Including Top Storage Compartment With Closure Patents (Class 296/107.08)
  • Publication number: 20090146461
    Abstract: A motor vehicle equipped with a roof opening and a roof closing device that is displaceable between a closed position which closes the roof opening, and a stowed position that opens the roof opening. An additional roof closing device is provided that can close the roof opening when the roof closing device is in its stowed position. The roof closing device, in its stowed position, forms a functional assembly, in particular, at least one rear seat of the motor vehicle. The roof closing device is displaceably guided on vehicle-mounted guides mounted on longitudinal roof members on both sides of the roof opening, and on the lateral structures of the vehicle body. The roof closing device has two covers which are displaceably mounted on vehicle-mounted guides, can pivot relative to one another, and which, in the stowed position, form a seat surface or a backrest of at least one rear seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2005
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: WEBASTO AG
    Inventor: Tonino Gatta
  • Patent number: 7537266
    Abstract: A vehicle roof assembly includes a roof having roof parts adjustable between a closed position in which the parts cover the vehicle interior and a storage position in which the parts are stowed in the vehicle trunk. A rear cover frame is adjustably attached to the vehicle body to move between a maximum raised position and a lowered storage position. A kinematic system connected between a rear cover and the frame is movable between an extended position in which the cover is in an opened position raised above the trunk and the frame is in a raised position, and a retracted position in which the cover is in a closed position covering the trunk and the frame is in its lowered position. A stop device associated with the frame limits the raising motion of the frame in an intermediate raised position between its lowered and maximum raised positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2009
    Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Thorsten Schumacher, Stephan Rau
  • Publication number: 20090102228
    Abstract: A retractable roof system for a vehicle is provided with a roof locking apparatus (70) provided in a vehicle body and retaining a retractable roof in a storage space (7) which is different from a trunk space, and a link mechanism (10) provided in the vehicle body and capable of changing a position of a lid (6) covering the storage space (7) so as to open and close to an open position and a closed position. The roof locking apparatus (70) is structured such as to work with the link mechanism (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: WEBASTO AG
    Inventors: Frank Hinrichs, Minoru Okamura
  • Patent number: 7520556
    Abstract: A retractable vehicle roof system for a vehicle having a rearward storage space includes a roof portion movable between a closed position and an open position. The roof portion is located above a body of the vehicle and proximate the rearward storage space when in the closed position. A lid is located above the rearward storage space when the roof portion is in the closed position. The lid is configured to descend into the storage space as the roof portion moves to the open position above the lid while substantially preserving a side profile of the vehicle and permitting storage space access. The roof portion is located above the lid when the roof portion is in the open position. A glide control arrangement is operatively connected to the lid and configured to direct motion of the lid when the roof portion moves between the open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Inventor: Jay Martin
  • Publication number: 20090096241
    Abstract: A storage structure for a cover member of a sliding roof type vehicle is equipped with a cover member (20) capable of open and close for covering the opening section formed in the roof of the vehicle, the first rails (13R, 13L) for guiding the opening or closing of the cover member (20) provided along the right and left sides of the opening section, a tray (30) for placing the cover member in folded state installed at the rear of the first rails, a holding means (50) for holding the tray (30) rotatably at a first position A, and a storage means (85) installed at the back of the last row of seat of the vehicle, wherein the storage means (85) is composed of a second rails (40) extending downward from the first position A and a storage box (80) provided on a vehicle deck connected to the second rails (40), and, with the folded cover member (20) placed on the tray (30), the tray (30) is rotated by the holding means (50), thereby the folded cover member (20) is stored by guiding the tray (30) to the second rails (
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2008
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Applicant: KANTO AUTO WORKS, LTD.
    Inventors: Junpei MIYAJIMA, Koji YOSHIDA, Tomohide NOBA
  • Patent number: 7513551
    Abstract: The present invention provides a movable closeout device or closeout panel for a convertible roof that attaches to the rear bow of the roof and moves up and down with the rear bow as the convertible roof retracts or extends. The closeout device may be a substantially rigid panel such as a parcel shelf, or may be a flexible or elastic panel. The movable closeout device attenuates noise entering the vehicle interior from the trunk and improves vehicle appearance by substantially closing out the area between the rear seat and the roof stowage area of the trunk when the convertible roof is in the up position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Andrew Sansome
  • 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: 7497499
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a roof, a compartment, and a lid. A roof kinematic system moves the roof between a closed position and a stored position in which the roof is in the compartment. The lid is movable between a closed position in which the lid covers the compartment and an opened position. First and second locks include respective closing parts movable between locked and unlocked positions. A shared kinematic system connects the closing parts to synchronously move them together. When the roof is in its stored position within the compartment and the lid is in its closed position over the compartment, the shared kinematic system moves the closing parts to their locked position such that the first part interacts with the roof and locks the roof within the compartment and the second part interacts with the lid and locks the lid over the compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Halbweiss, Kristian Franz, Horst Meier
  • Patent number: 7497497
    Abstract: A vehicle trunk cover assembly includes two coupled guide rod units which are connectable to the cover and the vehicle body such that the cover is movable between a closed position covering the trunk, a roof transport position in which the front cover end is lifted relative to the trunk, and a loading position in which the rear cover end is lifted relative to the trunk. A locking lever connectable to the vehicle body includes a lock which is movable from an engaged position to a disengaged position upon being actuated. One guide rod unit cooperates with the lock such that the guide rod unit engages the lock when the lock is in its engaged position so that the cover may move into its loading position and disengages from the lock when the lock is in its disengaged position so that the cover may move into its roof transport position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Dirk Vogt
  • Patent number: 7497496
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a foldable roof top and a trunk having a luggage compartment. A trunk lid is movable between a closed lid position in which the lid covers the trunk and an opened lid position in which the lid provides trunk access. The roof is movable between a closed roof position in which the roof parts cover the vehicle interior and an opened roof position in which the roof parts are folded and stored within the trunk over the compartment. When the lid is in the opened lid position the roof is movable from the opened roof position to a loading roof position in which the folded roof parts are raised over the trunk to provide compartment access. A blocking device prevents the lid from unintentionally closing when the lid is in the opened lid position and the roof is in the loading roof position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Marc Kielmann, Ralf Johe
  • Patent number: 7497500
    Abstract: A cover assembly for the stowage compartment of a vehicle roof movable between a covered position in which the roof covers the vehicle interior and a stowage position in which the roof is lowered into the stowage compartment. A swivel arm connects middle and cover sections such that the cover section is movable upon movement of the swivel arm relative to the middle section between the covered position in which the cover section is disposed to a side of the middle section and the stowage position in which the cover section is disposed beneath the middle section. In the covered position the cover section is supportable on the body of the vehicle. A floating bearing supports the cover section on the end of the swivel arm connected to the cover section such that the cover section is adjustable along X, Y, and Z axes relative to the swivel arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Roeder, Michael Neuberger
  • Publication number: 20090051189
    Abstract: A covering configuration has a loading space covering and is arranged behind a vehicle seat in a motor vehicle. The loading space covering extends in a transverse direction of the vehicle and is held at its longitudinal ends in corresponding receptacles on the vehicle. It important that the receptacle on the driver side is configured such that the one longitudinal end of the loading space covering can be inserted horizontally while a receptacle on the passenger side is configured in such a manner that the other longitudinal end of the loading space covering can be pivoted counter to the direction of travel of the motor vehicle into the receptacle and can be latched therein, or vice versa. In this case, the receptacles on the driver and passenger sides are configured and arranged such that installation of the loading space covering is possible from a passenger compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 5, 2008
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: DR. ING. H.C. F. PORSCHE AG
    Inventor: Peter Hofmann
  • Patent number: 7494175
    Abstract: A motor vehicle 1, 101 is disclosed having front and rear roof members 5 and 6 which can be moved from raised to stowed positions to change the style of the motor vehicle from a two box style to a convertible or pick-up style. The rear roof member 6 is stowed at an inclined angle between two rows of seats 9, 10 of the motor vehicle 1, 101 so as to occupy little space within the vehicle 1, 101.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Alan Condon, Torsten Gerhardt, John Harding, Boris Ferko, Steve Fleming, Jan Kamenistiak
  • Patent number: 7455346
    Abstract: A vehicle roof has at least one roof part coupled to a body-side roof kinematic system to be adjustable between a closed position covering the vehicle interior and a storage position. A cover with a pivoting mount is attached to the roof kinematic system through a coupling kinematic system. The coupling kinematic system includes a connecting link that makes a swinging connection with the cover. The connecting link passes through a lined-up position when the roof is moved between its closed and storage positions. The cover swings about a body-side joint. The coupling kinematic system exclusively includes links coupled through joints. There are no more than three links in the kinematic transmission path between the cover and the roof kinematic system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Metodi Kostadinov
  • Publication number: 20080265610
    Abstract: A motor vehicle is disclosed having front and rear roof panels and which can be moved from in use to stowed positions to change the style of the motor vehicle from a two box style to a convertible or pick-up style. A stowage mechanism for the rear roof panel having two interlinked four bar linkages is disclosed which allows a small linear actuator to produce the range of displacement required to stow the rear roof panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Inventors: Alan Richard Condon, Torsten Gerhardt, John K. Harding
  • Publication number: 20080238131
    Abstract: An actuation device (30) for a flap element, in particular a variable top receptacle (20), having at least one wall element (22) that is pivotable between a first and a second position, wherein the actuation device comprises a fixedly borne spring element (34) and the spring element traverses a point of maximum deflection between its first and second position by interacting with the wall element (22) during pivoting of the wall element (22).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Publication date: October 2, 2008
    Inventor: Daniel Trost
  • Patent number: 7429071
    Abstract: A convertible vehicle with at least one front roof area, having a flexible covering in the direction of travel, and a rigid roof area, including a rear window. The front roof area includes several lateral frame parts lying one behind the other, which can be folded opposite to each other, at least in the essentially horizontal axes, and can be covered by the rear roof area in the stored position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2008
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Meinert
  • Patent number: 7425031
    Abstract: A convertible vehicle has a carbody having a rear top compartment with a top compartment lid. A retractable top is connected to the carbody and stowed in the top compartment when open. Its back bow is placed onto the top compartment lid in a closed position of the top. A locking device secures the back bow and the top compartment lid to one another. The locking device has a connecting member on the back bow and a counter member on the top compartment lid below a through opening of the top compartment lid. At least one flap part is provided at the through opening and movable by the connecting member from a closed position into an open position. A switching member cooperates with the at least one flap part. The connecting member has two support legs that define a receiving slot for the counter member engaging the receiving slot positive-lockingly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2008
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Norbert Habacker, Achim Böhnke, Detlef Wasilewski
  • Publication number: 20080217954
    Abstract: A convertible vehicle has a vehicle body with a passenger compartment defined therein and a rear region with a top storage well defined therein. A retractable roof is movable between a closed position extending over the passenger compartment and a stowed position in the top storage well. The top storage well has a base region that is movable between a raised position and a lowered position. The base region covers an intermediate space between the rearward side of the seats and the inner side of the rear roof region when the roof is in the closed position and the base region is in the raised position. A coupling linkage interconnects the base region with the rear roof region such that movement of the retractable roof from the stowed position to the closed position causes movement of the base region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Publication date: September 11, 2008
    Applicant: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Olaf Weismuller, Udo Heselhaus
  • Patent number: 7419200
    Abstract: The system comprises a stop fixed to the central panel and moving with the same towards the front or the rear of the vehicle. The stop is embodied such that when the central panel pivots to the rear to pass from the retracted position to the normal position with the roof in the stored position, said stop abuts a complementary formation on the roof in the stored position, in order to control the deployment of the lateral panels with relation to the central panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Heuliez
    Inventors: Gerard Queveau, Paul Queveau, Alain Sinegre
  • Publication number: 20080197665
    Abstract: A retractable vehicle roof system for a vehicle having a rearward storage space includes a roof portion movable between a closed position and an open position. The roof portion is located above a body of the vehicle and proximate the rearward storage space when in the closed position. A lid is located above the rearward storage space when the roof portion is in the closed position. The lid is configured to descend into the storage space as the roof portion moves to the open position above the lid while substantially preserving a side profile of the vehicle and permitting storage space access. The roof portion is located above the lid when the roof portion is in the open position. A glide control arrangement is operatively connected to the lid and configured to direct motion of the lid when the roof portion moves between the open and closed positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventor: Jay Martin
  • Publication number: 20080197666
    Abstract: A convertible vehicle has a roof that is movable between a closed position extending over the passenger compartment and an opened position stowed in a rearward storage region. A movable cover has a closed position wherein the cover covers the rearward storage area and is movable to a first opened position to provide a passage opening for the roof and to a second opened position to provide a loading opening for baggage. A cover extension has an extended position wherein the cover extension at least partially covers an opening between the movable cover and the passenger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2006
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventor: Franz-Ulrich Brockhoff
  • Patent number: 7392873
    Abstract: A convertible vehicle has a carbody and a foldaway top connected to the carbody. A top compartment receives the foldaway top when folded open. A top compartment lid is provided for closing the top compartment. A hinge device is connected to the carbody and to the top compartment lid so that the top compartment lid is pivotable relative to the carbody. The top compartment lid has a front end interacting with a locking device in the area of a lateral side rail for locking it on the side rail by a push-pivot movement; it is released by a reverse movement. A lifting drive acting on the top compartment lid is supported on the carbody spaced from the hinge device and is pivotably connected to the top compartment lid. The top compartment lid is pivotable in the area of the hinge device relative to support part of the hinge device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventor: Norbert Habacker
  • Publication number: 20080129076
    Abstract: In a roof retractable type vehicle including a roof storage area, a roof storage mechanism for storing a roof, and a tonneau cover for opening and closing the roof storage area, the tonneau cover is connected to the vehicle body side via a mechanism in which the front end of the tonneau cover moves frontward and upward from the closed position and the rear end of the tonneau cover moves frontward, and the tonneau cover is retracted in an inclined posture to the front of the roof storage area. The tonneau cover includes a central member positioned in the center in the vehicle width direction and side members adjacent to both sides of the central member, and the side members and are connected swingably to the central member so that the side members can be retracted to the center side in the vehicle width direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Publication date: June 5, 2008
    Inventors: Minoru Araki, Takayuki Souma
  • Patent number: 7377573
    Abstract: The lid for a rear trunk of a vehicle having a roof foldable into the trunk is connected to the bodywork by device disposed at the front edge and at the rear edge of the lid and whose function is either to lock or to hinge the lid in a manner such that said lid can open either from the front backwards or from the rear forwards, and control device cause the lid to open in either of its opening directions or to be closed. According to the invention, the control device comprise at least one articulated arm and an actuator which is connected to the articulated arm and to the bodywork, and which is adapted to move the articulated arm and the lid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Societe Europeenne de Brevets Automobiles
    Inventors: Gerard Queveau, Paul Queveau, Jean-Marc Guillez
  • Patent number: 7367607
    Abstract: A kinematic system is proposed for adjusting a side flap of a cover assembly for a vehicle with an openable roof, the kinematic system being adjustable between a covered position and a stored position, and the kinematic system being designed in such a way that the side flap undergoes at least one translational motion and at least one rotational motion during the adjustment, and characterized in that the kinematic system has a four-bar linkage kinematic mechanism for the translational motion and a guide track for the rotational motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Roeder, Holger Wilker
  • Patent number: 7357437
    Abstract: A device for selectively moving a rear vehicle trunk lid (30) from a closed position into a forwardly-inclined intake position and into a rearwardly-inclined loading position comprises at least one support lever that is pivotable about an axis stationary relative to the vehicle. In its closed position, a rear edge of the rear trunk lid is in hinged connection with the support lever (12). A catch component (20) is arranged on the support lever (12) in front of and above the hinge connection (18, 46) for engagement with another catch component (48) that is provided on the rear trunk lid. The front wall of the rear trunk lid is connected with the vehicle via a hinge (40) that is rearwardly slidable out of a slotted link (44) that is stationary relative to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventor: Jürgen Kuhr
  • Patent number: 7354098
    Abstract: For a steep-back vehicle having an open body, a rear closure is connected to the vehicle body by a supporting frame in such a way that the rear closure when designed as a rear door may be swivelled with respect to the supporting frame about a vertical axis, and when designed as a tailgate may be raised up together with the supporting frame about a horizontal axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Albert Bullinga, Klaus Laue, Jan Hesse, Marcus Papendorf
  • Patent number: 7347482
    Abstract: A tonneau cover system uses a unique and novel way to control the movement of a side cover. The system utilizes a drum that is coupled to the side cover and a cable which is coupled to the drum. Movement of the cable causes the side cover to move between open and closed positions. The cable can be coupled to a retractable roof. Movement of the retractable roof between raised and stowed positions causes the side cover of the tonneau cover system to move between its open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Specialty Vehicle Acquisition Corp.
    Inventor: James C Powell
  • Patent number: 7344180
    Abstract: A convertible vehicle includes a roof having roof parts including a rear roof part. The roof is movable between a closed position in which the parts cover the vehicle and a stored position in which the parts are stacked within a storage compartment of the vehicle. A trunk lid opens and closes the compartment. The rear roof part includes C-pillars on respective sides of the vehicle and a window. The window is independently movable from the rear roof part between a normal position in which the window lies between the C-pillars and a raised position in which the window lies outside of the rear roof part. An adjusting device connected between the rear roof part and the window moves the window between the normal and raised positions. A storage shelf connected to the trunk lid extends below the rear roof part into the vehicle when the roof is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Halbweiss, Robert Koschien
  • Patent number: 7334832
    Abstract: The invention concerns a retractable roof consisting of at least two elements (1, 2) for a vehicle comprising a passenger compartment (7) and a rear deck (6), said roof including a front element (2) and a rear element (1) mobile between a first position wherein they cover the passenger compartment (7) and a second position wherein they are superimposed horizontally in the rear deck (6), the displacement of the rear element (1) towards the rear deck (6) being driven by at least an arm articulated (5) at one first of its ends to the chassis, and the front element (2) being linked to the rear element (1) via two levers (13, 14) articulated each at one first (15, 16) of its ends to said front element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Societe Europeenne de Brevets Automobiles
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Guillez, Gérard Queveau, Paul Queveau
  • Patent number: 7331624
    Abstract: A folding top for a cabriolet vehicle, that includes a first roof part which rests on a rear element of the vehicle, which can be opened, in the closed covering position, a second roof part which is pivotably mounted on the vehicle and is disposed in front of the first roof part in the direction of traffic when said second roof part is in a closed covering position, a third roof part which is disposed in front of the second roof part in the direction of traffic when said third roof part is in a closed covered position. The first roof part can be lifted from the rear element. A folding top with a particularly simple kinematic configuration is provided for allowing the third roof part to be moved over the second roof part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Edscha Cabrio-Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Obendiek
  • Patent number: 7322635
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a cover device for a vehicle top storage compartment of a convertible vehicle. A cover can be pivoted between a closed position and an open position. Two side flaps are arranged on sides of the cover that lie opposite each other transversely with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle, which side flaps can be pivoted between a passive position, in which they open lateral passage openings, and an active position, in which they close the passage openings. A particularly inexpensive construction is achieved by the fact that the side flaps are mounted on the cover in each case via a bearing arrangement which makes it possible to lower the particular side flap relative to the cover and to pivot the side flap under the cover. A driving device provided for adjusting the side flaps is designed exclusively for the pivoting adjustment about the flap axis, which is defined by the sleeve and the bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Hans-Peter Kuttner, Bernhard Schenk
  • Patent number: 7300094
    Abstract: A hardtop convertible vehicle has a front roof part, a central roof part and a rear roof part that includes C-pillars and a rear window. The roof parts are connected to one another in an articulated manner and are movable between a closed roof position and an open roof position by means of a displacing device. In the open roof position, the roof parts are located in a trunk of the vehicle, with the rear roof part and the central roof part lying one above the other. The rear window of the rear roof part is mounted in an articulated manner in relation to the C-pillars of the rear roof part such that it is pivoted in relation to the C-pillars during the movement of the roof parts between the closed roof position and the open roof position and assumes a position with its curvature in the same direction as the central roof part. In the open roof position, the front roof part lies outside the rear roof part and the central roof part, either along a backrest or along a motor vehicle tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventor: Bernhard Schenk
  • Patent number: 7300095
    Abstract: A pair of side linkages for raising a convertible top between a raised position, covering the vehicle body passenger compartment, through a body opening, and a lowered position folded into a storage compartment within the vehicle body, said top including a header for engaging the vehicle windshield in the top raised position and at least one crossbow extending between the side linkages, each linkage comprising side rails pivoted to and extending rearwardly from the header, and a plurality of links forming 4-bar linkages connecting the header, side rails and vehicle body for folding the top in a Z-shaped folding action to a compact shape in the storage compartment such that the header is not inverted and covers the folded top and closes the body opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Inventors: Stephen P. Rawlings, Albert W. Harrison, III
  • Patent number: 7290825
    Abstract: A device used to facilitate the insertion of objects under a folded roof in the boot of a motor vehicle. The roof includes a rear element which is equipped with a finger bar that is designed to slide along a rail comprising a storage section, which is intended to guide the roof between a deployed position and a folded, stored position, and a raised section, which is intended to guide said roof between a folded, stored position and a folded, raised position. The device comprises a raising member which moves the above-mentioned finger along the length of the raised section. Moreover, a locking member is mounted to the raising member between an unlocked position and a locked position in which it blocks the auxiliary roof element in relation to the rear element when the roof is moved toward the folded, raised position thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Societe Europeenne de Brevets Automobiles
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Guillez, Paul Queveau, Gérard Queveau
  • Patent number: 7278675
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for protecting objects that are disposed in the rear trunk of a motor vehicle having a retractable roof. The device comprises a panel that is movable between a lowered position and a raised position, at least one sensor arranged to detect the position of said panel, releasable latches for locking the lid relative to the trunk, and a control unit for releasing said latches. The control unit releases the latches responsive to a command to move the roof or the lid of the trunk, and when the position of the panel as detected by the sensor is compatible with the movement requested. This enables the lid to open selectively from the front backwards or from the rear towards the front of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Heuliez
    Inventors: Gérard Queveau, Paul Queveau, Jean-Marc Guillez
  • Publication number: 20070222254
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for controlling the motion of the swiveling parts of a vehicle. The task of this invention to overcome the disadvantages of the state of the art in a simple manner and to provide an arrangement for controlling the motion of the swiveling parts of a vehicle without much effort is solved by an arrangement that controls the motion of the swiveling parts of a vehicle, such as a convertible top and/or a rear lid, and includes at least one distance sensor and one control unit, which controls the motion of at least one motor by means of which the vehicle parts can be set into motion, and distance sensor and control unit set upon the motion in a controlling manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Inventor: Tobias Wagner
  • Patent number: 7273244
    Abstract: The invention relates to a protective device (8) comprising a panel (9) forming the vertical limit between a protected zone (10) of the rear boot (2) used to receive the objects (7) and accessible when the rear boot (2) is open from the rear forward, and a second zone (11) of the rear boot (2) used to receive the roof (1) in a folded, stored position and located above the protected zone (10), the panel (9) being moveable between a low protecting position and a high protecting position. The invention is characterised in that the panel (9) co-operates with a first sensor (14) to prevent the roof (1) from being folded when the panel (9) is above the low protecting position, and with a second sensor (15) to prevent the boot (2) from being closed when the panel (9) is above the high protecting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: Societe Europeenne de Brevets Automobiles
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Guillez, Paul Queveau, Gérard Queveau
  • Patent number: 7261363
    Abstract: A device for covering a trunk of a motor vehicle, the device comprises a trunk lid movable relative to a body of the vehicle, a force transmission unit for driving the movement of the trunk lid, a fastening element for releasably securing the trunk lid in a closed state of the trunk lid, wherein the force transmission unit drives the movement of the trunk lid, and wherein the force transmission unit drives the movement of the fastening element between an open and a closed state, wherein the fastening element is connected by a link gear mechanism to the force transmission unit, and wherein the link gear mechanism, in a closed state of the fastening element, is disposed in an over-center position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Edscha Cabrio-Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Obendiek
  • Patent number: 7255385
    Abstract: A convertible roof for a vehicle and associated vehicle, the roof comprising at least one front roof element and a rear roof element which can move between a deployed position, in which the front roof element and the rear roof element cover the passenger compartment, and a storage position, in which the front roof element and the rear roof element are stored in the boot of the vehicle. The roof also comprising two pivot arms which each pivot along an axis. The roof comprising motorization means, first means of locking the pivot arms to the post of the windshield of the vehicle and second means of locking at least one front roof element of the pivot arms. The first and second locking means and the pivoting movement of the arms are controlled by the same motorization means, such as an electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Heuliez
    Inventors: Gerard Queveau, Paul Queveau, Jean-Marc Guillez
  • Patent number: 7252323
    Abstract: A vehicle body includes a first door member and an opening/closing mechanism. The first door member can rotate between a first position in which it covers the part of a opening of a storage section and a second position in which it opens the part of the opening. The opening/closing mechanism that rotates the first door member includes a rotation shaft that supports the first door member. The rotation shaft is disposed at a position in which the first door member does not come out from a rotation area overlapping the first door member that is in the first position vertically when the first door member rotates. The opening/closing mechanism moves the first door member up to a third position in which the first door member does not interfere with a vehicle main body when the first door member rotates between the first position and the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Johnson Controls Incorporated
    Inventors: Brian Cole, Mark Kaiser, Dean Trexel, Hitendra Gadhiya, Jagmail Singh Cheema
  • Patent number: 7237823
    Abstract: An adjustable cover element in a vehicle is mounted to a vehicle component via a multiple linkage kinematic system comprising two guide rods. Each guide rod on one end is coupled in an articulated manner to the vehicle component and on the other end is coupled in an articulated manner to the cover element. One guide rod for the multiple linkage kinematic system has a two-part design and comprises two guide rod sections connected by an articulated joint. A stop is provided which during a relative motion between the cover element and the stop acts on a guide rod section in such a way that the angular position between the two guide rod sections changes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Gernot Bruder, Jan Hesse
  • Patent number: 7237822
    Abstract: Each of the sets of pivots (5) comprise a base (9) fixed to the bodyshell (10) of the vehicle, a body (11) linked to the hood (4) of the rear boot by a hinge (12) and means for locking the body (11) in relation to the base. For a lock in the closed position of the hood, a hook (16) of the front and rear sets of pivots (5 and 7) engages, in a co-ordinated manner, the first and second stubs (17 and 21), whereas, for an opening of the hood swiveled towards the rear, during unfolding or folding away of the roof into the boot, the hooks (16) of the front and rear sets of pivots operates so as to respectively and solely engage the second stubs (17) of the rear set of pivots (7) and release, in a co-ordinated manner, the second and third stubs of the front set of pivots (5), and inversely for an opening swiveled towards the front of the hood, to access a luggage loading zone in the boot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2007
    Assignee: Societe Europeenne des Brevets Automobiles
    Inventors: Gerard Queveau, Paul Queveau, Jean-Marc Guillez
  • Patent number: 7229122
    Abstract: In accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a retractable roof system for a hard top vehicle is disclosed. The system includes a rigid roof portion that resides above a vehicle body forward a rear storage space when closed. Additionally, the storage space includes a lid adjacent the roof portion. Lastly, a motor is operatively configured to assist in the simultaneous movement of the roof portion and lid to a recessed, open position. Further provided is a method of retracting a rigid vehicle roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Inventor: Jay R. Martin
  • Patent number: 7226109
    Abstract: In accordance with one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a retractable roof apparatus for a hard top vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus includes a roof portion that resides above a vehicle body forward a rear storage space when closed. Additionally, the storage space includes a lid that is configured to descend into the storage space as the roof portion moves to an open position, resting above the lid. Lastly, the open position preserves the vehicle side profile and permits storage space access. Further provided is a method of retracting a rigid vehicle roof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Inventor: Jay R. Martin
  • Patent number: 7216921
    Abstract: A convertible vehicle has a carbody and a retractable top connected to the carbody. A top compartment is provided in the carbody, wherein the retractable top in a folded-down position of the retractable top is stowed in the top compartment. A top compartment lid for closing the top compartment is provided, wherein the top compartment lid extends within a rear carbody contour of the carbody. A holding-down device is arranged between the top compartment lid and the retractable top, wherein the holding-down device in a holding-down position is placed onto the retractable top stowed in the top compartment when closing the top compartment lid. The holding-down device has a counter member pivotably supported on the top compartment lid and a support part that is movable jointly with the retractable top and is connectable to the counter member in the folded-down position of the retractable top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventor: Norbert Habacker
  • Patent number: 7204541
    Abstract: The invention relates a motor vehicle (1) comprising a roof (2) consisting of at least one part (3) which is completely displaceable between open and closed positions. In the closed position, said part of the roof is arranged between an area near a windscreen frame (4) and the rigid rear part of the roof (5, 5a). The inventive motor vehicle is constructed in such a way that the movable part of the roof (3) is divided into several adjacent sectors (15, 16) in order to enable a reduced width to pass to a normal width and vice versa by displacing said sectors and to move between the open and closed positions thereof when the width is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventor: Franz-Ulrich Brockhoff
  • Patent number: 7204542
    Abstract: A rear boot (3) hood (4), for a convertible vehicle (1) swivels in relation to the bodyshell, via a first assembly element (13) capable of engaging in a detachable manner into a second assembly element (14) linked to the bodyshell. First and second runner surfaces (13a, 14a, 16c and 17a) work together at the end of the swivel movement of the hood. Means for locking/unlocking comprising first and second means for engaging (16 and 17) lock the hood in relation to the bodyshell. According to the invention, the first and second means for engaging (16 and 17) respectively have between them first and second contact surfaces with co-operative shapes, so that for at least the main part of its stroke, said first means for engaging (16) applies a substantially constant pressure on the corresponding second means for engaging (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Assignee: Societe Europeenne de Brevets Automobiles
    Inventors: Gérard Queveau, Paul Queveau, Jean-Marc Guillez
  • Patent number: 7201428
    Abstract: A rear hood assembly system is proposed for vehicles. The rear hood assembly includes a multi-joint link assembly. The multi-joint link assembly couples the rear hood to a vehicle body. The multi-joint link assembly includes a locking link. The locking link can move between a locked position and an unlocked position. When the locking link is in the locked position, a rotary joint pivotably couples the locking link to the vehicle body to raise the rear edge of the rear hood. When the locking link is in the unlocked position, the rotary joint is unlocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Tobias Wagner