US4399347A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for attachment to motor vehicle windows to prevent fogging or icing
Assignee: Carl Freudenberg KG
•
Filing: 1981-04-29
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Granted: 1983-08-16
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Expires: 2001-04-29
Abstract
Abstract A flexible device which can be detachably mounted on a window, such as a vehicle window, in order to prevent icing or fogging. The device is a semi-flexible sheet of layered materials having a length and width substantially coterminus with the window and having arranged at intervals along its two dimensions, holders which are used to detachably mount the device on the window. The sheet materials include a rather stiff supporting layer which acts as a backing surface of the sheet and a heat reflecting layer on the sheet side which faces the window when mounted. Optional layers include an insulating layer, a decorative layer, a silicone rubber electrically conductive layer and braided copper electrode strips for connecting the conductive layer to an electric source and causing the generation of heat from the conductive layer. The holders are of a length which will position the sheet a distance of about 5 to 15 mm away from the window. The air in the gap thus created is warmed by heat and light through the window. This process generates a connective warm air flow in the gap which prevents icing of fogging.
Inventors
- 👤 Wilhelm Schmitt
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 21:27
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60J; B60J11/00; B60J11/06; B60J11/08; B60J1/00; B60J1/20; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S160/00; Y10S160/02; Y10S160/03; Y10S52/00; Y10S52/13
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
In combination with a transparent body having an outer surface exposed to ambient atmosphere and an inner surface exposed to a confined atmosphere; a device for preventing icing or fogging, comprising: a planar structure having front and back sides, a layer of reflecting material on said front side, and a length and width coterminus with said body, said front side facing said inner surface; and holders affixed to said structure, extending outward from said front side at a distance of from about 5 to 15 mm, and detachably mounted upon said inner surface of said body so as to position said structure and said inner surface essentially parallel, overlapping and at a distance of from about 5 to 15 mm apart to create a convective flow space therebetween; thereby preventing moisture or ice deposit on said body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
In combination with a transparent body having an outer surface exposed to ambient atmosphere and an inner surface exposed to a confined atmosphere; a device for preventing icing or fogging, comprising: a planar structure having front and back sides, a layer of reflecting material on said front side, and a length and width coterminus with said body, said front side facing said inner surface; and holders affixed to said structure, extending outward from said front side at a distance of from about 5 to 15 mm, and detachably mounted upon said inner surface of said body so as to position said structure and said inner surface essentially parallel, overlapping and at a distance of from about 5 to 15 mm apart to create a convective flow space therebetween; thereby preventing moisture or ice deposit on said body.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
132 words
A device for preventing the formation of fog or ice on a transparent body having an outside surface exposed to ambient atmosphere and an inside surface exposed to a confined atmosphere, which comprises: a planar structure having a front side, a back side, and a layer of reflecting material on said front side; and holders affixed to said structure, extending outward a distance of from about 5 to 15 mm from said front side; said holders being adapted to position said structure adjacent transparent body with said front side facing the inside surface of the transparent body and with said structure and the inside surface of the body being essentially parallel, overlapping and at a distance of from about 5 to 15 mm apart to create a convective air flow space therebetween.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
132 words
A device for preventing the formation of fog or ice on a transparent body having an outside surface exposed to ambient atmosphere and an inside surface exposed to a confined atmosphere, which comprises: a planar structure having a front side, a back side, and a layer of reflecting material on said front side; and holders affixed to said structure, extending outward a distance of from about 5 to 15 mm from said front side; said holders being adapted to position said structure adjacent transparent body with said front side facing the inside surface of the transparent body and with said structure and the inside surface of the body being essentially parallel, overlapping and at a distance of from about 5 to 15 mm apart to create a convective air flow space therebetween.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said holders are selected from the group consisting of suction cups, adhesive bumps, snap button connectors, burrs and adhesive tape.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said planar structure comprises a flexible support sheet coated with a reflecting layer comprising a mixture of a binder and a finely distributed metallic powder to form said reflecting layer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device according to claim 4 wherein said support sheet is selected from the group consisting of woven and nonwoven material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said planar structure comprises a flexible support sheet to which is bonded as said reflecting layer, an integral sheet of reflecting foil.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein said planar structure comprises in layered arrangement from the back to front sides, a flexible support sheet, a layer of reflecting material and a heating element sheet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device according to claim 7 wherein said heating element sheet comprises a foil of an electrically conductive material with high internal resistance, the overall surface of which is subdivided into strips by electrodes of alternating polarity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device according to claim 8 wherein the material comprises an electrically conductive silicone rubber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device according to claim 7 wherein said planar structure further comprises a layer of covering material as a front side layer on said heating element sheet.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device according to claim 10 wherein said planar structure further comprises a layer of insulating material between said heating element sheet and said reflecting layer.
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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) | 1986-08-15 | 1987-02-14 | 1987-08-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-08-15 | 1991-02-14 | 1991-08-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-08-15 | 1995-02-14 | 1995-08-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |