US3635543A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Variable light transmission device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-12-29
•
Granted: 1972-01-18
•
Expires: 1989-12-29
Abstract
Abstract At least two disks of polarizing material are pivotally mounted in a housing, along with at least one stationary sheet of lightpolarizing material, to provide a variable light transmission device. The disks are mounted radially adjacent to one another with portions thereof in overlapping relationship, and the sheet of material is in superposed relationship to the disks to provide three layers of polarizing material within the area of overlap. The disks are mounted with their axes of polarization parallel, and they may be simultaneously pivoted in the same direction to vary the level of light passage therethrough. The device has particular applicability as a visor for use in vehicles.
Inventors
- 👤 James F Collins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 16:49
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/28; G02B27/281
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
238 words
A variable light transmission device comprising a housing having at least an area of transparency; a plurality of similar disks of light-polarizing material pivotally mounted within said housing in said area of transparency, said disks having substantially fixed axes of pivoting positioning said disks radially adjacent to one another with radial portions thereof in overlapping relationship and with the axes of polarization thereof substantially parallel; at least first and second sheets of light-polarizing material fixedly mounted within said housing in superposed relationship to said disks and with the axes of polarization of said first and second sheets being substantially parallel, said first sheet of polarizing material being dimensioned and configured to be substantially coextensive with the total area covered by said disks, and second sheet being dimensioned and configured to provide polarizing material in superposed relationship to said disks only at the areas thereof other than those in which said overlapping relationship exists; and means for simultaneously pivoting said disks in the same direction, said first sheet and said disks cooperatively providing three layers of polarizing material within the area of overlap of said disks, and said first and second sheets and said disks cooperatively providing three layers of polarizing material outside of said area of overlap, said area of transparency of said housing being dimensioned and configured to permit the passage of light through said device in areas at which three layers of polarizing material are present.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
238 words
A variable light transmission device comprising a housing having at least an area of transparency; a plurality of similar disks of light-polarizing material pivotally mounted within said housing in said area of transparency, said disks having substantially fixed axes of pivoting positioning said disks radially adjacent to one another with radial portions thereof in overlapping relationship and with the axes of polarization thereof substantially parallel; at least first and second sheets of light-polarizing material fixedly mounted within said housing in superposed relationship to said disks and with the axes of polarization of said first and second sheets being substantially parallel, said first sheet of polarizing material being dimensioned and configured to be substantially coextensive with the total area covered by said disks, and second sheet being dimensioned and configured to provide polarizing material in superposed relationship to said disks only at the areas thereof other than those in which said overlapping relationship exists; and means for simultaneously pivoting said disks in the same direction, said first sheet and said disks cooperatively providing three layers of polarizing material within the area of overlap of said disks, and said first and second sheets and said disks cooperatively providing three layers of polarizing material outside of said area of overlap, said area of transparency of said housing being dimensioned and configured to permit the passage of light through said device in areas at which three layers of polarizing material are present.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 1 wherein each of said disks is positioned exteriorly of said sheets.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 1 including at least three disks so mounted as to provide overlapping relationship.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
63 words
The device of claim 3 wherein said disks are located in two adjacent planes, at least one disk in one plane being positioned with its axis of pivoting between the axes of pivoting two radially adjacent disks in the other plane, with portions of said one disk being in overlapping relationship with a portion of each of said disks in said other plane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said disks are pivotable through an angle of about 90* from an initial low transmission position to a final high light transmission position, the axes of polarization of said disks and of sheet being substantially perpendicular in said initial position and being substantially parallel in said final position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The device of claim 5 wherein said axes of polarization of said disks and sheet in said final position are at an angle of about 30* relative to each other, and wherein said disks are pivotable through an angle of about 60*.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
118 words
The device of claim 1 additionally including a third sheet of light-polarizing material fixedly mounted within said housing in superposed relationship to said disks and said first and second sheets of polarizing material and with the axes of polarization of all of said sheets being substantially parallel, each of said second and third sheets having a circular aperture of a diameter substantially equal to that of said disks, said second sheet being positioned with the aperture thereof axially aligned with one of said disks and said third sheet being positioned with the aperture thereof axially aligned with the other of said disks, to provide three layers of polarizing material outside of said area of overlap of said disks.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
69 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said housing includes a paIr of transparent sheets between which said disks and sheet of polarizing material are mounted, wherein means is provided to secure said transparent sheets in close proximity to each other with said disks and sheet therebetween, and wherein means is provided to mask all peripheral areas of said device at which there are not three layers of light-polarizing material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The device of claim 8 wherein said securing means comprises a frame within which said transparent sheets are seated, wherein said frame has elements providing said masking means and has means for affixing said device to a vehicle body to provide a visor therefor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
135 words
The device of claim 1 additionally including a third sheet of light-polarizing material fixedly mounted within said housing in superposed relationship to said disks and said first and second sheets of polarizing material and with the axes of polarization of all of said sheets being substantially parallel, each of said second and third sheets having a circular aperture of a diameter substantially equal to that of said disks, said second sheet being positioned with the aperture thereof axially aligned with one of said disks and said third sheet being positioned with the aperture thereof axially aligned with the other of said disks, to provide three layers of polarizing material outside of said area of overlap of said disks, said sheets being positioned exteriorly of said disks and said disks being positioned exteriorly of said sheets.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 10 including five of said disks of polarizing material and wherein said disks are about 4 to 6 inches in diameter.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-17 | 1975-07-19 | 1976-01-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-17 | 1979-07-19 | 1980-01-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-17 | 1983-07-19 | 1984-01-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |