Movable To Position Above Roof Patents (Class 296/216.03)
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Patent number: 7854475Abstract: The present invention provides a sliding roof for a vehicle including a plurality of roof panels separately mounted on an opening of a fixed roof of the vehicle in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle, a guide frame attached at a lower portion of each side edge of the opening, and an anchor installed into the guide frame to engage with at least part of the roof panel, so as to assist open-close operations of the plurality of the roof panels in the vicinity of a closed state thereof. Sliding of sliders attached to the each guide frame allows the plurality of the roof panels to open or close in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle. The sliding roof for a vehicle further includes a guide member installed into the guide frame to guide a movement of engagement portions of the plurality of the roof panels adjacent in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The anchor and the guide member are installed into an identical groove formed on the guide frame.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2008Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignees: Yachiyo Industry Co., Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshiyasu Ito, Hiroyuki Tsukamoto, Kouichi Hotta, Michio Tamura
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Patent number: 7850231Abstract: A vehicular sunroof apparatus includes a sunroof panel having a front panel and a rear panel configured to open and close an opening formed in a vehicle roof. A first drive mechanism effects rising/lowering and opening/closing movements of the front panel relative to the opening of the vehicle roof. A second drive mechanism effects rising/lowering and opening/closing movements of the rear panel relative to the opening of the vehicle roof. The second drive mechanism comprises a rear panel support stay that supports the rear panel, a stay extension connected to the rear panel support stay and mounted to undergo sliding and vertical swinging movement relative to the vehicle roof, and a stopper member that is mounted on the vehicle roof and that provides an upper limit of vertical swing of the stay extension.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2008Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignees: Yachiyo Industry Co., Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshiyasu Ito, Hiroyuki Tsukamoto, Kouichi Hotta, Michio Tamura
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Patent number: 7850230Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle roof with a movable roof part, which by means of a tilt lever, which is connected in an articulated manner close to the rear edge of the roof part, can first be tilted into a ventilating position and can then be slid above the vehicle roof or above an at least partially fixed roof part for the at least partial release of an opening in the vehicle roof, the movable roof part being continuously supported in the area of its rear edge when it is slid from the ventilating position backwards and the movable roof part having a continuous side skirt in the area of its side edges.Type: GrantFiled: June 26, 2006Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Webasto AGInventor: Manfred Faerber
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Patent number: 7828375Abstract: An outer sliding sunroof apparatus having a roof panel attached to an opening of a fixed roof of a vehicle, a drive device for opening and closing the roof panel, and a control unit for controlling the drive device. The apparatus further includes a load detector for detecting load applied to the drive device when the roof panel in a closed state is tilted up and moved toward a rear of the vehicle. When the load detector detects the load not less than a predetermined amount of load, the control unit is configured to move the roof panel in the closing direction.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2008Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Yachiyo Industry Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yuuki Honjo, Yoshiki Noro
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Patent number: 7828376Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle having a roof opening defined in a roof part of the vehicle includes a roof assembly having at least one panel that is movable between a closed position in which it closes the roof opening and an open position in which it opens the roof opening and is positioned at least partially above an adjoining roof part. A first device moves the rear edge of the panel towards a raised position relative to the closed position and above the adjoining roof part. A second device includes a lever for moving the front edge of the panel in a vertical direction. The lever has a lower pivoting axis, an upper pivotal connection to the panel and an intermediate guide connection, connecting the lever to a guiding slide. A guide mechanism is provided for guiding the panel towards the open position when the rear edge thereof is in the raised position.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2009Date of Patent: November 9, 2010Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.Inventor: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
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Patent number: 7806469Abstract: A sliding roof device (1) which is designed to close an opening (104) in the upper part of a motor vehicle body (101), the sliding roof device (1) having a pane (10) which is mounted for displacement between a closed position in which it closes the opening (104), and an opened position in which the pane (10) is at least partially spaced away from the opening (104). The movable pane 10 has a front part (11) which is mounted to rotate about a transverse axis (A) which is mounted for displacement in essentially translational motion. The rear part (12) of the movable pane (10) is pivotally mounted rotate about a transverse axis (B) while being swung about a stationary axis (C).Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2005Date of Patent: October 5, 2010Assignee: Webasto AInventor: Thierry Godet
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Patent number: 7784859Abstract: A sunroof system for a motor vehicle includes two guide rails at least approximately parallel to one another and a slide in each guide rail. The slide is displaceable in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. A front opening mechanism and a rear opening mechanism are assigned to a front edge and a rear edge, respectively, of a cover of the sunroof system. The front opening mechanism has a transmission lever and the rear opening mechanism has an opening lever. The slide, when displaced rearwards along the guide rail, is first coupled to the rear opening mechanism and then to the front opening mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2008Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: ArvinMeritor GmbHInventors: Rainer Grimm, Joachim Röder, Claudia Ries, Manfred Röhnke
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Publication number: 20100194153Abstract: A multipurpose device useable as a cover for a hatch opening in recreational vehicles and vessels. The device includes several panels connected together and adjustable straps for removable attachment to a resident hatch or closure panel. When installed on a fully or partially open hatch, the device is useful to increase ventilation and reduce the entrance of rain or water passing through the hatch opening. The device is multiform and multipurpose and can be used for alternate recreational activities when not installed as a hatch opening cover.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2010Publication date: August 5, 2010Inventor: Jerzy SZYJKOWSKI
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Patent number: 7758110Abstract: A roof part mounted movably by means of a bearing device on a bearing slide, which is mounted in a manner such that it can be shifted on a guide of the vehicle roof and can be displaced along the guide by means of a drive, wherein, for improved adjustment of the movable roof part, the roof part can be displaced relative to the bearing slide by means of an additional controllable adjusting device.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2006Date of Patent: July 20, 2010Assignee: Webasto AGInventor: Rudolf Dietl
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Publication number: 20100164253Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle roof comprising a liftable covering element that can be displaced above a fixed roof section. A control mechanism for the covering element is respectively provided on both sides of the covering element. According to the invention, the control mechanism comprises a drive carriage, a rear release lever which is connected to the covering element in the region of the rear edge thereof in an articulated manner, a front release lever which is connected to the covering element in the region of the front edge thereof in an articulated manner, and a coupling lever which is rotatably connected to the front release lever, co-operates with the drive carriage, and can be displaced in a release position in relation to the drive carriage in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2007Publication date: July 1, 2010Applicant: WEBASTO AGInventors: Manfred Faerber, Bernhard Wingen
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Patent number: 7510237Abstract: To provide a stopper structure of a sun roof device, in which the sun roof device has a front slider (20) and a driving slider (30) attached on a roof panel (4), a connecting link (40) attached to the front slider (20) and engaging with the driving slider (30), and a stopper member (60) adapted to stop the driving slider (30). When the roof panel (4) performs tilting operation, a first engaging portion (42) and a second engaging portion (43) of the connecting link (40) respectively engage with the a first cam (61) and a second cam (62) respectively formed on an upper surface and a lower surface of the stopper member (60), so that the movement of the front slider (20) in both the vehicle longitudinal direction and the vertical direction is restricted.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2007Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignees: Yachiyo Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisya, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hiroyuki Tsukamoto, Kazutaka Sugimoto, Masaharu Ohnishi, Keisuke Takayama, Michio Tamura, Akihiko Kuribayashi
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Patent number: 7490894Abstract: A sliding roof system for a motor vehicle includes a guide rail, a cover support, a cover attached to the cover support, a front bearing block articulated to the cover support, and a carriage that is movably received in the guide rail and engages the cover support. The cover support is articulated on the front bearing block such that the cover support can be swiveled around a virtual swiveling point.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2006Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Assignee: ArvinMeritor, GmbHInventors: Holger Oechel, Stefan Kunkel, Stefan Vogel
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Patent number: 7364227Abstract: A movable roof opening-closing structure rotatively opening and closing a movable roof toward backward at an outside of a vehicle body through a linkage equipped with a first link bar and a second link bar, wherein the linkage is configured with an inequilateral four-bar linkage having a fixed bar at a vehicle body side, and wherein an instant center of the movable roof against the vehicle body when the movable roof is at an entirely closing position is located at one of positions where is ahead of a front end of the movable roof and behind of a rear end of the movable roof.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2005Date of Patent: April 29, 2008Assignees: Yachiyo Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshiyasu Ito, Hiroyuki Tsukamoto, Akio Kobori, Michio Tamura, Akihiko Kuribayashi
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Patent number: 7344188Abstract: A sunroof device including a movable panel (13), a functional bracket (24) for supporting the movable panel (13), a guide rail (21), a shoe (30) for moving along the guide rail (21), a check member (31, 32) engageable with the shoe (30), a raising and lowering member (33, 34) for pivotally supporting the check member (31, 32), and an urging member (61) for urging the check member (31, 32). The check member (31, 32) and the shoe (30) are set in one of an engaged state, in which they are moved integrally, and a disengaged state, in which they are separated. The raising and lowering member moves the functional bracket upward or downward in cooperation with movement of the check member (31, 32) in the engaged state. The urging member (61) turns over the check member (31, 32) with an urging force to set the check member in the disengaged state.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2004Date of Patent: March 18, 2008Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazuki Sawada, Toshio Iwata, Youji Nagashima, Kiyozumi Fukami
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Patent number: 7296851Abstract: A vehicle roof, comprising an opening roof panel, which can be moved from a first, closed roof position into a second, fully opened roof position, the roof panel being held essentially parallel to the rest of the vehicle roof and at a distance from the rest of the vehicle roof in the second roof position; a lateral guide, the roof panel being guided at least during a part of an opening movement on the guide; a third, partially opened roof position in which the roof panel is held in a position that is essentially inclined with respect to the rest of the vehicle roof, rising counter to the direction of travel; and an elevating means for elevating a front edge area of the roof panel.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2006Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Assignee: Edscha Cabrio-Dachsysteme GmbHInventors: Robert Kronseder, Klaus Obendiek, Walter Pecho
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Patent number: 7273248Abstract: A sliding roof system for a motor vehicle includes at least one guide rail, at least one guide carriage movably received in the guide rail, and a cover support that can be shifted relative to the guide rail. The cover support is connected with the guide carriage through two slotted guides and is connected with the guide rail through one slotted guide.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2005Date of Patent: September 25, 2007Assignee: ArvinMeritor GmbHInventors: Horst Boehm, Rainer Grimm, Christian Biewer, Joachim Roeder
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Publication number: 20070210623Abstract: A sliding roof system includes a cover adapted to be moved rearwardly above a roof element, a guide rail, and a front raising mechanism that raises a front edge of the cover outwardly. A rear raising mechanism raises a rear edge of the cover outwardly, and is coupled with the front raising mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 7, 2007Publication date: September 13, 2007Inventors: Thomas Becher, Horst Boehm, Rainer Grimm, Joachim Roeder, Claudia Riess, Manfred Roehnke
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Patent number: 7267397Abstract: There is provided an open roof construction for a vehicle having a closure means (4) of which at least one of its forward and rearward edges is movable by a guide mechanism. The guide mechanism comprises a stationary guiding (7), a slide (12) engaging said guiding and a link member (16) that in a sliding and hingeable manner engages the stationary guiding, such that when the slide (12) moves the respective edge of the closure means (4) not only moves along with the slide but also is moved away or towards the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2002Date of Patent: September 11, 2007Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.Inventors: Robert Joseph Boutin, Todd Andrew Sieting
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Patent number: 7252327Abstract: A sunroof apparatus comprises a movable panel provided on an opening portion of a vehicle roof and capable of tilting-up and sliding, a functional bracket that supports the movable panel, a drive member actuated to move in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle along a guide rail attached to the vehicle roof, a front shoe connected to the drive member for controlling the movements of a front portion of the functional bracket by means of a front functional member, as a consequence of moving in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle along the guide rail in accordance with the movements of the drive member and a rear shoe connected to the drive member for controlling movement of a rear portion of the functional bracket by means of a rear functional member, as a consequence of moving in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle along the guide rail in accordance with the movements of the drive member, wherein the front shoe and the rear shoe are supported by an identical guide portion of the guide rail.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2006Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazuki Sawada, Toshio Iwata, Katsuyoshi Iwashita, Kiyozumi Fukami, Shinji Sakai
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Patent number: 7243989Abstract: An open roof construction of a vehicle comprises a closure element that mates with a roof opening, which closure element is movable along a first longitudinal guide and a second longitudinal guide. To this end, the closure element includes a front support, which is supported in the first longitudinal guide, and a guide element, which is slidable in the second longitudinal guide. An adjusting element, which is movable in the longitudinal direction by means of an actuating element being driven from the drive unit, is disposed under said closure element, which adjusting element is fitted with the guide element and which is arranged for moving the guide element into and out of engagement with the second longitudinal guide. Optionally, the adjusting element moves laterally during the longitudinal movement.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2005Date of Patent: July 17, 2007Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.Inventor: Peter C. L. J. Manders
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Patent number: 7229126Abstract: A motor vehicle roof with two openable covers (18, 20) in which the rear cover (20) can be lowered at its front edge (20V) and the front cover (18) can be moved at least partially over the rear cover (20) in its lowered position. The front cover (18) can be raised at its rear edge (18H) and by means of support devices (24) which are located near its rear edge (18H) can be moved on guides (26) which are located laterally outward alongside of the rear cover (20), which is made as a spoiler cover.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2004Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: Webasto AGInventor: Wolfgang Seifert
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Patent number: 7229127Abstract: A sliding mechanism for a vehicle roof includes least one guide rail, a carriage that can be shifted in the guide rail, and a cover support provided to bear a cover of a sliding-tilting roof. The carriage guides the movements of the cover support and includes a lifting slot, a guiding slot and a latching slot.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2004Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Assignee: ArvinMeritor GmbHInventors: Rainer Grimm, Horst Böhm, Claudia Riess, Manfred Roehnke
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Patent number: 7144077Abstract: A mechanism for a sun roof has at least one guide rail, a lifting slide that can be moved along the guide rail, and a guide slide that can be locked in the guide rail in an initial position. The guide slide can be moved in the guide rail once the guide slide is unlocked. A cover holder is coupled to the lifting slide and the guide slide in such a way that the cover can be moved between a closed position and an opened position.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2005Date of Patent: December 5, 2006Assignee: ArvinMeritor GmbHInventors: Rainer Grimm, Thomas Becher, Richard Wagner
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Patent number: 7125070Abstract: A sunroof apparatus comprises a movable panel provided on an opening portion of a vehicle roof and capable of tilting-up and sliding, a functional bracket that supports the movable panel, a drive member actuated to move in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle along a guide rail attached to the vehicle roof, a front shoe connected to the drive member for controlling the movements of a front portion of the functional bracket by means of a front functional member, as a consequence of moving in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle along the guide rail in accordance with the movements of the drive member and a rear shoe connected to the drive member for controlling movement of a rear portion of the functional bracket by means of a rear functional member, as a consequence of moving in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle along the guide rail in accordance with the movements of the drive member, wherein the front shoe and the rear shoe are supported by an identical guide portion of the guide rail.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2004Date of Patent: October 24, 2006Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazuki Sawada, Toshio Iwata, Katsuyoshi Iwashita, Kiyozumi Fukami, Shinji Sakai
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Patent number: 7104598Abstract: Openable motor vehicle spoiler roof, with at least one cover carrier for a cover which can be raised at its rear edge by pivoting the cover and in the raised state can be displaced to the rear in the lengthwise direction of the roof. The cover carrier is movably guided in the lengthwise direction of the roof by means of a first and second slide elements and is provided with a guide path with which a control carriage, which is also movably guided along the roof-mounted guide in the lengthwise direction of the roof, is engaged. The second slide element is connected to the cover carrier via a coupling element which is coupled to the cover carrier. At least during the pivoting movements of the cover, the second slide element can be moved over the coupling element depending on the motion of the control carriage.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2004Date of Patent: September 12, 2006Assignee: Wabasto AGInventor: Bernhard Wingen
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Patent number: 7059669Abstract: A closure panel assembly selectively covers an opening formed in a roof of a motor vehicle. The closure panel assembly includes a frame disposed around the opening of the roof. The frame has a longitudinal wall including a guide slot extending between a forward end and a rearward end. A lead screw is disposed adjacent the longitudinal wall and is movable with respect thereto. A panel is movable relative to the lead screw for selectively covering the opening. A sliding bracket is secured to the panel and includes a drive nut extending through the guide slot to threadingly engage the lead screw. The rotation of the lead screw allows for movement of the drive nut to move the panel between an open position and a closed position.Type: GrantFiled: May 5, 2004Date of Patent: June 13, 2006Assignee: Intier Automotive Closures Inc.Inventor: G. Clarke Oberheide
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Patent number: 7044539Abstract: A motor vehicle roof is provided which includes a cover which can be moved into a raised position at its rear edge by a carriage which can be moved along guide rails in interaction with a cover carrier connected to the cover via a crank arrangement. The crank arrangement has at least one crank path and at least one sliding element which fits into the crank arrangement. For simple and reliable support of the cover in all phases, the crank arrangement preferably includes at least two crank paths and two sliding elements, wherein the crank paths are shaped and arranged such that when the carriage moves, a first sliding element assumes support of the cover in the direction of the height of the vehicle roof (Z-direction), while a second sliding element applies support in the lengthwise direction of the vehicle (X-direction). As the carriage continues to be displaced, a reversal of the supporting action of the two sliding elements occurs.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2004Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Assignee: Open Air Systems GmbHInventors: Wolfgang Ettl, Peter Reihl, Adam Wagner, Niko Graeter
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Patent number: 6981738Abstract: A seal for the guide of an openable vehicle roof has an elastic sealing profile and a harder sealing strip that is mounted thereon and that is configured as a separate part. When the seal must be compressed, in order to make space for a connecting member between the longitudinal guide and the raised cover panel, only the sliding strip is contacted so that the sealing element is not subjected to any wear and tear.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2004Date of Patent: January 3, 2006Assignee: ArvinMeritor, GmbHInventors: Horst Schönebeck, Christian Biewer
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Patent number: 6962391Abstract: An open roof structure for opening and closing a roof of a vehicle includes a pair of link members that support the roof such that the roof is movable forward and backward relative to the vehicle body, the link members being provided in spaced relation in a width direction of the vehicle body; and a link rod that connects the link members such that the link members rotate with rotation of the link rod. The need for a space for storing the roof is eliminated and the roof is opened and closed with a simple structure.Type: GrantFiled: April 9, 2004Date of Patent: November 8, 2005Assignee: Homda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventor: Michio Tamura
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Patent number: 6942285Abstract: A vehicle has a roof assembly for opening an opening in its fixed roof. The roof assembly includes a frame attached to the vehicle roof and a panel which is movably supported by said stationary part and which can be adjusted by an adjusting mechanism including a driving slide. The panel is movable between a closed position for closing the roof opening, and an open, rearward position for being at least partially above the roof behind the roof opening, in which the roof opening is at least partially released. The frame is fitted with at least one front longitudinal guide track extending at least along the roof opening, whereas a rear longitudinal guide track is mounted at least substantially rearward of the roof opening.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2003Date of Patent: September 13, 2005Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.Inventors: Peter Christiaan Leonardus Johannes Manders, Egbert Boersma
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Patent number: 6893083Abstract: A motor vehicle roof with a roof opening which in the roof skin (20, 22), a cover (14) and an displacement mechanism for moving the cover (14) between the closed position which closes the roof opening, a ventilation position in which the cover pivoted upward with its rear edge above the roof skin (20, 22), and an open position in which the cover (14) is pushed rearwar over the roof skin (20, 22) and is supported at its rear area by a support lever (28) which is coupled at one end to the rear area of the cover (14) and is guided at an opposite end in a guide rail (26) which is located underneath the roof skin (20, 22). To make provide greater freedom in the configuration of the lateral edge area of the roof, the support lever (28) and the guide rail (26) are located essentially transversely centrally.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2003Date of Patent: May 17, 2005Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbHInventor: Andreas Engl
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Patent number: 6877790Abstract: The invention concerns roof elements (1, 2) mobile between a first position wherein they cover the vehicle passenger compartment, a second position wherein the front roof element (1) is located above the rear roof element (2), a third position wherein the two roof elements (1, 2) are stowed in the vehicle rear deck. The mechanism (3) for lifting the front roof element (1) comprises two intersecting levers (8, 9) articulated at their intersection (10) one of the ends of said levers (8, 9) being articulated to a front telescopic element (5), the other end of said levers (8, 9) being linked to means for displacing each of said ends in opposite directions oriented in a direction parallel to the front telescopic element (5).Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2001Date of Patent: April 12, 2005Assignee: France DesignInventors: Gérard Queveau, Albéric Sorin
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Patent number: 6877799Abstract: An openable motor vehicle roof, which is provided with at least one cover (10, 110) which, in the closed position, closes at least part of a roof opening (46), with a carriage (36, 136) which can be moved in the lengthwise direction of the roof in a first roof-mounted guide (38) by a drive, and with a cover-mounted cover carrier (12, 112) which is movably guided in the lengthwise direction of the roof by a first sliding element (16, 116) in a second roof-mounted guide (20) and by a second sliding element (18, 118) which is offset to the rear relative to the first sliding element in the third roof-mounted guide (22). The cover can be raised at its rear edge by displacement of the carriage to the rear and can be pushed to the rear with the rear edge of the cover raised to clear the roof opening.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2003Date of Patent: April 12, 2005Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbHInventors: Wolfgang Seifert, Francois De Gaillard, Bernhard Wingen
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Patent number: 6830290Abstract: Motor vehicle, especially a limousine, sedan or coupe, with a vehicle roof (2) with body-mounted side roof members (3), with a movable cover (9) which adjoins the front window (7) for closing and clearing a roof opening (6) which is formed in the vehicle roof (2), and with a rear window (8) which borders the roof opening, the cover (9). The cover is movably guided by a front bearing mechanism (17) and a rear bearing mechanism (19) on the front and the rear roof-mounted longitudinal guides (10 and 11) and can be raised for clearing the roof opening (6) at least at its rear edge and can be pushed over the rear window (8). The front and the rear roof-mounted longitudinal guides (10 or 11) are located countersunk with respect to the roof surface in the area of the two roof side members (3) and the rear longitudinal guides (11) run along the side edges of the rear window (9).Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2003Date of Patent: December 14, 2004Assignee: Webasto Vehicles Systems International GmbHInventor: Francois De Gaillard
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Publication number: 20040222675Abstract: A closure panel assembly selectively covers an opening formed in a roof of a motor vehicle. The closure panel assembly includes a frame disposed around the opening of the roof. The frame has a longitudinal wall including a guide slot extending between a forward end and a rearward end. A lead screw is disposed adjacent the longitudinal wall and is movable with respect thereto. A panel is movable relative to the lead screw for selectively covering the opening. A sliding bracket is secured to the panel and includes a drive nut extending through the guide slot to threadingly engage the lead screw. The rotation of the lead screw allows for movement of the drive nut to move the panel between an open position and a closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2004Publication date: November 11, 2004Inventor: G. Clarke Oberheide
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Publication number: 20040169402Abstract: A vehicle roof, comprising an opening roof panel, which can be moved from a first, closed roof position into a second, fully opened roof position, the roof panel being held essentially parallel to the rest of the vehicle roof and at a distance from the rest of the vehicle roof in the second roof position; a lateral guide, the roof panel being guided at least during a part of an opening movement on the guide; a third, partially opened roof position in which the roof panel is held in a position that is essentially inclined with respect to the rest of the vehicle roof, rising counter to the direction of travel; and an elevating means for elevating a front edge area of the roof panel.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2004Publication date: September 2, 2004Applicant: Edscha Cabrio-Dachsysteme GmbHInventors: Robert Kronseder, Klaus Obendiek, Walter Pecho
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Patent number: 6783172Abstract: A roof structure of a motor vehicle with a movable front cover mechanism for closing or at least partially clearing a front roof opening and with a rear hatch or rear window which is connected to the front cover mechanism and which can be swiveled up around its front edge for clearing a rear roof opening. The front cover mechanism is supported on a module frame which is assigned to the front roof opening and which is attached to the body-mounted roof frame. On a rear transverse frame part of the module frame is a swivel bearing mechanism for permitting the swiveling up and down of the rear hatch or rear window.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2002Date of Patent: August 31, 2004Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbHInventor: Francois De Gaillard
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Publication number: 20040100128Abstract: An open roof construction of a vehicle comprises a closure element that mates with a roof opening, which closure element is movable along a first longitudinal guide and a second longitudinal guide. To this end, the closure element includes a front support, which is supported in the first longitudinal guide, and a guide element, which is slidable in the second longitudinal guide. An adjusting element, which is movable in the longitudinal direction by means of an actuating element being driven from the drive unit, is disposed under said closure element, which adjusting element is fitted with the guide element and which is arranged for moving the guide element into and out of engagement with the second longitudinal guide.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2003Publication date: May 27, 2004Inventor: Peter C.L.J. Manders
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Publication number: 20040041441Abstract: A motor vehicle roof with a roof opening which in the roof skin (20, 22), a cover (14) and an displacement mechanism for moving the cover (14) between the closed position which closes the roof opening, a ventilation position in which the cover pivoted upward with its rear edge above the roof skin (20, 22), and an open position in which the cover (14) is pushed rearwar over the roof skin (20, 22) and is supported at its rear area by a support lever (28) which is coupled at one end to the rear area of the cover (14) and is guided at an opposite end in a guide rail (26) which is located underneath the roof skin (20, 22). To make provide greater freedom in the configuration of the lateral edge area of the roof, the support lever (28) and the guide rail (26) are located essentially transversely centrally.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 27, 2003Publication date: March 4, 2004Applicant: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbHInventor: Andreas Engl
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Patent number: 6698824Abstract: A roof system for a motor vehicle with at least two covers (2, 3) which are located in a fixed motor vehicle roof (1) with an intermediate section (1B) of the fixed motor vehicle roof (1) located between the covers (2, 3). To produce an economical roof system which can be matched to any vehicle roof size and shape, and which is suitable for retrofit installation, a covering is provided on the intermediate section (1B) between the covers (2, 3) which is formed preferably as a film and which has an outer surface with a visual appearance that is matched in that of the covers (2, 3).Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2002Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Webasto Product International B.V.Inventor: Martin Frank de Waal
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Patent number: 6695398Abstract: A sunroof assembly is provided for a vehicle having a roof with an opening. The assembly includes a panel structure, a pair of lift arms coupled to the panel structure, and a pair of track members. Each lift arm has a pair of cam structures providing a camming surface on each opposing side thereof. A pair of lifting cam structures are slidably coupled to each track member and have supports positioned on each lateral side of its respective lift arm to resist deflection of the lift arms. The lifting cam structures have camming surfaces engaged with camming surfaces of the cam structures. The lifting cam structures and the camming surfaces of the lift arms are configured such that sliding movement of the lifting cam structures along the track members relative to the lift arms creates a camming action to raise the lift arms.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2002Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: Webasto Sunroofs, Inc.Inventors: Lloyd George Racine, Joseph J. Kalamajka, Jr., Lisa M. Sahlaney, Pamela A. Sheridan
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Patent number: 6688682Abstract: A visor and transparent window assembly for a utility vehicle cab roof includes a latch mechanism which is selectively operable to retain the transparent panel closed to the roof or to tilt the transparent panel upwardly. The visor overlying the transparent panel is engageable by the latch mechanism to hold the visor to the transparent paneling in close overlying relationship. Plural gas struts are connected between the visor and the utility vehicle roof to assist in the tilting open of the visor. The visor and the transparent panel are hingedly connected to the roof along a common axis so that the transparent panel and the visor can be opened together as a unit without binding. The latch mechanism includes a hook end which can selectively engage the visor to the transparent panel such that the visor and the transparent panel are latched closed to the roof together or can be pivoted together to an open position.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2001Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Deere & Co.Inventors: John Raymond Arthur, Russell William Strong, Michael Robert Ondayko, Daniel James Knight, Robert Orval Hartweg
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Patent number: 6682134Abstract: A guide device for guiding the raising and opening of a cover of a vehicle roof to be opened is provided. The guide device includes at least two guide profiles which can be moved against one another to move the cover over a roof surface adjoining behind a roof opening which can be closed by the cover. At least one of the guide profiles of the guide device, or at least a section of one of the guide profiles, having a curvature pointed toward the roof surface in order to lower the cover toward the roof surface as the cover is shifted to the rear by via the guide profiles.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2002Date of Patent: January 27, 2004Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbHInventors: Francois De Gaillard, Martin Pollak, Wofgang Ettl
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Publication number: 20040007902Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle comprises a stationary part for attachment to the roof. It has at least one stationary guide rail on a side of the roof opening. A closure element is supported by an operating mechanism and is adjustable between a closed position, in which it closes the roof opening, and an open position. The operating mechanism comprises a driving slide and a link plate attached to the closure element and having a first guide track with which a guide member is in engagement. A curve part on the stationary part includes a second guide track having a vertical component. The guide member is also in engagement with said second guide track, wherein the driving slide is adapted to drive the guide member at least along part of the path of movement of the closure element.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2003Publication date: January 15, 2004Applicant: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.Inventors: Peter Christiaan Leonardus Johannes Manders, Chris de Jong
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Publication number: 20030230911Abstract: A sunroof assembly is provided for a vehicle having a roof with an opening. The assembly includes a panel structure, a pair of lift arms coupled to the panel structure, and a pair of track members. Each lift arm has a pair of cam structures providing a camming surface on each opposing side thereof. A pair of lifting cam structures are slidably coupled to each track member and have supports positioned on each lateral side of its respective lift arm to resist deflection of the lift arms. The lifting cam structures have camming surfaces engaged with camming surfaces of the cam structures. The lifting cam structures and the camming surfaces of the lift arms are configured such that sliding movement of the lifting cam structures along the track members relative to the lift arms creates a camming action to raise the lift arms.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2002Publication date: December 18, 2003Inventors: Lloyd George Racine, Joseph J. Kalamajka, Lisa M. Sahlaney, Pamela A. Sheridan
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Patent number: 6652022Abstract: A motor vehicle roof (1) with a front cover (2) a rear edge that is pivotally supported on a slide element (6) which can be moved along a guide (7), and with a rear cover (3) which borders the front cover (2) and which has a rear edge which is pivotally mounted. A high degree of flexibility in the opening possibilities with simultaneously stable guidance of the covers (2, 3) is achieved by the rear cover (3) having guides (11) for guiding the rear slide element (8) of the front cover (2) when the front cover is slid rearward.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2002Date of Patent: November 25, 2003Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbHInventors: Manfred Pfalzgraf, Walter Schätzler
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Patent number: 6631944Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle having an opening in its fixed roof comprises a stationary part to be fixed to the roof, which stationary part includes a guide rail present on at least one side of the roof opening. A panel supported by the stationary part is adjustable between a closed position, in which it closes the roof opening, and an open position, in which it has been moved to a position above the fixed roof. This is effected by an operating mechanism present between the panel and the guide rail, which operating mechanism includes a supporting part which supports the panel and a first slide which is capable of sliding movement along the guide rail. The supporting part of the operating mechanism slidably supports the panel, while a second slide is provided, which is capable of moving the panel with respect to the supporting part by a connecting part. Preferably, the panel and the supporting part are guided with respect to each other by a roller guide.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2002Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group BVInventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Wouter Petrus Kaandorp
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Publication number: 20030184128Abstract: An openable motor vehicle roof, which is provided with at least one cover (10, 110) which, in the closed position, closes at least part of a roof opening (46), with a carriage (36, 136) which can be moved in the lengthwise direction of the roof in a first roof-mounted guide (38) by a drive, and with a cover-mounted cover carrier (12, 112) which is movably guided in the lengthwise direction of the roof by a first sliding element (16, 116) in a second roof-mounted guide (20) and by a second sliding element (18, 118) which is offset to the rear relative to the first sliding element in the third roof-mounted guide (22). The cover can be raised at its rear edge by displacement of the carriage to the rear and can be pushed to the rear with the rear edge of the cover raised to clear the roof opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2003Publication date: October 2, 2003Applicant: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbHInventors: Wolfgang Seifert, Francois De Gaillard, Bernhard Wingen
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Patent number: 6619732Abstract: The invention relates to a motor vehicle roof having at least one cover that can be moved and raised on its rear edge via with a control mechanism. The control mechanism has a rear lifting and displacement mechanism that is coupled near the rear edge of the cover to said mechanism. The control mechanism also comprises at least one control carriage that is connected to the cover, which can be driven and movably guided in lateral guide rails. To increase protection against ejection of the cover, the movable part of the lifting and displacement mechanism and the part that is connected to the cover have locking elements. The locking elements act in the closed position of the cover to prevent the upward ejection of the cover.Type: GrantFiled: January 11, 2002Date of Patent: September 16, 2003Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbHInventor: Stjepan Radmanic
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Publication number: 20030141748Abstract: A vehicle has a roof assembly for opening an opening in its fixed roof. The roof assembly includes a frame attached to the vehicle roof and a panel which is movably supported by said stationary part and which can be adjusted by an adjusting mechanism including a driving slide. The panel is movable between a closed position for closing the roof opening, and an open, rearward position for being at least partially above the roof behind the roof opening, in which the roof opening is at least partially released. The frame is fitted with at least one front longitudinal guide track extending at least along the roof opening, whereas a rear longitudinal guide track is mounted at least substantially rearward of the roof opening.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2003Publication date: July 31, 2003Inventors: Peter Christiaan Leonardus Johannes Manders, Egbert Boersma