IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,661,960
Granted Patent B2
US 12,661,960 · App. 18/835,025 · Granted Jun 23, 2026

Device for closing off an aperture in the body of a vehicle, and corresponding vehicle

Inventors: Frédéric Giret (Boisme, FR); Anthony Jean (Haute-Goulaine, FR); Maxime Nee (Bressuire, FR)
Assignee: ADVANCED COMFORT SYSTEMS FRANCE SAS—ACS FRANCE
B60J1/085B60J1/16E05D15/0682E05D15/0691E05Y2900/55
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,661,960
App. No.
18/835,025
Granted
Jun 23, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention relates to a device ( 1 ) for closing off an opening in a stationary portion ( 110 ), and at least one sliding movable panel ( 120 ) guided along two guide rails ( 111 a, 111 b) mounted on one face of the stationary panel ( 110 ), between a closed position in a first plane defined by said stationary panel ( 110 ), and at least one open position in a second plane, substantially parallel to the first plane. Each of the guide rails ( 111 a, 111 b) carries at least one shuttle ( 123 a, 123 b), which is translationally movable in said guide rails ( 111 a, 111 b). According to the invention, at least one of the guide rails ( 111 a, 111 b) carries a removable guide element ( 112 ) with a length (L) at least equal to the length (L′) of the shuttle ( 123 a, 123 b), such that, when the guide element is removed, the shuttle ( 123 a, 123 b) can be disengaged from the guide rail ( 111 a, 111 b).

Claims (16)

1 . A device for closing off an opening formed in a structure, comprising a stationary portion, in which the opening is defined, and at least one sliding movable panel guided along two guide rails mounted on a face of said stationary panel, between a closure position, closing off said opening, in a first plane defined by said stationary panel, called closure plane, and at least one opening position, in a second plane, called sliding plane, substantially parallel to said closure plane,

each of said guide rails carrying at least one shuttle translationally guided in said rail, translationally movable in said guide rails, and ensuring passage of the movable panel from said closure position into said at least one opening position, and vice versa, and the sliding movement of said movable panel in said sliding plane,

wherein at least one of said guide rails carries a removable guiding element with a length at least equal to the length of said shuttle, allowing, when removed, disengaging said shuttle from said respective guide rail, and

wherein at least one of said guide rails carries at least one hook able to be secured to a corresponding compartment formed in said removable guiding element in a securing position,

said removable guiding element being movable in a direction parallel to said at least one of said guide rails, between a position of securing to the respective rail and a release position and being movable in at least one direction perpendicular to said at least one of said guide rails, so as to be separated from the latter.

2 . The device according to claim 1 , further comprises at least two similar hooks, distributed on said at least one of said guide rails according to an axis parallel to the axis of said at least one of said guide rails.

3 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one of said guide rails has a groove for guiding said removable guiding element along said rail.

4 . The device according to claim 1 , wherein said removable guiding element carries an end portion intended to be docked with a trim element of a vehicle.

5 . A motor vehicle comprising at least one device for closing off an opening formed in a structure, comprising a stationary portion, in which the opening is defined, and at least one sliding movable panel guided along two guide rails mounted on a face of said stationary panel, between a closure position, closing off said opening, in a first plane defined by said stationary panel, called closure plane, and at least one opening position, in a second plane, called sliding plane, substantially parallel to said closure plane, each of said guide rails carrying at least one shuttle translationally guided in said respective rail, translationally movable in said guide rails, and ensuring passage of the movable panel from said closure position into said at least one opening position, and vice versa, and the sliding movement of said movable panel in said sliding plane,

wherein at least one of said guide rails carries a removable guiding element with a length at least equal to the length of said shuttle, allowing, when removed, disengaging said shuttle from said respective guide rail, and

wherein at least one of said guide rails carries at least one hook able to be secured to a corresponding compartment formed in said removable guiding element in said securing position, said removable guiding element being movable in a direction parallel to said guide rails, between a position of securing to the respective rail and a release position and being movable in at least one direction perpendicular to said guide rails, so as to be separated from the latter.

6 . A device for closing off an opening formed in a structure, comprising a stationary portion, in which the opening is defined, and at least one sliding movable panel guided along two guide rails mounted on a face of said stationary panel, between a closure position, closing off said opening, in a first plane defined by said stationary panel, called closure plane, and at least one opening position, in a second plane, called sliding plane, substantially parallel to said closure plane,

each of said guide rails carrying at least one shuttle translationally guided in said respective rail, translationally movable in said guide rails, and ensuring passage of the movable panel from said closure position into said at least one opening position, and vice versa, and the sliding movement of said movable panel in said sliding plane,

wherein at least one of said guide rails carries a removable guiding element with a length at least equal to the length of said shuttle, allowing, when removed, disengaging said shuttle from said respective guide rail, and

wherein said removable guiding element carries at least one hook able to be secured to a corresponding compartment formed in said at least one of said guide rails in a securing position,

said removable guiding element being movable in a direction parallel to said at least one of said guide rails, between a position of securing to the respective rail and a release position and being movable in at least one direction perpendicular to said at least one of said guide rails, so as to be separated from the latter.