IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,374,234
Granted Patent B2
US 7,374,234 · App. 11/583,151 · Granted May 20, 2008

Drainage device

Assignee: Heuliez
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 7,374,234
App. No.
11/583,151
Granted
May 20, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

Device for draining water from at least one gutter of a retractable vehicle roof, characterized in that the intermediate conduit ( 9 ), which is linked to the movement of the moving roof, is attached by its upstream part ( 9 A) to the drain ( 8 ) and linked by its downstream part ( 9 B) to the drainage conduit ( 10 ) by a nesting joint ( 11 ), so that when the moving roof moves into the stowed position, this downstream part ( 9 B) is denested so as to break the continuity, and vice versa when the mobile roof covers the passenger compartment.

Claims (19)

1. A drainage device for draining water from at least one gutter of a retractable roof of a vehicle movable between a stowed position and a position in which it covers a passenger compartment of the vehicle, said drainage device comprising a drain presented by one of a moving roof element for collecting water from a roof and/or a moveable gutter, a drainage conduit attached to the body of the vehicle, and a moveable intermediate conduits ( 9 ), said device comprising means for linking the moveable intermediate conduit ( 9 ), to the movement of the retractable roof, said moveable intermediate conduit having an upstream part ( 9 A) for attaching said moveable intermediate conduit to a moveable drain ( 8 ) and a downstream part ( 9 B) to the drainage conduit ( 10 ) by a nesting joint ( 11 ), so that when the retractable roof moves into the stowed position, said downstream part ( 9 B) is denested from the nesting joint ( 11 ) so as to break continuity, and vice versa when the retractable roof covers the passenger compartment.

2. A drainage device according to claim 1 characterized in that said nesting joint has significant amount of play when nesting occurs.

3. A drainage device according to claim 1 characterized in that the drainage conduit has a conical female part.

4. A drainage device according to claim 1 characterized in that the intermediate conduit is linked to a roof element and/or a panel.

5. A drainage device according to claim 4 comprising a quick fastener means for attaching the intermediate conduit.

6. A drainage device according to claim 4 characterized in that the intermediate conduit is partially integrated into the thickness of a panel.

7. A drainage device according to claims claim 1 , characterized in that the downstream part ( 9 B) of the intermediate conduit is directed downward so that the movement of the roof in a first direction automatically inserts the downstream part of the intermediate conduit into a female part ( 10 A) of the drainage conduit, and a movement of the roof in a second direction disengages the downstream part from the female part.

8. A drainage device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the drain is constructed and arranged to collect water coming from at least one gutter disposed between roof elements that can move in relation to one another.

9. A drainage device according to claim 1 , comprising a flexible joint between the downstream part of the intermediate conduit and the drainage conduit that is active when the moving roof covers the passenger compartment.

10. A drainage device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the intermediate conduit is rigid, at least locally in its downstream part.

11. A drainage device according to claim 2 , characterized in that the drainage conduit has a conical female part.

12. A drainage device according to claim 7 , characterized in that said nesting joint has a significant amount of play when nesting occurs.

13. A drainage device according to claim 12 , characterized in that the drainage conduit has a conical female part.

14. A drainage device according to claim 12 , characterized in that the intermediate conduit is linked to a roof element.

15. A drainage device according to claim 14 comprising a quick fastener means for attaching the intermediate conduit.

16. A drainage device according to claim 14 , characterized in that the intermediate conduit is partially integrated into the thickness of a panel.

17. A drainage device according to claim 7 , characterized in that the drain is constructed and arranged to collect water coming from at least one gutter disposed between roof elements that can move in relation to one another.

18. A drainage device according to claim 7 , comprising a flexible joint between the downstream part of the intermediate conduit and the drainage conduit that is active when the moving roof covers the passenger compartment.

19. A drainage device according to claim 7 , characterized in that the intermediate conduit is rigid, at least locally in its downstream part.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 2, 2011
From: HEULIEZ CONCORD
To: HEULIEZ SAS
Reel/Frame 025731/0263 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 16, 2010
From: HEULIEZ
To: HEULIEZ CONCORD
Reel/Frame 024686/0874 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 5, 2007
From: DESCHATRES, BERNARD; BECOT, PASCAL
To: HEULIEZ
Reel/Frame 018762/0135 →
Priority Claims (1)
FR 05 11234 · Nov 4, 2005 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20070102953A1 · May 10, 2007