Vehicle door and window regulator assembly for driving a window in a helical path

Abstract

A window regulator for a door that includes a portion that defines a helical path. The window regulator includes a drive assembly having an actuator coupled to a cable for moving a window along the helical path. A single guide having opposing channels extends longitudinally and defines a drive path, which is different from the helical path. A lift plate is movable along the guide for supporting the window, and the cable is connected to the lift plate for moving the lift plate along the guide. A slider, preferably two, is received in the opposing channels with a ball and socket connection between the lift plate and the slider. The ball and socket connection permits relative movement between the lift plate and the guide such that the window may travel in the helical path as the sliders move in the straight drive path.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.