Methods for retrofitting windows with switchable and non-switchable window enhancements
First Claim
1. A method for retrofitting a window by combining the window with a window enhancement, the method comprising:
- providing a window comprising a relatively transparent viewing pane, said viewing pane having first and second opposed viewing surfaces;
providing at least one mounting means adapted for securing a window enhancement to said window; and
securing a window enhancement to said window with said at least one mounting means such that the enhancement overlies at least a portion of said viewing pane, and wherein a gap is produced between the pane and the enhancement in areas where the enhancement is not in contact with the at least one mounting means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for retrofitting a window by combining the window with a switchable or non-switchable window enhancement. The method includes providing a window comprising at least one relatively transparent viewing pane with first and second opposed viewing surfaces, and optionally a frame portion adapted to support and position the viewing pane(s); providing at least one mounting means adapted for securing the enhancement to the window; and securing a window enhancement to the window with at least one mounting means so that the enhancement overlies at least a portion of the viewing pane, and wherein a gap is produced between the window and the enhancement equal in width to the thickness of the mounting means. The enhancement may be mounted on either the viewing pane itself, or alternately upon the frame portion of the window. If desired, the enhancement may be laminated to a relatively rigid substrate prior to application to the window. The invention is further directed to improved, retrofitted windows produced by the method of the invention.
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Citations
61 Claims
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1. A method for retrofitting a window by combining the window with a window enhancement, the method comprising:
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providing a window comprising a relatively transparent viewing pane, said viewing pane having first and second opposed viewing surfaces;
providing at least one mounting means adapted for securing a window enhancement to said window; and
securing a window enhancement to said window with said at least one mounting means such that the enhancement overlies at least a portion of said viewing pane, and wherein a gap is produced between the pane and the enhancement in areas where the enhancement is not in contact with the at least one mounting means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method for retrofitting a multi-pane window by combining at least one said pane with a window enhancement, said method comprising:
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providing a window comprising a frame portion and a plurality of relatively transparent viewing panes positioned in series within said frame, said frame configured and adapted to support said viewing panes in said series, wherein each said pane is separated from at least one adjacent pane by a space between said separated panes;
providing at least one window enhancement selected from the group of switchable and non-switchable window enhancements for combining with said window; and
securing a window enhancement, by use of mounting means, upon at least a portion of at least one of said viewing panes, on an inner surface thereof separated from an adjacent one of said panes by said space. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A method for retrofitting a window by combining the window with a window enhancement, said method comprising:
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providing a window comprising a frame portion and at least one relatively transparent viewing pane, each said pane viewing having first and second opposed viewing surfaces and said frame portion adapted to secure and support said at least one pane;
laminating a switchable window enhancement to a glass or plastic substrate to increase rigidity of said enhancement;
providing a plurality of mounting means adapted for securing the laminate upon said window; and
securing said laminate to the window with said mounting means such that a gap is produced between the laminate and at least one said viewing pane, said gap having a substantially constant width in an area between the laminate and the viewing pane. - View Dependent Claims (39)
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40. A method for retrofitting a window by combining the window with a window enhancement, the method comprising:
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providing a window comprising a relatively transparent viewing pane, said viewing pane having first and second opposed viewing surfaces;
providing at least one mounting means adapted for securing a window enhancement to said window; and
securing a window enhancement to said window with at least one mounting means such that the enhancement overlies at least a portion of said viewing pane, said window enhancement adapted to selectively control passage therethrough of electromagnetic radiation selected from the group consisting of visible radiation and infra-red radiation, and wherein a gap is produced between the pane and the enhancement in areas where the enhancement is not in contact with the at least one mounting means. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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51. A method for retrofitting a window by combining the window with a window enhancement, the method comprising:
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providing a window comprising a relatively transparent viewing pane, said viewing pane having first and second opposed viewing surfaces;
providing at least one mounting means adapted for securing a window enhancement to said window; and
securing a window enhancement to said window with at least one said mounting means such that the enhancement overlies at least a portion of said viewing pane, wherein a gap is produced between the pane and the enhancement in areas where the enhancement is not in contact with the at least one mounting means, wherein each said mounting means comprises a magnetic material, and wherein said means is located on corresponding surfaces of both the window and the window enhancement such that the window enhancement is at least partially secured to said window by a magnetic attraction between corresponding mounting means. - View Dependent Claims (52, 53, 54, 55, 56)
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57. A method for retrofitting a window by combining the window with a window enhancement, the method comprising:
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providing a window comprising a relatively transparent viewing pane, said viewing pane having first and second opposed viewing surfaces;
providing at least one mounting means adapted for securing a window enhancement to said window; and
securing a window enhancement to said window with at least one said mounting means such that the enhancement overlies at least a portion of said viewing pane, wherein a gap is produced between the pane and the enhancement in areas where the enhancement is not in contact with the at least one mounting means, wherein each said mounting means comprises a hook and loop structure and wherein said mounting means is located on corresponding surfaces of both the window and the window enhancement such that the window enhancement is at least partially secured to said window due to engagement between said hooks and said loops located on corresponding mounting means. - View Dependent Claims (58, 59, 60, 61)
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Specification