IP Library Granted Patent US 7,503,617
Granted Patent B2
US 7,503,617 · App. 11/662,862 · Granted Mar 17, 2009

Convertible vehicle

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,503,617
App. No.
11/662,862
Granted
Mar 17, 2009
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention relates to a cabriolet vehicle comprising a displaceable roof which can be maintained in the closed position thereof at a point on the windscreen frame. According to the invention, at least one displaceable engaging element and one spring-loaded pivotable drive lever which engages in a direct or indirect manner with said element is provided for the movement thereof in or out of the engaged position for the maintenance thereof. The cabriolet vehicle is embodied in such a manner that the pivotable drive lever, which acts against the spring force with a component which is oriented away from the pivotable axis of the pivotable drive lever and which also enables the pivotable drive lever to be displaceably mounted.

Claims (16)

1. A convertible vehicle comprising a roof that is movable between a closed position extending over a passenger compartment in the vehicle and an open position disposed in a storage space adjacent the passenger compartment, said roof comprising:

at least one movable engagement member for releasably holding the roof in the closed position,

a spring-loaded pivotable drive lever movable about a pivot axis with respect to the roof, the drive lever being operatively coupled to the engagement member for movement of the engagement member into or out of an engagement position,

wherein the pivotable drive lever is transposable by way of at least one pivot connector, the pivot connector being engagable with the pivotable drive lever to cause movement of the pivot drive lever against a force applied by a spring at least regionally with a component leading away from the pivot axis of the pivotable drive lever.

2. A convertible vehicle in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the pivot connector is configured in the manner of a cam for engaging and causing movement of the pivotable drive lever.

3. A convertible vehicle in accordance with claim 2 , wherein an end of the pivot connector spaced apart from its pivot axis is rollable or slidable at a back portion of the pivotable drive lever.

4. A convertible vehicle in accordance with claim 3 , wherein the end of the pivot connector is provided with a roller.

5. A convertible vehicle in accordance with claim 4 , wherein the pivot connector runs through an angular position disposed perpendicular to its plane of extent during its influencing of the pivotable drive lever and the back portion provides an abutment for the tip of the pivot connector at the pivotable drive lever at least in the closed position of the roof.

6. A convertible vehicle in accordance with claim 5 , having at least two movable engagement members and at least one actuation member for actuation of the engagement members, the at least one actuation member being in operative communication with the pivot connectors for the transfer of an actuation force via force communicators outwardly engaging in each case with a component in the transverse direction of the vehicle.

7. A convertible vehicle in accordance with claim 6 , wherein the force communicators are made as pull-push bars.

8. A convertible vehicle in accordance with claim 7 , wherein the or each pivotable drive lever is pre-tensioned and pulling at the force communicator counteracts the spring force.

9. A convertible vehicle in accordance with claim 8 , wherein the pull-push bars engage in each case at their outwardly engaging ends via joints at a pivotable actuation lever which is disposed on the same axis as the respective pivot connector for the actuation of the pivotable drive lever.

10. A convertible vehicle in accordance with claim 9 , wherein the or each engagement member is in communication with a control lever in addition to the pivotable drive lever.

11. A convertible vehicle in accordance with claim 10 , wherein the control lever is movable about a pivot axle that is parallel to the pivot axis of the pivotable drive lever.

12. A convertible vehicle in accordance with claim 11 , wherein the or each engagement member is pivotally coupled to both the control lever and the pivotable drive lever.

13. A convertible vehicle in accordance with claim 11 , wherein the or each engagement member is configured in the form of a hook and opens for its opening with a component facing transversely in the direction of a vertical central longitudinal plane.

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 Sep 26, 2007
From: HABACKER, NORBERT
To: WILHELM KARMANN GMBH
Reel/Frame 019887/0483 →