Torque window

Abstract

An improved torque window assembly for motor vehicles has a peripheral frame defining an opening, and a moveable glazing pane pivotally mounted to the frame for movement about a pivot axis between an open and closed position. A torque handle is operatively connected to the glazing pane by a linkage assembly, including a torque bar which is rotatable about its longitudinal axis. A mounting assembly for the moveable glazing pane includes a hinge rail along a peripheral edge of the glazing pane. The hinge rail provides a U-shaped glazing channel to receive the peripheral edge of the glazing pane with a biased interference fit. The linkage from the torque bar to the hinge rail includes a one-piece hinge link having a substantially planar link section perpendicular to the hinge rail and two or more tabs received, one each, into U-shaped hinge channels extending axially along the hinge rail. In certain preferred embodiments, one or both ends of the torque bar carries a one-piece torque bar bushing having an end cap portion covering the end of the torque bar and a unitary link portion extending substantially perpendicular to the axis of the torque bar. The end cap portion of the one-piece torque bar bushing may be rotatably received in a bore of a torque bar support member mounted directly or indirectly to the frame. In certain preferred embodiments In certain preferred embodiments the torque handle forms a clutch assembly in which an inner disc is mounted for rotation in registry or synchrony with the torque bar and an outer hand-rotatable disc overlies the inner disc. The inner disc is rotatable in response to rotation of the outer disc up to a preselected torque level, after which the outer disc overruns the inner disc in either rotational direction.