This invention relates to a device for raising and lowering the window pane of an automobile.

Both power driven, and inanualfy operable, devices for raising and lowering the window panes of an automobile are known. However, such devices are operated by means of a cord running on pulleys; and such cord is highly likely to get frayed and then cut, after repeated use, resulting in the window pane getting stuck in the window frame, causing coraiderable inconvenience to the user.

Such known devices include several other components such as a plastic moulded drum, plastic moulded guides for the cord and so on which render these devices cumbersome, both in construction and operation.

It is therefore an object of this invention not only to eliminate the foregoing drawback but also to provide a durable, smooth and friction minimising movement of the window pane.

Several other features of this invention, not herein expressly set forth will be apparent from the Mowing further description.

The device for raismg and lowering the window pane of an automobile, according to this invention, comprises a sprocket; means for rotating the sprocket in either direction; a roller chain engaging with the sprocket and thus rendered linearly movable, to and fro, by the sprocket; guide means for guiding the roller chain along its linear movement; and a window pane holder fixed to the roller chain, such that when die sprocket is rotated in either direction, to a predetermined exteat, the roller chain, and thus, the window pane holder. are caused to move linearly in the appropriate direction, to raise or lower the window pane, to a corresponding extent.

This invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, and not by way of limitation three embodiments of this invention.
In the first embodiment, a sprocket S is coupled to means for rotating the sprocket in either direction. In the embodiment illustrated, such means comprise a reversible DC motor M.

A roller chain C engages with the sprockets whereby when the motor M is activated to rotate in either direction, the sprocket S is driven by the motor in the corresponding direction to cause the chain to move linearly, to and fro, by the sprocket.

Guide means are provided to guide the roller chain along its linear movement In the embodiment illustrated such guide means are exemplified by the raU R. A brocket B is employed
for mounting the motor M and rail R.

A window pane holder His fixed to the roller chain C, such that when the sprocket Sis rotated in either direction, to a predetermined extent, the rc4ler chain C, and thus, the window pane holder H, are caused to move linearly in the appropriate direction, to raise or lower the window pane, to the corresponding extent.

Hie motor M derives power from a source such as the automobile battery.

According to a second embodiment of this invention, the motor M is dispensed with; however, the sprocket S is coupled to a manually rotatable handle J, whereby when the handle J is rotated in either direction, the sprocket S is also rotated, by the handle, in the corresponding direction, to cause the chain to move linearly, to and fro. In other respects, this embodiment remains the same as the first embodiment.

According tin a third embodiment of this invention the motor M is retained; at the same time, the sprocket S is coupled both to the motor M and to the handle J.

In this case, while the motor M is operable, the handle J can also be operated separately (when the motor is switched OFF) to serve as a manual override. This embodiment will be useful
in situations when the user requires of prefers manual operation of the device. In other respects the third embodiment remains
the sane as the other two embo diments It will be appreciated from the foregoing that various other embodiments of this invention arc possible without departing from the scope and ambit thereof

We Claim:

1. A device for raising and lowering the window pane of an automobile comprising a sprocket; means for rotating the sprocket in either direction; a roller chain engaging with the sprocket and thus rendered linearly movable, to and fro, by the sprocket; guide means for gukting the roller chain along its linear movement; a window pane holder fixed to the roller chain, such that when the sprocket is rotated in either direction, to a predetermined extent, the roller chain, and thus, the window pane holder, is caused to move linearly in the appropriate direction, to raise or tower the window pane, to a corresponding extent.

2. A device as claimed m Claim 1 wherein the means for rotating the sprocket comprise a reversible DC motor coupled to the said sprocket.

3. A device as claimed in Claim I or Claim 2 wherein the means for rotating the sprocket comprise a manually rotatable handle coupled to the said sprocket

4. A device as churned in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the guide means comprise a rail for guiding tine rotter chain along its linear movement

5. A device for raising and lowering the window pane of an automobile substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.