US4330177A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Curtain for shrouding welding operations
Assignee: Wilson Sales Co Inc
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Filing: 1980-10-27
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Granted: 1982-05-18
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Expires: 2000-10-27
Abstract
Abstract A curtain for surrounding welding and cutting operations, especially electric arc welding and electric arc cutting operations to protect the eyes of otherwise unprotected observers such as supervisors, adjacent workers, and visitors to the welding operation. The curtain contains dyes for the purpose of absorbing radiation of wavelengths of potential hazard to such eyes. Because no dye can absorb all potentially harmful radiation and still provide some visibility, means is provided to improve the protection by means of reducing the exposure of the retina to undesirable intensities by optically enlarging the small arc spot, and by presenting the eye with general area illumination instead of pinpoint illumination.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles G. Miller
- 👤 James B. Stephens
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 13:24
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F9/00; A61F9/04; A61F9/06; A61F9/065
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 59
Claim 1
Independent Claim
210 words
In combination with a welding workspace containing an electrical arc welding or electrical arc cutting mechanism which emits intense radiation, a curtain of substantial area forming a barrier to visually deleterious light, whereby to protect from damage the eyes of an observer who is located on the opposite side of said curtain from said arc, said curtain comprising: an organic plastic matrix material which itself is inherently transparent and which is formed into a sheet with a pair of surfaces and a dimension of thickness between said surfaces; an ultraviolet absorber distributed throughout said matrix material; and dye distributed throughout said matrix material, said dye, if in said matrix material without other materials except ultraviolet absorbers, fire retardants and plasticizers, being of the class, and being present in concentrations, which permit the sheet to transmit at least 70% of the radiation incident upon it which has wavelengths between about 600 nm and about 1,400 nm, the relative transmission of said sheet with dye being no greater than 0.01 at 450 nm, no greater than 0.05 at 491 nm, and at least 0.70 at 600 nm, said curtain being sufficiently clear for said observer to see through it an object of substantial size located on the other side of said curtain.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
210 words
In combination with a welding workspace containing an electrical arc welding or electrical arc cutting mechanism which emits intense radiation, a curtain of substantial area forming a barrier to visually deleterious light, whereby to protect from damage the eyes of an observer who is located on the opposite side of said curtain from said arc, said curtain comprising: an organic plastic matrix material which itself is inherently transparent and which is formed into a sheet with a pair of surfaces and a dimension of thickness between said surfaces; an ultraviolet absorber distributed throughout said matrix material; and dye distributed throughout said matrix material, said dye, if in said matrix material without other materials except ultraviolet absorbers, fire retardants and plasticizers, being of the class, and being present in concentrations, which permit the sheet to transmit at least 70% of the radiation incident upon it which has wavelengths between about 600 nm and about 1,400 nm, the relative transmission of said sheet with dye being no greater than 0.01 at 450 nm, no greater than 0.05 at 491 nm, and at least 0.70 at 600 nm, said curtain being sufficiently clear for said observer to see through it an object of substantial size located on the other side of said curtain.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
A combination according to claim 1 in which said dye is selected from the group consisting of fluorescent dyes which radiate substantial light in wavelengths between about 450 nm and 700 nm, metallic azo dyes, and combinations thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
74 words
A combination according to claim 2 in which discontinuities are distributed throughout the matrix material, said discontinuities having an optical index of refraction which differs from the optical index of refraction of the matrix material by at least 0.2 units, and being present in such concentrations and quantities as to scatter at least 5% and less than 50% of the light which passes through the sheet, whereby to cause a decrease in scene contrast.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A combination according to claim 3 in which said discontinuities are of a size approximating 500 nm, whereby preferentially to scatter radiation of this wavelength.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A combination according to claim 3 in which said discontinuities are selected from the group consisting of air bubbles, zinc oxide powder, fluorescent zinc oxide powder, titanium-dioxide powder, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A combination according to claim 3 in which said fluorescent dye is migratory in said matrix material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
A combination according to claim 2 in which one of said surfaces is formed with a plurality of declivities having faces disposed at angles to the plane of the sheet, whereby some rays of light which pass through said one surface are refracted and undergo a change in direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A combination according to claim 7 in which said angles are less than about 8 minutes of arc.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
A combination according to claim 7 in which the declivities have non-planar surfaces.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
A combination according to claim 1 in which said dye is metallic azo dye.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
A combination according to claim 1 in which said dye is a fluorescent dye that radiates substantial light in wavelengths between about 450 nm and about 700 nm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A combination according to claim 11 in which said dye is migratory in said matrix material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
74 words
A combination according to claim 1 in which discontinuities are distributed throughout the matrix material, said discontinuities having an optical index of refraction which differs from the optical index of refraction of the matrix material by at least 0.2 units, and being present in such condition and quantities as to scatter at least 5% and less than 50% of the light which passes through the sheet whereby to cause a decrease in scene contrast.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
49 words
A combination according to claim 13 in which one of said surfaces is formed with a plurality of declivities having faces disposed at angles to the plane of the sheet, whereby some rays of light which pass through said one surface are refracted and undergo a change in direction.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
A combination according to claim 14 in which said dye is selected from the group consisting of fluorescent dyes which radiate substantial light in wavelengths between about 450 nm and 700 nm, metallic azo dyes, and combinations thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
A combination according to claim 14 in which said discontinuities are selected from the group consisting of air bubbles, zinc oxide powder, fluorescent zinc oxide powder, titanium-dioxide powder, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
A combination according to claim 16 in which said dye is selected from the group consisting of fluorescent dyes which radiate substantial light in wavelengths between about 450 nm and 700 nm, metallic azo dyes, and combinations thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
A combination according to claim 13 in which said discontinuities are of a size approximating 500 nm, whereby preferentially to scatter radiation of this wavelength.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
A combination according to claim 13 in which said discontinuities are selected from the group consisting of air bubbles zinc oxide powder, fluorescent zinc oxide powder, titanium-dioxide powder, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
A combination according to claim 19 in which said powder is zinc oxide.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
A combination according to claim 19 in which said powder is fluorescent zinc oxide, whereby to function as an ultraviolet absorber, fluorescent light source, and scattering means.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
12 words
A combination according to claim 19 in which said powder is titanium-dioxide.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
49 words
A combination according to claim 1 in which one of said surfaces is formed with a plurality of declivities having faces disposed at angles to the plane of the sheet, whereby some rays of light which pass through said one surface are refracted and undergo a change in direction.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
A combination according to claim 23 in which said angles are less than about 8 minutes of arc.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
A combination according to claim 23 in which said declivities have non-planar surfaces.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
A combination according to claim 23 in which said declivities are formed on both surfaces of the curtain, the said angles being less than about four minutes of arc.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
A curtain according to claim 1 in which the said curtain additionally includes a fire retardant.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
202 words
A curtain of substantial area forming at least a portion of the perimeter of an area in which an electrical arc welding or an electrical arc cutting operation is conducted, for the purpose of protecting the eyes of an observer located outside of said perimeter from damage by light from said arcs, said curtain comprising: an organic plastic matrix material which itself is inherently transparent and which is formed into a sheet with a pair of surfaces and a dimension of thickness between said surfaces; an ultraviolet absorber distributed throughout said matrix material; and dye distributed throughout said matrix material, said dye, if in said matrix material without materials except ultraviolet absorbers, fire retardants and plasticizers, being of the class, and being present in concentrations, which permit the sheet to transmit at least 70% of the radiation incident upon it which has wavelengths between about 600 nm and about 1,400 nm, the relative transmissions of said sheet with dye being no greater than 0.01 at 450 nm, no greater than 0.05 at 491 nm, and at least 0.70 at 600 nm, said curtain being sufficiently clear for said observer to see through it an object of substantial size located inside said perimeter.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
202 words
A curtain of substantial area forming at least a portion of the perimeter of an area in which an electrical arc welding or an electrical arc cutting operation is conducted, for the purpose of protecting the eyes of an observer located outside of said perimeter from damage by light from said arcs, said curtain comprising: an organic plastic matrix material which itself is inherently transparent and which is formed into a sheet with a pair of surfaces and a dimension of thickness between said surfaces; an ultraviolet absorber distributed throughout said matrix material; and dye distributed throughout said matrix material, said dye, if in said matrix material without materials except ultraviolet absorbers, fire retardants and plasticizers, being of the class, and being present in concentrations, which permit the sheet to transmit at least 70% of the radiation incident upon it which has wavelengths between about 600 nm and about 1,400 nm, the relative transmissions of said sheet with dye being no greater than 0.01 at 450 nm, no greater than 0.05 at 491 nm, and at least 0.70 at 600 nm, said curtain being sufficiently clear for said observer to see through it an object of substantial size located inside said perimeter.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
38 words
A curtain according to claim 28 in which said dye is selected from the group consisting of fluorescent dyes which radiate substantial light in wavelengths between about 450 nm and 700 nm, metallic azo dyes, and combinations thereof.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
89 words
A curtain according to claim 29 in which discontinuities are distributed throughout the matrix material, said discontinuities having an optical index of refraction which differs from the optical index of refraction of the matrix material by at least 0.2 units, and being present in such concentrations and quantities as to scatter at least 5% and less than 50% of the light which passes through the sheet, whereby to enable a substantial image to be perceived through said sheet, but with said scattered light causing a decrease in scene contrast.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
25 words
A curtain according to claim 30 in which said discontinuities are of a size approximating 500 nm, whereby preferentially to scatter radiation of this wavelength.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
31 words
A curtain according to claim 30 in which said discontinuities are selected from the group consisting of air bubbles zinc oxide powder, fluorescent zinc oxide powder, titanium-dioxide powder, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
A curtain according to claim 30 in which the fluorescent dye is migratory in said matrix material.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
49 words
A curtain according to claim 29 in which one of said surfaces is formed with a plurality of declivities having faces disposed at angles to the plane of the sheet, whereby some rays of light which pass through said one surface are refracted and undergo a change in direction.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
18 words
A curtain according to claim 34 in which said angles are less than about 8 minutes of arc.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
13 words
A curtain according to claim 34 in which the declivities have non-planar surfaces.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
15 words
A curtain according to claim 28 in which said dye is a metallic azo dye.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
28 words
A curtain according to claim 28 in which said dye is a fluorescent dye that radiates substantial light in wavelengths between about 450 nm and about 700 nm.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
16 words
A curtain according to claim 38 in which the dye is migratory in said matrix material.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
89 words
A curtain according to claim 28 in which discontinuities are distributed throughout the matrix material, said discontinuities having an optical index of refraction which differs from the optical index of refraction of the matrix material by at least 0.2 units, and being present in such condition and quantities as to scatter at least 5% and less than 50% of the light which passes through the sheet, whereby to enable a substantial image to be perceived through said sheet, but with said scattered light causing a decrease in scene contrast.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
25 words
A curtain according to claim 40 in which said discontinuities are of a size approximating 500 nm, whereby preferentially to scatter radiation of this wavelength.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
49 words
A curtain according to claim 40 in which one of said surfaces is formed with a plurality of declivities having faces disposed at angles to the plane of the sheet, whereby some rays of light which pass through said one surface are refracted and undergo a change in direction.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
38 words
A curtain according to claim 42 in which said dye is selected from the group consisting of fluorescent dyes which radiate substantial light in wavelengths between about 450 nm and 700 nm, metallic azo dyes, and combinations thereof.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
31 words
A curtain according to claim 42 in which said discontinuities are selected from the group consisting of air bubbles, zinc oxide powder, fluorescent zinc oxide powder, titanium-dioxide powder, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
38 words
A curtain according to claim 44 in which said dye is selected from the group consisting of fluorescent dyes which radiate substantial light in wavelengths between about 450 nm and 700 nm, metallic azo dyes, and combinations thereof.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
31 words
A curtain according to claim 40 in which said discontinuities are selected from the group consisting of air bubbles zinc oxide powder, fluorescent zinc oxide powder, titanium-dioxide powder, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
13 words
A curtain according to claim 46 in which said powder is zinc oxide.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
27 words
A curtain according to claim 46 in which said powder is fluorescent zinc oxide, whereby to function as an ultraviolet absorber, fluorescent light source, and scattering means.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
13 words
A curtain according to claim 46 in which said powder is titanium dioxide.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
49 words
A curtain according to claim 28 in which one of said surfaces is formed with a plurality of declivities having faces disposed at angles to the plane of the sheet, whereby some rays of light which pass through said one surface are refracted and undergo a change in direction.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
18 words
A curtain according to claim 50 in which said angles are less than about 8 minutes of arc.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
13 words
A curtain according to claim 50 in which the declivities have non-planar surfaces.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
14 words
A curtain according to claim 52 in which the declivities are formed by reticulation.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
14 words
A combination according to claim 52 in which said declivities are formed by reticulation.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
29 words
A curtain according to claim 50 in which the declivities are formed on both surfaces of the curtain, the said angles being less than about four minutes of arc.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
16 words
A curtain according to claim 28 in which the said curtain additionally includes a fire retardant.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
20 words
A curtain according to claim 28 in which the said curtain additionally includes an ultraviolet absorber, and a fire retardent.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-05-17 | 1985-11-16 | 1986-05-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-05-17 | 1989-11-16 | 1990-05-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-05-17 | 1993-11-16 | 1994-05-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |