Abstract:
An apparatus is disclosed which may include a base; and a plurality of spring fingers arranged along a length of the base and defining an opening for receiving an edge of a window pane, the spring fingers adapted to provide respective spring forces to bias against the window pane, wherein a first spring finger is disposed on a first side of the opening and a second spring finger, nearest the first spring finger of any spring finger on a second side of the opening, is offset along the length of the base with respect to the first spring finger.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates in general to a vehicle window lift plate and in particular to a lift plate for use in securely holding a vehicle window. Vehicle window lift plates are employed to secure window panes to regulators which control the movement of window panes. Conventional lift plates generally employ members to hold in place a window pane inserted therein.  
         [0002]     However, the insertion of window panes into lift plates during the manufacture of vehicle window assemblies can suffer inconsistency in the position of the window panes relative to the lift plates due to human error during a manual insertion of the window pane and/or variation in the placement and adjustment of clamps or other mechanisms used for securing the window pane to the lift plate upon insertion. Some existing lift plates include pairs of directly opposed members to secure a window pane within a lift plate in which a portion of one of the members extends into a hole in the window pane. However, there remains a need in the art for a lift plate providing accurate, consistent, and secure attachment of window panes thereto without a need for human operator intervention.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     According to one aspect, the invention provides an apparatus comprising: a base; and a plurality of spring fingers arranged along a length of the base and defining an opening for receiving an edge of a window pane, the spring fingers adapted to provide respective spring forces to bias against the window pane, wherein a first spring finger is disposed on a first side of the opening and a second spring finger, nearest the first spring finger of any spring finger on a second side of the opening, is offset along the length of the base with respect to the first spring finger. Preferably, the plurality of spring fingers comprises a first group of spring fingers disposed on the first side of the opening and a second group of spring fingers disposed on a second side of the opening, wherein none of the spring fingers are disposed directly opposite any other spring finger. Preferably, one of the first group and the second group includes one more spring finger than the other of the first group and the second group. Preferably, the plurality of spring fingers comprises at least three spring fingers. Preferably, the first spring finger includes a tab operable to engage a hole in the window pane upon the receiving of the edge of the window pane into the opening. The tab on the spring finger is preferably inclined such that, when inserted into the hole of the window pane, the tab will preferably always be in contact with the hole in the window pane regardless of dimensional variances, within specification, of the hole size or position in the window pane.  
         [0004]     Preferably, the first spring finger is a middle spring finger of the plurality of spring fingers. Preferably, the apparatus is operable to securely engage the window pane without intervention by a human operator. Preferably, the tab automatically engages the hole in the window pane upon insertion of the window pane into the apparatus. Preferably, the tab includes a downwardly directed distal end. Preferably, the spring fingers include distal ends that are curved, thereby forming a chamfer for receiving the edge of the window pane. Preferably, the spring fingers are springingly biased against the window pane, thereby providing a compression bias against the window pane. Preferably, at least one spring finger is coupled to a brace operable to increase a biasing spring force of the at least one spring finger against the window pane. Preferably, the apparatus further comprises at least one support member on the base operable to bias upward against the edge of the window pane.  
         [0005]     According to another aspect, the invention provides a method that may include providing a lift plate having a base and a plurality of spring fingers arranged along a length of the base and defining an opening for receiving an edge of a window pane; providing at least one compression member extending from the base; inserting the window pane into the lift plate; springingly biasing the spring fingers against the window pane to provide a compression force; and springingly biasing the at least one compression member against the edge of the window pane to provide a resistance to a compression force created by the spring fingers. Preferably, a first spring finger is disposed on a first side of the opening and a second spring finger, nearest the first spring finger of any spring finger on a second side of the opening, is offset along the length of the base with respect to the first spring finger. Preferably, the method further comprises providing a tab on a first spring finger of the spring fingers; providing a hole within the window pane; and engaging the hole by the tab upon the receipt of the edge of the window pane into the opening. Preferably, the method further comprises springingly suspending the window pane, along a direction of the insertion, between the at least one compression member and the tab. Preferably, the method further comprises locating at least one compression member beneath a spring finger.  
         [0006]     Other aspects, features, advantages, etc. will become apparent to one skilled in the art when the description of the preferred embodiments of the invention herein is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]     For the purposes of illustrating the various aspects of the invention, there are shown in the drawings forms that are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a lift plate having a plurality of spring fingers in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention;  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is rear elevational view of the lift plate of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is a planar view of a window pane suitable for insertion into the lift plate of  FIG. 1  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the engagement of the window pane of  FIG. 3  by the tab of the middle spring finger on the lift plate of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 5  is a partially sectional and partially elevational view of the window pane of  FIG. 3  located within the lift plate of  FIG. 1  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention; and  
         [0013]      FIG. 6  is a partially sectional and partially elevational view of the window pane of  FIGS. 3 and 4  being supported by a support member on the lift plate of  FIG. 1  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0014]     In the following discussion, reference is made to  FIGS. 1-3 .  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a lift plate  100  having a plurality of spring fingers in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention.  FIG. 2  is a rear elevational view of lift plate  100 , and  FIG. 3  shows a window pane that is suitable for insertion into lift plate  100  and that preferably includes a hole  302  therethrough and a bottom edge  304 .  
         [0015]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , lift plate  100  preferably includes base  102  and spring fingers  104 - 112 . Base  102  preferably includes blocks  114  and  116 . Five spring fingers  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 , and  112  are shown, however two or more spring fingers may be used in connection with preferred embodiments of the present invention. Lift plate  100  also includes braces  122  coupled to respective spring fingers  106  and  108  and support members  124  and  126  extending upward from base  102 . Herein, the term “compression member” corresponds to the term “support member.” 
         [0016]     In this embodiment, spring fingers  104 - 112  preferably define an opening  120  into which window pane  300  bottom edge  304  may be inserted. Preferably, a first group of spring fingers  104 ,  108 , and  112  are located on a first side of opening  120 , and a second group of spring fingers  106  and  110  are located on a second side of opening  120 . In a preferred embodiment, at least one spring finger within the first group of spring fingers is offset along the length of opening  120  from the nearest spring finger thereto in the second group of spring fingers. Otherwise stated, preferably, at least one spring finger of the plurality of spring fingers of lift plate  100  is not directly opposite any other spring finger.  
         [0017]     In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the foregoing concept is extended throughout lift plate  100 , with each of the spring fingers being offset, along the length of opening  120 , from the nearest spring finger thereto on the other side of opening  120 . Thus, in  FIG. 1 , no spring finger is disposed directly opposite any other spring finger within lift plate  100 . However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . In alternative embodiments, one or more spring fingers may at least partially overlap.  
         [0018]     In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , middle spring finger  108  includes tab  118 . However, in one or more other embodiments, tab  118  could be located on one or more spring fingers, in addition to or instead of spring finger  108 , of lift plate  100 . In one or more further embodiments, tab  118  may be completely omitted from lift plate  100 .  
         [0019]     Tab  118  preferably includes a proximal end (the end closest to the body of spring finger  108 ), and a distal end which preferably extends through hole  302  in window pane  300 . In this embodiment, tab  118  preferably includes a downwardly directed distal end, as shown in  FIG. 4 . This preferred shape for the distal end of tab  118  preferably operates to more effectively secure window pane  300  within lift plate  100 . Moreover, other shapes of tab  118  may be employed. Tab  118  may be shaped so as to effect desired contact geometry between tab  118  and hole  302  in window pane  300 . Specifically, the length of tab  118  in contact with the perimeter of hole  302  in window pane  300 , once window pane  300  is substantially fully inserted into lift plate  100 , may be controlled by adjusting the shape of tab  118 .  
         [0020]     Upon inserting window pane  300  into lift plate  100 , the lower edge  304  of window pane  300  is preferably received into opening  120 . Upon at least substantially completing the insertion of window pane  300  into lift plate  100 , tab  118  preferably automatically engages hole  302  in window pane  300 .  
         [0021]     Tab  118  preferably extends through at least a portion of the length of hole  302 , thereby aiding in securing window pane  300  to lift plate  100 . In one or more embodiments, tab  118  may extend substantially all the way through hole  302  upon fully engaging hole  302 . In one or more further embodiments, tab  118  may extend through the entire length of hole  102  once window pane  300  is fully received into opening  120  of lift plate  100 .  
         [0022]     In the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , spring fingers  104 - 112  preferably provide respective spring forces to bias against window pane  300 , once received within lift plate  100 , to secure window pane  300  within lift plate  100 . Preferably, the combination of the spring forces from spring fingers  104 - 112  and the engagement of hole  302  by tap  118  enable lift plate  100  to securely engage window pane  300  without a need for intervention by a human operator.  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is a partially sectional and partially elevational view of window pane  300  positioned within lift plate  100  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. For the sake of simplicity, the securing of window pane  300  by tab  118  is not shown in  FIG. 5 . However, in a preferred embodiment, the engagement of hole  302  by tab  118  may be practiced in conjunction with the features illustrated in  FIG. 5 .  
         [0024]     Each spring finger preferably includes a proximal end located on or near base  102  and a distal end. In this embodiment, the distal ends of spring fingers  110  and  112  are preferably curved away from their respective sides of window pane  300 . The curved distal ends of spring fingers  110  and  112  thereby preferably combine to form a chamfer for receiving window pane  300  into lift plate  100 .  
         [0025]     In a preferred embodiment, the spring fingers, including spring fingers  110  and  112  shown in  FIG. 5 , are springingly biased against window pane  300  to secure window pane  300  within lift plate  100 . Preferably, as window pane  300  is inserted into lift plate  100 , spring forces from the respective spring fingers acting on window pane  300  operate to position window pane  300  at a point along the direction of the spring forces (i.e. the left-to-right dimension in  FIG. 5 ) where all such spring forces are in equilibrium.  
         [0026]     In a preferred embodiment, brace  122  is a preferably triangularly shaped member located on the upper surface of base  102  and in contact with a substantial portion of the length of one or more spring fingers, such as spring finger  110 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . However, brace  122  is not limited to being triangular. In alternative embodiments, brace  122  could have any shape including but not limited to being square or rectangular. Moreover, brace  122  is not limited to being coupled to spring finger  110  along a lower portion of spring finger  110 , as shown in  FIG. 5 , but may instead be located along any portion of spring finger  110 . Preferably, brace  122  operates to bolster spring finger  110 , thereby increasing the biasing spring force of spring finger  110  against window pane  300 .  
         [0027]     In a preferred embodiment, once window pane  300  is fully inserted into lift plate  300 , the bottom edge  304  of window pane  300  rests against support members  124  and  126  ( FIG. 1 ). Support members  124  and  126  are shown located underneath spring fingers,  106  and  110 , respectively. However, in alternative embodiments, support members  124  and  126  may be located anywhere on base  102  of lift plate  100 , as long as support is provided for window pane  300  upon insertion thereof into lift plate  100 . A more detailed view of support member  126  is provided in  FIG. 6 , which is a partially sectional and partially elevational view of window pane  300  being supported by support member  126  on lift plate  100  in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. For the sake of simplicity, some parts of lift plate  100  are omitted from  FIG. 6 , and only a portion of base  102  and spring finger  108  are shown therein. While, for the sake of simplicity, the following remarks in connection with  FIG. 6  address the operation of support member  126 , it is noted that support member  124  preferably has the same structure and operates in tandem with support member  126 .  
         [0028]     In a preferred embodiment, once window pane  300  is fully inserted into lift plate  100 , it partially deflects support member  126 , thereby causing support member  126  to generate a spring force that biases upward against the bottom edge  304  of window pane  300 . Thus, in this embodiment, window pane  300  preferably experiences an upward biasing force from support member  126  (and optionally one or more additional support members) and preferably experiences a force in the reverse direction from tab  118  of spring finger  108  (and optionally one or more additional tabs). Preferably, the combination of frictional forces (of window pane  300  against the surfaces of the plurality of spring fingers), the upward forces from support members  124  and  126 , and the downward force from tab  118  of spring finger  108  are in equilibrium, thereby keeping window pane  300  stationary within lift plate  100 . Thus, in one or more embodiments, window pane  300  is preferably springingly suspended within lift plate  100  by the forces acting thereon.  
         [0029]     In the foregoing, the term “upward” was used to describe a force acting away from base  102 , since in one or more preferred embodiments, lift plate  100  is oriented such that the exposed surface of base  102  is horizontal. Correspondingly, the “reverse direction” referred to above corresponds to a downward force in one or more preferred embodiments. However, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention is not limited to being used in embodiments in which the insertion direction of window pane  300  is vertical. In alternative embodiments, insertion may occur along any direction in three-dimensional space. In such alternative embodiments, the spring-force directions of support members  124  and  126  and of tab  118  would preferably change along with the orientation of lift plate  100 . Due to the various mechanisms for receiving, guiding, and securing window pane  300  within lift plate  100 , the insertion of window pane  300  into lift plate  100  can preferably be securely conducted in any direction.  
         [0030]     Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.