US1517913A - Window regulator - Google Patents

Description

J. E. LENAHAN WINDOW REGULATOR Filed May 21, 1923 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 twi l fls INVENTOR Fm. a

ATTORNEY J. E. LENAHAN WINDOW REGULATOR Filed May 21, 1925 2 Sheet-Shet 2 v INVENTOR 1 FIG. 8. j asc bm age/5 Lam ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 2, i924.

ATE

WINDOW REGULATOR.

Application filed May 21, 1923. Serial No. 640,542.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN E. LENAHAN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of Detroit, in the county of \Vayne and State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Window Regulator, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention has reference to that class of devices which are known as closure operators, and is particularly designed for opening, shutting, and stabilizing windows in automobiles and other covered vehicles, as well as in stationary structures.

The chief object of the invention to produce an improved regulating mechanism, of the nature referred to, whereby a window-sash or similar closure can be easily and conveniently moved in any way desired. and will he securely retained in its assigned position, whether the same be entirely or partially open, or shut, according to requirements.

A supplementary object, in producing the said mechanism, is so to construct and combine the component parts thereof that they shall be in permanent engagement with one another, and rendered severally immovahle through the setting of their own actuating means, when the closure has been brought into the required position, thus op erating to hold the latter firmly at all times and keep it normally free from vibration.

A further object resides in devising for the mechanism aforesaid a simple, strong, and durable construction whereby the same is adapted to move the closure positively during both the opening and shutting opera tions. while keeping it well poised always and in smooth running condition.

.Another object is to provide a locking eiemenl for the said actuating means, so applied to the regulating mechanism that it will admit of being folded thereover when not in operation, in such manner that no part of the said element will then stand out and be exposed to catch in a persons clothing, or injure in any *ay the article with which it mayoome into contact.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and in part he more fully brought out in the detailed description thereof hereinafter contained.

The invention consists of the novel improvements, parts, combinations, and features of construction herein. slown and de scribed, and pointed out in the appended claims.

eferring to the accompanying drawings, for a detailed description of the invent1on,

Figure 1 is a frontelevation of this improved regulating mechanism, as it appears before being applied to a door or window sash, or a similar closure;

Fig. 2 is a sectional side elevation, the section being on the line fi -2 of the preceding figure, looking toward theleft;

Fig. 3 is a transverse section onthe line 3-3'of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the upwardly pointed arrows;

Fig. 4 is a similar section on the line 4- i of Fig. 1, but looking in an opposite direction, as the downwardly pointed arrows indicate;

Fig. 5 is a face View, on an enlarged scale,

showing the greater part of the actuating means for the regulating mechanism, with the locking element thereof in an open position;

Fig. 6 is a sectional plan, illustratin the. manner of connecting the said actuating means and locking element to a door or window, part of which appears in transverse section;

Fig. 7 is a top plan view, representing the said locking element folded over the actuating means, both being shown as detached from the regulating mechanism; and

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view, giving the outline of a vehicle door provided with a sash operating and regulating mechanism of the form exemplified by the foregoing figures.

Corresponding parts are designated by similar reference characters throughout the specification and accompanying drawings.

.As shown in Figures 1 to 4, "inclusive, the invention includes a plate, indicated by the numeral. 11, and intended toserve as sup port for the mechanism hereinafter described. hen applied to a vehicle door, as 12 in Figs. 6 and 8, the plate 11 is placed upright, preferably within the bottom section thereof, where it stands in a recess 13, to one side of the pocket usuallyprovided to re. ceive the door-sash 1d, at such times as the latter is brought down. By preference also, the plate is positioned centrally with respect to the sash 14:, which slides alongside the same. The plate may be of elongate rec: tangular shape, as seen in Figs. l and 8,

and somewhat longer than the sash to be operated thereby. 1t is equipped, near its. lower end, with a hook-like retainer 15, adapted to take over a transverse member of the door, and it may further be held firmly in position by suitable fastenings.

The element affords a convenient means for suspending 01' anchoring the supporting plate from a point above the lower end thereof, so that it can be made to reach down unobstructed to the bottom of the pocket that receives the sash, or in other words the light-transmitting member, which being relatively shorter may be lowered to the fullest extent.

A screw-tln'eaded or spirally-grooved shaft 18 is mounted longitudinally in front of the plate 11., so as to rotate opposite the center thereof, preferably. This shaft is journalled in bearings 19 and 20, respectiv ly provided at its upper and lower extrenr ities, and held laterally from the corresponding ends of the plate. The said bearings may be attached directly to the plate, for instance to some integral, outwardlybent portions thereof, as shown at 21, in the upper part of Figs. 1, and 23, or they may be secured separately to brackets, as 22, carried by the plate in the manner indicated at the bottom of Figs. 1, 2 and 4-.

An interiorly threaded element 25, substantially in the form a nut, engages the exterior threads or grooves of the abovementioned shaft 18, in such a way as to be translatable vertically thereon, that is, either up or down, through the shafts rotation. This element has wings or side extensions 26, 27 (Fig. 4-) by means of which it is rigidly fastened to a transversely-(iisposed steadying member 28, the opposite extremities whereof are bent so as to engage guideways 29, 30, formed at the vertical edges of the plate 11. The member 28 is thereby held slidably from both sides of the plate, and the element connected thereto is maintained in constant operative engagement with the spirally grooved shaft. Thus mounted and steadied, the said element is made to perform the function of a sash-carrier, and for the latter purpose it is furnished with a pin or stud 31, projecting outwardly from the face of the memher 28, and entering a suitable socket or perforation at the bottom of the sash, in a manner that will be readily understood. The internally threaded element, as will he noted, is placed intermediately of the sashbearing stud and the pair of guides eugaged by the steadying member, and therefore is well positioned to prevent it from binding on the spirally-grooved shaft and insure its smooth running.

Spur-gearing is preferably employed for rotating the shaft 18, and thereby translat ing the carrier 25, with its stud engaging the sash 14:, as above stated. In the present form. of the invention, the gearing includes a pinion 34-, fixed to the upper end of the shaft 18, close to the bearing 19 thereof; a relatively large cog-wheel 35, in mesh with the said pinion, at right angles to the same; and a smaller spur-wheel 36, meshing edgewise into the said cog-wheel in the usual manner. The spur-wheel 36 is the actuating gear, and therefore is furnished with a crank 37, of peculiar construction, that will presently be described. The arrangement of the several. parts of the gearing is clearly shown in Figs. 1 to 8. As there represented, the pinion 34; is placed horizontally at the uper end of the upright shaft 18, entirely within the overhanging portion 21 of the plate 11. The two geai;'-\\'lieels a ad 36, on the other hand, are mounted so as to turn vertically in superposed relation, in a plane parallel to that of the plate, between the latter and the shaft. The gear 35 is in the nature of an idler, and preferably made to turn loose upon a stationary axle 38, passing through the plate and upset or enlarged at the ends to form confining disks, as 39, designed to maintain this gear in proper position intermediately of the pinion 34k and the actuating wl eel 36, with both of which it is engaged. The latter-named wheel may be double the size of the pinion 34-, and the intermediate gear 35 twice as large again. as illustrated. According to this mode of construction, one turn of the crank 37, fixed to the actuating wheel, will cause two revolutions of the pinion and of the spirallygILOOVQCl shaft rotated thereby, the intei mediate gear being employed to transmit the motion. It is understood that the intermediate gear does not alter the velocity ratio of the actuating gear and pinion, but the use thereof enables them to revolve conjointly in the same direction, that is, either to the right or to the left as the case may be, and its size further insures an appreciable n'iechanical advantage in translating the sash-carrier engaged by the spirally-grooreil Shaft. The teeth of the several parts of the spur-gearing, it ma he'noted, are approximately square at the base. and truncated to a greater or less extent. to permit their grouping in the manner hero shown and descrilfied. which obvi te having course to bevel-gears for tr; era-lug motion to the pinion 3 51; from the wheels :5 and 36, and coi'iserpieutly a tfords a more compact and economical construction.

It will be noticed upon inspection of Figs. 1, 2 and 3, that the intermediate gearovhcel 35 acts in a double capacity. first in transmitting motion without change of direction from the spiir gear 36 to the pinion 3 1-, and secondly by suitably spacing the former from the latter. The sash or light-transmitting member 14, in order to provide for the full as well as the partial opening and closing thereof pursuant to one of the expressed objects of the invention, is preferably made of a length approximately equal to the distance intervening between the flanged terminals of the plate 11, as clearly indicated in Fig. 8, and its carrier, consisting of the internally threaded element and stud-31 (Figs. 1, 2 and 4t) connected with the bottom of the said sash or member, has a free course along the entire shaft 18, ranging from the pinion 34 at the upper end of the latter down to the lowermost bearing 20 of the same. This enables the sash or member let to be lowered sufficiently to clear the ledge of the opening of which it constitutes the closure, and also to rise high enough to close the opening to the fullest extent. The upper end of the shaft, with the pinion 34 thereon, is brought up as close to the said opening as is consistent with good practice in connecting the said carrier to the sash or member 14. On the other hand, if the crank 37 that turns the actuating gear 36 were located near the ledge of the opening as in some other constructions, it would be apt to catch in the garments of a person leaning against the ledge 01' reaching across the opening. To obviate that defect, the present invention aims to place the crank as far down from the ledge as may be desirable, and therefore the actuating gear revolved thereby is spaced from the pinion on the shaft in a. corresponding manner. In the embodiment of the invention herein illustrated, a single idler interposed between the pinion 3A and the gear 36, suffices to accomplish the contemplated results, inasmuch as it permits locating the crank at a fair distance below the closure, and at the same time allows the sashcarrier tobe moved. past the actuating gear to or from the pinion on the upper end of the shaft.

Figs. 2 and 5 to 8, inclusive, illustrate in detail the preferred method of constructing and applying the crank o7, hereinbefore mentioned. This crank is secured to an axle d2, pertaining to the actuating gear-wheel 36. and passed through the plate 11 and the adjoining panel of the door 12. On the opposite side of the plate from the actuating gear is placed a washer 43, against which bears a collar 44., formed around the axle. The middle portion of the latter is made round, as well as the collar encircling it, to enable the same to turn smoothly in a bear ing provided therefor in the door panel. Thence the axle is made to project a pre determined distance from the inner face of the door, sufficient to connect it operatively with the other parts of the actuating means, as hereinafter explained.

A holding plate 46, extending laterally from the projecting part of the said axle 42,

r is fastened to the inner face of the door 12,

for instance by a screw 47. The latternamed plate is preferably formed with a marginal flange 48, arranged to bear upon a cloth sheet, as 49, usually applied as a finish over the surface of the door, on the inside.

The flange, it will be noted, keeps the plate raised or spaced from the doors surface and the sheet of cloth spread thereover. The round portion of the axle 42 also passes through both of the latter and rotates within the same. i

The said projecting part of the axle a2 terminates outside the plate 46, and the exteriorly extended end ther'eofissquared or made angular, as at 52, to engage a correspond- K ingly-shaped aperture in the central portion of a rotaary head 53, affording both a support and a flexible connection, next to be de scribed, for the arm of the crank 37, previously mentioned, or other operating element. Upon the end 52 rests a washer 54, lodged in a recess within the bottom of the head 53, which is prevented from sliding ofi the said end by a screw 55, entering the latter through this washer.

Guards 58 and 59 are provided on opposite sidesof the rotary head 53, and to one end of these guards is hinged a corresponding end of the crank-arm 37, by means 'of'a transversely-disposed pin 60. The hinged end of the crank-arm is of suflicient width to fill the gap intermediate the two guards, between which it can be swung soas to close and open after the manner of a knife-blade. It will be observed that the crank-arm is of nearly the same length as the holding plate 456, and folds thereover upon being swung inward about the hinge-pin 60, the parts then changing their relative positions, as indicated in Figs. 6 and 7, respectively. In its open or unfolded position, the crank-arm is arranged to bear upon an abutment 61,

provided between the guards 58, 59. which keeps it from swinging too far backwards and consequently holds its free end far enough out to enable the same to clear the adjacent plate 46, while the head 53 is being rotated. When the crank-arm is closed or folded, the hinged end thereof lies over the rotary head, and its free end rests upon the contiguous extremity of the holding plate. A small concavity 62 is formed in the inner face of the hinged end, as seen in Fig 6, to afford a clearance for the head of the screw 55, when the crank-arm is closed or folded.

At or near the free, outer end of the crank-arm 37, is provided a wrist-pin 65, serving to turn the latter and thereby to rotate the head 53, axle 42, and gear-wheel 36, which actuates the sash-regulating mechanism, upon being revolved in either direction. A knob or roller 66, of spool-like formation, is slipped over the pin 65, to facilitate the manipulation thereof in turning the crank-arm, When the crank-arm is folded lot) over the holding plate 4L6, the knobrbearin g wrist-pin is entered in a pocket orreceiver 67, provided for it at the adjacent end of the plate. Thus, the wrist-pin is not only put out of the way, but it entirely disappears from view, so as to be normally unseen, for instance by the occupants of the vehicle or other structure furnished with the regulating mechanism, the wrist-pin remaining concealed in its inactive position until deliberately retracted by a person knowing how to handle it, to operate the mechanism either for opening or closing the door or window sash. In this folded position, the crank-arm acts as a lock for the mechanism, inasmuch as the rotary head, axle, and gear-wheel which it controls cannot then be turned.

By preference, the receiver 67 is made of resilient metal, with two opposite sides flanged, as at 68, 69, to afford a means of attachment to the plate 46, as clearly shown in Fig. 6. The intervening sides of the receiver, on the other hand, are loose and terminate short of the holding plate, as indicated at 71, so that they can clasp between them the head of the knob 66 on the wrist pin 65, and exert thereon a suflicient spring pressure to steady the crank-arm and counteract the jarring or jolting motion that may be imparted to it by a vehicle provided with the said mechanism.

Another resilient element, preferably in the shape of a leaf-spring 74;, is placed at the inner, hinged end of the crank-arm 37. As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, this spring is laid flat upon the central portion of the head 53, between the guards 58 and 59, It is held in its functional position on the head 53 by rivets 75, driven into one side of the same, and further is provided with a rectangular opening 76, through which the head of the screw 53 may project outwardly. At its free end, the spring is bent out close to the abutment 61, as best seen in Fig. 6, in position to bear against the hinged end of the crank-arm, whether the latter be open or closed. In either case, the spring 7 1 operates to stay the crank-arm, as will be readily perceived.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as novel and desire to secure protection in, by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. A window regulator including, in combination with a sash slidable in and out of a recess adapted fully to receive the same, a shaft rotatable within said recess, a carrier for said sash serving to move it either way at option through rotation of said shaft, a pinion secured to one end of the latter, an actuating gear located inwardly with relation to said end of the shaft at some distance from said pinion, an intermediate power-transmitting connection, and a motion-imparting element attached to said gear, said connection enabling said sash carrier to travel along the shaft to and from the pinion past the actuating gear while serving to space said element with respect to the entrance of the recess.

2. In a window regulator, the combination with a sash operating mechanism in cluding an actuating element, of a laterally projecting head thereon, a crank flexibly connected with said head, and means on the latter serving to hold said crank substantially parallel thereto when in an open position.

3. In a window regulator, the combination of a sash operating mechanism inclu ling a rotatable axle, of a laterally projecting head on one end of the latter, a crankarm hinged to opposite sides of said head, and an abutment intermediate of said sides positioned to hold said crank-arm in a plane substantially parallel to that of the head when swung open about its hinge connection.

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