Plate in a motor vehicle with a metallic support structure

• US 6,840,563 B2
• Filed: 06/09/2003
• Issued: 01/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/24/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Magna Car Top Systems GmbH (Magna International Incorporated), Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: CTS Fahrzeug Dachsysteme GmbH (Magna International Incorporated)
• Inventors: Koch, Michael, Fuchs, Corinna
• Primary Examiner(s): Dayoan, D. Glenn
• Assistant Examiner(s): GUTMAN, HILARY L
• Application Number:
  US10/456,626
• Publication Number:
  US 20030209920A1
• Time in Patent Office: 582 Days
• Field of Search: 296/107.08, 296/107.01, 343/711, 343/712, 343/713
• US Class Current: 296/107.08
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 7/202 being characterised by moveable cover parts for closing the gap between boot lid and rearmost seats
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3275 mounted on a horizontal surface of the vehicle, e.g. on roof, hood, trunk

Abstract

In a cover plate arrangement in a motor vehicle including a cover plate comprising at least a section with a metallic support plate structure which section is coupled to a component of the motor vehicle so as to be movable relative thereto the metallic support structure is electrically insulated with respect to any adjacent components of the motor vehicle for use as an antenna.

Claims

1. A cover plate arrangement in a motor vehicle, comprising a cover plate including at least a section with a metallic support plate structure and being coupled to a an adjacent component of the motor vehicle so as to be movable relative thereto, said metallic support plate structure being electrically insulated with respect to the adjacent component and a drive connected to said metallic support plate structure, said drive being electrically insulated from said metallic support plate structure.

2. A cover plate arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said metallic support plate structure is coupled to the adjacent component by a joint which is part of said drive.

3. A cover plate arrangement according to claim 1, wherein said cover plate arrangement is a vehicle top storage compartment cover, which is movable between a closed position, in which the compartment cover closes a vehicle top storage compartment and an open position, in which access is provided to the top storage compartment for the transfer of a vehicle top into, and out of, the top storage compartment.

4. A cover plate arrangement according to claim 3, wherein a free space between a front edge of the vehicle top storage compartment cover and a vehicle interior is covered by the cover plate which is pivotally supported on a vehicle body part, and at least said section of said cover plate is movable relative to said vehicle body part.

5. A cover plate arrangement according to claim 4, wherein said cover plate includes a front cover part adjacent the vehicle interior, and a rear cover part adjacent the vehicle top storage compartment cover, said rear cover part being pivotally connected to the front cover part by hinges.

6. A cover plate arrangement according to claim 5, wherein said drive mechanism is connected to the front cover part so as to be capable of pivoting said rear cover part relative to said front cover part.

7. A cover plate arrangement according to claim 5, wherein said front cover part is electrically insulated with respect to said rear cover part.

8. A cover plate arrangement according to claim 5, wherein a plastic material shield is disposed between the front and rear cover parts for covering any gap therebetween.

9. A cover plate arrangement according to claim 5, wherein said front cover part includes the metallic support structure and a signal transmission cable is connected to said metallic support structure and along said drive mechanism in electrically insulated relationship therewith.

10. A cover plate arrangement according to claim 5, wherein said drive mechanism comprises a push-pull Bowden cable which is supported on said cover plate by a plastic retaining means.

11. A cover plate arrangement according to claim 5, wherein said cover plate is provided a the sides thereof with a flexible electrically insulating cover member.

12. A cover plate arrangement according to claim 9, wherein said metallic support structure comprises an injection molded magnesium part.