Excel Industries, Inc.

Dura Automotive Systems, Gmbh

Raymond S Butler

Todd E Cripe

Darren M Grumm

Dennis John Buening

Roger E Schamanek

Michael D Kobrehel

Gary L Ray

Mary M Inman

Brian J Czopek

Charles A Deperro

Yasmin W Eloian

Paul M Eichenberg

Bruce A Bennett

A heated sliding window assembly comprising a fixed portion comprising a circumferential frame and a fixed pane attached to the circumferential frame, with the fixed pane having an electrically conductive heating grid. A sliding pane is slidable within the circumferential frame between an open position and a closed position, and the sliding pane has an electrically conductive heating grid. A first conductive element is mounted on the fixed portion and a second conductive element is mounted on the sliding pane. The first and second conductive elements are routed through a latch assembly, and are electrically connected together when the sliding pane is in the closed position. To connect the heating grid of the sliding pane to the heating grid of a second fixed pane, third and fourth conductive elements are employed, either routed through the same latch assembly as the above mentioned first and second conductive elements or mounted at an end of the sliding pane remote from the latch assembly. The conductive elements may make wiping contact with one another to enhance electrical contact. In certain preferred embodiments the latch assembly has a cam which pivots as a latch lever is pivoted to an unlatching position, urging the conductive elements out of electrical contact.

Heated sliding window assembly with an electrically connected sliding

A modular sliding window assembly in a motor vehicle has two glazing panes, typically a sliding subassembly incorporating two vertically mounted transparent panes, which are slidably mounted in a circumferential frame slightly to the interior of, substantially parallel to and between two fixed panes. The sliding panes are mounted for sliding laterally back and forth between their open and closed positions. A motor and drive drum apparatus for powered operation of the window assembly is mounted to the vehicle body at a location remote from the frame. First and second cable fasteners are mounted to first and second sliding panes, respectively, and first and second cable guides are provided to guide a drive cable. The drive cable extends from the drive drum to the second cable fastener through the first cable guide, from the second cable fastener to the first cable fastener through the second cable guide, and from the first cable fastener to the drive drum through the first cable guide.

Power drive system for modular dual pane rear-mounted window assembly

A motor vehicle window construction has a pull-pull closed loop cable drive system for opening and closing a glazing pane slidably mounted in a frame. A motor and drive drum apparatus for powered operation of the window construction is mounted to the vehicle body at a location remote from the frame. The cable system includes drive cable wrapped around the drive drum. A first drive cable segment extends laterally from the glazing pane or from a slidably mounted subassembly incorporating the glazing pane, toward one side of the frame member. A second drive cable segment extends from the glazing pane or subassembly toward the opposite side of the frame. The glazing pane and drive cable together form a closed loop from the drive drum. Rotating of the drive drum in a first rotational direction by actuation of the drive motor pulls the slidably mounted transparent pane toward its open position. Rotating the drive drum in the opposite rotational direction pulls the glazing pane toward its closed position. A method also is provided for retrofitting a manual-slide window construction preinstalled in a motor vehicle body to be a powered slide window as just described. A retrofitting kit is provided for carrying out such retrofitting method.

Motor vehicle window construction with pull-pull cable system

A latch for slidable window panels of a vehicle. The latch includes a rotatable handle carried by one window panel and a cam part carried by the other window panel. The handle engages the cam part as the handle is rotated to draw the slidable window panels together. The handle defines a narrowing channel which engages the cam part as the window handle is rotated from an open position to a locked position. The narrowing channel, formed by a thickening outer side wall of the handle, draws the cam and its connected window toward the handle. Detents are provided to impart a positive snap feel to the handle when rotated into either its opened or closed positions.

Rotational cam latch for vehicle window

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Elkhart, IN, United States of America

Raymond S Butler