TH24319A - Movable window safety device - Google Patents

Abstract

Safety device for sliding windows (12) for inhibiting the upward movement of the window pane driven by the force in the vehicle body in the event of an obstruction in the window cavity. The device consists of a flexible groove (16) for supporting the window pane (52) and is fitted into the rigid window frame (8). The base of the flexible groove contains an electrical sensing element (30) supported in a hollow chamber (32). The side walls (17) and (18) of the flexible groove (16) extend outwards around the sides of the rigid window frame (8) and have curved outer edges (38, 40) and inner edges (20, 22). An obstruction in the window cavity is moved upward by the window pane (52) and a force (F) is applied to one or both side walls (17, 18) of the flexible groove (16), regardless of whether the obstruction is coming from the inside or outside of the window cavity. The resulting force (F) is applied to the sensing element (30). The sensing element (30) can be part of a collector. The charge in the tuning circuit of the oscillator, whose frequency varies in response to the movement of the sensing element (30), is detected to suppress the window. Alternatively, it could be an element whose electrical resistance is changed by an applied force (F), which is detected by a suitable sensing circuit to suppress the window.

Claims (11)

1. A safety device for sliding windows to detect obstructions in a window opening that can be closed by a powered window pane consists of a flexible material molded into a groove for installation in the rigid window frame and to support the edge of the window pane during installation. The flexible groove has a base, an opening, and two side walls, and is sized so that the two side walls extend beyond the rigid window frame. An obstruction entering the window opening from either side of this extends into contact with the corresponding extension by the window pane when the window pane is being powered in motion, and force is applied through this extension to the corresponding side walls and directed towards the base of the flexible groove. An electrical sensing path is installed inside and extends along the rigid window frame to be acted upon by the force and to produce a corresponding electrical signal. The width of the electrical sensing path extends beyond the width of the flexible groove in response to the force applied through either extension. A control path responding to the electrical signal inhibits the powered movement of the window pane. The electrical trajectory is installed within a flexible enclosure at the base of the flexible glider, where the flexible material forming the base of the groove is arranged to contain at least one hollow chamber to enhance its flexibility. This hollow chamber is an addition to the flexible wheel enclosure installed in the electrical trajectory. 2. The device under claim 1 in which each extension is created by the edge of each wall of the flexible groove. 3. The device under claim 2, in which each ridge receives a contiguous edge extending beyond the mouth of the groove and enclosing the adjacent window frame. 4. A device under claim 3 in which each ridge receives a joint that forms a single unit for a tight seal with the ridge of the window glass. 5. The device under claim 1 where the hollow chamber is located closer to the outside of the base of the groove than to the electrical sensing path. 6. The device under claim 1 where the hollow chamber is located closer to the inside of the base of the groove than to the electrical sensing path. 7. The device under Charge 1, where the base of the groove is constructed with a single, integrated edge that extends beyond the groove and out of the base of the groove to make contact with each individual constructed part on a rigid frame. 8. An apparatus under claim 1 in which the control path consists of an electrical oscillation circuit with a tuning circuit for determining the oscillator frequency, and in which the sensing path consists of an electrical conductor whose movement in response to such force affects the capacitance within the tuning circuit and the oscillator frequency. The control path, including the path, responds to variations in the oscillator frequency to produce a controlled output, and the path responds to the controlled output to inhibit the movement of a powered window pane. 9. The device under claim 8, including a means to respond to the controlled output for the power-driven window movement to retrace, resulting in the window being ejected from its flexible groove. 10. An apparatus under claim 1 in which the sensing pathway consists of a material with electrical resistance that undergoes a change in response to such force, and in which the control pathway consists of a path connected to the sensing pathway for the detection of such change in electrical resistance and for the production of a controlled output, and the path responds to the controlled output to inhibit the driven window pane. 11. The device under claim 10, including the means to respond to the controlled output for the power-driven window movement to retrace, resulting in the window being ejected from its flexible groove.