Power actuator for pivotable window

A remotely controlled and powered actuator to move a free edge portion of a vehicle window between open and closed positions about an opposite hinge-mounted edge portion comprising:

• reversible electric motor means and circuit means associated therewith, including switch means for selectively activating the motor alternately in either direction from a switch location remote from the motor;
• gear means including a small gear driven by said electric motor and a larger gear meshed therewith, having an internally threaded hub portion and permitted to rotate but not move axially with respect to the threaded hub portion;
• an elongated jack screw threadably extending through the hub portion and movable axially therefrom by means of the rotation of threaded hub portion of the larger gear;
• a sheathed motion and linear force transmitter of elongated configuration, including a relatively flexible cable with one end securely attached to said jack screw;
• an arcuately shaped and rigid rod member having a ball-shaped end with its opposite end securely attached to the other end of the cable;
• a curved housing means defining a curved tunnel therein for housing and guiding said rod member in movement back and forth in said tunnel;
• said housing means being fixedly mounted adjacent the free edge of the vehicle window so that the ball end of the rod member extends toward the plane of the vehicle window;
• a connector assembly mounted to the free edge of the vehicle window and including a flat surface on which said ball end may slide and rotate thereagainst as the window moves between opening and closing positions;
• said connector assembly further including means to positively secure the ball end including a ferrule encircling said arcuate rod by an opening smaller than the ball end diameter and a cap member extending over the ferrule to hold it and said ball end against said flat surface, said cap member having an opening through which said rod extends sufficient to permit adequate lateral sliding movement in any direction of the ball end and ferrule caused by changes in the angular relationship between the plane of the window and the axis of the arcuate rod but insufficient to permit movement of said ferrule therethrough.