Abstract:
A vehicle panel ( 2 ) having a body ( 3 ) that extends longitudinally and in elevation, said body ( 3 ) having a movable window ( 10 ) and guide means ( 15 ) for guiding movement of said window ( 10 ) relative to the body ( 3 ), said window ( 10 ) having a frame ( 11 ) within which there is a transparent surface ( 12 ). The window ( 10 ) includes release means ( 30 ) for manually releasing the window ( 10 ) from the body ( 3 ) in order to provide an emergency exit, the release means ( 30 ) co-operating with the guide means ( 15 ).

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to FR 11 00734 filed on Mar. 11, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    (1) Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a vehicle panel provided with a sliding window and to the associated vehicle, more particularly a rotorcraft type aircraft. 
         [0004]    (2) Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    In order to provide an emergency exit so as to enable an occupant of a vehicle to escape, it is common practice to provide the shell of the vehicle with a removable panel. It should be observed that the term “shell” is used of a vehicle to designate the outside structure of the vehicle, e.g. referred to as a “fuselage” if the vehicle is an aircraft. 
         [0006]    For example, the panel may be a jettisonable door of the aircraft. By removing the door by means of a jettisoning mechanism, an emergency exit is released that can be used by an occupant of the vehicle. 
         [0007]    It should be observed that the mechanism for jettisoning the panel needs to be made safe so as to avoid any unwanted jettisoning while the vehicle is in use. 
         [0008]    In addition, in the event of the vehicle suffering an accident, the shell of the vehicle may suffer large amounts of deformation, and some kinds of deformation may degrade the operation of the mechanism for jettisoning the panel. 
         [0009]    The state of the art includes several documents. 
         [0010]    For example, document U.S. Pat. No. 6,341,748 describes a panel provided with a porthole, the panel being suitable for reversibly closing an opening so as to provide an emergency exit if needed. 
         [0011]    It should be observed that the term “porthole” is used herein to mean a fixed transparent element, while the term “window” is used to mean a transparent element that is movable relative to the body that supports it. 
         [0012]    The panel is fastened to the periphery of the opening by means of a plurality of catches, which catches may be retracted by a release mechanism having movable means that slide in a slideway. By operating the mechanism, the movable means are caused to move, thereby retracting the catches. It is then possible to remove the panel in order to obtain the required emergency exit. 
         [0013]    Document U.S. Pat. No. 5,826,824 also describes a panel provided with a porthole, the panel being suitable for reversibly closing an opening that acts as an emergency exit. 
         [0014]    The panel is connected to the periphery of the opening via a seal, with a plurality of retention means blocking the panel in a lateral direction. Under such circumstances, a control handle is arranged to exert a force that enables the seal to be released from the periphery of the opening so as to allow the panel to be detached. 
         [0015]    It should also be observed that vehicles are sometimes provided with windows that can be opened. More particularly, an aircraft may include at least one window that the crew can open during poor weather conditions in order to avoid misting, with such windows being referred to as “bad weather” windows. 
         [0016]    A sliding bad weather window may then be arranged on a panel that can be jettisoned in order to provide an emergency exit, a jettisonable door, or a jettisonable porthole, for example. 
         [0017]    It can be understood that such bad weather windows are generally of small size and liable to impede crew visibility. 
         [0018]    It should be observed that documents EP 1 433 633 and EP 1 424 278 describe sliding windows. 
         [0019]    Document U.S. Pat. No. 3,010,549 suggests opening a window to provide an emergency exit. 
         [0020]    The following documents are also known: WO 2010/146185 and FR 2 885 381. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0021]    An object of the present invention is thus to propose a vehicle panel having a movable window enabling an emergency exit to be provided, with the risk of the emergency exit blocking independently of the nature of the accident being at least reduced and possibly small or even zero depending on the variant. 
         [0022]    According to the invention, a vehicle panel has a body that extends longitudinally and in elevation, said body having a movable window and guide means for guiding movement of said window relative to the body, said window having a frame within which there is a transparent surface. 
         [0023]    The panel is remarkable in particular in that the window includes release means for manually releasing the window from the body in order to provide an emergency exit, the release means co-operating with the guide means. 
         [0024]    Under such circumstances, in the event of the vehicle suffering an accident, the window is removed from the panel using the release means, unlike prior techniques that seek to jettison the entire panel. 
         [0025]    The window used may for example act as a conventional non-jettisonable bad weather window. Consequently, in the invention, the window performs firstly the role of a conventional window and of a bad weather window, and secondly makes it possible to open an emergency exit after an accident. 
         [0026]    In particular, the release means enable the window to be removed after an accident that deforms the panel in a manner that would prevent moving the window merely by sliding it. 
         [0027]    The panel may also comprise one or more of the following characteristics. 
         [0028]    For example, the transparent surface of the window may be in register with an opening in the body when the window is in a closed position, the opening having given dimensions for enabling an individual to pass therethrough. 
         [0029]    Consequently, the transparent surface is of large dimensions, unlike a bad weather window of the type usually used. 
         [0030]    Thus, if the window deforms considerably as a result of an accident, it can be understood that the transparent surface will not withstand the forces to which it is subjected and that it may, in fact, explode. 
         [0031]    Under such circumstances, in the penalizing and improbable situation of the release means malfunctioning after a violent accident, an individual can in the extreme escape through the transparent surface in order to leave the vehicle. It is that much easier to pass through the window when the transparent surface is destroyed as a result of the accident. 
         [0032]    Furthermore, for a window that slides longitudinally relative to the body in order to pass from a closed position to a position that is at least partially open, and vice versa, the guide means comprise at least one first rail and at least one second rail that are fastened to the body and arranged at opposite ends of the window in elevation, the first rail co-operating at least with connection means for connecting the window, the second rail co-operating with the release means. 
         [0033]    For example, each first rail may be situated above the window with the window being situated above each second rail. 
         [0034]    According to an aspect of the invention, each first rail includes first runner means slidable in a first slideway, and the connection means comprise a connection peg of the frame of the window, the connection peg being suitable for being pressed into an orifice in elevation in the runner means. 
         [0035]    Thus, moving the window towards the connection peg as allowed by the release means enables these connection pegs to be released from the guide means. 
         [0036]    For example, each second rail may include at least one stud provided with a shoe slidable in a second slideway of the second rail, the release means being provided with one retention means per stud co-operating by shape interference with the stud, and with one movable locking finger per stud to secure each retention means reversibly to a stud. 
         [0037]    Consequently, when the locking fingers are engaged in the studs and the associated retention means, it is not possible to remove the window from the panel. 
         [0038]    Conversely, when the locking fingers are not engaged in the studs and the associated retention means, tilting the window enables the window to be released from each second rail. 
         [0039]    In a variant, the retention means possess a U-shape having two side branches, the stud being arranged between the side branches in a longitudinal direction, the locking finger passing through the stud and the branches when the release means secure the window to the body. 
         [0040]    Furthermore, said release means include at least one jettisoning handle secured to the window and connected by a linkage to each locking finger, in order to cause the fingers to move from a locked position to an unlocked position, and vice versa. 
         [0041]    Preferably, said release means include two jettisoning handles arranged transversely on opposite sides of the transparent surface of the window. Thus, the release means may be operated from both outside and inside the vehicle. 
         [0042]    In a preferred embodiment, the panel may then comprise: 
         [0043]    two first rails of the guide means fastened to the body and co-operating with two connection pegs connecting with the frame of the window; 
         [0044]    two second rails of the guide means fastened to the body, each second rail having a stud provided with a shoe sliding in a second slideway of the second rail, the release means being provided with two retention means and two movable locking fingers, each retention means co-operating by shape interference with a stud and with a locking finger, each locking finger securing each retention means in reversible manner to a stud; and 
         [0045]    at least one jettisoning handle connected by a linkage to an intermediate rotary member, the locking fingers being hinged respectively to two diametrically opposite points of the rotary member, turning the jettisoning handle causing the two locking fingers to move in translation in opposite directions. 
         [0046]    In another aspect, the panel may include a slide handle for moving the window from a closed position to a position that is at least partially open relative to the body, the slide handle co-operating with a hook of said body in order to close said window. 
         [0047]    Optionally, a handle for jettisoning the window is connected to the slide handle by a mechanical link for causing the slide handle to be released from the hook. 
         [0048]    For example, said mechanical link includes a cable connected to a pin, the pin connecting the slide handle to the window in a locked, first position, and releasing the slide handle from the window in an unlocked, second position. 
         [0049]    In addition to a panel, the invention also provides a vehicle fitted with such a panel. The vehicle may be a vehicle for traveling on land, on water, or in the air, and more particularly it may be an aircraft. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0050]    The invention and its advantages appear in greater detail from the context of the following description of embodiments given by way of illustration with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: 
           [0051]      FIG. 1  is a view of a vehicle provided with a panel of the invention that includes a window shown in the closed position; 
           [0052]      FIG. 2  is a view of a vehicle fitted with a panel of the invention that includes a window shown in the open position; 
           [0053]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of a window of the invention; 
           [0054]      FIG. 4  is an exploded view of release means; 
           [0055]      FIG. 5  is a diagrammatic section explaining the operation of the release means; and 
           [0056]      FIGS. 6 and 7  are diagrams showing slide means of the invention. 
       
    
    
       [0057]    Elements that are present in more than one of the figures are given the same references in each of them. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0058]    Three mutually orthogonal directions X, Y, and Z are referenced in  FIGS. 1 to 4 . 
         [0059]    The first direction X is said to be longitudinal. The term “longitudinal” relates to any direction parallel to the first direction X. 
         [0060]    The second direction Y is said to be transverse. The term “transverse” relates to any direction parallel to the second direction Y. 
         [0061]    Finally, the third direction Z is said to be in elevation. The term “elevation” relates to any direction parallel to the third direction Z. 
         [0062]      FIGS. 1 and 2  show a vehicle  1  shown diagrammatically in order to avoid overcrowding said  FIGS. 1 and 2 . By way of example, the vehicle  1  may be of the aircraft type. 
         [0063]    The vehicle  1  possesses an outer shell defining its shape, its outer shell including a panel  2 , e.g. a door. 
         [0064]    The panel  2  is provided with a body  3  extending longitudinally and in elevation, the thickness of the body  3  being directed in a transverse direction. The body possesses an opening  4  of large dimensions, with the dimensions given to the opening  4  being determined so as to allow an individual to pass therethrough in the event of an accident. The opening  4  thus acts as an emergency exit. 
         [0065]    Furthermore, the panel  2  is provided with a window closing the opening  4  in a closed position as shown in  FIG. 1 . The window  10  thus comprises a frame  11  carrying a transparent surface  12 , such as a pane. 
         [0066]    The window is fastened to the body  3  of the panel by guide means  15  enabling the window  10  to go from the closed position shown in  FIG. 1  to a position that is at least partially open. For example, the guide means comprise a first rail  16  and at least one second rail  17  fastened to the body  2  at opposite ends of the window  10  in an elevation direction in order to enable the window  10  to pass to the open position shown in  FIG. 2  by sliding relative to the body  3 . 
         [0067]    It may be observed in  FIG. 1  that the window may include a slide handle  50  secured to the frame  11 , the slide handle being capable of co-operating with a hook  5  of the body  3 . In order to open the window  10 , an individual operates the slide handle  50  which turns about a pivot axis in order to move the slide handle  50  away from the hook  5 . 
         [0068]    Furthermore, in the closed position, the window is in register with the opening  4  of the body. It can be understood that the transparent surface  12  is of large dimensions, like the opening  4 . If the window is damaged as a result of an accident, the transparent surface may be broken to allow an individual to pass through the window and the opening  4 . 
         [0069]    Furthermore, the window includes manual release means co-operating in particular with the guide means  15  to allow the window to be jettisoned, i.e. to allow the window  10  to be detached from the body  3 . 
         [0070]    Instead of jettisoning the entire panel, the invention thus seeks to jettison only a window, i.e. a glazed member that is movable, as contrasted to a porthole type window that by definition is fixed. 
         [0071]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , in order to jettison the window, it is possible to operate the release means  30  co-operating with the second rail  17  so as to release the release means  30  from the guide means  15  along arrow F 1 , and then detach the window  10  by moving it away from the first rail  16  along arrow F 2 . 
         [0072]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the window  10  of the invention co-operating with guide means  15  of the body  3  of the panel. 
         [0073]    The guide means include at least a first rail  16 , i.e. a top rail over the window  10 . In the preferred embodiment shown diagrammatically, the guide means include two first rails  16  together forming a one-piece first unit  16 ′. 
         [0074]    Each first rail  16  is provided with a slideway  23  formed in the first unit  16 ′, and with first runner means  21  provided with an orifice  22 . For example, the first runner means  21  may comprise a wheel that slides in the associated slideway. 
         [0075]    Under such circumstances, the window  10  has a frame provided with a seal  11 ′ and a carrier structure  11 ″ surrounding the transparent surface  12 . 
         [0076]    The carrier structure  11 ″ thus carries connection means  18  co-operating with each first rail. The connection means  18  are provided with a connection support  19  fastened to the frame  11  and more particularly to its carrier structure  11 ″, the connection support  19  having one connection peg  20  for each first runner means  21 . 
         [0077]    The connection pegs  20  are then inserted in the orifices  22  of the first runner means  21 . It should be observed that deformation of the slideway does not prevent the window from being detached, since the window does not co-operate directly with the slideway. 
         [0078]    Furthermore, the guide means  15  include at least one second rail  17 , i.e. a bottom rail under the window  10 . In the preferred embodiment shown diagrammatically, the guide means include two second rails  17  together forming a one-piece second unit  17 ′. 
         [0079]    Each second rail  17  is provided with a slideway  26  formed in the second unit  17 ′, and a stud  24  provided with a shoe  25  sliding in the associated slideway. Thus, the stud projects from the associated slideway, whereas a shoe, e.g. of the wheel type, secured to the stud slides in said slideway. 
         [0080]    Under such circumstances, the window  10  includes release means co-operating with each second rail  17 . 
         [0081]    With reference to  FIG. 4 , the release means  30  comprise one retention means  31  per stud, each retention means  31  being fastened by a fastener plate  34  to the frame  11  and co-operating by shape interference with a stud. Consequently, each retention means  31  may be U-shaped, having two side branches  33  between which a stud  24  is arranged when the window is connected to the body  2 . 
         [0082]    It should be observed that a cover  100  may be fastened to the fastener plate  34 , for example. 
         [0083]    Furthermore, the release means include one locking finger  32  per stud, each locking finger being capable of passing through both a retention means  31  and the associated stud  24 . It should be observed that the retention means may be provided with a guide ring  32 ′ inserted in each side branch  33  in order to facilitate passing a locking finger  32 . 
         [0084]    In order to move the locking finger  32  from a locked position to an unlocked position, and vice versa, the release means may include at least one jettisoning handle, preferably two jettisoning handles  35  and  36  arranged on either side of the transparent surface  12 . 
         [0085]    The jettisoning handles  35  and  36  are then mechanically connected to each of the fingers via a linkage  37 . 
         [0086]    For example, the jettisoning handles  35  and  36  are connected together by a shaft  41  that is connected to the frame  3  via a fastener support  42 . Furthermore, at least one jettisoning handle  35  is hinged to a control rod  40  by a crank  35 ′, the control rod being hinged to an intermediate rotary member  38 . The rotary member  38  is held to the frame  11  by a bracket  38 ″′. 
         [0087]    Each locking finger is then hinged to the rotary member  38  by a link rod  39 . With reference to  FIG. 4 , when the release means  30  have two locking fingers  32 , these two locking fingers  32  are hinged to two diametrically opposite points  38 ′ and 38″ of the rotary member  38 . 
         [0088]      FIG. 5  uses continuous lines to show the release means in a locked position in which it prevents the window being jettisoned, and uses chain-dotted lines to show it in an unlocked position allowing the window to be jettisoned. 
         [0089]    In the locked position, the jettisoning handles are in a first position P 1 . The locking fingers  32  then connect each stud  24  to corresponding retention means. 
         [0090]    Conversely, when at least one jettisoning handle is operated by causing it to turn so as to reach a second position P 2 , the locking members move in translation so that they no longer pass through the studs. 
         [0091]    In the variant described above, the two locking fingers move in translation in opposite directions S 1  and S 2 . 
         [0092]    Consequently, the retention means  31  are no longer fastened to the studs. An individual imparting movement to the window along arrow F 1  then enables the window to be detached from the body  3 . 
         [0093]    With reference to  FIG. 3 , the release means may co-operate with a slide handle  50 , the slide handle  50  being fastened to the carrier structure  11 ″ of the frame  11  by a slide support  52 . At least one jettisoning handle is then connected to the slide handle  50  via a mechanical link  51  including a cable  53 . 
         [0094]      FIG. 6  shows a preferred linkage  51 . 
         [0095]    This mechanical link  51  comprises a cable  53  fastened to a crank  35 ′ of a jettisoning handle  35 , for example, and also a pin  55 . 
         [0096]    The slide handle  50  co-operates with two hinges  54  of the slide support  52  via the pin  55 . 
         [0097]    For the jettisoning handles in a locked position, the pin  55  is shown in continuous lines in  FIG. 7 . Under such circumstances, the pin  55  fastens the slide handle  50  to the slide support  52 . 
         [0098]    Conversely, for an unlocked position of the jettisoning handles, the pin  55  is shown in chain-dotted lines in  FIG. 7 . Under such circumstances, the pin  55  no longer connects the slide handle  50  to the slide support  52 . 
         [0099]    Naturally, the present invention may be subjected to numerous variations as to its implementation. Although several embodiments are described above, it will readily be understood that it is not conceivable to identify exhaustively all possible embodiments. It is naturally possible to envisage replacing any of the means described by equivalent means without going beyond the ambit of the present invention.