1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a driver for connecting a window pane to a window lift mechanism. The invention furthermore relates to a window lift mechanism comprising such a driver.
2. Description of the Related Art
The prior art discloses side windows in vehicles, which may be opened by pulling the window pane downward into a pocket-like recess. Such windows typically comprise a window lift mechanism both for guiding and for operating the window pane. In conventional window lift mechanisms, the window pane is retained by drivers, which are disposed displaceably on guide rails extending in the direction of movement of the window pane. This is disclosed, for example, in DE 43 21 616 A1.
The previously known window lift mechanisms, as well as the drivers disclosed therein, however, are associated with disadvantages. In particular, it is not possible to detach the mount of the window pane in the drivers after all parts have been completely installed in a vehicle door, for example, in order to perform readjustments.
It is the object of the present invention to create a window lift mechanism as well as drivers for a window lift mechanism, which allow simple realignment of the window pane even following installation in a vehicle door.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a driver for a window lift mechanism in a vehicle. The driver includes a flat receiving fork and a screw for tightening the sides of the receiving fork. One side in the vicinity of the axis of the screw comprises a number of openings, through which a pressure piece that can be operated from the outside of the side extends into the gap between the sides.
A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be explained in more detail hereinafter with reference to the embodiments that are schematically illustrated in the figures, wherein:
According to
According to
In this configuration, the driver 4 is equipped for being connected to a window pane. To this end, a perforated, slotted or similarly configured section of the window pane is inserted in the gap 8 of the receiving fork 7 and aligned with its opening with the line of the flush bore 20 in the threaded sleeve 12 and the hole 21 in the second side 10. From the second side 10, the screw 14 is inserted through the hole 21 and the opening in the window pane and then screwed into the threaded sleeve 12. After tightening the screw 14, the window pane is non-positively fixed between the top sides 18 of the prismatic projections 17 on the pressure piece 13 and the inside of the second side 10. If the opening in the window pane is configured as a hole, a positive connection with defined play is achieved after inserting the screw 14.
The described driver 4 allows the window pane to be newly adjusted following assembly without accessing the screw 14, as is explained in the following. This is particularly useful after installing the window lift mechanism in a vehicle door because in this assembly situation frequent access to the head of the screw 14 is practically impossible or at least very difficult. To loosen the non-positive connection between the window pane and the driver 4, a flat tool is applied to the toothing 22 of the threaded nut 11 and the nut 11 is turned such that it moves slightly away from the pressure piece 13. This way, the pressure force, applied by the prismatic projections 17 of the pressure piece 13 on the window pane, decreases. The window pane can now be newly aligned in its position on the driver 4 to the extent that the play provided between the opening in the window pane and the shank of the screw 14 permits. After aligning the window pane, the threaded nut 11 is retightened against the pressure piece 13. The non-positive connection between the driver 4 and the window pane is thus re-established. The pressure piece 13 is optionally self locking. The plurality of openings 19 are optionally substantially shaped as circular ring sectors.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
4848032 | Ballor et al. | Jul 1989 | A |
5622005 | Ochenski et al. | Apr 1997 | A |
6453617 | Klippert et al. | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6460296 | Arquevaux | Oct 2002 | B1 |
6854213 | Galliani | Feb 2005 | B2 |
20020073622 | Davis | Jun 2002 | A1 |
20060037248 | Castellon | Feb 2006 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
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43 21 616 | Jan 1995 | DE |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20060174543 A1 | Aug 2006 | US |