Patent ID: 6955009

Claim:
A vehicular horizontal sliding window assembly comprising: first and second fixed window panes, each fixed window pane having a perimeter portion, said first fixed window pane being spaced apart from said second fixed window pane to define an opening therebetween; at least one guide element; at least one sliding window pane positionable along a plane between a closed position and a plurality of open positions, said guide element guiding said sliding window pane between said open and closed positions, and said sliding window pane closing said opening when in said closed position; a drive assembly coupling to a motor and drive element, said drive assembly selectively moving said sliding pane between said open and closed positions when driven by said motor and drive element and having a cable section; a support rail supporting said sliding window pane in said guide element, said support rail further substantially laterally retaining said sliding pane in said plane to thereby enhance the retention of the sliding pane in said window assembly, and said cable section of said drive assembly substantially contained within said support rail; and a support member fixedly mounted to said sliding pane, said support member including a first flange portion fixedly mounted to said sliding pane and a second flange portion fixedly coupled with said first flange portion and supported by said supported rail, said support rail comprising a channel-shaped support rail having spaced upper and lower flanges, said second flange portion extending between and being guided by said upper and lower flanges to thereby support said sliding pane, wherein said support member is substantially contained within said support rail, and said first flange portion is positioned between said support rail and said sliding pane.