Abstract: A crossmember assembly is provided for a motor vehicle having a roof with first and second rails. Each rail has a width within a range of widths, with the first and second rails being spaced from one another by distance within a range of distances. The assembly includes a crossbar having first and second ends and movable along the rails. The assembly further includes a first clamp mechanism engaged with the first end for securing the crossbar to the first rail and a second clamp mechanism engaged with the second end for securing the crossbar to the first rail. Each of the first and second clamp mechanisms includes a stanchion attached to the crossbar and having a first rail gripping surface. Each of the first and second clamp mechanisms further includes a scotch yoke, which has a second rail gripping surface and is movable between clamped and unclamped states.

Abstract: A crossmember assembly is provided for a motor vehicle having a roof with first and second rails. Each rail has a width within a range of widths, with the first and second rails being spaced from one another by distance within a range of distances. The assembly includes a crossbar having first and second ends and movable along the rails. The assembly further includes a first clamp mechanism engaged with the first end for securing the crossbar to the first rail and a second clamp mechanism engaged with the second end for securing the crossbar to the first rail. Each of the first and second clamp mechanisms includes a stanchion attached to the crossbar and having a first rail gripping surface. Each of the first and second clamp mechanisms further includes a scotch yoke, which has a second rail gripping surface and is movable between clamped and unclamped states.

Abstract: A universal crossmember assembly is provided for a motor vehicle having a roof and first and second rails attached to the roof. The assembly includes a crossbar having first and second ends along an axis. The assembly further includes a first clamp mechanism engaged with the first end for securing the crossbar to the first rail. The assembly further includes a second clamp mechanism engaged with the second end for securing the crossbar to the second rail. Each clamp mechanism includes at least first and second jaws having an associated one of first and second rail gripping surfaces for gripping one of the rails when an actuator is moved to an actuated position. Each clamp mechanism further includes a biasing mechanism capable of urging the first jaw away from the second jaw when the actuator is moved to a non-actuated position.

Abstract: An adjustment mechanism includes a first pin connectable to a crossbar, a second pin connectable to a roof rail, a housing assembly disposed on the second pin, the housing assembly including a bearing and a first biasing member both disposed within the housing assembly, the bearing translatable within the housing assembly, the biasing member disposed between the bearing and the housing assembly to bias the bearing member, the first pin disposed through the bearing, and a second biasing member disposed on the second pin between the roof rail and the housing assembly to bias the housing assembly. The first pin is rotatable within the bearing to rotate the crossbar, the first pin is translatable with the bearing to move the crossbar in a first direction and a second direction, and the housing assembly is translatable along the second pin to move the crossbar in a third direction and a fourth direction.

Abstract: An adjustment mechanism includes a first pin connectable to a crossbar, a second pin connectable to a roof rail, a housing assembly disposed on the second pin, the housing assembly including a bearing and a first biasing member both disposed within the housing assembly, the bearing translatable within the housing assembly, the biasing member disposed between the bearing and the housing assembly to bias the bearing member, the first pin disposed through the bearing, and a second biasing member disposed on the second pin between the roof rail and the housing assembly to bias the housing assembly. The first pin is rotatable within the bearing to rotate the crossbar, the first pin is translatable with the bearing to move the crossbar in a first direction and a second direction, and the housing assembly is translatable along the second pin to move the crossbar in a third direction and a fourth direction.

Abstract: In at least some implementations, a motor vehicle window assembly includes a guide rail, a movable pane movable along the guide rail between open and closed positions and a defroster. First and second guide rail conductors are carried by the guide rail and adapted to be connected to a power source. First and second movable conductors are each electrically communicated with a respective one of the first and second guide rail conductors, each electrically coupled to the defroster and each movable with the movable pane relative to guide rail when the movable pane is moved between the open and closed positions. To provide power to the defroster, the movable conductors are in contact with the guide rail conductors when the movable pane is in the closed position and during movement of the movable pane between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: In at least some implementations, a motor vehicle window assembly includes a guide rail, a movable pane movable along the guide rail between open and closed positions and a defroster. First and second guide rail conductors are carried by the guide rail and adapted to be connected to a power source. First and second movable conductors are each electrically communicated with a respective one of the first and second guide rail conductors, each electrically coupled to the defroster and each movable with the movable pane relative to guide rail when the movable pane is moved between the open and closed positions. To provide power to the defroster, the movable conductors are in contact with the guide rail conductors when the movable pane is in the closed position and during movement of the movable pane between the open and closed positions.

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: A slider window assembly for a motor vehicle includes a fixed panel formed of a single pane encircling an opening formed therein, a slider panel movable along a horizontal axis between closed and open positions, an injection-molded plastic slider frame adhesively bonded to the fixed panel, and at least one seal member forming a seal between the slider frame and the slider panel. The slider frame includes a sealing frame extending entirely about the opening, an upper run located above the opening and receiving the slider panel, and a lower run located below the opening and receiving the slider panel. There is preferably a substantially continuous adhesive bond between the slider frame and the fixed panel that entirely encircles the opening.

Abstract: A sliding window assembly has at least one sliding pane mounted for travel along a travel path between a closed position in a first plane and an open position in an offset second plane substantially parallel to the first plane. The window assembly has travel guide apparatus for guiding its movement along the travel path between the open and closed positions. The travel guide apparatus includes a track defining an elongate slot corresponding to the travel path, a fixed guide surface having a fixed position relative to the track, e.g., a pivot pin, and components cooperatively operative as a cam and slide movement for guiding travel of the sliding pane between its open and closed positions. Typically, for generally rectilinear sliding panes, a track, guide surface and cam and slide movement are provided for each corner of the sliding pane.

Abstract: A sliding window assembly has at least one sliding pane mounted for travel along a travel path between a closed position in a first plane and an open position in an offset second plane substantially parallel to the first plane. The window assembly has travel guide apparatus for guiding its movement along the travel path between the open and closed positions. The travel guide apparatus includes a track defining an elongate slot corresponding to the travel path, a fixed guide surface having a fixed position relative to the track, e.g., a pivot pin, and components cooperatively operative as a cam and slide movement for guiding travel of the sliding pane between its open and closed positions. Typically, for generally rectilinear sliding panes, a track, guide surface and cam and slide movement are provided for each corner of the sliding pane.

Abstract: A sliding window assembly has at least one sliding pane mounted for travel along a travel path between a closed position in a first plane and an open position in an offset second plane substantially parallel to the first plane. The window assembly has travel guide apparatus for guiding its movement along the travel path between the open and closed positions. The travel guide apparatus includes a track defining an elongate slot corresponding to the travel path, a fixed guide surface having a fixed position relative to the track, e.g., a pivot pin, and components cooperatively operative as a cam and slide movement for guiding travel of the sliding pane between its open and closed positions. Typically, for generally rectilinear sliding panes, a track, guide surface and cam and slide movement are provided for each corner of the sliding pane.

Abstract: A fastener is provided using an H-rib head which slides into place in a channel molded on a detachable door mounted on a vehicular instrument panel covering an inflatable airbag. The H-rib fastener has a mounting shank extending downward therefrom which is adapted to fit in a hole in a mounting substrate on the instrument panel. A resilient clip is mounted on the mounting shank of the H-rib for insertion into one of the holes in the mounting substrate for locking the fastener in place in the mounting substrate. Upon deployment of the airbag, the door is pushed out of the dashboard surface with the H-shaped connector detaching from the channel in the door. Accordingly, only a low lying channel remains on the backside of the door, thereby minimizing the potential of a snagged airbag. The fastener can also be released simply by pressing the clip fastener together to release the H-rib fastener from the instrument panel to gain access to the airbag assembly in order to service the airbag assembly if desired.