Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Transparent panel having active treatment with gas or liquid
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-20
2001-05-15
Johnson, Blair M. (Department: 3634)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Transparent panel having active treatment with gas or liquid
C052S786110, C359S832000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06230453
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to windows that are mounted in a building or on a vehicle, specifically to improved design, structure and use of windows.
BACKGROUND-DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
Originally windows were created and manufactured to enable light to enter buildings and to enable those inside to see outside. For centuries the use and construction of windows changed little. Inventors experimented with incorporating different materials resulting in ornamental windows such as stained glass. By late in the twentieth century, advanced windows include many beneficial adaptations. Commonly, multiple panes are used to maximize energy efficiency often with vacuum or with injected gas between the pains. The widow panes incorporate many more substances added during various stages of production. These substances create various beneficial effects such as tinting and to manipulate selected band widths of electromagnetic energy in desirable ways. Most recently windows have incorporated means to adjust between clear and opaque states as desired. This adaptation effectively converges the historic window blind function into the window itself Even with all the advances in window materials and manufacture, the main functions and generally passive role of windows have remained largely unchanged since their original conception and production many centuries ago and subsequent widespread use to this day.
The effect of variable diffraction using fluids was observed in the construction of variable prisms over a century ago. Subsequently, many well documented constructs have employed the variable diffraction effect of fluid prisms and lenses to achieve desirable objectives. Particularly camera lenses, ray stabilizers, laser ray directing devices, and movie projection devices have all widely used the variable diffraction properties of fluid prisms and lenses. Heretofore the concept, design and manufacture of fluid prisms as functioning window panes incorporated into a building or vehicle has not existed. Converging window and fluid prism technologies as herein described provides abundant and valuable benefits heretofore unrecognized and unaddressed in prior art.
SUMMARY
The invention described herein incorporates a variable fluid prism between the panes of a window mounted in a building or on a vehicle. This novel construction enables a user to adjust the view that the window provides from any given single vantage point simply by adjusting the angle contained within the fluid prism. Moreover a second fluid prism is incorporated to reduce dispersion. Also incorporated are temperature regulators, insulators, mounting hardware, and software code to adjust prism angles to minimize diffraction among visible wavelengths.
Objects and Advantages
Accordingly, several objects and advantages of my invention are apparent. The invention increases the functions that a window performs in many circumstances. The invention also improves the aesthetic appeal provided by a window within a building.
Many people can not autonomously adjust their position to see the full hemisphere possible on the outside of a window. By making the window itself adjustable as herein described, the user can select which portion of the external hemisphere she wishes to view from nearly any single vantage point inside a structure. Moreover as provided herein, the view selected can again be altered whenever desired. Similarly, drivers of a vehicle are somewhat restricted regarding their physical mobility. Particularly, the art includes many examples intended to eliminate blind spots in a vehicle. The art described herein enables a driver to manipulate the view provided by the window glass thereby eliminating blind spots without mirrors or reflecting prisms.
The value of each particular window from an aesthetic standpoint is related to the beauty of the view it provides. Heretofore, the view provided by a window in a building was limited to whatever view an architect had the foresight to plan into construction or was later altered externally. Some windows had excellent views and some windows had poor views. The view from any given vantage point within the building was virtually unalterable. As described herein, the present invention enables the view from a single vantage point through a single window to be infinitely altered in nearly a 180 degree hemisphere. Moreover different views can be selected nearly instantly and changed anytime desired. Thus a user can view a sunrise in the east and later a sunset in the west without ever altering their own perspective. Also, a window high up a wall that historically only provided a view of the sky can be adjusted as described herein to provide views of the ground beneath it in any direction. All of these examples include greatly enhanced aesthetic appeal.
Similarly, the practicality of the view that a given window provides has heretofore been unalterable. The addition of mirrors to the external walls of a building or the sides of a vehicle have been used to enable the user to view different directions from a given vantage point. Alternately, cameras and monitors have been used to provide views. This invention uses fluid diffraction within the window to achieve alternate views. If the user wants to view the side walk or drive way outside of the building for example, she can adjust the window diffraction instead of adjusting her vantage point or relying on other technology. If the driver of a vehicle wants to view the blind spot beside her vehicle, she can adjust the side window of her car to provide the view very comfortably through fluid diffraction within the window.
Further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3514192 (1970-05-01), De La Cierva
patent: 4913536 (1990-04-01), Barnea
patent: 5166831 (1992-11-01), Hart
patent: 5541776 (1996-07-01), Kobayashi et al.
patent: 5774273 (1998-06-01), Barnhorst
patent: 5796531 (1998-08-01), Kaneda et al.
patent: 651495 (1962-10-01), None
patent: 5134286 (1993-05-01), None
patent: 5134285 (1993-05-01), None
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