IP Library Granted Patent US 7,413,236
Granted Patent B2
US 7,413,236 · App. 10/577,080 · Granted Aug 19, 2008

Convertible vehicle

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,413,236
App. No.
10/577,080
Granted
Aug 19, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention relates to a convertible vehicle ( 1 ) provided with a moveable roof ( 2 ) which comprises a flexible roof covering in at least certain areas ( 4 ), said flexible roof covering being retained by a partial section of the outer edge thereof ( 6 ) via at least one retaining strip ( 11 ) on at least one frame part ( 7;8 ) of a roof stand ( 3 ). The retaining strip ( 11 ) extends in an essentially parallel manner in relation to the frame part ( 7;8 ) of the roof stand ( 3 ) when in a connecting position and is retained thereon. The invention is characterised in that that the retaining strip ( 11 ) can be connected to the frame part ( 7;8 ) due to displacement thereof using a displacement component ( 15 ) extending parallel to the extension thereof.

Claims (13)

1. Convertible vehicle ( 1 ) with a movable roof ( 2 ), at least a portion of which has a flexible roof covering ( 4 ), which is held with a section of its outer edge ( 6 ) by at least one cleat ( 11 ) on at least one frame part ( 7 ; 8 ) of a roof frame ( 3 ), wherein the cleat ( 11 ), in its connected position, runs essentially parallel to and is held on a frame part ( 7 ; 8 ) of the roof frame ( 3 ), wherein the cleat ( 11 ) can be connected with the frame part ( 7 ; 8 ) by a motion with a motion component ( 15 ) that runs parallel to its extent.

2. Convertible vehicle in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the cleat ( 11 ) can be connected with the frame part ( 7 ; 8 ) by a positive-locking connection.

3. Convertible vehicle in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the cleat ( 11 ) is furnished with several projecting hooks ( 12 ) along its length.

4. Convertible vehicle in accordance with claim 3 , wherein the hooks ( 12 ) are formed as a single piece with the cleat ( 11 ).

5. Convertible vehicle in accordance with claim 3 , wherein each frame part ( 7 ; 8 ) is provided with elongated recesses ( 14 ) that are adapted to the direction of extension ( 15 ) of the hooks ( 12 ) and receive the heads ( 13 ) of the hooks ( 12 ).

6. Convertible vehicle in accordance with claim 1 , wherein at least one cleat ( 11 ) is assigned at least to each side of the vehicle.

7. Convertible vehicle in accordance with claim 1 , wherein at least one extraction blocking device ( 16 ), which prevents parallel displacement between the cleat ( 11 ) and the frame part ( 7 ; 8 ), is assigned to each cleat ( 11 ) in its connected position with a frame part ( 7 ; 8 ).

8. Convertible vehicle in accordance with claim 3 , wherein each head ( 13 ) of a hook ( 12 ) has a component that points in the direction of vehicle travel (F) and can be inserted into a corresponding recess ( 14 ) in each frame part ( 7 ; 8 ) with a motion component relative to the frame part ( 7 ; 8 ) in the direction of vehicle travel (F) to allow connection with the frame part ( 7 ; 8 ).

9. Convertible vehicle in accordance with claim 1 , wherein at least one cleat ( 11 ) is assigned to a rear tension bow ( 22 ) that runs essentially transversely to the motor vehicle ( 1 ).

10. Convertible vehicle in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the cleat(s) ( 11 ) consist of plastic, especially polyamide, and are connected with the roof covering ( 4 ) by adhesive bonding, stitching, weldbonding, and/or welding.

11. Convertible vehicle in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the cleat ( 11 ) has a step ( 18 ) for supporting an overlapping section of a seal ( 19 ) that runs parallel to the frame part ( 7 ; 8 ).

12. Roof ( 2 ) for a convertible vehicle ( 1 ) in accordance with claim 1 .

13. Cleat ( 11 ) for a roof ( 2 ) in accordance with claim 12 .

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 Feb 9, 2007
From: LICHER, KLAUS; SCHONHORST, HEIKO
To: WILHELM KARMANN GMBH
Reel/Frame 018892/0322 →