Abstract: A motor vehicle window assembly. One implementation includes a wiper in electrical communication between a defrost grid of a movable window assembly and an elongate conductor of a guide rail assembly having a straight guide portion and an oblique guide portion, and in contact with the elongate conductor when the movable window assembly is in an open position. Another implementation includes an actuator cable including a core having a terminus coupled to a cable connector portion of a movable window assembly, wherein when the actuator cable is actuated, the movable window assembly moves in a direction extending away from an open position along a plane, toward a closed position out of the plane, and into the closed position in another plane such that the terminus of the core is carried out of the plane by the movable window assembly.

Abstract: A motor vehicle window assembly, one implementation of which includes a wiper in electrical communication between a defrost grid of a movable window and an elongate conductor of a guide rail assembly having a straight guide portion and an oblique guide portion, and in contact with the elongate conductor when the movable window is in an open position. At least one implementation of the window assembly includes an actuator cable including a core having a terminus coupled to a cable connector portion of the movable window, wherein when the actuator cable is actuated, the movable window moves in a direction extending away from the open position along a plane, toward a closed position out of the plane, and into the closed position in another plane such that the terminus of the core is carried out of the plane by the movable window.

Abstract: A motor vehicle window assembly. One implementation includes a wiper in electrical communication between a defrost grid of a movable window assembly and an elongate conductor of a guide rail assembly having a straight guide portion and an oblique guide portion, and in contact with the elongate conductor when the movable window assembly is in an open position. Another implementation includes an actuator cable including a core having a terminus coupled to a cable connector portion of a movable window assembly, wherein when the actuator cable is actuated, the movable window assembly moves in a direction extending away from an open position along a plane, toward a closed position out of the plane, and into the closed position in another plane such that the terminus of the core is carried out of the plane by the movable window assembly.

Abstract: Articulating window assemblies are provided comprising, in combination, a windowpane and a hinge having a hinge axis. The hinge comprises a first hinge member that cooperates with a second hinge member and optionally with a hinge pin to form a hinge joint. The first hinge member has at least an encapsulation section with at least a first encapsulant void, optionally two or more encapsulant voids. A continuous body of encapsulant overlays at least a portion of an outward-facing surface of the encapsulation section, at least partially fills the first encapsulant void, overlays at least a portion of an inward-facing surface of the encapsulation section and overlaps either at least a portion of an external peripheral edge of the encapsulation section, a portion of a void edge defining a second encapsulation void, or both from both the outward-facing surface and the inward-facing surface. This provides a mechanical grip of the first hinge member by the encapsulant.

Abstract: Articulating window assemblies are provided comprising, in combination, a windowpane and a hinge having a hinge axis. The hinge comprises a first hinge member that cooperates with a second hinge member and optionally with a hinge pin to form a hinge joint. The first hinge member has at least an encapsulation section with at least a first encapsulant void, optionally two or more encapsulant voids. A continuous body of encapsulant overlays at least a portion of an outward-facing surface of the encapsulation section, at least partially fills the first encapsulant void, overlays at least a portion of an inward-facing surface of the encapsulation section and overlaps either at least a portion of an external peripheral edge of the encapsulation section, a portion of a void edge defining a second encapsulation void, or both from both the outward-facing surface and the inward-facing surface. This provides a mechanical grip of the first hinge member by the encapsulant.

Abstract: A tire carrier assembly for storing a spare tire of a motor vehicle includes a tire carrier adapted for supporting the spare tire, a winch assembly operably connected to the tire carrier to raise and lower the tire carrier between a stowed position wherein the tire is inaccessible and a deployed position wherein the tire is accessible, and a latch assembly. The latch assembly includes at least one latch member and an actuator adapted to selectively move the latch member between a locking position wherein the latch member prevents movement of the tire carrier from the stowed position to the deployed position and an unlocking position wherein the latch member permits movement of the tire carrier from the stowed position to the deployed position. The actuator includes a push-pull cable and a pull handle such that the operator manually pulls the cable to move the latch member from the locking position to the unlocking position.

Abstract: A tire carrier assembly for storing a spare tire of a motor vehicle includes a tire carrier for supporting the spare tire and having a swivel with a shank portion and a head portion along the shank portion, a winch assembly operably connected to the tire carrier with a cable or rope to raise and lower the tire carrier between upper and lower positions, a housing assembly forming a horizontal support surface, and a secondary latch assembly secured to the housing assembly and adapted to selectively confine the tire carrier in the upper position. The secondary latch assembly includes a sliding latch member supported by the horizontal support surface and an actuator adapted to selectively move the latch member along a linear path between a locking position and an unlocking position.