MAGNA CAR TOP SYSTEMS GMBH Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20140075845 | KINEMATICS FOR A CLOSURE - Apparatus configured to open, close, unlock and lock a flap of a motor vehicle. A drive link of a kinematic drive mechanism is configured to act on a kinematic flap mechanism, in which a deflecting lever of the kinematic actuating mechanism is drivable by an actuator and, during a closing movement, engages in an engagement element of the kinematic flap mechanism or of the flap and, in the process, closes and locks the flap. | 03-20-2014 |
20130257091 | ARTICULATION DEVICE BETWEEN ARMS OF A ROD ASSEMBLY OF A FOLDING ROOF - Articulation device between arms of a rod assembly of a folding roof for a passenger vehicle, which roof may be adjusted between a closed position which spans a passenger compartment and an open position in which the roof may be stored in a rear space of the vehicle. The arms held in position by a rivet device which includes a blind rivet and a rivet shaft which extends through the arms. | 10-03-2013 |
20130216301 | METHOD OF JOINING A BACKLIGHT COVER AND HEADLINER CLIP FOR A CONVERTIBLE TOP - A convertible top has a convertible top cover, a backlight, and a headliner. A connector system includes a molded ring of material affixed to the backlight and the top cover. The connector system includes a clip attached to the headliner. The molded ring may have a slot formed on an interior surface between the backlight and the cover. The clip may be inserted into the slot to secure the headliner inside the top cover. A method of securing a headliner to a convertible top is also provided. | 08-22-2013 |
20130093207 | Laterally Pivoting Trim Piece for a Z-Fold Convertible Top - A convertible top comprising a plurality articulated rail links that move the convertible top in a fore-and-aft direction. A trim piece carries a window seal and is assembled to at least one of the rail links for movement in the fore-and-aft direction. The trim piece also moves in a lateral direction outwardly when the top is retracted and in the lateral direction inwardly when the top is extended. A stop member is secured to the trim piece and at least one rail link to limit the lateral movement of the trim piece relative to the at least one rail link. A cam block is secured to the trim piece and at least one of the rail links to guide the lateral movement of the trim piece relative to the at least one rail link. | 04-18-2013 |
20120161466 | FOLDING SLIDING ROOF - A folding sliding roof for a convertible vehicle includes a top fabric, a guide rail, a sliding top bow, and a corner bow. The sliding top bow is connected to the top fabric and is displaceably mounted to the guide rail to move the top fabric between closed and opened positions. The corner bow is connected to the top fabric and is pivotably mounted on the guide rail about a pivot axis. | 06-28-2012 |
20120161465 | ADJUSTING DEVICE FOR A ROOF CAP OF A COLLAPSIBLE ROOF - A collapsible roof for a vehicle includes a roof guide, a roof cap, a top fabric, and an adjusting mechanism. The adjusting mechanism movably couples the roof cap to the roof guide such that the roof cap with the top fabric are movable relative to the roof guide between a closed position in which the top fabric covers a roof opening and an opened position in which the top fabric exposes the roof opening. The adjusting mechanism includes front and rear control arms coupled to the roof cap. The front control arm includes a locking hook and the rear control arm includes a latching hook. The locking hook engages a front cavity of the roof guide in the closed position to fix the roof cap in place and the latching hook engages a rear cavity of the roof guide in the opened position to fix the roof cap in place. | 06-28-2012 |
20120161464 | TENSIONING STAY FOR A COLLAPSIBLE ROOF OF A MOTOR VEHICLE - A collapsible roof for a vehicle includes a top fabric having a rear region, a tensioning stay arranged underneath the top fabric and attached to the rear region of the top fabric, and a pair of roof guides extending along opposite sides of a roof opening. The top fabric is movably coupled to the roof guides such that the top fabric is movable between a closed position in which the top fabric covers the roof opening and an opened position in which the top fabric is moved rearward away from the roof opening. The tensioning stay is a flat-shaped component that imparts the rear region of the top fabric to have side regions and corner regions. | 06-28-2012 |
20120153665 | ROOF CONSTRUCTION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE - A roof construction of a motor vehicle has a fixed roll bar, and a roof element which, in the closed position, is accommodated between the roll bar and a windshield and, in the open position, is accommodated behind the roll bar in a convertible-top compartment. The roof element can be shifted from the open position into the closed position and vice versa beyond the roll bar via an opening and closing mechanism. With the roof element in the closed position, the mechanism penetrates lateral offsets of the roll bar and, in the open position, opens up the lateral offsets. The lateral offsets of the roll bar are each assigned, on the front side of the roll bar, a covering which, in the closed position of the roof element, opens up the lateral offset for the passage of the mechanism and which, in the open position, covers the lateral offsets. | 06-21-2012 |
20120153664 | ROOF CONSTRUCTION OF A MOTOR VEHICLE - A roof construction for a motor vehicle has a roll bar and a roof element which, in a closed position, is accommodated between the roll bar and a windshield and, in an open position, is accommodated behind the roll bar and can be shifted from the open position into the closed position and vice versa beyond the roll bar via an opening and closing mechanism. The roof constructing further has a covering which covers the roll bar on the outside in the open position of the roof element and in the closed position of the roof element. Vertical extending side parts of the covering can be shifted relative to the roll bar during the shifting of the roof element. A transverse part of the covering extends substantially in a horizontal direction and is fastened to the roll bar so as not to be able to be shifted relative thereto. | 06-21-2012 |
20120145351 | Method of Making A Top Stack Linkage With an Injection Molded Magnesium Link - A link of a top stack linkage for a convertible top of a vehicle is presented for immediate incorporation in a top stack linkage. The link is molded as a spine having a main body portion and an offset portion, and one or more lateral structural members including at least one reinforcing rib. The molding forms a unitary pivot link, installed in the top stack linkage as molded, to reduce finishing of the parts, and reducing fabrication time and linkage weight from known top stack linkage configurations. A method of manufacturing includes providing a mold defining an interior cavity that defines the shape of a pivot link, injecting molten magnesium into the mold, and molding the molten magnesium to form a spine and at least one of a plurality of lateral structural members that form a monolithic pivot link. | 06-14-2012 |
20120086232 | LOCKING APPARATUS WITH COUPLING DEVICE FOR A FOLDING TOP - A locking apparatus for a folding top of a vehicle includes a housing, a locking hook having a gripping end and a bearing end, a coupling device, and a driving apparatus. The coupling device is movably mounted in the housing to be horizontally adjustable in a longitudinal direction of the locking hook. The bearing end is pivotably mounted to the coupling device around a pivot axis oriented horizontally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the locking hook such that the locking hook is horizontally adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the locking hook between closed and opened positions. The driving apparatus is connected with the bearing end through the coupling device for driving the locking hook to move between the closed and opened positions. | 04-12-2012 |
20120086231 | LOCKING APPARATUS WITH TWO-BAR LINKAGE FOR A FOLDING TOP - A locking apparatus for a folding top of a vehicle includes a housing, a locking hook, a coupling device, and a driving apparatus. The locking hook has a gripping end and a bearing end. The coupling device is movably mounted in the housing to be horizontally adjustable in a longitudinal direction of the locking hook. The bearing end is mounted to the coupling device such that the bearing end is movably mounted in the housing to be horizontally adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the locking hook such that the locking hook is movable between closed and opened positions. The driving apparatus is for driving the locking hook to move between the closed and opened positions and includes a first two-bar linkage, a driving arm connected with the two-bar linkage, and an actuating drive for actuating the driving arm. | 04-12-2012 |
20120086230 | LOCKING APPARATUS WITH SENSOR FOR A FOLDING TOP - A locking apparatus for a folding top of a vehicle includes a housing, a locking hook, a driving apparatus, and a sensor. The locking hook has a gripping end and a bearing end. The bearing end is movably mounted in the housing to be horizontally adjustable in a longitudinal direction of the locking hook such that the locking hook is movable between closed and opened positions. The driving apparatus has a driving arm and a crank mechanism. The crank mechanism has a crank that is arranged eccentric to an axis of rotation and is rotationally adjustable around the rotation axis. The crank is connected with the driving arm such that the crank actuates the driving arm while rotating around the rotation axis. The driving arm drives the locking hook to move the locking hook between the closed and opened positions upon the driving arm being actuated by the crank. The sensor cooperates with the crank mechanism to sense when the locking hook is in the closed and opened positions. | 04-12-2012 |
20120056443 | SUPPORT ARM ASSEMBLY FOR A FOLDING TOP OF A VEHICLE - A folding top apparatus for a vehicle includes a movable folding top and a support arm assembly. The folding top has front and rear roof parts and a corner bow. The support arm assembly includes a drive arm pivotably connected to the front roof part and pivotably connected to a main bearing, a coupling arm connected to the corner bow and pivotably connected to the drive arm, and a control arm pivotably connected to the main bearing and displaceably connected to the coupling arm whereby swivel motion of the corner bow is influenced by the coupling arm and the control arm. | 03-08-2012 |
20120045272 | METHOD OF JOINING A BACKLIGHT COVER AND HEADLINER CLIP FOR A CONVERTIBLE TOP - A convertible top has a convertible top cover, a backlight, and a headliner. A connector system includes a molded ring of material affixed to the backlight and the top cover. The connector system includes a clip attached to the headliner. The molded ring may have a slot formed on an interior surface between the backlight and the cover. The clip may be inserted into the slot to secure the headliner insider the top cover. A method of securing a headliner to a convertible top is also provided. | 02-23-2012 |
20120025561 | SEALING MECHANISM FOR A COLLAPSIBLE ROOF - A collapsible roof assembly for a vehicle includes a collapsible roof and a sealing mechanism. The roof has a top rail with a frame element running along a longitudinal side of the roof. The sealing mechanism has a seal configured to receive and seal a window pane inserted therein, wherein the seal runs along the longitudinal side of the roof and is attached to the frame element. The seal has a similar cross-section between front, middle, and rear sections of the roof. The seal is attached to the frame element in a form-fit manner in the front section of the roof and is attached to the frame element in a force-fitted manner in the middle section of the roof. | 02-02-2012 |
20120013142 | COLLAPSIBLE ROOF FOR A PASSENGER VEHICLE - A collapsible roof for a vehicle includes a roof cap and an impact energy absorbing protective device connected to the roof cap. The roof cap has ribs. The ribs are spaced apart from one another in a longitudinal direction and each rib extends along a transverse direction. The ribs extend into the protective device. | 01-19-2012 |
20110266827 | GUIDE ASSEMBLY FOR INTERIOR LINING OF CONVERTIBLE VEHICLE - A guide assembly for an interior lining of a folding top of a vehicle includes a pillar configured to move as the folding top moves, a pull rope connected at one end to the interior lining, and a guide track fixedly connected to the pillar. The pull rope is configured to pull the interior lining as the folding top moves. The guide track has a wrap-around. An edge region of the interior lining is movably held in the wrap-around of the guide track such that the edge region of the interior lining can slide along the guide track as the interior lining is being pulled by the pull rope as the folding top moves. | 11-03-2011 |
20110241375 | FOLDING TOP DRIVE ASSEMBLY AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLE - A folding top drive assembly for adjusting a folding top with a fabric cover of a convertible vehicle between closed and opened positions includes a tensioning stay and a landau mechanism. The tensioning stay stretches the fabric cover when the folding top is closed. The landau mechanism supports the tensioning stay to a roof frame component when the folding top is closed. The landau mechanism includes upper and lower landau bars and a coupling element. The upper landau bar is hinged at its forward end to the roof frame component. The lower landau bar is hinged at its rearward end to the tensioning stay. The upper landau bar is hinged at its rearward end to the coupling element and the lower landau bar is hinged at its forward end to the coupling element. The landau bars are hinged at a distance from one another to the coupling element. | 10-06-2011 |
20110113904 | FOLDING-TOP DRIVE - A folding-top drive has a motor ( | 05-19-2011 |
20110109118 | FIXATION SYSTEM FOR A FOLDING TOP BIN COVER - A folding top bin cover assembly includes a folding top bin cover and a fixation system. The bin cover is movable to a covered position in which the bin cover covers a folding top bin of a vehicle body. The fixation system acts between the bin cover and a structural element fixable to the vehicle body. The fixation system has a fixing mechanism including a sliding element and an insertion bracket. The sliding element is connected to the bin cover and the insertion bracket is fixedly connected to the structural element. The fixation system adjusts the bin cover at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body as the sliding element operates interactively with the insertion bracket while the bin cover is in the covered position. | 05-12-2011 |
20110002730 | ARTICULATED DEVICE BETWEEN LINKAGE ASSEMBLY SUPPORT ARMS OF A COLLAPSIBLE ROOF - An articulated device includes a rivet assembly for connecting first and second linkage assembly support arms together at common ends thereof such that the arms are movable relative to one another. The rivet assembly includes a rivet having first and second rivet heads and a rivet shaft. The rivet shaft extends through first and second bearing holes in the common ends of the arms with the first rivet head being on the first arm and the second rivet head being on the second arm. The rivet assembly has a bearing sleeve extending between the rivet shaft and the bearing holes. The bearing sleeve has a collar-type stop and a shoulder-type stop adjacent the first rivet head with the collar-type stop lying against the first arm and the shoulder-type stop lying against the first rivet head. The bearing sleeve has a ring-shaped stop lying against the second rivet head. | 01-06-2011 |
20100301629 | Retractable Hardtop with Rear Pivot Decklid and Sections that Separate and Stack for Storage - A retractable hardtop for a vehicle including a front panel and an intermediate panel disposed behind the front panel in an extended position. A back panel supports a back light and is disposed below and rearwardly adjacent to the intermediate panel in the extended position. A pair of sail panels are disposed below the intermediate panel and engage opposite lateral sides of the back panel in the extended position but are separated from the back panel in the retracted position. A linkage connects the front panel, intermediate panel, and back panel to the vehicle. The front panel is shifted by the linkage over the intermediate panel and the back panel is shifted below the intermediate panel as the retractable hardtop is moved from the extended position toward a retracted position. A method of retracting a retractable hardtop as described above is also disclosed. | 12-02-2010 |
20100295333 | TOP RAIL FOR A FOLDING TOP OF A PASSENGER VEHICLE - A folding top includes a roof cap extending transversely to a longitudinal direction and a top rail extending on one side of the roof cap in the longitudinal direction. The top rail has front and rear rail guides arranged end to end in the longitudinal direction with a rear end of the front rail guide facing a front end of the rear rail guide. The front rail guide is connected to the roof cap by screws. The front lever is connected to the rear end of the front rail guide. The rear lever is connected to the front end of the rear rail guide. The levers are connected together via a rotating bearing such that the rail guides are connected together and are movable relative to one another as the levers rotate about the bearing. The levers and the bearing are fabricated separately from the rail guides. | 11-25-2010 |
20100253112 | Retractable Vehicle Top and Combined Package Shelf and Tonneau Cover - A retractable hardtop assembly is provided for a vehicle. A retractable hardtop assembly includes a front section that is connected by a linkage to a vehicle and a rearward portion that is connected by a separate linkage to a decklid of the vehicle. A package shelf/tonneau is secured by a linkage to the back section of the linkage. The package shelf/tonneau is moved from a package/shelf position below the rearward portion of the roof to a tonneau position above the retractable roof when the retractable roof is disposed in the storage compartment. The package shelf/tonneau is moved between the front portion of the roof and rearward portion of the roof during the extension and retraction cycles. The package shelf/tonneau may be rotated 360° as it is moved between the package shelf and tonneau positions. | 10-07-2010 |
20100230998 | Convertible Top with Skylight - A convertible top for a vehicle that is provided with a dynamic roll bar or dynamic occupant head protection system. The convertible top has a skylight that is retained in a skylight opening formed in the flexible cover of the convertible top. The skylight may be supported on one of the bows of the convertible top or may be supported on a skylight linkage that cooperates with the top stack linkage. In the event that a need for the roll bar is sensed by the vehicle resulting in the actuation of the roll bar assembly, the roll bar assembly may break the skylight in the course of deployment to assure fully deployment of the roll bar assembly. | 09-16-2010 |
20100230996 | FOLDING TOP FOR A PASSENGER VEHICLE - A folding top for a vehicle includes a cover, a frame assembly having rear and front top bows, a light, and a securing device. The cover has a top cloth and an interior covering which are spaced apart from one another. The bows extend through the spacing between the top cloth and the covering. The top cloth and the covering are stretched over the bows with the opening of the covering being rearward of the rear bow. The bows are movable between a closed position in which the cover is raised and an opened position in which the cover is lowered. The light is positioned within the opening of the covering. The securing device extends through the spacing between the top cloth and the covering between the front bow and rearward of the rear bow. The securing device tensions the light against the rear bow when the cover is raised. | 09-16-2010 |
20100219659 | LOCKING MECHANISM FOR A MOVABLE TOP OF A PASSENGER VEHICLE - A locking mechanism for latching a convertible top to a cross-member of a windshield frame of a vehicle. The locking mechanism includes a support element, a locking hook, and a pin having a retaining section and a shaft connected together. The support element is mountable to a front portion of the convertible top. The locking hook is pivotably connected to the support element to be movable between resting and operating positions. The retaining section of the pin is fixedly mounted to the support element. The shaft of the pin is projectable along a direction into a corresponding recess of a receptacle in the cross-member of the windshield frame. The pin is of a plastic material that is rigid in shape and plastically deformable and the shaft is constricted in the direction in which the shaft is projectable into the corresponding recess of the receptacle in the cross-member. | 09-02-2010 |
20100207424 | FOLDING TOP FOR A PASSENGER VEHICLE - A frame assembly of a folding top for a vehicle includes a front roof bow, a front support having a rear control arm, and a middle support having a front control arm. The rear end of the front support and the front end of the middle support face one another. The front roof bow and the front end of the front support are connected together through a first bolt connection. The rear end of the front support and the rear control arm are connected together through a second bolt connection. The front control arm and the front end of the middle support are connected together through a third bolt connection. The rear control arm and the front control arm are connected together at a joint such that the front support and the middle support are connected together. | 08-19-2010 |
20100187854 | Z-Fold Convertible Top with Pressurized Rear Bow - A convertible top and method of operating the convertible top is disclosed. The top has a power cylinder that is mounted to the top stack linkage that lifts the one bow from the windshield header on a four bar link and also simultaneously releases the pressure applied by a pressure link to the rear bow. The pressure link includes an upper link and a lower link that are locked together in an over-center relationship when the top is extended to eliminate vibration of the rear bow or lifting the rear bow off of the rear deck. | 07-29-2010 |
20100187853 | COLLAPSIBLE ROOF ASSEMBLY FOR A PASSENGER VEHICLE - A collapsible roof assembly for a vehicle includes a roof, an actuating linkage system, and a main bearing. The roof is movable between closed and opened positions relative to the vehicle body. The actuating linkage system has a guide rod connected at a first end to the roof for moving the roof between the closed and opened positions. The main bearing is connectable to the vehicle body. The main bearing has first and second bearing plates each having at least one corresponding connecting section. The corresponding connecting sections are connected together such that the first and second bearing plates are joined together with surface regions other than the corresponding connecting sections spaced apart from one another with a parallel spacing delimited by a cavity. The guide rod is articulately connected at a second end to the main bearing via a bearing pin extending through one of the corresponding connecting sections. | 07-29-2010 |
20100187852 | FOLDING TOP WITH CHANGEABLE TENSION IN THE COVER - A folding top having changeable cover tension includes a cover stretched over a frame which is movable to move the cover between closed and opened positions. A tension bow is swung by a landau bar between a tensioning position and a non-tensioning position. Part of the rear portion of the cover is held in a narrow groove in the tension bow. The tension bow applies tension to this part of the cover when tension bow is in either of the tensioning or non-tensioning positions. Another part of the rear portion of the cover can slide into and out of a wide groove of the tension bow. The tension bow applies tension to this part of the cover when the tension bow is in the tensioning position but does not apply tension to this part of the cover when the tension bow is in the non-tensioning position. | 07-29-2010 |
20100186541 | ACTUATING DEVICE FOR A FOLDING TOP COMPARTMENT COVER - An actuating device for opening and closing a cover of a folding top compartment of a convertible vehicle. The actuating device includes a drive unit and an interconnected seven-bar linkage system. The linkage system is pivotably connected to a main bearing of the vehicle body and is pivotably connected to the cover. The drive unit actuates the linkage system to move the linkage system between a retracted position corresponding to the cover being in a lowered closed position covering the folding top compartment and an extended position corresponding to the cover being in a raised opened position allowing access to the folding top compartment. | 07-29-2010 |
20100176622 | METHOD OF PROVIDING A VEHICLE BODY WITH ONE OF FOUR DIFFERENT TOPS - A method of manufacturing a vehicle, alternatively, with a hardtop version, an entry level soft top module, a five-bow soft top module, or a retractable hardtop module. Any one of the four tops may be assembled on an automotive vehicle having a substantially common body structure with only minor modifications to the vehicle body being required to accept any one of the four different vehicle tops. A vehicle body architecture is provided that is configured to selectively receive one of four different style roofs on a roof mounting bracket that is attached to the side walls of the vehicle. | 07-15-2010 |
20100007179 | VEHICLE ROOF ARCHITECTURE FOR REMOVABLE SOFT TOP OR HARDTOP COVER - A roof system for a vehicle that has a roof support structure to which a hardtop roof ( | 01-14-2010 |
20090261615 | INJECTION MOLDED MAGNESIUM LINK AND METHOD OF MAKING AN INJECTION MOLDED MAGNESIUM LINK - In one embodiment, an operational link of a top stack linkage for a convertible top of a vehicle is presented. The link has a spine having a main body portion and an offset portion and one or more lateral structural members including at least one reinforcing rib. The spine and the one or more lateral structural members may form a unitary pivot link. In another embodiment, a method of manufacturing a pivot link of a top stack linkage for a convertible top of a vehicle is presented. The method includes providing a mold defining an interior cavity that defines the shape of a pivot link, injecting molten magnesium into the mold, and molding the molten magnesium injected into the mold to form a spine and a plurality of lateral structural members that are integral with the spine to form a monolithic pivot link. | 10-22-2009 |
20090256383 | MOVABLE ROOF PART IN AN AUTOMOBILE ROOF - An assembly includes a roof part kinematic system having front and rear connecting rods. Each connecting rod is pivotally connected to a roof part and is pivotally connectable to a vehicle body such that the roof part kinematic system can move the roof part between end positions. The assembly further includes a spring-loaded kinematic system having a spring, a coupling rod, and a triangular-shaped spring lever. The spring is connected to the front connecting rod and is connected to the first spring lever corner, the coupling rod is connected to the rear connecting rod and is connected to the second spring lever corner, and the third spring lever corner is pivotally connectable to the vehicle body such that the spring produces a torque on the connecting rods to move the roof part away from either end position when the roof part is in that end position. | 10-15-2009 |
20090230719 | TRUNK LID LINK ASSEMBLY FOR CONVERTIBLE VEHICLE - A link assembly for opening and closing a trunk lid of a vehicle having a movable roof includes lifting and locking links. The lifting link connects the lid to the vehicle to move the lid between a closed position covering the trunk, an opened position in which the front lid edge is raised, and another opened position in which the rear lid edge is raised. The locking link is adjustable between a first position in which its front end is movable and its rear end is pivotably locked to a rear joint, and a second position in which its front end is pivotably connected to a front joint and its rear end is movable. In the first position, the locking link acts on the lifting link to raise the front lid edge. In the second position, the locking link acts on the lifting link to raise the rear lid edge. | 09-17-2009 |
20090218828 | CLOSING DEVICE FOR A MOVABLE ROOF - A closing device for locking and unlocking a movable roof to and from a vehicle body includes a hook and a lever system. The hook is movable between a closed position to engage a vehicle body component and an opened position to disengage from the component. The lever system has a hook lever and a drive lever pivotable about respective pivot axes extending in a longitudinal direction. The hook is connected to the hook lever to move between the closed and opened positions in response to the hook lever pivoting. The lever system has a control lever with first and second end portions and a middle section. The end portions are respectively connected to the hook lever at first and second link axes extending in the longitudinal direction and adjacent to the pivot axes to couple the hook lever and the drive lever together. | 09-03-2009 |
20090200829 | OPERATING LINKAGE ASSEMBLY FOR A MOVABLE ROOF - A folding roof linkage assembly includes front and rear frames and first and second arms. The front frame has a rear portion extending at an acute angle therefrom and having front and rear ends. The rear frame has a front portion extending perpendicularly therefrom and having bottom and top ends. The first arm has a front end pivotally connected to the front end of the front frame and a rear end pivotally connected to the bottom end of the rear frame. The second arm has a front end pivotally connected to the rear end of the front frame and a rear end pivotally connected to the top end of the rear frame. The front frame is movable between a closed position in which the frames extend from one another and an opened position in which the front frame folds over the rear frame. | 08-13-2009 |
20090179453 | CLOSURE FOR A MOVABLE ROOF - A closure assembly for a vehicle includes a hook movable between locked and unlocked positions. An actuator is connected to the hook and is linearly movable to move the hook between the locked and unlocked positions. First and second rotatable gears are engaged with one another such that either gear rotates as the other gear rotates. First and second levers are respectively connected between the gears and the actuator. The levers move as the gears rotate in response to the first gear rotating in a first rotary direction and thereby cause the actuator to move linearly in a first direction to thereby move the hook to the locked position. The levers move as the gears rotate in response to the first gear rotating in a second rotary direction and thereby cause the actuator to move linearly in a second direction to thereby move the hook to the unlocked position. | 07-16-2009 |
20090160212 | Rear Window in a Rear Roof Section of an Openable Roof Vehicle - A rear window for a flexible rear roof section of an openable roof vehicle. The rear window is comprised of a transparent plastic material such as a polycarbonate material, and a fastening section that connects the rear window to the flexible covering of the open roof vehicle. The fastening section forms a single piece with the rear window and is offset relative to the plane of the rear window. | 06-25-2009 |
20090146464 | MOVABLE ROOF FOR A PASSENGER VEHICLE - A roof assembly includes a roof having a roof frame with front, center, and rear sections, and a lever assembly. The lever assembly includes three levers which are respectively linked to three swivel axes on the rear section such that the roof is movable between a closed position and an opened position. The first lever connects the rear section at the first axis to a support such that the rear section is movable about the first axis; the second lever connects the rear section at the second axis to the center section such that the center section is movable about the second axis; and the third lever connects the rear section at the third axis to the front section such that the front section is movable about the third axis. The levers are adjacently situated in a transverse direction with the second lever being between the first and third levers. | 06-11-2009 |
20090102229 | Retractable Hardtop with Two-Piece Rear Section and Removable Front Roof Panels - A top for a vehicle that has a stationary support disposed between removable panels forward of the support and a multiple section retractable hardtop rearward of the support. The detachable roof panels are provided in front of the stationary support and extend across the vehicle laterally and to the windshield header when installed. A two piece retractable hardtop is provided rearward of the stationary support that has a back light that is disposed to cover a back light opening in an extended position and is detached from the back light opening in a retracted position. | 04-23-2009 |
20090091155 | Convertible Roof with Openable Rear Window - A convertible top for a vehicle is disclosed that includes an inverted U-shaped rear window frame that defines an opening for a rear window. The rear window may be connected on its upper edge by a hinge to a rear window frame. Alternatively, a rear window may be retracted into a tailgate of a vehicle. The flexible cover material is secured to the rear window frame and a tailgate cooperates with the rear window and extends between the two lower ends of the rear window frame. The rear window is openable relative to the rear window frame. | 04-09-2009 |
20090085369 | COMPACTLY STORED TRI-FOLD CONVERTIBLE TOP - A tri-fold convertible top is disclosed that is stowed in a storage compartment with a five bow oriented at an angle of between 30° and 60° relative to the vehicle belt line. The top may be tensioned by a power cylinder and linkage that raises both a one bow and the five bow when the top is initially retracted. A main power cylinder is connected to the top stack and a main pivot bracket that lifts a rear rail above the belt line during the extension and retraction cycle. | 04-02-2009 |
20090066111 | ADJUSTABLE VEHICLE ROOF - A vehicle includes a compartment, roof, roof system, cover, cover link, and coupling system. The roof is movable between a closed position and a storage position in which the roof is within the compartment. The roof system has a main link movably coupled to the vehicle via a joint and connected to the roof to move the roof. The cover is movable between a closed position covering the compartment and an opened position raised from the compartment. The cover link is movably coupled to the vehicle via a joint and connected to the cover to move the cover. The coupling system has a connecting link coupling the links such that the cover is coupled to the roof system to move about the cover link joint as the roof moves. The connecting link passes through a position in which it and the joints run along a straight line during roof movement. | 03-12-2009 |
20090045655 | Multi-Panel Panoramic Roof Module - A retractable roof for a vehicle having a passenger compartment that is selectively covered by the retractable roof. A pair of roof rails define a plurality of tracks that support a plurality of rigid roof panels on opposite lateral sides of the rigid panels. An upper tailgate extends between a rear portion of the roof rails and is pivoted on a lower edge of the upper tailgate from a forward and upper orientation in a closed position to a horizontal position in the open position. In the closed position, the rigid panels are aligned to form a continuous roof and in the open position, the panels are vertically stacked below the upper tailgate. | 02-19-2009 |
20090015033 | MOVABLE ROOF FOR AN AUTOMOBILE - 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. | 01-15-2009 |
20090007707 | CLOSURE SYSTEM FOR VEHICLES, PREFERABLY MOTOR VEHICLES - A closure system for a motor vehicle includes a pinion and a pair of U-shaped, flat sliders. The pinion is engaged to a drive shaft to rotate in a first rotational direction and an opposite second rotational direction in response to the drive shaft rotating. Each slider has an inner leg and an outer leg connected at one end to a bridge. The inner surface of each inner leg includes a gear rack. The inner surfaces of the inner legs face one another and surround opposite sides of the pinion such that corresponding portions of the gear racks engage the respective opposite sides of the pinion whereby the sliders are longitudinally displaced away from one another in response to the pinion rotating in the first rotational direction and are longitudinally displaced toward one another in response to the pinion rotating in the second rotational direction. | 01-08-2009 |
20080258490 | CONVERTIBLE ROOF FOR A PASSENGER VEHICLE - An assembly includes a roof having front and rear roof parts, a motion system, and a coupling rod. The motion system includes front and rear guide rods, a spring, and a guide rod mechanism to move the roof between closed and opened positions. The front guide rod is fixed to the front roof part and is pivotably supportable on a bearing. The rear guide rod is fixed to the rear roof part and is pivotably supportable on a bearing. The coupling rod is articulately connected to the front guide rod and to the rear roof part. The spring is articulately connected to the front guide rod and to the guide rod mechanism which is articulately connected to the rear guide rod such that the spring is biased to open the roof when the roof is closed and is biased to close the roof when the roof is opened. | 10-23-2008 |
20080203771 | COVER FOR CLOSING A RECEIVING SPACE IN THE BODYWORK OF A VEHICLE - A vehicle trunk cover assembly includes two coupled guide rod units which are connectable to the cover and the vehicle body such that the cover is movable between a closed position covering the trunk, a roof transport position in which the front cover end is lifted relative to the trunk, and a loading position in which the rear cover end is lifted relative to the trunk. A locking lever connectable to the vehicle body includes a lock which is movable from an engaged position to a disengaged position upon being actuated. One guide rod unit cooperates with the lock such that the guide rod unit engages the lock when the lock is in its engaged position so that the cover may move into its loading position and disengages from the lock when the lock is in its disengaged position so that the cover may move into its roof transport position. | 08-28-2008 |