Retention of an electro-optic window assembly

• US 10,589,834 B2
• Filed: 06/09/2016
• Issued: 03/17/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Busscher, Bradley L., Driscoll, David I., Mitchell, Andrew T., Ash, Kevin L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Woldemaryam, Assres H
• Application Number:
  US15/178,192
• Publication Number:
  US 20160362168A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,377 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 1/1484 Windows B64C1/1492 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 1/1492 Structure and mounting of the transparent elements in the window or windscreen

Abstract

An aircraft window includes an outer window assembly that includes a pressure pane coupled to a pressure pane frame. An inner window assembly includes a bezel adapted to couple to a perimeter of the inner window assembly against the outer window assembly. The bezel has a plurality of attachment features disposed thereon. A plurality of retaining features is disposed around the perimeter of the window. The retention features are configured to engage the attachment features for retaining the inner window assembly on the outer window assembly.

Claims

1. An aircraft window, comprising:

an outer window assembly including a pressure pane coupled to a pressure pane frame;

an inner window assembly including a bezel adapted to couple to a perimeter of the inner window assembly against the outer window assembly, wherein the bezel has a plurality of attachment hooks with an enlarged end disposed thereon; and

a plurality of flexible retention hooks disposed around the outer window assembly, wherein the flexible retention hooks each include a distal end defining an engagement surface configured to engage the enlarged end of the plurality of attachment hooks for retaining the inner window assembly to the outer window assembly by snap-fit engagement.

2. The aircraft window of claim 1, wherein the flexible retention hooks are positioned on the pressure pane frame.

3. The aircraft window of claim 1, wherein the bezel defines an inner opening having an inner wall, the inner wall defining a channel configured to accept an electro-optic element.

4. The aircraft window of claim 1, wherein the attachment hooks and the flexible retention hooks each include an installation surface defining a slip plane, wherein the installation surface of the attachment hooks side past the installation surface of the flexible retention hooks during installation.

5. The aircraft window of claim 1, wherein the attachment hooks are integrally defined with the bezel.

6. The aircraft window of claim 1, wherein the attachment hooks and the flexible retention hooks each define a flat engagement surface.

7. The aircraft window of claim 1, wherein the attachment hooks and the flexible retention hooks are magnetized.