Patent Publication Number: US-2022213729-A1

Title: Dual window regulator with optimized motor configuration

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/166,777 filed on Mar. 26, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/316,083 filed on Mar. 3, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/514,865 filed on Oct. 29, 2021 which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/107,952 filed on Oct. 30, 2020, the entire contents each of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Exemplary embodiments pertain to the art of vehicles, and more particularly to window regulators for vehicles. 
     Passenger vehicles typically have windows surrounding the passenger compartment. Windows in doors of the vehicle may be designed to be raised and lowered electrically by an operator. The operator may be the driver or a passenger usually using an interior switch. The physical raising and lowering of a window is performed by an electromechanical device referred to as a window regulator. The window regulator is typically located within a vehicle door cavity. The vehicle door cavity has limited available space for such components. As such, it is desired to provide a window regulator that has a smaller profile. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
     Disclosed is a window regulator for raising and lowering a window of a vehicle, including: a first guide rail; a first cursor slidably mounted to the first guide rail; a second guide rail spaced from the first guide rail; a second cursor slidably mounted to the second guide rail; a flange portion mounted to a bottom end of the first guide rail, wherein the flange portion has a rail mounting portion and an arm portion extending from the rail mounting portion and a mounting portion extending from the arm portion; and a motor operably coupled to the first cursor and the second cursor such that operation of the motor will cause the first cursor to slide along the first guide rail and second cursor to slide along the second guide rail, the motor being mounted to the mounting portion, wherein the motor when mounted to the mounting portion is located adjacent to a side of the first guide rail located between the bottom end of the first guide rail and a top end of the first guide rail. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the window regulator includes a cable drum rotationally mounted to the flange portion, the cable drum being operably coupled to the motor and at least one cable secured to the cable drum at one end and the first cursor and the second cursor at another end. 
     Disclosed is a window regulator for raising and lowering a window of a vehicle, including: a first guide rail; a first cursor slidably mounted to the first guide rail; a second guide rail spaced from the first guide rail; a second cursor slidably mounted to the second guide rail; a flange portion mounted to a top end of the first guide rail, wherein the flange portion has a rail mounting portion and an arm portion extending from the rail mounting portion and a mounting portion extending from the arm portion; and a motor operably coupled to the first cursor and the second cursor such that operation of the motor will cause the first cursor to slide along the first guide rail and the second cursor to slide along the second guide rail, the motor being mounted to the mounting portion, wherein the motor when mounted to the mounting portion is located adjacent to a side of the first guide rail located between a bottom end of the first guide rail and the top end of the first guide rail. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the window regulator includes a lower pulley rotationally mounted to the rail mounting portion and an upper pulley rotationally secured to secured to the top end of the first guide rail by a housing. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the first guide rail is a three sided structure with an opening and the first guide rail is insert molded onto the flange portion the flange portion has a structural member that extends into the opening. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the first guide rail and the second guide rail are extruded structures that have internal structural features that extend across a cavity of the first guide rail and the second guide rail. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the first guide rail has a rectangular periphery and a portion of the first cursor completely surrounds the first guide rail and wherein the second guide rail has a rectangular periphery and a portion of the second cursor completely surrounds the second guide rail. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the first guide rail and the second guide rail are hollow. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the portion of the first cursor surrounding the first guide rail has multiple contact points with the first guide rail in order to prevent undesired movement of the first cursor as it slides up and down the first guide rail, and wherein the portion of the second cursor surrounding the second guide rail has multiple contact points with the second guide rail in order to prevent undesired movement of the second cursor as it slides up and down the second guide rail. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the rail mounting portion, the arm portion extending and the mounting portion are all formed as a single piece. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the motor extends in a direction generally parallel to the first guide rail. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, a pair of cables are secured to a cable drum rotationally mounted to the flange portion at one end and one of the pair of cables is secured to the first cursor at another end and the other one of the pair of cables is secured to the second cursor at another end. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the first cursor has an insert that defines an opening for the first guide rail to slide therethrough and the second cursor has an insert that defines an opening for the second guide rail to slide therethrough. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the insert of the first cursor is formed from polyoxymethylene (POM) and the first cursor is over-molded onto the insert of the first cursor and the insert of the second cursor is formed from polyoxymethylene (POM) and the second cursor is over-molded onto the insert of the second cursor. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the first cursor and the second cursor are formed from nylon. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the first guide rail is a forward guide rail and the second guide rail is a rear guide rail. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the window regulator includes a lower pulley rotationally mounted to the rail mounting portion and an upper pulley rotationally secured to secured to the top end of the first guide rail by a first housing and a lower pulley rotationally mounted to a bottom end of the second guide rail by a second housing, the first housing and the second housing having the same configuration. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the window regulator includes a pulley rotationally secured to secured to a top end of the second guide rail by a third housing, the third housing being a mirror image of the first housing. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the first guide rail has a rectangular periphery and a portion of the first cursor completely surrounds the first guide rail and wherein the second guide rail has a rectangular periphery and a portion of the second cursor completely surrounds the second guide rail and wherein the first guide rail and the second guide rail are hollow. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the first cursor has an insert that defines an opening for the first guide rail to slide therethrough and the second cursor has an insert that defines an opening for the second guide rail to slide therethrough. 
     Also disclosed is a window regulator for raising and lowering a window of a vehicle, the window regulator including: a first guide rail; a first cursor slidably mounted to the first guide rail; a second guide rail spaced from the first guide rail; a second cursor slidably mounted to the second guide rail; a motor operably coupled to the first cursor and the second cursor such that operation of the motor will cause the first cursor to slide along the first guide rail and second cursor to slide along the second guide rail, the motor being mounted to a mounting portion that is not secured to either the first guide rail or the second guide rail, wherein the motor when mounted to the mounting portion is located adjacent to a side of the first guide rail located between a bottom end of the first guide rail and a top end of the first guide rail; and wherein the first guide rail has a rectangular periphery and a portion of the first cursor completely surrounds the first guide rail and wherein the second guide rail has a rectangular periphery and a portion of the second cursor completely surrounds the second guide rail, and the first guide rail and the second guide rail are hollow, and the first cursor has an insert that defines an opening for the first guide rail to slide therethrough and the second cursor has an insert that defines an opening for the second guide rail to slide therethrough. 
     Disclosed is a window regulator, including: a first guide rail; a first cursor slidably mounted to the first guide rail; a second guide rail spaced from the first guide rail; a second cursor slidably mounted to the second guide rail; a housing that is not mounted to a lower end of the first guide rail; a motor mounted to the housing and operably coupled to the first cursor and the second cursor such that operation of the motor will cause the first cursor to slide along the first guide rail and second cursor to slide along the second guide rail; a cable drum rotationally mounted to the housing, the cable drum being operably coupled to the motor and a first cable secured to the cable drum at one end and the first cursor at another end; a second cable secured to the cable drum at one end and the second cursor at another end; a third cable secured to the first cursor at one end and the second cursor at another end; a first cable sheath surrounding the first cable that extends from a first feature of the first guide rail to the housing; a cable tensioner associated with the first cable sheath; a second cable sheath surrounding the second cable that extends from the housing to a second feature of the second guide rail; and a third cable sheath surrounding the third cable that extends from the a second feature of the first guide rail to a first feature of the second guide rail, wherein the window regulator is configured for raising and lowering a window of a frameless door assembly of a vehicle. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, a pulley is rotationally mounted to each of the first feature of the first guide rail, the second feature of the second guide rail, the first feature of the second guide rail and the second feature of the second guide rail. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the first guide rail and the second guide rail are hollow structures. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the first guide rail has a rectangular periphery and a portion of the first cursor completely surrounds the first guide rail and wherein the second guide rail has a rectangular periphery and a portion of the second cursor completely surrounds the second guide rail. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the first guide rail and the second guide rail are hollow. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the portion of the first cursor surrounding the first guide rail has multiple contact points with the first guide rail in order to prevent undesired movement of the first cursor as it slides up and down the first guide rail, and wherein the portion of the second cursor surrounding the second guide rail has multiple contact points with the second guide rail in order to prevent undesired movement of the second cursor as it slides up and down the second guide rail. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the first cursor has an insert that defines an opening for the first guide rail to slide therethrough and the second cursor has an insert that defines an opening for the second guide rail to slide therethrough. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the insert of the first cursor is formed from polyoxymethylene (POM) and a portion of the first cursor is positioned over the insert of the first cursor and the insert of the second cursor is formed from polyoxymethylene (POM) and a portion of the second cursor is positioned over the insert of the second cursor. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the first cursor and the second cursor are formed from nylon. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the first guide rail is a forward guide rail and the second guide rail is a rear guide rail. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the first guide rail and the second guide rail are hollow structures. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the first guide rail has a rectangular periphery and a portion of the first cursor completely surrounds the first guide rail and wherein the second guide rail has a rectangular periphery and a portion of the second cursor completely surrounds the second guide rail. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the first guide rail and the second guide rail are hollow. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the portion of the first cursor surrounding the first guide rail has multiple contact points with the first guide rail in order to prevent undesired movement of the first cursor as it slides up and down the first guide rail, and wherein the portion of the second cursor surrounding the second guide rail has multiple contact points with the second guide rail in order to prevent undesired movement of the second cursor as it slides up and down the second guide rail. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, wherein the first cursor has an insert that defines an opening for the first guide rail to slide therethrough and the second cursor has an insert that defines an opening for the second guide rail to slide therethrough. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the insert of the first cursor is formed from polyoxymethylene (POM) and a portion of the first cursor is positioned over the insert of the first cursor and the insert of the second cursor is formed from polyoxymethylene (POM) and a portion of the second cursor is positioned over the insert of the second cursor. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the first cursor and the second cursor are formed from nylon. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative to any of the foregoing embodiments, the first guide rail is a forward guide rail and the second guide rail is a rear guide rail. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike: 
         FIG. 1  is a partial view of a vehicle having a window regulator according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a window regulator according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of a guide rail for use with a window regulator according to the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are cross sectional views of a guide rail for use with a window regulator according to the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 5A-5E  illustrate various configurations of a structural member for use with a guide rail in accordance with the present disclosure; and 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  are perspective views of a guide rail with an integral housing or flange portion formed as a single unitary structure; 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  are views of a guide rail with an integral housing or flange portion formed as a single unitary structure; 
         FIG. 8  is a view of a portion of the guide rail illustrated in  FIGS. 6A-7B ; 
         FIG. 9  is a view of a portion of the guide rail illustrated in  FIGS. 6A-7B ; 
         FIG. 10  is a view along lines  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a dual channel window regulator in accordance with an embodiment of the present application; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates the placement of a cursor on a window regulator in accordance with an embodiment of the present application; 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of cursor for use with window regulators in accordance with an embodiment of the present application; 
         FIG. 14  is a view along lines  14 - 14  of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is view along lines  15 - 15  of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a partial view of a vehicle having a window regulator according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 17A  is a front perspective view of a window regulator according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 17B  is a rear perspective view of a window regulator according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 18  is a top perspective view of a window regulator according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 19  is a bottom perspective view of a window regulator according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 20  illustrates the placement of a cursor on a window regulator in accordance with an embodiment of the present application; and 
         FIG. 21  is an opposite side view of  FIG. 20 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures. 
     Disclosed herein is an apparatus for raising and lowering a window of a vehicle. The apparatus may be referred to as a “window regulator”. In one or more embodiments, the window regulator is an electromechanical device that can be controlled by a user inside the vehicle such as by operating a switch. 
       FIG. 1  is a partial side view of a vehicle  10  having at least one door  12  with a window  14  that is configured to be raised and lowered by a window regulator  16  disposed within door panels (e.g., exterior and interior) of the door  12 . Although, only one door  12  and window  14  is illustrated it is contemplated that the window regulator or the present disclosure can be used in a vehicle having numerous doors and associated windows. As such, one or more other windows  14  of the vehicle  10  may also be operated by a window regulator  16  according to the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 2  if a perspective view of the window regulator  16 . The window regulator  16  includes a guide rail  18  and a cursor  20  that is slidably secured to the guide rail  18 . The cursor  20  is configured to be secured to the window  14  and is operably coupled to a cable  22  or cables  22  that are secured to the cursor  20 . The window regulator  16  has an upper pulley or upper cam  24  that is secured to a top portion or top end  25  of the guide rail  18  by a housing or feature  26 . As illustrated, the upper pulley or upper cam  24  is aligned with the guide rail  18 . In the event a pulley is used, the upper pulley  24  is rotationally received in the housing or feature  26 . The upper pulley or upper cam is configured to receive either rotationally or slidably cable  22 . The cable  22  is secured to the cursor  20  at one end and a cable drum  28  at an opposite end. 
     The cable drum  28  is rotationally mounted to a housing or flange portion  30 . In order to provide rotational movement to the cable drum  28 , a motor  32  is operably coupled to the cable drum  28  by for example a worm drive (not shown) that is rotated by the motor  32 . The housing or flange portion  30  is secured to a bottom portion or bottom end  33  of the guide rail  18 . As used herein, the top end  25  of the guide rail  18  is located closer to a top of the vehicle door  12  than the bottom end  33  when the window regulator  16  is secured to the vehicle door  12 . 
     The housing or flange portion  30  also has a lower pulley or lower cam  34  secured to the housing. In the event a pulley is used, the lower pulley  34  is rotationally received in the housing  30 . As illustrated, the lower pulley or lower cam  34  is aligned with the guide rail  18 . The lower pulley or lower cam  34  is configured to rotationally or slidably received cable  22 . 
     As mentioned above, a cable  22  or a pair of cables  22  are secured to the cable drum  28  and the cursor  20 . In the event, a pair of cables  22  are employed one of the pair of cables  22  is secured to the cursor  20  at one end and the cable drum  28  at the other end and the other one of the cables  22  is secured to the cursor  20  at one end and the cable drum  28  at the other end. 
     As the cable drum  28  is rotated in the direction of arrows  36  one of the cables  22  (when two are used) will wind up on the cable drum  28  while the other unwinds thus causing movement of the cursor  20  in the directions of arrows  38 . Movement of the cursor in the directions of arrows  38  will cause the window  14  to move up and down with respect to the vehicle door  12 . In the event a single cable  22  is used a portion of the cable will wind on cable drum  28  while another portion will unwind from the cable drum  28  in order to provide the desired movement of the cursor  20  in the direction of arrows  38 . 
     In one non-limiting embodiment, the guide rail  18  is a hollow tube or structure formed from a metal such as aluminum, steel, metallic alloys or the hollow tube formed from a plastic material, or a plastic composite material. In one alternative and as illustrated in at least  FIG. 3 , the guide rail  18  is an extruded structure that has internal structural features, supports or ribs  39  that extend across a cavity  41  of the guide rail. In this embodiment the internal structural features, supports or ribs  39  extend from an interior surface of the wall or walls that define an exterior surface of the guide rail  18 . The exterior surface being opposite to the interior surface of the wall or walls. 
     In addition and in one non-limiting embodiment, the housing or flange portion  30  and the housing or feature  26  are formed from an easily molded material such as a plastic material, metal insert reinforced plastic or a plastic composite material. Alternatively, the guide rail  18  may be solid. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the guide rail may have a square or rectangular configuration or periphery. 
     Not shown are a controller for controlling the motor  32  and inputs to the controller such as user operated switches and a vehicle control module that may also provide input to the controller. Also not shown is an electric power supply system, which may include a battery and alternator as vehicle electric power supply systems and window controllers are well known in the art, these components are not discussed in further detail. 
     In one embodiment, the cursor  20  or a portion thereof is configured to completely surround a periphery of the guide rail  18 . As such, the portion of the cursor  20  surrounding the guide rail  18  will have multiple contact points with the guide rail in order to prevent undesired twisting, rotation or movement of the cursor as it slides up and down the guide rail  18  in the direction of arrows  38 . In being understood, that some minor rotation, movement or twisting of the cursor  20  about an axis (extending generally in the direction of arrows  38 ) of the guide rail  18  is acceptable for operation of the window regulator. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the housing or flange portion  30  is configured to be mounted to the bottom portion or bottom end  33  of the guide rail  18  and motor  32  is secured to the bottom portion or bottom end  33  of the guide rail  18  via the housing or flange portion  30  as opposed to a bottom mount motor where the motor is mounted to the bottom of the guide rail and the cable drum of the motor assembly is the pulley located at the bottom of the guide rail. Since a bottom mount motor is typically located at the end  33  of the guide rail  18  the motor  32  and its housing may inhibit the movement of the cursor  20  and thus the movement of the window  14 . 
     In accordance with the present disclosure and in order mount the motor  32  to the end  33  of the guide rail  18  the housing or flange portion  30  is configured to have a rail mounting portion  40  that engages the end  33  of the guide rail  18  while an arm portion  42  extends from the rail mounting portion  40  in a direction away from the guide rail  18  such that the motor  32  when mounted to the housing or flange portion  30  is located adjacent to a side of the guide rail  18 . As such, when the motor  32  is mounted to the housing or flange portion  30  the motor  32  is located adjacent to a side of the guide rail  18  located between the bottom end  33  of the guide rail  18  and a top end  25  of the guide rail  18 . In one embodiment, the arm portion extends laterally and upwardly towards the top end  25  of the guide rail  18  from the bottom end  33  of the guide rail  18 . 
     In one embodiment, the motor  32  can be orientated to extend in a direction generally parallel to the guide rail  18  in order to reduce the required real estate for the window regulator  16  when it is installed in a vehicle door  12 . 
     Alternatively, the motor  32  need not be parallel to the guide rail  18  as long as it is located at a side of the guide rail  18  so as to avoid the limited applications of traditional bottom mount motor systems which have limited applications due to glass drop limitations with packaging a motor at the bottom of the rail. 
     The housing or flange portion  30  also has a mounting portion  44  extending from the arm portion  42 . The mounting portion  44  is configured to have the motor  32  mounted thereto and also includes a housing  46  configured to rotationally receive the cable drum  28 . 
     The housing or flange portion  30  may also have cable guides  48  that are configured to guide cable(s)  22  as they are wound and unwound from the cable drum  28 . 
     In one embodiment, the housing or flange portion  30  is formed as a single piece such that the rail mounting portion  40 , the arm portion  42 , the mounting portion  44  and the housing  46  are all formed together as a single component (e.g., they are all formed as a single piece by for example an injection molding or casing process). As such and when the rail mounting portion  40 , the arm portion  42 , the mounting portion  44  and the housing  46  or any combination thereof are referred to as being integrally formed it is understood that the housing or flange portion  30  they will be all formed together as a single component (e.g., they are all formed as a single piece). 
     In yet another alternative embodiment, the guide rail  18  may be a three sided structure with an opening or channel  50  such as a substantially “C” or “U” shaped configuration when viewed from an end or in a cross-sectional view. See for example,  FIGS. 4A and 4B  wherein the guide rail  18  has a bottom portion  52  with a pair of integrally formed opposing sidewalls  54  that define opening or channel  50 . In one alternative embodiment, the pair of integrally formed opposing sidewalls  54  each have a lip portion  56 . Alternatively, the pair of integrally formed opposing sidewalls  54  are straight and do not have a lip portion  56 . In one embodiment, the guide rail  18  illustrated in  FIG. 4A  is formed as a single unitary piece that may be formed from a metal such as aluminum, steel, metallic alloys or the guide rail  18  is formed from a plastic material, or a plastic composite material. 
     In order to provide structural rigidity to the guide rail  18  illustrated in  FIG. 4A , the guide rail  18  is insert molded onto or with the housing or flange portion  30  (e.g., the guide rail  18  is inserted into a mold that forms the housing or flange portion  30 ) and the housing or flange portion  30  has a structural member  58  that extends into cavity  50 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5A-5E  various configurations of the structural member  58  are illustrated. 
     In yet another alternative, the guide rail  18  with the structural member  58  is separately formed with an insert molding process and the housing or flange portion  30  is also separately formed and then once formed the housing or flange portion  30  is subsequently secured to the guide rail  18  with the structural member  58 . 
     In the embodiment, where the guide rail  18  is insert molded onto or with the housing or flange portion  30  at least one end of the guide rail  18  has to be open to allow the cursor  20  to be slid on guide rail  18 . In one embodiment the housing or flange portion  30  is insert molded onto the guide rail. In this embodiment, the housing or flange portion  30  may include a structural member  58  that is molded into cavity  50  of the guide rail formed as a three sided structure. In yet another alternative, the housing or flange portion  30  may be separately formed and separately secured to the guide rail  18 . 
     In still yet another alternative, the housing or flange portion  30  may be secured to an upper portion of the guide rail (e.g., the portion closest to the window opening in the door when the guide rail  18  is secured to the vehicle door) as opposed to the bottom portion. In this embodiment, the housing or flange portion  30  may employ any of the aforementioned configurations or embodiments (e.g., insert molding with or without structural member  58  and either to an enclosed structure (with or without structural ribs  39 ) or an open channel structure or to separately formed and secured to the guide rail  18 ). 
     When a cursor  20  is used that has a portion that completely surrounds the guide rail  18  and the housing or flange portion  30  is secured to the lower end or upper end of the guide rail  18 , the opposite end of the guide rail  18  has to be open so that the cursor  20  can be slid on the guide rail  18  and thereafter a housing or feature  26  is secured to the opposite end (e.g., bottom or top) after the cursor  20  is slid onto the guide rail  18 . As mentioned above, the housing or feature  26  is configured to rotationally receive a pulley  24  or is formed to have a cam feature  24  for guiding the cable  22  therethrough. 
     Alternatively and in some of the aforementioned embodiments the cursor  20  may be only configured to ride or slide on three sides of the guide rail. In these embodiments, the cursor  20  can be snap fitted onto the guide rail  18 . As such, there may be no need to leave one of the ends of the guide rail  18  open. This is particularly advantageous in the embodiments where the structural member  58  is insert molded into the guide rail  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6A-10  yet another alternative embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. Here the guide rail  118  for use with a motor, cables, cursor, pulleys and associated components in order to provide a window regulator is formed as single unitary structure with the a housing or flange portion  130 . The housing or flange portion  130  is configured to support a motor and associated cable drum such that the motor is located at a side of the guide rail  118 . The housing or flange portion  130  may also be configured to have a cable guide(s)  148  that are configured to guide cable(s) as they are wound and unwound from the cable drum  28 . 
     In this embodiment a three sided structural member  119  having an opening or channel  150  such as a substantially “C” or “U” shaped configuration when viewed from an end or in a cross-sectional view is insert molded with an exterior plastic material  131  such that when completely formed by the insert molding process the exterior plastic material  131  forms an exterior surface of the guide rail  118  upon which the cursor will slide. The three sided structural member  119  may have a bottom portion  152  with a pair of integrally formed opposing sidewalls  154  that define opening or channel  150 . The three sided structural member  119  may be formed from a metal such as aluminum, steel, metallic alloys or from a plastic material, or a plastic composite material that is capable of being insert molded. 
     As such, the three sided structural member  119  can provide additional structural reinforcement and rigidity to the guide rail  118 . 
     In one non-limiting embodiment, the exterior plastic material located within opening or channel  150  may have open areas  170  to reduce the required material for the exterior plastic material  131 . 
     In  FIGS. 6A, 6B, 7A and 7B  it is understood that the housing or flange portion  130  may be located at either the top or bottom of the guide rail  118  when it is secured to the vehicle door  12 . Also illustrated is a feature  140  that is configured to rotationally receive a pulley. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 11  a schematic view of a dual channel window regulator  216  is provided. In this embodiment, the window regulator  216  includes a first or forward guide rail  218  and a second or rear guide rail  221 . As used herein, the first or forward guide rail  218  is located closer to a forward end of a vehicle than the second or rear guide rail when the window regulator  216  is secured to a door of the vehicle (illustrated in  FIG. 1 ). 
     Each guide rail  218 ,  221  has a cursor  220  ( FIGS. 12-15 ) that is slidably secured to the guide rails  218 ,  221 . In  FIG. 11 , the window regulator  216  is illustrated without the cursors  220 . 
     The cursor  220  is configured to be secured to the window  14  and is operably coupled to a cable  222  or cables  222  that are secured to the cursor  220 . The first or forward guide rail  218  has an upper pulley or upper cam  224  that is secured to a top portion or top end  225  of the first or forward guide rail  218  by a housing or feature  226 . As illustrated, the upper pulley or upper cam  224  is aligned with the first or forward guide rail  218 . In the event a pulley is used, the upper pulley  224  is rotationally received in the housing or feature  226 . The upper pulley or upper cam is configured to receive either rotationally or slidably cable  222 . The cable or cables  222  are secured to the cursor  220  at one end and a cable drum  228  at an opposite end. 
     The cable drum  228  is rotationally mounted to a housing or flange portion  230 . In order to provide rotational movement to the cable drum  228 , a motor  232  is operably coupled to the cable drum  228  by for example a worm drive (not shown) that is rotated by the motor  232 . The housing or flange portion  230  is secured to a bottom portion or bottom end  233  of the first or forward guide rail  218 . As used herein, the top end  225  of the first or forward guide rail  218  is located closer to a top of the vehicle door  12  ( FIG. 1 ) than the bottom end  233  when the window regulator  216  is secured to the vehicle door  12 . 
     The housing or flange portion  230  also has a lower pulley or lower cam  234  secured to the housing. In the event a pulley is used, the lower pulley  234  is rotationally received in the housing  230 . As illustrated, the lower pulley or lower cam  234  is aligned with the first or forward guide rail  218 . The lower pulley or lower cam  234  is configured to rotationally or slidably received cable  222 . 
     As mentioned above, a cable  222  or a pair of cables  222  are secured to the cable drum  228  and the cursors  220 . In the event, a pair of cables  222  are employed one of the pair of cables  222  is secured to one of the cursors  220  at one end and the cable drum  228  at the other end and the other one of the cables  222  is secured to other one the cursors  220  at one end and the cable drum  228  at the other end. 
     As the cable drum  228  is rotated in the direction of arrows  236  one of the cables  222  (when two are used) will wind up on the cable drum  228  while the other unwinds thus causing movement of the cursors  220  in the directions of arrows  238 . Movement of the cursor in the directions of arrows  238  will cause the window  14  to move up and down with respect to the vehicle door  12 . In the event a single cable  222  is used a portion of the cable will wind on cable drum  228  while another portion will unwind from the cable drum  228  in order to provide the desired movement of the cursors  220  in the direction of arrows  238 . 
     In one non-limiting embodiment, the first or forward guide rail  218  and the second or rear guide rail  221  are a hollow tube or structure formed from a metal such as aluminum, steel, metallic alloys or the hollow tube formed from a plastic material, or a plastic composite material. In one alternative and as illustrated in at least  FIG. 3 , the first or forward guide rail  218  and the second or rear guide rail  221  is an extruded structure that has internal structural features, supports or ribs  39  that extend across a cavity  41  of the guide rail. In this embodiment the internal structural features, supports or ribs  39  extend from an interior surface of the wall or walls that define an exterior surface of the first or forward guide rail  218  and the second or rear guide rail  219 . The exterior surface being opposite to the interior surface of the wall or walls. 
     In addition and in one non-limiting embodiment, the housing or flange portion  230  and the housing or feature  226  are formed from an easily molded material such as a plastic material, metal insert reinforced plastic or a plastic composite material. Alternatively, the first or forward guide rail  218  and the second or rear guide rail  221  may be solid. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the guide rails  218 ,  221  may have a square or rectangular configuration or periphery. 
     Not shown are a controller for controlling the motor  232  and inputs to the controller such as user operated switches and a vehicle control module that may also provide input to the controller. Also not shown is an electric power supply system, which may include a battery and alternator as vehicle electric power supply systems and window controllers are well known in the art, these components are not discussed in further detail. 
     In one embodiment, the cursors  220  or a portion thereof is configured to completely surround a periphery of the first or forward guide rail  218  and the second or rear guide rail  221 . As such, the portion of the cursors  220  surrounding the first or forward guide rail  218  and the second or rear guide rail  221  will have multiple contact points with the guide rail in order to prevent undesired twisting, rotation or movement of the cursor as it slides up and down the first or forward guide rail  218  and the second or rear guide rail  221  in the direction of arrows  238 . In being understood, that some minor rotation, movement or twisting of the cursor  220  about an axis (extending generally in the direction of arrows  238 ) of the guide rails  218 ,  221  is acceptable for operation of the window regulator. 
     The housing or flange portion  230  is configured to be mounted to the bottom portion or bottom end  233  of the first or forward guide rail  218  and motor  232  is secured to the bottom portion or bottom end  233  of the first or forward guide rail  218  via the housing or flange portion  230  as opposed to a bottom mount motor where the motor is mounted to the bottom of the first or forward guide rail  218  and the cable drum of the motor assembly is the pulley located at the bottom of the first or forward guide rail  218 . Since a bottom mount motor is typically located at the end  233  of the first or forward guide rail  218  the motor  232  and its housing may inhibit the movement of the cursor  220  and thus the movement of the window  14 . 
     In accordance with the present disclosure and in order mount the motor  232  to the end  233  of the first or forward guide rail  218  the housing or flange portion  230  is configured to have a rail mounting portion  240  that engages the end  233  of the first or forward guide rail  218  while an arm portion  242  extends from the rail mounting portion  240  in a direction away from the first or forward guide rail  218  such that the motor  232  when mounted to the housing or flange portion  230  is located adjacent to a side of the first or forward guide rail  218 . As such, when the motor  232  is mounted to the housing or flange portion  230  the motor  232  is located adjacent to a side of the first or forward guide rail  218  located between the bottom end  233  of the first or forward guide rail  218  and a top end  225  of the first or forward guide rail  218 . In one embodiment, the arm portion  242  extends laterally and upwardly towards the top end  225  of the first or forward guide rail  218  from the bottom end  233  of the first or forward guide rail  218 . 
     In one embodiment, the motor  232  can be orientated to extend in a direction generally parallel to the first or forward guide rail  218  in order to reduce the required real estate for the window regulator  216  when it is installed in a vehicle door  12 . Alternatively, the motor  232  need not be parallel to the first or forward guide rail  218  as long as it is located at a side of the first or forward guide rail  218  so as to avoid the limited applications of traditional bottom mount motor systems which have limited applications due to glass drop limitations with packaging a motor at the bottom of the rail. 
     The housing or flange portion  230  also has a mounting portion  244  extending from the arm portion  242 . The mounting portion  244  is configured to have the motor  232  mounted thereto and also includes a housing configured to rotationally receive the cable drum  228 . 
     The housing or flange portion  230  may also have cable guides that are configured to guide cable(s)  222  as they are wound and unwound from the cable drum  228 . 
     In one embodiment, the housing or flange portion  230  is formed as a single piece such that the rail mounting portion  240 , the arm portion  242 , the mounting portion  244  and the housing are all formed together as a single component (e.g., they are all formed as a single piece by for example an injection molding or casing process). As such and when the rail mounting portion  240 , the arm portion  242 , the mounting portion  244  and the housing or any combination thereof are referred to as being integrally formed it is understood that the housing or flange portion  230  they will be all formed together as a single component (e.g., they are all formed as a single piece). 
     In an alternative embodiment, the housing or flange portion  230  may be secured to the second or rear guide rail  221 . In yet another alternative embodiment, the housing or flange portion  230  may not be secured to any guide rail and be floating with respect to the guide rails  218 ,  221  and can be independently installed to the vehicle door into which the window regulator is installed. This embodiment is illustrated by the dashed lines  230  in  FIG. 11 . In the this embodiment, the dual channel window regulator  216  with an independent or floating housing or flange portion  230  may be used with any combination of the guide rail and cursor configurations illustrated herein. In addition and in this embodiment where an independent or floating housing or flange portion  230  is used with a dual channel window regulator  216 , a feature is secured to the bottom end of the first or front guide rail  218 . This feature would be configured to rotationally receive pulley  234  or have a cam feature  234  for guiding the cable  222 . In one embodiment, this feature may be similar to feature  227  secured to the top of the second or rear guide rail  221 . 
     In yet another alternative embodiment, the first or forward guide rail  218  and/or the second or rear guide rail  221  may be a three sided structure with an opening or channel  50  such as a substantially “C” or “U” shaped configuration when viewed from an end or in a cross-sectional view. See for example,  FIGS. 4A and 4B  wherein the illustrated guide rail has a bottom portion  52  with a pair of integrally formed opposing sidewalls  54  that define opening or channel  50 . In one alternative embodiment, the pair of integrally formed opposing sidewalls  54  each have a lip portion  56 . Alternatively, the pair of integrally formed opposing sidewalls  54  are straight and do not have a lip portion  56 . In one embodiment, the guide rail illustrated in  FIG. 4A  is formed as a single unitary piece that may be formed from a metal such as aluminum, steel, metallic alloys or the guide rail is formed from a plastic material, or a plastic composite material. 
     In order to provide structural rigidity to the guide rail illustrated in  FIG. 4A , the guide rail is insert molded onto or with the housing or flange portion  230  (e.g., the guide rail is inserted into a mold that forms the housing or flange portion  230 ) and the housing or flange portion  230  has a structural member  58  that extends into cavity  50 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5A-5E  various configurations of the structural member  58  are illustrated. 
     In yet another alternative, the guide rail with the structural member  58  is separately formed with an insert molding process and the housing or flange portion  230  is also separately formed and then once formed the housing or flange portion  230  is subsequently secured to the guide rail with the structural member  58 . 
     In the embodiment, where the guide rail is insert molded onto or with the housing or flange portion  230  at least one end of the guide rail has to be open to allow the cursor  220  to be slid on the guide rail. In one embodiment the housing or flange portion  230  is insert molded onto the guide rail. In this embodiment, the housing or flange portion  230  may include a structural member  58  that is molded into cavity  50  of the guide rail formed as a three sided structure. In yet another alternative, the housing or flange portion  230  may be separately formed and separately secured to the guide rail. 
     In still yet another alternative, the housing or flange portion  230  may be secured to an upper portion of the guide rail (e.g., the portion closest to the window opening in the door when the guide rail is secured to the vehicle door) as opposed to the bottom portion. In this embodiment, the housing or flange portion  230  may employ any of the aforementioned configurations or embodiments (e.g., insert molding with or without structural member  58  and either to an enclosed structure (with or without structural ribs  39 ) or an open channel structure or to separately formed and secured to the guide rail). 
     When a cursor  220  is used that has a portion that completely surrounds the guide rail  218 ,  221  and the housing or flange portion  230  is secured to the lower end or upper end of the guide rail  218 ,  221 , the opposite end of the guide rail  218  has to be open so that the cursor  220  can be slid on the guide rail  218 ,  221  and thereafter a housing or feature  226  is secured to the opposite end (e.g., bottom or top) after the cursor  220  is slid onto the guide rail. As mentioned above, the housing or feature  226  is configured to rotationally receive a pulley  224  or is formed to have a cam feature  224  for guiding the cable  222  therethrough. 
     Alternatively and in some of the aforementioned embodiments the cursor  220  may be only configured to ride or slide on three sides of the guide rail  218 ,  221 . In these embodiments, the cursor  220  can be snap fitted onto the guide rail  218 ,  221 . As such, there may be no need to leave one of the ends of the guide rail  218 ,  221  open. This is particularly advantageous in the embodiments where the structural member  58  is insert molded into the guide rail  218 ,  221 . 
     In yet another embodiment, guide rails  218 ,  221  of the dual channel window regulator  216  may be formed in accordance with the embodiments depicted in  FIGS. 6A-10 . 
     In one embodiment, the housing or feature  226  of the first or forward guide rail  218  is similar to housing or features  227  used at the top and bottom of the second or rear guide rail  221 . In one embodiment, the housing or feature  226  of the first or forward guide rail  218  can be identical to the housing or feature  227  used at the bottom of the second or rear guide rail  221 . In addition and in one embodiment, the housing or feature  227  used at the top of the second or rear guide rail  221  is a mirror image of the housing or feature  226  of the first or forward guide rail  218 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 12-15 , a cursor  220  contemplated for use with any of the aforementioned embodiments disclosed in the present application is illustrated. In the dual channel window regulator  216  embodiment, the cursor  220  used with the first or forward guide rail  218  and the second or rear guide rail  221  has the same configuration such that the rear rail cursor  220  can be used on the front rail and vice versa, this allows for the least amount of changes for the cursor design. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates the approximate rail ( 218 ,  221 ) placement through cursor  220 . Referring now to  FIGS. 12-15 , the cursor  220  is configured to have a polyoxymethylene (POM) insert  271  that defines an opening  273  for the guide rail  218 ,  221  to slide therethrough. In one embodiment, the cursor  220  is over- molded onto the polyoxymethylene (POM) insert  271 . In one embodiment, the cursor is a nylon cursor over-molded onto the polyoxymethylene (POM) insert  271 . In yet one other embodiment, the cursor(s)  220  are formed from an easily molded material such as a plastic material. Still further, the cursor(s)  220  can be formed with a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) over-mold  275 . 
     The cursor  220  may be configured to have a feature or two or multiple separate features  277  over-molded onto the polyoxymethylene (POM) insert  271 . Alternatively, the cursor(s)  220  may be separately formed and the polyoxymethylene (POM) insert  271  may be separately formed and the polyoxymethylene (POM) insert  271  is slid into the feature(s)  277 . 
     The present disclosure is directed to a window regulator configured to use with a frameless door assembly for an automotive vehicle. As such, the window of the frameless door assembly has no frame surrounding the top and upper side portions of the window as it sides up and down and when it is in a closed position (e.g., fully extended from a sill of the vehicle door). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 16  is a partial side view of a vehicle  310  having at least one door  312  with a window  314  that is configured to be raised and lowered by a window regulator  316  disposed within door panels (e.g., exterior and interior) of the door  312 . Although, only one door  312  and window  314  is illustrated it is contemplated that the window regulator or the present disclosure can be used in a vehicle having numerous doors and associated windows. As such, one or more other windows  314  of the vehicle  310  may also be operated by a window regulator  316  according to the present disclosure. 
     In  FIGS. 17A and 17B  perspective views of the window regulator  316  are illustrated. The window regulator  316  includes a pair of guide rails  318  each having a cursor  320  that is slidably secured to a respective guide rail  318  of the pair of guide rails  318 . The pair of guide rails  318  may be referred to as a first guide rail  318 ′ and a second guide rail  318 ″. In the illustrated embodiment, the first guide rail  318 ′ is located closer a forward portion of the vehicle or vehicle door than the second guide rail  318 ″ when the window regulator  316  is secured to the vehicle door. As such, the second guide rail  318 ″ is located closer a rear portion of the vehicle or vehicle door than the first guide rail  318 ′ when the window regulator  316  is secured to the vehicle door. In addition, the corresponding cursor may be referred to as a first cursor  320  and a second cursor  320 . Each cursor  320  is configured to be secured to the window  314  and each cursor  320  is operably coupled to a pair of cables. 
     Each one of the pair of guide rails  318  of the window regulator  316  has an upper pulley or upper cam  324  that is secured to a top portion or top end  325  of each guide rail  318  by a housing or feature  326 . As illustrated, the upper pulley or upper cam  324  is aligned with the guide rail  318 . In the event a pulley is used, the upper pulley  324  is rotationally received in the housing or feature  326 . The upper pulley or upper cam is configured to receive either rotationally or slidably a cable. For example, a first cable  322  is secured to one of the pair of cursors  320  at one end and a cable drum  328  at an opposite end and a second cable  323  is secured to the other one of the pair of cursors  320  at one end and the cable drum  328  at an opposite end. In addition, a third cable  327  is secured to one of the pair of cursors  320  at one end and the other one of the pair of cursors  320  at an opposite end. 
     The cable drum  328  is rotationally mounted to a housing  330 . In order to provide rotational movement to the cable drum  328 , a motor  332  is operably coupled to the cable drum  28  by for example a worm drive (not shown) that is rotated by the motor  332 . In one embodiment, the housing  330  is not secured either guide rail  318  such that it is free floating with respect to the guide rails  318 . In yet another alternative embodiment, the housing  330  may be secured to the top end  325  of either the first guide rail  318 ′ or the second guide rail  318 ″. As used herein, the top end  325  of the guide rail  318  is located closer to a top of the vehicle door  312  than a bottom end  333  of the guide rail  318  when the window regulator  316  is secured to the vehicle door  312 . Still further and in yet another alternative embodiment, the housing  330  is secured to the bottom end  333  of the second guide rail  318 ″. However and as will be discussed below, in any of the above embodiments the housing  330  is not secured to the bottom end  333  of the first or forward guide rail  318 ′. 
     The guide rails  318  also have a lower pulley or lower cam  334  secured to a housing or feature  336  that is secured to the bottom end  333  of the guide rail  318 . In the event a pulley is used, the lower pulley  334  is rotationally received in the housing or feature  336 . As illustrated, the lower pulley or lower cam  334  is aligned with the guide rail  318 . The lower pulley or lower cam  334  is configured to rotationally or slidably received one of the cables. 
     As mentioned above, a first cable  322  is secured to one of the pair of cursors  320  at one end and a cable drum  328  at an opposite end and a second cable  323  is secured to the other one of the pair of cursors  320  at one end and the cable drum  328  at an opposite end. In addition, a third cable  327  is secured to one of the pair of cursors  320  at one end and the other one of the pair of cursors  320  at an opposite end. 
     As the cable drum  328  is rotated either the first cable  322  or second cable  323  will wind up on the cable drum  328  while the other unwinds thus causing movement of the cursor  320  in the directions of arrows  338 . In addition, cable  327  which is not connected to the cable drum  328  will move accordingly. For example, the cable  327  is attached to a top portion of one cursor  320  at one end and a bottom portion of the other cursor  320  at its opposite end. Movement of the cursors  320  in the directions of arrows  338  will cause the window  314  to move up and down with respect to the vehicle door  312 . 
     The window regulator  316  also includes a first cable sheath  340  for the first cable  322  that extends from the housing or feature  336  of the first or forward guide rail  318 ′ to the housing  330 . In addition, a second cable sheath  342  extends from the housing  330  to the housing or feature  326  of the second or rear guide rail  318 ″. Still further, a third cable sheath  344  extends from a housing or feature  336  of the second or rear guide rail  318 ″ and the housing or feature  326  of the first or forward guide rail  318 ′. As mentioned above, the first guide rail  318 ′ is a forward guide rail  318  and the second guide rail  318 ″ is a rearward guide rail. As used herein forward guide rail  318  means the guide rail  318  of the pair of guide rails  318  that is closer to a forward portion of the vehicle  310  when the window regulator  316  is secured to the vehicle and the rearward guide rail  318  means the guide rail  318  of the pair of guide rails that is closer to a rearward portion of the vehicle when the window regulator  316  is secured to the vehicle  310 . 
     The first cable  322  is slidably received within the first cable sheath  340 , and the second cable  323  is slidably received in the second cable sheath  342 , and the third cable  327  is slidably received in the third cable sheath  344 . These cables  322 ,  323  and  327  and their associated cable sheaths  340 ,  342 , and  344  are referred to as Bowden cables. The first cable sheath  340  also includes an irreversible tensioner or spring tensioner  341  such that slack in the first cable  322  is absorbed as is known in the related arts. One non-limiting example of an irreversible tensioner  341  is described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,555,549, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. As such, the first cable  322  may be referred to as a slack side cable and thus the housing  330  is not be secured to the bottom end  333  of the first or forward guide rail  318 ′ such that the irreversible tensioner  341  can be associated with the first cable  322 . 
     In one non-limiting embodiment, the guide rails  318  are hollow tubes or structures formed from a metal such as aluminum, steel, metallic alloys or the hollow tube formed from a plastic material, or a plastic composite material. In one alternative, the guide rails  318  are extruded structures that have internal structural features, supports or ribs that extend across a cavity of the guide rail. In this embodiment the internal structural features, supports or ribs extend from an interior surface of the wall or walls that define an exterior surface of the guide rail  18 . The exterior surface being opposite to the interior surface of the wall or walls. Examples of such guide rails  318  are found in the following U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/514,865 filed on Oct. 29, 2021 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/166,777 filed on Mar. 26, 2021 the contents each of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, the guide rails  318  are formed such that they have an overall lower mass, smaller size than compared with guide rails of window regulator currently in used. The overall lower mass and smaller size of the guide rails allows the costs associated with their manufacture to be much less. As such, lower cost, smaller size and lower mass guide rails are desirable. However, these lower cost, smaller size and lower mass guide rails must also be able to provide the desired structural integrity required of the window regulator  316 , which is provided by the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. As used herein low mass refers to a guide rail having a mass of less than 150 grams. As used herein, smaller size refers to a guide rail having an exterior profile for example a square or rectangular configuration wherein the dimensions of the exterior profile of the square or rectangular configuration of the guide rail are no greater than 10 mm. 
     Moreover and when the guide rails  318  are formed in such a manner (e.g., low mass and smaller size (square or rectangle exterior profile) the guide rails  318  are typically stiffer than a rolled or stamped guide rail. 
     In addition and in one non-limiting embodiment, the housing portion  330  and the housing or feature  326  are formed from an easily molded material such as a plastic material, metal insert reinforced plastic or a plastic composite material. Alternatively, the guide rail  18  may be solid. In various embodiments of the present disclosure, the guide rail may have a square or rectangular configuration or periphery. 
     Not shown are a controller for controlling the motor  332  and inputs to the controller such as user operated switches and a vehicle control module that may also provide input to the controller. Also not shown is an electric power supply system, which may include a battery and alternator as vehicle electric power supply systems and window controllers are well known in the art, these components are not discussed in further detail. 
     In one embodiment, the cursor  320  or a portion thereof is configured to completely surround a periphery of the guide rail  318 . As such, the portion of the cursor  320  surrounding the guide rail  318  will have multiple contact points with the guide rail in order to provide multiple points of contact in order to prevent undesired twisting or rotation of the cursor as it slides up and down the guide rail  318  in the direction of arrows  338 . In being understood, the some minor rotation or twisting of the cursor  320  about an axis (extending generally in the direction of arrows  338 ) of the guide rail  318  is acceptable for operation of the window regulator. 
     In yet another alternative embodiment, the guide rail  318  may be a three sided structure with an opening or channel such as a substantially “C” or “U” shaped configuration when viewed from an end or in a cross-sectional view. In one non-limiting embodiment, the guide rail  318  may be formed as a single unitary piece that may be formed from a metal such as aluminum, steel, metallic alloys or the guide rail  318  is formed from a plastic material, or a plastic composite material. 
     When a cursor  320  is used that has a portion that completely surrounds the guide rail  318  and the housing  336  or  326  is secured to the lower end or upper end of the guide rail  318 , the opposite end of the guide rail  318  has to be open so that the cursor  320  can be slid on the guide rail  318  and thereafter a housing or feature  326  or  336  is secured to the opposite end (e.g., bottom or top) after the cursor  320  is slid onto the guide rail  318 . As mentioned above, the housing or feature  326  is configured to rotationally receive a pulley  324  or is formed to have a cam feature  324  for guiding the cable  322  therethrough. In addition, the housing or feature  336  is configured to rotationally receive a pulley  334  or is formed to have a cam feature  334  for guiding the cable  322  therethrough. 
     Alternatively and in some of the aforementioned embodiments the cursor  320  may be only configured to ride or slide on three sides of the guide rail. In these embodiments, the cursor  320  can be snap fitted onto the guide rail  318 . As such, there may be no need to leave one of the ends of the guide rail  318  open. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 20 and 21 , a cursor  320  contemplated for use with any of the aforementioned embodiments disclosed in the present application is illustrated. In the illustrated window regulator  316 , the cursor  320  used with the guide rails  318  has a portion  380  that slidably engages the guide rail  318  and the portion  380  has at least one opening that has the same configuration of the guide rail  318  such that the cursor  320  can be used on the forward or front rail and the rearward or aft rail and vice versa, this allows for the least amount of changes for the cursor design. 
       FIG. 20  illustrates the approximate rail  318  placement through the portion  380  of the cursor  320 . Referring now to  FIGS. 20 and 21 , the cursor  320  is configured to have a polyoxymethylene (POM) insert  371  that defines an opening for the guide rail  318  to slide therethrough. In this embodiment, the insert  371  is located within the at least opening of the portion  380 . Of course, other materials are contemplated for the inset  371 . In one embodiment, the guide rail  318  has a rectangular periphery and the portion  380  or insert  371  of the cursor  320  completely surrounds the guide rail  318 . In other words, the portion  380  or insert  371  will have an opening configured to match the exterior of the guide rail (e.g., rectangle etc.) such that the portion  380  or insert  371  can slidably engage the guide rail  318  it is located on. For example, the opening of the portion  380  or insert  371  is slightly larger than the exterior of the guide rail  318  so that the slidable movement of the cursor  320  along the guide rail  318  is possible. 
     In one embodiment, the portion  380  of the cursor  320  is formed coextensively with the polyoxymethylene (POM) insert  371 . Alternatively, the portion  380  of the cursor  320  and the insert  371  are separately formed and secured together. In one embodiment, the portion  80  of the cursor  320  is formed from nylon and the insert  371  is a polyoxymethylene (POM) insert  371 . In yet one other embodiment, the portion  380  of the cursor(s)  320  are formed from an easily molded material such as a plastic material. 
     In one alternative embodiment, the portion of the cursor  320  may be formed from polyoxymethylene (POM) and the insert  371  may be formed from nylon. 
     The portion  380  of the cursor  320  may be configured to have a feature or two or multiple separate features  377  positioned about or formed coextensively with the polyoxymethylene (POM) insert  371 . As such, the features  377  will match the outer periphery of the insert  371 . Alternatively, the portions  380  of the cursor(s)  320  may be separately formed and the polyoxymethylene (POM) insert  371  may be separately formed and the polyoxymethylene (POM) insert  371  is slid into the feature(s)  377 . In this embodiment, the openings of the features  377  will match the exterior features of the insert  371  and the interior opening of the insert will match the exterior periphery of the guide rail  318 . 
     In addition, the cursor  320  may have a component or components that configured to be secured to the window  314  and are adjustably secured to the portion  380  of the cursor  320  such that pivotal adjustment of the component or components and the window  314  with respect to the guide rail  318  and/or the window regulator  316  is possible. As such, pivotal adjustment of the window  314  with respect to the vehicle door  312  is possible. 
     Elements of the embodiments have been introduced with either the articles “a” or “an.” The articles are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “including” and “having” and the like are intended to be inclusive such that there may be additional elements other than the elements listed. The conjunction “or” when used with a list of at least two terms is intended to mean any term or combination of terms. The term “configured” relates to one or more structural limitations of a device that are required for the device to perform the function or operation for which the device is configured. 
     The disclosure illustratively disclosed herein may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein. 
     While the present disclosure has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this present disclosure, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.