Structural window in composite sandwich beam

• US 8,020,886 B2
• Filed: 08/05/2005
• Issued: 09/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Richard Albert Kirby
• Original Assignee: Richard Albert Kirby
• Inventors: Kirby, Richard Albert
• Primary Examiner(s): Lillis; Eileen D
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, CHI Q
• Application Number:
  US11/161,505
• Publication Number:
  US 20070028553A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,237 Days
• Field of Search: 522/041, 522/11, 527/170.1, 521/99, 522/00, 495/04, 495/05, 280/601, 280/609, 280/610
• US Class Current: 280/601
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 5/06 with special devices thereon, e.g. steering devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 5/128 A part for the binding being integrated within the board structure, e.g. plate, rail, insert
• CPC Class Codes: B64C 3/20 Integral or sandwich constructions

Abstract

A window for installation in a sandwich composite beam, notably a ski, that consisting of a window body installed in the composite beam and a tab which forms a structural connection between the window body and the composite beam. The window body protects the composite beam core from moisture and maintains the structural integrity of the beam across the opening of the window. The structural window also provides a platform for an imaging system for measuring speed and displacement.

Claims

1. A window positioned in a ski made of a composite sandwich beam comprising:

a. a window body;

b. one or more tabs;

c. said one or more tabs being attached to said window body;

d. an attachment means for structurally fixing said one or more tabs to said composite sandwich beam;

e. said window body containing one or more items from a list consisting of an imaging lens, a collimation lens, an illumination source, a mirror, a prism, an optical sensor, and an optical sensor array;

f. and said window body further comprising an optical bottom window composed of a solid transparent material.

2. The window of claim 1 wherein said one or more tabs include a structural reinforcement.

3. The window of claim 1 wherein said means of attachment is glue.

4. The window of claim 1 wherein said means of attachment is a mechanical interlock.

5. The window of claim 1 wherein said solid transparent material is one or more items from a list consisting of plastic, scratch resistant plastic, CR39, glass, scratch resistant glass, quartz, and sapphire.

6. A window positioned in a ski made of a composite sandwich beam comprising:

a. a window body;

b. an attachment means for structurally fixing said window body to said composite sandwich beam;

c. said window body containing one or more items from a list consisting of an imaging lens, a collimation lens, an illumination source, a mirror, a prism, an optical sensor, and an optical sensor array;

d. and said window body further comprising an optical bottom window composed of a solid transparent material.

7. The window of claim 6 wherein said attachment means comprises one or more tabs.

8. The window of claim 7 wherein said one or more tabs are attached to said window body.

9. The window of claim 6 wherein said solid transparent material is one or more item from a list consisting of plastic, scratch resistant plastic, CP39 glass, scratch resistant glass, quartz, and sapphire glass.

10. The window positioned in a ski made of a composite sandwich beam comprising:

a. a window body;

b. an attachment means for structurally fixing said window body to said composite sandwich beam;

c. said window body further comprising an optical bottom window composed of a solid transparent material;

d. and said window body further comprising an optical top window composed of a solid transparent material.

11. The window of claim 10 wherein said attachment means comprises one or more tabs.

12. The window of claim 11 wherein said one or more tabs are attached to said window body.

13. The window of claim 10 wherein said window body contains one or more items from a list consisting of an imaging lens, a collimation lens, an illumination source, a mirror, a prism, an optical sensor, and an optical array.

14. The window of claim 10 wherein said solid transparent material is made of one or more items from a list consisting of plastic, scratch resistant plastic, CR39, glass, scratch resistant glass, quartz, and sapphire glass.