IP Library Granted Patent US 7,591,500
Granted Patent B2
US 7,591,500 · App. 10/574,246 · Granted Sep 22, 2009

Motor vehicle comprising a fully opening roof part

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,591,500
App. No.
10/574,246
Granted
Sep 22, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

A motor vehicle with an automobile body having two rigid body regions located on both sides above side window regions. At least two panel-shaped roof sections lay behind one another between the two body regions, which roof sections can move relative to the lateral body sections, and can move out of the closed position into an open position further below in the automobile body. From the closed position of the roof sections, a front roof section can be moved over a rear roof section by guiding it laterally like a sliding sunroof. The front end regions of the roof sections can be raised from this position so that the roof sections can be lowered into the automobile body. In the closed position of the roof sections, a rear window, which can be separately moved between an open position and a closed position, borders directly on the rear roof section.

Claims (9)

1. Motor vehicle ( 1 ) with an automobile body ( 6 ), which includes two rigid automobile body regions ( 3 ) located on both sides above side window regions ( 2 ), wherein, in a closed roof position, at least two panel-shaped roof sections (P 1 ; P 2 ) lie one after the other between the two rigid automobile body regions ( 3 ), can be moved relative to the lateral automobile body sections ( 3 ), and can be moved out of the closed position into an open position further below in the automobile body ( 6 ), wherein, from the closed position of the roof sections (P 1 ; P 2 ), at least a front roof section (P 1 ) can be moved over a rear roof section (P 2 ) that is located behind it by guiding it laterally in the manner of a sliding sunroof; wherein front end regions (P 11 ) of the roof sections (P 1 ; P 2 ) can be raised from this position, and the roof sections (P 1 ; P 2 ), with front ends (P 11 ) thereof raised, can be lowered into the automobile body ( 6 ), wherein the roof section (P 2 ) covered by the front roof section (P 1 ) in the open sunroof position is guided in a guide rail (P 6 ) during the downward movement into the automobile body ( 6 ) only in its rear half opposite the direction of vehicle travel (F); a roof section (P 2 ) covered by the front roof section (P 1 ) in an open sunroof position is guided in a guide rail (P 6 ) during the downward movement into the automobile body ( 6 ) only in a rear half thereof opposite the direction of vehicle travel (F) and that, in the closed position of the roof sections (P 1 ; P 2 ), a rear window (H 4 ), which can be separately moved between an open position and a closed position, borders directly on the rear roof section (P 2 ).

2. Motor vehicle ( 1 ) in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the front roof section (P 1 ) is arranged as a roof section following behind a windshield frame ( 4 ).

3. Motor vehicle ( 1 ) in accordance with claim 1 , wherein each of the roof sections (P 1 ; P 2 ) extends at least 40 centimeters in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

4. Motor vehicle ( 1 ) in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the roof sections (P 1 ; P 2 ) are essentially transparent.

5. Motor vehicle ( 1 ) in accordance with claim 1 , wherein in its closed position, the rear window (H 4 ) is held in an essentially U-shaped opening of a hatch (H 1 ) and is at least partially surrounded by the sides (H 3 ) and lower edge (H 2 ) of the hatch (H 1 ).

6. Motor vehicle ( 1 ) in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the rear window (H 4 ) and the roof sections (P 1 ; P 2 ) lie parallel to one another in the open position.

7. Motor vehicle ( 1 ) in accordance with claim 5 , wherein during the opening of the hatch (H 1 ), the forwardmost region (H 5 ) of the hatch (H 1 ) can be displaced rearward in the direction opposite the direction of vehicle travel, and during this displacement, the hatch (H 1 ) frees a passage space (D 1 ), which is covered when the hatch (H 1 ) is closed, to allow the roof sections (P 1 ; P 2 ) to be moved into the automobile body.

8. Motor vehicle ( 1 ) in accordance with claim 7 , wherein in the closed state of the hatch (H 1 ), the sides (H 3 ) are in alignment with automobile body regions ( 3 ) of the vehicle ( 1 ) that are positioned above side windows ( 2 ), which body regions ( 3 ) include at least roof rails and immediately follow the sides (H 3 ) in the direction of vehicle travel (F).

9. Motor vehicle ( 1 ) in accordance with claim 8 , wherein the passage space (D 1 ) is widened relative to a clear width (D 3 ) between the roof rails ( 3 ) in the transverse direction of the vehicle.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 24, 2013
From: WILHELM KARMANN GMBH
To: VALMET AUTOMOTIVE OY
Reel/Frame 031485/0597 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 6, 2006
From: BUNSMANN, WINFRIED; WEISSMULLER, OLAF; HESELHAUS, UDO
To: WILHELM KARMANN GMBH
Reel/Frame 018511/0087 →