Specific Roof Panel And Opening Edge Structure Patents (Class 296/216.06)
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Publication number: 20040232733Abstract: A sealing structure for sealing between a sliding roof and an opening portion of a roof panel of a motor vehicle. The sealing structure includes an annular frame member which is secured along the opening portion of the roof panel, an annular roof panel main seal for contacting a lower surface of a periphery of the sliding roof when the sliding roof is closed, and a roof panel sub-seal for contacting side edges of the sliding roof when the sliding roof is closed. The roof panel main seal and the roof panel sub-seal are attached to the annular frame member.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2004Publication date: November 25, 2004Applicant: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.Inventor: Tomoki Ota
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Publication number: 20040227380Abstract: An attachment structure of a weather strip having a base portion and a tubular seal portion to an opening portion of a motor vehicle or a periphery of a closing member for opening and closing the opening portion. The attachment structure includes a channel part having a U-shaped cross-section and including side walls provided in the opening portion of the motor vehicle or the periphery of the closing member to define a channel. The base portion of the weather strip includes an inserting part adapted to be inserted in the channel and a holding part for holding one of the side walls with the inserting part. The inserting part and the holding part define a slot. The inserting part includes a holding lip which projects from an end of the inserting part obliquely outward.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2004Publication date: November 18, 2004Applicant: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.Inventors: Tomoki Ota, Yoshinobu Yamada
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Patent number: 6811213Abstract: There is provided a weather strip for use on a sunroof capable of preventing squeak noises being generated in advance between a hollow seal part and a roof panel during traveling of a car by allowing the hollow seal part to satisfactorily follow vibrations of the roof panel. The weather strip ensures sealing property between a roof glass mounted on the sunroof of a car and a roof panel and comprises a built-in base part attached to the roof glass, and a hollow seal part composed of continuous ends integrally formed with the built-in base part and having substantially a circular cross section, a tip end contact part elastically contacting the roof panel, wherein thicker parts protruding inward and being continuous with the built-in base part are formed on the continuous ends of the hollow seal part and protrusions protruding inward are formed on substantially middle parts between the continuous ends and the tip end contact part.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2003Date of Patent: November 2, 2004Assignees: Nishikawa Rubber Co., Ltd., Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Yachiyo Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takashi Yamashita, Masayuki Daio, Masaharu Ohnishi, Hirofumi Yamane, Tatsuaki Uehara, Koichi Hotta
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Publication number: 20040169403Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2004Publication date: September 2, 2004Inventors: Horst Schonebeck, Christian Biewer
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Patent number: 6698154Abstract: The present invention involves a window trim system with a bracket and trim ring, and a method of installing the same. The window trim system includes a clamping bracket which is press fit and screwed into preformed channels in the window frame. The clamping bracket has a receiving portion, such as a depression or catch, for interfitting with an engagement portion of the trim ring, such as a protrusion or catch. A trim ring is then snapped into place over the clamping bracket, thus hiding the screw head from sight. Advantageously, the window trim system is capable of securing the window frame to the vehicle wall with a minimal number of brackets and screws.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2001Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: ASV Plastics, Inc.Inventor: Dennis R. Vance
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Patent number: 6685263Abstract: A sunroof assembly which opens and closes a roof opening portion provided on a roof of a vehicle with a plurality of movable panels and which improves the water proof performance of a vehicle width directional end portions at a clearance between a first movable panel in front and a second movable panel positioned in the rear of the first movable panel. The sunroof assembly includes the first movable panel provided at front of the roof opening portion, the second movable panel provided in the rear of the first movable panel, a sealing member extended in the vehicle width direction for sealing a clearance between the first movable panel and the second movable panel when the first movable panel and the second movable panel are closed, and a preventive wall for covering vehicle width directional end portion of the sealing member.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2002Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kazuki Sawada, Chitose Nishiyama, Tetsuya Hirata, Kohichi Itoh
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Patent number: 6644728Abstract: A sunroof device is made up of a pair of guide rails placed at laterally opposed inner peripheries of an open area of a vehicle. The pair of guide rails support a movable panel covering and uncovering the open area. A first gutter portion extends along a lengthwise direction of the guide rail. A second gutter portion is positioned below the first gutter portion and is brought into fluid communication with an end of the first gutter portion, characterized in that the second gutter portion is formed with an upstanding wall located at a distance from the end of the first gutter portion when the second gutter portion is brought into an overlap condition in such a manner that the upstanding wall defines an area of the second gutter portion to be overlapped with the first gutter portion. An easy connection can be made between the first gutter portion and the second gutter portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2000Date of Patent: November 11, 2003Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Youji Nagashima, Hiroshi Makino, Kenji Maeta, Hironori Ochiai
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Patent number: 6533343Abstract: A subassembly element in the form of an intermediate product for a multipart cover element for motor vehicles contains at least two subassembly parts, e.g., for a multipart sunroof or sliding roof cover or for a multipart loading zone or cargo space cover, containing edge regions on the adjacent edges of the subassembly parts which are correspondingly shaped such that they had least partially overlap in the closed position. All subassembly parts are present in the form of one connected-together part and are shaped in accordance with the predetermined contour of the cover element. A channel-shaped depression is arranged at least in the outer side of the subassembly element in the edge region in which two respective subassembly parts adjoin one another. The contour of the channel-shaped depression is comprised of the desired contours of the edge regions of adjacent subassembly parts of the respective cover element.Type: GrantFiled: August 16, 2001Date of Patent: March 18, 2003Assignee: Arvin Meritor GmbHInventors: Horst Bohm, Rainer Grimm
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Patent number: 6520570Abstract: A motor vehicle roof module for attachment to the roof frame area of a motor vehicle body, with at least one cover (11) for selectively closing and exposing a roof opening in the roof module (11), with an electric motor drive (25, 26) for actuating the cover (11), and with a front apron (13) that forms a hollow profile component of a mounting frame of the roof module (10), and in which the electric motor drive (25, 26) is held at least partially within the apron (13).Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2001Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbHInventor: Walter Schätzler
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Patent number: 6520571Abstract: A multi-part hollow chamber seal for sealing a rectangular cover (10) relative to the edge of a rectangular motor vehicle roof opening with a connecting part for connecting a sealing part (14) which runs around a curved comer to a sealing part (13) which adjoins it via a seam, in the form of a connecting tube (21) which penetrates the seam and which is inserted into the hollow chambers (19, 20) of the two sealing parts (13, 14). The connecting tube (21) extends along the entire bend of the sealing part (14) which runs around the corner.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2000Date of Patent: February 18, 2003Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbHInventors: Thomas Stemmer, Dirk Auerswald, Keith Bishop, Symon Lewis
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Patent number: 6517150Abstract: A cover unit, for closing the roof opening in the solid skin of a motor vehicle roof, having a cover element, composed of an at least partially transparent plastic, and a reinforcing frame, for example, made of metal, which extends along the side edge of the cover element, and which bears a seal which surrounds the side edge of the cover element for contact against an essentially vertically running roof-mounted sealing surface. The reinforcing frame is cemented, using a flexible cement, to the cover element such that the cover element can move, in the transverse direction, relative to the reinforcing frame in order to enable thermal expansion of the cover element. The seal has a roof sealing area, contacting a roof-mounted sealing surface, which is substantially unaffected by thermal expansion of the cover element, and the seal has a cover sealing area for compensation of thermal expansion of the cover element.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2001Date of Patent: February 11, 2003Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbHInventors: Francois De Gaillard, Michael Kölbl
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Patent number: 6513865Abstract: A motor vehicle roof with a roof opening (12) and a body-mounted carrier frame (38) to which a roof module (14) which fills the roof opening is attached, the roof module having a module frame (20) by means of which it is attached to the carrier frame, a cover (22) which can be pushed in the module frame in the lengthwise direction of the roof, and a rear window (24) which directly adjoins the cover to the rear in the closed position of the cover, and the module frame is made such that the cover and the rear window in their closed state adjoin the module frame, forming a seal. The rear window (24) can be raised with its rear edge.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2000Date of Patent: February 4, 2003Assignee: Webasto Vehicle Systems International GmbHInventors: Alfons Lutz, Thomas Ulbrich, Stephan Wolfrum
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Patent number: 6454346Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in open roof constructions, which are particularly, but not exclusively of the rail-to-rail type. The side beams of these open roof constructions are generally attached directly to the reinforcement beams on the longitudinal edges of the roof of the vehicle. According to the invention the side beams are manufactured from special extrusion sections which are very easily adaptable to various designs of the open roof construction, which are mountable into the vehicle in a rational manner, and which enable the provision of additional functions.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2001Date of Patent: September 24, 2002Assignee: Inalfa Industries B.V.Inventor: Martinus Wilhelmus Maria Nabuurs
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Patent number: 6378935Abstract: Sun-roof apparatus for a vehicle (3) including a sun-roof (5), that is arranged in an opening (4) in the roof (2) of the vehicle (3). A link mechanism (11) connects the sun-roof (5) to the roof (2), and a drainage channel (20) and/or a drainage gutter (26) is arranged at least partly around the opening (4) in the roof (2). In relation to a front and rear portion of the vehicle (3), the sun-roof apparatus has a front element (17), a rear element (18) and two side elements (19). The drainage channel (20) and/or the drainage gutter (26) is arranged in the elements (17, 18, 19). That part of the drainage channel (20) and/or the drainage gutter (26) that is arranged in the side elements (19) is inclined in relation to a horizontal plane so that the depth of the drainage channel (20) and/or the drainage gutter (26) in a first end region (21) of the side element (19) is greater than the depth of the drainage channel (20) and/or the drainage gutter (26) in a second end region (22) of the side element (19).Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2001Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Assignee: Volvo Personvagnar ABInventors: Joakim Dryselius, Jonas Göthlin
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Patent number: 6367872Abstract: A vehicle roof includes a preformed inner shell forming the roof lining. The lining is larger than the inside dimensions of the body opening bounded by the rails or sections of the closed body frame. The roof lining is flexible or elastic on the protruding areas, so that it is bendable for passage through the body opening bordered by the vehicle frame, with partial folding in the corner areas downward without permanent deformation and is designed to cover the vehicle frame. The protruding areas of the roof lining therefore form the coverings for the roof frame sections so that additional cover strips and cover sections are not required, even in the corners.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 1999Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Assignee: Meritor Automotive GmbHInventors: Horst Böhm, Rainer Grimm, Thomas Becher
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Patent number: 6364407Abstract: A sealing element for a vehicle roof with a roof opening in which a movable roof element is arranged so as to be adjustable between open and closed position has a sealing surface which in closed position of the roof element engages with an edge of the roof element to form a seal. In order to improve the seal in a simple manner, the sealing element is provided with a sealing arm which rests on a support. The upper side of the sealing arm forms the sealing surface.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2000Date of Patent: April 2, 2002Assignee: CTS Fahrzeug Dachsysteme GmbHInventors: Dieter Raisch, Dirk Arnold, Wolfram Salz
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Patent number: 6283540Abstract: A plastic panel assembly for use in a vehicle is provided including a sheet metal frame constructed and arranged to be coupled to a vehicle and a plastic panel mounted to the sheet metal frame. The plastic panel includes a plurality of pin members extending from a surface thereof and the frame includes a plurality of openings therethrough such that one pin member is disposed through an associated opening. Fastening structure is constructed and arranged with respect to the pin members to retain the plastic panel to the frame so that the panel is prevented from moving relative to the frame in a direction of extension of the pin members while the panel is permitted to move relative to the frame in a direction transverse to the direction of extension of the pin members, upon thermal expansion of the panel.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 1997Date of Patent: September 4, 2001Assignee: Webasto Sunroofs, Inc.Inventors: Robert John Siebelink, Jr., Lloyd G. Racine
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Patent number: 6264269Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle having an opening in its fixed roof comprises a frame for being mounted in the opening in the fixed roof, and a rigid, transparent panel for selectively closing or at least partially releasing the opening in the fixed roof. An adjuster is provided between the frame and the panel for adjusting the panel between the closed position and the open position. The frame is provided with rearward protrusions at the rear, laterally of a central part thereof. The panel extends as far as the protrusions at the rear. This makes it possible to use an extra large roof opening and a large panel, whilst maintaining an interior unit on the fixed roof of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 14, 1999Date of Patent: July 24, 2001Assignee: Inalfa Industries B.V.Inventor: Martinus Wilhelmus Maria Nabuurs
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Patent number: 6254176Abstract: An improved mounting system for conveying electrical energy to and from a moving glass panel, such as a sunroof, utilizes a retractable cord. The retractable cord is mounted within a channel which guides the glass panel. In this way, the cord is protected.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2000Date of Patent: July 3, 2001Assignee: Meritor Light Vehicle Technology, LLCInventor: Douglas R. Hare
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Patent number: 6244653Abstract: A resin molded object 1 that may be used as a sunroof has a reinforcing rib 3 around the periphery of a window body 2 that is disposed inside a car. The window body 2 is molded using a fixed die 7 and one molding surface 8a of a first movable die 8, then the reinforcing rib 3 is molded on the window body 2 using the fixed die 7 and a second molding surface 8b of a second movable die 8 to thereby to fabricate a double-molded resin window.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 1998Date of Patent: June 12, 2001Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toyoda Jidoshokki Seisakusho, Mitsubishi Engineering Plastics CorporationInventors: Akiteru Nishio, Hiroyuki Imaizumi, Tsuneaki Iwakiri