Patents by Inventor Horst Bienert

Horst Bienert 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: 6709038
    Abstract: A loading system for a cargo space of a motor vehicle, such as a passenger vehicle includes a pull-out cargo floor and a guide system for longitudinally moving the cargo floor from a rest position into an extended position projecting out of the cargo space. The guide system, in the area of the end that is extended out of the cargo space, can be upwardly pivoted with respect to the cargo space while the opposite end is vertically fixed with respect to the cargo space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventors: Horst Bienert, Stefan Schwenk, Gerd Leuprecht
  • Patent number: 6460919
    Abstract: A sliding headliner for a motor vehicle roof with a headliner plate (10) and reinforcements attached to it. The headliner is provided with reinforcements, such as belts. (18, 19) which run preferably above the headliner plate (10), which are separate from the headliner and its sliding elements (12, 13, 14, 15), and which laterally engage roof-mounted guides when upwardly loaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2002
    Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventors: Horst Bienert, Roland Wittal
  • Publication number: 20010033085
    Abstract: A loading system for a cargo space of a motor vehicle, such as a passenger vehicle. The loading system includes a pull-out cargo floor, a guide system for longitudinally moving the cargo floor from a rest position into an extended position projecting out of the cargo space. The guide system, in the area of the end that is extended out of the cargo space, can be upwardly pivoted with respect to the cargo space while the opposite end area is vertically fixed with respect to the cargo space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventors: Horst Bienert, Stefan Schwenk, Gerd Leuprecht
  • Publication number: 20010026084
    Abstract: A sliding headliner for a motor vehicle roof with a headliner plate (10) and reinforcements attached to it. The headliner is provided with reinforcements, such as belts (18, 19) which run preferably above the headliner plate (10), which are separate from the headliner and its sliding elements (12, 13, 14, 15), and which laterally engage roof-mounted guides when upwardly loaded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Publication date: October 4, 2001
    Inventors: Horst Bienert, Roland Wittal
  • Patent number: 5154481
    Abstract: Vehicle roof with at least one cover that, alternatively, closes or at least partially opens an opening in a fixed roof surface of the vehicle, carries a solar power source for supplying power to at least one power consuming device that is separately located from the cover, and with a contact device for producing an electrical connection between the solar power source and the consuming device. The contact device is made as a switch arrangement that incorporates the cover so that the power consuming device is connected to the solar power source in one or more predetermined cover positions and is disconnected from the solar power source in all other cover positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: Webasto AG Fahrzeugtechnik
    Inventors: Werner Paetz, Klaus Meiler, Thomas Schumacher, Horst Bienert, August Hirschberger, Hermann Pfisterer, Manfred Hoeller
  • Patent number: 5149170
    Abstract: Vehicle roof with a cover for, alternatively closing and at least partially opening a roof opening, with a sliding inside roof headliner for, alternatively, closing and at least partially opening a framed opening lying under the roof opening, with a respective drip molding running in the longitudinal vehicle direction under each side of the roof opening, with longitudinal guide mechanisms, along which the cover is displaced by a drive device in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, extending along the drip moldings; and wherein, according to preferred embodiments of the invention, a water catching device that is located under the rear edge of the roof opening, at least when the cover is in its forwardmost position, and that catches water coming in there and diverts it into the lateral drip moldings, is formed by the sliding inside roof headliner, itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Webasto AG Fahrzeugtechnik
    Inventors: Hirco Matsubara, Kurt Meier, Georg Kohlpaintner, Horst Bienert
  • Patent number: 5104178
    Abstract: A frame for a vehicle roof of the type having a roof opening in a fixed vehicle roof surface and a cover for closing the roof opening and a device for displacing the cover to a position at least partially opening the roof opening by at least one of sliding and lifting motions, has two lateral side parts which are made of metal and extend in transversely spaced apart relationship to each other, parallel to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle, an injection molded synthetic plastic front part to which corner parts, serving as transition areas to the lateral side parts are directly molded, and at least one cross member interconnecting said lateral side parts. The lateral side parts have guides for cover guide members which support the cover for displacement therealong and which cooperate with a drive unit at the front part via pressure-resistant drive cables. Guide tubes for the pressure-resistant drive cables are at least partially embedded into the molded material of the front part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1992
    Assignee: Webasto AG Fahrzeugtechnik
    Inventor: Horst Bienert
  • Patent number: 5085622
    Abstract: A sliding roof and/or a sliding-lifting roof for motor vehicles in which an adjustment mechanism is provided that aligns the guide blocks or the mounting mechanism coupled to it in the closed or zero position of the cover of the roof. For this purpose, a link part connected to the cover is fixed in the zero position, for example, with the help of a front hold-down device, with respect to a guide rail in the lengthwise direction, preferably, by a positively locking connection while, near the mounting mechanism or the guide block there is provided a through-opening in the link part which is associated with, for example, a fitting recess on the mounting mechanism. With the help of an adjustment part, the fitting recess is aligned flush with the through-opening on the link part and, in doing so, the mounting mechanism or the guide block is aligned in the predetermined zero position relative to the cover or to the link part of same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 4, 1992
    Assignee: Webasto AG Fahrzeugtechnik
    Inventors: Georg Kohlpaintner, Horst Bienert
  • Patent number: 5020850
    Abstract: A sliding type vehicle roof is provided having guide tubes for pressure-resistant drive cables that are positioned, in the zone of contact area between the drive cables and a drive device, in a sheathing part that is formed about the guide tubes and acts as a holding device for the guide tubes. In the sheathing part, there is provided at least one recess to accommodate a drive pinion of the drive device, and a central opening in the base of the recess for accurately locating the drive pinion. Further, the sheathing part functions as a support for the drive device, that is suitably attached to the sheathing part with the aid of screws, and a defined seat can be provided on the sheathing part to receive the top housing part of the drive device. The sheathing part with the drive thereon can be attached to the frame, which can be set into a roof opening of a vehicle roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: Webasto AG Fahrzeugtechnik
    Inventors: Horst Bienert, August Hirschberger, Bernd Schleicher, Richard Igel, Kurt Meier
  • Patent number: 4984332
    Abstract: Slide shoe for sliding roofs, sliding lifting roofs and the like. The slide shoe has a slide shoe body made of rubber, which can be mounted onto a slide shoe carrier, and which, in an assembled state, is displaceably guided in a longitudinal guideway which is essentially U-shaped in cross section. A slide casing made of synthetic material is placed over the slide shoe carrier, which is made of soft rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 15, 1991
    Assignee: Webasto AG Fahrzeugtechnik
    Inventors: Horst Bienert, Max Bauer
  • Patent number: 4883311
    Abstract: Sliding and lifting roof for vehicles having a cover which, in its closed position, closes a roof opening in a fixed roof surface, which cover is mounted on lateral guide tracks and which can be pivotally raised to bring its rear end above the fixed roof surface, or after lowering of its rear end, can be rearwardly retracted below the fixed roof surface. A rain gutter that is displaceable in conjunction with the sliding movements of the cover underlies the rear edge of the roof opening when the cover is upwardly raised or closed, and is connected with a tilt assembly which induces the rain gutter to assume an inclined position when the cover is extended. The tilt assembly has control levers which are rigidly connected with the rain gutter and are pivotably connected to the cover at a fixed point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1989
    Assignee: Webasto AG Fahrzeugtechnik
    Inventors: Georg Kohlpaintner, Horst Bienert
  • Patent number: 4749227
    Abstract: Preassembled installation unit for sliding and lifting roofs of motor vehicles of the type wherein a fixed roof surface has a roof opening that is openable and closable by a cover, the opening being surrounded in front and on the sides by a frame, which extends behind the roof opening under the fixed roof surface. The installation unit is provided with track forming side guide rails along which front and rear sliders can move, side cover supports which are connected to the front sliders and, by pivoting elements, to the rear sliders, drive cables that engage the rear sliders and can be brought to engage a drive, and guide channels for the drive cables which, in area of the front edge of the roof opening, are formed by guide pipes and on the sides, by cable channels. The frame is a part of the installation unit. The guide rails are integrated with the tracks and cable channels in the side frame parts. The guide pipes are connected to the front area of the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1988
    Assignee: Webasto-Werk W. Baier GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Horst Bienert, Georg Kohlpaintner, Hans Jardin
  • Patent number: 4717199
    Abstract: Motor vehicle roof with a roof opening which can be closed by a cover that can slide and preferably be pivoted out. The underside of the cover is covered by a headlining, which, close to the cover front edge, is joined to the cover by at least one mounting device. The mounting device allows a height adjustment of the cover without affecting a flush-lifting of the headlining against a fixed roof frame bounding the roof opening. The mounting device includes an essentially vertical mounting pin and a catch clip that, by a relative movement in an essentially horizontal direction, can be brought to engage with each other. The catch clip in the engaged condition can be freely moved a limited distance with respect to the drive pin in the direction of the pin axis and can be freely tilted a limited angle with respect to the drive pin, as well as being swingable into a position permitting unobstructed upholstering of the headlining frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1988
    Assignee: Webasto-Werk W. Baier GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Georg Kohlpaintner, Horst Bienert
  • Patent number: 4681364
    Abstract: Sliding roof for vehicles having a cover which, in a closed position, covers a roof opening of a fixed roof surface, which cover is rearwardly slideable below or above the fixed roof surface. In the area of the front edge of the roof opening, there is a pivotably mounted wind deflector, which is tiltable into an upwardly extended position by sliding the cover back, and, by way of an actuating device, is tiltable back into a retracted position when the cover is moved forward. In addition to the elements of the actuating device, there are provided two locking elements, bilaterally attached to the wind deflector, against which, in the foremost sliding position of the cover, there is contact by hold down clamping elements, which are displaceable together with the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1987
    Assignee: Webasto-Werk W. Baier GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Horst Bienert, Georg Kohlpaintner
  • Patent number: 4647104
    Abstract: A sliding and lifting roof for vehicles having a cover that is guided in lateral guide rails and that can selectively be either lowered at its rear side out of an opening in the roof and then slid back under a fixed part of the roof, or tilted out so that its rear side is lifted above the fixed part of the roof. The cover, close to its rear edge, at each side, has a hold-down device which, when the cover is tilted out, passes through an opening in the corresponding guide rail, and when the cover is being closed, engages against an upstanding guide surface in the area of the rear edge of the opening, and which, when the rear side of the cover is being lowered and pushed back under the fixed part of the roof, dips into the guide rail and is secured by said guide rail against upward adjusting movements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1987
    Assignee: Webasto-Werk W. Baier GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Georg Kohlpaintner, Arpad Fuerst, Horst Bienert
  • Patent number: 4630859
    Abstract: A wind deflector arrangement for a motor vehicle roof having a roof opening that can be closed by means of a sliding cover. The wind deflector can be pivoted around an axis extending transversely to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle along the front edge of the roof opening. The wind deflector has a body which, when the sliding cover is opened is swung out by spring power, and, when the sliding cover is closed, is swung in by a cam that is displaced as a function of the movement of the cover and which interacts with at least one lever arm that is connected with the wind deflector via a driving arrangement. The body of the wind deflector, at least partly, consists of an as extruded, extruded profiled part, the end edges of which are covered by attachment to the body of a respective end piece that, at the same time, is part of the driving arrangement connecting the lever arm with the wind deflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1985
    Date of Patent: December 23, 1986
    Assignee: Webasto-Werk W. Baier GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Horst Bienert, Georg Kohlpaintner
  • Patent number: 4548439
    Abstract: A telescopic winch for tilting a cover closing a roof opening in a motor vehicle, with a plurality of threaded parts, screwable into one another, of which the outermost or innermost is connected with an axially fixed wheel and the other threaded part is connected with the cover. In order to make a telescopic winch of this type electrically drivable and to provide it with an emergency manual drive, provision is made for a crown gear to be on an outside jacket of the wheel, said crown gear being in mesh with a worm shaft of an electric motor unit, and for the mesh between the crown gear and worm shaft to be releasable. Separation between the crown gear and the worm shaft can be accomplished either by removing the wheel or by pivoting the electric motor unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1985
    Assignee: Webasto-Werk W. Baier GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Horst Bienert, August Hirschberger
  • Patent number: 4531777
    Abstract: A motor vehicle roof arrangement having a cover that can be slid and/or tilted out with respect to an opening in the roof. The cover is movable by means of an electric motor through at least one incompressible driving cable. The electric motor is mounted at a front side of the opening in the roof on a stationary part of the roof, and by means of a secondary drive wheel of an intermediate drive, drives a pinion that is engaged in the driving cable. The pinion is arranged in a front rain groove of a roof frame essentially on the center longitudinal axis of the roof of the motor vehicle. The intermediate drive is located in a gear housing to which the electric motor is flanged to form a drive unit. A secondary drive gear of the intermediate drive is detachably connected with a shaft of the pinion by mating internal and external gear elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1985
    Assignee: Webasto-Werk W. Baier GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Horst Bienert, Alfons Lutz
  • Patent number: 4509791
    Abstract: A rigid cover for a sliding and/or outward moving top of a vehicle, with the cover being adapted to shut or close an opening in the top of the vehicle when in a closed position and being movable from the closed position to an open and/or outwardly extended position in which the opening in the top is at least partially open. The rigid cover includes a cover plate made of a translucent material with a frame supporting a bottom of a peripheral edge of the cover plate and an upper frame in contact with the top of a cover plate. The upper and lower frames are rigidly interconnected and the edge of the cover plate is secured between the two frames.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1985
    Assignee: Webasto-Werk W. Baier GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Horst Bienert, Georg Kohlpaintner, Hans Jardin
  • Patent number: 4466658
    Abstract: A crank drive for the control of the sliding movement and of the tilting movement of the cover of sliding-lifting roofs of motor vehicles. A crank is provided that is rotatably disposed on a support to be mounted in a stationary manner, with said support having an internal toothing that is concentric with respect to the rotating axis of the crank, a toothed ring having an external toothing being in mating engagement with said internal toothing. The toothed ring is disposed on an eccentric firmly connected with the crank, with respect to rotation, so that it can be rotated around an axis which, with respect to the rotating axis of the crank, is radially displaced by an amount that is about equal to the difference of the tooth-root circle radii.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1984
    Assignee: Webasto-Werk W. Baier GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Arpad Furst, Horst Bienert, Georg Kohlpaintner