The decklid is attached to the vehicle, and is at least partially defining an opening through which the top may retract. The tonneau cover is slidably secured to the decklid to open and close the opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2001Publication date: June 21, 2001Applicant: CTS Fahrzeug Dachsysteme GmbHInventors: Frank G. Neubrand, Raymond W. Ninness