Abstract: A rail adjuster for mounting a rail of a window regulator assembly to an adjacent fixed surface of a closure panel of a vehicle, the rail adjuster comprising: a mount body for mounting to the rail, the mount body defining an adjustment axis; an adjustment body coupled to the mount body and also for mounting to the adjacent fixed surface; and an adjuster portion positioned between the adjacent fixed surface and the adjustment body, the adjuster portion providing said coupled by passing through an aperture of the adjustment body in order to engage with the mount body; wherein operation of the adjuster portion causes a change in an initial length of the rail adjuster to an adjusted length by moving the mount body relative to the adjustment body along the adjustment axis.

Abstract: A variable pitch lead screw assembly and actuator assembly therewith is provided. The lead screw assembly includes a lead screw having a groove extending helically along a length of the lead screw. The groove is formed having a varying pitch. A drive nut is provided having a body with a through bore configured for receipt of the lead screw therethrough. The drive nut has teeth extending radially inwardly into the through bore for receipt in the groove of the lead screw. The teeth are pivotal in multiple directions relative to the body to allow the teeth to pivot in multiple directions within the groove.

Abstract: An integrally molded object body is disclosed for retaining fasteners in a pre-attachment position and deforming to accommodate attachment tolerances. The object body has a fastener retaining portion that has an aperture defined therein that has a fastener-engaging edge that grips the shaft of the fastener in the pre-attachment position. The fastener retaining is deformable to allow the fastener to move laterally and be attached off-center from the pre-attachment position to accommodate attachment tolerances. The fastener retaining portion can have areas of weakness to allow deformation. These areas of weakness can comprise areas of reduced thickness or radial extensions that extend towards the perimeter of the fastener retaining portion. The object body also has a clearance portion that defines a mounting face that the fastener does not extend past in the pre-attachment position.

Abstract: An integrally moulded object body is disclosed for retaining fasteners in a pre-attachment position and deforming to accommodate attachment tolerances. The object body has a fastener retaining portion that has an aperture defined therein that has a fastener-engaging edge that grips the shaft of the fastener in the pre-attachment position. The fastener retaining is deformable to allow the fastener to move laterally and be attached off-center from the pre-attachment position to accommodate attachment tolerances. The fastener retaining portion can have areas of weakness to allow deformation. These areas of weakness can comprise areas of reduced thickness or radial extensions that extend towards the perimeter of the fastener retaining portion. The object body also has a clearance portion that defines a mounting face that the fastener does not extend past in the pre-attachment position.

Abstract: A window regulator assembly having cables for driving one or more lifter plates along rails includes connectors for connecting the ends of cables together. The connectors are connectable together in a ‘use’ position and can be held in a lifter plate in the use position. By having the connectors connect to each other they withstand the tension in the cables when the window regulator assembly is at rest and the lifter plate is only required to withstand the differential tension between first and second cable segments during movement of the lifter plate. This allows the lifter plate to be formed from a relatively lower strength and less expensive material since it is subject to relatively lower stresses than prior art lifter plates.

Abstract: In a first aspect, the invention is directed to a window regulator for a vehicle window on a sliding vehicle door. The window regulator includes a ratchet that is positionable in a first position and a second position and a pawl that is positionable in a ratchet release position and a ratchet locking position. The position of the ratchet determines the position of a door interlock member for controlling whether the vehicle door is fully openable or not. The window regulator includes a mechanism for separating the ratchet and pawl from each other prior to movement of at least one of the ratchet and pawl from one of its associated positions to the other of its associated positions. The mechanism preferably separates the ratchet and pawl from each other prior to movement of each of the ratchet and pawl from one of its associated positions to the other of its associated positions.

Abstract: In a first aspect, the invention is directed to a window regulator for a vehicle window on a sliding vehicle door. The window regulator includes a ratchet that is positionable in a first position and a second position and a pawl that is positionable in a ratchet release position and a ratchet locking position. The position of the ratchet determines the position of a door interlock member for controlling whether the vehicle door is fully openable or not. The window regulator includes a mechanism for separating the ratchet and pawl from each other prior to movement of at least one of the ratchet and pawl from one of its associated positions to the other of its associated positions. The mechanism preferably separates the ratchet and pawl from each other prior to movement of each of the ratchet and pawl from one of its associated positions to the other of its associated positions.