Abstract: A sliding window assembly, a cable drive system and methods of operating the same, are disclosed. The sliding window assembly includes a guide track and a sliding window movable relative to the guide track. A heating element is coupled to the sliding window for heating the sliding window. A drum of a drive assembly rotates and includes a conductive terminal connected to a power supply of the vehicle. A cable is coupled between the sliding window and heating element and the drum. The drum rotates to mechanically wind or unwind the cable for moving the sliding window. A conductive element is coupled to at least one of the drum and the cable and is electrically connected to the cable and is movable during movement of the sliding window. The conductive element contacts the conductive terminal to provide electrical current to the cable for energizing the heating element.

Abstract: An encapsulated glass assembly includes a plastic frame having at least three sides and corners, with the frame having a channel extending within its outer frame surface that includes a lower wall portion connected to a side wall portion. The outer frame surface further includes at least one upper wall portion extending from the side wall portion and extending along at least one side of the frame, each one of the at least one upper wall portions further defining a portion of the channel as a C-shaped channel. A glass panel coupled to the frame is retained within the C-shaped channel along at least one side of the frame such that the edge of the panel is adjacent to the side wall portion. An encapsulant having a Shore hardness less than the frame is bonded onto the panel and onto the frame to secure the panel to the frame.

Abstract: A sliding window assembly for a vehicle, a cable drive system for a vehicle, and methods of operating the same, are disclosed. The sliding window assembly includes a track adapted to be coupled to the vehicle, and a sliding panel movable relative to the track between an open position and a closed position. A heating element is coupled to the sliding panel for heating the sliding panel. The sliding window assembly further includes a conductive cable coupled to the sliding panel and the heating element. The conductive cable is configured to transfer electrical current to energize the heating element and to undergo mechanical force to move the sliding panel relative to the track between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: An encapsulated glass assembly includes a glass panel and a plastic frame and a clip. The frame has at least three frame sides and has a lower wall portion extending from an outer wall surface along each of the at least three frame sides. The clip has a C-shaped clip channel and is coupled to a first frame side of the frame such that a portion of the panel is retained within the C-shaped clip channel. An optional clip can be coupled to a second frame side. The plastic frame can alternatively include a C-shaped channel on the second frame side, wherein another portion of the panel is retained within the C-shaped channel. An encapsulant is bonded onto the panel, the frame, and the clip to secure the frame to the panel. The encapsulant has a Shore hardness less than the Shore hardness of the frame.

Abstract: A cable drive system and a sliding window assembly for a vehicle are disclosed. The sliding window assembly includes a track adapted to be coupled to the vehicle. The sliding window assembly further includes a sliding panel coupled to the track and movable relative to the track between an open position and a closed position. A heating grid is coupled to the sliding panel for defrosting the sliding panel. The sliding window assembly also includes a cable coupled to the sliding panel for moving the sliding panel between the open and closed positions. In addition, the sliding window assembly includes a conductive element electrically connected to the heating grid and coupled with the cable such that the conductive element moves concurrently with the cable as the cable moves the sliding panel between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A sliding window assembly for a vehicle is disclosed. The assembly includes panels and heating grids coupled to respective panels for defrosting the panels. The assembly further includes a conductive element in continuous electrical connection to the panels for defrosting the panels.

Abstract: An encapsulated glass assembly includes a plastic frame having at least three sides and corners, with the frame having a channel extending within its outer frame surface that includes a lower wall portion connected to a side wall portion. The outer frame surface further includes at least one upper wall portion extending from the side wall portion and extending along at least one side of the frame, each one of the at least one upper wall portions further defining a portion of the channel as a C-shaped channel. A glass panel coupled to the frame is retained within the C-shaped channel along at least one side of the frame such that the edge of the panel is adjacent to the side wall portion. An encapsulant having a Shore hardness less than the frame is bonded onto the panel and onto the frame to secure the panel to the frame.

Abstract: An encapsulated glass assembly includes a glass panel and a plastic frame and a clip. The frame has at least three frame sides and has a lower wall portion extending from an outer wall surface along each of the at least three frame sides. The clip has a C-shaped clip channel and is coupled to a first frame side of the frame such that a portion of the panel is retained within the C-shaped clip channel. An optional clip can be coupled to a second frame side. The plastic frame can alternatively include a C-shaped channel on the second frame side, wherein another portion of the panel is retained within the C-shaped channel. An encapsulant is bonded onto the panel, the frame, and the clip to secure the frame to the panel. The encapsulant has a Shore hardness less than the Shore hardness of the frame.

Abstract: An encapsulated glass assembly includes a glass panel and a plastic frame coupled to the glass panel and an encapsulant for securing the frame to the panel. The frame includes at least three sides, wherein at least two and less than all of the at least three sides of the frame have a C-shaped channel extending within an outer frame surface and wherein another one side of the at least three sides does not have a C-shaped channel. The panel is introduced onto the inner surface of the lower wall portion of the another one side and then slid within each one of the C-shaped channels on the at least two sides. An encapsulant is bonded onto the panel and frame to secure the frame to the panel. The encapsulant has a Shore hardness less than the Shore hardness of the frame.

Abstract: A sliding window assembly for a vehicle includes a fixed panel and a sliding panel moveable relative to the fixed panel. A track is connected to the fixed panel. The track includes an elongated member having a base portion and first and second legs extending from the base portion to define a channel. The first leg is connected to the fixed panel and the second leg is spaced from the first leg. The sliding panel is disposed within the channel and is slidable along the track relative to the fixed panel. The first leg defines a drain hole in communication with the channel and an exterior of the vehicle for draining water from the channel to the exterior of the vehicle.

Abstract: A sliding window assembly, a cable drive system and methods of operating the same, are disclosed. The sliding window assembly includes a guide track and a sliding window movable relative to the guide track. A heating element is coupled to the sliding window for heating the sliding window. A drum of a drive assembly rotates and includes a conductive terminal connected to a power supply of the vehicle. A cable is coupled between the sliding window and heating element and the drum. The drum rotates to mechanically wind or unwind the cable for moving the sliding window. A conductive element is coupled to at least one of the drum and the cable and is electrically connected to the cable and is movable during movement of the sliding window. The conductive element contacts the conductive terminal to provide electrical current to the cable for energizing the heating element.

Abstract: A sliding window assembly is used with a vehicle. The sliding window assembly includes at least one fixed panel having first and second edges, with the fixed panel also having an arcuate configuration between the first and second edges. The sliding window assembly includes at least one rail coupled to the fixed panel and having first and second rail ends. The rail extends along an axis between the first and second rail ends. The rail defines a rail channel having a substantially linear configuration along the axis. The sliding window assembly includes a sliding panel at least partially disposed within the rail channel and movable along the rail and the axis relative to the fixed panel between open and closed positions. The first edge of the fixed panel is spaced from the second edge of the fixed panel along the axis that the rail extends along.

Abstract: A vertical sliding window assembly can be coupled to a flange of a vehicle. The vertical sliding window assembly includes a first fixed panel and a second fixed panel adapted to be fixed to the vehicle. The first and second fixed panels have a top edge and a bottom edge spaced from each other. First and second vertical tracks are coupled to and extends between the top and bottom edges of a respective one of the first and second fixed panels. Each of the vertical tracks have a bottom end adjacent the bottom edge of a respective one of the fixed panels. A sliding panel is movable along the first and second vertical tracks relative to the fixed panels. The bottom end of each of the first and second vertical tracks terminates between the top and bottom edges of the fixed panels.

Abstract: A vertical sliding window assembly can be coupled to a vehicle. The vertical sliding window assembly includes first and second fixed panels adapted to be fixed to the vehicle. The fixed panels each have a top edge and a bottom edge spaced from each other. A top cross-member is coupled to the first and second fixed panels adjacent the top edge. A bottom cross-member is spaced from the top cross-member and is coupled to the first and second fixed panels adjacent the bottom edge. A sliding panel has an interior surface and an exterior surface opposite the interior surface and is movable relative to the fixed panels. The top cross-member is disposed adjacent the exterior surface of the sliding panel and the bottom cross-member is disposed adjacent the interior surface of the sliding panel such that the exterior surface of the sliding panel is unobstructed by the bottom cross-member.

Abstract: A sliding window assembly is used with a vehicle. The sliding window assembly includes at least one fixed panel having first and second edges, with the fixed panel also having an arcuate configuration between the first and second edges. The sliding window assembly includes at least one rail coupled to the fixed panel and having first and second rail ends. The rail extends along an axis between the first and second rail ends. The rail defines a rail channel having a substantially linear configuration along the axis. The sliding window assembly includes a sliding panel at least partially disposed within the rail channel and movable along the rail and the axis relative to the fixed panel between open and closed positions. The first edge of the fixed panel is spaced from the second edge of the fixed panel along the axis that the rail extends along.

Abstract: A sliding window assembly for a vehicle, a cable drive system for a vehicle, and methods of operating the same, are disclosed. The sliding window assembly includes a track adapted to be coupled to the vehicle, and a sliding panel movable relative to the track between an open position and a closed position. A heating element is coupled to the sliding panel for heating the sliding panel. The sliding window assembly further includes a conductive cable coupled to the sliding panel and the heating element. The conductive cable is configured to transfer electrical current to energize the heating element and to undergo mechanical force to move the sliding panel relative to the track between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A vertical sliding window assembly can be coupled to a vehicle. The vertical sliding window assembly includes first and second fixed panels adapted to be fixed to the vehicle. The fixed panels each have a top edge and a bottom edge spaced from each other. A top cross-member is coupled to the first and second fixed panels adjacent the top edge. A bottom cross-member is spaced from the top cross-member and is coupled to the first and second fixed panels adjacent the bottom edge. A sliding panel has an interior surface and an exterior surface opposite the interior surface and is movable relative to the fixed panels. The top cross-member is disposed adjacent the exterior surface of the sliding panel and the bottom cross-member is disposed adjacent the interior surface of the sliding panel such that the exterior surface of the sliding panel is unobstructed by the bottom cross-member.

Abstract: A vertical sliding window assembly can be coupled to a flange of a vehicle. The vertical sliding window assembly includes a first fixed panel and a second fixed panel adapted to be fixed to the vehicle. The first and second fixed panels have a top edge and a bottom edge spaced from each other. First and second vertical tracks are coupled to and extends between the top and bottom edges of a respective one of the first and second fixed panels. Each of the vertical tracks have a bottom end adjacent the bottom edge of a respective one of the fixed panels. A sliding panel is movable along the first and second vertical tracks relative to the fixed panels. The bottom end of each of the first and second vertical tracks terminates between the top and bottom edges of the fixed panels.

Abstract: A sliding window assembly for a vehicle includes a fixed panel and a sliding panel moveable relative to the fixed panel between an open position and a closed position. An elongated member is connected to the fixed panel and defines a channel extending along a longitudinal axis from a first end to a second end. The channel receives the sliding panel for movement of the sliding panel relative to the fixed panel. A rail is disposed in the channel along the longitudinal axis and is spaced along the longitudinal axis from the first end. The elongated member defines a drain hole molded into the elongated member in the channel. The drain hole is defined between the rail and the first end of the channel along the axis for draining water from the channel.

Abstract: A sliding window assembly for a vehicle includes a fixed panel and a sliding panel moveable relative to the fixed panel. A track is connected to the fixed panel. The track includes an elongated member having a base portion and first and second legs extending from the base portion to define a channel. The first leg is connected to the fixed panel and the second leg is spaced from the first leg. The sliding panel is disposed within the channel and is slidable along the track relative to the fixed panel. The first leg defines a drain hole in communication with the channel and an exterior of the vehicle for draining water from the channel to the exterior of the vehicle.