System and method for improving impact safety
First Claim
1. A monitor cover for attachment to a housing in which a monitor having a display is disposed, the monitor cover comprising:
- a translucent panel attachable to the housing at two or more points in which the display is visible through the panel;
a frangible region provided in said panel, in which said panel includes an exterior panel surface facing away from the display when the panel is attached to the housing; and
a film disposed over the exterior panel surface,wherein said frangible region is defined by a notch formed in said panel.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for improving the impact safety and methods for manufacturing and using same. The system includes a panel that comprises a panel surface having a frangible region. The panel can be formed from a translucent material, such as glass. The frangible region is indistinguishable from the remainder of the panel during normal conditions but enables the panel to break in a safe, predictable manner when a predetermined amount of force is applied to the frangible region. Thereby, the panel does not shatter or form sharp shards. Instead, the frangible region breaks away from the panel as an intact unit without internal fracturing. Risk of personal injury thereby can be minimized. The lack of sharp shards likewise facilitates clean up and replacement of the broken panel. The panel advantageously can be applied in video monitors and emergency equipment such as fire extinguisher cabinets disposed aboard passenger vehicles and in stationary environments such as the home or office.
29 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A monitor cover for attachment to a housing in which a monitor having a display is disposed, the monitor cover comprising:
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a translucent panel attachable to the housing at two or more points in which the display is visible through the panel; a frangible region provided in said panel, in which said panel includes an exterior panel surface facing away from the display when the panel is attached to the housing; and a film disposed over the exterior panel surface, wherein said frangible region is defined by a notch formed in said panel. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 19, 20)
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7. A method for fabricating a monitor cover for attachment to a housing in which a monitor having a display is disposed, the method comprising:
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forming a translucent panel attachable to the housing at two or more points in which the display is visible through the panel; forming a frangible region in the panel in which the panel includes an exterior panel surface facing away from the display when the panel is attached to the housing, the frangible region being defined by a notch formed in the panel; and disposing a film over the exterior panel surface. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A frangible panel assembly for covering a video display, the frangible panel assembly comprising:
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a housing; a translucent panel attached to the housing at two or more locations and including an exterior panel surface facing away from the display when said panel is attached to said housing, the display being visible through the panel; a film disposed over the exterior panel surface; a frangible region provided in said panel and being defined by a notch formed in said panel; and a touch sensor disposed on the panel. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification