GB2228229A

GB2228229A - Protective screen for VDU Monitor

Info

Publication number: GB2228229A
Application number: GB8902638A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Clifford Ernest Rankin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-02-07
Filing date: 1989-02-07
Publication date: 1990-08-22
Also published as: GB8902638D0

Abstract

A shatterproof protective screen for fitting to a VDU monitor so that the protective screen is located in front of the VDU screen. The protective screen has an interlayer (3) sandwiched between two sheets of glass (1, 2) which may be clear or tinted, the outer surface of the glass sheets (1, 2) being coated with a non-reflective coating. Support means (6) may also extend from the screen to enable it to be attached to the VDU or alternatively the protective screen may be fitted in a recess on the VDU. <IMAGE>

Description

PROTECTIVE SCREEN FOR FITTING TO VDU MONITOR This invention relates to a protective screen for fitting to a VDU monitor to enhance the characters and/or images displayed thereon, substantially reduce reflection and to cut out harmful rays and glare eminating therefrom.

It has long been recognised that extended periods using a VDU monitor can cause eyestrain to the operator which can be both harmful and induce operator errors. Thus, more and more attention is now being focussed on the long-term effects of exposure to ultra-violet rays, X-rays and other radiation emitted by VDU monitors.

Protective screens which are fitted in front of the VDU monitor screen are known but one of the problems with such protective screens is that their outer glass surface tends to reflect ambient light and as a result, the operator can find it difficult to see the characters displayed on the VDU monitor due to this unwanted reflection. Also, the layer in such screens which reduces UV discomfort often additionally caused a loss in clarity of the characters or images displayed on the VDU monitor.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved protective screen which not only reduces glare and enhances contrast of the characters and/or other images displayed on the VDU monitor but also eliminates or substantially reduces ultra-violet radiation and unwanted reflection.

According to the invention, there is provided a shatterproof protective screen for fitting to a VDU monitor comprising an interlayer sandwiched between two sheets of glass to provide a laminate, the outer surface of both of said glass sheets being coated with a non-reflective coating and the interlayer being made of a material which substantially prevents the passage of ultraviolet rays therethrough.

The interlayer maybe a material such as that sold under the Trade Mark Saflex UV which is a special tinted interlay which transmits only 1X of rays in the ultra-violet range at wavelengths between 320 and 380 milimicrons.

The outer non-reflective coating is applied to only the outer surfaces of the glass sheets and conveniently comprises one or more coatings of a metal oxide material. A suitable material for the coated glass sheets is sold under the Trade Mark AMIRAN.

The glass sheets may be clear or tinted. The whole protective screen assembly is preferably surrounded by a suitable frame which may be metal on plastic or other suitable material. Support means may also be provided to extend from the screen so that it may be hooked onto a VDU monitor. The support means can, however, be omitted to enable the protective screen to be fitted within a recess on the front of the VDU monitor to cover its screen.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawing, which shows in cross-section a protective screen comprising a pair of coated clear or tinted Float glass sheets, 1 and 2 between which an interlayer 3 is sandwiched.

Conveniently, the glass sheets 1 and 2 are approximately 4 mm thick and the interlayer is approximately 0.76mm thick. It will be appreciated, however, that the dimensions given are by way of example only and that other thicknesses may be used.

The glass sheets may be clear or tinted.

The interlayer 3 is preferably made from a Saflex UV material which is a special clear interlayer which transmits only 1% of the energy in the ultra-violet range at wavelengths between 320 and 380 milimicrons.

It is the properties of this plastic interlayer which render the whole screen assembly shatterproof rather than the glass sheets themselves.

The outer float glass sheets 1 and 2 are coated with one or more metal oxide coating layers to reduce unwanted reflection of ambient light therefrom. The coating is such that when viewed at 900 there is less than 1% of residual reflection.

The perimeter of the protective screen is preferably enclosed in an edging strip 5 which conveniently is made of plastics or other material. With this arrangement, the protective screen can be fitted into the recess in the front of a VDU monitor and retained

therein by any suitable means, e.g. Velcrtrips. If the VDU monitor does not have such a recess, the screen can be fitted with support meats in the form of an angle bracket 6 which extends rearwardly from the top of the screen and is provided with non-slip pads 7 attached to its undersurface. By means of this angle bracket 6, the protective screen may be hooked onto the top of the VDU so that it hangs down in front of the VDU screen.

The protective screen just described enhances the contrast of the characters shown on the VDU monitor as well as reducing glare and eliminates 99X of ultra-violet radiation and other allegedly harmful rays.

Claims

CLAINS

1. A shatterproof protective screen for fitting to a VDU monitor comprising two sheets of glass between which an interlayer is sandwiched to provide a laminate, the outer surface of both of said glass sheets being coated with a non-reflective coating and the interlayer being made of a material which prevents the passage of most ultraviolet rays therethrough.

2. A screen as claimed in claim 1 wherein the interlayer is a tinted material which transmits only 1% of rays in the ultraviolet range at wavelengths between 320 and 380 milimicrons.

3. A screen as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the outer non-reflective coating comprises one or more coatings of a metal oxide material.

4. A screen as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the screen assembly is surrounded by a frame.

5. A screen as claimed in claim 4 wherein support means extend from the screen which are adapted to allow the screen to be hooked onto the VDU monitor with the screen located in front of the VDU screen.

6. A screen as claimed in claim 4 wherein the frame is adapted to fit within a recess on the front of the VDU monitor.

7. A screen as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the glass sheets are transparent.

8. A screen as claimed in any of claims 1-6 wherein the glass sheets are tinted.

9. A shatterproof protective screen for fitting to VDU monitor substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.