Patents by Inventor Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen

Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen 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).

  • Publication number: 20240109482
    Abstract: A transparent roof panel assembly for an opening in a vehicle roof comprises a panel having a transparent area that allows visible light to pass through between an exterior and an interior of the vehicle. A light source is arranged to provide light in the panel. An in-coupling element couples light into the panel from the interior side of the panel, the in-coupling element being attached to the interior side of the panel and redirecting light from the light source into the panel. The in-coupling element may be partly covered towards the interior of the vehicle, with the exception of a selected area, such that light is able to pass from the in-coupling element towards the interior through the selected area. The in-coupling element is attached to the interior side of the panel by an adhering material accommodated in a chamber formed between the in-coupling element and the panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2023
    Publication date: April 4, 2024
    Inventors: Sander de Bie, Theodorus van Doleweerd, Ruud Geurts, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Christian Giese
  • Patent number: 11926202
    Abstract: A roof system comprises a stationary part configured to be attached to a fixed roof and includes guide rails on opposite sides of a roof opening. The guide rails slidably support an operating mechanism for a panel and include guide grooves bordered by guide flanges. The operating mechanism includes a driving slide for a panel front support, and a panel rear support. The rear support is connected to a panel bracket guide of a panel bracket extending alongside a corresponding edge of the panel. The panel bracket guide slidably engages the rear support so as to enable the panel to slide with respect to the rear support when the front support is driven by the driving slide. The front support engages a guide rail groove of an upright flange of each guide rail while the panel bracket guide extends mainly on the other, inner side of said upright flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Rainer Gerhard Jüngling, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Patent number: 11718223
    Abstract: A glass panel assembly for use in a roof of a vehicle, comprises a glass panel, a frame and an elongate lighting device. The glass panel comprises an interior main surface and the interior main surface of the glass panel is configured to be directed to a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The frame is adhered to the interior main surface and comprises a shaped element. The shaped element is one of a recess and a protrusion. The elongate lighting device is coupled to the frame by a mating shape engaging the shaped element. The lighting device is configured to directly illuminate at least a part of said passenger compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.
    Inventors: Jiangtao Li, Jur Johannes Maria Custers, Eduardus Christianus Henricus Van Boxtel, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Robert Rikkert, Robbert Arij Jeroen De Jong, Sander De Bie
  • Patent number: 11685239
    Abstract: In a guide assembly for an open-roof system of a vehicle, a closure member selectively covers or at least partly uncovers an opening in a vehicle roof. The assembly comprises a guide extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle; a mounting element for mounting the closure member; a first support mechanism operatively coupled to the mounting element, the first support mechanism slidably supporting the mounting element in the guide; and a second support mechanism coupled to the guide and comprising a support element slidably supporting the mounting element, the second support mechanism being configured for moving the mounting element to a tilted position, a tilt direction being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The assembly is provided with a release mechanism for releasing the mounting element from at least one of the first support mechanism and the second support mechanism and for remounting the mounting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.
    Inventors: Rainer Gerhard Jüngling, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Patent number: 11607937
    Abstract: A roof system includes a closure panel that opens a roof opening in which it is positioned partially above a portion of a roof. An operating mechanism includes a front device having a lever for moving the front edge of the panel in a vertical direction. The lever is pivotally connected to a driving slide that has a cam partly in engagement with a stationary guide curve and is in engagement with the panel through a pin-curve assembly. A curve of the pin-curve assembly has a guiding curve extending allowing a corresponding pin to slide along it to move the front of the panel at least in vertical direction when the lever is driven by the driving slide. A locking curve extends mainly vertically when a pin is positioned in the locking curve in order to allow the driving slide to slide the panel in longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.
    Inventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Rainer Gerhard Jüngling
  • Publication number: 20230022266
    Abstract: A roof system comprises a stationary part configured to be attached to a fixed roof and includes guide rails on opposite sides of a roof opening. The guide rails slidably support an operating mechanism for a panel and include guide grooves bordered by guide flanges. The operating mechanism includes a driving slide for a panel front support, and a panel rear support. The rear support is connected to a panel bracket guide of a panel bracket extending alongside a corresponding edge of the panel. The panel bracket guide slidably engages the rear support so as to enable the panel to slide with respect to the rear support when the front support is driven by the driving slide. The front support engages a guide rail groove of an upright flange of each guide rail while the panel bracket guide extends mainly on the other, inner side of said upright flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Rainer Gerhard Jüngling, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Publication number: 20230026689
    Abstract: A roof system comprises a stationary part configured for a roof opening from above. A panel is configured to close the roof opening and open the roof opening. The stationary part includes a frame extending along at least a substantial part of a circumference of the roof opening and being attached to the fixed roof of the vehicle. Guide rails extend in longitudinal direction substantially parallel to opposite sides of the roof opening and substantially within the longitudinal length of the roof opening. The guide rails are slidably supporting an operating mechanism for the panel and are attached to the frame. The guide rails extend at least partly below the frame, at least in points of attachment where the guide rails are attached on their outer sides to the frame. The points of attachment are positioned below an area adjacent the longitudinal sides of the panel, when in closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2022
    Publication date: January 26, 2023
    Inventors: Rainer Gerhard Jüngling, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Patent number: 11479092
    Abstract: A frame assembly for an open roof assembly comprises a first beam, a second beam and a panel. The first beam and the second beam are mechanically coupled in a joint area, thereby forming a seam. A sealant is provided in the joint area for providing a liquid-tight joint. The panel is at least partly arranged over the first beam and the second beam such that the joint area is at least partly overlapped by the panel. An adhesive bead is solely provided on the first beam for supporting the panel on the first beam, the adhesive bead sealing a dry area between the first beam and the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.
    Inventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Rainer Gerhard Jüngling
  • Patent number: 11390150
    Abstract: A support mechanism for an open-roof assembly, comprising a moveable panel, comprises at least one of a front flexible portion and a rear flexible portion. A guide assembly of the open-roof assembly comprises an elongated guide rail extending in a longitudinal direction, a front mechanism slideably arranged in the guide rail and a rear mechanism arranged in the guide rail. The front mechanism and the rear mechanism are provided with means for providing a relatively high mechanism stiffness, while the at least one of the front and rear flexible portions is provided with a relatively low bending stiffness in the width direction and with a relatively low rotational stiffness in respective main directions such that orientation deviations between the panel support assembly and the guide assembly result in larger rotational deformation in the at least one of the respective flexible portions than in the respective mechanisms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Rainer Gerhard Jüngling, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Patent number: 11390149
    Abstract: A guide assembly of an open roof assembly comprises a center rail element. The center rail element comprises a first wall member and a second wall member, the second wall member being arranged substantially parallel to the first wall member. A transverse wall member extends between the first wall member and the second wall member. A first guide channel is arranged in the first wall member and a second guide channel is arranged in the second wall member. A cable channel is provided on the transverse wall and is arranged between the first guide channel and the second guide channel. Thus, a modular center rail element is provided that may be used with all vehicle types without further vehicle specific adaptation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Rainer Gerhard Jüngling, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Patent number: 11390148
    Abstract: A rollo assembly for use in a vehicle with an opening, includes a shaft, a screen wound on/off said shaft where a forward end is provided with a beam and opposite channels guide edges of the screen and ends of the beam. Drive cables are provided with connecting members for drivingly engaging respective counter connecting members provided at ends of the beam. The shaft, beam and screen are combined into a detachable unit which, when the screen is substantially fully wound onto the shaft and the cables assume a position in which the connecting members at least partially protrude from a longitudinal end of the channels, can be moved relative to said channels for connecting or disconnecting the counter connecting members to or from the connecting members. A support maintains the connecting members of the cables, when maximally protruding from said longitudinal end of the channels, in a well-defined position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Eduardus Christianus Henricus Van Boxtel, Jur Johannes Maria Custers, Peter Christiaan Leonardus Johannes Manders, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Publication number: 20220205304
    Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle comprises a panel for opening and closing an opening in the fixed roof of the vehicle by means of at least one lever assembly connected to the panel. A stationary frame is fitted in the opening of the fixed roof. A drive motor is placed in the vicinity of the rear edge of the opening and in the vicinity of a longitudinal center line of the opening. The drive motor comprises an output shaft having a center axis which is perpendicular to a center axis of a rotor shaft of the drive motor. The drive motor is connected to a motor support which is attached to the frame by means of vibration dampers. The motor support supports a separate gearbox which is capable of transferring the driving torque from the drive motor to the at least one lever assembly connected to the panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Publication date: June 30, 2022
    Inventors: Suyanto Teri Wahiyu Ten-Jet-Foei, Bjorn Arnoldus Franciscus Welmer, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Patent number: 11331988
    Abstract: A roof system comprises a panel movable between closed and open positions. An operating mechanism comprises front and rear devices. A slide moves the panel both in vertical and horizontal directions via the front and rear devices. At least one of the front and rear devices comprises a lever connected to the slide or the stationary rail through a second pivot pin. A first guide cam is at least partly in engagement with either a stationary guide and/or a curve in the slide. The slide includes a first and second slide part are pivotally connected to each other. One of the slide parts, that is pivotally and slidably connected to said lever, includes a cam engaging a guide curve in the stationary guide rail to force said one slide part to pivot with respect to the other slide part during at least a part of the sliding movement of the slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V
    Inventors: Eduardus Christianus Henricus van Boxtel, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Ruud Geurts
  • Patent number: 11273693
    Abstract: A roof system for a vehicle having an opening in a roof includes a panel and a guide rail at each longitudinal side of said opening. An operating mechanism operates the closure panel in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The operating mechanism includes a front device including a lever for moving the front edge of the panel in a vertical direction. A driving slide is slidably accommodated in each guide rail and is drivable by a drive member. The lever is connected to the driving slide through a pin-curve assembly and is provided with a slide-shoe. A curve of the pin-curve assembly has a first curve section extending horizontally allowing a pin to slide along to move the rear of the panel vertically. A locking curve section extends mainly in vertical direction to allow the driving slide to rotate the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.
    Inventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Rainer Gerhard Jungling
  • Patent number: 11230172
    Abstract: A roof assembly for a vehicle having an opening comprises a frame having two parallel longitudinal beams connected to a transverse beam. A drive system for a panel supports and moves the panel and includes a motor attached to the transverse beam, two substantially parallel guide rails attached to the longitudinal beams, and a support mechanism movably guided in the guide rails and operatively connected to the motor. The frame and the drive system as a unit are adapted to each other such that the drive system is partly inserted into the frame between the longitudinal beams and rotated such that the motor is on the lower side of the transverse beam of the frame and the guide rails at least partly positioned on a portion of the upper side of the longitudinal beams of the frame. There is also disclosed a method of assembling the roof assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.
    Inventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Ruud Geurts
  • Publication number: 20210316655
    Abstract: A glass panel assembly for use in a roof of a vehicle, comprises a glass panel, a frame and an elongate lighting device. The glass panel comprises an interior main surface and the interior main surface of the glass panel is configured to be directed to a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The frame is adhered to the interior main surface and comprises a shaped element. The shaped element is one of a recess and a protrusion. The elongate lighting device is coupled to the frame by a mating shape engaging the shaped element. The lighting device is configured to directly illuminate at least a part of said passenger compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Inventors: Jiangtao Li, Jur Johannes Maria Custers, Eduardus Christianus Henricus Van Boxtel, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Robert Rikkert, Robbert Arij Jeroen De Jong, Sander De Bie
  • Publication number: 20210309088
    Abstract: A frame assembly for an open roof assembly comprises a first beam, a second beam and a panel. The first beam and the second beam are mechanically coupled in a joint area, thereby forming a seam. A sealant is provided in the joint area for providing a liquid-tight joint. The panel is at least partly arranged over the first beam and the second beam such that the joint area is at least partly overlapped by the panel. An adhesive bead is solely provided on the first beam for supporting the panel on the first beam, the adhesive bead sealing a dry area between the first beam and the panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Publication date: October 7, 2021
    Inventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Rainer Gerhard Jüngling
  • Patent number: 11001130
    Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle having a roof opening in its fixed roof includes a panel for opening and closing the roof opening. An operating mechanism on each side of the passage opening supports and moves the panel. A bracket on the panel and a support on the operating mechanism each have a plurality of holes and a screw for each pair of holes to attach the bracket to the panel support. At least one pair of holes is provided with a funnel which guides a screwdriver to the respective screw. At least one pair of holes is before or behind the passage opening when the panel is closed. The frame has a mounting opening for the screwdriver is in the same transverse plane as said at least one pair of holes to fasten the screw of said at least one pair of holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.
    Inventors: Rainer Gerhard Jungling, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Publication number: 20210086595
    Abstract: A guide assembly of an open roof assembly comprises a center rail element. The center rail element comprises a first wall member and a second wall member, the second wall member being arranged substantially parallel to the first wall member. A transverse wall member extends between the first wall member and the second wall member. A first guide channel is arranged in the first wall member and a second guide channel is arranged in the second wall member. A cable channel is provided on the transverse wall and is arranged between the first guide channel and the second guide channel. Thus, a modular center rail element is provided that may be used with all vehicle types without further vehicle specific adaptation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Rainer Gerhard Jüngling, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Publication number: 20210086594
    Abstract: In a guide assembly for an open-roof system of a vehicle, a closure member selectively covers or at least partly uncovers an opening in a vehicle roof. The assembly comprises a guide extending in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle; a mounting element for mounting the closure member; a first support mechanism operatively coupled to the mounting element, the first support mechanism slidably supporting the mounting element in the guide; and a second support mechanism coupled to the guide and comprising a support element slidably supporting the mounting element, the second support mechanism being configured for moving the mounting element to a tilted position, a tilt direction being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The assembly is provided with a release mechanism for releasing the mounting element from at least one of the first support mechanism and the second support mechanism and for remounting the mounting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2020
    Publication date: March 25, 2021
    Inventors: Rainer Gerhard Jüngling, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen