Abstract: A motor vehicle egress window comprises a circumferential outer frame forming an auxiliary egress opening for a motor vehicle passenger compartment and an inner frame unit. The outer frame has an outer frame member with an inner surface and at least a first striker pin. The inner frame unit is mounted to the outer frame for movement between closed and open positions has a circumferential inner frame, a glazing pane mounted to the inner frame, at least a first egress latch mounted to the inner frame, and a release mechanism. The egress latch is operative to latch to the striker pin to hold the inner frame unit in the closed position. The release mechanism includes a manually operative release handle, preferably mounted at an elevated position on a vertical side portion of the inner frame, and release linkage comprising at least a first link from the release handle to the first latch. In certain embodiments the inner and outer frames overlap radially for improved functionality.

Abstract: Installation structure for installing and removing a sacrificial glazing panel. There is disclosed a removable retaining member for the sacrificial glazing panel that laterally pressures a primary glazing panel to seal and hold the primary glazing panel and holds the sacrificial glazing panel without lateral pressure. A unitary, dual-durometer retaining member is disclosed which is optimized for holding the primary glazing and the sacrificial glazing panel in different manners by having materials of two different hardnesses. Additionally, a retaining member is disclosed that has flocking material to reduce rattling of the sacrificial glazing panel.

Abstract: Side-mounted linkage slide-out mechanisms move a slide-out section of a vehicle linearly from a retracted position within an interior of the vehicle to an extended position outward of the vehicle interior. Pivotal scissor linkage assemblies are driven by a linear actuator to pivot about one or more moving pivots mounted to the slide-out section and one or more stationary pivots mounted to the vehicle, and thereby translate the slide-out section. The linkage and drive components have features that limit travel and lock out movement of the slide-out section upon reaching the fully retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: A tailgate ramp for a vehicle is driven up and down by a rotary drive system that engages a hinge plate. The prime mover of the system is a two way electric motor that drives the hinge plate through a gear reduction, and can be placed away from the gate using parallel shafts that extend between the motor and the hinge plate. A screw driven latch arm is also driven by a two way electric motor to latch and unlatch the door.

Abstract: A brake assembly for an in-vehicle platform lift including at least one column and at least one flexible drive member. The brake assembly has at least one lever including a brake face that engages the column to brake the platform lift when the flexible drive member goes slack. The brake assembly is biased into the brake position and can be configured to brake the platform lift when the flexible drive member is stationary.

Abstract: A window assembly includes a pane defining a plane, and a latch bolt housing mounted to the pane. A latch bolt is slidingly mounted to the latch bolt housing for movement in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the pane between a first position and a second position. A biasing member is operative to urge the latch bolt toward the first position, and a release handle remote from the latch bolt is operative to move the latch bolt from the first position toward the second position against a biasing force of the biasing member.

Abstract: An awning-type insulated glazing assembly includes an insulated glazing having a first glazing pane and a second glazing pane mounted parallel to and spaced from the first glazing pane. The first glazing pane has a marginal portion extending beyond the second glazing pane in at least a first direction in a plane of the first glazing pane. A mounting hinge defines a hinge axis and is secured to the insulated glazing for hingedly mounting the insulated glazing for awning-type movement about the hinge axis. A window regulator is secured to the insulated glazing for controlling the awning-type movement of the insulated glazing about the hinge axis.

Abstract: An awning-type insulated glazing assembly includes an insulated glazing having a first glazing pane and a second glazing pane mounted parallel to and spaced from the first glazing pane. The first glazing pane has a marginal portion extending beyond the second glazing pane in at least a first direction in a plane of the first glazing pane. A mounting hinge defines a hinge axis and is secured to the insulated glazing for hingedly mounting the insulated glazing for awning-type movement about the hinge axis. A window regulator is secured to the insulated glazing for controlling the awning-type movement of the insulated glazing about the hinge axis.

Abstract: An installation structure and method for installing and removing a sacrificial glazing panel in a frame having a perimeter channel in which a deeper channel section is formed in the frame receiving an edge of the glazing panel to allow forcible shifting of the glazing panel so that an opposite edge clears the lip of an opposite channel section during installation and removal. A positioner element such as bowed leaf spring may be installed to reposition the glazing panel after the glazing panel is released so that the opposite edge is located to be retained by the lip after release.

Abstract: A window assembly includes a pane defining a plane, and a latch bolt housing mounted to the pane. A latch bolt is slidingly mounted to the latch bolt housing for movement in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the pane between a first position and a second position. A biasing member is operative to urge the latch bolt toward the first position, and a release handle remote from the latch bolt is operative to move the latch bolt from the first position toward the second position against a biasing force of the biasing member.

Abstract: A window assembly includes a pane defining a plane, and a latch bolt housing mounted to the pane. A latch bolt is slidingly mounted to the latch bolt housing for movement in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the pane between a first position and a second position. A biasing member is operative to urge the latch bolt toward the first position, and a release handle remote from the latch bolt is operative to move the latch bolt from the first position toward the second position against a biasing force of the biasing member.

Abstract: A window assembly includes a pane having an interior surface, an exterior surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, and two side edges. A frame has a header, a bottom with a latching portion, and two sides. A window frame is attached to the pane solely by adhesive bonding to the interior surface of the pane, and a hinge member is attached to the pane solely by adhesive bonding to the interior surface of the pane proximate the top edge of the pane. A latch is attached to the pane solely by adhesive bonding to the interior surface of the pane remote from the top edge of the pane and is operable to engage the latching portion of the footer.

Abstract: A window assembly includes a pane defining a plane, and a latch bolt housing mounted to the pane. A latch bolt is slidingly mounted to the latch bolt housing for movement in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the pane between a first position and a second position. A biasing member is operative to urge the latch bolt toward the first position, and a release handle remote from the latch bolt is operative to move the latch bolt from the first position toward the second position against a biasing force of the biasing member.

Abstract: A glazing assembly for a window assembly has a frame and a windowpane sized to fit within the frame. A sacrificial glazing panel substantially covers one surface of the windowpane. A self-locking seal assembly is seated in the frame, and has interlocking unitary arms and a hinged portion. The seal assembly releasably captivates the glazing panel and the windowpane within the frame. When the unitary arms are locked, the seal assembly captivates the windowpane and the sacrificial glazing. When the unitary arms are unlocked, the seal assembly captivates the windowpane but does not captivate the sacrificial glazing. When the self-locking seal assembly is folded about the hinged portion in an open position, the seal assembly does not captivate the windowpane or the sacrificial glazing.

Abstract: An infinitely adjustable seat track assembly is provided with a lower track assembly and an upper track assembly releasably slidable on the lower track assembly. The lower track assembly comprises at least one lower track, and a wrap spring wrapped around a rod and aligned with the lower track. The upper track assembly has at least one upper track which can slide in forward and rearward directions over the lower track. A lever is mounted on the upper track assembly. The lever is pivotable from a latching position where the wrap spring wraps tightly around the rod, to an unlatching position where the lever urges the wrap spring to partially unwrap around the rod, thereby permitting the wrap spring to slide along the rod.

Abstract: A heated sliding window assembly comprising a fixed portion comprising a circumferential frame and a fixed pane attached to the circumferential frame, with the fixed pane having an electrically conductive heating grid. A sliding pane is slidable within the circumferential frame between an open position and a closed position, and the sliding pane has an electrically conductive heating grid. A first conductive element is mounted on the fixed portion and a second conductive element is mounted on the sliding pane. The first and second conductive elements are routed through a latch assembly, and are electrically connected together when the sliding pane is in the closed position. To connect the heating grid of the sliding pane to the heating grid of a second fixed pane, third and fourth conductive elements are employed, either routed through the same latch assembly as the above mentioned first and second conductive elements or mounted at an end of the sliding pane remote from the latch assembly.

Abstract: A window regulator comprises a rail defining a central channel which receives an elongate flexible plastic tape having a plurality of slots, the width of the tape being sized to fit within the central channel, a drive mechanism for moving the tape, either electric or manual, and a universal housing connecting the rail and the drive mechanism. The universal housing can be used with either manual or electric window regulator designs. The universal housing has a central cavity which can receive an insert bracket for a manual drive drum when the drive mechanism includes a hand crank. The central cavity is sized to receive a larger, electric drive drum when the drive mechanism includes an electric motor. Either drive drum has teeth sized to engage the slots of the tape so that the drive mechanism can impart motion to the tape to raise and lower a windowpane. When the insert bracket is used, the tape is routed in the universal housing from a first slot, around the manual drive drum to a second slot.

Abstract: A modular insert trim unit is provided for a motor vehicle door. The modular insert trim unit includes a one-piece molded plastic door cavity insert having a passenger-side aesthetic trim surface. The door cavity insert preferably is a hollow body structure formed by reaction injection molding and having unitary mounting bosses for structurally mounting functional door hardware and for mounting the modular insert trim unit to structural componentry of the door assembly. The modular insert trim unit preferably is preassembled as a self-supporting unit which can be inserted conveniently into a door cavity defined at least in part by an outer panel of the door assembly. Window regulator hardware, door lock and handle hardware, are thus installed into a motor vehicle door as an integrated unit with the door cavity insert, which further provides the aesthetic passenger-side trim surface generally required for motor vehicle doors.

Abstract: An encapsulated plastic glazing window module for a motor vehicle has a glazing assembly formed from a transparent plastic glazing substrate and a frit film positioned on at least a portion of the glazing substrate, an encapsulation frame encapsulating the glazing assembly and attachment means such as mounting studs and/or adhesives for securing the glazing assembly to the motor vehicle. In certain preferred embodiments the transparent plastic substrate is a polycarbonate, and the frit film is a semi-rigid sheet having a transparent polycarbonate carrier web with a non-transparent ink or dye. In certain embodiments the frit film is positioned on an interior side of the plastic substrate and the non-transparent portion covers the attachment means from exterior view. An abrasion resistant coating or hardcoat such as an organically modified ceramic is preferably to each surface of the glazing assembly, preferably by dip coating. The encapsulation material is preferably a PVC or similar thermoplastic.

Abstract: A plastic glazing window module has a glazing assembly formed from a transparent plastic glazing substrate and a frit film positioned on at least a portion of the glazing substrate. In certain preferred embodiments the transparent plastic substrate is a polycarbonate, and the frit film is a semi-rigid sheet having a transparent carrier web with a non-transparent ink or dye. In certain embodiments the frit film is positioned on an interior side of the plastic substrate and the non-transparent portion covers the attachment means from exterior view. An abrasion resistant coating or hardcoat, such as an organically modified ceramic, is preferably applied to each surface of the glazing assembly, preferably by dip coating. In certain preferred embodiments structural ribs may be positioned circumferentially around the substrate. The glazing substrate also may form a lip to cover a ledge formed by the motor vehicle body at the periphery of the window opening.