Patents by Inventor Winfried Bunsmann

Winfried Bunsmann 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: 8020916
    Abstract: The invention relates to a convertible vehicle with at least two roof sections; that, when the roof is closed, are situated one behind the other with regard to the direction of travel (F), of which, when roof section that is situated behind the other section when the roof is closed, at least one separately openable part of the or a roof section, which is situated in front of roof section, can be displaced with a component pointing toward the rear, and the convertible vehicle is ready to be driven when the roof sections are in this position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Winfried Bunsmann, Klaus Russke
  • Patent number: 7784850
    Abstract: A convertible with a roof, which can be displaced longitudinally in an approximately horizontal position towards the rear of the vehicle, between a closed position, in which the roof is held directly or indirectly against the windshield frame and an intermediate position, in which the fixture between the roof and the windshield frame is released, is provided. The roof, for at least part of the lowering motion, is held in a receiving space of the car body in the rear intermediate position and in the lowered condition it can be displaced longitudinally towards the front of the vehicle. At least one displaceable locking element for the roof can be actuated during the longitudinal displacement of the stowed-away roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Heino Feussahrens, Winfried Bunsmann
  • Patent number: 7770958
    Abstract: Disclosed is a soft top for a motor vehicle, comprising longitudinal struts that span a roof opening and a flexible roof skin which spans the width of the vehicle and is fastened to a windshield frame in the front and a bow spanning the width of the vehicle in the rear in the mounted state. One respective longitudinal strut that delimits the roof skin in the transversal direction of the vehicle is embodied as a lateral rail which can be connected at least to one lateral vehicle element. In order to put the soft top down, it can be folded in the transversal direction of the vehicle, the roof skin and the longitudinal struts being joined so as to form a pre-assembled unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventor: Winfried Bunsmann
  • Patent number: 7735900
    Abstract: A convertible includes an automobile body and a movable roof having at least a rear roof part and an upper roof part, wherein the rear roof part extends at least between a belt line and the upper roof part. The upper roof part is located above a passenger compartment and in front of the rear roof part. The rear roof part has a middle section that encloses a rear window and is located between lateral main posts of the automobile body when the roof is closed. The main posts and the middle section are each rotationally connected with the automobile body and with the upper roof part by joints which form a multijoint linkage whose axis of rotation lie in a common plane in at least one movement position of the roof, so that at least one additional support of the upper roof part located in front of the rear roof part is provided for supporting the upper roof part with respect to the automobile body, wherein the additional support is active in the at least one movement position of the roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Russke, Winfried Bunsmann, Matthias Aydt
  • Patent number: 7722106
    Abstract: In a tailgate for a motor vehicle, which comprises a lower tailgate body (18), on which a rear window (22) is mounted, on whose upper area a supplemental brake light (24) is provided, the rear window (22) is lowerable into the tailgate body (18), wherein the rear window, at least when the vehicle is driven, is lowerable only so far that its upper area provided with the supplemental brake light (24) upwardly projects from the tailgate body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventor: Winfried Bunsmann
  • Patent number: 7712825
    Abstract: The invention relates to a folding top for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one first and at least one second structural element (6, 7), which are covered by a flexible roof panel (8). Said structural elements (6, 7) are designed to be mounted and detached transversally to the direction of the vehicle by means of a roof opening (2) and once attached, are fixed at the front to the windscreen frame (3) and at the rear to a bow (4) that spans the width of the vehicle. The flat structural elements (6, 7) are interconnected by means of guide devices (14, 15) and can be displaced in relation to one another transversally to the direction of the vehicle by means of said devices (14, 15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Winfried Bunsmann, Juergen Theuerkauf
  • Patent number: 7703827
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle (1) having a hatchback (h1) that is movable in at least one position of a rear window (H4), wherein the rear window (H4) can be separately moved from its closed position in the areas (H2, H3) surrounding the hatchback (H1) and opposite thereto into a release position, wherein the rear window (H4) can be stored in an area in the vehicle body (6) that is spaced from the hatchback (H1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Winfried Bunsmann, Olaf Weissmüller, Udo Heselhaus
  • Patent number: 7677633
    Abstract: In a convertible vehicle having a folding convertible top (16), whose rear side is affixed to a tensioning bow (20) laterally supported relative to the vehicle, and a rear trunk lid (14) laterally supported relative to the vehicle, wherein its front side is arranged in the vicinity of the tensioning bow in its closed state, the tensioning bow (20) can be brought into an upwardly pivoted position during the opening of the rear trunk lid (14) or when the rear trunk lid is opened, so that an opening for loading of a luggage compartment, which is arranged underneath the rear trunk lid and underneath the tensioning bow at least when the folding convertible top is closed, is enlarged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Franz-Ulrich Brockhoff, Winfried Bunsmann, Siegfried Licher
  • Patent number: 7673927
    Abstract: In a motor vehicle having a tail gate (10) affixed to a lateral, rear pillar of the vehicle structure by means of at least one hinge so as to be pivotable about a substantially vertical axis (A-A), a hinge part that swings out together with the tail gate is located in an area of a lateral tail light (18) of the vehicle when the tail gate (10) is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Franz-Ulrich Brockhoff, Winfried Bunsmann, Jochen Klein, Wolfgang Nentwig, Markus Grave
  • Publication number: 20090273210
    Abstract: The invention relates to a convertible vehicle with at least two roof sections that, when the roof is closed, are situated one behind the other with regard to the direction of travel (F), of which, when roof section that is situated behind the other section when the roof is closed, at least one separately openable part of the or a roof section, which is situated in front of roof section, can be displaced with a component pointing toward the rear, and the convertible vehicle is ready to be driven when the roof sections are in this position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2005
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Applicant: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Winfried Bunsmann, Klaus Russke
  • Patent number: 7591500
    Abstract: A motor vehicle with an automobile body having two rigid body regions located on both sides above side window regions. At least two panel-shaped roof sections lay behind one another between the two body regions, which roof sections can move relative to the lateral body sections, and can move out of the closed position into an open position further below in the automobile body. From the closed position of the roof sections, a front roof section can be moved over a rear roof section by guiding it laterally like a sliding sunroof. The front end regions of the roof sections can be raised from this position so that the roof sections can be lowered into the automobile body. In the closed position of the roof sections, a rear window, which can be separately moved between an open position and a closed position, borders directly on the rear roof section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Winfried Bunsmann, Olaf Weissmüller, Udo Heselhaus
  • Patent number: 7575268
    Abstract: A component of an adjustment mechanism for a vehicle roof of a convertible, designed to be adjustable between a first position and a second position, which is exposed to alternating loads as a function of its position and is topologically and/or topographically adjusted to the loads acting on component for a predefined design space, so that a uniform stress distribution is at least approximately present in component, at least in critical load situations, and the component is designed in the areas with limited load with less use of material than in the areas with higher load, or with a recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Heino Feussahrens, Hans-Joachim Emmelmann, Winfried Bunsmann
  • Patent number: 7559595
    Abstract: A convertible device of a vehicle comprises a convertible top (10) movable between a closed position and a folded-together, lowered open position and a separating wall (22, 24) separating the convertible top at least in its folded-together open position at least partially from the interior of a luggage space (19) of the vehicle when the convertible device is mounted thereon. At least a portion of the separating wall is formed by a rear shelf part (24) that separates the passenger compartment from the luggage space in the closed position of the convertible top and during movement of the folding top into its open position moves downwardly together with the lower, rear edge portion of the convertible top, so that the folded-together convertible top is disposed above the rear shelf part. A sensor apparatus detects an object located in the luggage space and hindering a lowering of the rear shelf part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Winfried Bunsmann, Joachim Maass, Heiko Schonhorst
  • Patent number: 7506915
    Abstract: A motor vehicle (1) with a hatchback (H1) comprising lateral frame parts (H3) rising in the direction of travel, between which in a rear window (H4) is received in at least one position and which rest on a rear section (8) of lateral members of the bodywork of the vehicle (6) when the hatchback (H1) is in a closed position, forming part of the outer surface of the vehicle. According to the invention, when the hatchback (H1) is opened, it can be moved with the most forward-lying area (HF) thereof counter to the direction of travel (F) and a passageway (D1) enabling the roof parts (P1;P2;H4) to move inside the bodywork of the vehicle (6) is opened up in the overlapping area when the hatchback (H1) is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann, GmbH
    Inventors: Winfried Bunsmann, Olaf Weissmüller, Udo Heselhaus
  • Patent number: 7497510
    Abstract: A motor vehicle with a vehicle body, which comprises at least a pair of struts, at least one vibration-selective detection unit for detecting longitudinal stresses on the struts during operation of the vehicle, and at least one actuator for producing a force that counteracts the longitudinal stress, wherein the at least two struts are connected by a holding device, which is movably supported relative to the body, wherein a common actuator is configured for simultaneously adjusting the struts connected by the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Winfried Bunsmann, Peter Kalinke
  • Patent number: 7481458
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a roll-over protection device for a motor vehicle, particularly for a convertible, comprising a roll bar (2). This roll bar is provided with an at least nearly U-shaped design having a transverse yoke (3) and lateral limbs (4A, 4B) while leaving a loading opening (11) unobstructed, and extending such that it essentially spans the width of the vehicle. The lateral limbs (4A, 4B) can be displaced along fixed guiding devices (6, 7) in order to transfer the roll bar (2) out of a lowered non-operational position and into a raised supporting position. To this end, a central retaining and activating device (12) for the roll bar (2), said device being controlled by an actuator (18), is provided and/or a device (17) that synchronizes the displacement of the limbs (4A, 4B) of the roll bar (2) along the guiding devices (6, 7) is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Winfried Bunsmann, Franz Ulrich Brockhoff, Stefan Hoge
  • Patent number: 7455347
    Abstract: A vehicle roof structure (10), which has at least one rear-side convertible top compartment lid (16) and a rigid roof part (12) movable between an opened- and a closed position, which roof part (12) extends in the closed position between a windshield frame (14) of the vehicle and the convertible top compartment lid (16) and in the opened position is stored in a space underneath the convertible top compartment lid (16), is movable between the closed position and the opened position by a linkage mechanism (30, 36) and is additionally provided with at least one guide device (40, 42, 44), with which the roof part (12) is in contact during at least one portion of its movement path between the opened- and closed position and which effects a directional change of the movement path of the roof part (12) when it arrives in contact with the roof part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Udo Heselhaus, Winfried Bunsmann, Franz Ulrich Brockhoff
  • Publication number: 20080203769
    Abstract: The invention relates to a folding top for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one first and at least one second structural element (6, 7), which are covered by a flexible roof panel (8). Said structural elements (6, 7) are designed to be mounted and detached transversally to the direction of the vehicle by means of a roof opening (2) and once attached, are fixed at the front to the windscreen frame (3) and at the rear to a bow (4) that spans the width of the vehicle. The flat structural elements (6, 7) are interconnected by means of guide devices (14, 15) and can be displaced in relation to one another transversally to the direction of the vehicle by means of said devices (14, 15).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Winfried Bunsmann, Juergen Theuerkauf
  • Publication number: 20080174137
    Abstract: In a tailgate for a motor vehicle, which comprises a lower tailgate body (18), on which a rear window (22) is mounted, on whose upper area a supplemental brake light (24) is provided, the rear window (22) is lowerable into the tailgate body (18), wherein the rear window, at least when the vehicle is driven, is lowerable only so far that its upper area provided with the supplemental brake light (24) upwardly projects from the tailgate body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2005
    Publication date: July 24, 2008
    Inventor: Winfried Bunsmann
  • Publication number: 20080073940
    Abstract: A roof structure for a sun roof system includes a roof frame extending at least between an A-pillar and a rear structural pillar of a vehicle. At least one roof element of the roof system is movably guided in or on the roof frame substantially in the vehicle longitudinal direction between a closed roof position and an opened roof position. The roof element is rotatable relative to the roof frame and is lowerable along the structural pillar. The structural pillar is inwardly offset relative to an outer shell of the vehicle, so that the outer shell is completely formed without contacting the structural pillar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2005
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: WILHELM KARMANN GMBH
    Inventor: Winfried Bunsmann