Top Attached Patents (Class 296/131)
  • Patent number: 7513563
    Abstract: A roof for a vehicle comprising several roof elements that can be displaced between a first position above the passenger compartment and a second position in which they are stowed inside the boot, the roof elements being, when they cover the passenger compartment, connected to each other and to respectively front and rear parts of the body structure of the vehicle via securing elements controlled by rigid rods driven by an electric motor. These rods are constantly connected to each other in pairs from one of the roof elements to another, as much in the first position as in the second position of these elements, by a cable transmitting the movement generated by the electric motor between the rods and allowing to secure the roof elements to the body structure of the vehicle, as much in their first as in their second positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Societe Europeenne de Brevets Automobiles
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Guillez, Paul Queveau, GĂ©rard Queveau
  • Publication number: 20080061594
    Abstract: A foldable vehicle top contains a top cloth and a rear window. The rear window has an outer border with a window mount to which the top cloth is fastened. A frame is provided which, in a closed position, supports the top cloth and the rear window. The frame has a recess in which the window mount is accommodated in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Applicant: DR. ING. H.C. F. PORSCHE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventor: Mathias Froschle
  • 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: 5868454
    Abstract: A folding convertible top for a vehicle is held in its closed position on the adjoining windshield frame by locking arrangement and, after the release of the locking arrangement can be displaced into a rear-side deposited position. The locking arrangement comprises a locking element with a locking hook arranged on a forward folding top section as well as at least one centering device which acts between the folding top and the windshield frame, and has projecting centering elements arranged on the forward folding top section. A detent device is provided for fixing the folded-back folding top, and the locking element with the locking hook arranged on the forward folding top section and the centering elements also provided on the forward folding top section also form operating parts of the rear-side detent device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1999
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. hcF Porsche AG
    Inventors: Bodo Homann, Uwe Henn, Reiner Armbruster, Joachim Kleinfelder
  • Patent number: 4838601
    Abstract: A folding top for a passenger car comprises a folding top linkage having a main bow disposed at the body, lateral side members and a toggle joint system. Each side member is pivoted at the main bow via a roof frame control arm and an angle lever. So that the folding top, in the driving operation, in its folded-back open position, is securely held open, a releasable arresting device is provided for fixing the folding top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Eugen Kolb