Electricity: motive power systems – Motor-reversing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-20
2002-04-02
Nappi, Robert E. (Department: 2837)
Electricity: motive power systems
Motor-reversing
C318S264000, C318S266000, C318S267000, C318S466000, C318S480000, C318S054000, C049S026000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06366040
ABSTRACT:
(1) FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for controllably moving a window and more particularly, to a method and an apparatus which allows a vehicle window to be selectively and controllably moved between several desired and predetermined positions.
(2) BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Vehicle “power windows” are typically, selectively, and controllably moved or actuated (e.g., lowered and raised) by one or more electrical and mechanical devices or assemblies, such as and without limitation switches, controllers, and motor/driver assemblies. These power window actuating assemblies allow the passengers and/or the driver of a vehicle to remotely, selectively, and relatively easily lower and raise the windows of a vehicle.
It is often desirable to limit or restrict the range of movement of power windows and/or to limit the number and/or type of positions in which the windows may be operatively disposed or “set” by a user. For example and without limitation, windows, which are disposed within the rear portion or end of the cab of a pick-up truck (i.e., “backlight windows”), are sometimes designed to be movable between only one of three positions: a “fully closed” position, a “fully open” position, and a “vent” position, in which the top edge of the window is “lowered” or resides no more than approximately two inches below the top window seal or below the “fully closed” position.
Because of these constraints and/or regulations on the position of backlight windows, many backlight windows have been adapted and/or designed to remain fully closed at all times or to be only mechanically and/or manually movable between a fully closed position and a fully opened position. One drawback associated with these types of prior backlight windows is that they are relatively difficult to operate or actuate, and do not provide the user with a relatively easy and remote mechanism to actuate the window between fully closed, fully open, and vent positions. Importantly, in “extended-cab” and “four-door” types of pick-up trucks, it is relatively difficult or impossible for the driver of the truck to manually reach the backlight window without first exiting the vehicle.
The present invention addresses these drawbacks and provides a method and an apparatus for selectively and controllably moving a vehicle window between fully open, fully closed, and vent positions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a first object of the invention to provide a method and an apparatus for selectively and controllably moving a vehicle window which overcomes at least some of the previously delineated drawbacks of the prior systems, devices, and/or methods.
It is a second object of the invention to provide a method and an apparatus for selectively and controllably moving a vehicle window which allows a window to be selectively and operatively disposed in a fully open position, a fully closed position, and a vent position.
It is a third object of the invention to provide a method and an apparatus for selectively and controllably moving a vehicle window which is effective to allow a driver or passenger of a vehicle to controllably move the window from a position remote from the window.
It is a fourth object of the invention to provide a method and apparatus for selectively and controllably moving a vehicle window which substantially prevents the window from being “proportionally” moved.
According to one aspect of the present invention an apparatus for controllably moving a backlight window only to a first, a second and a third position is provided. The apparatus includes a motor which is operatively coupled to the window; a switch which selectively generates a data signal having a value; and a controller which is communicatively coupled to the switch and to the motor, which receives the data signal, and which causes the motor to selectively move the window to a unique one of said first, said second, and said third positions based upon the value of the data signal.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method for controllably moving a window between a fully open position, a fully closed position and a vent position is provided. The window is disposed upon a vehicle of the type having a selectively positionable ignition switch having a first position, an accessory position, and a run position. The method comprises the steps of: providing a control switch which selectively generates a command signal having a value corresponding to a unique one of the fully open, the fully closed and the vent positions; receiving the command signal; determining the position of the ignition switch; determining whether the window is moving; and moving the window to the unique one of the fully open, fully closed, and vent positions if the ignition switch resides within a unique one of the run and accessory positions.
Further objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and by reference to the following drawings.
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Jaworski David J.
Lupton Fred
McLennan Brian M.
Rivard Robin Lynn
Sundberg Steven M
Ford Global Tech. Inc.
Ford Global Tech., Inc.
Nappi Robert E.
Smith Tyrone
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