Vehicle window with shade
First Claim
1. A window assembly for a vehicle, said window assembly comprising:
- an outer window panel;
an inner window panel;
a spacer element disposed between said inner and outer window panels to establish an interpane cavity between said inner and outer window panels;
wherein at least one of (a) said outer window panel has larger cross dimensions relative to said inner window panel to provide overhang regions of said outer window panel, and (b) said inner window panel has a different contour or curvature than that of said outer window panel so that said interpane cavity varies in gap distance across said window assembly;
a roller shade disposed in said interpane cavity, wherein said roller shade is electrically deployable to coil and uncoil between a coiled light transmitting condition, where said roller shade functions to substantially allow light transmission through said window assembly, and an at least partially uncoiled light attenuating condition, where said roller shade functions to at least partially attenuate light transmission through said window assembly;
wherein, when in said coiled light transmitting condition, said roller shade is in a coiled or retracted position, where said roller shade is coiled along a perimeter region of said window assembly, and, when in said at least partially uncoiled light attenuating condition, said roller shade is in an uncoiled or extended position, where said roller shade is uncoiled to at least partially cover a surface of said inner window panel;
wherein said roller shade comprises a conductive film that uncoils in response to a voltage applied thereto, said film limiting or reducing light transmission through said window panels and said window assembly when said film is at least partially uncoiled;
a stop element disposed at said inner window panel, wherein an end of said film at least partially contacts said stop element when said film is uncoiled to its light limiting state; and
wherein said stop element comprises a ramped portion and wherein said end of said film at least partially overlaps said ramped portion of said stop element when said film is uncoiled to its light limiting state.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A window assembly for a vehicle includes outer and inner window panels and a spacer element disposed therebetween to establish an interpane cavity between the inner and outer window panels. At least one of (a) the outer window panel has a larger cross dimension relative to the inner window panel to provide overhang regions, and (b) the inner window panel has a different contour or curvature than that of the outer window panel so that the interpane cavity varies in gap distance across the window assembly. A roller shade is disposed in the cavity and is electrically deployable to coil and uncoil between a coiled light transmitting condition, where the roller shade functions to substantially allow light transmission through the window assembly, and an at least partially uncoiled light attenuating condition, where the roller shade functions to at least partially attenuate light transmission through the window assembly.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A window assembly for a vehicle, said window assembly comprising:
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an outer window panel; an inner window panel; a spacer element disposed between said inner and outer window panels to establish an interpane cavity between said inner and outer window panels; wherein at least one of (a) said outer window panel has larger cross dimensions relative to said inner window panel to provide overhang regions of said outer window panel, and (b) said inner window panel has a different contour or curvature than that of said outer window panel so that said interpane cavity varies in gap distance across said window assembly; a roller shade disposed in said interpane cavity, wherein said roller shade is electrically deployable to coil and uncoil between a coiled light transmitting condition, where said roller shade functions to substantially allow light transmission through said window assembly, and an at least partially uncoiled light attenuating condition, where said roller shade functions to at least partially attenuate light transmission through said window assembly; wherein, when in said coiled light transmitting condition, said roller shade is in a coiled or retracted position, where said roller shade is coiled along a perimeter region of said window assembly, and, when in said at least partially uncoiled light attenuating condition, said roller shade is in an uncoiled or extended position, where said roller shade is uncoiled to at least partially cover a surface of said inner window panel; wherein said roller shade comprises a conductive film that uncoils in response to a voltage applied thereto, said film limiting or reducing light transmission through said window panels and said window assembly when said film is at least partially uncoiled; a stop element disposed at said inner window panel, wherein an end of said film at least partially contacts said stop element when said film is uncoiled to its light limiting state; and wherein said stop element comprises a ramped portion and wherein said end of said film at least partially overlaps said ramped portion of said stop element when said film is uncoiled to its light limiting state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A window assembly for a vehicle, said window assembly comprising:
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an outer window panel; an inner window panel; a spacer element disposed between said inner and outer window panels to establish an interpane cavity between said inner and outer window panels; wherein said outer window panel has larger cross dimensions relative to said inner window panel to provide overhang regions of said outer window panel; wherein said inner window panel has a different curvature than that of said outer window panel so that said interpane cavity varies in gap distance across said window assembly; wherein said outer window panel has a darkened perimeter layer or coating about its periphery so as to at least partially conceal the presence of said spacer element from view by a person viewing said window assembly from external the vehicle when said window assembly is normally mounted at the vehicle; a roller shade disposed in said interpane cavity, wherein said roller shade is electrically deployable to coil and uncoil between a coiled light transmitting condition, where said roller shade functions to substantially allow light transmission through said window assembly, and an at least partially uncoiled light attenuating condition, where said roller shade functions to at least partially attenuate light transmission through said window assembly; wherein said roller shade comprises a conductive film that uncoils in response to a voltage applied thereto, said film limiting or reducing light transmission through said window panels and said window assembly when said film is at least partially uncoiled; a stop element disposed at said inner window panel, wherein an end of said film at least partially contacts said stop element when said film is uncoiled to its light limiting state; and wherein said stop element comprises a ramped portion and wherein said end of said film at least partially overlaps said ramped portion of said stop element when said film is uncoiled to its light limiting state. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. A window assembly for a vehicle, wherein said window assembly comprises a roof window assembly for a roof of the vehicle, said window assembly comprising:
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an upper window panel; a lower window panel; a spacer element disposed between said upper and lower window panels to establish an interpane cavity between said upper and lower window panels; wherein said lower window panel has a different curvature than that of said upper window panel so that said interpane cavity varies in gap distance across said window assembly, and wherein said lower window panel is curved less than said upper window panel; wherein said upper window panel is curved to generally correspond to a curvature of a roof portion of the vehicle and wherein said lower window panel is curved to generally correspond to an interior ceiling trim portion of the vehicle; a roller shade disposed in said interpane cavity, wherein said roller shade is electrically deployable to coil and uncoil between a coiled light transmitting condition, where said roller shade functions to substantially allow light transmission through said window assembly, and an at least partially uncoiled light attenuating condition, where said roller shade functions to at least partially attenuate light transmission through said window assembly; wherein said roller shade comprises a conductive film that uncoils in response to a voltage applied thereto, said film limiting or reducing light transmission through said window panels and said window assembly when said film is at least partially uncoiled; a stop element disposed at said lower window panel, wherein an end of said film at least partially contacts said stop element when said film is uncoiled to its light limiting state; and wherein said stop element comprises a ramped portion and wherein said end of said film at least partially overlaps said ramped portion of said stop element when said film is uncoiled to its light limiting state. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification