Patent US4257192A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4257192A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Window regulator and drive assembly
Assignee: Merit Plastics Inc
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Filing: 1979-02-05
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Granted: 1981-03-24
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Expires: 1999-02-05
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed herein an automotive window regulator and drive mechanism which includes a rotatable flexible drive shaft to transmit rotational forces from the regulator arm to a worm gear supported on a lower edge of the window. The worm gear engages a rack secured to a portion of the vehicle so as to vary the position of the window. In one embodiment, both electric motor drive and manual crank drive means are provided either of which may be selectively engaged to drive the rotatable flexible shaft. The regulator end of the flexible drive shaft may be supported in meshing engagement with a portion of the regulator drive gear by means of a pinion pivot arm which arm includes indexing gears to enable the flexible cable to track the worm gear thereby reducing the flexing of the flexible drive shaft.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald D. Bartholomew
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 06:27
CPC Classifications
E; E05; E05F; E05F11/00; E05F11/38; E05F11/40; E05F11/405; E05F15/00; E05F15/60; E05F15/603; E05F15/665; E05F15/689; E05F15/692; E05F11/42; E05F11/423; E05Y; E05Y2201/00; E05Y2201/60; E05Y2201/622; E05Y2201/71; E05Y2201/726; E05Y2900/00; E05Y2900/50; E05Y2900/53; E05Y2900/55
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
A window regulator for operating an automobile window comprising: a shaft; a ring gear fixedly secured to one end of said shaft; a drive gear slidably supported on said shaft and axially movable between first and second positions; a handle slidably supported on said shaft adjacent another end and axially movable between first and second positions; and drive means operative to drive said drive gear when said drive gear is in said first position; first biasing means for urging said drive gear into said first position; second biasing means for urging said handle into said first position; said regulator having a first operational mode in which said handle and said drive gear are in said first positions and said drive gear cooperates with said drive means to rotate said ring gear and said handle is inoperative to drive said ring gear and a second operational mode in which said drive gear and said handle are in said second position and said handle is operative to drive said ring gear and said drive gear is moved out of engagement with said drive means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
A window regulator for operating an automobile window comprising: a shaft; a ring gear fixedly secured to one end of said shaft; a drive gear slidably supported on said shaft and axially movable between first and second positions; a handle slidably supported on said shaft adjacent another end and axially movable between first and second positions; and drive means operative to drive said drive gear when said drive gear is in said first position; first biasing means for urging said drive gear into said first position; second biasing means for urging said handle into said first position; said regulator having a first operational mode in which said handle and said drive gear are in said first positions and said drive gear cooperates with said drive means to rotate said ring gear and said handle is inoperative to drive said ring gear and a second operational mode in which said drive gear and said handle are in said second position and said handle is operative to drive said ring gear and said drive gear is moved out of engagement with said drive means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A window regulator as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first biasing means comprising a helical coil spring extending between said ring gear and said drive gear and said second biasing means comprises a helical coil spring extending between said drive gear and said handle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A window regulator as set forth in claim 1 wherein said handle is positioned in axial spaced relationship to said drive gear when in said first position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A window regulator as set forth in claim 1 wherein said handle is rotatable with respect to said shaft when in said first position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A window regulator as set forth in claim 4 where in movement of said handle is from said first position to said second position also causes said drive gear to move from said first position to said second position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
A window regulator as set forth in claim 5 wherein said drive means comprises a reversible electric motor operatively connected to said drive gear, said electric motor being operative to vary the position of said window when said regulator is in a first operational mode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A window regulator as set forth in claim 6 wherein said electric motr is operatively connected to drive said drive gear by a flexible drive shaft.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A window regulator as set forth in claim 1 further including means for preventing relative rotation between said drive gear and said shaft.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A window regulator as set forth in claim 8 wherein said shaft includes a diametrically extending axially elongated slot and said relative rotation preventing means comprise a pin member extending through said slot.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
A window regulator set forth in claim 1 wherein said shaft includes means engageable by said handle operative to prevent relative rotation between said handle and said shaft when said handle is moved into said second position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A window regulator set forth in claim 10 wherein said engageable means comprises a pin member extending radially outwardly from said shaft.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
A window regultor as set forth in claim 10 wherein said handle includes an axially elongated radially extending slot operative to receive said engageable means when said handle is moved into said second position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-03-23 | 1984-09-22 | 1985-03-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-03-23 | 1988-09-22 | 1989-03-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-03-23 | 1992-09-22 | 1993-03-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |