Variable opacity light filtering apparatus for a welder{3 s helmet

Claim 2

A variable opacity light filtering apparatus comprising: a pair of fluid impervious panels having at least partial transmission of the visible light spectrum, said panels being in confronting juxtaposed relationship with one another and having matching, closely adjacent peripheries; a stretchable seal interconnecting said peripheries of said panels and forming a fluid tight seal between said peripheries to define a fluid receiving chamber between said panels and seal, said seal being stretchable to permit movement of said panels between an unextended position wherein said panels are spaced a first distance apart and an extended position wherein said panels are spaced a second distance apart, each said panel having an elongated edge with a bevel therealong, said edges being adjacent and parallel and the bevels confronting one another and cooperating to define a slot therebetween; and a fluid transfer device connected in fluid flow relationship to said chamber and including light obstructing fluid, said transfer device selectively delivering said fluid to said chamber to urge said panels and said seal from said unextended position to said extended position as fluid flows into said chamber to increase opacity of said chamber to substantially reduce light transmission through said chamber, said fluid transfer device including an elongate manifold adhesively retained by said seal and having a plurality of exit orifices for fluid, said manifold being within said chamber adjacent said slot and oriented parallel to said edges and positioned to release fluid from said exit orifices into said slot, said manifold being moved toward and away from said slot by said seal and descending into said slot as said panels and said seal move to extended position so the manifold wedges said panels apart to increase the rate at which said fluid fills said chamber, said manifold ascending from said slot as said panels and seal return to unextended position to increase the rate at which fluid leaves said chamber and enters said fluid transfer means.

Claim 3

In combination with a welder''s helmet having a viewing aperture, an improved variable opacity light filtering apparatus, comprising: a pair of fluid impervious panels having at least partial transmission of the visible light spectrum, said panels being in confronting juxtaposed relationship with one another and having matching, closely adjacent peripheries with each said panel having an elongated edge with a bevel therealong, said edges being adjacent and parallel and the bevels confronting one another and cooperating to define a slot therebetween; a stretchable seal interconnecting said peripheries of said panels and forming a fluid tight seal between said peripheries to define a fluid receiving chamber between said panels and seal, said seal being stretchable to permit movement of said panels between an unextended position wherein said panels are spaced a first distance apart and an extended position wherein said panels are spaced a second distance apart; said panels and said seal being mounted on said helmet for movement between said unextended position and extended position, said panels being positioned across said viewing aperture such that all light passing through said viewing aperture must pass through said panels before reaching the interior of said helmet; a fluid transfer device carried by said helmet and connected in fluid flow relationship with said chamber and including light obstructing fluid, said transfer means seLectively delivering said fluid to said chamber to urge said panels and said seal from said unextended position to said extended position as fluid flows into said chamber and increases opacity of said chamber to substantially reduce light transmission through said chamber, thereby protecting the eyes of an operator from excessive light generated by welding; and said fluid transfer device further including an elongate manifold retained by said seal and having a plurality of exit orifices for fluid, said manifold being within said chamber adjacent said slot and oriented parallel to said edges and positioned to release fluid from said exit orifices into said slot, said manifold being moved toward and away from said slot by said seal and descending into said slot as said panels and said seal move to extended position so the manifold wedges said panels apart along said slot to increase the rate at which said fluid fills said chamber, said manifold ascending from said slot as said panels and seal return to unextended position to increase the rate at which fluid leaves said chamber and enters said fluid transfer means.

Claim 4

In combination with a welder''s helmet having a viewing aperture, an improved variable opacity light filtering apparatus, comprising: a pair of fluid impervious panels having at least partial transmission of the visible light spectrum, said panels being in confronting juxtaposed relationship with one another and having matching, closely adjacent peripheries with each said panel having an elongated edge with a bevel therealong, said edges being adjacent and parallel and the bevels confronting one another and cooperating to define a slot therebetween; a stretchable seal interconnecting said peripheries of said panels and forming a fluid tight seal between said peripheries to define a fluid receiving chamber between said panels and seal, said seal being stretchable to permit movement of said panels between an unextended position wherein said panels are spaced a first distance apart and an extended position wherein said panels are spaced a second distance apart; said panels and said seal being mounted on said helmet for movement between said unextended position and extended position, said panels being positioned across said viewing aperture such that all light passing through said viewing aperture must pass through said panels before reaching the interior of said helmet; a fluid transfer device carried by said helmet and connected in fluid flow relationship with said chamber and including light obstructing fluid, said transfer means seLectively delivering said fluid to said chamber to urge said panels and said seal from said unextended position to said extended position as fluid flows into said chamber and increases opacity of said chamber to substantially reduce light transmission through said chamber, thereby protecting the eyes of an operator from excessive light generated by welding; and said fluid transfer device further including an elongate manifold retained by said seal and having a plurality of exit orifices for fluid, said manifold being within said chamber adjacent said slot and oriented parallel to said edges and positioned to release fluid from said exit orifices into said slot, said manifold being moved toward and away from said slot by said seal and descending into said slot as said panels and said seal move to extended position so the manifold wedges said panels apart along said slot to increase the rate at which said fluid fills said chamber, said manifold ascending from said slot as said panels and seal return to unextended position to increase the rate at which fluid leaves said chamber and enters said fluid transfer means.

Claim 5

The invention of claim 2 wherein said manifold provides a pivot for said panels, the portions of the periphery of said panels opposite said beveled edges of said panels moving toward and away from one another as said panels pivot about said manifold, said portions pivoting away from one another as fluid is delivered into said chamber with said manifold descended into said slot, and pivoting toward one another as fluid is withdrawn from said chamber with said manifold descended into said slot.

Claim 6

In combination with a welder''s helmet having a viewing aperture, an improved variable opacity light filtering apparatus, comprising: a pair of fluid impervious panels having at least partial transmission of the visible light spectrum, said panels being in confronting juxtaposed relationship with one another and having matching, closely adjacent peripheries; a stretchable seal interconnecting said peripheries of said panels and forming a fluid tight seal between said peripheries to define a fluid receiving chamber between said panels and seal, said seal being stretchable to permit movement of said panels between an unextended position wherein said panels are spaced a first distance apart and an extended position wherein said panels are spaced a second distance apart; said panels and said seal being mounted on said helmet for movement between said unextended position and extended position, said panels being positioned across said viewing aperture such that all light passing through said viewing aperture must pass through said panels before reaching the interior of said helmet; a fluid transfer device carried by said helmet and connected in fluid flow relationship with said chamber and including light obstructing fluid, said transfer means selectively delivering said fluid to said chamber to urge said panels and said seal from said unextended position to said extended position as fluid flows into said chamber and increases opacity of said chamber to substantially reduce light transmission through said chamber, thereby protecting the eyes of an operator from excessive light generated by welding; and said fluid transfer device including: a fluid reservoir to contain said fluid, said reservoir in fluid flow communication with said chamber; means for moving said fluid into and out of said reservoir; and an electrical solenoid with a movable plunger coupled to said means for moving said fluid, said solenoid operatively electrically connected to move said fluid from said chamber into said reservoir when energized during a first predetermined period.

Claim 7

In combination with a welder''s helmet having a viewing aperture, an improved variable opacity light filtering apparatus, comprising: a pair of fluid impervious panels having at least partial transmission of the visible light spectrum, said panels being in confronting juxtaposed relationship with one another and having matching, closely adjacent peripheries; a stretchable seal interconnecting said peripheries of said panels and forming a fluid tight seal between said peripheries to define a fluid receiving chamber between said panels and seal, said seal being stretchable to permit movement of said panels between an unextended position wherein said panels are spaced a first distance apart and an extended position wherein said panels are spaced a second distance apart; said panels and said seal being mounted on said helmet for movement between said unextended position and extended position, said panels being positioned across said viewing aperture such that all light passing through said viewing aperture must pass through said panels before reaching the interior of said helmet; a fluid transfer device carried by said helmet and connected in fluid flow relationship with said chamber and including light obstructing fluid, said transfer means selectively delivering said fluid to said chamber to urge said panels and said seal from said unextended position to said extended position as fluid flows into said chamber and increases opacity of said chamber to substantially reduce light transmission through said chamber, thereby protecting the eyes of an operator from excessive light generated by welding; and said fluid transfer device including: a fluid reservoir to contain said fluid, said reservoir in fluid flow communication with said chamber; means for moving said fluid into and out of said reservoir; and an electrical solenoid with a movable plunger coupled to said means for moving said fluid, said solenoid operatively electrically connected to move said fluid from said chamber into said reservoir when energized during a first predetermined period.

Claim 8

The invention of claim 4 wherein said fluid transfer device includes a spring mounted to said helmet and to said solenoid plunger, biasing said solenoid plunger in a rest position adapted to cause said means for moving fluid to urge fluid out of said reservoir and into said chamBer so as to keep said panels and seal in extended position when said solenoid is unenergized, said spring having a spring coefficient adapted to insure that fluid enters said chamber at a rate causing said panels to move from unextended to extended position in a second predetermined period shorter than said first period.

Claim 9

The invention of claim 5 wherein said helmet includes a screw threadedly mounted to said helmet and mounted to said spring to move said spring toward and away from said solenoid plunger as said screw is advanced and retracted respectively, through said helmet, thereby controlling the rest position of said solenoid plunger.

Claim 10

The invention of claim 4 wherein said helmet has a cavity adjacent said viewing aperture and said solenoid and spring are positioned in said cavity.

Claim 11

The invention of claim 4 and further including an electrode holder, and an electrical switch mounted on said holder and electrically connected to said solenoid to energize said solenoid when said switch is closed and electrical energy is supplied to said switch.