Window lift mechanism for an automotive vehicle
AssigneeASC Incorporated
InventorsStephen P. Tokarz, Kim E. Taylor, Christopher J. Dilluvio, David Alan Smith, Jeffrey Charping
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A window lift mechanism for an automotive vehicle employs a side window which can pivot in a vertical manner from a raised position to a lowered position while simultaneously moving in a crosscar manner. Preferably the window is a quarter window operable with a convertible roof.
Claims27
A window lift mechanism for an automotive vehicle comprising:
- a side window;
- and
- a pivot mechanism journalling said side window relative to a body of said automotive vehicle, said pivot mechanism disposed adjacent to a forward and lower portion of said side window when in raised position;
- said side window being vertically pivotable about said pivot mechanism;
- and
- said pivot mechanism further causing a crosscar movement of said side window concurrent with said vertical pivoting movement.
In combination, a window lift mechanism and a foldable roof for a convertible automotive vehicle, the combination comprising:
- a quarter window vertically pivotable about a pivot, said pivot being disposed adjacent to a bottom portion of said quarter window;
- said quarter window being further movable in a crosscar manner;
- said foldable roof being movable from a raised position to a lowered position;
- and
- at least one edge of said quarter window being unsupported and uncovered by a window frame and visible when said retractable roof is in said lowered position.
In combination, a window lift mechanism and a foldable roof for a convertible automotive vehicle, the combination comprising:
- a quarter window vertially pivotable about a pivot, said pivot disposed substantially adjacent to a forward and lower portion of said quarter window when in a raised position;
- a window drive channel coupled for movement with said quarter window;
- a drive link having a proximal end pivotably coupled to a body of said automotive vehicle and a distal end slidably coupled to said window drive channel;
- a primary link pivotably coupled to said drive link;
- a sector gear pivotably coupled to said body, said sector gear moving said primary link which in turn moves a distal end of said drive link which in turn raises and lowers said window drive channel and said quarter window about said pivot;
- said foldable roof being movable from a raised position to a lowered position;
- a roof rail movable independently from said quarter window, said roof rail being coupled to said foldable roof;
- and
- a balance link having a distal end pivotably coupled to said roof rail.
A method for lowering a side window into an automotive vehicle body comprising the steps of:
- (a) pivoting said side window in a vertical manner from a raised position to a lowered position and substantially hidden position;
- (b) moving said side window in a crosscar manner simultaneous with said pivoting in said vertical manner;
- (c) lowering said side window regardless of an automotive vehicle roof position;
- (d) folding a retractable roof from a raised position to a stowed position;
- and
- (e) exposing at least one edge of said side window upon said folding of said retractable roof.
A method for lowering a side window into an automotive vehicle body comprising the steps of:
- (a) pivoting said side window in a vertical manner from a raised position to a lowered and substantially hidden position;
- (b) moving said side window in a crosscar manner simultaneous with said pivoting in said vertical manner;
- and
- (c) combining said pivoting in said vertical manner and said moving in said crosscar manner within a single pivoting mechanism that performs both functions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.