Seal Patents (Class 296/107.04)
  • Patent number: 9994096
    Abstract: There are provided a front weather strip provided between a first roof member and a second roof member, a rear weather strip provided between the second roof member and a third roof member, a roof-side weather strip provided at the second roof member, and a vertical weather strip. Plural partition walls which form the plural vertical flow passages are provided at the vertical weather strip, and a first flow passage for distributing water from the front weather strip to plural vertical flow passages of the vertical weather strip by way of the roof-side weather strip and a second flow passage for distributing water from the rear weather strip to at least one of plural vertical flow passages of the vertical weather strip are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignees: MAZDA MOTOR CORPORATION, NISHIKAWA RUBBER CO., LTD
    Inventors: Miwa Shinohara, Keiichiro Nishiura, Hiromu Oda, Akio Okayama
  • Patent number: 9539887
    Abstract: A support strap for holding a seal strip of a convertible top against one or more body panels of the vehicle. The seal strip has a body panel engaging portion and an attachment portion. A tensioner is operatively attached to the support strap to reduce the flexibility of the support strap and apply pressure to the seal strip to improve the effectiveness of the seal strip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: MAGNA CAR TOP SYSTEMS OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Dilluvio, Wolfgang Richter
  • Patent number: 9409462
    Abstract: A convertible top having a glass window attached to the top by positioning a ring around a window opening in the soft top and wrapping an edge of the window opening around at least a portion of the ring. An adhesive is positioned between the edge portion of the ring and the soft top and the glass window is positioned over the ring and secured thereto by an adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: GAHH, LLC
    Inventors: Martin Brown, Neshan Markarian, John Bath
  • Publication number: 20140035311
    Abstract: A roof arrangement (3) of a motor vehicle is stowable and, in a closed position, extends between an upper windshield cowl and a fixed rollover hoop (6). The roof arrangement (3) has a roof frame (4) which is articulated, via a linkage (11, 13), in a mount (11) that is fixed with respect to a bodyshell. Seals (17) run on both sides of the roof frame (4) and form seal strands in the closed position of the roof arrangement. Each seal (17) is divided into three over its length. A front portion (18) of the seal (17) is fastened to the roof frame (4), a middle portion (19) of the seal (17) is fastened to a link (11) of the linkage (11, 13) and a rear portion (20) of the seal (17) is fastened to a rear surface bow (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Markus Schulzki
  • Patent number: 8408633
    Abstract: A seal structure comprises: a body side weather strip 10 that includes a die molded part 101 made of a solid material, and makes elastic contact with an under surface of a storage lid 3; a storage lid side weather strip 20 that includes a die molded part 201 that makes elastic contact with the die molded part 101 from above; and a roof side weather strip 30 that includes a die molded part 301 that makes elastic contact with a front upper surface of the storage lid 3 and the die molded part 101 from above. The die molded part 201 further includes a hollow seal part 41 made of a sponge material, which extends downward and makes elastic contact with the die molded part 101.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kousuke Mori, Hirofumi Ogawa, Shinya Murakami
  • Patent number: 8282152
    Abstract: A collapsible roof assembly for a vehicle includes a collapsible roof and a sealing mechanism. The roof has a top rail with a frame element running along a longitudinal side of the roof. The sealing mechanism has a seal configured to receive and seal a window pane inserted therein, wherein the seal runs along the longitudinal side of the roof and is attached to the frame element. The seal has a similar cross-section between front, middle, and rear sections of the roof. The seal is attached to the frame element in a form-fit manner in the front section of the roof and is attached to the frame element in a force-fitted manner in the middle section of the roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Konrad Herz
  • Publication number: 20120161463
    Abstract: A seal structure comprises: a body side weather strip 10 that includes a die molded part 101 made of a solid material, and makes elastic contact with an under surface of a storage lid 3; a storage lid side weather strip 20 that includes a die molded part 201 that makes elastic contact with the die molded part 101 from above; and a roof side weather strip 30 that includes a die molded part 301 that makes elastic contact with a front upper surface of the storage lid 3 and the die molded part 101 from above. The die molded part 201 further includes a hollow seal part 41 made of a sponge material, which extends downward and makes elastic contact with the die molded part 101.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kousuke Mori, Hirofumi Ogawa, Shinya Murakami
  • Publication number: 20120025561
    Abstract: A collapsible roof assembly for a vehicle includes a collapsible roof and a sealing mechanism. The roof has a top rail with a frame element running along a longitudinal side of the roof. The sealing mechanism has a seal configured to receive and seal a window pane inserted therein, wherein the seal runs along the longitudinal side of the roof and is attached to the frame element. The seal has a similar cross-section between front, middle, and rear sections of the roof. The seal is attached to the frame element in a form-fit manner in the front section of the roof and is attached to the frame element in a force-fitted manner in the middle section of the roof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: MAGNA CAR TOP SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventor: Konrad Herz
  • Patent number: 7798554
    Abstract: A motor vehicle roof configuration which can be put away has at least two shaping sections, which are movable relative to one another and can be put away together, for lateral convertible top cloth strips. The shaping sections lie in a row next to one another in a closed position of the roof configuration and have water channels which run approximately parallel to each convertible top cloth strip and in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and also adjacent to the convertible top cloth strips. It is provided that, at least in a closed position of the roof configuration, an inner edge of each convertible top cloth strip together with at least one sealing configuration forms a leakproof covering for the adjacent water channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG
    Inventors: Dominik Beierl, Felix Hermann, Harald Neidlein, Angelo Bronda
  • Publication number: 20100194138
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sealing arrangement for a convertible with a flexible top material for sealing off an outer top material region from a front edge region of a rear storage compartment cover when the top is closed, the sealing arrangement comprising a seal which is arranged between the top and the storage compartment cover and is kept in sealing contact by means of magnetic force.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Applicant: WEBASTO AG
    Inventor: Peter Matthes
  • Patent number: 7621584
    Abstract: A system and method for attaching a cover (14) of a convertible top (12) of a motor vehicle. The system includes a cover (14) having an anchoring strip (50) and a structural support (16) having a recessed portion (32) and a plurality of retainer flanges (34). The anchoring strip (50) is disposed between the recessed portion (32) and the plurality of flanges (34) when the cover (14) is attached to the structural support (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Jan Just
  • Patent number: 7594689
    Abstract: A top for a convertible vehicle with a flexible roof panel, which is attached to an arrangement of convertible-top rods and, in its rear area, to an attachment device of the vehicle body, in which a clamping device, acting on the flexible roof panel in the region of its attachment to the vehicle body in the closed state of the convertible top, is provided. The clamping device is designed with at least one bracket that forces the flexible roof panel in the closed state of the convertible top against an auto-body closure seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventor: Udo Heselhaus
  • Patent number: 7588284
    Abstract: Disclosed is a convertible (1) comprising a movable roof (2) that is provided with a flexible cover (4), at least in the rear area (6) thereof. The rear zone of said flexible cover (4) is retained on a stretching hoop (8) which can be displaced upward from a stretching position forming the closed roof (2). At least one flexible stretching device (13) is assigned to the cover (4) in lower edge areas that are located in front of the stretching loop (8) relative to the direction of travel (F), said flexible stretching device (13) applying a tensioning force to said edge areas when the roof (2) is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventor: Sven Hollenbeck
  • Publication number: 20090102229
    Abstract: A top for a vehicle that has a stationary support disposed between removable panels forward of the support and a multiple section retractable hardtop rearward of the support. The detachable roof panels are provided in front of the stationary support and extend across the vehicle laterally and to the windshield header when installed. A two piece retractable hardtop is provided rearward of the stationary support that has a back light that is disposed to cover a back light opening in an extended position and is detached from the back light opening in a retracted position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: MAGNA CAR TOP SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventors: Robert D. Wiechowski, Robert E. Fallis, III, Michael T. Willard
  • Patent number: 7506914
    Abstract: The invention relates to a convertible vehicle (1) having a movable roof (2), which has a flexible cover (4) at least in its back area (6), said cover being held in a tensioning bracket (8) in the back area thereof, which can be displaced upwards from a tensioned position forming the closed roof (2). The convertible vehicle is configured in such a way that at least one folding device (13) acting upon a border area of the cover (4) that is located beneath and in front of the tensioning bracket (8) in driving direction (F) of the cover (4) is assigned to said cover (4), said folding device exerting a constraining folding force upon said border area when the roof is being opened (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Heiko Schonhorst, Thorsten Wietheger, Klaus Licher
  • Publication number: 20090072577
    Abstract: A seal assembly for a sunroof of an automotive vehicle is provided that includes a seal and a bracket. The seal includes a front base and a separate rear base, both of which are attached to a bottom surface of the sunroof. The front base includes a lip integrally joined to a front portion of the front base that extends at an angle in the forward and downward direction. The bracket part is attached to both the front base and the rear base and includes a flange that extends in the angled forward and downward direction similar to that of the lip. The vertical length of the lip is longer than the vertical length of the flange such that the flange is adjacent to and behind the lip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Stewart Rich, Brock Stull, Akihiko Kuribayashi
  • Patent number: 7438344
    Abstract: A sealing or weather strip for attachment to a convertible top of an automotive vehicle, the strip having an upwardly facing, generally C-shaped channel for receiving water from the top during rainy weather or during washing of the vehicle. The strip further has an upwardly extending leg of substantial longitudinal extent and an outwardly projecting bump of limited longitudinal extent on the leg to position other portions of the leg away from the convertible top. The bump is spaced from the channel and vertically above at least major portions of the channel, thereby requiring capillary action to cause water to flow along an outside portion of the leg into the channel. The leg forms a pocket for sealingly receiving an upper edge of a window of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Paxton S. Williams, Greg Bernas
  • Patent number: 7434864
    Abstract: A cabriolet vehicle with a roof provided which at least in some areas has a flexible cover, which includes in its front roof area a rigid area, a so-called roof top, overlapped by a cover. The front roof area can be stored in the same orientation as in the closed state in a body recess, and the body recess is bounded on the rear by an edge serving as a front edge of the additional body outer surface extending to the rear. The edge is preceded at least in parts of it area by a support step for a flexible lining running from the edge to an area of the roof. The step is adapted to the contour of the edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karman GmbH
    Inventor: Nils Kreiling
  • Patent number: 7380862
    Abstract: The invention relates to a weatherstrip assembly which is used particularly for sealing a folding hardtop (10) of a motor vehicle and comprises a joint consisting of sealing section (21) and fastening section (22) parts. The sealing section (21) is provided with a sealing lip (23), which is made of elastically deformable material, can be moved from the first position (I) to the second position (II) thereof and is provided with at least one restoring element (40). In order to ensure a durable, efficient and reliable restoring response of the sealing lip (23), it is provided with a tensioning element (50) in the form of a hose on the end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Metzeler Automotive Profile Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Olney, Evelyn Lerbs, Jorg Fessler, Uwe Brinkmann, Armin Klockenhoff
  • Publication number: 20080061582
    Abstract: A top for a convertible has a top linkage forming a lateral roof frame at each side, and a flexible covering which is stretched open when the top is closed and covers at least parts of the top. When the top is closed, a seal is disposed between a stiffened region of the stretched-open covering, which region faces the associated lateral roof frame, and the associated lateral roof frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: DR. ING. H.C. F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Dominik Beierl, Felix Hermann
  • Patent number: 7300093
    Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle (1) and, mainly a cabriolet-type vehicle, comprising at least one opening (3, 4) in which the opening and closing movements are activated by driving means controlled by a control unit, said opening (3, 4) having at least one inner surface turned towards a part of the vehicle (1) to be covered and at least one edge (10) situated facing an element of the body or a mobile part of said opening when the opening (3, 4) is in its closed position, characterised in that a pressure-sensitive tape, which can emit a signal according to said pressure, is placed on the inner surface next to said edge, said control unit being arranged so as to modify the kinematics of the movement according to the pressure signal measured during said movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Heuliez
    Inventors: Paul Queveau, Régis Dubreuil, Marc Baudeau
  • Patent number: 7290824
    Abstract: In a soft top vehicle roof which is movable between a closed position and an open storage position and comprises a vehicle roof cover material which is supported by a roof linkage, at least one linkage element of the roof linkage is provided with a reception space in which a seal element and a material web connected to an end portion of the roof cover material are firmly engaged and form-fittingly locked by clamping hooks extending from the inner walls of the reception space through openings in the material web and into recesses in the seal element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: CTS Fahrzeng-Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Haltermann, Holger Zach
  • Patent number: 7275782
    Abstract: There is provided a weather strip for a folding top of an open car installed in a divided manner both sides thereof in the proximity of divided rails. Each divided member comprises a hollow seal portion and a seal lip portion comprised for resilient contacts with a door glass. Each divided member comprises a die mold part in a front and a rear end portion. The seal lip portion of each divided member comprises a thick part. The thick part is formed thicker than a thin part. The thick part is provided with a thickness for a front end surface and a rear end surface of adjoining seal lip portions that are located next to each other to make a resilient contact with each other even if the seal lip portion is deformed in the folding top when the folding top is in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Morihara
  • Patent number: 7226106
    Abstract: A resin molding includes an elongate body and a bent end that is continuous with the elongate body and is formed by a pressing operation. A back side of an intersecting portion of the elongate body and the bent end has reinforcing ribs formed by resin melted during the pressing operation. The resin molding is formed by extruding a melted resin, cutting the extruded resin into a predetermined length to form an intermediate product, heating and pressing an end of the intermediate product to bend the end, and introducing a melted resin onto the intermediate product during the pressing to form at least one reinforcing rib thereon to support the bent end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masao Kobayashi, Hiroshi Iwasaki
  • Patent number: 7185941
    Abstract: A selectively pressurized sealing and/or locking system for vehicles with a vehicle opening on the body structure. Vehicle elements that are to be sealed and/or locked in relation to one another are attached by locking elements. The locking elements have positive-engagement elements that define a hollow portion and a stiffening bridging part in a transitional area between parts of the vehicle that are to be connected together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems, GmbH
    Inventors: Berthold Klein, Dieter Raisch, Wojciech Wezyk
  • Patent number: 7178809
    Abstract: A roof weather strip for use in a convertible car is composed of a plurality of weather strip pieces corresponding to the folding of a sliding roof thereof. When the sliding roof is unfolded to form a roof of the convertible car, longitudinal end parts of adjacent roof weather strip pieces contact each other to define a continuously extending roof weather strip for sealing a side edge of the sliding roof. Each of the weather strip pieces has a base portion, a tubular door glass-sealing portion, and a sliding roof-sealing portion. In each of the longitudinal end parts, the sliding roof-sealing portion is formed tubular, and the tubular sliding roof-sealing portion and the tubular door glass-sealing portion are closed with end faces, respectively, which are provided in each of the longitudinal end parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Kuzuya, Yoshihiro Kurosaki, Toshiya Miyashita
  • Patent number: 7156445
    Abstract: Disclosed is a sealing mechanism for a convertible top of a vehicle, which comprises a sealing cloth 27 disposed inside a lateral edge of a side zone 22 of a top fabric 9 in such a manner as to be gradually inclined toward the laterally inward side of the convertible top, as going from a front side to a rear side in a deployment direction of the convertible top 3. The sealing cloth 27 is designed to be brought into contact with a weather strip 41 in a deployed position. The sealing mechanism of the present invention can ensure high-level sealing between the top fabric and a top frame in a lateral edge of the convertible top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignees: Toyo Seat Co., Ltd., Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Taira, Hiroki Tanoue
  • Patent number: 7070224
    Abstract: There is provided a sealing structure in a convertible type vehicle in which a roof 11 is opened by folding or removing the roof 11, wherein a weather strip 15 mounted to a header 12 comprises seal portions 18, 19, which seals a gap by making a resilient contact with the hood 11 when the hood 11 is in a closed position. A roof side weather strip 22 mounted to a side edge of the hood 11 comprises a sub-seal portion 28 which seals a gap formed with the hood 11. A fin shape seal portion 1 is projecting formed at a front end of the sub-seal portion 28, where a front end of the seal portion 1 makes a resilient contact with a seal portion 19 of the weather strip 15 when the hood 11 is in a closed position, thereby sealing a contacting portion formed between the weather strip 15 and the front end of the roof side weather strip 22.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideshi Tsuchida
  • Patent number: 6857684
    Abstract: A hard-top convertible roof apparatus is provided. Another aspect of the present invention employs rigid hard-top front and/or rear roof sections. A further aspect of the present invention provides that the outside surfaces of retractable roof sections have a generally vertical orientation when in their open and retracted positions. In yet another aspect of the present invention, a roof structure has diverging peripheral flanges. A first roof flange retains a roof-to-roof weatherstrip and an adjacent second roof flange retains an interior trim panel, in still another aspect of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: ASC Incorporated
    Inventor: Randall Worley
  • Patent number: 6773019
    Abstract: A sealing gasket for sealing gaps adjacent to a pickup truck is provided. In alternate embodiments a combination pickup truck and sealing gasket is also provided. The sealing gasket of the present invention comprises an elongated member made of a deformable and a somewhat resilient polymeric material. The polymeric material is preferably a closed cell sponge material made of one of a number of polymeric materials which are the somewhat flexible, resilient, water resistant and the like. The cross-section of the elongated member, if divided into two parts, includes a generally triangular portion and a generally semi-circular portion which come together to form a teardrop-like shape. The elongated member preferably has a first lumen which is generally circular in shape when the sealing gasket is undeformed, and preferably a second lumen which has two converging tear surfaces which converge to join at one end and join to an arcuate inner surface at the other end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2004
    Inventor: Charles M. Schmeichel
  • Patent number: 6719365
    Abstract: An integrated molding of an automobile and a method of manufacturing thereof, into which separated conventional molding pieces manufactured hitherto in various ways, such as a drip rail molding and a rear piece drip rail molding, are incorporated, and which is integrally manufactured in a unified single manufacturing way including the insert-injection molding and pressing. In the integrated molding, clips, which are separately manufactured from and assembled with conventional moldings and assembled with a vehicle frame or a drip rail attached to the vehicle frame or assembling holes formed through the vehicle frame, are integrally with the integrated molding by insert-injection molding, so that the integrated molding can be assembled with an automobile simply by inserting the clips into holes formed through the vehicle frame. Therefore, the process of manufacturing the integrated molding is simplified, and the integrated molding can effectively prevent wind noise and water-introduction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2004
    Inventor: Hwan Deok Lee
  • Patent number: 6715818
    Abstract: In a sealing element for a movable roof section of a vehicle which seal element includes a pocket delimited by a sealing wall of the sealing element and is open toward one side for receiving cables, a cable guide channel is formed on the inside of the sealing wall so as to be accessible by way of the open side of the pocket and a sealing lip extends over the open side of the pocket and forms, between the outside of the sealing wall and the sealing lip, a seal channel for receiving a part of the movable roof section when the movable roof section is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: CTS Fahrzeug-Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Dieter Raisch, Reiner Hess
  • Publication number: 20040032145
    Abstract: A hard-top convertible roof apparatus is provided. Another aspect of the present invention employs rigid hard-top front and/or rear roof sections. A further aspect of the present invention provides that the outside surfaces of retractable roof sections have a generally vertical orientation when in their open and retracted positions. In yet another aspect of the present invention, a roof structure has diverging peripheral flanges. A first roof flange retains a roof-to-roof weatherstrip and an adjacent second roof flange retains an interior trim panel, in still another aspect of the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Publication date: February 19, 2004
    Inventor: Randall Worley
  • Patent number: 6641202
    Abstract: In a drainage arrangement for a folding hard-top vehicle roof that can be moved into a storage position in the vehicle luggage compartment with the aid of pivotable C pillars, the rear window is pivotable relative to the C pillars (2). Associated with the bottom edge of the rear window is a seal which has a water-guiding channel formed therein. The channel opens in the area of the C pillars into a collecting trough (12), which in turn is connected by a flexible hose (13) to a moisture space of one of the vehicle side windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Thomas Graf, Uwe Wacker
  • Patent number: 6629718
    Abstract: A motor vehicle having a fixed roof is provided which can be opened and has a front and a rear roof part which are connected to each other in an articulated manner and, controlled by a main link arrangement, can be shifted between a closing position and a storage position in a rear storage space, having a fixed rear window which is mounted pivotably on lateral roof pillars and the pivot axis of which runs in the central region of the rear window in the transverse direction of the vehicle. The rear window is driven in a rotational manner relative to the roof pillars during the opening and closing movement of the fixed roof, and the rear window, after reaching the closing position of the fixed roof, is pressed via the rotational drive against a sealing seat interacting with the rear window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Bauer, Thomas Baessler, Michael Koch, Stefan Orth, Juergen Schrader
  • Patent number: 6561565
    Abstract: A motor vehicle roof with a sealing device with a seal for sealing a movable roof part with an adjacent motor vehicle part. The seal is pivoted relative to the movable roof part into a sealing position when the movable roof part is moved to a closed position, and the seal is pivoted relative to the movable roof part into a lowered position when the movable roof part is moved to an open position. The seal is connected to a bearing mechanism that allows the seal to be pivoted relative to the movable roof part, and a drive mechanism connecting the movable roof part to the seal in a manner to pivot the seal relative to the movable roof part based on positioning of the movable roof part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Langguth, Jurgen Stenvers
  • Patent number: 6491334
    Abstract: A sealing profile having a profile base for attachment by insertion into a receiving orifice of a bodywork part and has a sealing portion which is attached to the profile base. The profile base is provided with a structural part and a holding limb which is formed as one piece therewith. The holding limb is formed for the purpose of engaging behind a first projection of the bodywork part and is formed so as to be able to fold in a resilient manner in the direction of the structural part. The profile base includes a holding surface which faces away from the holding limb and opposite which lies an edge of a fabric top. A locking strip is attached to the edge and in the assembled state is disposed inside the receiving orifice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Meteor Gummiwerke K.H. Bädje GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Jens Anders
  • Publication number: 20020171257
    Abstract: In a sealing element for a movable roof section of a vehicle which seal element includes a pocket delimited by a sealing wall of the sealing element and is open toward one side for receiving cables, a cable guide channel is formed on the inside of the sealing wall so as to be accessible by way of the open side of the pocket and a sealing lip extends over the open side of the pocket and forms, between the outside of the sealing wall and the sealing lip, a seal channel for receiving a part of the movable roof section when the movable roof section is closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Publication date: November 21, 2002
    Inventors: Dieter Raisch, Reiner Hess
  • Patent number: 6474654
    Abstract: A sealing gasket for sealing gaps adjacent to a pickup truck is provided. In alternate embodiments a combination pickup truck and sealing gasket is also provided. The sealing gasket of the present invention comprises an elongated member made of a deformable and a somewhat resilient polymeric material. The polymeric material is preferably a closed cell sponge material made of one of a number of polymeric materials which are the somewhat flexible, resilient, water resistant and the like. The cross-section of the elongated member, if divided into two parts, includes a generally triangular portion and a generally semi-circular portion which come together to form a teardrop-like shape. The elongated member preferably has a first lumen which is generally circular in shape when the sealing gasket is undeformed, and preferably a second lumen which has two converging tear surfaces which converge to join at one end and join to an arcuate inner surface at the other end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles M. Schmeichel
  • Patent number: 6439641
    Abstract: The profiled seal which is provided to produce a sealing arrangement between a vertically sliding window pane and a roof frame of a cabriolet comprises a metal carrier rail and a length of profiled elastomer co-extruded with the carrier rail. The profiled seal has a three-dimensional shape and can be attached to connection parts of the roof frame by attachment elements. At least two assembly regions of the carrier rail which protrude out of the length of profiled elastomer transversely to the longitudinal direction and cooperate with the attachment elements are provided disposed in the longitudinal direction of the profiled seal at a mutually spaced disposition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Assignee: Meteor Gummiwerke K.H. Bädje GmbH & Co.
    Inventors: Jens Anders, Martin Gentemann
  • Publication number: 20020093217
    Abstract: A motor vehicle roof with a sealing device with a seal for sealing a movable roof part with an adjacent motor vehicle part. The seal is pivoted relative to the movable roof part into a sealing position when the movable roof part is moved to a closed position, and the seal is pivoted relative to the movable roof part into a lowered position when the movable roof part is moved to an open position. The seal is connected to a bearing mechanism that allows the seal to be pivoted relative to the movable roof part, and a drive mechanism connecting the movable roof part to the seal in a manner to pivot the seal relative to the movable roof part based on positioning of the movable roof part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Applicant: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Langguth, Jurgen Stenvers
  • Patent number: 6340197
    Abstract: A motor-vehicle convertible top has a foldable and waterproof cover having an inner face, a framework having a plurality of rigid struts juxtaposed with the inner face, a foam-plastic layer unitarily bonded to the inner face, connecting elements integral with the foam-plastic and secured to the struts so that the framework is connected via the elements to the cover. The connecting elements can be imbedded in the foam-plastic layer or unitarily formed with the foam-plastic layer. A roof liner is bonded to mounting strips, which are therin attatched to the struts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Parat Automotive Schonenbach GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Martin Windpassinger
  • Patent number: 6340196
    Abstract: A motor-vehicle convertible top has a flexible and waterproof outer layer defining a roof having edges and an inner surface, a pair of sides joined at the edges to the roof, and a rear wall extending between the sides and a rear edge of the roof. A heat- and sound-insulating inner layer of a foamable plastic is bonded directly to the inner surface of the roof and inner surfaces of the sides. A pair of reinforcing bands extending along the edges are fixed to the layers. A plurality of crosswise rigid reinforcing struts extend between the bands and secured to the inner layer. The outer layer has a textile inner surface to which the inner layer is directly bonded. The inner layer is molded in place in a closed mold under 140 bar to 150 bar pressure, so that it is integrally united with the outer layer. The inner layer is polyurethane and has a Shore D hardness of about 40 and a polyol:isocyanate ratio of about 100:38 by weight. Furthermore the inner layer has a thickness of between 2 mm and 6 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2002
    Assignee: Parat Automotive Schonenbach GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Martin Windpassinger, Manfred Kasparak
  • Patent number: 6325446
    Abstract: A folding top for a vehicle having a vehicle body with an x direction and a z direction, the folding top comprising a front top component for resting on a part of the vehicle body when the folding top is in a closed position, another top component, the front top component being pivotable with respect to the other top component, the front top component being pivotable upwardly about a bearing axis when being opened, and a spring energy store of an automatic facility for pivoting the front top component, the spring energy store being stressed as the front top component is pivoted downwardly and released as the front top component is pivoted upwardly, the spring energy store being arranged in an installation space remote from the bearing axis of the front top component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Edscha Cabrio-Verdecksysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Heinrich Wuellrich, Rudolf Steinbrenner
  • Patent number: 6270145
    Abstract: In order to prevent the entrance of water or other liquids into the inside of a canvas top, to prevent the occurrence of wrinkles and a positional shift at the time of assembling the canvas top, to prevent wind noise generated at the time of vehicle running, and to increase the work efficiency for assembling the canvas top, a flap 11 provided with a hook 10 is attached to the rear end portion (a canvas 6a of a depending portion 6 of a top deck 7) of a canvas covering an open portion 3 of an automobile, and the rear end portion 6a of the canvas is attached to a vehicle body in a state in which the hook 10 is engaged with an engagement portion (an engagement groove 17 in a garnish 15) provided on the vehicle body side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Kamo, Noriyuki Sugihara
  • Patent number: 6260906
    Abstract: Sealing system is disclosed for the roof frame of a motor vehicle having at least one moveable, frameless window. The sealing system has at least one sealing profile section with a profile strip which is reinforced by a reinforcement and is formed of at least one elastomer. The profile strip cooperates with the window in a sealing manner. The reinforcement is provided with the profile strip as a pre-fabricated synthetic material injection molded part in a forming tool at least on one part of its surface. The reinforcement has a substantially U-shaped cross section with a base and limbs extending from the base. The sealing system is formed in a three-dimensional manner and can be fixed to connection parts of the roof frame with attachment elements. The reinforcement and the profile strip are partitioned longitudinally in the region of the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2001
    Assignee: Meteor Gummiwerke K. H. Bädge GmbH & Co.
    Inventor: Hans-Volker Buchholz
  • Patent number: 6213536
    Abstract: A sealing device for at least one frameless window of a motor vehicle includes at least one sealing body with at least one embedded supporting rail, with elastomer profile strands being provided that are formed by areawise sheathing of the supporting rails and which cooperate with the inside and the outside of the window. To improve the sealing action of the sealing device and to make manufacture less expensive, provision is made such that the elastomer profile strands of each sealing body that cooperate with the inside of the window and with the outside of the window have separate supporting rails associated with them, in that both supporting rails are connected with one another at legs that are directed in the same direction and are mounted one on top of the other, and in that the areas of the elastomer profile strands that are in an operating relationship with the window overlap one another areawise in the transverse direction of the vehicle when the sealing bodies are mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG
    Inventors: Dieter Raisch, Friedrich Depfenhart, Dirk Arnold, Wilfried Kalb
  • Patent number: 6189950
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a sealing structure for a convertible, by which water used for washing, etc. is prevented from invading inside the compartment. In a sealing structure for a convertible, the roof of which is openable at a foldable hood portion 1, the attaching base 5a of weather strip 5 is fitted to a retainer 7 fixed at a link 6, the end portions 8a of elevating and lowering side glass 8 are resiliently engaged in the hollow sealing portion 5b of the weather strip 5 when the hood portion 1 is closed, and the hood sealing portion 10 is resiliently engaged in the hood portion 1 from inside the compartment; another hood sealing portion 15 corresponding to the folding portions X, Y and Z of the hood portion 1 is die-molded at the end portion of the hood sealing portion 10.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeo Kawazoe, Hideki Yoshioka, Katsuhisa Ishihara, Yoshihiro Aoi