U.S. patent application number 16/438513 was filed with the patent office on 2019-12-19 for slider window assembly with movable panel drive system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Magna Mirrors of America, Inc.. Invention is credited to Kyle S. Bowman, Darin J. Snider.
Application Number | 20190383084 16/438513 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 68839644 |
Filed Date | 2019-12-19 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190383084 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Snider; Darin J. ; et
al. |
December 19, 2019 |
SLIDER WINDOW ASSEMBLY WITH MOVABLE PANEL DRIVE SYSTEM
Abstract
A vehicular slider window assembly includes a frame portion
having an upper rail and a lower rail, a fixed window panel, and a
movable window panel that is movable along the rails between an
opened position and a closed position. A drive system is operable
to move the movable window panel between the opened position and
the closed position. The drive system includes a single flexible
drive element that, when the drive system is actuated to move the
window panel in one direction, the flexible drive element pulls the
movable window panel along the rails, and when the drive system is
actuated to move the window panel in the opposite direction, the
flexible drive element pushes the movable window panel along the
rails. The lower rail includes guide structure that limits flexing
of the flexible drive element when the flexible drive element
pushes the movable window panel along the rails.
Inventors: |
Snider; Darin J.; (Holland,
MI) ; Bowman; Kyle S.; (Holland, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Magna Mirrors of America, Inc. |
Holland |
MI |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
68839644 |
Appl. No.: |
16/438513 |
Filed: |
June 12, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62684948 |
Jun 14, 2018 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05F 15/655 20150115;
E05Y 2800/344 20130101; E05Y 2201/264 20130101; E05Y 2201/662
20130101; E05Y 2201/724 20130101; E05Y 2900/55 20130101; E05F
11/535 20130101; E05Y 2201/654 20130101; E05Y 2800/28 20130101;
E05D 15/0621 20130101; B60J 1/1853 20130101; E05Y 2201/684
20130101 |
International
Class: |
E05F 15/655 20060101
E05F015/655; E05D 15/06 20060101 E05D015/06; B60J 1/18 20060101
B60J001/18 |
Claims
1. A vehicular slider window assembly, said vehicular slider window
assembly comprising: a frame portion having an upper rail and a
lower rail; a fixed window panel that is fixed relative to said
frame portion, said fixed window panel at least in part defining an
opening; a movable window panel that is movable along said upper
rail and said lower rail, wherein said movable window panel is
movable between a closed position, where said movable window panel
is disposed at said opening, and an opened position, where said
movable window panel is disposed at least partially along said
fixed window panel; a drive system operable to move said movable
window panel between the opened position and the closed position,
wherein said drive system comprises a single flexible drive element
that, when said drive system is actuated to move said movable
window panel in one direction, said flexible drive element pulls
said movable window panel along said lower rail, and when said
drive system is actuated to move said movable window panel in the
opposite direction, said flexible drive element pushes said movable
window panel along said lower rail; and wherein said lower rail of
said frame portion comprises guide structure that receives said
flexible drive element and that limits flexing or bending of said
flexible drive element when said flexible drive element pushes said
movable window panel along said lower rail.
2. The vehicular slider window assembly of claim 1, wherein said
flexible drive element, when said drive system is actuated to move
said movable window panel toward the opened position, pulls said
movable window panel along said lower rail, and wherein said
flexible drive element, when said drive system is actuated to move
said movable window panel toward the closed position, pushes said
movable window panel along said lower rail.
3. The vehicular slider window assembly of claim 1, wherein said
flexible drive element comprises a helical cable, and wherein said
drive system comprises a toothed drive gear that engages said
helical cable, and wherein rotational driving of said toothed drive
gear causes movement of said helical cable to move said movable
window panel along said lower rail.
4. The vehicular slider window assembly of claim 3, wherein said
drive system comprises a guide element disposed along said lower
rail to guide said helical cable along said lower rail.
5. The vehicular slider window assembly of claim 1, wherein said
flexible drive element comprises a flexible cable and wherein said
guide structure defines a passageway along said lower rail, and
wherein said flexible cable is received in the passageway along
said lower rail, and wherein said guide structure limits flexing or
bending of said flexible cable as said flexible cable is moved
along said passageway.
6. The vehicular slider window assembly of claim 5, wherein said
flexible cable is, when moved to pull said movable window panel,
coiled around a spool, and wherein said flexible cable is, when
moved to push said movable window panel, uncoiled from said
spool.
7. The vehicular slider window assembly of claim 6, wherein said
flexible cable comprises a cylindrical cable and wherein said
passageway comprises a cylindrical passageway.
8. The vehicular slider window assembly of claim 7, wherein said
cylindrical passageway is formed partially along a lower region of
said lower rail, and wherein said guide structure that defines said
passageway includes a slot along an upper region thereof, and
wherein connection between said flexible cable and said movable
window panel is made via an element that passes through and is
movable along said slot.
9. The vehicular slider window assembly of claim 6, wherein said
flexible cable comprises a thin U-shaped cable, and wherein said
guide structure defines a correspondingly formed passageway that
limits flexing or bending of said thin U-shaped cable.
10. The vehicular slider window assembly of claim 1, wherein said
flexible drive element comprises a flexible tape that is received
in a first passageway defined by said guide structure along said
lower rail, and wherein said guide structure of said first
passageway limits flexing or bending of said flexible tape as it is
moved along said first passageway.
11. The vehicular slider window assembly of claim 10, wherein one
end region of said flexible tape is attached at said movable window
panel, and wherein an opposite end region of said flexible tape is
disposed in and is movable along a second passageway of said lower
rail, and wherein a toothed wheel is disposed at an end region of
said lower rail and engages notches at said flexible tape, and
wherein said toothed wheel rotates about a vertical axis of
rotation to move said flexible tape along both of said first and
second passageways.
12. The vehicular slider window assembly of claim 11, wherein, when
said toothed wheel is rotated in a first direction, the end region
of said flexible tape that is attached at said movable window panel
moves in a first direction along said first passageway and the
opposite end region of said flexible tape moves in a second
direction along said second passageway.
13. The vehicular slider window assembly of claim 12, wherein said
flexible tape is oriented in a vertical plane, and wherein said
first and second passageways comprise vertically oriented
passageways with vertical structure that limits flexing of said
flexible tape at least in a horizontal direction.
14. The vehicular slider window assembly of claim 12, wherein said
lower rail comprises a slot along said first passageway, and
wherein connection between the end region of said flexible tape and
said movable window panel is made via an element that passes
through and is movable along said slot.
15. The vehicular slider window assembly of claim 1, wherein said
flexible drive element comprises a flexible cable that is received
in a telescoping support tube at said lower rail.
16. The vehicular slider window assembly of claim 15, wherein said
flexible cable is, when moved to pull said movable window panel,
coiled around a spool to retract said telescoping support tube, and
wherein said flexible cable is, when moved to push said movable
window panel, uncoiled from said spool so as to extend said
telescoping support tube partially along said lower rail.
17. The vehicular slider window assembly of claim 1, wherein said
drive system comprises a drive motor that rotates a drive element
to move said single flexible drive element.
18. The vehicular slider window assembly of claim 17, wherein said
drive motor is disposed at an end region of said lower rail.
19. The vehicular slider window assembly of claim 1, wherein said
fixed window panel comprises a single fixed window panel having an
opening therethrough.
20. A vehicular slider window assembly, said vehicular slider
window assembly comprising: a frame portion having an upper rail
and a lower rail; a fixed window panel that is fixed relative to
said frame portion, said fixed window panel at least in part
defining an opening; a movable window panel that is movable along
said upper rail and said lower rail, wherein said movable window
panel is movable between a closed position, where said movable
window panel is disposed at said opening, and an opened position,
where said movable window panel is disposed at least partially
along said fixed window panel; a drive system operable to move said
movable window panel between the opened position and the closed
position, wherein said drive system comprises a drive motor and a
single flexible drive element; wherein said drive motor is disposed
at an end region of said lower rail and is operable to move said
flexible drive element to move said movable window panel between
the opened position and the closed position; wherein, when said
drive system is actuated to move said movable window panel in one
direction, said flexible drive element pulls said movable window
panel along said lower rail toward said drive motor, and when said
drive system is actuated to move said movable window panel in the
opposite direction, said flexible drive element pushes said movable
window panel along said lower rail away from said drive motor; and
wherein said lower rail of said frame portion comprises guide
structure that defines a passageway at least partially along said
lower rail, and wherein said flexible drive element is received in
said passageway such that said guide structure limits flexing or
bending of said flexible drive element when said flexible drive
element pushes said movable window panel along said lower rail.
21. The vehicular slider window assembly of claim 20, wherein said
flexible drive element, when said drive system is actuated to move
said movable window panel toward the opened position, pulls said
movable window panel along said lower rail, and wherein said
flexible drive element, when said drive system is actuated to move
said movable window panel toward the closed position, pushes said
movable window panel along said lower rail.
22. The vehicular slider window assembly of claim 20, wherein said
drive motor rotatably drives a spool, and wherein, when said drive
motor rotatably drives said spool in a first direction, said
flexible drive element is coiled around said spool to pull said
movable window panel, and wherein, when said drive motor rotatably
drives said spool in a second direction opposite the first
direction, said flexible drive element is uncoiled from said spool
to push said movable window panel.
23. The vehicular slider window assembly of claim 22, wherein said
guide structure that defines said passageway includes a slot at
least partially therealong, and wherein connection between said
flexible drive element and said movable window panel is made via an
element that passes through and is movable along said slot via
movement of said flexible drive element.
24. The vehicular slider window assembly of claim 23, wherein said
flexible drive element comprises a cylindrical cable, and wherein
said passageway comprises a cylindrical passageway.
25. The vehicular slider window assembly of claim 23, wherein said
flexible drive element comprises a thin U-shaped cable, and wherein
said guide structure defines a correspondingly formed passageway
that limits flexing or bending of said thin U-shaped cable.
26. The vehicular slider window assembly of claim 22, wherein said
flexible drive element is received in a telescoping support tube at
said lower rail, and wherein, when said drive motor rotatably
drives the spool in the first direction to coil said flexible drive
element around the spool, said flexible drive element retracts said
telescoping support tube to pull said movable window panel, and
wherein, when said drive motor rotatably drives the spool in the
second direction to uncoil said flexible drive element from the
spool, said flexible drive element extends said telescoping support
tube partially along said lower rail to push said movable window
panel.
27. The vehicular slider window assembly of claim 20, wherein said
flexible drive element comprises a flexible tape that is received
in a first passageway defined by said guide structure along said
lower rail, and wherein said guide structure of said first
passageway limits flexing or bending of said flexible tape as it is
moved along said first passageway, and wherein one end region of
said flexible tape is attached at said movable window panel, and
wherein an opposite end region of said flexible tape is disposed in
and is movable along a second passageway of said lower rail, and
wherein a toothed wheel that is rotatably driven by said drive
motor engages notches at said flexible tape, and wherein said
toothed wheel rotates to move said flexible tape along both of said
first and second passageways, and wherein, when said toothed wheel
is rotated in a first direction, the end region of said flexible
tape that is attached at said movable window panel moves in a first
direction along said first passageway and the opposite end region
of said flexible tape moves in a second direction along said second
passageway.
28. The vehicular slider window assembly of claim 27, wherein said
lower rail comprises a slot along said first passageway, and
wherein connection between the end region of said flexible tape and
said movable window panel is made via an element that passes
through and is movable along said slot.
29. The vehicular slider window assembly of claim 20, wherein said
fixed window panel comprises a single fixed window panel having an
opening therethrough.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims the filing benefits of U.S.
provisional application Ser. No. 62/684,948, filed Jun. 14, 2018,
which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a slider window assembly
for a vehicle and, more particularly, a rear slider window assembly
for a pickup truck or the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is known to provide a slider window assembly for an
opening of a vehicle, such as a rear slider window assembly for a
rear opening of a pickup truck. Conventional slider window
assemblies for rear openings of trucks or the like typically
include three or more panels, such as two fixed window panels and a
slidable window panel. The slidable window panel is supported by
rails and may be moved along the rails to open and close the
window.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention provides a rear slider window assembly
having a drive system that uses a single flexible drive element to
open and close the window. The window assembly and drive system
include structure that limits flexing or bending of the drive
element when pulling or pushing the movable window.
[0005] According to an aspect of the present invention, the rear
slider window assembly includes a frame portion having an upper
rail and a lower rail, a fixed window panel (defining an opening)
that is fixed relative to said frame portion, and a movable window
panel that is movable along the upper rail and the lower rail. The
movable window panel is movable between a closed position, where
the movable window panel is disposed at the opening, and an opened
position, where the movable window panel is disposed at least
partially along the at least one fixed window panel. A drive system
is operable to move the movable window panel between the opened and
closed positions. The drive system comprises a single flexible
drive element that, when the drive system is actuated to move the
window panel in one direction, pulls the movable window panel along
the lower rail, and when the drive system is actuated to move the
window panel in the opposite direction, the drive element pushes
the movable window panel along the lower rail. The lower rail of
the frame portion comprises guide structure that limits flexing or
bending of the drive element when the drive element pushes the
movable window panel along the lower rail.
[0006] The flexible drive element may comprise a flexible cable or
tape, and the guide structure may comprise one or more channels
disposed along or formed along the lower rail or a telescoping
support or the like. Thus, rotatably driving the drive motor of the
drive system in one direction causes movement of the flexible drive
element in one direction to open the window, and rotatably driving
the drive motor of the drive system in the opposite direction
causes movement of the flexible drive element in the opposite
direction to close the window. The flexible drive element may be
coiled or spooled when retracted, or may be routed along another
side region of the lower rail (so that the entirety of the flexible
drive element is disposed along the rail).
[0007] These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features
of the present invention will become apparent upon review of the
following specification in conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a pickup truck having a
rear slider window assembly in accordance with the present
invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a rear elevation of the exterior of the window
assembly, which has a helical cable drive system;
[0010] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the window assembly of FIG.
2;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a side elevation of the window assembly of FIG.
2;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a front elevation of the interior of the window
assembly of FIG. 2;
[0013] FIGS. 6 and 7 are views of the actuator and flexible helical
cable of the drive system;
[0014] FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG.
5;
[0015] FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG.
5;
[0016] FIGS. 10 and 11 are additional views of the actuator and
flexible helical cable of the drive system;
[0017] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the drive system;
[0018] FIG. 13 is a rear elevation of the exterior of the window
assembly, shown with a coilable cable drive system;
[0019] FIG. 14 is a side elevation of the window assembly of FIG.
13;
[0020] FIG. 15 is a front elevation of the interior of the window
assembly of FIG. 13;
[0021] FIG. 16 is a bottom elevation of the window assembly of FIG.
13;
[0022] FIG. 17 is another side elevation of the window assembly of
FIG. 13;
[0023] FIGS. 18 and 19 are views of the actuator and flexible reel
cable of the drive system;
[0024] FIG. 20 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG.
15;
[0025] FIG. 21 is a sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG.
15;
[0026] FIGS. 22 and 23 are additional views of the actuator and
flexible cable of the drive system;
[0027] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the drive system;
[0028] FIG. 25 is a rear elevation of the exterior of the window
assembly, shown with a flexible tape drive system;
[0029] FIG. 26 is a front elevation of the interior of the window
assembly of FIG. 25;
[0030] FIG. 27 is a bottom elevation of the window assembly of FIG.
25;
[0031] FIG. 28 is another side elevation of the window assembly of
FIG. 25;
[0032] FIGS. 29 and 30 are views of the actuator and flexible tape
of the drive system;
[0033] FIG. 31 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG.
26;
[0034] FIGS. 32 and 33 are additional views of the actuator and
flexible tape of the drive system;
[0035] FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the drive system;
[0036] FIG. 35 is a rear elevation of the exterior of the window
assembly, shown with a flexible notched tape drive system;
[0037] FIG. 36 is a bottom elevation of the window assembly of FIG.
35;
[0038] FIG. 37 is a side elevation of the window assembly of FIG.
35;
[0039] FIG. 38 is a front elevation of the interior of the window
assembly of FIG. 35;
[0040] FIG. 39 is a bottom elevation of the window assembly of FIG.
38;
[0041] FIG. 40 is another side elevation of the window assembly of
FIG. 35;
[0042] FIG. 41 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG.
38;
[0043] FIG. 42 is a sectional view taken along the line C-C in FIG.
38;
[0044] FIG. 43 is a sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG.
35;
[0045] FIGS. 44-47 are views of the actuator and flexible notched
tape of the drive system;
[0046] FIG. 48 is a perspective view of the drive system;
[0047] FIG. 49 is a rear elevation of the exterior of the window
assembly, shown with a telescoping cable drive system;
[0048] FIG. 50 is a front elevation of the interior of the window
assembly of FIG. 49;
[0049] FIG. 51 is a bottom elevation of the window assembly of FIG.
50;
[0050] FIG. 52 is another side elevation of the window assembly of
FIG. 50;
[0051] FIGS. 53 and 54 are views of the actuator and telescoping
cable of the drive system;
[0052] FIG. 55 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG.
50;
[0053] FIGS. 56 and 57 are additional views of the actuator and
telescoping cable of the drive system; and
[0054] FIG. 58 is a perspective view of the drive system.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0055] Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative
embodiments depicted therein, a rear slider window assembly 10 of a
vehicle 12 (such as a pickup truck or the like) includes a window
frame 14, a fixed window panel 15 having an aperture that separates
side window portions 16, 18 and a movable window panel 20 that is
movable relative to frame 14 and fixed window panel between an
opened position and a closed position (FIGS. 1-3). The movable
window panel 20 is movable along the frame 14 (such as along upper
and lower rails or channels of the frame) relative to the fixed
window panel(s) via a drive system that pulls and/or pushes the
movable panel in either direction to open and close the rear
window, such as responsive to a user input or switch in the vehicle
cabin.
[0056] The drive system comprises a single flexible drive element,
such as a flexible cable or tape or extending/retracting element
that is disposed along the channel only on one side of the opening.
In other words, the drive system does not have two cables that
function to pull at the movable window panel in either direction to
open or close the window. Instead, the drive system pulls the
movable window in one direction and pushes it in the other
direction to open and close the window. The window assembly and
drive system include guide structure that limits or precludes
flexing or bending of the flexible drive element as it moves along
the lower rail of the window, particularly when pushing the movable
window panel along the lower rail. The drive system comprises a
drive motor 24 of a flexible helical cable drive system 26 (FIGS.
2-12) or a flexible cable drive system 28 (FIGS. 13-24) or a
flexible tape drive system 30 (FIGS. 25-34) or a flexible notched
tape drive system 32 (FIGS. 35-48) or a telescoping cable drive
system 34 (FIGS. 49-58), as discussed below. The drive systems and
window panels and channels/frames may be similar construction
across several or all of the window assemblies, such that detailed
discussions of common or similar aspects may not be repeated
throughout the disclosure.
[0057] The drive system is mounted at the end of the lower channel
or frame or rail 14a, which comprises a plastic U-shaped channel
portion 14b (adhered to the interior surface of the fixed window
panel) and an aluminum extruded channel 14c, along which the
movable window panel 20 and its carrier 20a slidably move when
opened and closed. The end of the lower rail 14a at which the drive
system is attached or mounted includes an end cap 14d, which may be
formed to accommodate or guide or support the cable or tape or tube
of the drive system, as discussed below.
[0058] Optionally, and desirably, the drive motor or actuator or
housing of the drive system may be pivotally mounted at the lower
corner of the fixed window panel, so that the drive motor and cable
or tape may be flipped onto the interior surface of the window for
packaging and transport of the window assembly. When the window
assembly is to be installed in the vehicle, the motor is flipped
down and affixed relative to the window (via attachment at a window
mounting bracket and/or at a vehicle mounting bracket) in its use
position (shown in the drawings). Such a pivotable attachment
reduces the size of the window assembly during transport.
[0059] Referring to FIGS. 2-12, the drive motor 24 of drive system
26 rotatably drives a gear that engages the flexible drive element
or helical cable 26a to move the cable in either direction along
the lower rail or channel 14a to move the movable window panel 20
relative to the frame 14 and fixed panel 15. As shown in FIGS. 6
and 7, the helical cable 26a is routed from the drive motor 24
through a rigid cable tubing 26b and into a receiving portion 26c
of the end cap attachment 14d. The end of the cable 26a attaches at
a carrier attachment 26d of the carrier 20a of the movable window
panel.
[0060] The cable 26a is routed along an extruded channel or
passageway 26e of the rail 14a such that the cable 26a does not
bend or flex along the rail 14a when the drive system is moving the
movable window panel away from the drive motor to close the window.
Thus, during operation of the drive system 26, the drive motor 24
rotates the gear that engages the cable 26a to move the cable in
either direction through the rigid tubing 26b and rail or channel
14a, which moves the carrier and movable window panel 20 along the
frame 14.
[0061] Referring now to FIGS. 13-24, the drive motor 24 of the
drive system 28 rotatably drives a reel that coils and uncoils a
flexible cable 28a. As shown in FIG. 19, the cable 28a includes
notches along a side thereof for engaging teeth of the motor drive
or reel 28b to impart winding or unwinding of the cable 28a from
the reel. As shown in FIG. 23, the cable is routed through a guide
tube 28c that connects between the reel and motor and the end of
the rail or channel 14a. The cable is further routed into a
passageway of the end cap of the rail (FIG. 23) and along a
passageway 28d formed with the rail 14a (such as extruded with the
aluminum rail or channel, as can be seen in FIG. 21), with the
passageway along the rail receiving the cable therein and having
side walls or structure that limits or precludes any flexing of the
cable so that the cable can function to push the movable panel
along the frame and fixed window panel.
[0062] At the end of the cable is a connector or pin or element
that is configured to connect the cable to the carrier of the
movable window panel. In the illustrated embodiment, the cable is
connected to the connector/end of the carrier via a pin 28e (FIG.
15) that extends upward from the end of the cable and through a
slot 28f along the top of the passageway (see FIG. 21). When the
cable is wound and unwound at the reel 28b by the drive motor, the
pin moves with the cable end and moves along the slot formed along
the top of the passageway. The rail and extruded cable enclosure
thus function to guide the cable and to limit or preclude flexing
of the cable, which is flexible but sufficiently strong so as to be
able to push the carrier and movable panel when the cable is
unwound from the reel.
[0063] Referring now to FIGS. 25-34, the drive motor 24 of the
drive system 30 rotatably drives a reel that coils and uncoils a
flexible tape or strip 30a (such as a flattened metallic strip that
is flexible in one direction and not as flexible in another
direction orthogonal to the one direction) via rotation of a reel
30b (FIG. 29). As shown in FIGS. 32 and 33, the reel 30b has a
toothed outer circumferential surface for engaging a drive gear of
the motor, such that rotation of the drive gear rotates the reel
about an axis normal to the axis of rotation of the drive gear.
[0064] As shown in FIG. 31, the tape 30a comprises a generally
U-shaped tape that allows for limited flexing of the tape. The tape
30a is received and moves along a correspondingly formed or
similarly formed passageway 30c of the rail or channel 14a, where
the passageway 30c limits flexing of the tape so that the tape is
capable of pushing the carrier and movable panel along the frame
and fixed window panel when the drive motor is actuated to uncoil
the flexible tape from the reel. As can be seen with reference to
FIGS. 32 and 33, the tape 30a is received through a passageway or
guide portion 30d of the channel 14b (FIG. 32) and then is received
in the passageway 30c of the extruded channel 14c (FIG. 33). The
end of the tape 30a may connect to the carrier of the movable
window panel via any suitable connection, such as a pin or
connector that extends upward through a slot at the upper region of
the passageway 30c (such as in a similar manner as the pin 28e
moves along the slot 28f for drive system 28).
[0065] Referring now to FIGS. 35-48, the drive motor 24 of the
drive system 32 rotatably drives a drive gear 32b that rotates a
toothed wheel or gear 32c that engages and moves a flexible notched
tape 32a. As shown in FIGS. 43 and 44, the toothed wheel or gear
32c is disposed within the lower rail and is rotatable about a
vertical axis and engages notches of the flexible notched tape 32a,
such that rotation of the drive gear and toothed wheel moves the
tape 32a around the toothed wheel in either direction. The motor 24
may rotatably drive the drive gear 32b via an output drive gear
that rotates about a horizontal axis, such as can be seen with
reference to FIGS. 46 and 47. The drive gearbox and gear 32b and
toothed wheel 32c and the notched tape are disposed within the rail
or within the profile of the rail and thus may be packaged within
the rail for a reduced profile drive system.
[0066] The notched tape 32a is routed along channels 32d, 32e along
opposite sides of the rail or channel 14a (FIG. 42). In the
illustrated embodiment, the channel 32d is formed or extruded along
the aluminum rail 14c that is received in the molded lower rail or
channel 14b, while the channel 32e is formed along the surface of
the lower rail or channel 14b that faces toward and is bonded to
the interior surface of the fixed window panel 15. One end of the
notched tape 32a (such as the end of the portion of the tape that
is in channel 32d) is connected to or attached to the carrier 32f
of the movable window panel (such as via a pin or tooth or pins or
teeth being received in notches at the end of the tape), such that
movement of the tape (via rotation of the toothed wheel 32c) moves
the end of the tape and the movable window panel along the frame
and fixed window panel. The other end or portion of the tape (see
FIGS. 46 and 47) is disposed in and moves along the channel 32e of
the lower rail or channel 14b, which functions to guide and support
the tape during operation of the drive system 32.
[0067] The channels 32d, 32e function to allow for movement of the
tape in either direction but limit or preclude flexing of the tape
so that the tape can function to push the carrier and movable
window panel along the frame. For example, when the toothed wheel
is rotated in the counter-clockwise direction in FIG. 43, the end
of the tape attached to the carrier moves along the channel 32d and
pulls at the carrier and movable window to open the window, with
the other end of the tape moving along channel 32e away from the
toothed wheel. When the toothed wheel is rotated in the clockwise
direction in FIG. 43, the end of the tape attached to the carrier
moves along the channel 32d and pushes at the carrier and movable
window to close the window, with the other end of the tape moving
along the channel 32e toward the toothed wheel.
[0068] Referring now to FIGS. 49-58, the drive motor 24 of drive
system 34 winds and unwinds a flexible cable 34a about a spool or
reel 34b. The cable 34a is received in or disposed in a telescoping
support tube or enclosure or construction 34c that telescopingly
extends when the cable is uncoiled or unwound and telescopingly
retracts when the cable is coiled or wound. The cable is a flexible
cable to allow for coiling at the reel or spool, yet is
sufficiently resistant to flexing (when restrained by the tube) as
it is extended and pushes the innermost section of the telescoping
support tube outward. In the illustrated embodiment, the
telescoping tube support 34c comprises three sections (a base
section that receives a middle or intermediate section that
receives an innermost section).
[0069] The telescoping support tube 34c is disposed along the
channel or rail 14a and, when extended, the end of the innermost
section of the support tube reaches to around the mid-point of the
window assembly (see FIGS. 50 and 51). By connecting the cable or
end of the innermost section of the telescoping tube 34c to the
middle region of the carrier of the movable window panel, the
movable window panel can be fully opened, whereby the middle of the
movable window panel and the end of the innermost tube section
approaches and is at or near the end of the base section of the
tube. Optionally, if the tube were to connect at the end or side of
the movable window panel, the base section may be smaller in length
(and the tube may comprise four or five sections) to provide
clearance at the base end between the carrier and end of the rail
for the telescoping tube (when it is retracted).
[0070] As shown in FIG. 55, the telescoping tube is received in or
at an end cap attachment 34d, which guides and supports at least
the base of the tube along the rail or channel 14a. The base
portion of the tube may be further supported via formed (extruded
or molded) receiving portions along the rail or channel, and
additional supports may be formed along the rail or channel to
guide and/or support the extended portions of the telescoping tube
when the tube is at least partially extended.
[0071] Thus, the drive systems of the present invention provide for
opening and closing the rear slider window assembly via a single
flexible drive element or cable or tape or strip or the like that
pulls the movable window panel in one direction (such as to open
the window) and pushes the movable window panel in the other
direction (such as to close the window). The drive systems include
guides or structure that guide and support the flexible cable/tape
to limit flexing or bending of the flexible cable/tape along the
lower rail, particularly when the drive system is extending or
uncoiling the flexible cable/tape to push the movable window panel
along the frame.
[0072] The drive motor assembly and rail configurations may utilize
aspects of the drive assemblies of the types described in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 4,920,698; 4,995,195; 5,146,712; 5,531,046; 5,572,376;
6,955,009; 7,073,293; 8,151,519 and/or 8,938,914, and/or U.S.
Publication Nos. US-2017-0356231; US-2004-0020131 and/or
US-2008-0127563, which are all hereby incorporated herein by
reference in their entireties.
[0073] In the illustrated embodiments, the window assembly
comprises a hole-in-glass window configuration, where a single
fixed glass panel has an aperture or hole or opening established
therethrough to define separate spaced apart fixed window panels or
panel portions, such as in a similar manner as the window
assemblies described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,881,458, which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Optionally, the
window assembly may include two fixed window panels that are spaced
apart so as to define an opening therebetween. The fixed window
panels may comprise two separate spaced apart fixed window panels
that define the opening therebetween (and with upper and lower
appliques or trim or filler panels or elements disposed at the
upper and lower regions of the opening and between the fixed window
panels, and thus with the lighting device disposed behind the upper
applique or the like).
[0074] The benefits of embodiments of the present invention may
also be realized in sliding window constructions where an aperture
is created in a fixed window panel and where a movable window panel
can be made to open or close the aperture. Slider windows of this
type are disclosed such as in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,915,018 and/or
8,881,458, and/or U.S. Publication No. US-2003-0213179 and/or
RE41502, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties. The benefits of embodiments of the present invention
may also be realized in vehicular movable window assemblies other
than a rear slider window assembly for a pickup truck or the like,
such as (for example) a slider window assembly suitable for use as
a movable side window for a vehicle such as a van or a bus.
[0075] Optionally, the window assembly or assemblies of the present
invention may utilize aspects of the window assemblies described in
U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,915,018; 8,881,458; 8,402,695; 7,073,293;
7,003,916; 6,119,401; 6,026,611; 5,996,284; 5,799,444 and/or
6,691,464, and/or U.S. Publication Nos. US-2006-0107600;
US-2008-0127563; US-2004-0020131 and/or US-2003-0213179, and/or
International Publication No. WO 2012/148968, all of which are
hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
[0076] Changes and modifications to the specifically described
embodiments may be carried out without departing from the
principles of the present invention, which is intended to be
limited only by the scope of the appended claims, as interpreted
according to the principles of patent law.
* * * * *