Multi-task window

• US 7,109,959 B2
• Filed: 02/06/2002
• Issued: 09/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Andersen Corporation
• Original Assignee: Andersen Corporation
• Inventors: Pena A., Oscar E., Williams, Rodney Kieth, Libby, James Brian, Tan, Alex W. K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Jimmy H.
• Application Number:
  US10/068,686
• Publication Number:
  US 20030146889A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,686 Days
• Field of Search: 345/87, 345/905, 348/794, 407/89, 494/13
• US Class Current: 345/87
• 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: G02F 1/133 Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements arrangements or circuits for control of liquid crystal elements in a matrix, not structurally associated with these elements G09G3/36
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/64 Constructional details of receivers, e.g. cabinets or dust covers furniture aspects of television cabinets A47B81/06

Abstract

A window unit that includes a window frame defining a frame perimeter and a window located within the frame perimeter. The window includes a display module adapted to receive a display signal from a display signal source.

Claims

1. A window unit comprising:

a window frame disposed in the wall of a structure;

a multi-task window slidably mounted in the window frame;

the multi-task window comprises a display module for receiving a display signal and a window pane that permits viewing through the wall of the structure;

wherein;

the multi-task window is capable of being moved along a horizontal window unit axis until at least a portion of the multi-task window and at least a portion of said display module extend beyond the frame perimeter.

2. The window unit of claim 1 wherein the display module is a liquid crystal display.

3. The window unit of claim 1 wherein the multi-task window includes a tab that remains within the frame perimeter when at least a portion of the window extends beyond the frame perimeter.

4. The window unit of claim 1 wherein the display module is capable of receiving at least one of a digital display signal and an analog display signal.

5. The window unit of claim 1, wherein the display module and the window pane are housed in separate sashes.

6. The window unit of claim 1, wherein the multi-task window is disposed in the frame in front of a base window that allows viewing through the wall of the structure.

7. The window unit of claim 6, wherein the base window is capable of forming an opening in the wall.

8. The window unit of claim 1, wherein the multi-task window is movable along the window frame.

9. The window unit of claim 8, wherein a portion of the multi-task window is receivable into the wall adjacent the frame.

10. The window unit of claim 8, wherein the multi-task window is slidable into the wall adjacent the frame to allow viewing through the additional window that is unobstructed by the multi-task window.

11. The window unit of claim 10, wherein a tab is disposed on the multi-task window and protrudes into the frame when most, but not all, of the multi-task window is received into the adjacent wall.

12. The window unit of claim 11, wherein the tab provides a grasping means to move the multi-task window into, or out of, the adjacent wall.

13. The window unit of claim 1, wherein the display signal is a digital or analog signal received from a remote source.

14. The window unit of claim 1, further comprising a speaker element located on, or within, the frame.

15. A window unit comprising:

a window frame disposed in a wall of a structure;

a first window housed in a first sash and a second window housed in a second sash, the first window being movable within the window frame, and the second window being movable within the window frame and being receivable into the wall adjacent the window frame;

wherein the second window includes a display capable of displaying an image from a display source, said display received into said wall when the second window is received into said wall.

16. The window unit of claim 15, wherein most, but not all, of the second sash is receivable into the wall adjacent the window frame.