Adjustable window tinting system

• US 5,390,045 A
• Filed: 07/09/1993
• Issued: 02/14/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Leroy A. Bernard Jr
• Original Assignee: Leroy A. Bernard Jr
• Inventors: Bernard, Leroy A. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): LaRoche, Eugene R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Viet Q.
• Application Number:
  US08/087,577
• Time in Patent Office: 585 Days
• Field of Search: 359/272, 359/275, 359/267, 359/361, 359/601, 359/600, 359/609, 359/260, 359/265
• US Class Current: 359/275
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 3/04 adjustable in transparency

Abstract

A selectively variable window tinting system for limiting a passage of both visible light and radiative heat through an automobile window. Embodiments of the system include window glass assemblies which utilize photochromatic glass, electrochromatic glass, and a pair of spaced glass panes fillable with a tinted fluid. The latter embodiment also utilizes a plurality of differently tinted fluids which may be selectively injected between the glass panes to provide various amounts of tinting therein.

Claims

1. An adjustable window tinting system comprising:

a tinted fluid;

a pair of glass panes positioned in a spaced, parallel relationship so as to define a space therebetween;

sealing means coupled to both of said glass panes for permitting said fluid to reside within said space between said glass panes, said sealing means including a vent positioned along an uppermost portion thereof for permitting air to enter and exit said space;

a flexible sealing member mounted to said sealing means proximal to said vent, said flexible sealing member being positionable over said vent to close said vent;

a float member attached to said flexible sealing member, said float being buoyant relative to said fluid so as to position said flexible sealing member over said vent when said space is filled with said fluid;

a container for receiving said fluid, said container being in fluid communication with said space;

and,

a pumping means for selectively transferring said fluid from said container to said space.

2. An adjustable window tinting system comprising:

a first tinted fluid;

a second tinted fluid;

a pair of glass panes positioned in a spaced, parallel relationship so as to define a space therebetween;

sealing means coupled to both of said glass panes for permitting one of said fluids to reside within said space between said glass panes, said sealing means including a vent positioned along an uppermost portion thereof for permitting air to enter and exit said space;

a flexible sealing member mounted to said sealing means proximal to said vent, said flexible sealing member being positionable over said vent to close said vent;

a float member attached to sail flexible sealing member, said float being buoyant relative to said fluids so as to position said flexible sealing member over said vent when said space is filled with one of said fluids;

a first container for receiving said first fluid;

a second container for receiving said second fluid;

valve means in fluid communication with said space and both said first and second containers for selectively permitting fluid communication between an individual one of said first and second containers and said space;

and,

a pumping means for selectively transferring said fluid from one of said first and second containers to said space.

3. An adjustable window tinting system comprising:

a first tinted fluid;

a second tinted fluid;

a pair of glass panes positioned in a spaced, parallel relationship so as to define a space therebetween;

sealing means coupled to both of said glass panes for permitting one of said fluids to reside within said space between said glass panes, said sealing means including a vent positioned along an uppermost portion thereof for permitting air to enter and exit said space;

a flexible sealing member mounted to said sealing means proximal to said vent, said flexible sealing member being positionable over said vent to close said vent;

a float member attached to said flexible sealing member, said float being buoyant relative to sand fluids so as to position said flexible sealing member over said vent when said space is filled with one of said fluids;

a first container for receiving said first fluid;

a second container for receiving said second fluid;

a first electric valve in fluid communication with said first container and said space for selectively permitting fluid communication between said first container and said space;

a second electric valve in fluid communication with said second container and said space for selectively permitting fluid communication between said second container and said space;

a selector in electrical communication with said first and second electric valves for selectively actuating an individual one of said valves;

and,

a pumping means in fluid communication with said valves for selectively transferring said fluid between said space and an individual one of said first and second containers.

4. The adjustable window tinting system of claim 3, wherein said first fluid is of a first color, and said second fluid is of a second color, wherein said first and second colors are contrasting colors.

5. The adjustable window tinting system of claim 3, wherein said first fluid is of a first darkness, and said second fluid is of a second darkness, wherein said first fluid permits a greater amount of light to pass therethrough than said second fluid.