Abstract:
An armored assembly comprises a wall having inner and outer surfaces, and an opening extending therebetween. The opening has a rim area surrounding the opening. The assembly comprises a window having a frame sized/shaped to externally cover the opening and rim area, and a pane fitted within the frame. The window is displaceably attached to the outer surface of the wall. The assembly comprises a drive mechanism including a motor spaced from the outer surface of the wall by its inner surface, and a drive member operably connected to the motor. The drive member is at least partially protruding from the outer surface of the wall in the direction away from its inner surface. The assembly has a driven member attached to the window, which is disposed between the frame and wall. The driven member is configured for engagement with the drive member to displace the window.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to Israel Patent Application No. 207242 filed on 26 Jul. 2010, the contents of which are incorporated herein, in their entirety, by this reference. 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    Embodiments of the invention relate to windows of armored vehicles, in particular, windows adapted to displace in order to allow a passenger of the armored vehicle access to the outside environment. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    In armored structures/installations/vehicles, it is common to provide openings/windows through which the exterior of the structure/installation/vehicle may be viewed and/or accessed from the interior of the structure/installation/vehicle. 
         [0004]    In most cases, such openings/windows are also armored, providing protection against incoming threats such as projectiles. Some such windows are designed as fixed windows, i.e. they are affixed to the structure/installation/vehicle without the ability to open them and allow access from interior to exterior. Other windows are designed with the ability to open/close so as to allow access as noted above. 
         [0005]    In some of these structure/installation/vehicle, it may be desired to open the window to a very narrow extent, so as to allow extending a barrel of a firearm therethrough or exchanging papers/documents, without completely exposing the opening which the window covers. 
         [0006]    It should be understood that windows of a structure are usually configured for allowing a person located within the interior of the structure to properly view the exterior through the window. As such, the window is usually located at the height of the person&#39;s head, when the person is properly situated within the structure (e.g. sitting in a vehicle, standing at a guard post etc.). 
         [0007]    As a result, when the person is properly situated within the structure as suggested above, a topmost portion of the window is usually located above the person&#39;s direct line of vision, and sometimes even above his head. 
         [0008]    There are known several arrangements for pivotally manipulating a window (usually a vehicle window), for example, those arrangements disclosed in DE202004015589U1, FR2583003, U.S. Pat. No. 4,104,827 and US2006265958. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    According to the subject matter of the present application, there is provided an assembly constituting a part of a structure having an interior, comprising:
       a wall having an inner surface and an outer surface;
           the wall being formed with an opening extending between the inner surface and the outer surface;   the opening having a rim area surrounding the opening;   
           a window comprising:
           a frame sized and shaped so as to externally cover the opening and the rim area;   a window pane fitted within the frame;   the window being attached to the outer surface of the wall in a displaceable manner;   
           a drive mechanism comprising:
           a motor; and   a drive member connected to the motor and configured to be operated thereby;   the drive member at least partially protruding from the outer surface of the wall in the direction away from its inner surface; and   the motor being located so as to be spaced from the outer surface of the wall by its inner surface; and   
           a driven member attached to the window directly or indirectly;
           the driven member being disposed between the frame and the wall;   
           the driven member being configured for engagement with the drive member so as to displace the window and thereby expose the exterior of the structure to its interior via at least a portion of the opening.       
 
         [0025]    The structure can be of the kind whose interior is to be protected from an incoming ballistic threat, in which case the wall can be an armored wall and/or the window can be an armored window. In this connection, the terms ‘outer surface’ and ‘inner surface’ respectively, should be understood with respect to the interior to be protected, i.e. the interior located behind the inner surface is protected by the armored wall from threats incoming towards the outer surface. 
         [0026]    It is noted that the entire window can be an external window located, in its entirety, at the exterior of the structure. The arrangement can be such that both in the first, closed position and in the second, open position, the majority of the window is located outside the outer surface of the wall. 
         [0027]    It should be appreciated that such an arrangement allows fitting, to the wall of the structure, armored windows of different thicknesses (depending on their purpose and the projectile there are configured to protect the structure from), the thickness of the window not being affected by the thickness of the door. 
         [0028]    The armored window is displaceable, by virtue of the driving mechanism and driven member, between a first, fully closed position in which the frame of the armored window fully covers the opening and the rim area, and at least one additional position, which is a second, open position, in which the armored window is offset with respect to the opening, such that at least a portion of the opening is not covered by the armored window, allowing exposure of the environment to the interior of the structure to be protected. 
         [0029]    More particularly, the armored window can be displaceable between the above first, fully closed position and an open, end position in which the armored window is at its maximal offset with respect to the opening, i.e. allowing a maximal portion of the opening to be used in exposing the exterior of the structure to its interior. 
         [0030]    The rim area of the opening can be defined as having a top portion and a bottom portion, the terms top and bottom referring to a vertical direction when the structure is properly positioned on a leveled surface. For example, if the structure is a vehicle, the top portion may be the portion closer to a roof of the vehicle while the bottom portion can be the portion closer to the wheelbase of the vehicle. 
         [0031]    According to a particular example, the arrangement can be such that the window is configured, when in the second, open position, to expose a portion of the opening which is closer to the bottom portion of the rim area. Such an arrangement can be achieved, for example, by the window displacing in a generally upward direction. 
         [0032]    It is understood that such a configuration can allow a person located within the structure with a more comfortable access for performing barrel extraction/document passage through the opening, compared to an arrangement in which the exposed portion of the opening is closer to the top portion of the rim area. 
         [0033]    In general, the window can be configured such that when the window is in the second, open position, the exposed portion of the opening is located at about the shoulder height of a person located within the structure and properly situated therein. More specifically, the arrangement can be such that when the window is in the second, open position, the person is still able to maintain a direct line of vision to the exterior through the window, while at the same time having comfortable access to barrel extraction/document passage through the opening. 
         [0034]    According to one example, displacement of the armored window can be a linear movement along the armored wall. In this case, the window frame can be articulated to rails on the armored wall, so as to displace within and along these rails during the operation of the drive member. 
         [0035]    According to another example, the displacement of the armored window can be a rotary movement, i.e. pivoting about an axis. In this case, the frame of the window can be articulated to the armored wall via a pivot hinge, so as to be displaceable thereabout under operation of the motor. 
         [0036]    According to the latter example, the armored window can further comprise a pivot member fixedly attached to the pivot hinge, and configured for fixed attachment (e.g. bolting, welding) to the frame of the armored window. The arrangement can be such that the pivot member is configured to revolve about the axis of the pivot hinge together with the armored window. 
         [0037]    In accordance with the above example, the driven member can be attached and/or integrated with the window at a location thereof which is remote from the pivot hinge and from the axis, so as to reduce the power required for pivoting the window about the axis. In particular, the pivot hinge and the driven member can be located at opposite ends of the window. 
         [0038]    The armored window can be designed such that the mechanical engagement between the driven member and the driving motor is selective, so that the window may assume a first, engaged position in which the driven member is engaged with the driving motor and is configured to be driven thereby and a second, disengaged position in which the driven member is disengaged from the driving motor. Selection between the engaged and disengaged position can be performed by a person located within the structure. 
         [0039]    It is appreciated that in the second, disengaged position, the window can be configured to freely displace with respect to the opening of the structure. One of the advantages of such an arrangement lies in emergency conditions in which it is required for the personnel to exit the structure. If the driving motor, driven member or any other element of the window taking part in its displacement malfunctions, selectively changing the window&#39;s position to the second, disengaged position, can allow the personnel within the structure to open the window and exit the structure therethrough. 
         [0040]    The armored assembly can further comprise a load bearing device configured for providing to the armored window with a force equivalent to its weight, thereby effectively cancelling the weight so that the motor of the drive mechanism is not required to support the weight of the window. In other words, under operation of the load bearing device, the armored window is at a mechanical equilibrium, so that the driving mechanism can operate at a very low power consumption. 
         [0041]    According to the first of the above examples (linear movement), in case the window is adapted to displace along rails, the load bearing device can be configured for directly providing a load equivalent and opposite in direction to that of the weight of the window. According to the second of the above examples, the load bearing device can be configured for providing a moment (torque) about the pivot hinge which is equivalent and opposite in direction to the torque applied to the hinge by the weight of the window. 
         [0042]    According to a specific example, the load bearing device can be a hydraulic/pneumatic piston. 
         [0043]    In addition, regardless which of the above examples is used, the armored wall can be formed with at least one main protective rail within which a portion of the window is configured to be received, so that the window can displace therealong. In particular, the main protective rail/s can fulfill at least the following functions: providing ballistic protection to the portion of the window received therein, and, securing the window to the armored wall so as to minimize displacement thereof in a direction perpendicular to the inner/outer surface of the armored wall. 
         [0044]    The main protective rail/s can be sized and shaped according to the designed trajectory of displacement of the window. In particular, in case the window is designed for linear movement, the rail/s can be straight and extend along at least one side of the armored window. In case the window is designed for rotational movement (i.e. via a pivot hinge), the rail/s can be formed along a side of the window opposite the pivot hinge. 
         [0045]    The arrangement can be such that throughout the displacement of the armored window, regardless of its position (open/closed), a portion of the armored window is always received within the protective rail/s. 
         [0046]    The armored wall can also comprise at least one auxiliary protective rail configured for receiving another portion of the armored window in either or both of the first, fully closed position or the open, end position. In particular, the armored wall can comprise a first auxiliary protective rail configured for receiving a first portion of the window, when the latter is in its first, fully closed position, and a second auxiliary protective rail configured for receiving therein a second portion of the window, when the latter is in its open, end position. 
         [0047]    The auxiliary protective rail/s can be adapted to fulfill the same function as that fulfilled by the main protective rail/s. 
         [0048]    According to an alternative/complimentary design, the armored window can be formed with an armored rail and the armored wall can be formed with an elongated plank, such that at least in the first, fully closed position, the elongated plank is received within the armored rail of the window. Under this design, the use of an auxiliary protective rail for the open, end position can be eliminated. 
         [0049]    With respect to the above examples, the main protective rail/s, auxiliary protective rail/s and the elongated plank can all be made of ballistic materials, configured for providing ballistic protection against incoming threats. Examples of such materials can be steel, steel alloys, iron etc. 
         [0050]    The armored window having any of the above features can further comprise a protective plate disposed between the window frame and the driven member, and configured for providing at least the driven member with ballistic protection. In particular, the protective plate can be sized and shaped so as to protect both the driven member and the drive member (and in general, all components of the driving mechanism located on the outer surface of the armored wall). The protective plate can be made of a ballistic material, e.g. steel, steel alloys, iron etc. 
         [0051]    According to a specific design, the arrangement can be such that the protective plate constitutes that portion of the armored window which is received within the main protective rail/s. 
         [0052]    With respect to all of the above, one of the main advantages of the subject matter of the present application is that the drive motor can be completely protected by the armored wall, and only a small portion of the driving mechanism (the drive member) is ‘sticking out’ of the armored wall. However, under the above design, even the drive member can be protected by the armored window, thereby forming a structure under which all components responsible for displacement of the window are ballistically protected. 
         [0053]    The armored assembly can be used to provide a person located behind the armored wall with access to the outside environment (i.e. in front of the armored wall), by displacing the window so as to expose a small portion of the opening, usually covered by the window. This may be used, for example, for extending to the outside a barrel of a weapon in order to fire at a target or for exchanging papers. 
         [0054]    It should be understood that the above design of the armored assembly allows performing the above operations (firing, exchanging papers) while providing maximal protection to a person located behind the armored wall. 
         [0055]    The armored wall can be part of a structure, e.g. a wall or a door of an immobile structure. Alternatively, the armored wall can constitute part of a vehicle hull, in particular, a door of the vehicle. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0056]    In order to understand the invention and to see how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:  FIGS. 1A to 1D  are schematic respective left isometric, front, rear and right isometric views of an armored assembly according to the subject matter of the present application; 
           [0057]      FIG. 2A  is a schematic rear isometric view of the assembly shown in  FIGS. 1A to 1D , with some of the components thereof removed; 
           [0058]      FIG. 2B  is a schematic enlarged view of detail A shown in  FIG. 2A ; 
           [0059]      FIG. 2C  is a schematic top view of the assembly shown in  FIG. 2A ; 
           [0060]      FIG. 3A  is a schematic left isometric view of a portion of the assembly shown in  FIG. 1A , with components thereof removed; 
           [0061]      FIG. 3B  is a schematic enlarged view of detail C shown in  FIG. 3A ; 
           [0062]      FIG. 4  is a schematic rear isometric view of a portion of the assembly shown in 
           [0063]      FIGS. 1A to 1D ; 
           [0064]      FIG. 5A  is a schematic left isometric view of a portion of the assembly shown in  FIGS. 1A to 1D , with some of the components thereof removed; 
           [0065]      FIG. 5B  is a schematic enlarged view of detail B shown in  FIG. 5A ; 
           [0066]      FIG. 6  is a schematic left isometric view of the assembly shown in  FIG. 2A , with further components thereof being removed; 
           [0067]      FIGS. 7A to 7D  are schematic respective left isometric, front, rear and rear isometric views of an armored assembly according to the subject matter of the present application; 
           [0068]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are schematic perspective cross-section views showing the decoupling mechanism, which when pulled, decouples the gear from the window (i.e. the teeth); and 
           [0069]      FIG. 9  is a partial side view of the decoupling mechanism shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0070]    With reference to  FIGS. 1A to 1D , there is shown a vehicle door assembly generally designated as  1 , comprising a vehicle door  10  and a window assembly  30  mounted onto the door  10 . 
         [0071]    The vehicle door  10  comprises a body  12  having an external surface  12   i  and an internal surface  12   o , and being formed therein with an opening  14 , extending between the inner surface  12   i  and the outer surface  12   o.    
         [0072]    The vehicle door  10  has mounted thereon a first protective arrangement  20  and the window assembly  30  is fitted thereon with a second protective arrangement  40 . In addition, the door  10  further comprises a driving mechanism  50  and a counter-weight mechanism  60 , fitted to the inner surface  12   i  of the body  12 . 
         [0073]    It is observed that the opening  14  is of an irregular polygonal shape, and that the window assembly  30  is correspondingly sized and shaped to effectively cover the opening  14  when externally mounted thereto. 
         [0074]    The window assembly  30  comprises a window frame  32  comprising a plurality of slats  32   a  to  32   f , consecutively attached to one another to form the irregular shape of the opening  14 . The window frame  32  accommodates therein a window pane  34 , made of an opaque armored material, in this case, layered glass. 
         [0075]    The window frame  32  is attached to two pivoting units  36 , each having a vertical arm  36   v  and a horizontal arm  36   h  transverse to the vertical arm  36   v , the arrangement being such that the vertical arm  36   v  and horizontal arm  36   h  are fixedly attached to the slats  32   c  and  32   d  of the window frame  32  respectively, thus bearing the weight of the window pane  34 . 
         [0076]    The pivoting units  36  are also fixedly attached to a pivot hinge  35 , configured for rotating about an axis X oriented in a direction transverse to the inner/outer surface  12   i ,  12   o  of the body  12  of the door  10 . The arrangement is such that the window assembly  30  is configured for rotating about the axis X together with the pivoting units  36 . 
         [0077]    It is observed that the entire window assembly  30  is externally mounted onto the  30  vehicle door  10 , and is not received therein. It is appreciated that one of the advantages of such a design is that the thickness of the window pane (in a direction transverse to the surfaces  12   i ,  12   o , is not limited by the thickness of the door  10  (as opposed to arrangements in which the window is configured to be received within the door when exposing the opening). Thus, the thickness window pane  34  can be almost freely chosen according to the desired protection level of the vehicle. 
         [0078]    With additional reference being drawn to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the driving mechanism  50  is shown, comprising a driving motor  58 , a decoupling mechanism  52  and a gear  54  articulated to the motor and configured to be driven thereby using a shaft  56  ( FIG. 2B ). It is observed that while the gear  54  protrudes from the outer surface  12   o  of the door (i.e. to the exterior of the door), the motor  58  (shown  FIG. 1C ) of the driving mechanism  50  is located behind the door  10 , and is shielded thereby from incoming threats. 
         [0079]    It is also noted that the axis of the shaft  56  is parallel to the axis X of the pivot hinge  35 , the design being such that the driving mechanism  50  is configured for powering the window assembly  30  about the pivot axis  35 . 
         [0080]    Attention is now drawn to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , in which the window assembly  30  has been stripped of some of its components, so that it is observed the window assembly  30  further comprises a driven plate  38  fixedly attached to the window frame  32 . The driven plate  38  extends beyond the irregular polygon of the frame  32 , between the frame and the window. The driven plate  38  has a portion formed with a plurality of teeth  39 . The portion of the driven plate  38  formed with the teeth  39  extends between an upper end  38   u  and a lower end  38   l , along an arced trajectory, corresponding to the trajectory performed by the window assembly  30  when pivoting about the pivot hinge  35 . 
         [0081]    It is observed that the teeth  39  of the driven plate  38  are engaged with the teeth of the gear  54 , so that rotation of the gear  54  about the axis of the shaft  56  entails rotational movement of the driven plate  38 , and consequently of the entire window assembly  30  about the pivot hinge  35 . 
         [0082]    It is appreciated that the length of the portion of the driven plate  38  formed with the teeth  39  determines the movement range of the window, i.e. the offset between its closed position and its opened position. 
         [0083]    It is also noted that the engagement between the gear  54  and driven plate  38  takes place at a location remote from the pivot hinge  35 , so that the power required by the motor for pivoting the window about the hinge  35  is considerably smaller than the power that would be required if engagement took place closer to the pivoting hinge  35 . 
         [0084]    Further attention is now drawn to  FIG. 3 , in which the rear of the door  10  is shown fitted additionally with the counter-weight mechanism  60 . The mechanism  60  comprises a housing  62  accommodating a piston  64 , articulated to a lever arm  66 , which is, in turn, attached to the pivot hinge  35 . 
         [0085]    The purpose of the counter-weight mechanism  60  is to provide to the hinge  35  a torque M 2  which is equivalent and opposite in direction the torque M 1  applied to the hinge  35  by the weight of the window assembly  30 . In other words, the counter-weight mechanism  60  maintains the window assembly in equilibrium, so that pivoting the window assembly  30  about the pivot hinge  35  by a force other than that applied by the mechanism  40  does not require great power consumption. 
         [0086]    The counter-weight mechanism  60  may be constituted by various pistons, e.g. hydraulic, pneumatic etc. and may even be constituted by an actual counter weight adapted to apply similar torque M 2  to the hinge  35 . 
         [0087]    In operation of the drive motor  58 , the shaft  56  and consequently the gear  54  begin revolving, and due to engagement with the driven plate  38 , the entire window assembly  30  is configured to pivot about the hinge  35 . 
         [0088]    The window assembly  30  is configured for displacing between a first, fully closed position, as shown in  FIGS. 1A to 1D , and a second, fully open position as shown in  FIGS. 7A to 7D , in which the window frame  32  is oriented such that at least a portion of the opening  14  is exposed to the outside environment. Throughout the rotation/pivoting of the window assembly  30 , the gear  54  remains engaged with the driven plate  38 , so that the window assembly  30  may also assume a plurality of intermediate positions between the first and the second position. 
         [0089]    It is appreciated that in displacing from the first, closed position to the second, open position, the window assembly  30  performs a generally upward movement, so that that portion of the opening  14  which is exposed is locates closer to a bottom part of the opening rather than to a top part thereof. 
         [0090]    In the above operation, due to the operation of the counter-weight mechanism  60 , the load applied by the drive motor  58  required to pivot the window assembly  30  about the pivot hinge  35  is essentially low, and so is the motor&#39;s  58  consumption for performing this operation. 
         [0091]    It is also noted that throughout the entire operation of the driving mechanism  50 , the motor  58  and gear  54  remain substantially in place, and only the window assembly  30  significantly displaces up and down. 
         [0092]    Turning now to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , and with reference to  FIG. 1D , attention is drawn to the first and to the second protective arrangement  20 ,  40  mounted onto the door  10  and window assembly  30  respectively. 
         [0093]    The second protective arrangement  40  is fitted to the window assembly  30  and is adapted to displace therewith during operation (pivoting). In particular, the second protective arrangement  40  comprises a protective plate  42  disposed between the window frame  32  and the driven member  38 , which is sized and shaped to cover and shield the driven member  38  in a direction transverse to the outer surface  12   o  of the door  10 . 
         [0094]    The second protective arrangement  40  further comprises a protective plank  46  made of three segments  46   a ,  46   b ,  46   c  extending parallel and long the corresponding slats  32   a ,  32   b ,  32   c  of the window frame  32 . Each of the segments  46   a ,  46   b ,  46   c  is formed with a slit  47 , so that the cross-sectional shape thereof is L-shaped ( FIG. 5A ). 
         [0095]    In addition, the segment  46   a  is formed with an end protrusion  49 , having a width similar to that of the protective plate  42 , and constituting a smooth extension thereof. The purpose of this extension  49  will be apparent from the following description of the first protective arrangement  20 . 
         [0096]    The first protective arrangement  20  comprises a first rail  22  and a second rail  24 , the former extending along the pivoting trajectory of the window assembly  30 . Each of the rails  22 ,  24  is formed with a central channel  23 ,  29  respectively, extending the entire length of the rail  22 ,  24 . 
         [0097]    The arrangement is such that in the first, closed position of the window assembly  30 , a peripheral portion of the protective plate (i.e. the external rim thereof), is received within the channels  23 ,  29  of the rails  22 ,  24 . Moreover, throughout the pivoting motion of the window assembly  30 , there always remains a portion of the protective plate  42  received at least within the first rail  22 . 
         [0098]    In addition, it is observed that the design of the segment  46   a  is such that the extension  49  thereof is configured to be received, together with the portion of the protective plate  42  within the central channel  23  of the first rail  22 . 
         [0099]    Reverting to  FIG. 2A , it is noted that the first protective arrangement further comprises a protective plank  26 , formed of three segments  26   a ,  26   b ,  26   c , extending generally parallel to the segments  46   a ,  46   b ,  46   c . The segments  26   a ,  26   b ,  26   c  of the plank  26  are disposed such that a gap  27  is formed between the plank  26  and the outer surface  12   o  of the door  10 . 
         [0100]    It is observed from  FIG. 5A  that in the closed position shown, the protective plank  46  of the second protective arrangement  40  interlocks with the plank  26  of the first protective arrangement  20 , thereby providing improved ballistic protection to the window  30  and door  10 . 
         [0101]    In addition, the first protective arrangement  20  comprises a plate  28 , generally corresponding in shape and size to that of the driven member  38  and of the protective plate  42 . The plate  28 , together with the plank  26 , form a protective frame around the opening  14  of the door  10 . 
         [0102]    It is also observed that both the plate  28  and the first rail  22  of the first protective arrangement  20  are formed with corresponding recesses  25   a ,  25   b  respectively, allowing the gear  54  of the drive mechanism  50  to extend towards the driven member  38  and to be engaged therewith. 
         [0103]    In the initial position, the window assembly  30  is in its closed position as shown in  FIG. 1A . In this position the window assembly  30  fully covers the opening  14  of the door  10  so that:
       a bottom portion of the protective plate  42  is received within the second rail  24 ;   a side portion of the protective plate  42  is received within the first rail  22 ;   the segments  26   a ,  26   b ,  26   c  of the plank  26  are interlocked with the segments  46   a ,  46   b ,  46   c  of the plank  46 ; and   the gear  54  is engaged with the upper end  38   u  of the driven member  38 .       
 
         [0108]    In operation, the motor  58  of the drive mechanism  50  begins rotating the gear  54  in a counter-clockwise direction. Due to its engagement with the driven member  38 , the gear  54  begins pushing up the driven member  38 , thereby causing the entire window assembly  30  to pivot about the pivot hinge  35 . It should be noted here that since the window assembly  30  is in equilibrium (i.e. upwardly biased by the counter-weight arrangement  60 ), there is required only little power from the motor  58  to pivot the window in an upward direction. 
         [0109]    Upon pivoting, the bottom portion of the protective plate  42  is released from the second rail  24 , and the side portion of the protective plate  42  is partially released from the first rail  22 , such that only the corner of the protective plate  42  remains in engagement with the first rail  22 . Simultaneously, the interlocking arrangement between the planks  26  and  46  is released, and the entire window assembly  30  pivots in a clockwise direction about the pivot hinge  35 . 
         [0110]    Pivoting may continue until the gear  54  reaches the lower end  38   l  of the driven member  38 . It should also be understood that the window assembly  30  may be arrested in any intermediate position between these two ends, i.e. at a position where the gear  54  is located at an arbitrary point along the driven member  38  between the upper end  38   u  and the lower end  38   l.    
         [0111]    Pivoting of the window assembly  30  allows exposing a small portion of the opening  14  which is, on the one hand, large enough to stick a barrel of a firearm therethrough or exchange papers/document, and on the other hand, still provides protection for individuals located behind the inner surface  12   i.    
         [0112]    It should also be noted that throughout the operation of the window assembly  30 , all components of the driving mechanism  50  as well as the driven member (or plate)  38  are protected by the planks, rails and plates of the first and second protective arrangement  20 ,  40 . 
         [0113]    Turning now to  FIGS. 8A ,  8 B and  9 , a selective decoupling mechanism  52  is shown, configured for selectively engaging and disengaging the driven plate  38  from the gear  54 . In particular, when the decoupling mechanism  52  is pulled along the axis of the drive mechanism  50 , the gear  54  is decoupled from the window, i.e. the teeth  39  of driven member  38  are disengaged from the teeth of the gear  54 . The decoupling mechanism  52  can be manually pulled thus pulling the shaft  56  and disengaging the gear  54  from the teeth  39 . This may be required, for example, if the drive motor  58  malfunctions or there is no power to power it, in which case pulling of the decoupling mechanism  52  unlocks the window assembly  30  from the drive mechanism  50  and enables freely manipulating the window assembly  30 . 
         [0114]    It is appreciated that one of the advantages provided by the decoupling mechanism  52  is the ability of manipulating the window in the event of malfunction of the driving mechanism of other mechanical failures. This may be of particular importance in emergency situations when the crew inside the vehicle is required to exit it. The decoupling mechanism  52  effectively switches the position of the window assembly  50  so that it is freely revolvable about the pivot hinge  35 . 
         [0115]    It is also appreciated that when the gear  54  is disengaged from the driven plate  38 , the window assembly  30  can be opened to a much greater extent, and is essentially not limited in its ability to revolve about the pivot hinge  35 . This is contrary to the position in which the hinge  54  and driven plate  38  are engaged, in which the movement range of the window assembly  30  is determined by the length of the portion formed with the teeth  39 , i.e. the length between the upper end  38   u  and the lower end  38   l.    
         [0116]    Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains will readily appreciate that numerous changes, variations, and modification can be made without departing from the scope of the invention, mutatis mutandis.