Chrysler Corporation

Joseph M Grace

Thomas Medebach

Michael A Puscas

An improved liftplate attachment arrangement used to support an automotive door window. The liftplate is formed with a recessed attachment area adjacent a bracket which supports a lower edge of the window. The window, having a circular hole, is fixedly attached at the recessed area by means of a retainer assembly comprising a plastic disc-cap encasing a T-nut. The T-nut has a central internally threaded tubular portion concentrically surrounded by a plurality of disc-cap spring fingers, the inboard ends of which are formed with radially extending crossheads the outer ends of which are adapted for snap-in reception in the window hole. A screw shank, after being passed though a slot in the liftplate recess, is threaded in the T-nut tubular portion, while the shank blocks juxtaposed inner ends of the crosshead from being flexed inward for release of the fingers thereby locking the retainer assembly against removal. Upon positioning the window on the liftplate, a retainer anti-rotational tongue engages a stop on the liftplate obviating retainer assembly slippage while the screw is tightened.

Growing community of inventors

Bloomfield Hills, MI, United States of America

Joseph M Grace