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 window assembly for a motor vehicle includes a guide rail having at least one wall that defines at least part of a guide track, a movable pane associated with the guide rail and movable relative to the guide track along a path of movement defined by and between a closed position and a fully open position, and a retainer. The retainer may be coupled to the movable pane and be movable with the movable pane, and be located at least partially within the guide track. The retainer may further include at least one biasing member that is engaged with the wall along the path of movement to limit movement of the retainer relative to the guide rail.

Abstract: A window assembly may include a pane movable between open and closed positions, a cam having a cam surface, and a cam follower coupled to the movable pane for movement relative to the cam surface and engageable with the cam surface when the movable pane is near or in the closed position. The cam surface may be inclined toward a seal to direct the movable pane into the seal when the movable pane moves into the closed position. The cam surface may include a linear portion that extends along at least a majority of the path of travel of the movable pane. The cam follower may remain engaged with the cam surface throughout a desired portion of the path of travel of the movable pane.

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 heated sliding window assembly includes at least one fixed window. A rail is attached to the fixed window. A sliding window is moveable along the rail between open and closed positions. The sliding window includes a heater grid and an electrical contact. A conductive member is attached to the at least one fixed window. The conductive member provides electrical coupling between the conductive member and the electrical contact through the entire movement range of the sliding window between the open and closed positions for providing current to the heater grid.

Abstract: A window assembly may include a pane movable between open and closed positions, a cam having a cam surface, and a cam follower coupled to the movable pane for movement relative to the cam surface and engageable with the cam surface when the movable pane is near or in its closed position. The cam surface is inclined to direct the movable pane into a seal when the movable pane moves toward its closed position. The cam surface may include a linear portion that extends along at least a majority of the path of travel of the movable pane and up to the entire length of the path of travel. The cam follower may remain engaged with the cam surface throughout a desired portion of the path of travel of the movable pane.

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 heated sliding window assembly includes at least one fixed window. A rail is attached to the fixed window. A sliding window is moveable along the rail between open and closed positions. The sliding window includes a heater grid and an electrical contact. A conductive member is attached to the at least one fixed window. The conductive member provides electrical coupling between the conductive member and the electrical contact through the entire movement range of the sliding window between the open and closed positions for providing current to the heater grid.

Abstract: A heated sliding window assembly for a vehicle that includes at least one fixed window. A rail is attached to the at least one fixed window. The fixed window may include an electrical contact. A sliding window is moveable along the rail and is moveable between open and closed positions. The sliding window includes a heater grid and an electrical contact. A drive mechanism is attached to the sliding window for moving the sliding window between the open and closed positions. An electrical circuit is included for carrying current to the heater grid. A switch is disposed within the electrical circuit that cuts off current to the heater grid when the sliding window is moved.

Abstract: An articulating window assembly is adapted for use with a support structure. The assembly includes a windowpane with an inner surface. A hinge is adjacent to the inner surface. The hinge includes a cylindrical member having a pivot axis and a stud member attached to the cylindrical member. A polymeric member surrounding at least a portion of the hinge member so as to permit, the hinge member to articulate about the pivot axis.

Abstract: An articulating window assembly is adapted for use with a support structure. The assembly includes a windowpane with an inner surface. A hinge is adjacent to the inner surface. The hinge includes a cylindrical member having a pivot axis and a stud member attached to the cylindrical member. A polymeric member surrounding at least a portion of the hinge member so as to permit, the hinge member to articulate about the pivot axis.

Abstract: A modular window assembly constructed as a pre-assembled unit for closing an opening in a motor vehicle body is provided with a light assembly mounted in a frame assembly. In those preferred embodiments used as a backlight to close an opening in the sheet metal of a pickup truck, the light assembly may optionally be a high mount stop lamp or brakelight and/or a cargo light. The light assembly may have a housing and structure for connecting the light assembly to a power source. Numerous configurations and kinds of light assemblies may be used. The light assembly may optionally be mounted flush with an exterior surface of the frame. In certain preferred embodiments the frame assembly can have a circumferential main body segment and a halo segment unitary with the main body segment. The light assembly optionally can be mounted in the unitary halo segment. A light assembly, for example, can be used with fixed pane modular windows, single sliding pane modular windows and dual pane sliding modular windows.

Abstract: A modular sliding window assembly has a molded plastic frame comprising a molded plastic circumferential frame member and at least one molded plastic post segment within and unitary with the circumferential frame member. The frame defines primary and secondary apertures. A sliding pane having an inboard side and an outboard side is slidable from an open position to a closed position and the sliding pane closes the primary aperture when it moves to the closed position. The sliding pane is secured to the frame by a latch assembly which includes a latch which releasably engages a latch keeper. The latch can be fixedly attached to the sliding pane and the latch keeper made unitary with one of the frame, or, alternatively, the latch may be attached to the frame and the latch keeper may be attached to the sliding pane. Anti-theft means auxiliary to the latch keeper secure the sliding pane to the frame against inboard separation of the sliding pane from the frame.

Abstract: A modular window assembly has a molded plastic frame defining one or more apertures, wherein at least one of the apertures can be opened and closed by a transparent pane which slides in opposed channels formed cooperatively by a backplate and the frame. The slide channels can be formed by backplate members attached to the frame at upper and lower rabbets. The frame can be a unitary one-piece frame having a latch keeper formed therein for releasably capturing a moveable member of a latch attached to the sliding pane. Tab and slot positioning means can be provided as unitary elements of the frame and a circumferentially extending halo molding fitted about the periphery of the window opening. Vehicle attachment studs optionally are attached to, e.g., sonically welded into, the frame and/or the backplate. In a motor vehicle application, the frame may further provide a unitary headliner flange extending inwardly to support a passenger compartment headliner.