Patent Application
20050072051
This invention generally relates to window lifting assembly and specifically to a self-fastening attachment clip for securing a window to a window lifting mechanism.
Conventional window lifting assemblies include a window attached to a lifting mechanism for moving the window between an open and closed position. Typically, the window is secured to a securing member, commonly referred to as a cursor that is in turn attached to the lifting mechanism. The lifting mechanism is in turn driven by an electric motor, or manually by rotation of a hand crank.
Typically, the window is secured to the lifting mechanism by an attachment member extending from the window that is locked within the cursor. The attachment member is often a bolt, a threaded rod or stud fastened to the window. During assembly, the attachment member is received within a slot of the cursor and secured therein. Attachment of the window to the lifting mechanism should be quick, efficient and cost effective in order to provide ease of assembly.
One example of a current device for securing a window to a lifting mechanism includes an elaborately molded cursor. The cursor includes an integrally molded clip that locks onto an attachment member secured to the window. The attachment member is a cylindrical stud that extends from the window. The integrally molded clip includes a pair of opposing legs that correspond to the shape of the attachment member. The window is received within a longitudinal slot in the cursor and the attachment member is received within a transverse slot. The attachment member expands the legs of the clip outward as it passes the clip. The legs than spring back into position to trap the attachment member within the cursor. Molded cursors of this type provide quick assembly. However, the intricate molding of the cursor may be expensive, and a relatively complex mold is required.
Accordingly, it is desirable to design a cost efficient, easily assembled attachment mechanism for securing a window to a lifter mechanism.
An embodiment of this invention includes a window lift mechanism having a clip disposed within a cursor. A window having an attachment member is received within the cursor and the attachment member is locked within the cursor between a locking portion and a bias portion of the clip.
The window lift assembly includes a window secured within cursors supported on the lifting mechanism. The attachment member and the window are received within slots of the cursor. A locking portion and a biasing portion of the clip secures the attachment member to the cursor. The clip is disposed within the cursor and orientated such that insertion of the attachment member moves the locking portion out of the slot.
The attachment member moves downward within the slot until contacting the biasing portion of the clip. The locking portion of the clip springs back into a locking position once the attachment member has contacted the biasing portion. The locking portion engages the attachment member and prevents removal of the attachment member from the slot of the cursor.
Another clip according to the present invention is a single continuous resilient strand with first and second segments. The locking portion is adjacent the first segment and the biasing portion is adjacent the second segment. The locking portion moves aside as the attachment member and the window are received within the cursor. The locking member spring back into the locking position, preventing removal of the window. The bias portion biases the attachment member into engagement with the locking portion.
Accordingly, the window lift mechanism of this invention allows easy installation of a window to a lifting mechanism and positive retention of the window once secured with the cursor.
The various features and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the currently preferred embodiment. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows:
Referring to
The attachment member 16 extends perpendicularly from the window 12 and is received within slots 20 of the cursors 18. The cursors 18 are supported on the lifter mechanism 14. The lifter mechanism 14 includes a first member 24 that supports the cursors 18. Second and third members 26,28 are attached to the first member 24 and to additional lifting mechanisms (not shown) that are driven by an electric motor or by a hand crank as is known. As appreciated, the illustrated lift mechanism 14 is only an example of a lift mechanism compatible with this invention. Other lift mechanisms are also within the contemplation of this invention.
Referring to
Referring to
The body portion 36 connecting the locking portion 32 and the biasing portion 34 defines a first central plane 40. The locking portion 32 is angled away from the first central plane 40 and defines a second plane 42. Because the locking portion 32 is on a different plane than the body portion 36, the locking portion 32 can flex toward and past the body portion 36 to allow the attachment member 16 to pass within the slot 20 toward and into contact with the biasing portion 34. The biasing portion 34 defines a third plane 44 opposite the second plane 42 and different from the first center plane 40.
The position of the planes 40,42,44 of the clip 22 stabilizes the clip 22 within the cursor 18. It should be understood that the portions 34, 32 and 36 generally define a planar spatial relationship and need not be fully confined within a single plane.
Referring to FIGS. 6A-C, a cursor 18 includes a cavity 48 adapted for retention of the clip 22. The clip 22 is positioned within the cavity 48 to prevent removal from the cursor 18 upward through the slot 20. The cavity 48 includes sections portions disposed on either side of the slot 20 that support the clip 22 and prevent upward movement and removal of the clip 22 from the slot 20.
Referring to FIGS. 7A-B, another clip 22′ is molded into the cursor 18′ using known insert molding techniques. It is within the contemplation of this invention to use known molding techniques to secure the clip 22 within the cursor 18, for example, molded tabs, clips, or separate fasteners.
Referring to
The attachment member 16 may be removed by moving the locking portion 32 aside with a tool such as a flat tipped screwdriver, to clear the slot 20. Removal of the window 12 is therefore possible for maintenance and repair by moving aside the locking portion 32 to clear the slot 20 from obstruction by the clip 22. However, with the locking portion 32 engaged, the attachment member 16 is not removable from the slot 20. Further, the attachment member 16 is trapped between the locking portion 32 and the biasing portion 34, providing a tight secure fit. The bias portion 34 biases the attachment member 16 into engagement with the locking portion 32, securing the attachment member 16 tightly within the cursor 18.
The foregoing description is exemplary and not just a material specification. The invention has been described in an illustrative manner, and should be understood that the terminology used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. The preferred embodiments of this invention have been disclosed, however, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that certain modifications are within the scope of this invention. It is understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. For that reason the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.
