Anti-glare device

• US 5,930,047 A
• Filed: 06/20/1997
• Issued: 07/27/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Xelux Holding AG
• Original Assignee: Xelux Holding AG
• Inventors: Gunz-Castelberg, Donata, Castelberg, Manfred, Gunz, Stefan
• Primary Examiner(s): Spyrou, Cassandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): SIKDER, MOHAMMAD YUNUS
• Application Number:
  US08/879,635
• Time in Patent Office: 767 Days
• Field of Search: 359/601, 359/608, 359/610, 359/613, 359/66, 359/68, 359/602, 359/603, 359/604, 359/507, 359/513, 359/265, 359/272, 359/275, 359/276, 359/277
• US Class Current: 359/601
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/20 Filters polarising elements G02B5/30

Abstract

An active anti-glare filter system in the form of a monoblock or solid unit which can be easily inserted into areas of protective helmets and goggles as a replacement or alternate filter includes an active and a passive optical filter elements, electronics which control the active optical filter element and a current supply, preferably in the form of a solar cell, which powers the electronics. Transparent cover plates surround the foregoing elements and are joined together and protected by a jointing mass.

Claims

1. Anti-glare device for protective masks which utilize a glare protection filter comprising:

at least one active and one passive optical filter element;

electronics for controlling the at least one active optical filter elements;

a current supply means for the electronics;

at least one transparent cover plate; and

a sealing means for sealing and protecting against adverse environmental conditions at least the optical filter elements, the electronics and the current supply to said cover plate, said sealing means comprising

a jointing mass and

means for provoking an optical effect; and

wherein the entire anti-glare device is formed as a monoblock with constant thickness with a thickness in the range of 3 mm to 5 mm.

2. Anti-glare device according to claim 1, characterized in that said means for provoking an optical effect comprises additives which are contained in said jointing mass.

3. Anti-glare device according to claim 1, and further comprising an additional cover plate such that there is an upper and a lower cover plate;

and

wherein said filter elements, current supply means and said electronics are arranged between said cover plates and are adhesively attached to each other.

4. Anti-glare device according to claim 1, and further comprising a second cover elate;

and;

characterized in that at least one of the cover plates comprises at least one coating on its interior surface.

5. Anti-glare device according to claim 4, characterized in that said coating is a coating operating as an optical filter.

6. Anti-glare device according to claim 1, characterized in that said cover plate includes a coating on the exterior side of the cover plate operating as a heat reflector and as an anti-reflective scratch protection.

7. Anti-glare device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronics are applied directly to the cover plate.

8. Anti-glare device according to claim 1, characterized in that the current supply means, the electronics and the active optical filter elements are connected to each other by means of an electrically conductive adhesive material.

9. Anti-glare device according to claim 1, characterized in that the transparent cover plate comprises a glass plate.

10. Anti-glare device according to claim 9, characterized in that the cover plate forms part of said active optical filter element.

11. Anti-glare device according to claim 1, characterized in that said current supply means is a solar cell which is a transparent component of the anti-glare device. Cancel claim 12 without prejudice or disclaimer.

12. Anti-glare device according to one of claim 1, characterized in that the anti-glare device (1) comprises an assembly aid (16).

13. Anti-glare device according to one of claim 1, characterized in that the anti-glare device (1) is embedded in an injection-molded frame (15).

14. Anti-glare device according to claim 13, characterized in that the cover plates (8) and the frame (15) form a mutual and in particular a single casing.

15. Anti-glare device according to claim 1, characterized in that the electronics comprise sensor elements, by means of which a contact-free programming or adjustment can be carried out prior to or during operation through the cover plate.

16. Anti-glare device according to claim 1, characterized in that said means for provoking an optical effect comprises a coating on the interior surface of said cover plate.

17. An anti-glare device for use with devices requiring a glare protection filter, said anti-glare device comprising:

a monoblock formed in a shape suitable for use in equipment requiring glare protection such that the entire anti-glare device is within said monoblock, said monoblock having a constant thickness with a thickness in the range of 3 mm to 5 mm and including

an active optical filter element;

a passive optical filter element;

electronic means for controlling said active optical filter element, said electronic means being coupled to said active optical filter element;

a current supply means coupled to said active optical filter and said electronic means for supplying electrical power to said active optical filter and said electronic means;

a pair of transparent cover plates between which are located said active optical filter element, said passive filter element, said electronic means and said current supply means; and

adhesive joining means for forming said monoblock and for adhesively retaining and forming a protective barrier about at least said active optical filter element, said electronic means and said current supply means.

18. Anti-glare device for protective masks wherein the entire anti-glare device is formed as a monoblock laminate that is a glare protection filter having an optical glare protection area and a component area located adjacent to but outside of said glare protection area, said monoblock laminate having a constant thickness with a thickness in the range of 3 mm to 5 mm and being comprised of:

a top transparent cover;

a bottom transparent cover, said covers covering both said areas;

a passive optical filter element located in said glare protection area;

an active optical filter element located in said glare protection area;

electronics which control said active optical filter element and are mounted on said bottom cover located between said covers in said component area;

a current supply means for providing electric current to said electronics and located between said covers; and

a transparent jointing mass which retains and forms a protective barrier about at least said active optical filter element, said passive optical filter element, said electronics and said current supply means.