Double-pane module with an image producing device for use in a structure and a method for producing such module

• US 9,874,747 B2
• Filed: 09/11/2015
• Issued: 01/23/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oran Palmach Zova Agricultural Collective Corporation Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Oran Palmach Zova Agricultural Collective Corporation Ltd.
• Inventors: Bar, Zvika, Kiryuschev, Irina
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Chi Q
• Application Number:
  US14/852,203
• Publication Number:
  US 20160004080A1
• Time in Patent Office: 865 Days
• Field of Search: 521713, 521731, 527861-78613, 5278611-78613, 428 34, 40552
• 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 2009/2464 featuring transparency control by applying voltage, e.g. LCD, electrochromic panels
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/645 of units comprising two or more parallel panes to frames designed for single panes only, e.g. having too shallow a rabbet
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/66 Units comprising two or more parallel glass or like panes permanently secured together reforming and uniting glass sheets by fusing C03B23/00; joining glass to glass or to other materials C03C27/00; laminated glass B32B17/10
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 7/28 Other arrangements on doors or windows, e.g. door-plates, windows adapted to carry plants, hooks for window cleaners edge protecting devices for door leaves E06B3/88; special glazing; emergency glazing; double glazing E06B3/66
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 27/0149 characterised by mechanical features G02B27/0176 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0412 Digitisers structurally integrated in a display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/045 using resistive elements, e.g. a single continuous surface or two parallel surfaces put in contact
• 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: G09F 2023/0025 on containers
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 23/06 the advertising matter being combined with articles for restaurants, shops or offices on paper articles G09F23/10
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 23/065 Advertising in food vending machines
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/35 being liquid crystals G09F9/302 takes precedence; liquid crystal materials C09K19/00; liquid crystal panels comprising a number of electrodes in a single cell per se G02F1/13
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/18 using liquid crystals
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 80/00 Architectural or constructional elements improving the thermal performance of buildings

Abstract

A module including two transparent panes; a sealing and spacing arrangement sealingly fixing the panes to each other along their periphery at spaced apart relationship, thereby forming between the inner surfaces of the panes a transparent sealed cavity with a sealing frame surrounding it; and an image producing device fixedly mounted within the cavity so as to allow viewing images produced thereby. The module for mounting in the structure so as to fulfill the function of a transparent member such as a window, a door or a wall, separating between the space in said interior of the structure accommodating said person and a region behind the member, and to allow viewing at least through a portion of the cavity. The module can include optional features, and methods are provided for producing a structure therewith and for upgrading existing structures by using the module instead of an original transparent component.

Claims

1. A module for mounting in a structure having an interior and configured for accommodating within said interior at least one person, the module comprising:

(a) two transparent panes, each one of the panes having an inner surface facing towards the other one of the two transparent panes and an outer surface facing away from the other one of the two transparent panes;

(b) a sealing and spacing arrangement sealingly fixing the two transparent panes to each other along respective peripheries thereof at a spaced apart relationship, thereby forming between the inner surfaces of the two transparent panes a transparent cavity having a sealing frame surrounding and sealing the cavity;

(c) an image producing device fixedly mounted within said cavity so as to allow viewing images produced thereby, from a viewing direction facing the outer surface of a first of said two transparent panes, while being spaced from the inner surface of a second of said two transparent panes;

(d) at least one concealing component configured for preventing at least one of the following;

said image producing device from being viewed from a direction other than said viewing direction, or

at least one proximate operational component associated with said image producing device and located within said cavity from being viewed from a direction facing the outer surface of at least one of the two transparent panes,

at least a portion of an area of the cavity being free of said image producing device, said operational component and said concealing component for viewing through at least said portion of the area of the cavity;

the module being configured for being mounted in said structure so as;

to constitute a transparent member separating between the space in said interior of the structure accommodating said at least one person and a region behind said member, and

to allow viewing at least through said portion of the cavity.

2. The module according to claim 1, wherein said structure, in which the module is configured for mounting is a vehicle or vessel whose transparent members must meet pre-determined requirements dictated by the movement to be performed by said vehicle or vessel, and wherein the module meets such pre-determined requirements.

3. The module according to claim 1, wherein the module is configured to allow viewing in two opposite directions.

4. The module according to claim 1, wherein said operational component is concealed by two concealing components from being viewed in two directions, each facing the outer surface of one of the panels.

5. The module according to claim 1, wherein said concealing component occupies an area corresponding to that of the image producing device or of the operational component to be concealed, or the concealing component is constituted by a frame around the image producing device, when seen through the corresponding pane.

6. The module according to claim 1, further comprising at least one cable connected to at least one of said image producing device or to said proximate operational component, and extending therefrom via said sealed frame to an exterior of the module, the at least one cable being configured to provide at least one of the image producing device or the proximate operational component with a connection to at least one distal operational component disposed at a location remote from said module and required for the operation of the image producing device.

7. The module according to claim 6, wherein said distal component is constituted by one or more components, other than said at least one proximate operational component, required for the operation of the image producing device.

8. The module according to claim 7, configured to constitute a window in said structure when mounted within an opening in a non-transparent wall thereof, said wall including at least a passage located so as to allow the at least one cable to extend from the module to the passage, the passage being suitable for receiving said at least one cable and allowing extension of the cable to the distal operational component disposed at a location remote from said window.

9. The module according to claim 8, constituting a part of a structure in which said wall has an external surface, internal surface, and a space therebetween including said passage.

10. The module according to claim 9, wherein said location at which the distal operational component is disposed is within said space.

11. The module according to claim 9, further comprising a roof and a ceiling and said location at which the distal operational component is disposed, is therebetween.

12. The module according to claim 1, incorporated within a vehicle or a vessel including a plurality of compartments, each of the compartments comprising a plurality of openings in at least one wall of the compartment, wherein more than one opening has the module mounted herein.

13. A structure having an interior and configured for accommodating within said interior at least one person, the structure comprising:

a wall having an opening and at least a passage extending within said wall from said opening in a direction away therefrom;

a module including two transparent panes and a sealing and spacing arrangement sealingly fixing the panes to each other along respective peripheries thereof at a spaced apart relationship, thereby forming therebetween a transparent cavity with a sealing frame surrounding and sealing the cavity, and an image producing device fixedly mounted within said cavity so as to allow viewing images produced thereby, from the interior of the cavity, and so as to leave free for viewing through at least a portion of an area of the cavity;

at least one distal operational component required for operation of the image producing device and disposed remote from said opening; and

at least one cable extending from said image producing device within said cavity via said sealed frame along said passage, and connecting the image producing device with said at least one distal component.

14. The structure according to claim 13, wherein said wall has a hollow space occupying a majority of an area of the wall and including said passage.

15. The structure according to claim 14, wherein said distal component is disposed adjacent to said hollow space and remote from said opening.

16. The structure according to claim 14, wherein the module is configured to be used instead of a standard window with which said structure used to be produced intended for allowing viewing therethrough in two opposite directions;

said module has shape and dimensions of said standard window; and

said portion of the cavity allowing said viewing in the opposite directions.

17. The structure according to claim 14, wherein said structure constitutes at least one compartment of a vehicle or vessel.

18. The structure according to claim 17, wherein said module is configured to meet requirements of at least one standard regulating characteristics of transparent or glass components in a vehicle or vessel, and relating to the following:

Railway application;

Railway rolling stock;

Safety glass;

Safety glazing materials;

Electrical insulation;

Military applications;

Safety-related systems; and

Displays and control actuators.

19. The structure according to claim 13, wherein said structure includes an electric power source electrically connected with said image producing device via said at least one cable.

20. A module for mounting in a structure having an interior and configured for accommodating within said interior at least one person, the module comprising:

two transparent panes, each one of the panes having an inner surface facing towards the other one of the two transparent panes and outer surface facing away from the other one of the two transparent panes;

a sealing and spacing arrangement sealingly fixing the two transparent panes to each other along respective peripheries thereof at a spaced apart relationship, thereby forming between the inner surfaces of the two transparent panes a transparent sealed cavity with a sealing frame surrounding the cavity;

an image producing device fixedly mounted within said cavity so as to allow viewing images produced thereby, from a viewing direction facing the outer surface of a first of said two transparent panes, while being spaced from the inner surface of a second of said two transparent panes, and so as to leave a portion of said cavity for viewing therethrough;

the module being configured for being mounted in said structure so as;

to constitute a transparent member separating between the space in said interior of the structure accommodating said at least one person and a region behind said transparent member, and

to allow viewing at least through said portion of the cavity;

said structure being a vehicle or vessel whose transparent members must meet pre-determined requirements dictated by the movement to be performed by said vehicle or vessel, and the module meets such requirements.