Patents by Inventor Frank Lehnig

Frank Lehnig 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: 6322131
    Abstract: The invention relates to a convertible vehicle with a roof, which can be folded up and is provided with a rear window, it being possible, in the closed position of the roof, to lower the rear window at least regionally from a normal position into a lowered position below a window parapet line forming the upper boundary of the car body. In order to simplify the installation of a movable rear window for such an embodiment, provisions are made so that the rear window, in the lowered position as well as in the normal position, is held in a frame, which is firmly connected with the roof, as a result of which special adjustment of the rear window or of a different component with respect to the roof is superfluous.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Maass, Frank Lehnig
  • Patent number: 6302470
    Abstract: A convertible vehicle with a roof, which can be folded up, is provided with a rear window, can be stowed in a rear region of the vehicle and is braced over at least one tension bracket in the closed state with respect to the car body, the tension bracket being pivotable in the forwards direction for opening the roof and hereby bringing about a forward displacement of the rear window. In the case of such a construction, in order to be able to carry out the forward shifting of the rear region of the folding top, comprising the rear window, without being obstructed by upright parts, such as the rear head supports or roll bars, provisions are made so that the rear window is held in a frame which, on the folding top side, is opened downward and, during the opening and closing of the roof, can be swiveled up with respect to this frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Maass, Frank Lehnig
  • Patent number: 5558389
    Abstract: A convertible top for a vehicle includes a folding top frame having top-folded and top-unfolded positions, a storage well in the vehicle, a cover for the storage well, and an actuator operably connected between the cover and the vehicle for moving the cover between a closed position and an open position. The cover when in its closed position covers the storage well, and when in its open position uncovers the storage well. Lockably engageable parts on the cover and the folding top frame are operable to effect locking engagement between the cover and the folding top frame. The actuator includes a cross strut mounted on the cover and having a helical-like groove, and a reversing lever pivotally mounted to the vehicle and having a thrust pin disposed in the groove such that pivoting of the reversing lever rotates the cross strut.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1996
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Karl Rothe, Frank Lehnig, Heiko Klemme