Information
                
                    - 
                         Patent Grant Patent Grant
- 
                         6631586 6631586
 
         
    
    
        
            
                - 
                    Patent Number6,631,586
- 
                    Date FiledWednesday, November 24, 199925 years ago 
- 
                    Date IssuedTuesday, October 14, 200322 years ago 
 
     
    
        
            
                - 
                            Inventors
- 
                            Original Assignees
- 
                                ExaminersAgents
                - Oblon, Spivak, McClelland, Maier & Neustadt, P.C.
 
 
     
    
        
            
                - 
                            CPC
- 
                            US ClassificationsField of Search
                - US
- 049 348
- 049 349
- 049 360
- 049 362
- 049 502
 
- 
                            International Classifications
- 
                            
                
 
     
        
     
    
        
        
    
        
            
        Abstract
An opening and shutting structure for a window member. The structure includes an elevating device for ascending and descending a glass sheet to a housing section. The elevating device is provided with an elevating member fixed to the glass sheet and a driving section for moving the elevating member in the longitudinal direction. The elevating member is attached to a front side portion of the glass sheet. Thus, the structure can hold a heavy article such as a motor in a corner portion in a door main body.             
         
        
            
                    Description
  
    
      
        BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
      
    
    
      
        1. Field of the Invention
      
    
    
      
        The present invention relates to an opening and shutting structure for a window member. In particular, the present invention relates to an opening and shutting structure for a window member, which can locate a heavy article such as a motor or the like at a corner portion in a door main body.
      
    
    
      
        2. Discussion of the Background
      
    
    
      
        Recent years, in a door for an automobile, an opening and shutting structure for a window member wherein a glass sheet is ascended or descended to a door main body by means of a motor, has widely been used. In such opening and shutting structure for a window member, when a conventional manual type elevating mechanism is replaced by a motor-driven system, a motor is in many cases located in a substantially central portion of the door main body.
      
    
    
      
        In many cases, accessories such as, for example, various kinds of switches and a speaker or the like are located in the central portion of the door main body. Accordingly, the provision of the motor in a substantially central portion of the door main body may cause a disadvantage of mutual interference.
      
    
    
      
        SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
      
    
    
      
        The present invention has been achieved in considering the above-mentioned problem, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an opening and shutting structure for a window member which can locate a heavy article such as a motor or the like at a corner portion of a door main body.
      
    
    
      
        To achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is to provide an opening and shutting structure for a window member comprising a plate-like window member for opening and shutting a window opening, a housing section provided in a lower portion of the window opening to house the window member and an elevating means or mechanism for raising or lowering the window member between the window opening and the housing section, wherein the elevating means or mechanism is provided with an elevating member which has a predetermined length and is fixed to the window member, and a driving section is housed in the housing section to move the elevating member in a longitudinal direction, wherein the elevating member is fixed to a side portion of the window member so as to be along an ascending/descending direction.
      
    
    
      
        In the opening and shutting structure for a window member constructed as described above, the elevating member is fixed to a side portion of the window member so as to be along a direction of ascending or descending the window member. Accordingly, the driving section such as a motor or the like can be located in a corner portion of the door main body which constitutes, for example, a door for an automobile. Thus, the above-mentioned object can be achieved.
      
    
    
      
        For the opening and shutting structure for a window member, it is preferable that an elastic member is housed in the housing section and is attached to a lower side portion of the window member so that the elastic member urges the window member in a direction for projecting the window member from the housing section.
      
    
    
      
        In the opening and shutting structure for a window member, the window member is urged by the elastic member to project from the housing section. Accordingly, the window member as a heavy article can smoothly be ascended immediately after the driving section is actuated.
      
    
    
      
        Further, for the opening and shutting structure for a window member, it is preferable that the elastic member contacts the side portion of the window member, which opposes the side with which the elevating member is attached.
      
    
    
      
        Since the elastic member contacts the side portion of the window member which opposes the side with which the elevating member is attached in the opening and shutting structure for a window member, there is no risk that the window member inclines due to its own weight toward the other side even when the elevating member is fixed to only a side of the window member, and therefore, the window member can stably be ascended or descended.
      
    
    
      
        The opening and shutting structure for a window member can suitably be used for a window for an automobile. With such opening and shutting structure, means for raising or lowering the window member can be arranged without any interference with various members disposed in a central portion of a door for an automobile. In addition, the elevating means or mechanism can be disposed at a corner portion of the door main body without locating a relatively heavy, large-sized structural article such as a motor or the like in a central portion of the door which is apt to cause a deformation of a side face of the automobile at a time of collision.
      
    
    
      
        Further, in the opening and shutting structure for a window member, it is preferable to use a leaf spring formed in a substantially U-shape as the elastic member. In the opening and shutting structure for a window member thus constructed, since the elastic member is the leaf spring formed to have a substantially U-shape, the structure of the housing section can be simplified and the weight can be reduced.
      
    
    
      
        For the opening and shutting structure for a window member, it is preferable to provide a frame extending in a direction of ascending or descending the window member from an opening of the housing section so that the frame can guide the elevating member.
      
    
    
      
        In the opening and shutting structure for a window member, since the elevating member projecting from the housing section is guided by the frame, there is no risk that the window member is deflected.
      
    
    
      
        In the case described above, it is preferable that a slide-contact member made of a soft resin is provided along the frame, and both front and back surfaces of the window member and a fitting member are in slide-contact with a slide-contact portion of the slide-contact member.
      
    
    
      
        In the opening and shutting structure for a window member thus constructed, since the slide-contact member made of a soft resin provided along the frame is capable of slide-contacting the front and back surfaces of the window member, a certain waterproofness can be obtained.
      
    
    
      
        In this case, it is desired that the slide-contact member is subjected to a hardwearing treatment.
      
    
    
      
        The elevating member preferably comprises a fitting member for cramping the window member, a rack connected to the fitting member and a driving section including a pinion gear is meshed with the rack.
      
    
    
      
        In the opening and shutting structure for a window member, since the rack of the elevating member is meshed with the pinion gear of the driving section, the window member can assuredly be raised or lowered without causing a defecting operation such as slippage or the like.
      
    
    
      
        In this case, the rack member should be formed of a round rod. Then, the rack member can be bent corresponding to the shape of a glass sheet.
      
    
  
  
    
      
        BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
      
    
    
      
        
          FIG. 1
        
         is a diagrammatical view showing an example of the opening and shutting structure for a window glass according to the present invention.
      
    
    
      
        
          FIG. 2
        
         is a perspective view partly omitted of an embodiment of an elevating means.
      
    
    
      
        
          FIG. 3
        
         is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of a slide-contact member.
      
    
    
      
        
          FIG. 4
        
         is a perspective view partly omitted showing an embodiment of a style of connecting a window member and an elastic member.
      
    
    
      
        
          FIG. 5
        
        
          
            a 
          
        
        is a front view showing an example wherein an additional tool is provided at a front side of a window member, and
      
    
    
      
        
          FIG. 5
        
        
          
            b 
          
        
        is an enlarged perspective view showing a primary portion.
      
    
  
  
    
      
        DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
      
    
    
      
        Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 
        
          FIG. 1
        
         is a diagrammatical view showing an embodiment of the opening and shutting structure for a window glass according to the present invention wherein a left side of drawing indicates a front side of an automobile and a right side of drawing indicates to a rear side of the automobile.
      
    
    
      
        
          FIG. 1
        
         shows a side door 
        
          
            10
          
        
         for a front seat of an automobile. The side door 
        
          
            10
          
        
         is provided with a door main body 
        
          
            20
          
        
         and a glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
         as a window member, which can be housed in the door main body 
        
          
            20
          
        
        . For the side door 
        
          
            10
          
        
        , an opening and shutting structure for a window member 
        
          
            11
          
        
         is employed to raise or lower the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
         with respect to the door main body 
        
          
            20
          
        
        . which can be housed in the door main body 
        
          
            20
          
        
        . For the side door 
        
          
            10
          
        
        , an opening and shutting structure for a window member 
        
          
            11
          
        
         is employed to ascend or descend the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
         to the door main body 
        
          
            20
          
        
        .
      
    
    
      
        The door main body 
        
          
            20
          
        
         has an inner panel (not shown) formed to have a predetermined shape by press-shaping, an outer panel 
        
          
            21
          
        
         of substantially rectangular shape to form an outer plate for the automobile, which faces a side face of the inner panel, and a sash 
        
          
            22
          
        
         attached to the inner panel. The outer panel 
        
          
            21
          
        
         is provided to cramp the a sash 
        
          
            22
          
        
         in association with the inner panel.
      
    
    
      
        The door main body 
        
          
            20
          
        
         has a hollowed housing section 
        
          
            23
          
        
         between the inner panel and the outer panel 
        
          
            21
          
        
        . At a door waist portion, an opening 
        
          
            24
          
        
         through which the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
         is extended or retracted is formed. The sash 
        
          
            22
          
        
         is projected from the opening 
        
          
            24
          
        
        . A window opening 
        
          
            29
          
        
         is formed in a portion surrounded by the sash 
        
          
            22
          
        
         and the door waist portion. In a case of a so-called hard-top type automobile without the sash, the window opening 
        
          
            29
          
        
         is formed in a portion surrounded by a part of the automobile body when doors are shut and the door waist portion.
      
    
    
      
        The sash 
        
          
            22
          
        
         comprises a first frame 
        
          
            22
          
        
        A formed to follow the front pillar and the roof side rail of the automobile, i.e., in a substantially arched shape, a second frame 
        
          
            22
          
        
        B connected to an end portion (e.g. a right side in the drawing) of the first frame 
        
          
            22
          
        
        A and extending in a substantially linear form along the center pillar and a third frame 
        
          
            22
          
        
        C connected to the other end (a left side in the drawing) of the first frame 
        
          
            22
          
        
        A and extending parallel to the second frame 
        
          
            22
          
        
        B. in a substantially linear form along the center pillar, and a third frame 
        
          
            22
          
        
        C connected to the other end (a left side in the drawing) of the first frame 
        
          
            22
          
        
        A and extending in parallel to the second frame 
        
          
            22
          
        
        
          
            b. 
          
        
      
    
    
      
        The second frame 
        
          
            22
          
        
        A and the third frame 
        
          
            22
          
        
        C are curved according to a design on the automobile body, and they have respective end portions (lower end portions) extended into the housing section 
        
          
            23
          
        
        .
      
    
    
      
        The glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
         exhibits a substantially trapezoidal shape in a plan view, which is defined by a rear side portion 
        
          
            31
          
        
         guided by the second frame 
        
          
            22
          
        
        B and a front side portion 
        
          
            32
          
        
         guided by the third frame 
        
          
            22
          
        
        C. The glass sheet has a curved front face to provide an arched face or a spherical face according to a design of the automobile body.
      
    
    
      
        The glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
         is movable vertically by the guidance of the second frame 
        
          
            22
          
        
        B and the third frame 
        
          
            22
          
        
        C from the lowest position at which it is entirely housed in the housing section 
        
          
            23
          
        
         to the highest position at which it contacts the first frame 
        
          
            22
          
        
        A of the sash 
        
          
            22
          
        
        . The size of the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
         is determined to have such a size that a lower side portion 
        
          
            33
          
        
         of the glass sheet is not exposed to the outside from the opening 
        
          
            24
          
        
         at the highest position.
      
    
    
      
        The opening and shutting structure for a window member 
        
          
            11
          
        
         comprises an elevating means or mechanism 
        
          
            40
          
        
         for raising or lowering the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
         with respect to the door main body 
        
          
            20
          
        
         and an elastic member 
        
          
            50
          
        
         for urging the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
         in a direction projecting from the door main body 
        
          
            20
          
        
        .
      
    
    
      
        The elevating means 
        
          
            40
          
        
         is provided with an elevating member 
        
          
            41
          
        
         extending along a rear side portion 
        
          
            31
          
        
         of the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
         to have a predetermined length and fixed to the rear end portion, and a driving section 
        
          
            42
          
        
         for moving the elevating member 
        
          
            41
          
        
         in its longitudinal direction.
      
    
    
      
        As shown in 
        
          FIG. 2
        
        , the elevating member 
        
          
            41
          
        
         has a fitting member 
        
          
            43
          
        
         fixed to the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
         and a round rod-like rack 
        
          
            44
          
        
         fixed to the fitting member 
        
          
            43
          
        
        .
      
    
    
      
        The fitting member 
        
          
            43
          
        
         is provided with a holding portion 
        
          
            43
          
        
        A of a substantially U-shape which can hold the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
         in a direction of the width and a grasping portion 
        
          
            43
          
        
        B of substantially C-shape which can grasp the rack 
        
          
            44
          
        
        , these portions being in a one piece body made of a hard resin. The fitting member 
        
          
            43
          
        
         can fix certainly the rack 
        
          
            44
          
        
         along the rear side portion of the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
         without causing any slippage to the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
         and the rack 
        
          
            40
          
        
        . The rack 
        
          
            44
          
        
         is made of a suitable metal, has teeth formed in parallel to a direction tangential to the round rod with predetermined intervals in a longitudinal direction, and is curved so as to correspond to the second frame 
        
          
            22
          
        
        B. An adhesive agent or the like may be additionally used in order to fix the fitting member 
        
          
            43
          
        
         to the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
         and the rack 
        
          
            44
          
        
        .
      
    
    
      
        The driving section 
        
          
            42
          
        
         is held in the housing section 
        
          
            23
          
        
         and is fixed to the inner panel or the outer panel 
        
          
            21
          
        
        , which depends on a space in the housing section 
        
          
            23
          
        
        . In this embodiment, the driving section 
        
          
            42
          
        
         is fixed to the outer panel 
        
          
            21
          
        
        . The driving section 
        
          
            42
          
        
         includes a pinion gear 
        
          
            45
          
        
         meshed with the rack 
        
          
            44
          
        
         of the elevating member 
        
          
            41
          
        
        . By driving the pinion gear 
        
          
            45
          
        
         by a motor 
        
          
            46
          
        
        , the elevating member 
        
          
            41
          
        
         can be moved vertically along a longitudinal direction of the rack.
      
    
    
      
        The driving section 
        
          
            42
          
        
         can raise or lower the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
         by means of the elevating member 
        
          
            41
          
        
         by rotating positively or reversely the motor 
        
          
            41
          
        
         by operating a switch providing on an inner liner as a constituent element of the door main body 
        
          
            20
          
        
        . Since the grasping portion 
        
          
            43
          
        
        B of the fitting member 
        
          
            43
          
        
         is of a substantially C-shape, there is no risk of interfering with the meshing of the rack 
        
          
            44
          
        
         and the pinion gear 
        
          
            45
          
        
        .
      
    
    
      
        As shown in 
        
          FIG. 3
        
        , the elevating means or mechanism 
        
          
            40
          
        
         is raised or lowered so that the elevating member 
        
          
            41
          
        
         is guided by the second frame 
        
          
            22
          
        
        B of the sash 
        
          
            22
          
        
        . The second frame 
        
          
            22
          
        
        B has a guiding portion 
        
          
            48
          
        
         which is formed in a substantially U-shape in cross section by press-molding.
      
    
    
      
        In the guiding portion 
        
          
            48
          
        
        , a weather strip 
        
          
            25
          
        
         as a slide-contact member is arranged. The weather strip 
        
          
            25
          
        
         has an elongated body made of a soft resin having elasticity and a weather resistance and having a continued cross-sectional shape of substantially U-shape and is press-fitted in a state of an elastic deformation into the guiding portion 
        
          
            48
          
        
        .
      
    
    
      
        The weather strip 
        
          
            25
          
        
         is provided with a slide-contact portion 
        
          
            25
          
        
        A of substantially C-like shape in cross section, a surface of which is in slide-contact with an outer peripheral surface of the grasping portion 
        
          
            43
          
        
        B of the fitting member 
        
          
            43
          
        
        , and a pair of lips 
        
          
            25
          
        
        B, 
        
          
            25
          
        
        C which are in elastically slide-contact with both front and rear surfaces of the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
        .
      
    
    
      
        Further, the weather strip 
        
          
            25
          
        
         is provided with ribs 
        
          
            25
          
        
        D, 
        
          
            25
          
        
        E between the slide-contact portion 
        
          
            25
          
        
        A and the lips 
        
          
            25
          
        
        B, 
        
          
            25
          
        
        C. The ribs 
        
          
            25
          
        
        D, 
        
          
            25
          
        
        E are usually projected so as not to contact the holding portion 
        
          
            43
          
        
        A. These ribs 
        
          
            25
          
        
        D, 
        
          
            25
          
        
        E, even when the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
         is swung around the axial center of the rack 
        
          
            44
          
        
        , will contact the holding portion 
        
          
            43
          
        
        A, whereby an angle of deflection of the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
         can be restricted so as not to exceed a predetermined value.
      
    
    
      
        In such weather strip 
        
          
            25
          
        
        , the hardness of an inner peripheral surface of the slide-contact portion 
        
          
            25
          
        
        A and the hardness of the surfaces of the ribs 
        
          
            25
          
        
        D, 
        
          
            25
          
        
        E are determined to be higher than the surfaces of other portions. Accordingly, even when the elevating member 
        
          
            41
          
        
         is raised or lowered overall, there is no risk of wearing of the inner peripheral surface of the slide-contact portion 
        
          
            25
          
        
        A, and a deflection of the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
         can certainly be controlled.
      
    
    
      
        The inner peripheral surface of the slide-contact portion 
        
          
            25
          
        
        A and the front surfaces of the ribs 
        
          
            25
          
        
        D, 
        
          
            25
          
        
        E are formed in such a manner that, for example, the operation of molding the weather strip 
        
          
            25
          
        
         is divided into two stages and a plurality of types of resin having different compositions are injected. Alternatively, it is possible to form the surfaces by co-extrusion-molding a plurality of types of resin having different compositions.
      
    
    
      
        Returning to 
        
          FIG. 1
        
        , the elastic member 
        
          
            50
          
        
         is a leaf spring made of an appropriate metallic strip which is curved to have a substantially U-shape, and is arranged laterally in the housing section 
        
          
            23
          
        
        . The elastic member 
        
          
            50
          
        
         has an end portion (an upper end portion) connected to the lower side portion 
        
          
            33
          
        
         of the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
         and the other end portion (a lower end portion) fixed to a fixing portion 
        
          
            26
          
        
         provided at a bottom portion of the housing section 
        
          
            23
          
        
        .
      
    
    
      
        The elastic member 
        
          
            50
          
        
         is attached to the lower side portion 
        
          
            33
          
        
         of the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
         by means of a pair of connecting members 
        
          
            51
          
        
        . As shown in 
        
          FIG. 4
        
        , each of the connecting members 
        
          
            51
          
        
         is made of a hard resin so as to have a substantially U-like shape and is capable of holding the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
         in its width direction.
      
    
    
      
        These connecting members 
        
          
            51
          
        
         are disposed with a predetermined interval at positions toward a front side of the automobile with respect to an intermediate portion in the lower side portion 
        
          
            33
          
        
         of the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
        . The elastic member 
        
          
            50
          
        
         is attached to the lower side portion 
        
          
            33
          
        
         of the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
         by engaging the connecting members 
        
          
            52
          
        
         with connecting screws 
        
          
            52
          
        
         which penetrate the elastic member 
        
          
            50
          
        
         in its width direction. Accordingly, an end portion (e.g. an upper end portion) of the elastic member 
        
          
            50
          
        
         is attached to a position toward a front side 
        
          
            32
          
        
         with respect to the rear side portion 
        
          
            31
          
        
         at which the elevating member 
        
          
            41
          
        
         is attached to the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
        . in the lower side portion 
        
          
            33
          
        
         of the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
        . The elastic member 
        
          
            50
          
        
         is attached to the lower side portion 
        
          
            33
          
        
         of the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
         by engaging the connecting members 
        
          
            52
          
        
         with connecting screws 
        
          
            52
          
        
         which penetrate the elastic member 
        
          
            50
          
        
         in its width direction. Accordingly, an end portion (an upper end portion) of the elastic member 
        
          
            50
          
        
         is attached to a position toward a front side 
        
          
            32
          
        
         with respect to the rear side portion 
        
          
            31
          
        
         at which the elevating member 
        
          
            41
          
        
         is attached to the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
        .
      
    
    
      
        A description will be set forth as to operations of raising and lowering the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
         to the above-mentioned side door 
        
          
            10
          
        
         with reference to FIG. 
        
          
            1
          
        
        .
      
    
    
      
        To ascend the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
         housed in the housing section 
        
          
            23
          
        
         of the door main body 
        
          
            20
          
        
        , the motor 
        
          
            46
          
        
         is actuated by operating a switch (not shown), so that the elevating member 
        
          
            41
          
        
         is moved upward along its longitudinal direction by means of the pinion gear 
        
          
            45
          
        
         driven by the motor 
        
          
            46
          
        
         located positively.
      
    
    
      
        In this case, since the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
         as a relatively heavy article is urged by the elastic member 
        
          
            50
          
        
         in a direction projecting from the door main body 
        
          
            20
          
        
        , it is smoothly ascended on the actuation of the motor 
        
          
            46
          
        
        .
      
    
    
      
        Further, since an end portion of the elastic member 
        
          
            50
          
        
         is connected to the front side portion 
        
          
            32
          
        
        , there is no risk of causing the declination of the front side portion 
        
          
            32
          
        
         due to the own weight even when the rear side portion 
        
          
            31
          
        
        , which is along the center pillar, is ascended by means of the elevating member 
        
          
            41
          
        
        , and the glass sheet is ascended in parallel.
      
    
    
      
        In descending the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
         which shuts a space in the sash 
        
          
            22
          
        
        , the elevating member 
        
          
            41
          
        
         is moved downward along its longitudinal direction by the pinion gear 
        
          
            45
          
        
         rotated inversely by operating a switch (not shown). With this, the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
         is descended keeping a horizontal state while the elastic member 
        
          
            50
          
        
         is deformed so as to bring the both end portions closer. In this case, the rack 
        
          
            44
          
        
         is accommodated in a cylindrical portion 
        
          
            27
          
        
         formed in the housing section 
        
          
            23
          
        
         of the door main body 
        
          
            20
          
        
         after the rack has been passed the pinion gear 
        
          
            45
          
        
        .
      
    
    
      
        In the opening and shutting structure for a window glass 
        
          
            11
          
        
        , the elevating member 
        
          
            41
          
        
         is attached to the rear side portion 
        
          
            31
          
        
         of the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
        , which extends in a direction of ascending and descending. Accordingly, the motor 
        
          
            46
          
        
         for moving the elevating member 
        
          
            41
          
        
         can be arranged at a corner portion of the housing section 
        
          
            23
          
        
        .
      
    
    
      
        Further, the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
         is urged by the elastic member 
        
          
            50
          
        
         in a direction projecting from the housing section 
        
          
            23
          
        
        . Accordingly, when the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
         as a heavy article is to be ascended, the motor 
        
          
            46
          
        
         can smoothly be actuated whereby a quick ascending operation of the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
         can be realized.
      
    
    
      
        In the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
        , in particular, the elastic member 
        
          
            50
          
        
         is attached to the lower side portion of the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
         at a position toward the front side portion 
        
          
            32
          
        
        . Accordingly, even when the elevating member 
        
          
            41
          
        
         is attached only to the rear side portion 
        
          
            31
          
        
        , there is no risk that a side of the front side portion 
        
          
            32
          
        
         declines due to its own weight, and a parallel state can be maintained. Further, since the elastic member 
        
          
            50
          
        
         is a leaf spring formed to have a substantially U-shape, the structure of the door main body 
        
          
            20
          
        
         can be simplified and the weight can be reduced.
      
    
    
      
        Furthermore, according to the opening and shutting structure for a window glass 
        
          
            11
          
        
        , the elevating member 
        
          
            41
          
        
         is guided by the frame 
        
          
            22
          
        
        B, whereby the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
         can certainly be raised or lowered without causing a deflection of the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
        .
      
    
    
      
        In addition, since the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
         is guided by the weather strip 
        
          
            25
          
        
        , which is along the second frame 
        
          
            22
          
        
        B, a water resistance can be assured, and there is no risk of the deflection of the glass sheet in being raised or lowered. In particular, the weather strip 
        
          
            25
          
        
         can improve durability since the slide-contact portion 
        
          
            25
          
        
        A and the ribs 
        
          
            25
          
        
        D, 
        
          
            25
          
        
        E are subjected to a hardwearing treatment.
      
    
    
      
        Further, according to the above-mentioned opening and shutting structure for a window glass 
        
          
            11
          
        
        , the rack 
        
          
            44
          
        
         of the elevating member 
        
          
            41
          
        
         is meshed with the pinion gear 
        
          
            45
          
        
         of the driving section 
        
          
            42
          
        
         whereby the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
         can certainly be ascended or descended without causing a defective operation such as slippage. In particular, since the rack member 
        
          
            44
          
        
         is of a round rod-like material, it can easily be curved in correspondence to the shape of the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
         or the second frame 
        
          
            22
          
        
        B.
      
    
    
      
        In the elevating means or mechanism 
        
          
            40
          
        
        , the fitting member 
        
          
            43
          
        
         and the rack 
        
          
            44
          
        
         of the driving section 
        
          
            42
          
        
         can be used in a selective manner. Accordingly, they can be used for another type of automobile or another usage. Therefore, there is obtainable universality.
      
    
    
      
        The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, but an appropriate modification or improvement is possible. In the above-mentioned embodiment, the elevating member of the elevating means or mechanism is attached only to a side face of the glass sheet. However, the present invention includes a style that elevating members are attached to a pair of parallel side faces of the window member, for example. In this case, the presence or absence of the elastic member is optional. The style that elevating members are attached to a pair of parallel side faces of the window member is preferable from a viewpoint that a high supporting strength to the window member is obtainable. The style to obtain a high supporting strength can effectively be used, in particular, for a hard-topped automobile.
      
    
    
      
        The elevating means or mechanism is not limited to the combination of the rack and the pinion gear, but a style that a strip-like elevating member is held by a pair of rollers may be employed, for example. However, use of the combination of the rack and the pinion gear is preferable from the viewpoints that the window member can be raised or lowered accurately according to a driver's requirement, depending on an amount of a driving operation to the motor, and the rigidity of the overall elevating structure can be maintained. Further, it is possible to utilize a structure that notches for the rack of the elevating member are formed in the window member itself.
      
    
    
      
        As to use or non-use of the elastic member, the following technique is acceptable. Namely, the elastic member may not be provided when the declination of the front side portion of the window member due to its own weight can be prevented by a holding strength of the weather strip to the window member. In this case, it is preferable to add such a member as described with reference to 
        
          FIG. 5
        
        , to the window a member if there is a risk that the ascending or descending operation of the window member is hindered by a resistance of the weather strip.
      
    
    
      
        
          FIG. 5
        
        
          
            a 
          
        
        is a front view showing an example that an additional member is provided at a front side portion of the window member, and 
        
          FIG. 5
        
        
          
            b 
          
        
        is an enlarged perspective view of a primary portion wherein the elevating member to be fixed to the rear end portion of the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
         is omitted. A guiding auxiliary member 
        
          
            55
          
        
         is provided at a front side portion 
        
          
            32
          
        
         of the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
        . The guiding auxiliary member 
        
          
            55
          
        
         is provided with a main body 
        
          
            55
          
        
        B having a glass receiving portion of substantially U-shape in a cross section and a roller 
        
          
            55
          
        
        A provided in the glass receiving portion so as to project from the front end portion 
        
          
            32
          
        
         of the glass sheet.
      
    
    
      
        The guiding auxiliary member 
        
          
            55
          
        
         is bonded to the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
         by means of an adhesive provided in the glass receiving portion. Alternatively, the guiding auxiliary member may be attached to the glass sheet, which is previously perforated, by using a screw.
      
    
    
      
        With a vertical movement of the rear side portion of the glass sheet which is caused by the movement of the elevating member, the roller 
        
          
            55
          
        
        A is rotated and guided along a bottom portion of U-like shape formed in the third frame, whereby the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
         can smoothly be ascended or descended while the front side portion 
        
          
            32
          
        
         and the rear side portion 
        
          
            31
          
        
         of the glass sheet 
        
          
            30
          
        
         can be maintained to be in a parallel state. It is preferable to form a structure that the guiding auxiliary member 
        
          
            55
          
        
         is in its entirety received in the third frame in order to conceal the guiding auxiliary member 
        
          
            55
          
        
        .
      
    
    
      
        Besides the leaf spring of substantially U-like shape as the elastic member, a leaf spring of substantially V-like shape, substantially O-like shape, S-like shape or substantially W-like shape may be employed. Further, besides the leaf spring as the elastic member, a compression spring or a tensile spring, an appropriate rubber or a cylinder device may be utilized. However, use of a leaf spring is preferable from the standpoint that a space in a central portion of the housing section can easily be maintained.
      
    
    
      
        As the elevating member, the rack in which teeth are formed in parallel to a direction tangential to a circle of the round metallic rod is exemplified. However, a rack wherein a large diameter portion and a small diameter portion are alternately formed along its longitudinal direction in the round metallic rod, may be used. Use of such rack permits to bend easily in the correspondence to the frame.
      
    
    
      
        Other than the glass sheet as the window member, a transparent synthetic resin plate can be used. In a case that the above-mentioned rack of the elevating member is substituted with a structure that notches for a rack are formed in the window member itself, it is effective to use a synthetic resin plate from a viewpoint of easy formation. However, use of a glass sheet is preferable since the rigidity of a door in its entirety can be assured.
      
    
    
      
        In the embodiments described above, a side door for a front seat of an automobile is exemplified. However, the present invention is applicable to a side door for a rear seat or the tail gate. Further, the present invention is applicable not only to an automobile but also to a railway, a ship, an aircraft, a building, or any type of machine tool. In the consideration that the housing section has a limited space, it is preferable that the elevating structure for the window member of the present invention is used for a door, in particular, a side door for an automobile.
      
    
    
      
        Further, the material, the shape, the dimensions, the style, the number, positions to be located, and so on of the window member, the housing section, the elevating means, the elevating member, the driving section, the elastic member and so on which are exemplified in the above-mentioned embodiment are optional and are not limited thereto as far as the present invention can be achieved.
      
    
    
      
        INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
      
    
    
      
        As described above, according to the present invention, the elevating member is attached to a side portion of the window member in a direction of ascending or descending the window member, whereby the driving section such as a motor can be located in a corner portion of the door main body.
      
    
    
      
        In particular, since the window member is urged by the elastic member in a direction projecting from the housing section, the window member as a heavy article can smoothly be ascended immediately after the actuation of the driving section. In this case, there is no risk that the window member inclines due to its own weight since the elastic member is in contact with a side portion of the window member at position opposing a side portion where the elevating member is attached.
      
    
    
      
        Further, in the application of the present invention of a window for an automobile, the elevating means of a large volume, such as a heavy article, can be located without interfering various equipment disposed in a central portion of the door main body.
      
    
  
             
            
                        Claims
        
                - 1. An opening and shutting structure for a window, comprising:a housing positionable in a lower portion of a window opening to house a window member and an elevating member for raising or lowering a window between the window opening and the housing wherein said housing comprises a window frame for framing said window member, said elevating member having a predetermined length and being fixable to said window member in proximity with a rear side portion of said window member; a driving member housed in the housing to move said elevating member in a longitudinal direction, said elevating member being fixable to a rear side portion of the window member so as to be moveable in said window frame along an ascending/descending direction; and an elastic member housed in said housing for urging the window member in a direction for projecting the window member from said housing, said elastic member being attached to a lower side portion of the window member to urge the window member in a direction for projecting the window member from the housing section.
- 2. The opening and shutting structure for a window member according to claim 1, wherein the window member comprises a window member for an automobile, and said housing is positionable in a door main body of the automobile.
- 3. The opening and shutting structure for a window member according to claim 2, wherein said housing is provided between an inner panel and an outer panel of the door main body of the automobile.
- 4. The opening and shutting structure for a window member according to claim 3, wherein said elevating member is fixable to a side portion, which faces a rear side of the automobile, of the window member of a door of the automobile.
- 5. The opening and shutting structure for a window member according to claim 4, wherein said window opening is formed in a portion surrounded by a door waist member and frame member which comprises first frame member along a roof side rail of the automobile body and second and third frame member each of which is respectively connected to each of front and rear side ends of the first frame member with respect to the automobile body, a second and third frame member being extended parallel to each other along a direction of ascending or descending the window member.
- 6. The opening and shutting structure for a window member according to claim 5, wherein said elevating member is movable in a guiding member, in a direction of the raising or lowering the window member, the regulating member having a substantially U-shape in cross section and being provided at one of the second and third frames.
- 7. The opening and shutting structure for a window member according to claim 3, wherein said window opening is formed in a portion surrounded by a door waist means and a frame member which comprises first a frame member along a roof side rail of the automobile body and a second and third frame member each of which is respectively connected to each of front and rear side ends of the first frame member with respect to the automobile body, said second and third frame member being extended parallel to each other along a direction of ascending or descending the window member.
- 8. The opening and shutting structure for a window member according to claim 7, wherein said elevating member is movable in a guiding means, in a direction of the raising or lowering the window member, the regulating member having a substantially U-shape in cross section and being provided at one of the second and third frames.
- 9. The opening and shutting structure for a window member according to claim 2, wherein said elevating member is fixable to a rear side portion of the window member and the window member is located on a door of the automobile.
- 10. The opening and shutting structure for a window member according to claim 9, wherein said window opening is formed in a portion surrounded by a door waist means and a frame member which comprises a first frame member along a roof side rail of the automobile body and a second and third frame member each of which is respectively connected to each of front and rear side ends of the first frame member with respect to the automobile body, a said second and third frame member being extended parallel to each other along a direction of ascending or descending the window member.
- 11. The opening and shutting structure for a window member according to claim 10, wherein said elevating member is movable in a guiding means, in a direction of the raising or lowering the window member, the regulating member having a substantially U-shape in cross section and being provided at one of the second and third frames.
- 12. The opening and shutting structure for a window member according to claim 2, wherein said window opening is formed in a portion surrounded by a door waist member and a frame assembly which comprises a first frame member along a roof side rail of the automobile body and a second and third frame member each of which is respectively connected to front and rear side ends of the first frame with respect to the automobile body, the second and third frame members extending parallel to each other along a direction of ascending or descending the window member.
- 13. The opening and shutting structure for a window member according to claim 12, wherein said elevating member is movable in a guiding member, in the direction of raising or lowering the window member, the elevating member having a substantially U-shaped cross section and being provided at one of the second and third frames.
- 14. An opening and shutting structure for a window, comprising:a housing positionable in the lower portion of a window opening to house the window member and an elevating member for raising or lowering a window between the window opening and the housing, said elevating member having a predetermined length and being fixable to said window member, and a moving member housed in the housing to move said elevating member in a longitudinal direction, said elevating member being fixable to a rear side portion of the window member so as to be movable along an ascending/descending direction, wherein said elevating member is provided with a rack which is extended in a direction of ascending or descending the window member and is fixed to a side portion of said window member, and wherein said moving member is provided with a pinion gear fixed to the door main body of the automobile and means for rotating the pinion.
- 15. The opening and shutting structure for a window member according to claim 14, wherein said window opening is formed in a portion surrounded by a door waist means and frame member which comprises first frame member along a roof side rail of the automobile body and second and third frame member each of which is respectively connected to each of front and rear side ends of the first frame member with respect to the automobile body, a second and third frame member being extended parallel to each other along a direction of ascending or descending the window member.
- 16. The opening and shutting structure for a window member according to claim 15, wherein said elevating member is movable in a guiding means, in a direction of the raising or lowering the window member, the regulating member having a substantially U-shape in cross section and being provided at one of the second and third frames.
- 17. An opening and shutting structure for a window, comprising:a housing positionable in a lower portion of a window opening to house a window member and an elevating member for raising or lowering a window between the window opening and the housing, said elevating device comprising an elevating member which has a predetermined length and being fixable to said window member; a driving device housed in the housing to move said elevating member in a longitudinal direction, said elevating member being fixable to a rear side portion of the window member so as to be moveable along an ascending/descending direction; and an elastic member housed in said housing means for urging the window member in a direction for projecting the window member from said housing; wherein said elastic member is attached to a lower side portion of the window member so that the elastic member urges the window member in a direction for projecting the window member from the housing section.
- 18. The opening and shutting structure for a window member according to claim 17, wherein said elastic member contacts a side portion of the window member so as to face a side of the window member where said elevating member is attached.
- 19. An opening and shutting structure for a window, comprising:a housing positionable in a lower portion of a window opening to house a window member and an elevating member for raising or lowering a window between the window opening and the housing, said elevating member having a predetermined length and being fixable to said window member; a driving member housed in the housing to move said elevating member in a longitudinal direction, said elevating member being fixable to a rear side portion of the window member so as to be moveable along an ascending/descending direction; and an elastic member housed in said housing for urging the window member in a direction for projecting the window member from said housing; and wherein said elastic member is attached to a lower side portion of the window member so that the elastic member urges the window member in a direction for projecting the window member from the housing.
- 20. The opening and shutting structure for a window member according to claim 19, wherein said elastic member contacts a side portion of the window member so as to face a side where said elevating member is attached.
- 21. An opening and shutting structure for a window, comprising:a housing positionable in a lower portion on a window opening to house a window member and an elevating member for raising or lowering the window member between the window opening and the housing, said elevating member having a predetermined length and being fixable to said window member, and a driving member housed in said housing for moving said elevating member in longitudinal direction, said elevating member being fixed to a side portion of the window member so as to by movable along an ascending/descending direction and wherein said elevating member includes a rack which is extended in a direction of raising or lowering the window member and is fixable to a side portion of the window member, said driving member being provided with a pinion gear fixed to the window member of the automobile and a motor for rotating the pinion gear.
- 22. An opening and shutting structure for a window, comprising:a housing positionable in a lower portion on the window opening to house the window member and an elevating member for causing the window member to raise or lower between a window opening and the housing section, the elevating member having a predetermined length and being fixed to said window member, and a driving member housed in a housing section to move the elevating member in a longitudinal direction, said elevating member being fixed to a side portion on the window member so as to be movable along an ascending/descending direction wherein an elastic member is housed in said housing and is attached to a lower side portion of the window member so that the elastic member urges the window member in a direction for projecting the window member from the housing means.
- 23. An opening and shutting structure for a window, comprising:a housing provided in a lower portion on the window opening to house the window member and an elevating member for causing the window member to raise or lower between the window opening and the housing, said elevating member having a predetermined length and being fixed to said window member at a position in proximity with a rear side portion of said window member, and a driving member housed in a housing section to move the elevating member in a longitudinal direction, said elevating member being fixed in proximity with said rear side portion of the window member so as to be movable along an ascending/descending direction wherein said housing includes a frame for framing the window within a portion of which the elevating member is movable and wherein an elastic member is housed in said housing and attached to a lower side portion of said window member for urging the window member in a direction for projecting the window member from said housing.
Priority Claims (1)
        
            
                
                    | Number | Date | Country | Kind | 
            
            
                    
                        | 10-047443 | Feb 1998 | JP |  | 
            
        
                
                
                        PCT Information
        
            
                
                    | Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 
            
            
                
                    | PCT/JP99/00932 |  | WO | 00 | 
            
        
            
                
                    
                        | Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind | 
                
                
                    
                        | WO99/43918 | 9/2/1999 | WO | A | 
                
            
                
                            US Referenced Citations (8)
            
            Foreign Referenced Citations (5)
            
                
                    
                        | Number | Date | Country | 
                
                
                        
                            | 197 03 720 | Jul 1998 | DE | 
                        
                            | 1 011 339 | Jun 1952 | FR | 
                        
                            | 63-138383 | Sep 1988 | JP | 
                        
                            | 5-2779 | Jan 1993 | JP | 
                        
                            | 10-44766 | Feb 1998 | JP |