Panel Slides With Final Closing Motion Having Vertical Component To Attain Closed And Sealed Condition Patents (Class 296/222)
  • Patent number: 11926204
    Abstract: A set of hinges (1) that allow a user to open and close a set of removable rigid rooftop panels (5, 6) for a vehicle having a hardtop cover, such as a Jeep or sport utility vehicle, without being required to fully remove and store the rigid roof panels. The hinges may be locked in an open position using one or more hasps (24) integrated into the hinges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Inventor: Richard A. Brown
  • Patent number: 11577588
    Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle having a roof opening in a roof part, comprising a panel, and a first device for moving the rear side of the panel towards a raised position relative to the closed position and above an adjoining roof part. The control slide and the lifting member are guided by a guide rail having grooves and extending in longitudinal direction alongside the opening and below the adjoining roof part. A support lever cooperates with the control slide and supports the panel in positions in which it is above the adjoining roof part. The support lever is guided in the guide rail and is adapted to also pass through the passage opening. The support lever takes over support of the panel from an intermediate guide connection of the lifting lever and the intermediate guide connection is then disengaged from the guide curve in the control slide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.
    Inventor: Eduardus Christianus Henricus van Boxtel
  • Patent number: 11318825
    Abstract: Sunroof drive apparatus and related sunroof assemblies for use with vehicles are disclosed. A disclosed assembly includes a sunroof panel, a rail, a guide block attached to part of the rail, a bracket beneath the sunroof panel, a link in the rail removably connected to the guide block, and a drive shoe in the rail slidably coupled to the link. The drive shoe includes first and second slots to receive respective first and second pins of the link. The link can rotate about a rotation axis from a first orientation in which the link is inseparable from the guide block to a target orientation in which the link is separable from the guide block. When the first pin enters a locking area at an end of the first slot, the drive shoe imparts one or more loads on the first pin that urge the link into the target orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: AISIN TECHNICAL CENTER OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Jacob Grimaldo, Micah Wedekind, Michael Mixon, Tatsuya Matsui
  • Patent number: 10370883
    Abstract: An apparatus for window is used for moving a movable window plate among an insertion position for being inserted into an aperture portion of a fixed window plate, an extraction position for being extracted from the aperture portion toward an indoor side, and an opening position for being moved from the extraction position in a sliding direction that is different from an inserting and extracting direction to open the aperture portion. The apparatus includes a rotating shaft rotatably supported at a predetermined position for the movable window plate; a movement conversion mechanism configured to convert a rotation of the rotating shaft into a translation of the movable window plate between the insertion position and the extraction position; and a drive shaft, fixed to the rotating shaft, configured to rotate the rotating shaft around a central axis of the rotating shaft by revolving around the central axis of the rotating shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: AGC Inc.
    Inventors: Nozomi Otsubo, Masao Fukami
  • Patent number: 10343502
    Abstract: An open roof construction comprises at least one guide rail and front and rear closure panels. An operating mechanism supports the front panel and is adjustable between a closed position and an open position. The operating mechanism comprises rear supports connected to the front panel and two parallel guide tracks. A rear guide track portion extends rearwardly beyond the roof opening. The rear panel and the sidewardly adjacent fixed roof include a passage opening to allow the supports to support the front panel when the support is positioned in the rear guide track portion. The rear panel and the adjacent fixed roof are each provided with a seal to close the passage opening and to allow the support member to move between the seals, which, when viewed from above, extend in a non-parallel fashion with respect to each other and to the guide track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: INALFA ROOF SYSTEMS GROUP B.V.
    Inventor: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Patent number: 10239391
    Abstract: A sliding apparatus for a sunroof of an automobile including a shoe having a first channel and a second channel slidably connected to a rail, a guide block including a front channel connecting a lower channel to form a first path, and a rear channel connecting to an upper channel to form a second path, and a lever with a first pin projecting from a first side and a second side, a second pin projecting from the first side and a third pin projecting from the second side. The first pin is connected to the front channel and the second pin is connected to the rear channel on the first side, and the first pin is connected to the first channel and the third pin is connected to the second channel on a second side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: AISIN TECHNICAL CENTER OF AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Ryan Heins, Shintaro Katsura
  • Patent number: 9376001
    Abstract: A sunroof device for a vehicle, includes: a guide rail provided on each edge in a width direction of a vehicle of an opening formed on a vehicle roof; a first sliding member linked with each edge in the width direction of the vehicle of a movable panel opening and closing the opening; a guide block in which an engagement groove is formed and which is provided on the guide rail; a check including an engagement protrusion capable of engaging with the engagement groove; and a regulation wall preventing deformation of the guide block when the first sliding member moves toward the rear side of the vehicle with respect to the movable panel in the fully closed state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shintaro Katsura
  • Patent number: 9340096
    Abstract: A vehicle and a method of attaching a sunroof assembly to the vehicle are disclosed. A structural frame is provided having a roof portion. The structural frame defines a passenger compartment adjacent to the roof portion. The structural frame includes a flange extending along at least a segment of the roof portion. The flange includes a first side facing inwardly toward the passenger compartment and a second side facing outwardly away from the passenger compartment. A sunroof frame is attached to the first side of the flange from inside the passenger compartment. Furthermore, a glass apparatus is operatively connected to the sunroof frame from the second side of the flange outside of the passenger compartment. Attaching the sunroof frame to the first side of the flange occurs before operatively connecting the glass apparatus to the sunroof frame. The sunroof frame and the glass apparatus define the sunroof assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Gerald M. Bojanowski
  • Patent number: 9290084
    Abstract: A modular sunroof frame assembly and method for a vehicle having a body structure is provided. The modular sunroof frame assembly is attachable to the body structure and includes right and left side rails, front and rear cross beams, and a plurality of corner attachment couplings. The right and left side rails have respective cross-sections throughout their length, front rail ends, and rear rail ends. The front and rear cross beams have respective cross-sections throughout their length, right beam ends, and left beam ends. The corner attachment couplings are fixed to the respective side rail end and to the respective cross beam end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Gerald M. Bojanowski, James A. Forbes, James C. O'Kane
  • Patent number: 9272607
    Abstract: A vehicle sunroof device has a contact portion between a panel bracket and a guide bracket, an insertion portion, a first member, and a second member. The contact portion contacts a first bracket, which is one of the panel bracket and the guide bracket. The insertion portion protrudes at the contact portion and is inserted into an attachment hole formed in a second bracket, which is the other of the panel bracket and the guide bracket. The first member has a retainer portion that permits a set range of motion of the second bracket. The second member is fastened to the first member. The first and second members permit relative motion of the first and second brackets in the non-fastened state, and restrict relative motion of the first and second brackets in the fastened state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yusuke Kokubo, Yoji Nagashima
  • Patent number: 8814257
    Abstract: In a vehicle roof device equipped with a sunroof member and a sunshade member driven by respective electric motors, an operation switch includes an operation member to be operated by a vehicle occupant, the operation member being movable between a neutral position, an opening operation position and a closing operation position, where the opening and closing operation positions are displaced from the neutral position in different directions. The vehicle roof device further includes a control unit configured which, when the operation member is moved to one of the opening and closing operation positions, controls the electric motors so as to drive the sunroof member and the sunshade member in an operation mode determined based on a relationship of a duration of the operation member held at the one of the opening operation position and the closing operation position with two different threshold time periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Yachiyo Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazutaka Sugimoto, Ryosuke Noro
  • Patent number: 8807642
    Abstract: Continuous cross sectional profile guide tracks in an outer sliding sunroof/moonroof are provided where both the front and rear mechanism or mechanism links travel fore/aft in the same channels as each other and have fore/aft travel that is limited only by vehicle architecture. The guide track channel is partly or entirely outside/outboard of the primary water/wind sealing system of the sunroof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Tesla Motors, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew Paul Gruss, Marcus Christensen
  • Publication number: 20140203597
    Abstract: A roof apparatus includes a movable panel, a guide rail, a first rail portion and a second rail portion which are provided at the guide rail in a manner that at least a part of the first rail portion and at least a part of the second rail portion are overlapped with each other in the vehicle width direction, a front side guide member including a guide groove, a front side link member including a support protruding portion which is movable along the second rail portion or along the guide groove which is inclined in a vehicle upward direction towards a vehicle rear direction, and a transmission member which is movable along the first rail portion, and is linked to a rear side link member connected to the movable panel and is linked to the front side link member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Mitsutoshi KIKUCHI, Kazuki SAWADA
  • Publication number: 20140175840
    Abstract: A vehicle open roof construction includes a closure element movably supported and adjusted by a driving slide. A front longitudinal guide track extends along a roof opening, whereas a rear longitudinal guide track is mounted at least substantially rearward of the roof opening. A front support which is movably guided by said front longitudinal guide track supports the closure element, while a rear support also supports the closure element and includes a lifting device and a guiding device for engagement in said rear longitudinal track upon rearward movement of the closure element. The lifting device and the guiding device are integrated as a rotatable element. A forcing mechanism determines whether the rotatable element acts either as the lifting device or the guiding device. The rotatable element is adjustable in vertical direction with respect to and independently of the rear guide track when the movable element acts as the lifting device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Martinus Wilhemus Maria Nabuurs, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Patent number: 8740296
    Abstract: To provide a sunroof apparatus including a front panel and a rear panel closing a roof opening formed in a roof of a vehicle, capable of keeping a large distance in a back-and-forth direction between the supporting portions supporting the front and rear portions of the rear panel in a fully closed state of closing the roof opening by the front panel and the rear panel. In a fully closed state of panels, a rear forward supporting portion supporting the front portion of the rear panel is provided in a rear portion of a front slider and a rear backward supporting portion supporting the rear portion of the rear panel is provided in a rear slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Webasto SE
    Inventors: Kozo Ohdoi, Osamu Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20140145473
    Abstract: A vehicle sunroof apparatus includes: a pair of first and second opening and closing drive units provided in a widthwise direction, the pair of first and second opening and closing drive units each including: a rail extending in a fore-and-aft direction of a vehicle; a movable body provided so as to be movable on the rail; and a coupling mechanism configured to couple the movable body to a movable panel provided in a roof opening portion, and arranged at widthwise both end portions of the roof opening portion so as to be capable of opening and closing the movable panel; and a control device configured to control operations of the opening and closing drive units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Daisuke YUASA, Takashi Kikuta, Nobuyasu Bessho, Takashi Kawato, Masato Saita
  • Patent number: 8727432
    Abstract: A sunroof apparatus including a front panel and a rear panel closing a roof opening, having a slider coupling mechanism interlocking between a front slider actuating the front panel and a rear slider actuating the rear panel while achieving a simplified structure and compacted size thereof with its number of parts reduced. The coupling arm is swingably pivotally supported by the rear slider, and the coupling arm is provided with a stopper for regulating the back-and-forth movement of the rear slider by fitting to a locking hole formed in the guide rail, and the front slider is provided with a coupling pin and the coupling arm is provided with a coupling cam groove, and the front slider is moved backward so that the coupling pin and the coupling cam groove are engaged with each other to thereby swing the coupling arm so that the stopper is disengaged from the locking hole and the rear slider being interlocked with the front slider is rendered to be moved back and forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Webasto SE
    Inventor: Osamu Yoshida
  • Patent number: 8720987
    Abstract: To improve layout performance of components for driving a panel in a sunroof apparatus adapted to retractably open/close a roof opening with two sheets of panels of front and rear panels. A front timing member is located in the front side of the front panel and a rear timing member is located in a rear end side of the rear panel so that the timing members are moved back and forth within the same timing guide groove formed in the guide rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Webasto SE
    Inventors: Kozo Ohdoi, Osamu Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20140054934
    Abstract: A sliding roof system is shown having a pair of guide rails, a slide in each guide rail, the slide being displaceably mounted therein, a functional component which is displaceably received in the guide rail and can be fixed in a raised position by means of a latching hook, the latching hook being shiftable between a release position and a latching position, the latching hook when in the latching position engaging in an opening of the guide rail, and a cover which can be opened from a closed position by displacement of the slide, a retaining member being provided which can mechanically hold the latching hook in the latching position, wherein the retaining lever is adapted to be pivoted about a pivot pin between the release position and the retaining position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Inventors: Stefan Vogel, Stefan Kunkel, Rainer Arnold
  • Publication number: 20140035329
    Abstract: [Object] To provide a sunroof apparatus including a front panel and a rear panel closing a roof opening formed in a roof of a vehicle, capable of keeping a large distance in a back-and-forth direction between the supporting portions supporting the front and rear portions of the rear panel in a fully closed state of closing the roof opening by the front panel and the rear panel. [Means for solving] In a fully closed state of panels (6, 7), a rear forward supporting portion (69) supporting the front portion of the rear panel (7) is provided in a rear portion of a front slider (30) and a rear backward supporting portion (94) supporting the rear portion of the rear panel (7) is provided in a rear slider (74).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Inventors: Kozo Ohdoi, Osamu Yoshida
  • Publication number: 20140028059
    Abstract: An apparatus adjusts a parting line of a panoramic sunroof comprising a moving glass and a rail. The apparatus includes a fixing bracket, a moving bracket, and a slide structure. The fixing bracket is disposed on a side surface of a rear end of the moving glass to be tiltable and movable in a straight line. The moving bracket is disposed on a curved path of the rail to be movable along a curved trajectory. The slide structure is connected between the fixing bracket and the moving bracket to enable curved movement by allowing the moving bracket to spread from the fixing bracket when the fixing bracket moves in a straight line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Do Won SUNG, Kuk Hyun Cho, Kyoung Taek Kwak
  • Publication number: 20130307293
    Abstract: A sunroof apparatus includes a supporting bracket configured to support a movable panel, the movable panel opening and closing an opening portion, a guide rail extending in a vehicle front/rear direction, a sliding member connected to the supporting bracket and driven to be movable along the guide rail, a driving member driving the sliding member and causing the movable panel to move upwardly and downwardly and to perform a sliding movement in the vehicle rear direction, a gutter member which extends in the vehicle width direction and is movable along the guide rail and an engaging/disengaging portion provided at the movable panel or at the supporting bracket and being disconnected from the gutter member in a fully-closed state and being connected to the gutter member in a tilt-down state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yusuke KOKUBO, Jun MARUYAMA, Yoji NAGASHIMA
  • Publication number: 20130307296
    Abstract: A roof apparatus includes a weather strip including a portion to be retained, and first and second seal portions which are connected to an upper end of the portion to be retained. A thickness of the first seal portion gradually reduces from a first end portion positioned at an upper end side of the portion to be retained towards a first turned back portion, and gradually increases from the first turned back portion towards a second end portion provided at a lower end portion of the portion to be retained. A thickness of the second end portion is smaller than that of the first end portion. A distance in a vehicle height direction from a lower end of the first seal portion to the first turned back portion is greater than a distance from an upper end of the first seal portion to the first turned back portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kazuki SAWADA
  • Publication number: 20130264845
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle sun roof apparatus comprising: a movable panel configured to open and close an opening section, a guide rail provided at an edge portion of the opening section in the vehicle width direction, a sliding member linked to an edge portion of the movable panel in the vehicle width direction and provided along the guide rail so as to be movable in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, a check mechanism configured to release a movement lock of the movable panel by locking the movement of the movable panel, and an engagement and disengagement switching mechanism provided with a first member supported by either the sliding member or the edge portion of the movable panel in the vehicle width direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Inventors: Shintaro Katsura, Tetsuya Hirata, Shintaro Suzuki, Kiyozumi Fukami, Kohji Matsuoka
  • Patent number: 8500193
    Abstract: A vehicle roof having at least one cover element, which selectively closes or at least partially exposes a roof opening and which, with respect to a vehicle longitudinal center plane, comprises a carrier element on either side, the carrier element comprising a guide web that interacts with an adjusting device that is guided in a guide rail and comprises a drive carriage, which interacts with the guide web at least to pivot the cover element and comprises a guide element on which the guide web rests. When moving the cover element in the vehicle longitudinal direction, each guide element of the drive carriages serves as a dog element, which engages in a corresponding dog recess configured at the respectively associated carrier element of the cover element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Webasto AG
    Inventors: Manfred Faerber, Lloyd George Racine, Tsukasa Butsuen
  • Publication number: 20130082487
    Abstract: Continuous cross sectional profile guide tracks in an outer sliding sunroof/moonroof are provided where both the front and rear mechanism or mechanism links travel fore/aft in the same channels as each other and have fore/aft travel that is limited only by vehicle architecture. The guide track channel is partly or entirely outside/outboard of the primary water/wind sealing system of the sunroof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
    Inventor: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
  • Publication number: 20130082488
    Abstract: Continuous cross sectional profile guide tracks in an outer sliding sunroof/moonroof are provided where both the front and rear mechanism or mechanism links travel fore/aft in the same channels as each other and have fore/aft travel that is limited only by vehicle architecture. The guide track channel is partly or entirely outside/outboard of the primary water/wind sealing system of the sunroof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
    Inventor: TESLA MOTORS, INC.
  • Patent number: 8388050
    Abstract: A roof apparatus includes an engaging groove being in communication with an inside of a guide rail at a rear portion, an engaging projection provided at a check member for stopping movement of the check member in a rearward direction of the vehicle by fitting into the groove and for canceling the stopping of the movement by being disengaged from the groove and entering into the guide rail, a cam recessed portion provided at the check member for maintaining the fitting state of the projection relative to the groove until a movable panel starts sliding by inserting a guide pin provided at a driving shoe thereto and for rotating the check member to disengage the projection from the groove when the panel starts sliding, and a restriction portion supporting the check member for restricting the disengagement of the projection from the groove during a tilting operation of the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shintaro Katsura
  • Patent number: 8371644
    Abstract: A vehicle roof having at least one cover element, which selectively closes or at least partially exposes a roof opening and which can be adjusted between a closed position and a lowered displacement position and, with respect to a vehicle longitudinal center plane, comprises a carrier element on either side, the carrier element comprising a guide path, which interacts with at least one guide element of a drive carriage for pivoting the cover element, the carriage being guided in a guide rail fixed to the roof. At least one rear-side control slide is disposed on the carrier element and guides the cover element in a guide channel of the respective guide rail during displacement of said element and secures the cover element against pivoting. When pivoting the cover element into the lowered displacement position, the rear-side control slide recedes into the respective guide channel of the respective guide rail while sliding over a ramp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Webasto AG
    Inventor: Manfred Faerber
  • Patent number: 8348336
    Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to sunroof for a vehicle having an opening in its fixed roof. The sunroof comprises a stationary part to be attached to the vehicle, and at least a front closure member and a rear closure member, movably supported by the stationary part. The closure members are movable between a closed position within the roof opening and an open position in which they are moved at least partly away from the roof opening. An intermediate member is supported by the stationary part in the area of the rear end of the front closure member and the front end of the rear closure member when they are in their closed position. An electrical part on each of the closure members requires electrical connections between each closure member and the stationary part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventor: Sander De Bie
  • Publication number: 20120126585
    Abstract: A roof apparatus for a vehicle, which includes a driving shoe provided along a guide rail, a support member, a pair of first wall portions, a second wall portion provided being arranged between the first wall portions, the second wall portion including a movable member, the movable panel being tilted-up from a closed state by pushing one of guide grooves provided at the driving shoe and the movable member by the other one of the guide grooves and the movable member to move the support member upwardly relative to the driving shoe in response to a movement of the driving shoe in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and a pair of restriction portions provided at the first wall portions and contacting end surfaces of the movable member in the vehicle width direction during the tilted-up state of the movable panel with pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Inventor: Shintaro KATSURA
  • Patent number: 8182029
    Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle is disclosed. The open roof construction includes a panel movable between a closed position and a raised or tilted position via operation of a tilting lever and an auxiliary lever. In illustrated embodiments, the tilting lever includes a follower movable along a guide curve to lift a rear end of the panel from the closed position to a raised position. The auxiliary lever provides auxiliary lift to the tilting lever when the follower reaches an opened end of the guide curve. As disclosed, the auxiliary lift lever rotates from a lowered position to an upright position which in illustrated embodiments is generally perpendicular to a stationary roof part to provide additional lift to the tilting lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Eduardus Christianus Henricus Van Boxtel, Peter Christiaan Leonarus Johannes Manders, Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Sander De Bie
  • Patent number: 8177295
    Abstract: A dual panel sunroof is provided. The sunroof includes a front glass guide that supports a front glass panel and a rear glass guide that supports a rear glass panel. The rear glass panel is disposed rearward of the front glass panel when the dual panel sunroof is in a fully closed position. A front link is rotatably mounted to a front portion of the front glass guide such that the front link drives a front end of the front glass in an upward direction away from a vehicle body when the front link is driven in a rearward direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Aisin Technical Center of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Chauvin, Yoji Nagashima, Nobuhiro Mizoguchi
  • Publication number: 20120112499
    Abstract: A roof apparatus includes a guide rail extending in a front-rear direction of a vehicle, a drive shoe slidable along the guide rail, a functional bracket supporting a movable panel, a front link member relatively rotatably connected at a front portion of the functional bracket and including a supporting portion supported by a supporting wall portion of the guide rail, a lifting mechanism connected to a rear portion of the functional bracket, a weather strip attached at an opening edge portion of a roof panel, the supporting wall portion of the guide rail and the supporting portion of the front link member are located inwardly of an outer end surface of the movable panel in a vehicle width direction, the drive shoe is located below the weather strip, and the front link member is located between the supporting wall portion and the drive shoe in the vehicle width direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Inventors: Mitsutoshi Kikuchi, Kazuki Sawada
  • Publication number: 20120074736
    Abstract: A roof apparatus includes an engaging groove being in communication with an inside of a guide rail at a rear portion, an engaging projection provided at a check member for stopping movement of the check member in a rearward direction of the vehicle by fitting into the groove and for canceling the stopping of the movement by being disengaged from the groove and entering into the guide rail, a cam recessed portion provided at the check member for maintaining the fitting state of the projection relative to the groove until a movable panel starts sliding by inserting a guide pin provided at a driving shoe thereto and for rotating the check member to disengage the projection from the groove when the panel starts sliding, and a restriction portion supporting the check member for restricting the disengagement of the projection from the groove during a tilting operation of the panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventor: Shintaro Katsura
  • Publication number: 20120068503
    Abstract: A sunroof device which includes a roof panel that is openable/closable, a front slider that is connected to the roof panel via a pin engaging unit that is comprised of the first lift guide groove and the first lift guide pines, a rear slider that is connected to the roof panel -via a pin engaging unit that is comprised of a second lift guide groove and a second lift guide pin, and a driving motor that drives the front slider and the rear slider, wherein the first lift guide pin is positioned in the second horizontal stroke which is a horizontal groove and the second lift guide pin is positioned in the second horizontal stroke that is a horizontal groove when the roof panel is completely tilted up.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: YACHIYO INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tatsuaki Uehara, Akira Murasawa, Ayumi Mihashi
  • Publication number: 20110233971
    Abstract: An open roof construction for a vehicle is provided, comprising a stationary roof, a roof opening provided therein, a movable panel for opening and closing said roof opening and two stationary guides positioned along opposite longitudinal edges of the roof opening for guiding two guide shoes provided close to the forward edge of the movable panel. The guides each comprise at least a vertically extending guide part for a guiding cooperation with a corresponding vertically extending guide shoe part. The guide shoes are attached to the movable panel in a substantially vertically and horizontally adjustable manner by means of substantially transversally extending adjustment screws. In a position of the movable panel fully closing the roof opening the adjustment screws are covered by the stationary guides as seen in a transverse direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventors: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen, Eduardus Christianus Henricus Van Boxtel
  • Patent number: 7950733
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanism for generating pivot motions and displacement motions of a chassis component (30), having a displaceable carriage (40) engaging with at least one first guide element (361) disposed on the chassis component by means of at least one second guide element (42, 44, 46). In order to simplify the mechanism according to the invention, the displaceable carriage (40) has at least two second guide elements (42, 44, 46) acting together with the first guide element (361) in the closed position and during the pivot motion of the chassis component (30), and acting together with a further first guide element (362) associated with the chassis component (30) during a displacement motion of the chassis component (30). The invention is in particular suitable for the panel of a sliding tilting sunroof of a vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Webasto AG
    Inventor: Manfred Färber
  • Publication number: 20110121595
    Abstract: A vehicle having a reconfigurable cargo area. A tailgate selectably closes off a rear portion of the vehicle and is positionable between a generally vertical closed position and a generally horizontal open position. A roof is bifurcated along a longitudinal axis of the vehicle. A fixed roof panel closes off a first portion of the roof. A movable roof panel is slidable along a transverse axis of the vehicle, and has a closed position edgewise adjacent to the fixed roof panel and an open position facially adjacent to the fixed roof panel. In its closed position the movable roof panel closes off a second portion of the roof. The second roof portion is exposed when the movable roof panel is in its open position. The cargo area is configurable to closed and open arrangements according to the positions of the tailgate and the movable roof panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Publication date: May 26, 2011
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Michael A. Schrader
  • Patent number: 7896430
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle roof with a roof opening (12) and with a roof section (10) having a roof tip (16) pointing to the front of the vehicle (14) and a roof end (18) pointing to the rear of the vehicle (12). The roof section (10) can be moved along guide tracks (23), which run on both sides of the roof opening, out of a closed position, which closes the roof opening (2), into an open position, which at least partially opens up the roof opening. In order to optimize the vehicle roof to the effect that, in the partially open position and/or during the opening movement while under way, only very low travelling noises, if any at all, are produced and the highest requirements with regard to the sealing in the closed position are met, the opening movement from the closed position of the roof section begins with a movement of the roof end (18) into a lowered position below the roof opening (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Webasto AG
    Inventors: Peter Reihl, Thomas Dintner, Adam Wagner, Reinhard Filsinger, Stephan Kraus
  • Publication number: 20110037295
    Abstract: Open roof construction for a vehicle comprising a roof opening defined in a stationary roof part and a movable panel. A slide is movable along a stationary slide guide and is provided with panel engagement elements cooperating with slide engagement elements of the movable panel. A movement of the slide is capable of generating a tilting and/or sliding movement of the panel. The panel engagement elements of the slide comprise two curves and the slide engagement elements of the panel comprise two cams, each for cooperation with a respective one of the curves. Moving the slide in a first direction a cooperation between a first curve and corresponding first cam will lead to lowering a first transversal edge of the panel followed by translating the panel along with the slide. Moving the slide in an opposite second direction a co-operation between the second curve and corresponding second cam will lead to lifting said first transversal edge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2008
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventor: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Patent number: 7850231
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignees: Yachiyo Industry Co., Ltd., Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyasu Ito, Hiroyuki Tsukamoto, Kouichi Hotta, Michio Tamura
  • Patent number: 7806469
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Webasto A
    Inventor: Thierry Godet
  • Patent number: 7780228
    Abstract: An open air system for an automotive vehicle includes a moveable roof panel and can include a single pair of guide tracks that extends along the vehicle through which the moveable roof member travels. A backlite of the open air system and the roof panel can have a similar transverse contour. A seal member can define a boundary between a dry area and a wet area and the guide tracks can be positioned outside of the seal member in the wet area. A wind deflecting assembly can be included and can have a wind deflector moveable between a retracted position and a raised position and can be automatically actuated by a drive member that drives movement of the roof panel. The open air system can be a modular open air system that can be installed into a vehicle as a modular unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Specialty Vehicle Acquisition Corp.
    Inventors: Mostafa Rashidy, George Albert Corder, James William Brinkmeier
  • Patent number: 7717500
    Abstract: A roof hatch for a collapsible or fixed vehicle roof includes panels which are displaceable away from an opening in the transverse direction of the vehicle. The panels are disposed in guides along the front and rear edges of the opening. The arching of the panels is adapted to follow the contours of the vehicle roof, seen from the sides of the vehicle. Where a collapsible roof is employed, extra storage space may be made available in the luggage compartment when the vehicle roof is in its collapsed position. The extra space is created in that light luggage is stored in the opening of the roof hatch when the panels are located in their open positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Von Malmborg Innovation AB
    Inventors: Johan von Malmborg, Ulla von Malmborg
  • Patent number: 7644980
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle roof with a movable roof section which can be deployed into a ventilation position by means of a deploy and/or displacement mechanism and/or then displaced above or below the vehicle roof or an at least temporarily stationary roof section for at least partially releasing a roof opening in the vehicle roof. The deploy and/or displacement mechanism comprises at least one vertical gate (9) which has at least one guide web (10), disposed perpendicular to the gate (9) and having slide tracks (15, 16) that are at least partially encircled by a slide element of a slide (8) that can be displaced along a guide rail. The gate (9) is produced from metal and the guide web (10) at least partially from plastic. In order to provide a simple and stable gate (9) having good sliding properties, the gate (9) comprises a plurality of spaced-apart openings (11) for anchoring the plastic (14) of the guide webs (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: Webasto AG
    Inventors: Christian Hager, Robert Bertsch
  • Publication number: 20090179462
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: Inalfa Roof Systems Group B.V.
    Inventor: Marcel Johan Christiaan Nellen
  • Publication number: 20090015033
    Abstract: A roof assembly for a vehicle includes a roof, a guide bar system, and a guide bar mechanism. The roof has front, middle, and rear roof elements movable between a closed position covering a passenger compartment of the vehicle and an opened position stacked in a storage compartment of the vehicle. The guide bar system has front and rear guide bars. The guide bars are connected at one end to the front roof element and are rotatable about respective articulated joints at another end to move the roof elements between the closed and opened positions. The guide bar mechanism has a first control rod rotatably connected between the front guide bar and the middle roof element and a second control rod rotatably connected between the rear guide bar and the middle roof element to assure a desired movement of the middle roof element between the closed and opened positions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Applicant: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Thomas Halbweiss
  • Publication number: 20080258510
    Abstract: The invention relates to an openable vehicle roof which comprises at least one cover element (18) which is guided in lateral guiding rails (20B), by means of which said roof opening can be selectively closed or at least partially opened, and an anti-blocking device which guides along the guiding rails (20B). In order to offer active anti-blocking protection for vehicle passengers, the anti-blocking devices are formed, respectively, by a strip-shaped switching device (28) which interacts with respective guiding rail (20B) and which is connected to the control element of a cover element drive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2006
    Publication date: October 23, 2008
    Inventors: Manfred Faerber, Gerhard Skorianz, Andreas Josef Zunzer
  • Patent number: 7416246
    Abstract: A motor vehicle roof having at least two laterally adjacent parts with respect to the motor vehicle's longitudinal axis when the parts are in a closed position. The laterally adjacent parts may be moved between the closed position and an open position by moving one or both of the laterally adjacent parts in a translational movement parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. The laterally adjacent parts are retained between and parallel to two side roof frames that are permanently connected to the body. The laterally adjacent parts may be moved to an open position above or below a rear roof panel. The rear roof panel extends across the vehicle in a transverse direction between the side roof frames and is movable in a longitudinal direction to a position above or below the laterally adjacent roof panels. A front roof panel may be provided that may be raised on a back edge to provide a wind deflector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Jan Hesse, Thomas Halbweiss