US 12,264,526 B2
Slider window assembly with movable panel drive system
Darin J. Snider, Holland, MI (US); and Kyle S. Bowman, Holland, MI (US)
Assigned to Magna Mirrors of America, Inc., Holland, MI (US)
Filed by Magna Mirrors of America, Inc., Holland, MI (US)
Filed on Sep. 1, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/459,467.
Application 18/459,467 is a division of application No. 17/443,975, filed on Jul. 29, 2021, granted, now 11,746,582.
Prior Publication US 2023/0407696 A1, Dec. 21, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. E05F 15/655 (2015.01); B60J 1/18 (2006.01); E05D 15/06 (2006.01)
CPC E05F 15/655 (2015.01) [B60J 1/1853 (2013.01); E05D 15/0621 (2013.01); E05Y 2900/55 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A vehicular slider window assembly, said vehicular slider window assembly comprising:
a frame portion having an upper rail and a lower rail;
a fixed window panel that is fixed relative to said frame portion, said fixed window panel at least in part defining an opening;
wherein said upper rail is disposed along an upper edge region of said fixed window panel, and wherein said lower rail is disposed along a lower edge region of said fixed window panel that is below the upper edge region of said fixed window panel;
a movable window panel that is movable along said upper rail and said lower rail, wherein said movable window panel is movable between a closed position, where said movable window panel is disposed at the opening, and an opened position, where said movable window panel is moved from the closed position away from the opening and at least partially along said fixed window panel;
a drive system operable to move said movable window panel between the opened position and the closed position, wherein said drive system comprises a single flexible drive element;
wherein said single flexible drive element comprises a flexible notched tape;
wherein, when said drive system is actuated to move said movable window panel in a first direction, said flexible notched tape pulls said movable window panel along said lower rail, and when said drive system is actuated to move said movable window panel in a second direction opposite the first direction, said flexible notched tape pushes said movable window panel along said lower rail;
wherein said lower rail of said frame portion comprises a guide structure along said lower rail that receives said flexible notched tape;
wherein said flexible notched tape is received in a first passageway defined by said guide structure along said lower rail, and wherein said guide structure of said first passageway limits flexing or bending of said flexible notched tape as said flexible notched tape is moved along said first passageway;
wherein a first end of said flexible notched tape is attached at said movable window panel, and wherein the first end of said flexible notched tape moves along said guide structure along said lower rail according to movement of said movable window panel along said upper rail and said lower rail; and
wherein said flexible notched tape is oriented in a vertical plane, and wherein said first passageway comprises a vertically oriented passageway with vertical structure that limits flexing or bending of said flexible notched tape at least in a horizontal direction.