Patents by Inventor Wolfram Salz

Wolfram Salz 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: 7556311
    Abstract: A passenger vehicle roof includes front and rear roof parts. The front roof part is longitudinally slidable. The front roof part cooperates with the rear roof part via a control lever such that upon an opening longitudinal motion of the front roof part the control lever lowers the rear roof part in a forcibly guided manner and upon a closing longitudinal motion of the front roof part the control lever raises the rear roof part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfram Salz
  • Patent number: 7472950
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a roof having a roof opening between respective sides of the vehicle body, and guide rails attached to respective sides of the vehicle body. A cover having guide elements is slidably engaged to respective ones of the rails to slide the cover between a closed position in which the cover covers the opening and an opened position in which the cover exposes the opening. A first sealing section is connected to one of the respective vehicle body sides. A second sealing section is connected to the cover on the respective body side. The sealing sections enclose a wedge line. A seal is between the sealing sections. The seal is compressed when the cover is in the closed position and is relaxed when the cover is in the opened position in response to a wedge effect generated by the wedge line as the cover slides along the rails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfram Salz, Thomas Halbweiss, Matthias Rösler
  • Patent number: 7422274
    Abstract: A roof for a passenger motor vehicle is disclosed that comprises at least a first roof element extending above the vehicle's passengers in the front seats of the vehicle. The first roof element may be moved along side roof frames and has a first transverse section that borders a second transverse of a second roof element. Recessed areas are provided between the first transverse section of the roof element and the second transverse section of the roof element. The recessed areas provide the front seat passengers with enlarged viewing areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: CTS Fahrzeug-Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfram Salz
  • Patent number: 7374236
    Abstract: A vehicle roof includes a roof opening in a roof skin. First and second roof parts are movable between a closed position in which the parts are arranged flush behind one another within the roof opening to thereby close off the roof opening and in an opened position in which the second part is lowered with respect to the roof skin and the first part extends over the second part to thereby expose the roof opening. A kinematic support mechanism is movable to an extended position in which the mechanism fixes the second part in the closed position and in a retracted position in which the mechanism lowers the second part in the opened position. The first part and the mechanism are connected to one another such that the first part actuates the mechanism between its positions in response to the first part moving between the closed and opened positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Klaus Striegel, Berthold Klein, Wolfram Salz, Waleri Katrini
  • Publication number: 20070152470
    Abstract: A passenger vehicle roof includes front and rear roof parts. The front roof part is longitudinally slidable. The front roof part cooperates with the rear roof part via a control lever such that upon an opening longitudinal motion of the front roof part the control lever lowers the rear roof part in a forcibly guided manner and upon a closing longitudinal motion of the front roof part the control lever raises the rear roof part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Applicant: MAGNA CAR TOP SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventor: Wolfram Salz
  • Publication number: 20070152476
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a roof having a roof opening between respective sides of the vehicle body, and guide rails attached to respective sides of the vehicle body. A cover having guide elements is slidably engaged to respective ones of the rails to slide the cover between a closed position in which the cover covers the opening and an opened position in which the cover exposes the opening. A first sealing section is connected to one of the respective vehicle body sides. A second sealing section is connected to the cover on the respective body side. The sealing sections enclose a wedge line. A seal is between the sealing sections. The seal is compressed when the cover is in the closed position and is relaxed when the cover is in the opened position in response to a wedge effect generated by the wedge line as the cover slides along the rails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Publication date: July 5, 2007
    Applicant: MAGNA CAR TOP SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Wolfram Salz, Thomas Halbweiss, Matthias Rosler
  • Publication number: 20070075571
    Abstract: A vehicle roof includes a roof opening in a roof skin. First and second roof parts are movable between a closed position in which the parts are arranged flush behind one another within the roof opening to thereby close off the roof opening and in an opened position in which the second part is lowered with respect to the roof skin and the first part extends over the second part to thereby expose the roof opening. A kinematic support mechanism is movable to an extended position in which the mechanism fixes the second part in the closed position and in a retracted position in which the mechanism lowers the second part in the opened position. The first part and the mechanism are connected to one another such that the first part actuates the mechanism between its positions in response to the first part moving between the closed and opened positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Publication date: April 5, 2007
    Applicant: MAGNA CAR TOP SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Klaus Striegel, Berthold Klein, Wolfram Salz, Waleri Katrini
  • Publication number: 20060261642
    Abstract: A roof for a passenger motor vehicle is disclosed that comprises at least a first roof element extending above the vehicle's passengers in the front seats of the vehicle. The first roof element may be moved along side roof frames and has a first transverse section that borders a second transverse of a second roof element. Recessed areas are provided between the first transverse section of the roof element and the second transverse section of the roof element. The recessed areas provide the front seat passengers with enlarged viewing areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2006
    Publication date: November 23, 2006
    Applicant: CTS Fahrzeug-Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfram Salz
  • Patent number: 6890024
    Abstract: In a lamellar roof for a motor vehicle a support structure for the roof lamella section is provided in which the guide and operating mechanism is simplified and tolerance variations are reduced and which provides for firm support of the roof lamella sections also when the roof is open to avoid rattling noises. This is achieved in that the lamella sections are supported by lamella carriers and each lamella carrier is supported on two adjacent guide carriages, and a control rocker is provided on each carriage so as to be movable out of a basic closed position to a roof opening position, in which it raises the rear edges of said lamella sections to tilt the lamella section upwardly, the guide carriage of said front lamella section carrier and the control rocker projecting, in opening direction, beyond said connection and being supported, in the projecting area, on the lamella carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2005
    Assignee: CTS Fahrzeug-Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfram Salz
  • Patent number: 6811205
    Abstract: In a removable vehicle roof supported by way of an operating mechanism on a vehicle body for movement between a closed position, in which the vehicle roof covers an interior vehicle space and a storage position in which the roof is deposited in a vehicle storage compartment, a spring element is supported on the vehicle body and connected to the roof operating mechanism in such a way as to bias the operating mechanism in each of the two end positions of the roof in a direction toward the other end position so as to facilitate movement of the vehicle roof out of each end position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2004
    Assignee: CTS Fahrzeug-Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfram Salz, Gernot Bruder, Markus Papendorf, Andreas Hasselgruber, Matthias Rösler, Frank Bertz
  • Publication number: 20040094987
    Abstract: In a removable vehicle roof supported by way of an operating mechanism on a vehicle body for movement between a closed position, in which the vehicle roof covers an interior vehicle space and a storage position in which the roof is deposited in a vehicle storage compartment, a spring element is supported on the vehicle body and connected to the roof operating mechanism in such a way as to bias the operating mechanism in each of the two end positions of the roof in a direction toward the other end position so as to facilitate movement of the vehicle roof out of each end position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2003
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Inventors: Wolfram Salz, Gernot Bruder, Markus Papendorf, Andreas Hasselgruber, Matthias Rosler, Frank Bertz
  • Publication number: 20040090091
    Abstract: In a lamellar roof for a motor vehicle a support structure for the roof lamella section is provided in which the guide and operating mechanism is simplified and tolerance variations are reduced and which provides for firm support of the roof lamella sections also when the roof is open to avoid rattling noises. This is achieved in that the lamella sections are supported by lamella carriers and each lamella carrier is supported on two adjacent guide carriages, and a control rocker is provided on each carriage so as to be movable out of a basic closed position to a roof opening position, in which it raises the rear edges of said lamella sections to tilt the lamella section upwardly, the guide carriage of said front lamella section carrier and the control rocker projecting, in opening direction, beyond said connection and being supported, in the projecting area, on the lamella carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Inventor: Wolfram Salz
  • Publication number: 20040075303
    Abstract: In a lamellar roof for a roof opening of a vehicle, wherein the roof comprises a number of roof sections (lamellas) supported on guide carriages, which are movable along guide tracks mounted along opposite sides of the roof opening for opening and closing the roof, a lamella guide mechanism is provided including lamella carriers pivotally supported on the guide carriages together with support levers such that overlapping areas of the support levers of adjacent guide carriages are firmly in engagement with each other when the roof is open and the guide carriages are in an abutting relationship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventor: Wolfram Salz
  • Patent number: 6631939
    Abstract: A vehicle roof which can be adjusted between a closed position and an opening position has an adjusting device and at least one side window which during the transfer between the closed and opening position can be pivoted via a rotational joint by an actuating element. The actuating element is coupled on one side to the side window at a distance from the side-window rotational axis and is connected on its opposite side to an element of the adjusting device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Assignee: CTS Fahrzeug Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfram Salz, Andreas Hasselgruber, Lothar Reiff, Thomas Halbweiss
  • Patent number: 6578899
    Abstract: In a convertible vehicle including a roof which is movable between a closed position, in which the roof covers an interior vehicle space, and an open position, in which the roof is deposited in a storage compartment behind the passenger compartment of the vehicle, that is covered by a rear lid, an operating mechanism for opening and closing the rear lid is provided which includes front and rear pivot arms pivotally mounted to the vehicle body, a coupling arm pivotally connected to the pivot arms and first and second links, each of which has one end pivotally connected to the rear lid and the first link is pivotally connected with its other end to the coupling arm while the second link forms an extension of the rear pivot arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: CTS Fahrzeug-Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Hasselgruber, Matthias R{haeck over (o)}sler, Wolfram Salz, Thomas Halbweiss
  • Patent number: 6502898
    Abstract: A control mechanism for a lamella roof has two successive lamellae which are supported on a guide carriage via their mutually facing sides. The articulation of one lamella on the guide carriage takes place via a control rocker which is positively controlled in dependence on the position of the other lamella.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: CTS Fahrzeug Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Wolfram Salz
  • Publication number: 20020140250
    Abstract: In a convertible vehicle including a roof which is movable between a closed position, in which the roof covers an interior vehicle space, and an open position, in which the roof is deposited in a storage compartment behind the passenger compartment of the vehicle, that is covered by a rear lid, an operating mechanism for opening and closing the rear lid is provided which includes front and rear pivot arms pivotally mounted to the vehicle body, a coupling arm pivotally connected to the pivot arms and first and second links, each of which has one end pivotally connected to the rear lid and one is pivotally connected with its other end to the coupling arm while the other forms an extension of one of the pivot arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Andreas Hasselgruber, Matthias Rosler, Wolfram Salz, Thomas Halbweiss
  • Patent number: 6364407
    Abstract: A sealing element for a vehicle roof with a roof opening in which a movable roof element is arranged so as to be adjustable between open and closed position has a sealing surface which in closed position of the roof element engages with an edge of the roof element to form a seal. In order to improve the seal in a simple manner, the sealing element is provided with a sealing arm which rests on a support. The upper side of the sealing arm forms the sealing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: CTS Fahrzeug Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Raisch, Dirk Arnold, Wolfram Salz
  • Publication number: 20020017801
    Abstract: A vehicle roof which can be adjusted between a closed position and an opening position has an adjusting device and at least one side window which during the transfer between the closed and opening position can be pivoted via a rotational joint by an actuating element. The actuating element is coupled on one side to the side window at a distance from the side-window rotational axis and is connected on its opposite side to an element of the adjusting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Applicant: CTS Fahrzeug Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfram Salz, Andreas Hasselgruber, Lothar Reiff, Thomas Halbweiss
  • Patent number: 6345860
    Abstract: A vehicle roof for a motor vehicle has a roof part which can be moved in the longitudinal direction and can be adjusted between a closed position which closes a roof opening in the motor vehicle and an open position which releases the roof opening. Furthermore, a driving motor is provided which drives, via at least one driving pinion, two driving cables which adjust the roof part and are guided along both sides of the roof 15 opening. In order to provide a drive for a vehicle roof the drive has good operational reliability and provides sufficiently high power, yet at the same time being of small construction. Each driving cable is assigned a respective motor-operated driving pinion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Assignee: CTS Fahrzeug-Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Adam, Oliver Braun, Erich Ruehinger, Wolfram Salz, Matthias Aydt, Berthold Klein, Lothar Reiff