Having Track Patents (Class 296/107.18)
  • Patent number: 11761774
    Abstract: A method for determining a vehicle get-on-and-off place includes receiving a first destination and a first origin along with a vehicle call request from a first user terminal, setting first candidate get-on places within a predetermined distance from the first origin and first candidate get-off places within a predetermined distance from the first destination, generating first get-on-and-off pairs by combination of first candidate get-on places and first candidate get-off places, determining a passenger moving time based on the first origin, the first destination, and each entire path, with respect to each in entire paths based on each in first get-on-and-off pairs, determining a vehicle running time based on each entire path, with respect to each in entire paths, and determining a total travel time based on an expected demand, the passenger moving time, and the vehicle running time with respect to each in entire paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation
    Inventors: Younghyun Ju, Hyungu Roh, Minwoo Kwak, SungEun Kim
  • Patent number: 10189338
    Abstract: A folding top for a cabriolet vehicle, and which includes a top linkage and a top cover. The top linkage may be adjusted for movement between a closed position and an open position via a roof kinematic system. The roof kinematic system is configured as a four-bar linkage kinematic system having a first link, a second link, and a drive member to drive the first link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: MAGNA Car Top Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Gernot Bruder, Tobias Kober, Metodi Kostadinov, Christian Soergel, Reinhard Suess
  • Patent number: 10059386
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle includes a body having an occupant compartment. The vehicle additionally includes a windshield frame coupled to the body and disposed at a fore portion of the occupant compartment. The windshield frame has an upper periphery. The vehicle also includes a roof disposed to selectively cover the occupant compartment. The roof has an extended position in which the roof covers the occupant compartment and a retracted position in which the roof does not cover the occupant compartment. The vehicle further includes an airfoil coupled to the windshield frame by a linkage. The linkage has a stowed position and a deployed position. In the deployed position the airfoil projects above the upper periphery of the windshield frame with a gap therebetween. In the stowed position the airfoil does not project above the upper periphery of the windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventor: David C. Caples
  • Patent number: 8382190
    Abstract: A convertible top assembly for a motor vehicle having a seating compartment with front and rear seating areas includes multiple panels with a front panel displaceable over the rear seating panel and at least two panels displaceable to form a stack that is displaced rearwardly of the seating compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Robert E. Fallis, III, Michael T. Willard, Robert D. Wiechowski
  • Patent number: 8302311
    Abstract: A convertible top stack linkage is provided that is formed, in part, in a thixotropic magnesium molding process. Many structural parts of the convertible top stack linkage may be thixotropically molded. A pivot link of the top stack linkage is pivotally connected to two bows, for example, the three and four bows of the top stack. A five bow extends between and is attached to right and left pivot links by right and left pressure links, respectively. A pivot link is provided that has a triple pivot connection to a tensioning link, a center rail and a rear rail. A main spring is secured to a pivot pin and connected to a main pivot bracket on the vehicle to provide a counterbalancing force on the balance link that assists in lifting the top stack linkage as the convertible top is retracted and extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Jan Just, Thomas G. Fischer
  • Patent number: 7922233
    Abstract: A sliding roof for a convertible vehicle may include front, middle, and rear roofs, guide rails for sliding the front, middle, and rear roofs, and lift links for lifting the front and rear roofs such that the guide rail of the middle roof slides toward the guide rail of the rear roof and packaged adjacent to the rear of the vehicle. The sliding roof may include a latch which fixes a side pillar of the front roof to a windshield frame during operation of a sunroof and fixes the side pillar to the sunroof during packaging of the roof, thus ensuring the space of a rear seat of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kookmin University Industry-Academy Cooperation Foundation
    Inventors: Tae Wan Park, Chang Wook Park, Seung Jin Heo, Jay Il Jeong, Il Hwan Kim, Jong Hoon Lee, In Sik Hwang
  • Patent number: 7832785
    Abstract: The invention concerns a vehicle comprising a body roof having an opening capable of being closed and a folding top consisting of several rigid parts (3), (4), (5) and a modular roof assembly (1) mounted directly in one single piece on the vehicle structure, said assembly comprising the folding top, with its mobile parts (3), (4), (5), a frame (10) supporting the folding top, adapted to be positioned opposite marking elements (75) of the vehicle structure and connected thereto, the parts of the roof being mobile between an extended position, resulting from a forward displacement, and a folded position wherein said parts are substantially vertically retracted behind the seats (7), side by side, a mechanism (40, 50) for displacing the roof parts, borne by the support frame, being also provided, after the modular roof assembly has been positioned inside the vehicle, for displacing said roof parts relative to the roof opening between their extended and retracted positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Societe Europeenne de Brevet Automobiles
    Inventors: Gerard Queveau, Paul Queveau, Jean-Marc Guillez
  • Patent number: 7806459
    Abstract: A convertible vehicle has a vehicle body with a passenger compartment defined therein and a rearward body region with a top storage well defined therein. A movable roof has a closed position extending over the passenger compartment and a stowed position in the top storage well. The top storage well has a base element that is movable between a raised position and a lowered position. The base element 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 element is in the raised position. A coupling linkage interconnects the base element with the rear roof region such that movement of the roof from the stowed position to the closed position causes movement of the base element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Olaf Weismüller, Udo Heselhaus
  • Patent number: 7744145
    Abstract: A retractable roof assembly (53) is provided for a motor vehicle (10) having a rear seat (24) and spaced apart roof side frame members (30) defining a roof opening (31). The retractable roof assembly (53) includes a split rail assembly (33) having a fixed rail (34) adapted to be fixedly secured to each of the roof side frame members (30) and extending along a portion thereof, and a movable rail (40) extending rearward of the fixed rail (34) along a remaining portion of each of the roof side frame members (30). A plurality of roof panels (58, 60, 62) extends between the roof side frame members (30) and slidably engages the split rail assembly (33) for selective movement into a stacked configuration above the movable rail (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures Inc.
    Inventors: Robert B. Mooney, Troy Donavan Allan, Robert Boyer Dickie, Douglas Chester Carson, David Lawrence Newkirk, John E. Long
  • Patent number: 7591500
    Abstract: A motor vehicle with an automobile body having two rigid body regions located on both sides above side window regions. At least two panel-shaped roof sections lay behind one another between the two body regions, which roof sections can move relative to the lateral body sections, and can move out of the closed position into an open position further below in the automobile body. From the closed position of the roof sections, a front roof section can be moved over a rear roof section by guiding it laterally like a sliding sunroof. The front end regions of the roof sections can be raised from this position so that the roof sections can be lowered into the automobile body. In the closed position of the roof sections, a rear window, which can be separately moved between an open position and a closed position, borders directly on the rear roof section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Winfried Bunsmann, Olaf Weissmüller, Udo Heselhaus
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20080143138
    Abstract: A stowable roof for a convertible vehicle is retractable from a closed state to an open state. The roof includes a pillar part which extends upwardly from the window beltline when the roof is in the closed state. The pillar part is movable rearwardly and downwardly when the roof is retracted to the open state. A guide track has at least a portion extending transversely inwardly. The pillar part engages the guide track such that the pillar part is guided transversely inwardly during retraction of the roof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventor: Christian Spickermann
  • Patent number: 7377575
    Abstract: The invention concerns a method for stowing an open top (1, 3, 5, 9) in a vehicle storage space (53). The top being initially closed, it consists in displacing the roof parts up to the inside of the storage space, some at least up to a first substantially vertically stowed position, then in displacing again said roof part(s) towards a substantially horizontal position located either in the upper part or in the lower part of the storage space (53), to clear horizontally an additional storage depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Société Européenne de Brevet Automobiles
    Inventors: Gerard Queveau, Paul Queveau, Jean-Marc Guillez
  • Patent number: 7374235
    Abstract: The invention is a let-down roof structure with overlapping front roof panels and retractable side roof rails which pivot transversely into a stored position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Heuliez
    Inventors: Paul Queveau, Gerard Queveau, Jean-Marc Guillez
  • Patent number: 7354095
    Abstract: A stowage mechanism 30 for a rear roof member 6 of a motor vehicle 1, 101 is also disclosed which is particularly small allowing it to be easily packaged in the motor vehicle 1, 101. The stowage mechanism 30 uses a combination of a chain 31 and a guide slot 32 to control the movement of the rear roof member 6 between raised and stowed positions which require the rear roof member 6 to be rotated, moved forwards and then lowered to reach the stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Steve David Fleming, John K. Harding, Alan Richard Condon, Torsten Gerhardt, Boris Ferko
  • Patent number: 7303225
    Abstract: A Targa roof system for a vehicle includes a roof part (10) for spanning a compartment between a cross member (4), including the upper side of a windshield, and a traverse cross beam (8), which traversely spans a vehicle inner compartment and is spaced from the cross member (4). Guide elements (20, 22) are affixed in the rear area of the roof part (10) on both sides thereof, the guide elements being spaced from each other in the longitudinal direction of the roof part. The roof part (10) is pivotable from its closed position about the two guide elements (20, 22), which oppose each other with reference to the vehicle width, and subsequently is lowerable downwardly guided along the guide rails (24) into a stowed position by the forward guide element (20) and the rear guide element (22) without pivoting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventors: Udo Heselhaus, Winfried Bunsmann
  • Patent number: 7284783
    Abstract: A storable vehicle roof structure having an upper roof component for covering an area above seats in a vehicle interior compartment, a rear roof component coupled to the upper roof component at a rear side thereof so as to cover a rear portion of the vehicle interior compartment, and a package tray which covers the top of a rear storage space in the closed position of the roof. The rear side of the package tray is fitted on the rear roof component via a rotary mechanism for rotating at least the front side of the package tray. The front side of the package tray is guided by a guide member to enable the package tray together with roof components to be stored in the storage space for exposing the vehicle interior compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Webasto AG
    Inventors: Shinji Mori, Koji Sumita
  • Patent number: 7185940
    Abstract: The invention concerns a retractable roof for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one front roof element and one rear roof element (4), rigid and able to be moved between a closed position in which they cover the vehicle cabin (2) and a storage position in which they are stored in the rear boot (3) of the vehicle, the rear element being arranged so as to be moved by means of pivoting arms and guided by runners (19) extending in the boot. This roof comprises a first arm (7) articulated transversely to the plane of symmetry of the vehicle, at a first (8) of its ends on the vehicle chassis and at its second end (12) on a first end of a second arm (13) articulated at its second end (14) on the said rear element, also transversely to the plane of symmetry of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: SEBA (Societe Europeenne de Brevets Automobiles)
    Inventors: Gérard Queveau, Paul Queveau, Jean-Marc Guillez
  • Patent number: 7150491
    Abstract: The invention relates to a retractable roof for passenger vehicles, especially a hard top for two-seater convertibles, roadsters or similar, comprising a dimensionally stable shell consisting of a roof part and rear support pillars which are rigidly connected to the roof part at an obtuse angle, a rear window for a window opening and an accommodating area located perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle directly behind the seats, wherein the roof part can be moved in and out with the support columns thereof by means of guiding and drive means. The roof part is kinematically and restrictively guided on a guide track with the support pillars thereof. The aim of the invention is to provide a retractable roof of the above-mentioned variety which exhibits the required structural rigidity yet which is lightweight, operates smoothly and is mechanically simply and easy to use while at the same time being compact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Inventor: Petros Perakis
  • Patent number: 7134708
    Abstract: A convertible having a roof is provided with stiff parts, at least one rear roof part, and an upper roof part, which is mounted in front of the rear roof part relative to the direction of travel in the closed state and is located above a passenger area. The upper roof part of the convertible encompasses an at least substantially transparent plate member which can be displaced counter to the direction of travel like a sliding roof; is held parallel to a rear window that is embraced by the rear roof part in the open position thereof; and can be moved along with the roof in the parallel position in order to be opened and closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventor: Klaus Russke
  • Patent number: 7014246
    Abstract: Foldable tops (1) suitable for convertible vehicles may include a rear window (3) supported within a roof covering (2). A tensioning bow (5) imparts a tension across a rear portion of the roof covering when the foldable top is disposed in a roof closed position. A lower edge (4) of the rear window (3) is supported along a supporting portion of the tensioning bow when the foldable top is disposed in the roof closed position. At least one connector (9) is preferably disposed along the supporting portion between the rear window and the tensioning bow. The at least one connector releaseably engages the lower edge of the rear window with the tensioning bow when the foldable top is disposed in the roof closed position and disengages the rear window from the tensioning bow when the foldable top is opened. The at least one connector preferably comprises a hook portion (10) and a complementary projection (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Wilhelm Karmann GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Huedepohl
  • Patent number: 6866326
    Abstract: A lowerable motor vehicle roof with two rigid roof elements (4, 6) which are located in succession in the closed state. The first roof element (4) can be moved via a driving connecting rod mechanism (10), which is made as a double rocker and which engages the sides of the front roof element, to the rear into a stowed position which is lowered in the convertible top compartment (14). The rear roof element (6) is coupled to the front roof element (4) via a connecting rod (28) which is connected to the connecting rod mechanism (10) and is guided on it via a sliding guide (34, 32) such that the rear roof element (6), when the front roof element (4) is moved, first, travels into a position which overlaps it and is then entrained into the stowed position. The closing of the vehicle roof has the reverse sequence of motions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Hoppermann
  • Patent number: 6860541
    Abstract: The invention concerns a vehicle retractable roof comprising three rigid roof elements (1, 2, 3) mobile between a position wherein they cover the vehicle passenger compartment (4) and a position wherein, they are stowed inside the vehicle rear deck (5), the front element (1) being capable of sliding relative to the intermediate element (2) and the latter being capable of sliding relative to the rear element (3) through pins (6, 7; 8, 9) borne by the front element (1) and by the intermediate element (3) engaged in slide rails (10, 11; 12, 13) extending along the intermediate (2) and rear (3) elements. The invention is characterised in that the displacement of the rear element (3) towards the rear deck (5) is controlled by a pivoting arm (14) articulated a fixed point (15) of the vehicle body and articulated to said rear element (3) and by a slide rail (17) extending inside the rear deck (5) wherein is engaged a pin (18) integral with the rear part of the rear element (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: France Design
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Guillez, Gérard Queveau
  • Patent number: 6848736
    Abstract: The retractable roof comprises several rigid roof elements (1, 2, 3) able to move between a position in which they cover the passenger compartment of the vehicle and a position in which they are stored inside the rear boot (4) of the vehicle, so as to be superimposed substantially horizontally under the lid (5) of the rear boot (4). The assembly consisting of the roof elements (1, 2, 3), stored inside the rear boot (4), is mounted so as to pivot on an axis (6) situated within the boot (4), so that it is possible to raise this assembly upwards during or after the opening of the lid (5) of the boot (4) from rear to front.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: France Design, Le Pin
    Inventor: Jean-Marc Guillez
  • Patent number: 6830282
    Abstract: A retractable roof for a vehicle has three rigid roof sections. A plurality of links and levers connect the three roof sections. The links and levers along with a slide on at least one roof section control and guide the three roof sections in an optimal manner as they move from a closure position covering a cabin of the vehicle to a storage position in a rear boot of the vehicle. The dimensions of the roof sections and boot allow the roof sections to fit into the boot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: France Design
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Guillez, Gérard Queveau
  • Patent number: 6820916
    Abstract: An actuating device for opening and closing a folding roof (2) of a motor vehicle with a bearing carriage (3) which is movably supported on a roof-side guideway (4) and which is connected to the movable part (7) of the folding roof (2), and with a drive means which is connected to the bearing carriage (3) by a drive carriage (10) which is supported on the roof-side guideway (11) and a connecting rod arrangement (13, 14) which has a toggle lever (14) and which is controlled by a control guideway (23), on the last portion of the closing path, the connecting rod arrangement (13, 14) steps down the drive motion of the drive carriage (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventor: Rudolf Dietl
  • Patent number: 6814391
    Abstract: A convertible motor vehicle roof with a roof part (12), with a rear part (14) which adjoins the roof part, and with side roof members (10) which are pivotally coupled on both sides to the roof part (12). To open the motor vehicle roof, the rear part (14) together with the roof part (12) and the side roof members (10) can be lowered into a stowage space (22) located in the rear and the side roof members (10) can be swung to the outside before or during lowering into the storage space (22), the swivel bearing means (28) which supports the respective side roof member (10) on the roof part (12) having at least two connecting rods or a connecting rod and a crank guide and being formed especially as a planar four-joint linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Biecker, Marco Lauterbach, Gerhard Schwarz, Fritz Wegener, Burkhard Reinsch
  • Patent number: 6796598
    Abstract: The invention concerns a vehicle retractable roof, comprising a front roof element (1), an intermediate roof element (2) and a rear roof element (3). The displacement of the rear element (3) towards the rear deck (5) is controlled by at least an arm (6) articulated to the vehicle chassis and to the rear element (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: France Design
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Guillez, Gérard Queveau
  • Patent number: 6786528
    Abstract: The invention concerns a motor vehicle retractable roof, comprising front (1), intermediate (2) and rear (3) roof elements. The displacement of the rear element (3) towards the rear deck is controlled by at least an arm (6) articulated to the vehicle chassis and to the rear element (3). The rear element (3) is linked to the intermediate element (2) through two levers (9, 10) forming a deformable quadrilateral. The intermediate element (2) is linked to the front element (1) through two other levers (15, 16) forming a deformable quadrilateral. The arm (16) is linked in articulation to one (10) of the two levers linking the rear (3) and intermediate (2) elements, through a hinge link (21). The other lever (9) linking the rear (3) and intermediate (2) elements is linked to one (16) of the levers linking the intermediate (2) and front (1) elements through a hinge link (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: France Design
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Guillez, Gérard Queveau
  • Publication number: 20040113454
    Abstract: A lowerable motor vehicle roof with two rigid roof elements (4, 6) which are located in succession in the closed state. The first roof element (4) can be moved via a driving connecting rod mechanism (10), which is made as a double rocker and which engages the sides of the front roof element, to the rear into a stowed position which is lowered in the convertible top compartment (14). The rear roof element (6) is coupled to the front roof element (4) via a connecting rod (28) which is connected to the connecting rod mechanism (10) and is guided on it via a sliding guide (34, 32) such that the rear roof element (6), when the front roof element (4) is moved, first, travels into a position which overlaps it and is then entrained into the stowed position. The closing of the vehicle roof has the reverse sequence of motions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Hoppermann
  • Patent number: 6688670
    Abstract: A convertible roof (2) of a convertible motor vehicle with at least one front roof part which is movably supported on the body by a bearing (8), and a rear roof part (13) which can be moved over the front roof part (5) and can be lowered with it into a rear stowage space (3). An especially simple structure can be achieved when the rear roof part (13) on the front side can be moved over the front roof part (5) by a raising mechanism (27) which is movably supported on a lengthwise guide (32) which is located on the front roof part (5). A carriage (31) can be guided on the lengthwise guide (32) of the front roof part (5) and the raising lever (28) of the raising mechanism, which lever is pivotally connected to the rear roof part (13), is supported on the carriage to be able to pivot and to be moved by the raising mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2004
    Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Biecker, Marco Lauterbach, Gerhard Schwarz, Fritz Wegener, Burkhard Reinsch
  • Patent number: 6682125
    Abstract: The system comprises at least a first front roof element hinged relative to the rear roof element and a controller for pivoting of the first front roof element relative to the rear roof element. A guide arrangement for guiding the rear roof element and the controller for controlling the first front roof element are arranged in such a manner as to guide the first front roof element along a predetermined path to a retracted position in which the first front roof element is stowed in a substantially vertical position behind the back seat of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2004
    Assignee: Societe Europeene de Brevets Automobiles
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Guillez, Paul Queveau, Gerard Queveau
  • Patent number: 6679539
    Abstract: The rear roof element includes a central element that is movable relative to said rear roof element. The central element is connected on either side of the vehicle to the bodywork by two pivot arms comprising a front arm and a rear arm, and is hinged about respective front and rear hinge axes carried by respective ends of the corresponding pivot arms whose respective opposite ends are hinged to the bodywork of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2004
    Assignee: Societe Europeene de Brevets Automobiles
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Guillez, Paul Queveau, Gerard Queveau
  • Patent number: 6648397
    Abstract: A Lowerable motor vehicle roof, with at least one openable front roof part (13) which is movably supported lengthwise on side roof members (8), and a rear roof part or rear element (7) which can be moved into the storage position in the body. The at least one front roof part (13) is located first in a storage space in the body (1) or on part of the roof (5) when the roof (5) is being lowered, and then the roof (5) is lowered into its storage position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Schütt, Philipp Hutterer
  • Publication number: 20030047962
    Abstract: The rear roof element (2) includes a central element (5) that movable relative to said rear roof element (2). The central element (5) is connected on either side of the vehicle to the bodywork (3) by two pivot arms comprising a front arm (33) and a rear arm (27), and is hinged about respective front and rear hinge axes (31, 24) carried by respective ends (32, 26) of the corresponding pivot arms (33, 27) whose respective opposite ends (34, 28) are hinged to the bodywork (3) of the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Guillez, Paul Queveau, Gerard Queveau
  • Publication number: 20030038502
    Abstract: A motor vehicle having a front roof region which has a roof opening which may be closed by a sliding convertible top, having a rear roof region which includes roof columns connected to one another via a body crossmember, and having sliding guidance of the sliding convertible top along lateral guides of the front and rear roof regions, the sliding convertible top being guided roughly horizontally rearwardly in the front roof region and so as to be lowered downwardly into a stowage position in the rear roof region by the guides. The guides in the rear roof region are arranged on a side of the roof columns which faces the interior space of the motor vehicle, the sliding convertible top being guided in front of the body crossmember of the rear roof region between the roof columns.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: Adolf Marold, Ulrich Moll, Siegfried Zipperle
  • Patent number: 6502892
    Abstract: A convertible motor vehicle roof with a roof column (4), especially a D-column, which can be moved into a stowed position by a bearing mechanism when the motor vehicle roof is being opened, the bearing mechanism (25) moving the roof column (4) forward on its bottom end with respect to the motor vehicle body and depositing it in its stowed position in a pivoting motion directed rearward around the bottom end of the column. The bearing mechanism (25) can have a linkage arrangement with a first four-bar mechanism (26) which essentially executes forward motion, and a second four-bar mechanism (27) which is combined with it and which executes the pivoting motion. The roof element (2) can be coupled with a pivoting capacity to the top end of the roof column (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Eberle
  • Patent number: 6481781
    Abstract: In a hard top vehicle roof which is movable between a closed position, in which it covers the interior of a vehicle, and a storage position, in which it is contained in a vehicle storage space, the vehicle roof includes a rear roof part, which is pivotally mounted on the vehicle body and a front roof part, which is mounted on the rear roof part so as to be movable below and in parallel relationship to the rear roof part for movement therewith into the storage space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: CTS FahrzeugDachsysteme GmbH
    Inventors: Harald Bergerhoff, Christian Holst
  • Patent number: 6431636
    Abstract: A convertible vehicle roof (1) has a front roof part (3) and a rear roof part (4) which are mounted movably on the body of the vehicle and which can be put away into a roof storage space (20). The front roof part (3) is supported by a pivot-bearing device (9, 13) which is mounted displaceably on a guide device (16) fixed on the vehicle and which, during the opening and putting away of the front roof part (3), moves along the guide device (16) and in the process lowers the front roof part (3) into the roof storage space (20). The front roof part (3), when lowered into the roof storage space (20), can be arranged in an obliquely set or substantially vertical swung orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Schütt
  • Patent number: 6419296
    Abstract: In a roof arrangement for a convertible with a fixed roof part (5), a rigid rear part (4), and a storage compartment (33) for the folding top located in the rear area of the body (2) for holding the roof arrangement (3) and with a forced control mechanism (49) for opening and closing the roof arrangement (3) such that to open the roof arrangement (3), first the rear part (4) is swung over the roof part (5) and then the roof part (5) together with the rear part (4) stacked over it is swung into the storage compartment (33) for the folding roof, the forced control mechanism (49) has a single lever (55) which is located between the rear part (4) and the rear body (2) and which is connected by one end side via the first pivot joint (67) to the rear part (4) and is coupled by the other end side to the body (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Dintner, Peter Reihl
  • Patent number: 6312042
    Abstract: A hardtop vehicle roof has a forward roof section, a rearward roof section and a kinematic adjusting system for adjusting the roof sections between a closed position and a deposited position. The kinematic adjusting system includes a vehicle-fixed first guide link and a guiding element which is guided in the guide link and is connected with one of the roof sections. In order to provide a space-saving, flexibly constructed vehicle roof, a second guide link is swivellable about a vehicle-fixed rotation axis. The guiding element of the roof section is slidingly guided in the first as well as the second guide link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignees: CTS Fahrzeug Dachsysteme GmbH, Adam Opel
    Inventors: Thomas Halbweiss, Berthold Klein, Wojciech Wezyk
  • Patent number: 6312041
    Abstract: The invention concerns a roof (1) extending between the windscreen upper rim (2) and the top edge (3) of a bow (4) extended upwards. The roof (1) is in two parts (8, 9), the first part (8) located near the bow (4) being linked with the vehicle lateral part (10) by two articulated arms (11, 12) mobile between a position extending upwards wherein said roof first part (8) is located in front of the bow (4) and a tilted position towards the rear wherein said arms (11, 12) and said roof first part (8) are located in the rear trunk (5), the second roof part (9) being linked to the first part by means enabling the second roof part (9) to be moved onto the first part (8) when the arms (11, 12) are tilted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2001
    Assignee: France Design
    Inventors: Gérard Queveau, Paul Queveau, Jean-Marc Guillez
  • Patent number: 6217104
    Abstract: A retractable hard top for a vehicle including a linkage and a top guide track for moving the hard top from a top up position to a stowed position. As the retractable hard top is moved between the top up and stowed positions the trunk is raised by movement along a track to which the trunk linkage is connected. The retractable hard top linkage includes a pivot bracket that is movable within the top guide track to limit the clearance necessary for folding the hard top into a stowed position. A tonneau is provided to cover the retractable hard top storage area in both the top up and stowed position. Rear quarter windows are shifted from a top up position in which they function as windows to a stowed position in which the windows are shifted outboard of the retractable hard top and rotated to a stowed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2001
    Assignee: CTS Fahrzeug Dachsysteme GmbH
    Inventor: Frank G. Neubrand