US3591982A

US3591982A - Window regulator

Info

Publication number: US3591982A
Application number: US22190A
Authority: US
Inventors: Wayne E Nantau
Original assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
Current assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
Priority date: 1970-03-24
Filing date: 1970-03-24
Publication date: 1971-07-13
Anticipated expiration: 1988-07-13

Abstract

A vehicle window regulator assembly includes a tubular guide fixed to the vehicle body and a lift arm pivotally mounted on the vehicle body and attached to a window panel and operable to move the window panel between raised and lowered positions. A guide follower unit grips the tubular guide at two vertically spaced locations and is connected to the window panel through a telescopeable connection permitting the guide follower unit to extend down below the lower edge of the window panel in the raised position of the latter to increase the lateral stability thereof while assuming a position generally above the lower edge of the window panel in the lowered position of the latter to permit increased downward movement of the window panel.

Description

United States Patent [72] lnventor WayneE.Nantau Fraser, Mich. [21] Appl. No 22,190 (22] Filed Mar. 24, 1970 [45] Patented [73] Assignee July 13. 197 1 General Motors Corporation Detroit, Mich.

[541 WINDOW REGULATOR l 5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

[52] US. Cl 49/227, 49/350, 49/375 [51] Int. Cl E05! 11/52 [50] Field of Search 49/227,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,671,433 5/1928 McAdam 49/227 X 2,565,232 8/1951 Hezler, Jr. 49/350 3,062,528 11/1962 Martens 3,413,760 12/1968 Gorysetal Primary Examiner- Kenneth Downey Attorneys-W. E. Finken and D. L. Ellis ABSTRACT: A vehicle window regulator assembly includes a tubular guide fixed to the vehicle body and a lift arm pivotally mounted on the vehicle body and attached to a window pane] and operable to move the window panel between raised and lowered positions. A guide follower unit grips the tubular guide at two vertically spaced locations and is connected to the window panel through a telescopeable connection permitting the guide follower unit to extend down below the lower edge of the window panel in the raised position of the latter to increase the lateral stability thereof while assuming a position generally above the lower edge of the window panel in the lowered position of the latter to permit increased downward movement of the window panel.

PATENTED JUL] 3197i SHEET 1 OF 2 Wag W gwam 4/6440 ATTORNEY PATENTED JUL] 3197i SHEET 2 BF 2,

ATTORNEY WINDOW REGULATOR This invention relates generally to vehicle window regulators and in particular to an improved window panel guiding arrangement. The trend in modern automotive design has been to increase the vertical dimension of the vehicle window openings for greater visibility while simultaneously maintaining or lowering the overall height of the vehicle above the ground. The design limitation on this trend is, of course, the vertical dimension of the movable window panel, such as a typical front door window, dictated by the vertical space in the vehicle body below the window opening in which space the window panel is to be stowed in the lowered position. Typical window regulator assemblies designed to facilitate the maximum utility of storage space, and at the same time provide adequate movement, guidance and stability characteristics to the window panel, have included expensive and complicated folding linkage arrangements which are difficult to install and adjust.

In a window regulator assembly according to this invention a single tubular guide fixed to the vehicle body functions through a guide follower unit to guide the window panel during movement between raised and lowered positions. In the raised position of the window panel the follower unit assumes an extended position projecting substantially below the lower edge of the window panel to increase the lateral stability of the window panel. In the lowered position of the window panel within the body storage space the follower unit assumes a retracted position wherein there is substantially no projection below the lower edge of the window panel so that the latter may be brought into close proximity to the lower boundary of the storage space for maximum space utilization.

A primary feature, then, of this invention is that it provides an improved window regulator assembly. Another feature of this invention is that it provides a window regulator assembly wherein a single guide member, through a guide follower unit moving axially therealong, guides a window panel during raising and lowering movement with the guide follower unit, in turn, being telescopeable relative to the window panel. Still another feature of this invention resides in the provision of a guide follower unit which, while being telescopeable relative to the window panel and guide member, is also pivotable relative to the guide member to facilitate the use of curved window panels. These and other features of this invention will be readily apparent from the following specification and from the drawings wherein:

FIG. I is a fragmentary partially broken away side elevational view of an automobile type vehicle having a window regulator assembly according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged yiew ofa portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along the plane indicated by lines 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along the plane indicated by lines 4-4 in FIG. 2 and showing the window panel and guide follower unit in raised and extended and lowered and retracted positions in solid and broken lines, respectively;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along the plane indicated by lines 5-5 in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along the plane indicated by lines 6-6 in FIG. 4.

Referring now to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a hard-top coupe automobile vehicle body generally designated 10 includes a roof structure 12, a quarter panel structure 14 and a front fender panel 16. The forward portion of roof structure 12 is supported by a pair of pillars which also retain a windshield 20, only pillar 21 being shown in FIG. 1. The roof structure, in combination with the quarter panel, fender panel and pillar defines a door opening within which a door, generally designated 22, is conventionally vertically hinged at its forward edge on the vehicle body 10 for swinging movement between an open position, not shown, and a closed position, as shown. In the closed position of the door, a portion of the door opening is selectively closed by a window panel 24 mounted on the door in a manner to be described for movement between a raised position, FIG. 1, and a lowered position, shown in broken lines in FIG. 4, stowed generally within the door. A window regulator assembly according to this invention and generally designated 26 is mounted on the door and is selectively operable to move the window panel between the raised and lowered positions.

With particular reference now to FIGS. 1 and 4, the door 22 includes a formed outer panel 28 and an inner panel 30 having a flange 32 extending around the vertical and bottom margins thereof. The outer panel 28 is fixedly secured by conventional means, as by welding, to the flange 32 so as to provide a window storage area between the inner and outer panels. At the vehicle belt line or upper edge of the door 22 a gap between the outer panel 28 and the inner panel 30 provides an elongated access opening 34, seen best in FIG. 4, extending generally the entire length of the door.

As best seen in FIG. 4, a guide member in the form of a curved tube 36 has a pair of

brackets

38 and 40 fixedly secured to the ends thereof. Bracket 38 is fixedly secured by conventional means, as by welding, to the inside surface of the inner panel 30 at the top of the door and bracket 40 is fixedly secured by threaded fasteners 44 to a stiffener panel 46 of the door. The guide member 36 generally follows the curvature or tumble home of the door in transverse section, FIG. 4, and assumes a generally vertical orientation in side elevation, FIGS. 1 and 2, for a generally vertical window motion path.

Adjacent access opening 34 and at opposite sides thereof stabilizing means are provided in the form of flexible sealing strips 48 and 50 fabricated from a resilient material, such as rubber, and adapted to bear slidably but firmly against the opposite surfaces of window panel 24. The seals 48 and 50 normally close the access opening 34 but are separable upon insertion of window panel 24 into the latter and thereafter provide generally weather tight closure to prevent entry of foreign material into the storage space of the door between the inner and outer panels. A sash plate 52, seen best in FIG. 2, is fixedly secured to the lower edge portion of the window panel 24 generally centrally thereof by conventional fasteners 53 and has afi'lxed thereto by conventional means, as by welding, a track segment 54, FIGS. 4 and 6.

The track segment 54 is of channel cross section and has secured therein a pair of nylon bearing strips 56 and slidably or telescopeably receives secondary guide means in the form of a bar 58 forming part of a guide follower unit generally designated 59, FIG. 4. The guide follower unit further includes an adjusting plate 60 having a pair of elongated apertures 62 therein, FIG. 5, which adjusting plate is fixedly secured to the lower end of bar 58, as by welding, and extends generally perpendicularly thereto, FIG. 4. A pair of threaded fasteners 64 extend down through the elongated apertures 62 and adjustably secure a collar mounting plate 66 to the adjusting plate 60. The collar mounting plate 66 rigidly carries a first collar 68 fabricated from a conventional low friction material, such as nylon. Collar 68 has a generally square aperture 70 extending therethrough the sides of which have a convex generally spherical curvature, FIGS. 4 and 5. The collar slidably receives therethrough the guide member 36 with the convex sides of the former contacting the latter at four angularly spaced locations, FIG. 5, so that the collar along with the

plates

66 and 60 and the bar 58 are limitedly pivotable relative to the guide member 36 about horizontal axes extending through the collar generally longitudinally of the door, in addition to being axially slidable along the guide member.

A second collar 72, also fabricated from a low friction material such as nylon, is fixedly secured to the bar 58 generally at the upper end thereof by a screw 74, best seen in FIG. 6. The second collar 72 has a generally elongated aperture or slot 76 extending therethrough of width generally equal to the outer diameter of guide member 36 and generally axially aligned with and above square aperture 70 in the first collar 68. The second collar 72 slidably receives the guide member 36 and, in addition, is bodily shiftable relative to the latter over the length of slot 76 transversely of the door 22.

The guide follower unit, then, including the bar 58 and the first and

second collars

68 and 72, is slidable axially along the guide member 36 between a raised position and a lowered position shown respectively in solid and broken lines in FIG. 4. The guide follower unit is slidable in track segment 54 relative to the window panel 24 between an extended position and a retracted position, shown respectively in solid and broken lines in FIG. 4.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the sash plate 52 has a cam channel 82 welded thereto in generally horizontal orientation which cam channel receives a roller 84 rotatably supported on a rivet 86 fixedly secured to the distal end of a window regulator lift arm 88. Lift arm 88 has a toothed sector 90 fixedly secured thereto and both the lift arm and sector are pivotally mounted at 91 on a mounting brace 92 fixedly secured to the door inner panel. The lift arm 88 is actuable between the raised and lowered positions of window panel 24 by a conventional reversible electric motor 94 through a pinion 96 meshing with the teeth on sector 90.

Assume now a typical operational sequence of the window regulator assembly beginning with the window panel 24 and lift arm 88 in raised position, wherein the guide follower unit 59 is in the extended depending position relative to the window panel and is disposed at the very top of the guide member 36, FIG. 4. So positioned, the guide follower unit cooperates with the seal members 48 and 50 at the belt line of the door to laterally stabilize the window panel. More particularly, the seal members 48 and 50 relatively firmly grip the window panel at the belt line of the door to prevent any substantial lateral movement of the part of the window panel immediately adjacent thereto. The first collar 68 which is laterally immovable relative to the guide member 36 and door 22 is rigidly attached to the sash plate through the bar 58 so that the lower edge of the window panel is restrained against transverse movement relative to the door. With two substantially vertically spaced points thereon thus restrained, the window panel is stabilized in the raised position against deflection laterally of the vehicle body.

When it is desired to bring the window panel from the raised to the lowered position the motor 94 is energized through a conventional vehicle electrical circuit to pivot the lift arm clockwise, FIG. 4, causing the roller 84 to initiate downward movement of the window panel. A light frictional fit between the track segment 54 and the bar 58 causes the guide follower unit to move unitarily downward with the window panel and sash plate along the guide member 36. With the central por' tion of the window panel passing downward through the stationary access aperture 34 while the lower end generally follows the curvature of the guide member 36 through the first collar 68, the window panel experiences limited pivotal movement relative to the guide member which pivotal movement is accommodated by the transverse slot 76 in the second collar 72. The follower unit is, however, effectively restrained against movement longitudinally of the door relative to the guide member so that as the follower unit moves downwardly along the guide member the window panel is restrained against such longitudinal movement and follows a vertical path of motion dictated by the generally vertical orientation of the guide member.

Substantially unitary downward movement of the window panel and guide follower unit continues until the first collar 68 engages a fixed stop 98 on the lower end of guide member 36. Subsequent continued clockwise or lowering rotation of the left arm and lowering movement of the window panel causes telescoping movement of the follower unit from its depending extended position relative to the window panel to the lifted or retracted position. During such telescoping relative movement the bar 58 functions to guide or control the longitudinal posi-/ tion of the window panel relative to the door. When the lower edge of the window panel 24 reaches generally coplanar relationship with first collar 68 conventional limit switch means,

not shown, may be employed to automatically deenergize the motor 94 to halt lowering rotation of the lift arm 88. Alternatively, another stop member may be affixed to the lower end of bar 58 to engage track 54 and halt lowering movement of the panel.

The fully lowered window panel, shown in broken lines in FIG. 4, with the guide follower unit in the retracted position, is completely stowed within the door 22 thus fully removing the window panel from the area above the door 22. By automatically moving the guide follower unit from the extended to the retracted position virtually no window storage space is wasted. More particularly, in the raised position of the window panel only a small portion thereof projects below the belt line of the door with the extended guide follower unit however, substantially projecting below the belt line and lower margin of the window panel to provide satisfactory lateral stability. In the lowered position of the window panel the guide follower unit is retracted allowing the lower edge of the former to be brought into close proximity to the bottom of the door. The lower edge of the window, being close to the belt line of the door and to the bottom thereof in the raised and lowered positions of the window panel, respectively, thus permits maximum utilization of the storage space within the door.

To return the window panel 24 to the raised position, the motor 94 is energized to rotate the lift arm counterclockwise, FIGS. 1 an 2, causing the roller 84 to move the window panel upwardly. The guide follower unit, due to the frictional engagement between the bracket 58 and track segment 54, moves unitarily upward with the window pane] in the retracted position until the second collar contacts a stop portion 99 of bracket 38. Subsequent continued clockwise or raising movement of the lift arm 88 and raising movement of the window panel causes relative telescoping movement of the guide follower unit from the retracted back to the extended depending position thereof relative to the window panel until window panel movement is halted by engagement thereof with roof structure 12, by limit switches, or otherwise.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim is:

1. In a vehicle body having a window opening therein, the combination of a window panel, guide means fixedly secured to said vehicle body and defining a window panel motion path, a guide follower unit, means mounting said guide follower unit on said guide means for movement in said motion path defined thereby, means mounting said window panel on said guide follower unit for unitary movement therewith and for movement relative thereto between an extended position of said follower unit projecting substantially beyond one margin of said window panel and a retracted position of said follower unit in generally flush relationship with said one margin, said guide means upon unitary movement of said window panel and guide follower unit cooperating with the latter to guide said window panel in said motion path between a'raised position closing said window opening and a lowered position opening said window opening, window regulator means on said vehicle body selectively operable to move said window panel between said raised and said lowered positions, and stabilizing means on said vehicle body generally at one margin of said window opening engageable with said window panel to prevent substantial lateral movement of that part of said window panel immediately adjacent thereto, said guide follower unit in said extended position thereof and in said raised position of said window panel projecting substantially beyond said one window margin and in substantially spaced relationship to said stabilizing means, said window panel thereby being laterally restrained at spaced locations to impart lateral stability thereto.

2. In a vehicle body having a window opening therein, the combination of a window panel, a guide member fixedly secured to said vehicle body and defining a first window panel motion path, a guide follower unit having secondary guide means thereon, means mounting said guide follower unit on said guide member for movement in said first motion path defined thereby, said secondary guide means with said guide follower unit mounted on said guide member defining a second window panel motion path, means on said window panel engageable on said secondary guide means to mount said window panel on said follower unit for unitary movement therewith and for telescoping movement relative thereto between an extended position of said follower unit projecting substantially beyond one margin of said window panel and a retracted position of said follower unit in generally flush relationship with said one margin, said guide member upon unitary movement of said window panel and guide follower unit cooperating with the latter to guide said window panel in said first motion path between a raised position closing said window opening and a lowered position opening said window opening, said secondary guide means upon telescoping movement of said window pane] relative to said guide follower unit guiding said window panel in said second motion path, window regulator means on said vehicle body selectively operable to move said window panel between said raised and said lowered positions, and stabilizing means on said vehicle body generally at one margin of said window opening engageable with said window panel to prevent substantial lateral movement of that part of said window panel immediately adjacent thereto, said guide follower unit in said extended position thereof and in said raised position of said window panel projecting substantially beyond said one window margin and in substantially spaced relationship to said stabilizing means, said window panel thereby being laterally restrained at substantially spaced locations to impart lateral stability thereto.

3. In a vehicle body having a window opening therein, the combination of a window panel, a guide member fixedly secured to said vehicle body and defining a first window panel motion path, a guide follower unit including a bar having a pair of generally axially aligned collars secured thereto, each of said collars being slidably engageable on said guide member to mount said follower unit on said guide member for move ment in said first motion path, said bar with said guide follower unit mounted on said guide member defining a second window panel motion path, means on said window panel cooperable with said bar to mount said window panel on said follower unit for unitary movement therewith and for telescoping movement relative thereto between an extended position of said follower unit projecting substantially beyond the margin of said window pane] and a retracted position of said follower unit in generally flush relationship with said one margin, said guide member upon unitary movement of said window panel and guide follower unit cooperating with the latter to guide said window panel in said first motion path between a raised position closing said window opening and a lowered position opening said window opening, said bar upon telescoping movement of said window panel relative to said guide follower unit guiding said window pane] in said second motion path, window regulator means on said vehicle body selectively operable to move said window panel between said raised and said lowered positions, and stabilizing means on said vehicle body generally at one margin of said window opening engageable with said window panel to prevent substantial lateral movement of that part of said window panel immediately adjacent thereto, one collar of said pair of collars in said extended position of said guide follower unit and in said raised position of said window panel being situated substantially beyond said one window panel margin and in substantially spaced relationship to said stabilizing means, said window panel thereby being laterally restrained at two spaced locations to impart lateral stability thereto.

4. in avehicle body having a window opening therein, the combination of a window panel, a generally cylindrical guide member fixedly secured to said vehicle body and defining a generally vertical first window pane! motion path, a guide follower unit including a bar having first and second collars fixedly secured thereto, said first collar being slidable on said guide member and limitedly pivotable relative thereto about an axis of said collar extending longitudinally of said vehicle body and said second collar being slidable on said guide member and limitedly bodily shiftable relative thereto transversely of said vehicle body to thereby mount said guide follower unit on said guide member for movement in said first motion path and for pivotable movement relative thereto, said bar with said guide follower unit mounted on said guide member defining a second window pane] motion path generally parallel to said first window panel motion path, track means on said window pane] slidably receiving said bar to mount said window panel on said follower unit for unitary movement therewith and for telescoping movement relative thereto between an extended position of said follower unit projecting substantially beyond the lower margin of said window panel and a retracted position of said follower unit in generally flush relationship with said lower margin, said guide member upon unitary movement of said window panel and guide follower unit cooperating with the latter to guide said window panel in said first motion path between a raised position closing said window opening and a lowered position opening said window opening, said bar upon telescoping movement of said window panel relative to said guide follower unit guiding said window panel in said second motion path, window regulator means on said vehicle body selectively operable to move said window panel between said raised and said lowered positions, and stabilizing means on said vehicle body generally at the lower margin of said window opening engageable with said window panel to prevent substantial lateral movement of that part of said window panel immediately adjacent thereto, said first collar in said extended position of said guide follower unit and in said raised position of said window panel being situated substantially below said lower window panel margin and in substantially spaced relationship to said stabilizing means, said window panel thereby being laterally restrained at two vertically spaced locations to impart lateral stability thereto.

5. In a vehicle body having a door opening, the combination of a door, means vertically hinging said door on said vehicle body for swinging movement between a closed position closing the lower portion of said door opening and an open position exposing said door opening, a window panel, a generally cylindrical guide member fixedly secured to said door and defining a generally vertical first window panel motion path, a guide follower unit including a bar having first and second collars fixedly secured thereto, said first collar being slidable on said guide member and limitedly pivotable relative thereto about an axis of said collar extending longitudinally of said door and said second collar being slidable on said guide member and limitedly bodily shiftable relative thereto transversely of said door to thereby mount said guide follower unit on said guide member for movement in said first motion path and for pivotal movement relative thereto, said bar with said guide follower unit mounted on said guide member defining a second window panel motion path generally parallel to said first window panel motion path, a track segment on said window panel slidably receiving said bar to mount said window panel on said follower unit for unitary movement therewith and for telescoping movement relative thereto between an extended position of said follower unit projecting substantially beyond the lower margin of said window panel and a retracted position of said follower unit in generally flush relationship with said lower margin, said guide member upon unitary movement of said window pane] and guide follower unit cooperating with the latter to guide said window panel in said first motion path between a raised position closing the upper portion of said door opening in the closed position of said door and a lowered position stowed within said door, said bar upon telescoping movement of said window panel relative to said guide follower unit guiding said window panel in said second motion path, window regulator means on said door selectively operable to move said window panel between said raised and said lowered positions, and stabilizing means on said door generally at the belt line of said vehicle body engageable with said window panel to prevent substantial lateral movement of that part of said window panel immediately adjacent thereto,

means, said window pane] thereby being laterally restrained at two vertically spaced locations to impart lateral stability thereto.

Claims

1. In a vehicle body having a window opening therein, the combination of a window panel, guide means fixedly secured to said vehicle body and defining a window panel motion path, a guide follower unit, means mounting said guide follower unit on said guide means for movement in said motion path defined thereby, means mounting said window panel on said guide follower unit for unitary movement therewith and for movement relative thereto between an extended position of said follower unit projecting substantially beyond one margin of said window panel and a retracted position of said follower unit in generally flush relationship with said one margin, said guide means upon unitary movement of said window panel and guide follower unit cooperating with the latter to guide said window panel in said motion path between a raised position closing said window opening and a lowered position opening said window opening, window regulator means on said vehicle body selectively operable to move said window panel between said raised and said lowered positions, and stabilizing means on said vehicle body generally at one margin of said window opening engageable with said window panel to prevent substantial lateral movement of that part of said window panel immediately adjacent thereto, said guide follower unit in said extended position thereof and in said raised position of said window panel projecting substantially beyond said one window margin and in substantially spaced relationship to said stabilizing means, said window panel thereby being laterally restrained at spaced locations to impart lateral stability thereto.

2. In a vehicle body having a window opening therein, the combination of a window panel, a guide member fixedly secured to said vehicle body and defining a first window panel motion path, a guide follower unit having secondary guide means thereon, means mounting said guide follower unit on said guide member for movement in said first motion path defined thereby, said secondary guide means with said guide follower unit mounted on said guide member defining a second window panel motion path, means on said window panel engageable on said secondary guide means to mount said window panel on said follower unit for unitary movement therewith and for telescoping movement relative thereto between an extended position of said follower unit projecting substantially beyond one margin of said window panel and a retracted position of said follower unit in generally flush relationship with said one margin, said guide member upon unitary movement of said window panel and guide follower unit cooperating with the latter to guide said window panel in said first motion path between a raised position closing said window opening and a lowered position opening said window opening, said secondary guide means upon telescoping movement of said window panel relative to said guide follower unit guiding said window panel in said second motion path, window regulator means on said vehicle body selectively operable to move said window panel between said raised and said lowered positions, and stabilizing means on said vehicle body generally at one margin of said window opening engageable with said window panel to prevent substantial lateral movement of that part of said window panel immediately adjacent thereto, said guide follower unit in said extended position thereof and in said raised position of said window panel projecting substantially beyond said one window margin and in substantially spaced relationship to said stabilizing means, said window panel thereby being laterally restrained at substantially spaced locations to impart lateral stability thereto.

3. In a vehicle body having a window opening therein, the combinatioN of a window panel, a guide member fixedly secured to said vehicle body and defining a first window panel motion path, a guide follower unit including a bar having a pair of generally axially aligned collars secured thereto, each of said collars being slidably engageable on said guide member to mount said follower unit on said guide member for movement in said first motion path, said bar with said guide follower unit mounted on said guide member defining a second window panel motion path, means on said window panel cooperable with said bar to mount said window panel on said follower unit for unitary movement therewith and for telescoping movement relative thereto between an extended position of said follower unit projecting substantially beyond the margin of said window panel and a retracted position of said follower unit in generally flush relationship with said one margin, said guide member upon unitary movement of said window panel and guide follower unit cooperating with the latter to guide said window panel in said first motion path between a raised position closing said window opening and a lowered position opening said window opening, said bar upon telescoping movement of said window panel relative to said guide follower unit guiding said window panel in said second motion path, window regulator means on said vehicle body selectively operable to move said window panel between said raised and said lowered positions, and stabilizing means on said vehicle body generally at one margin of said window opening engageable with said window panel to prevent substantial lateral movement of that part of said window panel immediately adjacent thereto, one collar of said pair of collars in said extended position of said guide follower unit and in said raised position of said window panel being situated substantially beyond said one window panel margin and in substantially spaced relationship to said stabilizing means, said window panel thereby being laterally restrained at two spaced locations to impart lateral stability thereto.

4. In a vehicle body having a window opening therein, the combination of a window panel, a generally cylindrical guide member fixedly secured to said vehicle body and defining a generally vertical first window panel motion path, a guide follower unit including a bar having first and second collars fixedly secured thereto, said first collar being slidable on said guide member and limitedly pivotable relative thereto about an axis of said collar extending longitudinally of said vehicle body and said second collar being slidable on said guide member and limitedly bodily shiftable relative thereto transversely of said vehicle body to thereby mount said guide follower unit on said guide member for movement in said first motion path and for pivotable movement relative thereto, said bar with said guide follower unit mounted on said guide member defining a second window panel motion path generally parallel to said first window panel motion path, track means on said window panel slidably receiving said bar to mount said window panel on said follower unit for unitary movement therewith and for telescoping movement relative thereto between an extended position of said follower unit projecting substantially beyond the lower margin of said window panel and a retracted position of said follower unit in generally flush relationship with said lower margin, said guide member upon unitary movement of said window panel and guide follower unit cooperating with the latter to guide said window panel in said first motion path between a raised position closing said window opening and a lowered position opening said window opening, said bar upon telescoping movement of said window panel relative to said guide follower unit guiding said window panel in said second motion path, window regulator means on said vehicle body selectively operable to move said window panel between said raised and said lowered positions, and stabilizing means on said vehicle body generally at the lower margin of said window opening engageable with said window panel to prevent substantial lateral movement of that part of said window panel immediately adjacent thereto, said first collar in said extended position of said guide follower unit and in said raised position of said window panel being situated substantially below said lower window panel margin and in substantially spaced relationship to said stabilizing means, said window panel thereby being laterally restrained at two vertically spaced locations to impart lateral stability thereto.

5. In a vehicle body having a door opening, the combination of a door, means vertically hinging said door on said vehicle body for swinging movement between a closed position closing the lower portion of said door opening and an open position exposing said door opening, a window panel, a generally cylindrical guide member fixedly secured to said door and defining a generally vertical first window panel motion path, a guide follower unit including a bar having first and second collars fixedly secured thereto, said first collar being slidable on said guide member and limitedly pivotable relative thereto about an axis of said collar extending longitudinally of said door and said second collar being slidable on said guide member and limitedly bodily shiftable relative thereto transversely of said door to thereby mount said guide follower unit on said guide member for movement in said first motion path and for pivotal movement relative thereto, said bar with said guide follower unit mounted on said guide member defining a second window panel motion path generally parallel to said first window panel motion path, a track segment on said window panel slidably receiving said bar to mount said window panel on said follower unit for unitary movement therewith and for telescoping movement relative thereto between an extended position of said follower unit projecting substantially beyond the lower margin of said window panel and a retracted position of said follower unit in generally flush relationship with said lower margin, said guide member upon unitary movement of said window panel and guide follower unit cooperating with the latter to guide said window panel in said first motion path between a raised position closing the upper portion of said door opening in the closed position of said door and a lowered position stowed within said door, said bar upon telescoping movement of said window panel relative to said guide follower unit guiding said window panel in said second motion path, window regulator means on said door selectively operable to move said window panel between said raised and said lowered positions, and stabilizing means on said door generally at the belt line of said vehicle body engageable with said window panel to prevent substantial lateral movement of that part of said window panel immediately adjacent thereto, said first collar in said extended position of said guide follower unit and in said raised position of said window panel being situated substantially below said lower window panel margin and in substantially spaced relationship to said stabilizing means, said window panel thereby being laterally restrained at two vertically spaced locations to impart lateral stability thereto.