Abstract:
A powered sliding drive assembly is provided with a sliding panel having a frame member on its periphery and guide pins that are on the bottom of the sliding panel. The pins may have a washer and/or a collar disposed on them. The washers provide quiet movement of the sliding pane. The sliding panel defines a plane. The assembly further has two or more cables, each of which is separately attached on one end to opposite sides of the frame member, pins, washers, and/or collars, where each of these ends of the cables is in the plane of the sliding panel. Each cable is attached on another end to opposite sides of a drive unit. The pins of the sliding panel are positioned in tracks, whereby the sliding panel can be located in a flush-flush position with a fixed panel and a vehicle body panel.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/616,002, filed Mar. 27, 2012, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a movable panel assembly with a power sliding drive mechanism. More particularly, the present invention relates to a movable panel assembly with a power sliding drive mechanism for a flush-flush closing vehicle sliding panel. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Pickup trucks and other related vehicles have a rear window, or backlite, that is mounted in a vehicle body aperture, immediately behind the seats in the vehicle passenger compartment. Many of the backlites are built with one or two slider panels that ride in slider tracks, while opening or closing across a portion of a window aperture. 
     The slider panels may be moved manually or automatically across the window aperture. When automatically driven, the slider panels may be moved by a window regulator, for example, like that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,119,401 to Lin (hereinafter Lin). 
     For the Lin device, there is a cable having a powered regulator attached to one cable end and a carrier block that is physically attached at another cable end, wherein the carrier block has a female carrier socket. In conjunction with the carrier block, an attachment block is rigidly mounted to a slidable window pane, wherein the attachment block has a male engagement stud that is loosely disposed within the female carrier socket. Consequently, when the Lin window regulator is powered for movement of the cable, the carrier socket and the engagement stud come into mating engagement that results in sliding movement of the slidable window pane. Such an arrangement is noisy, where the powered window regulator loosely drives the slidable window pane. Because of the many parts involved, the Lin window regulator has high material and labor costs. 
     Some slider assemblies are further designated as being flush where a sliding panel is in the plane of the fixed panel(s), when the sliding panel completely closes the backlite opening, or the complete window assembly may be in the plane of a vehicle body panel. Various ways to achieve flush orientation to fixed panels are, for example, by utilizing guide pins, ramps, and cams to move the sliding panel into the backlite opening. 
     An example of a horizontal sliding assembly that moves its sliding panel into the plane of a fixed panel, when the sliding panel completely closes the backlite opening, is U.S. Pat. No. 4,561,224 to Jelens (hereinafter, Jelens), which teaches a sliding window assembly having opposed longitudinally spaced first and second guide pins on the top and bottom of a slidable window that are adapted for sliding motion within corresponding first and second tracks respectively, as shown, for example, in Jelens&#39;  FIGS. 2-5  and  7 . 
     Even further, some sliding assemblies are designated as being flush-flush, wherein the sliding panel is not only flush within the sliding assembly itself (i.e., the sliding panel being in the same plane as fixed panels) but the sliding assembly would also be in the same plane as an outer vehicle body panel. U.S. Pat. No. 7,641,265 to Seiple (hereinafter Seiple) is an example of a flush-flush sliding assembly, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     What is sought is a powered sliding assembly that directly, smoothly, and with less resistance drives a sliding panel with little noise. While achieving these benefits, it is desired for such a powered sliding assembly to be simple in design, thereby having few parts in order to reduce material and labor costs. Such a sliding assembly should also be capable of being flush-flush in design. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A powered sliding drive assembly is provided having a fixed panel that defines a window opening, a sliding panel that is movable between a closed position covering the window opening and an open position. The sliding panel has a frame member secured around at least a portion of the periphery of the sliding panel, wherein the sliding panel defines a plane. The powered sliding drive assembly also has at least one guide pin extending substantially vertically downwardly from a portion of the frame member, which is disposed on a bottom portion of the sliding panel. There is also at least one cable connected at a first end to the guide pin, to the frame member, or to both, and a second end connected to a sliding panel drive unit. As a result, at least the first end of the cable is in the plane of the sliding panel. 
     The powered sliding drive assembly may further be provided with at least one track, wherein the sliding panel has at least one pin positioned in the track and the sliding panel is located in a flush-flush position with a fixed panel and a vehicle body panel. The pin may also have a washer disposed on it, thereby providing smooth and quiet movement of the sliding panel. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and appended claims, reference being made to the accompanying drawings forming a part of a specification, wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts of several views. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an elevation view of a bottom corner of a sliding panel with a frame, pin, and cable that is disposed within the frame in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an elevation view of a bottom corner of a sliding panel with a frame, washer, pin, and cable that is disposed within the frame in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an elevation view of a bottom corner of a sliding panel with a frame, pin, and cable that is disposed within the pin in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an elevation view of a bottom corner of a sliding panel with a frame, washer, pin, and cable that is disposed within the pin in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is an elevation view of a bottom corner of a sliding panel with a frame, pin, and two cables where one cable is disposed within the frame and the other cable is disposed within the pin in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is an elevation view of a bottom corner of a sliding panel with a frame, pin, washer, and two cables where one cable is disposed within the frame and the other cable is disposed within the pin in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is an elevation view of a bottom corner of a slider panel with a frame, pin, and cable that is disposed onto the frame in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is an elevation view of a bottom corner of a sliding panel with a frame, washer, pin, and cable that is disposed onto the washer in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is an elevation view of a bottom corner of a sliding panel with a frame, pin, collar, and cable that is disposed onto the collar in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is an elevation view of a bottom corner of a sliding panel with a frame, pin, washer, collar, and cable that is disposed onto the collar in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is an elevation view of a bottom corner of a sliding panel with a frame, pin, collar, and two cables where one cable is disposed onto the frame and the other cable is disposed onto the collar in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is an elevation view of a bottom corner of a sliding panel with a frame, pin, washer, collar, and two cables where one cable is disposed onto the frame and the other cable is disposed onto the collar in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective side view of the bottom corner of the sliding panel of  FIG. 7  with a power drive, external body panel, and seal; 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a sliding panel with upper and lower tracks in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of a prior art sliding window assembly having two fixed panels and a track; and 
         FIG. 16  is an elevation view of a single fixed panel assembly in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     It is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions, directions or other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a bottom corner of a sliding panel assembly  10  having a frame  12 , pin  16 , and cable  18 , where the cable  18  is disposed in the frame  12 , as viewed from within a vehicle compartment  21  (see  FIG. 15 ). The cable  18  has a bead  20  intimately connected on an end thereof, the bead  20  being disposed within a cavity  24  of the frame  12 . The sliding panel assembly  10  also comprises a sliding panel  25 , which together with the frame  12  defines a plane. All fixed panels or sliding panels of the present invention may comprise glass or plastic, but preferably glass. These fixed panels or sliding panels may at least be transparent or translucent. As indicated by the right pointing arrow, the bead  20  cooperates with the cavity  24  to allow for smooth and quiet pulling of the sliding panel assembly  10  to the right by the cable  18 , which is attached to a drive unit  290  (see  FIG. 13 ). 
     Although the cable  18  and bead  20  are shown in a pre-formed cavity in the frame  12  in  FIG. 1 , these items  18 ,  20  could be molded into the frame  12  and yet the invention would function the same as described above. This applies to all cables with beads for the present invention. The cable  18  is in the plane of the sliding panel  25  and frame  12 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a bottom corner of a sliding panel assembly  30  having a frame  32 , shoulder or washer  34 , pin  36 , and cable  38  that is disposed in the frame  32 . The cable  38  has a bead  40  intimately disposed on an end thereof, the bead  40  being disposed within a cavity  44  that is defined within the frame  32 . The sliding panel assembly  30  also comprises a sliding panel  45 , which together with the frame  32  defines a plane. 
     Functionally, with the washer  34  disposed about a top of the pin  36 , the bead  40  cooperates with the cavity  44  and the washer  34 , which is disposed onto the frame  32  at the top of the pin  36 , to smoothly and quietly allow for pulling the sliding panel assembly  30  to the right (as indicated by the right pointing arrow) by the cable  38 , which is attached to the drive unit  290 . The cable  38  is in the plane of the sliding panel  45  and frame  32 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a bottom corner of a sliding panel assembly  50  having a frame  52 , pin  56 , and cable  58  that is disposed in the pin  56 . The cable  58  has a bead  60  intimately disposed on an end thereof, the bead  60  being disposed within a cavity  64  that is defined within the pin  56 . The sliding panel assembly  50  also comprises a sliding panel  65 , which together with the frame  52  defines a plane. The bead  60  cooperates with the cavity  64  to smoothly allow for pulling the sliding panel assembly  50  to the right (as indicated by the right pointing arrow in the figures) by the cable  58 , which is attached to the drive unit  290 . 
     In  FIG. 3 , a dimension H1 represents a clearance necessary between the bottom of the frame  52  and the cable, so that the cable  58  does not interfere with a track (see, for example, tracks  282 ,  284  of  FIG. 14 ) during the cable&#39;s operation of pulling the sliding panel assembly  50 . Similarly, the clearance H1 is present in the embodiment of  FIG. 5 . The cable  58  is in the plane of the sliding panel  65  and frame  52 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a bottom corner of a sliding panel assembly  70  having a frame  72 , shoulder or washer  74 , pin  76 , and cable  78  that is disposed in the pin  76 . The cable  78  has a bead  80  intimately disposed on an end thereof, the bead  80  being disposed within a cavity  84  that is defined within the pin  76 . The sliding panel assembly  70  also comprises a sliding panel  85 , which together with the frame  72  defines a plane. The bead  80  cooperates with the cavity  84  and the washer  74 , which is disposed about the top of the pin  76 , to smoothly allow for pulling the sliding panel assembly  70  to the right (as indicated by the right pointing arrow) by the cable  78 , which is attached to the drive unit  290 . 
     In  FIG. 4 , a dimension H2 represents the clearance necessary between the bottom of the washer  74  and the cable  78 , so that the cable  78  does not interfere with a track (see, for example, tracks  282 ,  284  of  FIG. 14 ) during the cable&#39;s operation of pulling the sliding panel assembly  70 . Similarly, the clearance H2 is present in the embodiment of  FIG. 6 . The cable  78  is in the plane of the sliding panel  85  and frame  72 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a bottom corner of a sliding panel assembly  90  having a frame  92 , pin  96 , and cables  98 ,  102  that are respectively disposed in the frame  92  and pin  96 . The sliding panel assembly  90  also comprises a sliding panel  105 , which together with the frame  92  defines a plane. The cables  98 ,  102  respectively have beads  100 ,  106  intimately disposed on an end thereof, the beads  100 ,  106  being respectively disposed within cavities  104 ,  108  that are respectively defined within the frame  92  and pin  96 . The cables  98 ,  102  are in the plane of the sliding panel  105  and frame  92 . 
     It should be noted that although the cable  98  is shown in a low vertical position on the frame, the present invention is not limited to a cable (e.g.,  98 ,  118 ,  222 ,  242 ) at this vertical position along the edge of the frame  92 . In fact, the cable  98  could be located at the upper edge of the frame  92 . Selectively locating the frame cables of the instant invention anywhere along the vertical edge of a frame or, for that matter, the top pins (e.g.,  276   a,b  of  FIG. 14 ) applies to all embodiments of the present invention, where the cables  18 ,  38 ,  98 ,  118 ,  138 ,  222 ,  242 ,  278   c,d , are attached directly to their corresponding frames  12 ,  32 ,  92 ,  112 ,  132 ,  212 ,  232 ,  272 . 
     The beads  100 ,  106  respectively cooperate with the cavities  104 ,  108  to more smoothly allow for pulling the sliding panel assembly  90  to the right (as indicated by the right pointing arrows), by the cables  98 ,  102  which are attached to the drive unit  290 , via pulleys  292 ,  294 . It has herein been found that by utilizing both cables  98 ,  102  in such a manner provides a more uniform and balanced pull force on the sliding panel assembly  90 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a bottom corner of a sliding panel assembly  110  having a frame  112 , shoulder or washer  114 , pin  116 , and cables  118 ,  122  that are respectively disposed in the frame  112  and pin  116 . The washer  114  disposed onto the frame  112  at the top of the pin  116 . The sliding panel assembly  110  also comprises a sliding panel  125 , which together with the frame  112  defines a plane. The cables  118 ,  122  respectively have beads  120 ,  126  intimately disposed on an end thereof, the beads  120 ,  126  being respectively disposed within cavities  124 ,  128  that are respectively defined within the frame  112  and pin  116 . The cables  118 ,  122  are in the plane of the sliding panel  125  and the frame  112 . 
     The beads  120 ,  126  respectively cooperate with the cavities  124 ,  128  to more smoothly allow for pulling the sliding panel assembly  110  to the right (as indicated by the right pointing arrows) by the cables  118 ,  122  which are attached to the drive unit  290  and pulleys  292 ,  294 , because it has been found that conjunctively utilizing both cables  118 ,  122  in this manner provides a more uniform and balanced pull force on the sliding panel assembly  110 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a bottom corner of a sliding panel assembly  130  having a frame  132 , pin  136 , and cable  138  that is disposed directly into the frame  132 . The cable  138  may be disposed by connecting means such as screw attachment, adhesive bonding, welding, and molding (not shown but common in the art). The cable  138  is in intimate contact with the frame  132 . The sliding panel assembly  130  also comprises a sliding panel  145  (comprised, for example, of glass or plastic), which together with the frame  132  defines a plane. The frame  132  cooperates with the cable  138  to allow for smooth pulling of the sliding panel assembly  130  to the right by the cable  138 , which is attached to the drive unit  290  and pulleys  292 ,  294 . The cable  138  is in the plane of the sliding panel  145  and the frame  132 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a bottom corner of a sliding panel assembly  150  having a frame  152 , shoulder or washer  154 , pin  156 , and cable  158  that is disposed into the washer  154 . The cable  158  is in intimate contact with the washer  154 . The sliding panel assembly  150  also comprises a sliding panel  165 , which together with the frame  152  defines a plane. The washer  154 , which is disposed on the frame  152  at the top of the pin  156 , cooperates with the cable  158  to smoothly allow for pulling the sliding panel assembly  150  to the right by the cable  158 , which is attached to the drive unit  290  and pulleys  292 ,  294 . The cable  158  is in the plane of the sliding panel  165  and the frame  152 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a bottom corner of a sliding panel assembly  170  having a frame  172 , pin  176 , collar  180 , and cable  178 , which cable  178  may be disposed onto the collar  180 , by connecting means such as screw attachment, adhesive bonding, welding, and molding (not shown but common in the art). The cable  178  is in intimate contact with the collar  180 . The sliding panel assembly  170  also comprises a sliding panel  185  (comprised, for example, of glass or plastic), which defines a plane. The collar  180  cooperates with the cable  178  to allow for smooth pulling of the sliding panel assembly  170  to the right by the cable  178 , which is attached to the drive unit  290  and pulleys  292 ,  294 . 
     In  FIG. 9 , a dimension H3 represents the clearance necessary below the frame  172  so that the cable  178  and collar  180  do not interfere with a track (see example tracks  282 ,  284  of  FIG. 14 ) during the cable&#39;s operation of pulling the sliding panel assembly  170 . Similarly, clearance H3 is also present in the embodiment of  FIG. 11 . The cable  178  is in the plane of the sliding panel  185  and the frame  172 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a bottom corner of a sliding panel assembly  190  having a frame  192 , shoulder or washer  194 , pin  196 , collar  200 , and cable  198  that is disposed onto the collar  200 . The cable  198  is in intimate contact with the collar  200 . The sliding panel assembly  190  also comprises a sliding panel  205 , which together with the frame  192  defines a plane. The collar  200  cooperates with the cable  198  to allow for smooth pulling of the sliding panel assembly  190  to the right by the cable  198 , which is attached to the drive unit  290  and pulleys  292 ,  294 . 
     In  FIG. 10 , a dimension H4 represents the clearance necessary between the washer  194 , which is disposed on the frame  192  at the top of the pin  196 , and the collar  200  so that the cable  198  and collar  200  do not interfere with a track (see, for example, tracks  282 ,  284  of  FIG. 14 ) during the cable&#39;s operation of pulling the sliding panel assembly  190 . Similarly, clearance H4 is also present in the embodiment of  FIG. 12 . The cable  198  is in the plane of the sliding panel  205  and the frame  192 . 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a bottom corner of a sliding panel assembly  210  having a frame  212 , pin  216 , collar  220  with a cable  218  disposed thereon, and cable  222  that is disposed onto the frame  212 . The cables  218 ,  222  may be disposed by connecting means such as screw attachment, adhesive bonding, welding, and molding. The cables  218 ,  222  are respectively in intimate contact with the collar  220  or frame  212 . The sliding panel assembly  210  also comprises a sliding panel  225 , which together with the frame  212  defines a plane. 
     The collar  220  cooperates with the cable  218  and the frame  212  cooperates with the cable  222  to allow for more smoothly pulling of the sliding panel assembly  210  to the right by the cables  218 ,  222  which are attached to the drive unit  290  and pulleys  292 ,  294 . It has herein been found that by utilizing both cables  218 ,  222  in such a manner provides a more uniform and balanced pull force on the sliding panel assembly  210 . The cables  218 ,  222  are in the plane of the sliding panel  225  and the frame  212 . 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a bottom corner of a sliding panel assembly  230  having a frame  232 , shoulder or washer  234 , pin  236 , collar  240  with a cable  238  that is disposed thereon, and cable  242  that is disposed onto the frame  232  at the top of the pin  236 . The cables  238 ,  242  may be disposed by connecting means such as screw attachment, adhesive bonding, welding, and molding. The cables  238 ,  242  are respectively in intimate contact with the collar  240  or frame  232 . The sliding panel assembly  230  also comprises a sliding panel  245 , which together with the frame  232  defines a plane. 
     The collar  240  cooperates with the cable  238  and the frame  232  cooperates with the cable  242  to allow for more smoothly pulling of sliding panel assembly  230  to the right by the cables  238 ,  242  which are attached to the drive unit  290  and pulleys  292 ,  294 . It has herein been found that by utilizing both cables  238 ,  242  in such a manner provides a more uniform and balanced pull force on the sliding panel assembly  230 . The cables  238 ,  242  are in the plane of the sliding panel  245  and the frame  232 . 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a side perspective view of a possible embodiment of the sliding panel assembly  130  of  FIG. 7 . In this embodiment of  FIG. 13 , the frame  132 , pin  136 , cable  138 , and sliding panel  145 , cooperate with a vehicle body panel  144  and external seal  146  to seal a fixed panel opening  313  (see  FIG. 15 ) from an intrusion of moisture from the exterior of a vehicle (see vehicle 25 in FIG. 7 of Seiple).  FIG. 13  illustrates the cable  138  attached to the frame  132 , which would look similar in a side view for cables  18 ,  38 ,  58 ,  78 ,  98 ,  118 ,  122 ,  138 ,  158 ,  178 ,  198 ,  218 ,  222 ,  238 , and  242  to their respective frames, washers, and collars. The cable  138  is shown attached to the power drive unit  290 , by way of pulleys  292 ,  294 , which is capable of providing reciprocating movement of the sliding panel back and forth across a window opening (see, for example, fixed panel opening  313 , as seen  FIG. 15 ). Examples of the power drive unit  290  with pulleys  292 ,  294  are units produced by Grand Rapids Controls of Grand Rapids, Mich. 
     Although the above descriptions of  FIGS. 1-13  involve a single lower right corner of the sliding assemblies  10 ,  30 ,  50 ,  70 ,  90 ,  110 ,  130 ,  150 ,  170 ,  190 ,  210 ,  230 , the same descriptions apply to a lower left corner of the sliding assemblies  10 ,  30 ,  50 ,  70 ,  90 ,  110 ,  130 ,  150 ,  170 ,  190 ,  210 ,  230 , which assemblies would reciprocally be pulled from left to right, and then be pulled from right to the left by the drive unit  290 , for opening and closing a fixed panel opening. 
     To summarize, the powered slider panel assemblies  10 ,  30 ,  50 ,  70 ,  90 ,  110 ,  130 ,  150 ,  170 ,  190 ,  210 ,  230  of the present invention have a sliding panel  25 ,  45 ,  65 ,  85 ,  105 ,  125 ,  145 ,  165 ,  185 ,  205 ,  225 ,  245 ,  285  that defines a window opening (like opening  313 ) and a sliding panel  10 ,  30 ,  50 ,  70 ,  90 ,  110 ,  130 ,  150 ,  170 ,  190 ,  210 ,  230  that is movable between a closed position covering the window opening  313  and an open position, where the sliding panel has a frame member  12 ,  32 ,  52 ,  72 ,  92 ,  112 ,  132 ,  152 ,  172 ,  192 ,  212 ,  232 ,  272 ,  314  secured around at least a portion of the periphery of the sliding panel, and the sliding panel along with a frame defines a plane. There is at least one guide pin  16 ,  36 ,  56 ,  76 ,  96 ,  136 ,  156 ,  176 ,  196 ,  216 ,  276   a - d  extending substantially vertically downwardly from a portion of the frame member which is disposed on a bottom portion of the sliding panel and there is at least one cable  18 ,  38 ,  58 ,  78 ,  98 ,  102 ,  118 ,  122 ,  138 ,  158   178 ,  198 ,  222 ,  218 ,  242 ,  238 ,  278   a - d  connected at a first end to the guide pin, to the frame member, or to both, and a second end of the cable is connected to the sliding panel drive unit  290 , wherein at least the first end of the cable is in the plane of sliding panel  10 ,  30 ,  50 ,  70 ,  90 ,  110 ,  130 ,  150 ,  170 ,  190 ,  210 ,  230 , which includes the corresponding frame member. 
     The above described sliding assemblies  10 ,  30 ,  50 ,  70 ,  90 ,  110 ,  130 ,  150 ,  170 ,  190 ,  210 ,  230  may be operated as a vehicle window assembly that could be categorized as non-flush, flush, or flush-flush. With regard to a flush-flush vehicle window assembly,  FIG. 14  shows a sliding assembly  270  with all four corners being capable of being operated as a flush-flush sliding panel assembly  270  having a frame  272 , four pins  276   a - d , two cables  278   c,d  (for bidirectional control by the drive unit  290 ), and a sliding panel  285 . In addition, there are two tracks  282 ,  284  that have respective paths  286 ,  288  disposed within. The cables  278   c,d  may be connected to the frame  272  or any of the pins  276   a - d . For the sliding panel assembly  270 , the pins  276  are required to be longer than those in the Seiple device, in order to extend through the corresponding tracks  282 ,  284 . 
     It is noteworthy that the paths  286 ,  288  are different than those of Seiple, which are illustrated in Seiple&#39;s  FIG. 15  as paths  328 ,  329 , wherein the present invention paths  286 ,  288  are connected together, while the paths  328 ,  329  (with corresponding upper paths that are not shown but similar to paths  28   a ,  29   a  of Seiple) are separate from one another. Both sets of paths  286 ,  288  and  328 ,  329 , however, are capable of positioning the sliding panel assemblies  10 ,  30 ,  50 ,  70 ,  90 ,  110 ,  130 ,  150 ,  170 ,  190 ,  210 ,  230 ,  270  into a flush-flush orientation. 
     The pins  16 ,  36 ,  56 ,  76 ,  96 ,  136 ,  156 ,  176 ,  196 ,  216 , with or without washers  34 ,  74 ,  114 ,  154 ,  194 ,  234 , slide similarly as the various pins of Seiple. If the pins  276   a - d  are longer than a thickness H′ (see  FIG. 14 ) of the tracks  282 ,  284 , while in the order of the dimensions H1-H4 that are illustrated in  FIGS. 3-6 ,  11  and  12 , then the pins  276   a,b,c,d  may accommodate the washers  74 ,  114 ,  194 ,  234  and collars  178 ,  200 ,  220 ,  240 , thereby allowing the cables  58 ,  78 ,  102 ,  122 ,  178 ,  198 ,  218 ,  238  to function as intended. 
     Hence, the present invention provides powered sliding assemblies that directly and smoothly drive sliding panel assemblies having little noise. While achieving these benefits, such powered sliding assemblies are simple in design, thereby having few parts which reduce material and labor costs. The few parts being realized in the present invention is a result of directly attaching the sliding panel assemblies  10 ,  30 ,  50 ,  70 ,  90 ,  110 ,  130 ,  150 ,  170 ,  190 ,  210 ,  230 ,  270  to the drive unit  290 , via the pulleys  292 ,  294 . In the case of the prior art powered sliding assemblies, the cables are directly attached to a separate device like Lin&#39;s carrier block, which in turn indirectly attaches to an attachment block that is connected to a sliding panel assembly. 
     In addition, the sliding panel assemblies  10 ,  30 ,  50 ,  70 ,  90 ,  110 ,  130 ,  150 ,  170 ,  190 ,  210 ,  230 ,  270  of the present invention can be incorporated into the flush-flush track and path design of the Seiple patent.  FIG. 15  of the present invention is essentially prior art FIG. 1 of Seiple, where a horizontal vehicle sliding window assembly  310  comprises two fixed panels  311 ,  312  with the window opening  313  therebetween. 
     An opening frame  314  defines the window opening  313  and upper and lower tracks  315 ,  316  are disposed respectively above and below the window opening  313 . Shown in the lower track  316  are separate paths  328 ,  329  that can locate the sliding panel assemblies  10 ,  30 ,  50 ,  70 ,  90 ,  110 ,  130 ,  150 ,  170 ,  190 ,  210 ,  230 ,  270  of the present invention into a flush-flush position with respect to the fixed panels  311 ,  312  and the vehicle body panel  144  (see  FIG. 13 ). Although hidden from view, there are equivalent paths in the upper track  315  as FIG. 2 of Seiple illustrates. Consequently, the sliding panel assemblies  10 ,  30 ,  50 ,  70 ,  90 ,  110 ,  130 ,  150 ,  170 ,  190 ,  210 ,  230 ,  270  of the present invention can take advantage of the prior art structure of the flush-flush horizontal vehicle sliding window assembly  310 . 
     With the washers  34 ,  74 ,  114 ,  154 ,  194 ,  234  installed on the pins  36 ,  76 ,  116 ,  156 ,  196 ,  236 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 ,  4 ,  6 ,  8 ,  10 ,  12 , the sliding panel assemblies  30 ,  70 ,  110 ,  150 ,  190 ,  230  can slide across the surface  289  of the track  282  and a surface  318  of the track  316  smoothly, with less resistance, and reduced noise being generated. 
     Also, the sliding panel assemblies  10 ,  30 ,  50 ,  70 ,  90 ,  110 ,  130 ,  150 ,  170 ,  190 ,  210 ,  230 ,  270  of the present invention can be incorporated into a single fixed panel assembly  400 , as shown in  FIG. 16 . The single fixed panel assembly  400  has a single fixed panel  402  with a window opening  404 , where anyone of the sliding panel assemblies  10 ,  30 ,  50 ,  70 ,  90 ,  110 ,  130 ,  150 ,  170 ,  190 ,  210 ,  230 ,  270  is movable on tracks, for example, tracks  282 ,  284 ,  315 ,  316 , between a closed position covering the window opening  404  and an open position. The single fixed panel assembly  400  cooperates with a frame member, for example, frames  12 , 32 ,  52 ,  72 ,  92 ,  112 ,  132 ,  212 ,  232 ,  272 , secured around at least a portion of the periphery of a sliding panel, for example, sliding panels  25 ,  45 ,  65 ,  85 ,  105 ,  125 ,  145 ,  165 ,  185 ,  205 ,  225 ,  245 ,  285 . 
     In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the principles and modes of operation of this invention have been described and illustrated in its preferred embodiments. However, it must be understood that the invention may be practiced otherwise than specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.