Double-paned ornamental panel or window with changeable opacity comprising a fillable margin, cartridges to provide colored material into the margin, and a wiper

• US 6,457,286 B1
• Filed: 07/31/2000
• Issued: 10/01/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Israel Mansherov, Tuvya Eliyahu
• Original Assignee: Israel Mansherov, Tuvya Eliyahu
• Inventors: Mansherov, Israel, Eliyahu, Tuvya
• Primary Examiner(s): Friedman, Carl D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SLACK, NAOKO N
• Application Number:
  US09/629,480
• Time in Patent Office: 792 Days
• Field of Search: 521/713, 523/111, 52/38, 405/52, 405/45
• US Class Current: 52/171.3
• CPC Class Codes: B44C 5/04 Ornamental plaques, e.g. decorative panels, decorative veneers
• CPC Class Codes: B44F 1/06 produced by transmitted light, e.g. transparencies, imitations of glass paintings
• CPC Class Codes: B44F 1/08 characterised by colour effects
• CPC Class Codes: B44F 1/10 Changing, amusing, or secret pictures
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/0235 of flat type, e.g. LCD
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/00 Elements for body-finishing, identifying, or decorating; Arrangements or adaptations for advertising purposes
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 13/04 External Ornamental or guard strips; Ornamental inscriptive devices thereon fastening strips or bars to sheets or plates by means of clips F16B5/12
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2011/0026 Windows, e.g. windscreen
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2411 Coloured fluid flow for light transmission control
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/6722 with adjustable passage of light
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/24 Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blindsoperating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures E06B9/56; free-hanging flexible screens A47H23/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/00 Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising G09F9/00, G09F11/00 take precedence; control of displays in general using static means to present variable information G09G
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 30/24 Structural elements or technologies for improving thermal insulation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 80/00 Architectural or constructional elements improving the thermal performance of buildings

Abstract

A user controlled ornamental panel or window, which is useful for a number of applications in which the degree or amount of light passing through the panel is to be controlled. One such application is to control the amount of light, ambient or otherwise, entering through a window. The ability to control the amount of ambient light entering through a vehicle window and/or window of a dwelling is particularly useful. The present invention enables the user to control the amount of ambient light passing through the ornamental panel, such that the lighting of the environment is determined by the user without permanently blocking or altering the ability of the ornamental panel to permit the entry of light. Such flexibility is important for adjusting the amount of light entering through the panel according to the ambient lighting of the external environment, which would differ during daylight hours as opposed to the night, for example.

Claims

1. An ornamental window, comprising:

(a) a first panel;

(b) a second panel situated at a distance from said first panel, thereby forming a readily fillable margin between said first panel and said second panel;

(c) a plurality of agent cartridges for providing material for completely filling said readily fillable margin, each agent cartridge including material of a different color, said material determining an amount of light passed according to an opacity of said material; and

(d) a wiper for removing material of a first color when material of a second color is to fill said readily fillable margin, said wiper comprising a pair of wings for sealing said readily fillable margin and for removing said material of said first color.

2. The ornamental window of claim 1, wherein said window is a billboard.

3. The ornamental window of claim 1, wherein said window is a large display.

4. The ornamental window of claim 4, wherein said first panel is pre-colored with a color.

5. The ornamental window of claim 4, wherein said color of said first panel is selected from the group of tinted, frosted, colored and semi transparent.

6. An ornamental system comprising a matrix of ornamental windows, wherein each window includes:

(a) a first panel;

(b) a second panel situated at a distance from said first panel, thereby forming a readily fillable margin of a predetermined alphanumeric shape between said first panel and said second panel and wherein said margin is readily fillable with a non-inert gas;

(c) a color module including a plurality of cartridges, for controlling color of the content in said margin formed between said first panel and said second panel;

(d) a control module for controlling said color module;

(e) a power source for powering said control module and said color module;

(f) a processing and control unit electronically attached to said control module, including a remote control receiver for receiving remote commands;

(g) a remote control transmitter including;

(i) an activator switch;

(ii) a deactivator switch; and

(iii) a rainbow control for controlling color of content in said margin formed between said first panel and said second panel;

(h) a light sensor electronically connected to said control module, wherein said control module is responsive to light measurements of said light sensor;

(i) a plurality of valves, responsive to commands from said control module, for controlling content of each of said windows.

7. The ornamental window of claim 6, wherein said first panel is pre-colored with a color.

8. The ornamental window of claim 7, wherein said color of said first panel is selected from the group of tinted, frosted, colored and semi transparent.

9. The ornamental window of claim 6, wherein said window is a billboard.

10. The ornamental window of claim 6, wherein said window is a large display.