GB2461347A

GB2461347A - Switchable transparency window

Info

Publication number: GB2461347A
Application number: GB0812237A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mark John Luke Horton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-07-04
Filing date: 2008-07-04
Publication date: 2010-01-06
Anticipated expiration: 2028-07-04
Also published as: GB0812237D0; GB2461347B

Abstract

A window panel that can be switched from a first mode allowing through-vision to a second mode in which through-vision is reduced or eliminated. The panel comprises an inner sheet 70 that is movably mounted relative to outer sheets 50 60 such that the panel can be switched between the two modes. The switching occurs by using an actuator that does not comprise a shaft that passes through said outer sheets. The shaft preferably passed through the wall/door 110 surrounding the window. A handle 80 can be used to move a catch or bolt 120 to move upwards and shift the pattern on the inner sheet (see Fig 1). The catch/bolt can also be operated using a lock 90. The inner sheet preferably has a series of opaque and transparent or translucent stripes on it that can align with equivalent stripes on the outer glazing sheets. This type of window could be used in a hospital or prison.

Description

Panels The present invention relates to panels, especially to multi-sheet panels.

More specifically it relates to such panels that are suitable for use in windows and doors and can be switched between an open mode that allows through-vision and a closed mode in which through-vision is substantially or totally obscured.

Panels allowing through-vision and switching from open to closed modes have been known in the art for very many years.

For example, GB 1296594 describes a panel that comprises two outer sheets and one inner sheet. All three sheets comprise horizontal strips that are relatively opaque and are located between relatively transparent strips.

The outer sheets of the panel are in fixed position relative to a surrounding frame. The inner sheet is mounted between the outer and inner sheets in a manner that allows a limited degree of movement thereof (relative to the outer sheets) from a lowermost position to an uppermost position and vice-versa.

When the inner sheet is in the lowermost position, the relatively transparent horizontal strips of all three sheets are horizontally aligned with one another. Here the panel is considered to be in the open mode, because this allows maximum through-vision via the horizontally aligned transparent strips.

In contrast, when the inner sheet is in the uppermost position, the relatively transparent horizontal strips of the inner sheet are located behind the relatively opaque horizontal strips of the outer sheets. Here the panel can be considered to be in the closed mode. This is because the opaque strips of the inner sheet are now visible and prevent through-vision, given that they are aligned with the relatively transparent strips of the outer sheets (Thus there is no region where there is a clear view through the panel and the panel appears totally opaque.) A handle in the form of a lever is located at each side of the panel and is used to move the panel between open closed modes by raising or by lowering the inner sheet respectively relative to the outer sheets.

The handles are connected to a common shaft. The shaft extends through the two outer sheets. It has a square central portion that engages a cam in a manner that the shaft does not rotate relative to the cam. The cam engages a concave recess in the lower edge of the inner sheet.

As a handle is turned in one direction it rotates the shaft in that direction and causes the cam to rotate and to urge upwards against the concave recess of the inner sheet. In turn this causes the inner sheet to move upwards relative to the outer sheets so as to close the panel.

Turning the handle in the opposite direction causes the reverse operation, with the effect that the inner sheet moves downwards and the panel is then in the open position.

GB 1459639 discloses an improvement in respect of the invention disclosed in GB 1296594.

following reports that the load on the shaft and cam disclosed in GB 1296594cou1d sometimes caused the cam and shaft connection to wear. Excessive wear could then result in the shaft freely rotating relative to the cam so that the shaft would no longer operate the cam and the cam would no longer serve to move the inner panel.

In the improvement discussed in GB 1459639 the cam is positioned to move the inner sheet laterally (from side to side) rather than vertically (up and down). This is said to reduce load on the cam and thereby to reduce the tendency of the cam and shaft connection to wear. This in turn reduces the likelihood that the shaft will freely rotate relative to the cam and that turning the shaft will therefore no longer operate the cam In this improvement movement of the inner sheet between open and closed position (and vice versa) is along a horizontal axis rather than a vertical axis. The strips of the outer and inner sheets are disposed vertically rather than horizontally.

Thus, when the panel is in the open position, the relatively opaque vertical strips of the inner sheet are obscured behind the relatively opaque vertical strips of the outer sheets. This has the effect that the relatively transparent vertical strips of the inner sheet become aligned with the relatively transparent vertical strips of the outer sheets and an observer has through-vision through the aligned transparent sheets.

In contrast, when the improved panel is in the closed position, the relatively transparent vertical strips of the inner sheet are obscured behind the relatively opaque vertical strips of the outer sheets. Furthennore, the relatively opaque vertical strips of the inner sheets are then aligned with the relatively transparent vertical strips of the outer sheets. Through-vision is thereby prevented because the panel appears totally opaque.

Although GB 1296594 and GB 1459639 were both published over 30 years ago there have been few major changes to through-vision panels in the interim. This is despite large sales of such panels over these years in many countries.

Indeed, even in the present day, such panels still rely on a cam operated by a shaft that extends through both the inner and outer sheets.

According to the present invention there is provided a panel that can be switched from a first mode allowing through-vision to a second mode in which through-vision is reduced or eliminated; wherein the panel comprises an inner sheet that is movably mounted relative to outer sheets in a manner that allows said modes to be switched; and wherein switching is achieved utilising an actuator that does not comprise a shaft that passes through said outer sheets.

The present inventor has therefore made a radical change that has neither been taught nor suggested in the art, despite extensive and widespread use of through-vision panels over very many years.

Furthermore, this change allows the actuator to be positioned so that it is not located within the region bordered by a frame for the panel (if present).

Preferably the actuator is located either in the frame itself or (more preferably) outside the frame.

This radical departure in design allows all of the region bordered by the frame to be taken up by the sheets of the panel, without sacrificing some of this region to the actuator.

This means that there is a greater available area for light transmission and through-vision.

Furthermore the central region of the panel has clean lines and is aesthetically attractive.

A still further advantage of this major change in design is that it is not necessary to provide inner and outer sheets with apertures for receiving a shaft.

In the absence of hindsight, none of these are advantages are evident from the prior art, where the focus has been upon reducing load on a cam, rather than upon relocating the actuator so that it is no longer within the region bordered by the frame.

In the present invention it is preferred that the actuator is located: a) below the frame; b) above the frame; c) to one side of the frame; d) above and to one side of the frame; or e) below arid to one side of the frame.

If the inner panel is arranged for movement along a vertical axis, it is preferred that the actuator is located above or below the frame. Most preferably it is located below the frame.

If the inner panel is arranged for movement along a horizontal axis, it is preferred that the actuator is located to one side of the frame if the inner panel is movable along a horizontal axis.

In all embodiments it is also preferred (although not essential) that the actuator does not include a cam that bears against the inner sheet.

Such an arrangement can be avoided, for example, by providing an actuator comprising a member that can be moved from a retracted position to an extended position and vice-versa; whereby movement of the member causes the inner sheet to move relative to the outer sheet and thereby causes the panel to switch between modes.

If desired, a resiliently deformable component (e.g. a spring, a clip, or a piece of elastomeric material) may be provided that is caused to deform when the member extends. It then exerts a force on the inner sheet in the opposite direction to that in which inner sheet has been moved. Thus when the member is retracted from the extended position the force exerted by the resiliently deformable component can cause or assist movement of the inner sheet towards its previous position.

The member that can be moved from an extended to a retracted position may, for example, be a bolt or catch that is released by turning a handle andlor by operating a lock (e.g. a mortise lock).

Indeed, in one embodiment, both a handle a lock can be provided, with the handle being operated from one side of the panel and the lock being operated from the other side.

The lock may be key-operated. Alternatively it may be operated by any other means, e.g. via a code, a swipe card, electronic means, an RFID tag etc. The means for operating the lock may be provided to an authorised individual, e.g. to a health care professional, to a care assistant, to a person responsible for security (e.g. a prison warder or a member of police responsible for security of cells).

By switching the lock between locked and unlocked positions the panel can be moved between open and closed positions or vice versa.

Turning now to the nature of the inner sheet and outer sheets, these preferably each comprise relatively transparent/translucent regions and relatively opaque regions, with the sheets being arranged so that in the open position there is a high degree of overlap of the relatively transparent / translucent regions of the outer sheets with the corresponding relatively transparent / translucent regions of the inner sheets. Thus visible light can pass through the relatively transparent/translucent regions. (Preferably there is maximum overlap of such regions when the panel is in the open position).

The relatively transparent/translucent regions and relatively opaque regions can be provided by any suitable method.

For example this may be done by taking a sheet that is transparent/translucent and modifying it to provide relatively opaque regions.

The sheets may for example be glass, glazing, an acrylic polymer (e.g. Perspex TM), a laminate or any other transparent or transparent or translucent material (including a wide variety of plastics materials). The sheets may be the same or different. For example the inner sheet may be formed of a different material than the outer sheets and the outer sheets may be the same as one another.

Preferably the outer sheets are formed of glass, which may be laminated and/or toughened for additional security/safety. The inner sheets may also be fonned of glass but may be formed of other materials such as Perspex TM* Modification of a sheet to provide regions of transparent or transparent or translucent material separated by regions of opaque material can be achieved in many different ways, including engraving, coating, staining, dyeing, laser treatment, chemical agents, embossing, etc. If desired, a mask can be used to ensure that desired regions are kept transparent/translucent.

(In a simple example, spaced parallel strips of masking tape may be used during coating a sheet with relatively opaque material. The strips can be removed after coating so as to reveal alternating transparent/translucent and opaque bands.) Preferably, however, modification is achieved by attaching material that is relatively opaque to sheets that that are transparent/translucent. Attachment can be means of adhesive, by heat bonding or by any other appropriate means.

It is also possible (although less preferred) to start from a sheet that is relatively opaque and then to modify it to provide relatively transparent or translucent regions. For example an opaque coating or stain can be removed over desired regions (e.g. by engraving, by laser treatment, by using chemical agents, etc) The transparentltranslucent regions and the opaque regions can be in any desired configuration, provided that in the open position there is a relatively high degree of overlap of transparent/translucent regions with one another and in the closed position the transparent/translucent regions of the outer sheets overlap with relatively opaque regions of the inner sheet so as to prevent or substantially reduce through-vision.

For example, as indicated above, the regions can be in the form of bands, with transparent/translucent bands in different sheets being co-aligned in the open position and with transparent/translucent bands of the outer sheets being co-aligned with relatively opaque bands of the inner sheet in the closed position.

Thus if the bands are horizontal bands, then transparent/translucent bands of the inner and outer sheets can be co-aligned with one another along a horizontal axis in the open position when the panel is in the open position. When the panel is in the closed position, the transparent/translucent bands of the outer sheets can be aligned along a horizontal axis with relatively opaque bands of the inner sheet. Here movement between open and closed positions and vice-versa is along a vertical axis and the actuator is preferably located above or below the inner sheet. Most preferably the actuator is located below the inner sheet.

Alternatively, if the bands are vertical bands, then transparent/translucent bands of the inner and outer sheets can be co-aligned with one another along a vertical axis in the open position. When the panel is in the closed position, transparent/translucent bands of the outer sheets can be aligned along a vertical axis with relatively opaque bands of the inner sheet.

Here movement between open and closed positions and vice-versa is along a horizontal axis and the actuator is preferably located to one side of the inner sheet.

It is even possible (although less preferred) to provide bands that are not horizontal or vertical, but are at an angle. Transparent/translucent bands can be aligned along the angle when the panel is in the open position. When the panel is in the closed position, transparent/translucent bands of the outer sheets can be aligned along the angle with relatively opaque bands of the inner sheet. Here the actuator can be located to one side, or can be located above or can be located below the inner sheet.

It is important to appreciate, however, that it is not essential to utilise bands.

Thus, for example, sheets may be provided with regular patterns. These can include grids of alternating opaque and transparent/translucent shapes (e.g. in the form of a chequerboard arrangements).

Alternatively, irregular arrangements, may be used.

Indeed, as indicated earlier, as long as transparent/translucent regions of the inner sheet can overlap with corresponding transparent/translucent regions of the outer sheets when the panel is in the open position and can overlap with relatively opaque regions of the outer sheets when the panel is within the scope of the present invention.

The relative opaque regions can be substantially the same size as the transparent/translucent regions.

In a preferred arrangement, however, the relatively opaque regions are larger than the transparent/translucent regions. This is advantageous in ensuring that the closed position, which can be important in ensuring privacy, can be easily achieved. This is because such an arrangement allows a margin for error in positioning the inner sheet relative to the outer sheets whilst still achieving the closed position.

Thus for example the sheets may comprise relatively opaque bands that are thicker than the relatively transparent/translucent bands located between the relatively opaque bands. They may for example be at least 5%, at least 10% or at least 255% thicker. This means that there is a corresponding margin for error when margin for error when seeking to ensure that the relatively opaque bands of the inner sheet are positioned to overlap relatively transparent or translucent bands of the outer sheets.

In contrast, if the thickness of the bands were exactly the same then there would be no margin for error in achieving the closed position since opaque regions of the inner sheet would need to be positioned to exactly overlap transparent/translucent regions of the outer sheets. Indeed an error of only a few millimetres could then allow significant through-vision and could thereby remove privacy.

A panel of the present invention is preferably a door or a window panel.

Doors or windows comprising such a panel are therefore within the scope of the present invention.

A building or room comprising such a panel/door/window is also within the scope of the present invention.

The building may for example comprise or consist of one of the following: a) a medical establishment b) a place of detention c) a care establishment d) a place where valuables are located e) a laboratory 1) a military establishment.

g) a home (e.g. where it is desired to monitor an infirm or unwell relative) Particular examples include: a hospital, a nursing home, a care home, a mental health establishment, a prison, a bank, a police station.

It is not however essential that the door or window be in a building or room. For example it may be part of a vehicle. The vehicle may for example be a security vehicle used to transport valuables securely or to transport people securely (e.g. to transport prisoners).

In addition to the above aspects of the invention, the present invention also includes various methods.

It includes a method of monitoring one or more persons or items.

The method may for example be used to monitor the behaviour, mental health, physical health, well being, activity, or presence or absence of one or more individuals.

It may be used to check the condition or presence of items. For example it may be used to check valuable items.

In addition to the step of performing monitoring when the panel is in the open position, the present invention preferably also includes a step of moving the panel to the closed position following said monitoring step.

It will be appreciated from the foregoing discussion that the present invention has a wide variety of different aspects.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 shows a front view of a panel of the present invention in an open position.

Figure 2 shows a section through the pane shown in Figure 1 along the vertical axis of symmetry.

Figure 3 shows a horizontal cross section through the panel shown in Figure 1 taken through the centre of the panel.

Example

Tuning now to Figure 1, a panel 10 of the present invention that is located in a door is shown. In this view a person standing in front of the panel 10 will see a series of alternating relatively opaque 30 and relatively transparent 40 bands.

Here the panel is in the open position. The person easily look through the transparent bands to the other side of the panel 10 via and can view people or objects located on the other side (e.g. in a secure room, in a ward of a hospital, in a room of a nursing home, etc.). Thus through-vision is provided.

Even though images may be partially obscured by the relatively opaque bands 30, this is not a major problem in practice, given that there are many transparent bands 40. (NB: The zig-zag lines 150 indicate that only part of the complete panel is shown). Furthermore, the brain utilises information received via the transparent bands 40 and processes it in a manner that compensates for the opaque bands 30. This enables people and actions to be recognised.

It allows effective monitoring e.g. for security, safety, health, mental health, or care reasons.

As can be seen from Figures 2 and 3, the panel 10 comprises two outer sheets 50, 60 and an inner sheet 70. The outer sheets 50, 60 are laminated for additional strength and security and are fixed in position relative to the frame 20. This is done using tamper-resistant security screws (not shown).

The inner sheet 70 is formed of acrylic (e.g. Perspex TM) and is movably mounted relative to the outer sheets 50, 60. When handle 80 is turned this causes a bolt or latch 120 to be released and to move upwards. This in turn pushes the inner sheet 70 in an upwards direction until the opaque bands 30 of the inner sheet 70 have moved to such an extent that they become positioned between the transparent bands 40 of the outer sheets 50, 60. The result is that the panel 10 now appears totally opaque and a person located on one side of the panel therefore cannot see through to the other side. Here the panel is considered to be in the closed position.

The opaque bands 30 can be seen to be thicker than the transparent bands 40. This allows a closed position in which there is no through-vision to be easily achieved At this position further upwards movement of the inner sheet 70 is constrained by a spring that is located above the upper edge of the inner sheet 70 and that bears against a stopper 140. The spring 130 also serves to reduce the likelihood of damage to the upper edge of the inner sheet 70 by bringing it to a controlled stop as it moves upwards.

Thus at the end of its upward movement the inner sheet is brought to a stop at a position that ensures that the panel 10 is closed.

The closed position provides privacy. For example, a person wishing to sleep, undress or bathe may decide to close the panel by turning the handle.

Of course, at a later stage, it maybe be desired to open the panel 10 (e.g. to allow in more light, to view who is on the other side of the panel 10, etc).

Here the action is simply reversed. Thus the person simply turns the handle 80 in the opposite direction. This causes the bolt or latch 120 to retract into its housing. At the same time the spring 130 then exerts a downwards force on the inner sheet 70. Thus the inner sheet 70 is urged downwards (as the bolt or latch 120 retracts) until it returns to its previous position. At this position the transparent bands 40 of the inner sheet become aligned again with the transparent bands 40 of the outer sheets 50, 60. Thus panel 10 is returned to the open position.

In some cases it may be desired to open or close the panel 10 from the other side. For example a medical professional, a nursing home staff member, or a prison warder may wish to look through the panel occasionally to check upon an individual, without disturbing that individual.

Here it is not necessary to open the door. At the opposite side of the door 110 to that where the handle is located there is a lock 90 (e.g. a mortise lock), which can be operated by a key provided only to authorised personnel.

As can be seen from Figure 2, both the outer lock 90 and the inner handle 80 can be used to turn a conmion shaft 160. Depending on the direction of turning, this causes the bolt or latch to be released or retracted and the inner sheet 70 to move up or down respectively.

Thus either the handle 80 or the lock 90 can be used to open or close the panel 10.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing figures are of course only illustrative and that many different sizes, shapes and br configurations of panels of the present invention can be provided.

Glossary Various terms used herein will now be described below in further detail: "Panel" The term "panel" is used herein to describe an article comprising a plurality of sheets. The panel may be part of a window or door and may allow through-vision, whereby an observer located on one side of the panel can view articles or people on the other side of the panel when the person is located on the other side of the panel "Sheet" This term is used to describe generally planar components that from part of a panel. The sheet can be multilayered. This it can be in the form of a laminate. Alternatively it may be in the form of a single layer. The sheet can be formed of any "Relatively transparent or translucent region" This describes a region of a sheet that allows through-vision when the panel is in the open position. The region may be clear (transparent) or may include some pigment (translucent) but still allow through-vision.

"Relatively opaque region" This describes regions of sheets that prevent or. substantially reduce through-vision when the panel is in the closed position.

"Actuator" This describes a device that is used to move the inner sheet relative to the outer sheets. The actuator preferably includes a handle. More preferably, it also includes a lock.

"Handle" This is used to describe a member that can be gripped and turned by a user to operate the user. It therefore includes terms such as "lever", "knob", etc. "tktonitoring" This term describes looking through a panel of the present invention to check the presence, condition or status of one or more individuals or objects that may be located at the other side of the panel. Monitoring is preferably performed a plurality of times, although the term is used herein to also cover the situation where it is performed only once.

Claims

Claims 1. A panel that can be switched from a first mode allowing through-vision to a second mode in which through-vision is substantially reduced or eliminated; wherein the panel comprises an inner sheet that is movably mounted relative to outer sheets in a manner that allows said modes to be switched; and wherein switching is achieved utilising an actuator that does not comprises a shaft that passes through said outer sheets.
2. A panel according to claim 1; wherein the outer sheets are framed and the actuator is not located within the frame.
3. A panel according to claim I or claim 2; wherein the actuator is located outside of the frame.
4. A panel according to claim 2; wherein the actuator is located a) below the frame; b) above the frame; c) to one side of the frame; d) both above and to one side of the frame; or e) both below and to one side of the frame.
5. A panel according to any preceding claim, wherein the actuator does not include a cam that bears against the inner sheet.
6. A panel according to claim wherein the actuator comprises a member that can be moved from a retracted position to an extended position and vice-versa; whereby movement of said member causes the panel to switch between modes.
7. A panel according to claim 6, wherein said member is a bolt or a catch.
8. A panel according to any preceding claim, wherein the actuator can be used to move the inner sheet relative to the outer sheets along a vertical axis.
9. A panel according to any preceding claim; wherein the inner and outer sheets each comprise regions that are relatively transparentltranslucent and regions that are relatively opaque; wherein when the panel is in the closed position relatively opaque regions of the inner sheet overlap relatively transparent/translucent regions of the outer sheets and wherein when the panel is in the open position transparent/translucent regions of the inner and outer sheets overlap with one another to provide through-vision.
10. A panel according to any preceding claim; wherein the sheets comprise bands that are relatively transparent/translucent separated by bands that are relatively opaque.
11. A panel according to claim 10 wherein the bands that are relatively opaque are thicker than the bands that are relatively transparent/translucent
12. A panel according to claim 10 or claim 11; wherein the bands are horizontal and the actuator can be used to move the inner sheet relative to the outer sheet along a vertical axis.
13. A panel according to claim 10 or claim 11; wherein the bands are vertical and the actuator can be used to move the inner sheet relative to the outer sheets along a horizontal axis.
14. A panel according to any preceding claim comprising a handle that can be operated to cause the panel to switch between modes.
15. A panel according to any preceding claim comprising a lock that can be operated to cause the panel to switch between modes.
16. A panel according to claim 15; wherein the lock is a mortise lock.
17. A panel comprising both a handle according to claim 14 and a lock according to claim or claim 16; wherein the handle is operated from one side of the panel and the lock is operated from the other side.
18. A panel according to any preceding claim that comprises a resiliently deformable member.
19. A panel according to claim 18 that is spring loaded.
20. A panel according to any preceding claim that is a door or window panel.
21. A door or window comprising a panel according to any preceding claim.
22. A building, a room or a vehicle comprising a panel according to any of claims I to 20 or comprising a door or window according to claim 21.
23. A building or room according to any preceding claim that is one or more of the following: a) a medical establishment b) a place of detention c) a care establishment d) a place where valuables are located e) a laboratory f) a military establishment.
24. A building according to claim 23 that is a hospital, a nursing home, a care home, a mental health establishment, a prison, a bank.
25. A method of monitoring one or more persons or articles comprising using a panel according to any of claim 1 to 20 to view said persons or articles or to check on the presence or absence thereof.
26. A method according to claim 25 further comprising the step of moving the panel to the closed position following said monitoring.
27. A method comprising fitting a panel according to any of claims 1 to 20 into a door or into a window space.
28. The invention substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying example andlor drawings.