IP Library Granted Patent US 7,661,750
Granted Patent B2
US 7,661,750 · App. 10/577,082 · Granted Feb 16, 2010

Bow for a convertible vehicle

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,661,750
App. No.
10/577,082
Granted
Feb 16, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention relates to a convertible vehicle ( 1 ) comprising a roof ( 2 ) provided with a flexible roof covering ( 4 ) in at least certain areas, said roof covering being gripped from below by one or several bows ( 6, 7 ) which are arranged in a transversal manner in relation to the direction of travel (F). At least one bow ( 6;7 ) is made of several pieces and comprises a central area ( 9 ) which is connected to lateral fittings ( 10 ) and is configured in such a manner that securing means are provided ( 16 ) in order to connect the central part ( 9 ) and the fittings ( 10 ). When the roof is closed, said securing means are arranged in the region of the respective bow ( 6, 7 ) and are at least approximately parallel to the extension plane ( 17;18 ) of the external roof covering ( 4 ).

Claims (9)

1. Convertible vehicle ( 1 ) with a roof ( 2 ), which is at least partially covered with a flexible roof covering ( 4 ), which is supported from below by one or more bows ( 6 ; 7 ) that extend transversely to the direction of vehicle travel (F), wherein at least one bow ( 6 ; 7 ) has multiple parts and a middle section ( 9 ), further comprising lateral mounting fixtures ( 10 ), and fastening means for connecting the middle section ( 9 ) to the mounting fixtures ( 10 ), wherein when the roof is closed, the fastening means extend parallel to the plane ( 17 ; 18 ) of the outer roof covering ( 4 ) while the outer roof covering is supported by at least one bow.

2. Convertible vehicle ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the mounting fixtures ( 10 ) engage positively with the middle section ( 9 ), and the fastening means ( 16 ) pass through both parts ( 9 ; 10 ).

3. Convertible vehicle ( 1 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the middle section ( 9 ) has a retaining channel ( 13 ), which runs the length of the middle section ( 9 ), to hold a thickened bead ( 14 ) or similar edge area of a fastener ( 15 ) for the roof covering.

4. Convertible vehicle ( 1 ) according to claim 3 , wherein the fastening means ( 16 ) can be inserted through the retaining channel ( 13 ) and are covered by the roof covering fastener ( 15 ) when in the installed position.

5. Convertible vehicle ( 1 ) according to claim 4 , wherein at least one of the mounting fixtures ( 10 ) has a recessed insertion region ( 22 ) leading to the retaining channel ( 13 ).

6. Convertible vehicle according to claim 5 , wherein the insertion region ( 22 ) widens towards the center of the vehicle.

7. Convertible vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the fastening means ( 16 ) are screws, the heads ( 21 ) of which face the retaining channel ( 13 ) when in the installed position.

8. Convertible vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the middle section ( 9 ) of the bow ( 6 ; 7 ) has an elliptical cross section with a major axis ( 20 ) that is parallel to the plane ( 17 ; 18 ) of the roof covering in the vicinity of each bow ( 6 ; 7 ).

9. Convertible vehicle according to claim 1 , wherein the mounting fixture ( 10 ) has a flattened shape.

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 Apr 2, 2007
From: LIEDMEYER, PETRA; WESSELMANN, MARK
To: WILHELM KARMANN GMBH
Reel/Frame 019124/0016 →