Patent US3711189A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3711189A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Light diffusing-nondiffusing window
Assignee: Schneider & Co
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Filing: 1970-10-01
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Granted: 1973-01-16
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Expires: 1990-10-01
Abstract
Abstract A window-like arrangement comprises two panes with a cavity between them. Liquid can be caused to flow into the cavity between the two panes in order to come into contact with an element having an irregular surface which, in the absence of the liquid diffuses light, and when the liquid is disposed between the panes, owing to agreement between the refractive indices of the element and the liquid, the diffusing action ceases.
Inventors
- 👤 A Novotny
- 👤 G Cremer
- 👤 E Heiman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:33
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64C; B64C1/00; B64C1/14; B64C1/1476; B64C1/1492; E; E06; E06B; E06B3/00; E06B3/66; E06B3/67; E06B3/6715; E06B3/6722; E06B9/00; E06B9/24; E06B2009/2411
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
A window arrangement comprising in combination: a frame having a top, bottom and side portions; two substantially plane panes of a transparent material disposed in a generally parallel spaced apart relationship with respect to each other defining a space therebetween; said panes being sealably mounted in said frame; means defining a hollow channel in, and extending around the periphery of said frame, said hollow channel openly communicating with said space between said panes at a top and a bottom of said space; at least one of said panes having an uneven surface comprising a transparent fabric material adjacent said space between said panes; a liquid having a refractive index approximately equal to the refractive index of said transparent material of said panes; a container disposed interior to said bottom portion of said frame in said hollow channel adapted to hold said liquid; a bottom portion of said panes extending into said container such that said bottom of said space openly communicates with the interior of said container and said liquid to be contained therein to allow said fluid to enter said space from said container; and means to pump said liquid from said container in said bottom portion of said frame into said space between said panes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
207 words
A window arrangement comprising in combination: a frame having a top, bottom and side portions; two substantially plane panes of a transparent material disposed in a generally parallel spaced apart relationship with respect to each other defining a space therebetween; said panes being sealably mounted in said frame; means defining a hollow channel in, and extending around the periphery of said frame, said hollow channel openly communicating with said space between said panes at a top and a bottom of said space; at least one of said panes having an uneven surface comprising a transparent fabric material adjacent said space between said panes; a liquid having a refractive index approximately equal to the refractive index of said transparent material of said panes; a container disposed interior to said bottom portion of said frame in said hollow channel adapted to hold said liquid; a bottom portion of said panes extending into said container such that said bottom of said space openly communicates with the interior of said container and said liquid to be contained therein to allow said fluid to enter said space from said container; and means to pump said liquid from said container in said bottom portion of said frame into said space between said panes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
155 words
A window arrangement as defined in claim 1, further comprising: at least one partition disposed in said channel in each side portion of said frame laterally to said hollow channel to divide said hollow channel into an upper part and a lower part; said pumping means being a pressure creating pump operatively connected to said upper part and said lower part of said hollow channel in said frame; when said pump is operatively connected to said lower part of said hollow channel a pressure is created in said lower part which forces said liquid out of said container and into said space between said panes causing said panes to become transparent, and when said pump is operatively connected to said upper part of said hollow channel a pressure is created in said upper part which forces said liquid out of said space between said panes and into said container causing said panes to become translucent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A window arrangement as defined in claim 2, further characterized in that said uneven surface is comprised of a transparent fabric material affixed to a face of one of said panes adjacent said space.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A window arrangement as defined in claim 2, further characterized in that said uneven surface is comprised of a transparent fabric material disposed between said panes in said space.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A window arrangement as defined in claim 2, further characterized in that said pump is disposed in said hollow channel interior to said frame.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
61 words
A window arrangement as defined in claim 5, further characterized in that: said pump is electrically powered; and a liquid and gas-tight seal is disposed around the electrical connection between said pump and the source of electrical power in said frame at the location where the electrical connection passes through said frame to prevent said fluid from leaking from said frame.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
A window arrangement as defined in claim 5, further characterized in that said uneven surface is comprised of a transparent fabric material affixed to a face of one of said panes adjacent said space.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A window arrangement as defined in claim 5, further characterized in that said uneven surface is comprised of a transparent fabric material disposed between said panes in said space.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
153 words
A window arrangement as defined in claim 2, further characterized in that said upper part of said hollow channel in said frame is filled with a liquid having a refractive index different than the refractive index of said transparent material of said panes, and being immiscible with said liquid, having a refractive index approximately equal to the refractive index of said transparent pane material, in said container, when said pump is operatively connected to said upper part of said hollow channel said liquid in said upper part of said hollow channel is forced into said sPace between said panes it displaces said liquid having a refractive index equal to said refractive index of said pane material downwardly out of said space causing said panes to become opaque, preventing said liquid in said upper part of said hollow channel from mixing with said liquid having a refractive index equal to said transparent pane material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
70 words
A window arrangement as defined in claim 9, further characterized in that: said pump is disposed in said hollow channel interior to said frame; said pump is operatively connected to a source of electrical power; and a liquid and gas-tight seal is disposed in a wall of said frame around the electrical connection where said electrical connection passes through said frame to prevent said liquid from leaking from said frame.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
A window arrangement as defined in claim 10, further characterized in that said uneven surface is comprised of a transparent fabric material affixed to a face of one of said panes adjacent said space.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
A window arrangement as defined in claim 10, further characterized in that said uneven surface is comprised of a transparent fabric material disposed between said panes in said space.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
171 words
A window arrangement as defined in claim 1, further comprising: a base plate; said container is a flexible tube attached to said base plate; a supply tube adapted for the passage of said liquid operatively communicating at one end with said space between said panes, and at its other end to said flexible tube container; a shaft located transversely to said base plate; a handle operatively associated with said shaft; two spaced apart generally parallel rails spaced from said base plate, each disposed under opposite ends of said shaft; and a roller rotatably mounted on said shaft disposed adjacent said flexible tube container, the distance between said base plate and a point on the periphery of said roller nearest said base plate being less than the thickness of said flexible tube container, when said roller is caused to translate over said flexible tube container by a force exerted on said handle, said flexible tube container collapses forcing said liquid contained therein through said supply tube into said space between said panes.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
A window arrangement as defined in claim 13, further characterized in that said uneven surface is comprised of a transparent fabric material affixed to a face of one of said panes adjacent said space.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
A window arrangement as defined in claim 13, further characterized in that said uneven surface is comprised of a transparent fabric material disposed between said panes in said space.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
132 words
A window arrangement as defined in claim 1, further comprising: a pair of spaced apart rollers; said container is a flexible tube; a supply tube adapted for the passage of said liquid operatively communicating at one end with said space between said panes, and at its other end with said flexible tube container; a pair of spaced apart rollers disposed on opposite sides of said flexible tube, the distance between said spaced apart rollers being less than the thickness of said flexible tube; and a handle operatively affixed to said pair of rollers, when said pair of rollers are caused to translate over said flexible tube container by a force exerted on said handle, said flexible tube container collapses forcing said liquid through said supply tube into said space between said panes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
34 words
A window arrangement as defined in claim 16, further characterized in that said uneven surface is comprised of a transparent fabric material affixed to a face of one of said panes adjacent said space.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
A window arrangement as defined in claim 16, further characterized in that said uneven surface is comprised of a transparent fabric material disposed between said panes in said space.
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) | 1976-01-16 | 1976-07-17 | 1977-01-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-16 | 1980-07-17 | 1981-01-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-16 | 1984-07-17 | 1985-01-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |