Window tinting apparatus

• US 5,940,216 A
• Filed: 08/09/1996
• Issued: 08/17/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kirk Gibbs
• Original Assignee: Kirk Gibbs
• Inventors: Gibbs, Kirk
• Primary Examiner(s): Spyrou, Cassandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): SIKDER, MOHAMMAD YUNUS
• Application Number:
  US08/695,030
• Time in Patent Office: 1,103 Days
• Field of Search: 359/601, 359/610, 359/612, 359/230, 359/231, 359/886, 359/489, 359/493, 160/34, 160/107, 160/168.1 R, 160/115, 160/104
• US Class Current: 359/601
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 26/02 for controlling the intensity of light G02B26/004 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/281 used for attenuating light intensity, e.g. comprising rotatable polarising elements

Abstract

The present invention relates to a window tinting apparatus (10) which comprises an outer window (16A) and an inner window (16B) having a window cavity (16C) there between. The window tinting apparatus (10) further comprises a first primary polarized panel (12A) securely affixed to the window (16A, 16B). The first primary polarized panel (12A) comprises a plurality of first primary polarized panel longitudinal polarization lines (12AA) therein. The window tinting apparatus (10) further comprises a secondary polarized panel (14) slidably mounted within the window cavity (16C). The secondary polarized panel (14) comprises a plurality of secondary polarized panel longitudinal polarization lines (14B). The secondary polarized panel (14) further comprises a secondary polarized panel ledge (14A) attached at a distal edge. The secondary polarized panel longitudinal polarization lines (14B) and the first primary polarized panel longitudinal polarization lines (12AA) are parallel to one another. The window tinting apparatus (10) further comprises a motor (18) which comprises a motor cam (18A) positioned adjacent to and contacting with the secondary polarized panel ledge (14A). When the at least one motor control panel ON/OFF switch (18CA) is primarily activated by a user, the motor (18) turns the motor cam (18A) to a pre-determined position where the secondary polarized panel longitudinal polarization lines (14B) and the first primary polarized panel longitudinal polarization lines (12AA) are parallel and overlaying or striping each other functioning as window tinting.

Claims

1. A window tinting apparatus comprising an integral window assembly comprising;

a) first and second spaced-apart transparent window panels joined together along one common edge, and a limited narrow space therebetween, accessible between complementary second edges of said window panels;

b) at least a first polarized panel affixed to said apparatus within said narrow space, where said first polarized panel includes a set of spaced-apart, longitudinally disposed polarization lines;

c) a second polarized panel slidably mounted within said narrow space, where said second polarized panel includes a set of spaced-apart, longitudinally disposed polarization lines which are parallel to said set of polarization lines of said first polarized panel;

d) a ledge mounted to said second polarized panel and exposed at said second edges; and

e) a motor in close proximity to said ledge and operable to raise and lower said second polarized panel, where a first operable position is to longitudinally align the respective sets of polarization lines of said first and second polarized panels for minimal window tinting, and a second operable position to align the polarization lines of one said set with the space between the polarization lines of said other set for maximum window tinting.

2. The window tinting apparatus according to claim 1, including a second fixed polarized panel within said narrow space, said second fixed polarized panel having a set of spaced-apart, longitudinally disposed polarization lines vertically displaced from the polarization lines of said first set.

3. The window tinting apparatus according to claim 1, including a motor and cam operable to raise and lower said ledge.

4. The window tinting apparatus according to claim 3, including a control panel to activate said motor, and a dimmer to set the desired window tinting.

5. The window tinting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said fixed polarized panels are plastic film secured to the respective inner walls of said window panels.