EP0458872A1 - Viewing assembly - Google Patents

Viewing assembly

Info

Publication number
EP0458872A1
EP0458872A1 EP19900903625 EP90903625A EP0458872A1 EP 0458872 A1 EP0458872 A1 EP 0458872A1 EP 19900903625 EP19900903625 EP 19900903625 EP 90903625 A EP90903625 A EP 90903625A EP 0458872 A1 EP0458872 A1 EP 0458872A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
assembly
transparent material
door
retaining means
flap
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP19900903625
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Richard Ruben Ritchie
Eric Matthews
Robert James Maughan
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
AUBYNS (HOLDINGS) LIMITED
Original Assignee
AUBYNS (HOLDINGS) Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by AUBYNS (HOLDINGS) Ltd filed Critical AUBYNS (HOLDINGS) Ltd
Publication of EP0458872A1 publication Critical patent/EP0458872A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E06DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
    • E06BFIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
    • E06B7/00Special arrangements or measures in connection with doors or windows
    • E06B7/28Other arrangements on doors or windows, e.g. door-plates, windows adapted to carry plants, hooks for window cleaners
    • E06B7/30Peep-holes; Devices for speaking through; Doors having windows

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a viewing assembly of the type which may, for example, be inserted into a door, to allow a person within a room or a residence to see people at the door.
  • a viewing assembly of this general type is disclosed in United States Patent No. 4,763,444.
  • a glass panel which is held between inner and outer bezels.
  • Mounted in the outer bezel are a number of mirror surfaces, including a mirror located along the upper edge of the glass panel and angled downwards, allowing the field of vision of a person viewing from the inside of the assembly to extend below the assembly.
  • a disadvantage of this arrangement is that the image seen by a user through the glass panel, and that seen reflected in the upper mirror surface, are directly adjacent.
  • a viewing assembly comprising a piece of transparent material held between inner and outer retaining means, and having a reflective surface located on the outer side of the transparent material, wherein the inner retaining means is provided with a longitudinally extending portion, the arrangement being such that the assembly can be inserted into a door with the reflective surface angled downwardly and having its lower edge extending substantially horizontally, while the longitudinally extending portion extends generally horizontally such that, for a user on the inside of the assembly, it defines the boundary between an image seen in the reflective surface and an image seen through the transparent material alone.
  • the assembly shown in US-4,763,444 has a flap pivotably mounted to the inside thereof. The flap is provided with a narrow slit extending therethrough.
  • the slit is angled such that the top and bottom surfaces thereof are horizontal, allowing a user to see through the slit, only when the flap has been lifted slightly. However, this slit does not provide the user with a field of vision which extends very far in a vertical direction.
  • a viewing assembly for a door having a flap pivotably mounted on the inside thereof, wherein the flap has a viewing slot located therein and, adjacent the slot, a protrusion angled relative to the flap such that, when the flap is in its normal closed position, the protrusion is generally at the same horizontal level as the slot, but, when the flap is pivoted inwardly, the protrusion is generally not at the same horizontal level as the slot.
  • the dimensions and positioning of the protrusion are chosen such that it obscures the line of vision through the slot when the flap is in the closed vertical position, but opens up the line of vision when the flap is pivoted to a partly open position.
  • the protrusion is provided on the outer face of the flap, i.e. the face located on the underside when the flap is pivoted inwardly, and is adjacent the lower edge of the slot and angled generally upwards.
  • the assembly of US-4,763,444 is provided with a flap on the side thereof intended to be positioned at the inside of the room or residence in which the assembly is used. When this flap is lifted, to allow the user to see through the assembly, light from the room in which the user is located can fall on the glass panel.
  • the glass panel is coated with a film which limits transmission of light from the inside of the assembly to the outside. The purpose of this film is to allow a user of the assembly to see a person located outside the room whilst limiting the ability of the person outside the room to see the user of the assembly. However, whatever film is used to coat the glass, this aim is more likely to be achieved if the amount of light falling on the outer surface of the glass is greater than that falling on the inner surface of the glass.
  • a viewing assembly for doors comprising a piece of transparent material mounted therein and coated with a film which reduces the amount of light transmitted from the inside of the assembly to the outside relative to the amount of light transmitted from the outside of the assembly to the inside, the assembly further comprising a flap pivotably mounted to the inside of the assembly and a plate having an aperture therein, the area of the aperture being substantially less than the surface area of the transparent material.
  • the transparent material may be held between inner and outer retaining means, each retaining means having an opening therein of substantially the same dimensions as those of the sheet of transparent material.
  • the plate may then be mounted to the inner surface of the inner retaining means or, alternatively, may be insertable in the opening within the inner retaining means.
  • the aperture may either be formed in the plate, or may be defined by the plate and the inner retaining means.
  • the assembly of US-4,763,444 comprises a pieee of glass mounted in a frame, the frame being held between inner and outer bezels, which are screwed to the door in which the assembly is to be mounted. There are described two ways in which this can be carried out. Firstly, it is mentioned that a single screw, on each side of the assembly, can pass through the solid material of the door from the inner bezel to the outer bezel. However, in the event of fire, this method allows transmission of heat via the screw, and thus is undesirable.
  • the inner and outer bezel can each be screwed separately to the door.
  • a viewing assembly for doors comprising a piece of transparent material held in a frame, the frame being held between inner and outer retaining means, wherein the outer retaining means is fixed to the frame, the inner retaining means is fixed to the frame, and the inner retaining means may then be fixed to a door.
  • the outer retaining means is fixed to the frame by means of horizontal screws lying in the plane of the door;
  • the inner retaining means is fixed to the frame by means of horizontal screws perpendicular to the plane of the door;
  • the inner retaining means is provided with a panel pin hole or screw threaded portion provided at an acute angle to the plane of the door.
  • the outer retaining means is screwed to the frame before insertion of the assembly into the door, and the heads of the screws are not accessible when the assembly has been inserted into the door.
  • the assembly disclosed in US-4,763,444 comprises a piece of glass held in a frame.
  • the frame is made up of two pieces of non-combustible fibre board, each having a horizontally extending portion and two side portions of half the height of the piece of glass.
  • a viewing assembly for doors comprising a sheet of transparent material held in a frame, wherein the frame is made up from two slotted side pieces, the dimensions of the slots being adapted to receive the transparent material; a substantially planar upper member, fixed to the side pieces; and a horizontally extending lower member, fixed to the side pieces, the lower member being generally planar but having a recess in the upper surface thereof immediately adjacent the sheet of transparent material, and intumescent material being located in the recess.
  • Figure 1 is an exploded view of the assembly according to the present invention
  • Figure 2 is a view on arrow A in Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 3 is a view on arrow B in Figure 1 ;
  • Figure 4a and 4b are cross-sectional views of a flap which forms part of the assembly;
  • Figure 5 is a view of an alternative inner retaining means which may be used to replace that shown in Figure 1.
  • the assembly comprises a sheet of glass 1 , to the outer surface 2 of which there is applied a material which reduces the transmission of light from the inside of the assembly to the outside thereof.
  • the glass is held in slots 3, 4 in respective side pieces 5, 6 of a frame, which also includes an upper member 7 and a lower member 8.
  • the upper and lower members are fixed to the side portions by means of pins 9a-9h.
  • the frame is provided with screw holes 10 in the side portions, and screws 11a, 11b to be inserted therein.
  • the lower member 8 is provided with a groove 12, positioned to lie beneath the glass 1 , in order to allow audio communication from one side of the assembly to the other.
  • the groove also contains intumescent material which, in the event of fire, is intended to fill the groove and prevent the passage of smoke from one side - of the assembly to the other.
  • the side portions 5, 6 further have screw holes 13a, 13b on their inner faces.
  • the outer retaining means 20 comprises a frame having screw holes 21a, 21b. During manufacture of the assembly, the screws 11a, 11b pass through holes 21a, 21b, in order to fix the outer retaining means to the frame.
  • Mirrors 22, 23, 24 are provided on the outer retaining means, in order to allow the field of vision of a user of the assembly to be widened.
  • Mirror 22 is located on surface 25 of the outer retaining means; mirror 24 is located on surface 26 of the outer retaining means; and mirror 23 is located substantially horizontally, at an acute angle to the horizontal -plane, on the inside upper surface of the outer retaining means.
  • a flange 27 is provided around the periphery of the outer retaining means.
  • the inner retaining means 30 comprises a casing 31 having an aperture 32 located therein.
  • a horizontal bar 33 extends across the aperture 32.
  • the casing 31 has holes 34 in its side members.
  • the inner retaining means 30 can be fixed to the side portions 5,6 of the frame by pins (not shown) passing through the holes 34.
  • the casing is further provided with a screw threaded portion 35 located at an acute angle to the plane of the door, by means of which the assembly can be screwed to a door with a screw 36.
  • the assembly may be secured to the door by means of a panel pin passing through an acutely angled hole. The pin may then be inserted in such a way that it can be removed only with a special tool.
  • the bar 33 divides the aperture 32 into an upper portion 37 and a lower portion 38.
  • a plate 40 has screw holes 41a, 41b and an aperture 42 located therein. At the upper edge of the plate 40 are provided pin retaining means 43a, 43b. In use, the inner retaining means 30 is mounted to the frame by means of screws 44 which pass through holes 13 in the side portions of the frame. The screws 44 also pass through caps 45 which are located around the holes 41a,41b and which prevent the removal of the screws.
  • a flap 50 Located at the inside of the assembly is a flap 50, which is pivotably mounted to the plate 40 by means of pins 51a, 51b which pass through holes in the pin retaining means 43a, 43b.
  • On the outer face 54 of the flap is an angled protrusion 52 which extends outwardly and upwardly from the lower edge of a slot 53 in the flap.
  • the protrusion 52 serves to obscure the view both ways through the slot 53, as shown in Figure 4a.
  • the flap is pivoted to a position similar to that shown in Figure 4b, the protrusion is pivoted into an essentially horizontal position, and a user of the assembly can see through the slot 53 but without being observed by a person on the outside of the door.
  • the protrusion may be provided on the inner face of the flap adjacent the upper edge of the slot and angled generally downwardly.
  • Figure 5 shows an alternative inner retaining means 130 and insert 140, which may be used to replace the inner retaining means 30 and plate 40 shown in Figure 1.
  • the inner retaining means 130 has a casing 131 provided with an aperture 132, having a horizontal bar 133 positioned therein.
  • the casing 131 is provided with a screw threaded portion 135, by means of which the inner retaining means can be fixed to a door, and screw holes 141a, 141b, by means of which the inner retaining means can be screwed to the side portions 5, 6 of the frame.
  • the inner retaining means may alternatively be pinned to the door by a panel pin passing through a hole at an acute angle to the plane of the door.
  • the casing is further provided with pin .
  • An insert 140 is sized to fit within an aperture 137 in the inner surface of the casing 131, and is provided with pegs 145a-145d, by means of which it may be retained securely within the aperture 137.
  • the inner retaining means 130 and the insert 140 are equivalent, when combined, to the inner retaining means 30 and the plate 40 shown in Figure 1.
  • the lower member 8 is fixed to the side portions 5,6 of the frame, the sheet of glass 1 is lowered into the slots 3, 4, and the upper member 7 is then fixed to the side portions 5, 6.
  • the outer retaining means 20 is then screwed to the frame by means of screws 11a, 11b, and the frame is placed from the outside of the door into an aperture which has already been cut, such that the flange 27 rests on the outside of the door.
  • the assembly is then fixed firmly to the door by means of the screw 36, and the inner retaining means is fixed to " the frame by means of screws 44.
  • the provision of the plate 40 or insert 140 limits the amount of light falling on the glass 1 from the inside. This means that it is very difficult for a person on the outside of the assembly to see into the room or residence in which it is used. In addition, a further result is that the plate 40 or insert 140 reduces stray reflections from the glass, allowing the user to see out more easily.
  • a user of the assembly inside a room which has the assembly in a door thereof has his field of vision extended along the walls of the room by means of the mirrors 22,24.
  • a view straight out through the glass is obtained through the lower part 38 of the aperture 32, and the mirror 23 can be seen through the upper part 37 of this aperture, allowing the user to see down towards the ground, including vertically downwardly next to the door.
  • the bar 33 serves to provide a clearly identifiable boundary between the view seen through the mirror 23 and that straight through the glass.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Securing Of Glass Panes Or The Like (AREA)
  • Supports Or Holders For Household Use (AREA)

Abstract

Un ensemble de visualisation comprend un morceau de matériau transparent (1) à monter dans une porte. Une surface réfléchissante (23) est montée sur le côté extérieur du matériau transparent (1), de sorte qu'une personne se trouvant du côté intérieur de la porte puisse la voir, et puisse alors voir des objets se trouvant sur le sol à proximité du côté extérieur de ladite porte. Une barre s'étend horizontalement sur l'intérieur du matériau transparent afin de définir une limite entre une image vue dans la surface réfléchissante et une image vue à travers le matériau transparent seul. Un rabat (50) est monté pivotant sur le côté intérieur de la porte et comprend une fente de visualisation ainsi qu'une saillie (52) en angle située sensiblement au même niveau horizontal que ladite fente lorsque celle-ci se trouve dans sa position de repos, mais permet à l'utilisateur de voir par la fente lorsque ledit rabat pivote légèrement. On a prévu une plaque entre le matériau transparent et le rabat, laquelle définit une ouverture (42) de visualisation, dont l'aire est sensiblement inférieure à l'aire de surface du matériau transparent. Ces caractéristiques aident à voir unidirectionnellement à travers le matériau transparent. On décrit également des caractéristiques permettant de monter ledit dispositif dans une porte, de sorte que l'on ne puisse pas le retirer de l'extérieur de la porte.A display assembly includes a piece of transparent material (1) for mounting in a door. A reflective surface (23) is mounted on the outside of the transparent material (1), so that a person on the inside of the door can see it, and can then see objects on the floor nearby on the outside of said door. A bar extends horizontally over the interior of the transparent material to define a boundary between an image seen in the reflecting surface and an image seen through the transparent material alone. A flap (50) is pivotally mounted on the interior side of the door and includes a viewing slot as well as an angled projection (52) located substantially at the same horizontal level as said slot when the latter is in its position of rest, but allows the user to see through the slot when said flap pivots slightly. A plate is provided between the transparent material and the flap, which defines an opening (42) for viewing, the area of which is substantially less than the surface area of the transparent material. These features help to see unidirectionally through the transparent material. Features are also described for mounting said device in a door, so that it cannot be removed from the outside of the door.

Description

VIE ING ASSEMBLY
This invention relates to a viewing assembly of the type which may, for example, be inserted into a door, to allow a person within a room or a residence to see people at the door.
A viewing assembly of this general type is disclosed in United States Patent No. 4,763,444. In.. that known assembly, there is mounted a glass panel, which is held between inner and outer bezels. Mounted in the outer bezel are a number of mirror surfaces, including a mirror located along the upper edge of the glass panel and angled downwards, allowing the field of vision of a person viewing from the inside of the assembly to extend below the assembly. However, a disadvantage of this arrangement is that the image seen by a user through the glass panel, and that seen reflected in the upper mirror surface, are directly adjacent.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a viewing assembly comprising a piece of transparent material held between inner and outer retaining means, and having a reflective surface located on the outer side of the transparent material, wherein the inner retaining means is provided with a longitudinally extending portion, the arrangement being such that the assembly can be inserted into a door with the reflective surface angled downwardly and having its lower edge extending substantially horizontally, while the longitudinally extending portion extends generally horizontally such that, for a user on the inside of the assembly, it defines the boundary between an image seen in the reflective surface and an image seen through the transparent material alone. The assembly shown in US-4,763,444 has a flap pivotably mounted to the inside thereof. The flap is provided with a narrow slit extending therethrough. The slit is angled such that the top and bottom surfaces thereof are horizontal, allowing a user to see through the slit, only when the flap has been lifted slightly. However, this slit does not provide the user with a field of vision which extends very far in a vertical direction.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a viewing assembly for a door, having a flap pivotably mounted on the inside thereof, wherein the flap has a viewing slot located therein and, adjacent the slot, a protrusion angled relative to the flap such that, when the flap is in its normal closed position, the protrusion is generally at the same horizontal level as the slot, but, when the flap is pivoted inwardly, the protrusion is generally not at the same horizontal level as the slot. The dimensions and positioning of the protrusion are chosen such that it obscures the line of vision through the slot when the flap is in the closed vertical position, but opens up the line of vision when the flap is pivoted to a partly open position. Preferably, the protrusion is provided on the outer face of the flap, i.e. the face located on the underside when the flap is pivoted inwardly, and is adjacent the lower edge of the slot and angled generally upwards.
The assembly of US-4,763,444 is provided with a flap on the side thereof intended to be positioned at the inside of the room or residence in which the assembly is used. When this flap is lifted, to allow the user to see through the assembly, light from the room in which the user is located can fall on the glass panel. The glass panel is coated with a film which limits transmission of light from the inside of the assembly to the outside. The purpose of this film is to allow a user of the assembly to see a person located outside the room whilst limiting the ability of the person outside the room to see the user of the assembly. However, whatever film is used to coat the glass, this aim is more likely to be achieved if the amount of light falling on the outer surface of the glass is greater than that falling on the inner surface of the glass.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a viewing assembly for doors comprising a piece of transparent material mounted therein and coated with a film which reduces the amount of light transmitted from the inside of the assembly to the outside relative to the amount of light transmitted from the outside of the assembly to the inside, the assembly further comprising a flap pivotably mounted to the inside of the assembly and a plate having an aperture therein, the area of the aperture being substantially less than the surface area of the transparent material. In a preferred embodiment, the transparent material may be held between inner and outer retaining means, each retaining means having an opening therein of substantially the same dimensions as those of the sheet of transparent material. The plate may then be mounted to the inner surface of the inner retaining means or, alternatively, may be insertable in the opening within the inner retaining means. The aperture may either be formed in the plate, or may be defined by the plate and the inner retaining means. The assembly of US-4,763,444 comprises a pieee of glass mounted in a frame, the frame being held between inner and outer bezels, which are screwed to the door in which the assembly is to be mounted. There are described two ways in which this can be carried out. Firstly, it is mentioned that a single screw, on each side of the assembly, can pass through the solid material of the door from the inner bezel to the outer bezel. However, in the event of fire, this method allows transmission of heat via the screw, and thus is undesirable. Secondly, it is mentioned that the inner and outer bezel can each be screwed separately to the door. This has the disadvantage that the outer bezel must be screwed to the door from the outside of the door, and, although the specification discloses that the heads of the screws be covered by plates, this is a potential disadvantage as there remains the possibility that the screws could be removed by unauthorised persons.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a viewing assembly for doors, comprising a piece of transparent material held in a frame, the frame being held between inner and outer retaining means, wherein the outer retaining means is fixed to the frame, the inner retaining means is fixed to the frame, and the inner retaining means may then be fixed to a door. In the preferred embodiment, the outer retaining means is fixed to the frame by means of horizontal screws lying in the plane of the door; the inner retaining means is fixed to the frame by means of horizontal screws perpendicular to the plane of the door; and the inner retaining means is provided with a panel pin hole or screw threaded portion provided at an acute angle to the plane of the door. In this embodiment, the outer retaining means is screwed to the frame before insertion of the assembly into the door, and the heads of the screws are not accessible when the assembly has been inserted into the door.
The assembly disclosed in US-4,763,444 comprises a piece of glass held in a frame. The frame is made up of two pieces of non-combustible fibre board, each having a horizontally extending portion and two side portions of half the height of the piece of glass.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a viewing assembly for doors, comprising a sheet of transparent material held in a frame, wherein the frame is made up from two slotted side pieces, the dimensions of the slots being adapted to receive the transparent material; a substantially planar upper member, fixed to the side pieces; and a horizontally extending lower member, fixed to the side pieces, the lower member being generally planar but having a recess in the upper surface thereof immediately adjacent the sheet of transparent material, and intumescent material being located in the recess. For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show how the same may be brought, into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings in which:-
Figure 1 is an exploded view of the assembly according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a view on arrow A in Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a view on arrow B in Figure 1 ; Figure 4a and 4b are cross-sectional views of a flap which forms part of the assembly; and Figure 5 is a view of an alternative inner retaining means which may be used to replace that shown in Figure 1.
The assembly comprises a sheet of glass 1 , to the outer surface 2 of which there is applied a material which reduces the transmission of light from the inside of the assembly to the outside thereof. The glass is held in slots 3, 4 in respective side pieces 5, 6 of a frame, which also includes an upper member 7 and a lower member 8. The upper and lower members are fixed to the side portions by means of pins 9a-9h. The frame is provided with screw holes 10 in the side portions, and screws 11a, 11b to be inserted therein. The lower member 8 is provided with a groove 12, positioned to lie beneath the glass 1 , in order to allow audio communication from one side of the assembly to the other. The groove also contains intumescent material which, in the event of fire, is intended to fill the groove and prevent the passage of smoke from one side - of the assembly to the other. The side portions 5, 6 further have screw holes 13a, 13b on their inner faces. The outer retaining means 20 comprises a frame having screw holes 21a, 21b. During manufacture of the assembly, the screws 11a, 11b pass through holes 21a, 21b, in order to fix the outer retaining means to the frame. Mirrors 22, 23, 24 are provided on the outer retaining means, in order to allow the field of vision of a user of the assembly to be widened. Mirror 22 is located on surface 25 of the outer retaining means; mirror 24 is located on surface 26 of the outer retaining means; and mirror 23 is located substantially horizontally, at an acute angle to the horizontal -plane, on the inside upper surface of the outer retaining means. A flange 27 is provided around the periphery of the outer retaining means.
The inner retaining means 30 comprises a casing 31 having an aperture 32 located therein. A horizontal bar 33 extends across the aperture 32. The casing 31 has holes 34 in its side members. The inner retaining means 30 can be fixed to the side portions 5,6 of the frame by pins (not shown) passing through the holes 34. The casing is further provided with a screw threaded portion 35 located at an acute angle to the plane of the door, by means of which the assembly can be screwed to a door with a screw 36. Alternatively, the assembly may be secured to the door by means of a panel pin passing through an acutely angled hole. The pin may then be inserted in such a way that it can be removed only with a special tool. The bar 33 divides the aperture 32 into an upper portion 37 and a lower portion 38.
A plate 40 has screw holes 41a, 41b and an aperture 42 located therein. At the upper edge of the plate 40 are provided pin retaining means 43a, 43b. In use, the inner retaining means 30 is mounted to the frame by means of screws 44 which pass through holes 13 in the side portions of the frame. The screws 44 also pass through caps 45 which are located around the holes 41a,41b and which prevent the removal of the screws. Located at the inside of the assembly is a flap 50, which is pivotably mounted to the plate 40 by means of pins 51a, 51b which pass through holes in the pin retaining means 43a, 43b. On the outer face 54 of the flap is an angled protrusion 52 which extends outwardly and upwardly from the lower edge of a slot 53 in the flap. When the flap 50 is in its normal vertical closed position, the protrusion 52 serves to obscure the view both ways through the slot 53, as shown in Figure 4a. However, when the flap is pivoted to a position similar to that shown in Figure 4b, the protrusion is pivoted into an essentially horizontal position, and a user of the assembly can see through the slot 53 but without being observed by a person on the outside of the door.
In an alternative embodiment, the protrusion may be provided on the inner face of the flap adjacent the upper edge of the slot and angled generally downwardly. Figure 5 shows an alternative inner retaining means 130 and insert 140, which may be used to replace the inner retaining means 30 and plate 40 shown in Figure 1. The inner retaining means 130 has a casing 131 provided with an aperture 132, having a horizontal bar 133 positioned therein. The casing 131 is provided with a screw threaded portion 135, by means of which the inner retaining means can be fixed to a door, and screw holes 141a, 141b, by means of which the inner retaining means can be screwed to the side portions 5, 6 of the frame. Again, the inner retaining means may alternatively be pinned to the door by a panel pin passing through a hole at an acute angle to the plane of the door. The casing is further provided with pin . retaining means 143a, 143b. An insert 140 is sized to fit within an aperture 137 in the inner surface of the casing 131, and is provided with pegs 145a-145d, by means of which it may be retained securely within the aperture 137. The inner retaining means 130 and the insert 140 are equivalent, when combined, to the inner retaining means 30 and the plate 40 shown in Figure 1. Thus, to manufacture the assembly, and position it in a door, the lower member 8 is fixed to the side portions 5,6 of the frame, the sheet of glass 1 is lowered into the slots 3, 4, and the upper member 7 is then fixed to the side portions 5, 6. The outer retaining means 20 is then screwed to the frame by means of screws 11a, 11b, and the frame is placed from the outside of the door into an aperture which has already been cut, such that the flange 27 rests on the outside of the door. The assembly is then fixed firmly to the door by means of the screw 36, and the inner retaining means is fixed to "the frame by means of screws 44.
In use of the assembly, the provision of the plate 40 or insert 140 limits the amount of light falling on the glass 1 from the inside. This means that it is very difficult for a person on the outside of the assembly to see into the room or residence in which it is used. In addition, a further result is that the plate 40 or insert 140 reduces stray reflections from the glass, allowing the user to see out more easily.
A user of the assembly inside a room which has the assembly in a door thereof has his field of vision extended along the walls of the room by means of the mirrors 22,24. A view straight out through the glass is obtained through the lower part 38 of the aperture 32, and the mirror 23 can be seen through the upper part 37 of this aperture, allowing the user to see down towards the ground, including vertically downwardly next to the door. The bar 33 serves to provide a clearly identifiable boundary between the view seen through the mirror 23 and that straight through the glass.
Although the invention has been described herein with reference to one specific embodiment thereof, it will of course be appreciated that modifications and alternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims also form part of the invention. For example, although the invention has been described with reference to its insertion in a door, it could of course be used in any space divider such as a door, an internal wall or an external wall.

Claims

1. A viewing assembly comprising a piece of transparent material held between inner and outer retaining means, and having a reflective surface located on the outer side of the transparent material, wherein the inner retaining means is provided with a longitudinally extending portion, the arrangement being such that the assembly can be inserted into a door with the reflective surface angled downwardly and having its lower edge extending substantially horizontally, while the longitudinally extending portion extends substantially horizontally such that, for a user on the inside of the assembly, it defines the boundary between an image seen in the reflective surface and an image seen through the transparent material alone.
2. A viewing assembly for a door, having a flap pivotably mounted on the inside thereof, wherein the flap has a viewing slot located therein and, adjacent the slot, a protrusion angled relative to the flap such that, when the flap is in its normal position, the protrusion is generally at the same horizontal level as the slot, but, when the flap is pivoted inwardly, the protrusion is generally not at the same horizontal level as the slot.
3. A viewing assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the protrusion is provided on the outer face of the flap adjacent the lower edge of the slot and is angled generally upwards.
4. A viewing assembly for doors comprising a piece of transparent material mounted therein and coated with a film which reduces the amount of light transmitted from the inside of the assembly to the outside relative to the amount of light transmitted from the outside of the assembly to the inside, the assembly further comprising a flap pivotably mounted to the inside of the assembly and a plate having an aperture therein, the area of the aperture being substantially less than the surface area of the transparent material.
5. A viewing assembly for doors, comprising a piece of transparent material held in a frame, the frame being held between inner and outer retaining means, wherein the outer retaining means is fixed to the frame, the inner retaining means is fixed to the frame, and the inner retaining means may then be fixed to a door.
6. A viewing assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the outer retaining means is fixed to the frames by means of horizontal screws lying in the plane of the door; the inner retaining means is fixed to the frame by means of horizontal screws perpendicular to the plane of the door; and the inner retaining means is provided with a screw threaded portion provided at an acute angle to the plane of the door.
7. A viewing assembly for doors, comprising a sheet of transparent material held in a frame, wherein the frame is made up from two slotted side pieces, the dimensions of the slots being adapted to receive the transparent material; a substantially planar upper member, fixed to the side pieces; and a horizontally extending lower member, fixed to the side pieces, the lower member being generally planar but having a recess in the upper surface thereof immediately adjacent the sheet of transparent material, and intumescent material being located in the recess.
EP19900903625 1989-02-16 1990-02-16 Viewing assembly Withdrawn EP0458872A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB8903499 1989-02-16
GB8903499A GB2229214A (en) 1989-02-16 1989-02-16 Viewing assembly

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0458872A1 true EP0458872A1 (en) 1991-12-04

Family

ID=10651778

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19900903625 Withdrawn EP0458872A1 (en) 1989-02-16 1990-02-16 Viewing assembly

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0458872A1 (en)
AU (1) AU5155690A (en)
GB (1) GB2229214A (en)
WO (1) WO1990009506A2 (en)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2480099A (en) * 2010-05-07 2011-11-09 Jennifer Anne Taviner Peep hole with hinged cover

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE263483C (en) * 1912-12-31 1913-08-09
US2489060A (en) * 1945-03-06 1949-11-22 Tappe Frank Georg Speaking tube and viewer
GB638736A (en) * 1947-05-20 1950-06-14 Guardian Dor Spi Ltd An improved spy hole attachment for doors
US2524922A (en) * 1948-08-19 1950-10-10 Almer L Moburg Sign holder for cans
US3203052A (en) * 1962-03-26 1965-08-31 Jr Joseph A Curtis Viewing device
GB8528080D0 (en) * 1985-11-14 1985-12-18 Savage H Observation device
US4763444A (en) * 1987-06-30 1988-08-16 Ritchie Ruben R Viewing and oral communications assembly for doors

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO9009506A2 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2229214A (en) 1990-09-19
GB8903499D0 (en) 1989-04-05
AU5155690A (en) 1990-09-05
WO1990009506A2 (en) 1990-08-23
WO1990009506A3 (en) 1990-11-15

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4444465A (en) CRT shield
EP0780940B1 (en) Cabinet, in particular for electrical apparatuses
US4947565A (en) Picture framing assembly
US6144418A (en) Computer monitor screen shade and dynamically adjustable magnifier
US5164861A (en) Mirror and hinge means for pivotally mounting said mirror to a generally planar surface
US5350227A (en) Spacer for filling a space between two adjacent modular cabinets
US4972633A (en) Corner-mounted shield
EP0458872A1 (en) Viewing assembly
US8813404B2 (en) Window unit for display, protection and preventive conservation of an object of limited thickness
US5399008A (en) Medicine cabinet with doubly hinged mirror assembly
US6113238A (en) Glare demonstrator
US20040192433A1 (en) Gaming machine
US3780281A (en) Demountable light fixture for bathroom cabinet
JP2565661B2 (en) Coin halving trick magic trick
JP2685396B2 (en) Sample display equipment for vending machines
AU725326B2 (en) Smoke detector
US2705593A (en) Wall mounted mailbox
JP3311976B2 (en) Clearance member
JP3167868B2 (en) Fire extinguisher box
JP3527611B2 (en) Seating sensor of sanitary washing device and its mounting structure
JP2532007Y2 (en) Mischief prevention cover of disaster prevention receiver
JP2006012102A (en) Mounting structure of lower cover plate for facility
JPH06194506A (en) Protecting screen of visual display device
US3546385A (en) Coin telephone housing and assembly
CA1273519A (en) Folding double mirror device

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19910912

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE DK ES FR GB IT LI LU NL SE

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: AUBYNS (HOLDINGS) LIMITED

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19921110

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 19930323