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: 20190031002
    Abstract: A vehicle roof construction comprises a roof opening, a panel and an operating mechanism. The operating mechanism comprises a rear assembly having a lever. The lever rotates around a first transverse axis at its first end. The first transverse axis position changes along a first guide. The second end of the lever at a second transverse axis is pivotally attached to a sliding member that engages a panel track. The rear assembly comprises an auxiliary lever that rotates around a third transverse axis at its first end. The position of the third transverse axis changes along a second guide. The second end of the auxiliary lever at a fourth transverse axis is pivotally attached to the sliding member. The auxiliary lever comprises a support which in the open position of the panel engages a counter support for transmitting vertical forces from the panel towards the counter support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Rainer Gerhard Jungling
  • Publication number: 20190023111
    Abstract: Open roof construction for a vehicle comprises a roof opening in a stationary roof part, a panel which by an operating mechanism is movable between a closed position in which it closes the roof opening and an open position in which the panel is moved rearwards to a position at least partially above a part of the stationary roof part behind the roof opening. The operating mechanism comprises a rear moving assembly for guiding and supporting the panel. The open roof construction further comprises seals that are positioned in the roof opening in the region of roof opening edges and which are intended for cooperation with the panel, wherein the rear moving assembly is constructed such that, in the open position of the panel, part of it has come into engagement with the seal that is positioned in the roof opening in the region of the rearward roof opening edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Inventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Rainer Gerhard Jungling
  • Publication number: 20180147921
    Abstract: A roof closure assembly for a vehicle includes a frame configured to be fixed to the vehicle roof and having an upper and lower side. A movable closure for a roof opening is movably supported by a movable support mechanism on the frame. An operating device includes at least one drive motor, at least a guide rail including the movable support mechanism for the closure and an elongate connecting member attached to the movable support mechanism and in engagement with the drive motor to enable the drive motor to drive the closure to move between a closed position closing the roof opening and an open position opening the roof opening at least partly. The frame comprises a through-hole providing communication between the upper and lower side of the frame. The drive motor is mounted to a lower side of a motor support such that the drive motor is accessible through the through-hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2017
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Frijke Irene Land, Marcel Johan Christiaan NELLEN
  • Patent number: 9969246
    Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle having an opening in the fixed roof includes an operating mechanism for a closure element and comprises a driving slide, slidably guided in the guide rail, a front support attached to the closure element, a support lever having a front end and a rear end and which is slidably connected to a panel track of the closure element by a rear sliding member. The support lever is in engagement with said rear guide track by a middle sliding member. The driving slide is configured to drive the support lever at least along part of path of movement of the closure element. The support lever is constructed such that, in an open position of the closure element, the rear sliding member at the rear end of the support lever extends above the fixed roof behind the roof opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Rainer Gerhard Jungling
  • Patent number: 9969245
    Abstract: A sliding support arrangement for supporting a slidable element in a closure of a roof assembly for a vehicle with respect to mutually orthogonal X, Y and Z directions, comprising at least a guide rail extending substantially in the X-direction. The slidable element carries a slide shoe engaging the guide rail and supporting the slidable element at least in the Z-direction. The slide shoe includes a first part fixed to the slidable element and a relatively movable second part. The second part is supported by the first part mainly through a spring urging the slide shoe parts in engagement with walls of the guide rail. The spring exerts a force which is directed at a non-perpendicular angle to at least one wall of the guide rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventor: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Patent number: 9931919
    Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle includes a closure element supported by an operating mechanism. The operating mechanism comprises a driving slide, slidably guided in a guide rail, a front support attached to the closure element and guided by the guide rail, a support member which is slidably connected to the closure element, and a curve part on the stationary part including a guide track having a vertical component and extending rearwardly beyond a rear edge of the roof opening. The guide rail, driving slide, connecting element, support member and curve part on the stationary part are positioned outside the seal between the closure element and the stationary part. The connecting element is connected to the driving slide and support member in a manner such that it is movable at least partly in substantially vertical direction with respect to the guide rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.
    Inventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Rainer Gerhard Jungling
  • Publication number: 20180022195
    Abstract: An open roof construction comprises at least one guide rail and front and rear closure panels. An operating mechanism supports the front panel and is adjustable between a closed position and an open position. The operating mechanism comprises rear supports connected to the front panel and two parallel guide tracks. A rear guide track portion extends rearwardly beyond the roof opening. The rear panel and the sidewardly adjacent fixed roof include a passage opening to allow the supports to support the front panel when the support is positioned in the rear guide track portion. The rear panel and the adjacent fixed roof are each provided with a seal to close the passage opening and to allow the support member to move between the seals, which, when viewed from above, extend in a non-parallel fashion with respect to each other and to the guide track.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Publication date: January 25, 2018
    Inventor: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Patent number: 9845002
    Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle having a roof opening in a fixed roof part, comprises a first panel and a second panel for at least closing first and second portions of the roof opening. The first panel is movably supported by an operating mechanism guided in a guide rail. A rear support member partly moves alongside the second panel when the first panel moves above the second panel. The seal of the second panel and/or of the fixed roof part being such that the rear support member is enabled to pass between the second panel and the fixed roof part. The seal for the second panel extends, in lateral sense, more inwardly than the seal of the first panel at the rear thereof when in the closed position, the rear support member passing between the seal on the holding member and the second panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.
    Inventor: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Patent number: 9827836
    Abstract: A rollo assembly intended for use in an open roof construction for a vehicle, comprises a rotatable winding shaft, a rollo screen of which a rear end can be wound on or off said winding shaft and of which an opposite forward end is provided with an operating beam, and opposite guide channels for in a longitudinal direction guiding opposite side edges of the rollo screen and opposite ends of the operating beam. Each of the guide channels is divided into a removable first guide channel part closest to the winding shaft and a second guide channel part further away from the winding shaft, wherein aligning means are provided for, in an assembled position of the rollo assembly, aligning respective ones of the first and second guide channel parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.
    Inventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Eduardus Christianus Van Boxtel, Bart Johannes Maria Van Neer, Suyanto Teri Wahiyu Ten-Jet-Foei, Franciscus Antonius Gerardus Vogels
  • Publication number: 20170267075
    Abstract: A sliding support arrangement for supporting a slidable element in a closure of a roof assembly for a vehicle with respect to mutually orthogonal X, Y and Z directions, comprising at least a guide rail extending substantially in the X-direction. The slidable element carries a slide shoe engaging the guide rail and supporting the slidable element at least in the Z-direction. The slide shoe includes a first part fixed to the slidable element and a relatively movable second part. The second part is supported by the first part mainly through a spring urging the slide shoe parts in engagement with walls of the guide rail. The spring exerts a force which is directed at a non-perpendicular angle to at least one wall of the guide rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Publication date: September 21, 2017
    Inventor: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Patent number: 9751387
    Abstract: A method of assembling a roof assembly for a vehicle comprises providing a first frame part having a drive element guide, providing a second frame part having a drive element guide and providing a drive element configured to drive a movable part of the roof assembly and being driven by a drive motor. The first and second frame parts are mounted to each other such that the drive element extends from the drive element guide of the first frame part to the drive element guide of the second frame part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: INALFE ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.
    Inventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Peter Christiaan Leonardus Johannes Manders
  • Patent number: 9738142
    Abstract: A roof assembly for a vehicle, having a roof opening in its fixed roof, comprises at least one movable panel closing said roof opening in its closed position and being movable from said closed position rearwardly and upwardly above the fixed roof. A driven operating mechanism supports the panel and comprises a telescope including a first telescopic part attached to the panel and a second telescopic part attached to a remainder of the operating mechanism. A height adjusting mechanism is provided between the panel and the operating mechanism. This height adjusting mechanism is arranged and adjusts the height between the first and second telescopic parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.
    Inventor: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Publication number: 20170158034
    Abstract: A rollo assembly intended for use in an open roof construction for a vehicle, comprises a rotatable winding shaft, a rollo screen of which a rear end can be wound on or off said winding shaft and of which an opposite forward end is provided with an operating beam, and opposite guide channels for in a longitudinal direction guiding opposite side edges of the rollo screen and opposite ends of the operating beam. Each of the guide channels is divided into a removable first guide channel part closest to the winding shaft and a second guide channel part further away from the winding shaft, wherein aligning means are provided for, in an assembled position of the rollo assembly, aligning respective ones of the first and second guide channel parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2016
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan NELLEN, Eduardus Christianus VAN BOXTEL, Bart Johannes Maria VAN NEER, Suyanto Teri Wahiyu TEN-JET-FOEI, Franciscus Antonius Gerardus VOGELS
  • Publication number: 20170158036
    Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle having an opening in the fixed roof includes an operating mechanism for a closure element and comprises a driving slide, slidably guided in the guide rail, a front support attached to the closure element, a support lever having a front end and a rear end and which is slidably connected to a panel track of the closure element by a rear sliding member. The support lever is in engagement with said rear guide track by a middle sliding member. The driving slide is configured to drive the support lever at least along part of path of movement of the closure element. The support lever is constructed such that, in an open position of the closure element, the rear sliding member at the rear end of the support lever extends above the fixed roof behind the roof opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Publication date: June 8, 2017
    Inventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Rainer Gerhard JUNGLING
  • Publication number: 20170151863
    Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle includes a closure element supported by an operating mechanism. The operating mechanism comprises a driving slide, slidably guided in a guide rail, a front support attached to the closure element and guided by the guide rail, a support member which is slidably connected to the closure element, and a curve part on the stationary part including a guide track having a vertical component and extending rearwardly beyond a rear edge of the roof opening. The guide rail, driving slide, connecting element, support member and curve part on the stationary part are positioned outside the seal between the closure element and the stationary part. The connecting element is connected to the driving slide and support member in a manner such that it is movable at least partly in substantially vertical direction with respect to the guide rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Publication date: June 1, 2017
    Inventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan NELLEN, Rainer Gerhard JUNGLING
  • Patent number: 9649920
    Abstract: A roof assembly for a vehicle comprises a stationary part for attaching the roof assembly to the vehicle's fixed roof. At least one closing element is movably supported by the stationary part and is capable of moving between a closed position within the roof opening and an open position in which the rear of the closing element is raised and the closing element is moved rearwardly. The closing element is provided with at least a retaining hook configured to hook behind a locking device on the stationary part in the closed position of the closing element to provide a mechanical lock for the closing element in upward direction. The locking device is movable between a locking position and an unlocking position. The closing element is configured to actuate the locking device to move from the unlocked to the locked position when the closing element is moved to the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.
    Inventors: Ronny Marinus Jacobus Snellenberg, Etienne Philippe Marcel André Coiffard, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Ruud Geurts
  • Patent number: 9636980
    Abstract: A roof system for a vehicle having a roof opening with a movable closure. A stationary guide rails guide operating mechanisms that operates the closure. The operating mechanism comprises a first device configured to move a rear edge upwardly and rearwardly and a second device including a lever to move a front edge of the closure. A guiding slide in the guide rail is coupled to the first device and the second device so as to move the closure. The lever has a pivotal connection to the closure and, remote from the pivotal connection, a sliding connection to the guiding slide by a first guide member and a sliding connection to a first stationary guide curve by a second guide member during movement of the closure. A third guide member on the lever of the second device engages a second stationary guide curve during movement of the closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.
    Inventors: Eduardus Christianus Henricus Van Boxtel, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Publication number: 20170043650
    Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle having a roof opening in a fixed roof part, comprises a first panel and a second panel for at least closing first and second portions of the roof opening. The first panel is movably supported by an operating mechanism guided in a guide rail. A rear support member partly moves alongside the second panel when the first panel moves above the second panel. The seal of the second panel and/or of the fixed roof part being such that the rear support member is enabled to pass between the second panel and the fixed roof part. The seal for the second panel extends, in lateral sense, more inwardly than the seal of the first panel at the rear thereof when in the closed position, the rear support member passing between the seal on the holding member and the second panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Publication date: February 16, 2017
    Inventor: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Publication number: 20160303956
    Abstract: A roof assembly for a vehicle, having a roof opening in its fixed roof, comprises at least one movable panel closing said roof opening in its closed position and being movable from said closed position rearwardly and upwardly above the fixed roof. A driven operating mechanism supports the panel and comprises a telescope including a first telescopic part attached to the panel and a second telescopic part attached to a remainder of the operating mechanism. A height adjusting mechanism is provided between the panel and the operating mechanism. This height adjusting mechanism is arranged and adjusts the height between the first and second telescopic parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2016
    Publication date: October 20, 2016
    Inventor: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Publication number: 20160297286
    Abstract: A method of assembling a roof assembly for a vehicle comprises providing a first frame part having a drive element guide, providing a second frame part having a drive element guide and providing a drive element configured to drive a movable part of the roof assembly and being driven by a drive motor. The first and second frame parts are mounted to each other such that the drive element extends from the drive element guide of the first frame part to the drive element guide of the second frame part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Publication date: October 13, 2016
    Inventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Peter Christiaan Leonardus Johannes Manders