Abstract:
A foam mount has a shape of an enclosed frame surrounding an open area, the frame in cross section having a peripheral surface; an inside surface opposite to the peripheral surface, the inside surface defining the open area. The inside surface includes a groove having an open end and the open end of the groove faces the open area of the foam mount. A coating is applied over selected surfaces of the foam mount, wherein the coating has a visible light transmission of less than 15%. Also disclosed is a method of coating an electric conductive coating over the visible light blocking coating and a decorative coating over selected surfaces of the foam mount.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/352,456 filed on Jan. 18, 2012 in the names of Mitchell V. Bruce, Brian L. Smith and Thomas R. Scarniac and titled Method of Applying an Electric Conductive Layer to Selected Portions of a Mounting Frame, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,313,817, which application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/402,709 filed on Mar. 12, 2009 in the names of Mitchell V. Bruce, Brian L. Smith and Thomas R. Scarniac and titled Method of Applying an Electric Conductive Layer to Selected Portions of a Mounting Frame, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,105,645. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/352,456 and U.S. Pat. No. 8,105,645 in their entirety are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a foam it mount having an electric conductive layer over a light blocking layer or coating, and method of applying same to the foam window mount, and more particularly, to a foam window mount having an electric conductive coating over a light blocking layer having a visible light transmission of less than 40% and preferably zero percent over outer facing surfaces of the foam mount and a decorative layer or coating over inner surfaces of the foam mount, and methods of applying the layers. 
     2. Discussion of the Technical Problem 
     At the present time there is a desire to provide electronic shielding around the body of commercial aircrafts such that electronic signals to and from electronic equipment of the passengers, e.g. cell phones and computers within the commercial aircraft, are only transmitted by and received through the antenna of the aircraft. One of the advantages of this arrangement is the elimination of uncontrolled transmission of signals through the windows of the aircraft, which transmitted signals can interfere with transmitted signals required to operate the aircraft. As is appreciated by those skilled in the art, to attain this goal it becomes necessary to prevent transmission of the signals through the cabin windows and through the door windows of the aircraft. 
     In one approach to accomplish this goal, a window pane having an electric conductive layer is mounted in a foam mount, e.g. a foam window mount having an electric conductive layer. The window pane can be an electrochromic window, or one or more glass sheets having an electric conductive layer or film over the major surface of one or more of the sheets. More particularly and as is known in the art, the electrochromic window includes an electrochromic medium between two spaced electrodes. Each of the electrodes includes an electric conductive layer or film on a major surface of a glass sheet. The electric conductive layer or film provides a radio frequency (“RF”) shielding. 
     The outboard surface of the foam mount has an electric conductive layer, e.g. an RF shielding layer or coating, and the inboard surface of the foam mount is coated with a non-electrical conductive decorative paint to compliment the decor of the aircraft interior. A detailed discussion for painting the foam mount with the electric conductive layer or coating and the non-electric conductive layer or coating is presented in U.S. Pat. No. 8,105,845. 
     The foam mount having the window pane is positioned in the window opening of the aircraft between an outboard structural ply and an inboard protective overlay sheet. The conductive layer on the foam mount is electrically connected with the aircraft body to connect the electric conductive layer of the foam mount to the electric ground of the aircraft. With this arrangement, the electric conductive layers of the electrochromic window and the electric conductive layer of the foam mount provide an RF shielding over the window opening hi the body of the aircraft. 
     Although the painting techniques disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,105,645 are acceptable for applying two different coating layers on a foam mount, the coated foam mount has limitations. More particularly, the electric conductive layer and the non-electric conductive decorative layer is expected to have a visible light transmission of greater than 45%. The result is a portion of the visible light impinging on the electric conductive layer passes through the electric conductive layer, through the foam mount, and through the decorative layer. The foam mount transmits diffused light, i.e. the foam mount transmits visible light but causes sufficient diffusion of the visible light to prevent perception of distinct objects. 
     As can be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the foam mount passing diffused visible light is not decoratively acceptable, and is disruptive to the airline passengers. It would be advantageous, therefore, if visible light impinging on the electric conductive layer was prevented from passing through the foam mount. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a foam mount in a shape having an enclosed frame surrounding an open area, the frame in cross section having a peripheral surface; an inside surface opposite to the peripheral surface, the inside surface defining the open area; a first side extending from the peripheral surface to a first inner surface, and an opposite second side extending from the peripheral surface to a second inner surface, wherein the inside surface of the foam mount includes a groove having an open end and the open end of the groove faces the open area of the foam mount, and the first inner surface and the first side is on one side of the open end of the groove and the second inner surface and the second side is on the other side of the open end of the groove, the foam mount includes, among other things, a coating over selected surfaces of the foam mount, wherein the coating has a visible light transmission of less than 15%, and the selected surfaces of the foam mount includes at least the first inner surface of the foam mount. 
     This invention further relates to a radio frequency (hereinafter designated as “RF”) shielded window, including, among other things, a foam mount in a shape having an enclosed frame surrounding an open area, the frame in cross section having a peripheral surface; an inside surface opposite to the peripheral surface, wherein the inside surface defines the open area and the inside surface of the foam mount includes a groove having an open end and the open end of the groove facing the open area of the foam mount; a first side of the foam mount extending from the peripheral surface to a first inner surface, and an opposite second side of the foam mount extending from the peripheral surface to a second inner surface, wherein the first inner surface and the first side are on one side of the open end of the groove and the second inner surface and the second side are on the other side of the open end of the groove. A coating is over selected surfaces of the foam mount, wherein the coating has a visible light transmission of less than 15%, and the selected surfaces of the foam mount include, among other things, at feast the first inner surface, and the first side, of the foam mount. An electric conductive coating is over selected portions of the visible light blocking coating and over the inner was of the groove, and the first side and the first inner surface of the foam mount, and a non-electric conductive coating is over the second side and the second inner surface of the foam mount. A window has a radio frequency shielding electrically conductive coating defined as an RF coating over a major surface of the window, wherein marginal edges of the window are in the groove with the RF coating of the window in electrical contact with the electric conductive coating in the groove. 
     Still further, this invention relates to a method of coating a foam mount, the foam mount in a shape having an enclosed frame surrounding an open area, the frame in cross section having a peripheral surface; an inside surface opposite to the peripheral surface, the inside surface defining the open area; a first side extending from the peripheral surface to a first inner surface, and an opposite second side extending from the peripheral surface to a second inner surface, wherein the inside surface of the foam mount includes a groove having an open end with the open end of the groove facing the open area of the foam mount, and the first inner surface and the first side are on one side of the open end of the groove and the second inner surface and the second side are on the other side of the open end of the groove. The method includes, among other things, applying a visible light blocking coating over selected surfaces of the foam mount, wherein the visible light blocking coating has a visible light transmission of less than 15%, and the selected surfaces include at least the first inner surface of the foam mount. 
     In addition, this invention relates to a method of making an RF shielded aircraft window, the method includes, among other things, providing a foam mount, the foam mount in a shape having an enclosed frame surrounding an open area. The frame in cross section having a peripheral surface; an inside surface opposite to the peripheral surface, the inside surface defining the open area; a first side extending from the peripheral surface to a first inner surface, and an opposite second side extending from the peripheral surface to a second inner surface, wherein the inside surface of the foam mount includes open end of a groove facing the open area of the foam mount and the first inner surface is on one side of the open end of the groove and the second inner surface is on the other side of the open end of the groove. A transparency having an electric conductive layer over a major surface the transparency and a blank are provided. The transparency is shaped and sized to fit within the groove of the foam mount and completely cover the open area of the foam mount, and the blank has a peripheral shape similar to peripheral shape of the transparency. A visible light blocking coating is provided over selected surfaces of the foam mount, wherein the coating has a visible light transmission of less than 15%, and the selected surfaces include, among other things, at least the first inner surface and the first side, of the foam mount. After the visible light blocking coating is applied to the foam mount, a first electric conductive coating is applied over inner surface of the groove. The peripheral edge of the blank is inserted in the groove to completely cover the open area of the foam mount to separate the foam mount into a first section and a second section, wherein the first section includes, among other things, the first side and the first inner surface, and the second half includes, among other things, the second side and the second inner surface; applying a second electric conductive coating over the first section, wherein the second coating on the first section of the foam mount and the first coating on the inner surface of the groove contact one another. A non-electric conductive coating is applied over the second section of the foam mount. The blank is removed from the foam mount, and the transparency in placed in the groove of foam mount. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a fragmented side view of an aircraft showing outboard view of a cabin window. 
         FIG. 2  is a view taken along lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 , 
         FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the foam mount shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is a plan elevated top view of a blank used in the practice of the invention to prevent coating overlap. 
         FIG. 5  is a prospective view of a mask in the open position; the mask can be used in the practice of the invention to prevent coating overlap. 
         FIG. 6  is a view similar to the view of  FIG. 5  showing a foam mount positioned on the base of the mask. 
         FIG. 7  is a view similar to the view of  FIG. 6  showing the mask in the closed position. 
         FIG. 8  is a fragmented side view of one non-limited embodiment of a mask cover on one side of the foam mount in accordance to the teachings of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a view similar to the view of  FIG. 8  showing another non-limited embodiment of a mask cover on the other side of the foam mount in accordance to the teachings of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As used herein, spatial or directional terms, such as “inner”, “outer”, “left”, “right”, “up”, “down”, “horizontal”, “vertical”, and the like, relate to the invention as it is shown in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the invention can assume various alternative orientations and, accordingly, such terms are not to be considered as limiting. Further, all numbers expressing dimensions, physical characteristics, and so forth, used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about”. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical values set forth in the following specification and claims can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Moreover, all ranges disclosed herein are to be understood to encompass any and all subranges subsumed therein. For example, a stated range of “1 to 10” should be considered to include any and all subranges between (and inclusive of) the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10; that is, all subranges beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less, e.g., 1 to 6.7, or 3.2 to 8.1, or 5.5 to 10. Also, as used herein, the terms “sprayed over”, “provided over”, or “applied over” mean sprayed, provided, or applied, on but not necessarily in surface contact with. For example, a material “applied over” a substrate, e.g. but not limited to a foam mount, does not preclude the presence of one or more other materials of the same or different composition located between the deposited material and the substrate. 
     Before discussing non-limiting embodiments of the invention, it is understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular non-limiting embodiments shown and discussed herein since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Further, the terminology used herein to discuss the invention is for the purpose of description and is not of limitation. Still further, unless indicated otherwise in the following discussion, like numbers refer to like elements. 
     Non-limiting embodiments of the invention will be directed to the practice of the invention to make a cabin window of an aircraft; the invention, however, is not limited to any particular type of aircraft cabin window, and the invention contemplates the practice of the invention on door windows of an aircraft. Further, the invention can be practiced on windows for commercial and residential buildings, e.g. but not limited to type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,675,944, which patent in its entirety is hereby incorporated by reference; on windows for any type of vehicle; e.g. air and space vehicles, and above or below water vessels, and on windows for viewing through a side or door of any type of containers, for example but not limited to a refrigerator, cabinet and/or oven door. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2  as needed, a section  20  of an aircraft  22  has a cabin window  24 . The cabin window  24  (see  FIG. 2 ) includes a frame mount  26 , which includes features of the invention and is coated according to the invention. In the preferred practice of the invention the frame mount  26  is made of foam and will hereinafter also be referred to as “frame mount” or “foam mount.” A window or pane  28 , e.g. an electrochromic window  28  is mounted in a groove  30  of the foam mount  26 . The electrochromic window  28  includes an electrochromic medium  31  between a pair of electrodes  32  and  33 . Each of the electrodes  32  and  33  includes an electric conductive layer or film  34  on inner surface  35  of a glass sheet  36 . The marginal edges  37  of the sheets  36  of the electrodes  32  and  33  are sealed to provide a sealed cell  38  having the electrochromic medium  31 . Outer surface  39  of the glass sheet  36  of the electrode  32  faces the exterior of the aircraft  22 , and outer surface  40  of the glass sheet  36  of the electrode  33  faces the interior of the aircraft  22 . Electrochromic windows  28  are well known in the art and no further discussion of the construction of the electrochromic window  28  is deemed necessary. 
     The electro conductive film  34  of the electrodes  32  and  33  provides an RF shielding to prevent transmission of electric signals through the pane  28 . The inboard inner surface  41  of the foam mount  26  faces the interior of the aircraft  22 , and outboard inner surface  42  of the foam mount  26  faces the exterior of the aircraft  22 . An inboard protective overlay sheet  43  is between inboard side  44  of the foam mount  26  and interior window frame  46 , and a structural ply  48  is between outboard side  50  of the foam mount  26  and body  52  of the aircraft  22 . Optionally a gasket  54  is provided between outboard surface  56  of the structural ply  48  and the body  52  of the aircraft  22  to minimize, if not eliminate, the ingress of moisture between the aircraft body  52  and the structural ply  48 . 
     The invention is not limited to the manner in which, or the components used, to securely mount the cabin window  24  in the aircraft body  52 , and any of the techniques or fasteners, e.g. bolts, nuts, screws, dips and latches known in the art can be used in the practice of the invention to secure the cabin window  24  to the aircraft body  52 . As is appreciated by those skilled in the art, the manner of using the fasteners, and the type of fasteners used, to secure the cabin window to the aircraft body  52  is dictated by the designer and/or builder of the aircraft and is therefore not limiting to the invention. Further, the invention contemplates unitizing the components of the cabin window, e.g. the structural ply  48 , the foam mount  26  having the pane  28 , and the overlay sheet  43 , and securing the unitized cabin window in the aircraft body  52 , and thereafter securing the inboard window frame  46  to the aircraft body. The invention also contemplates individually mounting and securing the components of the cabin window  24  in the aircraft body  52 , e.g. securing the structural ply  48  and gasket  54 , if used, in position; securing the frame mount  26  having the pane  28  in position against the structural ply  48 , and securing the overlay sheet  43  in position against the frame mount  26 , and thereafter, securing the interior window frame  46  to the aircraft body. 
     The structural ply  48  is not limiting to the invention and can be a single glass or plastic sheet, or a pair of glass and plastic sheets, and combinations thereof laminated together by a interlayer material as is known in the art, e.g. as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,586,664, which patent in its entirety is hereby incorporated by reference. When the sheets are made of glass, the glass is preferably chemically tempered, heat tempered or heat strengthen. The materials of the sheets and the number of sheets of the structural ply  48  are not limiting to the invention. 
     The inboard overly sheet  43  is not limiting to the invention and can be any of the types used in the art, e.g. a plastic sheet to protect the underlying pane  28  from surface scratches caused by passenger curiosity, cleaning solutions, and/or abrasive cleaning materials. 
     In the preferred practice of the invention, the pane  28  is an electrochromic device or window  28  having the electrochromic medium  31  changing percent of light transmission as a function of changes in voltage applied to the medium. The invention is not limited to the construction of the electrochromic window  28  and any of the types known in the art, e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,215,821; 6,471,360; 6,783,099 and 7,586,664 can be used in the practice of the invention. The invention also contemplates the pane  28  being a photochromic device having a pair of glass sheets spaced from one another and a medium between the sheets that changes percent of light transmission as a function of light intensity on the medium. The invention is not limited to the construction of the photo chromic window and any of the types known in the art, e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,720,350, 5,973,039 and 7,393,101 can be used in the practice of the invention. The invention further contemplates the pane  28  being a glass or plastic sheet, or one or more glass or plastic sheets or combinations thereof, laminated together or spaced from one another by a spacer frame, e.g. of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,675,944. The above mentioned patents in their entirety are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     As can now be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the invention contemplates the window  28  having an electric conductive layer or film on at least one of the major surfaces of the window to act as an RF shielding. For example and not limiting to the invention, in the instance when the window  28  is a photochromic window, an electric conductive layer or film is provided over or on the outer surface of a sheet, or the inner surface of a sheet, e.g. the surface  35  of the glass sheet  36  of the electrode  32  and/or  33 . 
     In another non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the window  28  includes a substrate, e.g. a glass or plastic sheet having an electrically conductive layer or film over a major surface of the substrate. The electric conductive layer or film, e.g. the electric conductive film  34  of the electrodes  32  and  33  of the pane  28  (see  FIG. 2 ) provides a barrier to the transmission of electronic signals, e.g. but not limited to signals received and transmitted by electronic equipment, e.g. but not limited to cell phones and wireless computers. The invention is not limited to the conductive film  34 , and the film can be any of the types known in the art. Non-limiting embodiments of conductive films or coatings that can be used in the practice of the invention include, but are not limited to, a pyrolytic deposited fluorine doped tin oxide film of the type sold by PPG Industries, Inc. under the registered trademark “NESA”; a magnetron sputter deposited tin doped indium oxide film of the type sold by PPG Industries, Inc under the registered trademark “NESATRON”; a coating made up of one or more magnetron sputter deposited films, the films including, but not limited to a metal film, e.g. silver between metal oxide films (dielectric films), e.g. zinc oxide and/or zinc stannate, each of which can be applied sequentially by magnetron sputtering, e.g. as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,610,771; 4,806,220 and 5,821,001. The above mentioned patents in their entirety are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,105,645, the foam mount  26  presently used to secure the window in position to the aircraft body is made of a material that is compressible, flexible and is electrically non-conductive. The material is compressible and flexible so that the pane  28  can be mounted in the groove  30  of the foam mount  26 . The foam mount  26  is electrically non-conductive in order that only selected surface portions of the foam mount can be made electrically conductive by an application of an electrically conductive coating as discussed below. One of the drawbacks with using a foam mount having the above properties is that the foam mount is most likely translucent. More particularly, the foam mount transmits diffused visible light. As is appreciated by those skilled in the art, when the rays of the sun, or visible light beams are incident on the foam mount, the foam mount transmits diffused light, which can be disturbing to the passengers of the aircraft. 
     In the practice of the invention, the transmission of diffused visible light through the foam mount  26  is minimized or eliminated by applying a visible light blocking or opaque layer or coating  58  over selected surfaces of the frame mount  26  facing the exterior of the aircraft and expected to be exposed to solar energy and/or visible light before applying an electrical conductive layer or coating to the foam mount  26 . In one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the visible light blocking or opaque coating  58  (hereinafter for simplicity also referred to “blocking coating”) is applied over or on the selected outer surface portions discussed above of a foam mount  26 , e.g. but not limited to a Zote Foam mount made by Technifab, Inc. having an office in Avon, Ohio. An electrically conductive layer or coating  60  is applied over or on the blocking coating  58  and over or on inner walls  61  of the groove  30 , the outboard side  50 , and the outboard inner surface  42  of the foam mount  26 , and a decorative coating  62 , preferably a non-electric conductive coating, is applied over or on inboard inner surface  41  of the foam mount  26 . Portions of the foam mount  26  under the decorative coating  62  and outer peripheral surface  64  of the foam mount  26  do not have to be coated with the blocking coating  58 . Portions of the foam mount  26  under the decorative coating  62  do not have to be coated with the blocking coating  58  because the blocking coating under the electrically conductive coating  60  prevents or limits the amount of the visible light passing through the electrically conductive coating  60  from reaching the foam mount  26 . The outer peripheral surface  64  of the foam mount  26  does not have to be coated with the decorative coating  62  and the blocking coating because the outer surface  64  of the foam mount  26  is not visible when viewing through the cabin window  24  and not coating the surface  64  realizes a reduction in the cost of the coatings. 
     Although not limiting to the invention, in the preferred practice of the invention, the blocking coating  58  is a black paint certified by the Federal Aviation Administration for use in the interior of an aircraft and sold by PPG Aerospace (PRC DeSoto) Paint No. CA 8412. The Paint No. CA 8412 is provided in a kit having dry black powder and a liquid solvent. The black powder and the solvent are mixed, and the coating mixture applied per the instructions provided with the kit over the foam mount surface. As can be appreciated, the paint can be applied in any usual manner, e.g. but not limited to application by brush, roller or spray equipment. The thickness of the blocking coating  58  is not limiting to the invention, however, in the preferred practice of the invention, the blocking coating  58  should not crack when the foam mount is flexed as discussed below. 
     As is appreciated by those skilled in the art, the thickness of the Paint No. CA 8412 is given in weight of cured paint per area. In one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, 2.5 to 3.5 grams of cured dry paint per 75.9 square inches was used. Although the visible light transmission of the coated area was not taken, it is expected that the transmission is in the range of zero to less than 15%. 
     For purposes of clarity, the ultraviolet wavelength range is 300 to 380 nanometers (hereinafter also referred to as “nm”); the visible wavelength range is greater than 380 to 770 nm; and the near infrared wavelength range is greater than 770 to 2500 nm; of the electromagnetic spectrum. As can be appreciated, the invention is not limited to the visible light transmission of the blocking coating  58 , and in the practice of the invention, the visible light transmission of the blocking coating is less than the visible light transmission of the electrically conductive coating  60 . In other non-limiting embodiments of the invention, the visible light transmission of the blocking coating is useable in the range of 0% to 40%; preferably in the range of 0% to 20%; more preferably in the range of 0% to 15% or 0% to 10%, and most preferably in the range of 0% to 1%. 
     As discussed above, the blocking coating  58  is applied over or on the outboard inner surface  42  and outboard sides  50 , of the foam mount  26 , which are outer surface portions of the foam mount facing the exterior of the aircraft and having visible light impinging thereon. In this manner, transmission of diffused visible light through the foam mount  26  is reduced if not eliminated. Although not limiting to the invention, the conductive coating  60  is applied on or over the blocking coating  58 , e.g. over or on the outboard inner surface  42  and the outboard sides  50 , and over or on the walls of the groove  30 , of the foam mount  26  to prevent electronic signals from moving through the foam mount  26 . The inboard inner surface  41  of the foam mount  26  is painted with the decorative paint  62  for aesthetic reasons. Although not all of the surfaces of the foam mount  26  are coated, e.g. the outer peripheral surface  64  of the foam mount  26  is not coated with the blocking coating  58 , the invention contemplates coating all the surfaces of the foam mount  26  with the blocking coating  58 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , interface  63  is the end of the conducive layer  60  and the beginning of the decorative coating  62 . As is appreciated, the invention is not limited to the location of the interface  63 , however, the conducive layer  60  and the electrically conducive film  34  of the pane  28  should provide an RF shielding without any gaps or separations between the conductive layer  60  of the foam mount  26  and the electro conducive film  34  of the pane  28 . Further, as is appreciated, the invention is not limited to the types of electrically conducive paint and decorative paint used in the practice of the invention. In one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the electrically conducive coating  60  was 102-32/B507 Silver RF paint of the type sold by Creative Materials, and the decorative coating  62  was 1050 HF BAC70913 topcoat sold by HSH Interplan, Inc. 
     In one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the foam mount  26  is coated in accordance to following PROCEDURE A. 
     Procedure A 
     1. HSH Interplan, Inc. FED non-crazed cleaner for composites is applied over the inboard inner surface  41  of the foam mount  26 . The cleaner is applied with a lint free Kimberly-Clark WypAll L30 wipe followed by a stream of low pressure compressed air to remove lint and foreign particles from the foam mount. 
     2. PRC DeSoto Paint No. CA 8412 is prepared per instructions provided by the manufacturer of the paint to provide a cured weight of 3 grams per 75.9 square inches, and the paint is applied over the outboard inner surface  42  and the sides  50  of the foam mount  26 . 
     3. The paint is cured per instructions provided by the manufacturer. 
     4. HSH Interplan, Inc. EED non-crazed cleaner for composites is applied to the inner rails  61  of the groove  30  of the foam mount  26 . The cleaner is applied with a lint free Kimberly-Clark WypAll L30 wipe followed by a stream of low pressure compressed air to remove lint and foreign particles from the foam mount. 
     5. 102-32/B507 Silver RF paint (hereinafter also referred to as “Silver RF paint”) is prepared per directions provided by the manufacturer of the Silver RF paint. 
     6. A paint stick or a swab is used to apply a layer  60  of the Silver RF paint to the inner walls  61  of the groove  30  of the foam mount  26  (see  FIG. 3 ). Care is exercised not to apply any of the Silver RF paint to the inboard inner surface  41  of the foam mount  26 . 
     7. The conductive layer  60  of the Silver RF paint applied over the inner walls  61  of the groove  30  is cured per instructions provided by the manufacturer of the Silver RF paint. 
     8. After the curing of the layer  60  of the Silver RF paint on the walls of the groove, a blank  70  (see  FIG. 4 ) having a shape similar to the shape of the pane  28  to be mounted in the groove  30  is provided. In the non-limited embodiment of the invention under discussion, the blank is a cardboard blank, however, the invention is not limited thereto, and the blank can be made of any material, e.g. but not limited to wood, metal, glass or plastic. The thickness of the blank  70  is not limiting to the invention, and the thickness is preferably 80-90% of the thickness of the pane  28  to be mounted in the groove  30  of the foam mount  26  for the reason discussed below. As mentioned above, the blank  70  has a shape similar to the shape of the pane  28 ; however, in this non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the shape of the blank is 5-10% smaller than the shape of the pane  28  to be mounted in the groove  30 . By providing a blank  70  that is thinner and smaller than the pane  28  to be mounted in the groove  30 , the groove  30  of the foam mount  26  is not excessively flexed when the blank  70  is inserted in the groove  30  to partition the inboard inner surface  41 , from the outboard inner surface  42 , of the foam mount  26  to prevent coating overlap. 
     9. The layer  60  of the Silver RF paint is sprayed onto the outboard inner surface  42 , and the outboard side  50 , of the foam mount  26  (see  FIG. 3 ). Care is taken not to spray the outer surface  64  of the foam mount; however, overspray of the Silver RF paint onto the outer peripheral surface  64  is expected and in this nonlimiting embodiment of the invention, overspray of the Silver RF paint onto the outer surface  64  is acceptable. 
     10. The layer  60  of the Silver RF paint on the outboard inner surface  42 , and the outboard side  50 , of the foam mount  26  is cured per directions provided by the manufacturer of the Silver RF paint. The blank  70  remains in the groove  30  of the foam mount during the curing of the Silver RF paint. 
     11. After the curing of the conductive layer  60  of the Silver RF paint on the outboard inner surface  42 , and the outboard side  50 , of the foam mount  26  is completed, the inboard inner surface  41  of the foam mount  26  is cleaned using HSH Interplan, Inc. EED cleaner. 
     12. Thereafter, HSH Interplan, Inc. 1025 primer/sealer is painted on the inboard inner surface  41  of the foam mount  26 . The sealer is cured in one of the following manners: heated at 95 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes or cured at room temperature for one hour. 
     13. After the sealer is cured, the layer  62  of the decorative paint is sprayed over the sealer. Care was taken not to spay the sealer or the decorative paint on the outer peripheral surface  64  of the foam mount  26 ; however, overspray of the sealer and the decorative paint onto the outer peripheral surface  64  was noted. In this non-limiting embodiment of the invention, overspray of the sealer and the decorative paint onto the outer surface  64  of the foam mount  26  is expected and for this non-limited embodiment of the invention is acceptable. 
     14. The layer  62  of the decorative paint on the inboard inner surface  41  of the foam mount  26  is cured per directions provided by the manufacturer of the decorative paint to provide a coated foam mount of the invention. 
     15. The blank  70  is removed from the foam mount  26 . 
     The blocking coating  58  applied over or on the outboard inner surface  42  and outboard sides  50 , of the foam mount  26 , which are outer surface portions of the foam mount facing the exterior of the aircraft and having visible light impinging thereon blocks more than 90%, if not all, of the visible light impinging on the foam mount from passing through the foam mount  26 . 
     The term “overspray” as used herein is defined as a coating or layer having a decreasing thickness as the distance from the coating area increases. In the practice of the invention, the overspray of the Silver RF paint has a thickness that decreases as the distance from the intersection of the outboard side  50 , and the outer peripheral surface  64 , of the foam mount  26  increases (see  FIG. 3 ), and the overspray of the Silver RF paint terminates short of the intersection of the inboard side  44 , and the outer surface  64 , of the foam mount  26 . The overspray of the decorative paint  62  has a thickness that decreases as the distance from the intersection of the inboard side  44 , and the outer surface  64 , of the foam mount  26  increases (see  FIG. 3 ), and the overspray of the decorative paint terminates short of the intersection of the outboard side  50 , and the outer peripheral surface  64 , of the foam mount  26 . Further, the overspray of the decorative coating  62  and the overspray of Silver RF coating  60  preferably do not overlap. 
     The conductive layer  60  on the foam mount  26  is electrically connected with the aircraft body  52  to connect the electric conductive layer  60  of the foam mount  26  to the electric ground of the aircraft  22 . With this arrangement, the pane  28  mounted in the groove  30 , and the electric conductive layer  60 , of the foam mount  26  provide an RF shielding over the window opening in the body of the aircraft. Covering the inner walls  61  of the groove  30  of the foam mount  26  with the conductive layer  60  assures that there is no break in the RF shield provided by the electrodes  32  and  33  of the pane  28  and the electric conductive layer  60  of the foam mount  26 . With reference to  FIG. 2 , wires  72  contacting the electrodes  32  and  33  of the pane  28  and wire  74  contacting the Silver RF paint  60  were arranged in groove  76  (see  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) in the outboard side  50  of the foam mount  26  to meet at tab  78  formed on outer surface  64  of the foam mount  26 . The wires were provided with connectors (not shown) to connect to the electro chromic window  28  and the layer  60  of the Silver RF paint to the electrical system of the aircraft  22 . 
     As can now be appreciated, the practice of Process A does not provide for the prevention of overspray of the conductive coating  60  and the decorative coating  62  onto the outer peripheral surface  64 , and the inboard side  44 , of the foam mount  26  (see  FIG. 3 ). The invention contemplates preventing the painting or covering of the outer peripheral surface  64 , and/or the inboard side  44 , of the foam mount  26  with the electric conductive layer  60  and the decorative paint layer  62 , respectively. In another non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the decorative coating  62  and the electrically conductive coating  60  is applied with a paint brush or with a paint roller to prevent the covering of the outer peripheral surface  64 , and the inboard side  44 , of the foam mount  26 . In another non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the foam mount  26  is positioned in a mask designed to prevent or minimize the covering of the outer surface  64 , and/or the inboard side  44 , of the foam mount  26  with the conductive coating  60  and the decorative coating  62 , respectively. 
     With reference to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a non-limiting embodiment of a mask  90  of the invention to prevent or minimize the covering of the outer peripheral surface  64 , and/or the inboard side  44 , of the foam mount  26  with the conductive coating  60  and/or the decorative coating  62 , respectively. The coating mask  90  includes a base  92  having a plurality of spaced upright pins  94  secured on the base  92  in any convenient manner, and positioned on the base  92  to contain the foam mount  26  as shown in  FIG. 6  and to prevent sideway motion of the foam mount  26  without compressing the outer peripheral surface  64  of the foam mount  26 . The height of the pins  94  as measured from surface  96  of the base  92  of the mask  90  is equal to, or slightly greater, e.g. greater than 0 to 10% greater than the thickness of the foam mount  26  as measured between the outboard side  50  and the inboard side  44  (see  FIG. 3 ) to avoid compression of the foam mount  26  when the mask cover  98  is positioned over the foam mount  26  and engages the pins  94 . As can be appreciated, as the percent difference between the height of the pins  92  and the thickness of the foam mount  26  increases, the greater the probably of over spray of the conductive coating  60  and the decorative coating  62  passing through the space between the mask cover  98  and the foam mount  26 , and depositing over the outer surface  64 , and/or the inboard side  44 , of the foam mount  26 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 5 , the base (hereinafter also referred to as the “mask base”)  92  includes support plates  100  and  102 . A shim  104  is secured to the support plate  100  in any convenient manner, e.g. by screws or welding. One plate  106  of a hinge  108  is secured to side  110  of the shim  104 , and the other plate  112  of the hinge  108  is secured to outer surface  113  of the mask cover  98  at hinge support  114  (clearly shown in  FIG. 7 ) so that inner surface  116  of the mask cover  98  and the surface  96  of the mask base  92  can be pivoted toward and away from one another to position the inner surface  116  of the mask cover  98  on the pins  94  (the mask cover  98  in the closed position as shown in  FIG. 7 ), and to move the inner surface  116  of the mask cover  98  away from the pins  94  toward the open position (mask cover  98  shown in the open position in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). Preferably, but not limiting to the invention, the thickness of the shim  104  as measured between the inner surface  116  of the mask cover  98  and the surface  96  of the mask base  92  is equal to the height of the pins  94 . As is appreciated, the invention contemplates a solid endless or continuous wall in place of the pins  94 . A segment of the solid continuous wall  119  is shown only in  FIG. 5  and shown only in phantom. 
     With reference to  FIG. 8 , in one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, one mask cover  98 A is provided with a cut out center portion  120  sized such that with the mask  90  in the closed position, the inner surface  116  of the mask cover  98 A overlays the inboard side  44  of the foam mount  26 . With reference to  FIG. 9 , in the non-limiting embodiment of the invention under discussion, another mask cover  98 B is provided with a cut out center portion  120  sized such that with the mask  90  in the closed position, the inner surface  116  of the mask cover  98 B overlays the outboard side  50  of the foam mount  26  adjacent the intersection of the outboard side  50 , and the outer surface  64 , of the foam mount  26  as shown in  FIG. 9 . As can be appreciated, when the cut out portions  120  are the same size, one size mask cover  98  can be used in the practice of the invention. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 5-7  as needed, the mask cover  98  further includes a fastener support  120  that is aligned with the support  102  of the base  92  when the mask cover  98  is in the closed position (see  FIG. 7 ). The mask cover  98  is preferably maintained in the closed position when the mask  90  is moved into and out of a coating curing chamber (not shown). The invention is not limited to the type of fastener  122  used in the practice of the invention to maintain the mask in the closed position. In one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the fastener was a magnetic fastener  122  having magnetic bar  124  secured to the support plate  102  of the base  92  of the mask  90 , and a magnetic bar  126  secured to fastener support  120  of the mask cover  98 . In one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the positive side of the magnetic bar  124  faces the magnetic bar  126 , and the negative surface of the magnetic bar  126  faces the magnetic bar  124 , The magnetic bars are secured to their respective support in any convenient manner, e.g. by screws  128  (see  FIGS. 6 and 7 ). The thickness of the magnetic bars  124  and  126  as measured between the surface  96  of the mask base  92  and the inner surface  116  of the mask cover  98  is equal to the thickness of the shim  104 , or the height of the pins  94 . 
     In another non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the mask  90  is used to apply the conductive layer  60  and the decorative layer  62  to selected portions of the foam mount  26  in the manner described in PROCEDURE B. 
     Procedure B 
     A. Steps 1-8 of PROCEDURE A were practiced. 
     B. The foam mount  26  having the blank  70  is placed within the upright pins  94  of the mask  90  (see  FIG. 6 ) with the inboard side  44  of the foam mount  26  on the surface  96  of the base  92  of the mask  90 . The mask cover  98 B is positioned in the closed position such that the mask cover  98 B overlaid a portion of the outboard side  50  of the foam mount  26  adjacent the intersection of the outboard side  50 , and the outer surface  64 , of the foam mount  26  (see  FIG. 9 ). 
     C. The layer  60  of the Silver RF paint is sprayed onto the outboard inner surface  42 , and the uncovered portion of the outboard side  50  of the foam mount  26  (see  FIG. 9 ). 
     D. The layer  60  of the Silver RF paint on the outboard inner surface  42 , and the outboard side  50 , of the foam mount  26  is cured per directions provided by the manufacturer of the Silver RF paint. The blank  70  remained in the groove  30  of the foam mount during the curing of the Silver RF paint. 
     E. Step 11 of PROCEDURE A is practiced. 
     F. The foam mount  26  having the blank  70  is placed within the pins  94  of the mask  90  (see  FIG. 6 ) with the outboard side  60  of the foam mount  26  on the surface  96  of the base  92  of the mask  90 . The mask cover  98 A is positioned in the closed position such that the mask cover  98 A overlaid the inboard side  44  of the foam mount  26  (see  FIG. 8 ). 
     G. Step 12 of PROCEDURE A is practiced. 
     H. After the sealer is cured, the layer  62  of the decorative paint was sprayed over the sealer to apply the decorative paint over the inboard inner surface  38  of the foam mount  26 . 
     I. Steps 14 and 15 of PROCEDURE A were practiced. 
     After the blank  70  is removed from the foam mount, the pane  28  mounted in the groove  30  of the foam mount, as previously discussed. 
     In another non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the mask  90  is used to apply the blocking coating  58 , the conductive layer  60  and the decorative layer  62  to selected portions of the foam mount  26  in the manner described in PROCEDURE C. 
     Procedure C 
     i. Step 1 of PROCEDURE A is practiced. 
     ii. Step 8 of PROCEDURE A is practiced. 
     iii. Step B of PROCEDURE B is practiced 
     iv. Steps 2 and 3 of PROCEDURE A are practiced. 
     v. The foam mount is removed from the mask  90  and the blank  70  removed from the foam mount  26 . 
     vi. Steps 4-8 of PROCEDURE A are practiced. 
     vii. Steps B-I of PROCEDURE B are practiced. 
     After the blank  70  is removed from the foam mount and the pane  28  mounted in the groove  30  of the foam mount, as previously discussed. 
     The invention was practiced to coat the foam mount  26  in the following manner using PROCEDURE B. A foam mount  26  was weighed and the weight recorded. Step A of PROCEDURE B was practiced. The foam mount having the cured opaque coating was weighed, and the weight of the foam mount before painting subtracted from the weight of the foam mount after the opaque coating was applied to provide a cured opaque coating weight of 3 grams per 75.9 square inches. Although not limiting to the invention, it is preferred to spray 3 grams or less because additional spraying of the opaque coating can be practiced to increase the coating weight, however, if the 3 grams is exceeded, it is difficult to remove the cured opaque coating. After the foam mount  28  having the opaque coating had an acceptable weight of 3 grams per 75.9 square inches, Steps B through I were practiced. Although the visible light transmission of the coated area was not taken, it is expected that the transmission was in the range of zero to less than 15%. 
     As can now be appreciated, the mask cover  98 A prevents overspray of the sealer, and/or the decorative coating  62  over the outer surface  64 , and the outer surface  64 , of the foam mount  26 , and the mask cover  98 B prevents overspray of the visible light blocking coating  58 , and/or the conductive coating  60  over the outer surface  64  of the foam mount  26 . As is further appreciated, the invention is not limited to the sequence in which the inboard surfaces  44  and  50  of the foam mount  26  are painted, and the steps can be interchanged, e.g. but not limiting to the discussion the decorative coating can be applied before the visible light blocking coating  58  and/or the conductive coating  62  is applied. 
     It is readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications can be made to the non-limiting embodiments of the invention discussed above without departing from the concepts disclosed in the foregoing description. Further, it is understood that various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claimed subject matter which follows.