Folding stabilizer linkage for vehicle window

Claim 2

In a vehicle body having a window opening, a window movable between raised and lowered positions with respect to the opening, guide means connected to the window and movably mounting the window on the body and defining the path of window movement, and operating means for so moving the window aLong the path of movement, a stabilizer linkage comprising: track means mounted on the vehicle body within the storage cavity and extending generally vertically, means slidably interengaged with the track means, foldable linkage means having one end pivotally connected to the means slidably interengaged with the track means and the other end pivotally connected to the window at a point longitudinally spaced from the connection between the window and the guide means, means urging the foldable linkage to a normal unfolded position stabilizing the window, and means acting to fold the foldable linkage as the window is lowered to permit increased lowering of the window.

Claim 3

In a vehicle body having a window opening, a window movable between raised and lowered positions with respect to the opening, and operating means for so moving the window, guide track means mounted on the body, and first means slidably interengaged with the track means and connected to the window to define the path of window movement upon opeation of the operating means, a stabilizer linkage comprising: an upper stabilizer link pivotally connected to the window in longitudinally spaced relation from the first means slidably connecting the window to the guide track means, a lower stabilizer link having one end pivotally connected to the upper stabilizer link, second means slidably connecting the other end of the lower stabilizer link to the track means and being vertically spaced on the track means from the first means, means urging the upper and lower stabilizer links to a normal position maximizing the vertical spacing between the first and second means to stabilize the position of the window, and cam means acting between the track means and one of the stabilizer links to pivot the upper stabilizer link about its pivotal connection to the window and pivot the lower stabilizer link about the second means to thereby decrease the vertical spacing between the first and second means to permit substantial lowering of the window.

Claim 4

In a vehicle body having a window opening, a window movable between raised and lowered positions with respect to the opening, and operating means for so moving the window, guide track means mounted on the body, and first means slidably interengaged with the track means and connected to the window to define the path of window movement upon opeation of the operating means, a stabilizer linkage comprising: an upper stabilizer link pivotally connected to the window in longitudinally spaced relation from the first means slidably connecting the window to the guide track means, a lower stabilizer link having one end pivotally connected to the upper stabilizer link, second means slidably connecting the other end of the lower stabilizer link to the track means and being vertically spaced on the track means from the first means, means urging the upper and lower stabilizer links to a normal position maximizing the vertical spacing between the first and second means to stabilize the position of the window, and cam means acting between the track means and one of the stabilizer links to pivot the upper stabilizer link about its pivotal connection to the window and pivot the lower stabilizer link about the second means to thereby decrease the vertical spacing between the first and second means to permit substantial lowering of the window.

Claim 5

In a vehicle body having a window opening, a window movable between raised and lowered positions with respect to the opening, and operating means for so moving the window, guide track means mounted on the body and defining the path of window movement, and first means slidably interengaged with the track means and connected to the window to move the window along the path defined thereby upon operation of the operating means, a stabilizer linkage comprising: second means slidably interengaged with the guide track means, a first link having one end pivotally attached to the window in longitudinally spaced relation from the first means, a second link having one end pivotally connected to the other end of the first link and the other end pivotally connected to the second means, abutment surfaces on first and second links engageable to define a normal straight line relationship between the first and second links maximizing the vertical spacing between the first and second means, spring means acting between the first and second links to urge the first and second links to the normal straight line relationship to thereby support and stabilize the window, a cam means on the guide track means having an inclined surface, and cam follower means on one of the links engageable with the inclined surface of the cam means when the window is lowered whereby the first and second links are moved from their normal straight line position to decrease the vertical spacing between the first and second means to permit further lowering movement of the window and first means while the second means remains substantially stationary and the links pivot and fold.

Claim 6

In a vehicle body having a window opening, a window movable between raised and lowered positions with respect to the opening, and operating means for so moving the window, guide track means mounted on the body and defining the path of window movement, and first means slidably interengaged with the track means and connected to the window to move the window along the path defined thereby upon operation of the operating means, a stabilizer linkage comprising: second means slidably interengaged with the guide track means, a first link having one end pivotally attached to the window in longitudinally spaced relation from the first means, a second link having one end pivotally connected to the other end of the first link and the other end pivotally connected to the second means, abutment surfaces on first and second links engageable to define a normal straight line relationship between the first and second links maximizing the vertical spacing between the first and second means, spring means acting between the first and second links to urge the first and second links to the normal straight line relationship to thereby support and stabilize the window, a cam means on the guide track means having an inclined surface, and cam follower means on one of the links engageable with the inclined surface of the cam means when the window is lowered whereby the first and second links are moved from their normal straight line position to decrease the vertical spacing between the first and second means to permit further lowering movement of the window and first means while the second means remains substantially stationary and the links pivot and fold.