U.S. patent application number 11/602249 was filed with the patent office on 2007-12-06 for adjustable light-receiving window assembly.
Invention is credited to Keng Kuei Su.
Application Number | 20070277937 11/602249 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38788749 |
Filed Date | 2007-12-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070277937 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Su; Keng Kuei |
December 6, 2007 |
Adjustable light-receiving window assembly
Abstract
An adjustable light-receiving window assembly includes a window
and a window covering device. The window includes a window frame
and at least two light-transmittable panes mounted on the window
frame to define a compartment with an opening in communication with
outside. The window covering device includes a light-shielding
member extending into the compartment via the opening. The window
covering device further includes an operative member operable to
move the light-shielding member between an extended state and a
folded state for selectively blocking light transmitted through the
light-transmittable panes. In another example, the operative member
is replaced with a controllable motor.
Inventors: |
Su; Keng Kuei; (Kaohsiung
City, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROSENBERG, KLEIN & LEE
3458 ELLICOTT CENTER DRIVE-SUITE 101
ELLICOTT CITY
MD
21043
US
|
Family ID: |
38788749 |
Appl. No.: |
11/602249 |
Filed: |
November 21, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
160/98 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E06B 9/264 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
160/98 |
International
Class: |
A47H 1/00 20060101
A47H001/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 1, 2006 |
TW |
095119393 |
Claims
1. An adjustable light-receiving window assembly comprising: a
window including a window frame and at least two
light-transmittable panes mounted on the window frame to define a
compartment with an opening in communication with outside; and a
window covering device mounted adjacent to the compartment and
including a light-shielding member extending into the compartment
via the opening, the window covering device further including an
operative member mounted above the opening, the operative member
being operable to move the light-shielding member between an
extended state and a folded state for selectively blocking light
transmitted through said at least two light-transmittable
panes.
2. The adjustable light-receiving window assembly as claimed in
claim 1 wherein the window covering device further includes a shaft
to which an end of the light-shielding member is fixed, the shaft
being mounted above the opening of the window and drivable by the
operative member to move the light-shielding member between the
extended state and the folded state.
3. The adjustable light-receiving window assembly as claimed in
claim 2 wherein the window frame is substantially U-shaped and
includes at least two parallel U-shaped positioning grooves in an
inner side thereof, said at least two light-transmittable panes
being respectively fixed in said at least two positioning grooves
to define said compartment.
4. The adjustable light-receiving window assembly as claimed in
claim 2 wherein the window frame includes an elongated base and two
upright beams respectively extending upward in parallel from two
ends of the elongated base, each said upright beam including at
least two spaced, parallel positioning grooves, said at least two
positioning grooves on one of the upright beams being aligned with
said at least two positioning grooves on the other upright beam,
said at least two light-transmittable panes being respectively
fixed in said at least two positioning grooves of the upright beams
to define said compartment.
5. The adjustable light-receiving window assembly as claimed in
claim 2 wherein the window covering device further includes a
housing mounted above the opening, the shaft being mounted in the
housing and having an end outside the housing and coupled with the
operative member.
6. The adjustable light-receiving window assembly as claimed in
claim 1 wherein said at least two light-transmittable panes are
made of light-transmittable glass material.
7. The adjustable light-receiving window assembly as claimed in
claim 1 wherein said at least two light-transmittable panes are
made of light-transmittable plastic material.
8. An adjustable light-receiving window assembly comprising: a
window including a window frame and at least two
light-transmittable panes mounted on the window frame to define a
compartment with an opening in communication with outside; and a
window covering device mounted adjacent to the compartment and
including a light-shielding member extending into the compartment
via the opening, the window covering device further including a
controllable motor for moving the light-shielding member between an
extended state and a folded state for selectively shielding light
transmitted through said at least two light-transmittable
panes.
9. The adjustable light-receiving window assembly as claimed in
claim 8 wherein the window covering device further includes a shaft
to which an end of the light-shielding member is fixed, the shaft
being mounted above the opening of the window and drivable by the
motor to move the light-shielding member between the extended state
and the folded state.
10. The adjustable light-receiving window assembly as claimed in
claim 9 wherein the window covering device further includes a
housing mounted above the opening, the motor and the shaft being
mounted in the housing.
11. The adjustable light-receiving window assembly as claimed in
claim 8 wherein the window covering device further includes a track
aligned with the opening, a plurality of slides being slidably
mounted on the track, at least one of the slides being drivable by
the motor to slide along the track for selectively moving the
light-shielding member between the extended state and the folded
state.
12. The adjustable light-receiving window assembly as claimed in
claim 9 wherein the window covering device further includes a
housing mounted above the opening, the motor and the track being
mounted in the housing.
13. The adjustable light-receiving window assembly as claimed in
claim 8 wherein the window frame is substantially U-shaped and
includes at least two parallel U-shaped positioning grooves in an
inner side thereof, said at least two light-transmittable panes
being respectively fixed in said at least two positioning grooves
to define said compartment.
14. The adjustable light-receiving window assembly as claimed in
claim 8 wherein the window frame includes an elongated base and two
upright beams respectively extending upward in parallel from two
ends of the elongated base, each said upright beam including at
least two spaced, parallel positioning grooves, said at least two
positioning grooves on one of the upright beams being aligned with
said at least two positioning grooves on the other upright beam,
said at least two light-transmittable panes being respectively
fixed in said at least two positioning grooves of the upright beams
to define said compartment.
15. The adjustable light-receiving window assembly as claimed in
claim 8 wherein said at least two light-transmittable panes are
made of light-transmittable glass material.
16. The adjustable light-receiving window assembly as claimed in
claim 8 wherein said at least two light-transmittable panes are
made of light-transmittable plastic material.
17. The adjustable light-receiving window assembly as claimed in
claim 8 further including a light sensor for detecting intensity of
light outside the window and for outputting a signal regarding the
intensity to the motor, thereby controlling the motor to move the
light-shielding member between the extended state and the folded
state.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a window assembly and, more
particularly, to an adjustable light-receiving window assembly.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Spaces for windows are usually preserved when designing
buildings. With reference to FIG. 1, a conventional light-receiving
window 1 is mounted in a preserved space (not labeled) in a
building and includes an outer frame 1 and two windowpanes 12, with
the frames of the windowpanes 12 mounted in the outer frame 11.
[0005] A window covering device such as a blind, shade, curtain,
drapery, or the like is provided to the window for keeping noise
and dust outside and for blocking light. There are various types of
window covering devices operated by different methods. The window
covering device 2 shown in FIG. 1 includes a cord 21 that can be
operated to move the slats 22 toward two sides or a center of the
window for providing a better view or covering the window 1.
However, the slats 22 get dirty easily and, thus, require frequent
cleaning. Furthermore, the cord 21 is liable to break due to
deterioration or improper force application. Furthermore, the cord
21 may cause injury to children playing nearby.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] An objective of the present invention is to provide an
adjustable light-receiving window assembly including a window
having a compartment that can be covered to control the
light-receiving effect.
[0007] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention,
an adjustable light-receiving window assembly comprises a window
and a window covering device. The window includes a window frame
and at least two light-transmittable panes mounted on the window
frame to define a compartment with an opening in communication with
outside. The window covering device is mounted adjacent to the
compartment and includes a light-shielding member extending into
the compartment via the opening. The window covering device further
includes an operative member mounted above the opening. The
operative member is operable to move the light-shielding member
between an extended state and a folded state for selectively
blocking light transmitted through the at least two
light-transmittable panes.
[0008] In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention,
an adjustable light-receiving window assembly comprises a window
and a window covering device. The window includes a window frame
and at least two light-transmittable panes mounted on the window
frame to define a compartment with an opening in communication with
outside. The window covering device is mounted adjacent to the
compartment and includes a light-shielding member extending into
the compartment via the opening. The window covering device further
includes a controllable motor for moving the light-shielding member
between an extended state and a folded state for selectively
shielding light transmitted through the at least two
light-transmittable panes.
[0009] Other objectives, advantages, and features of the invention
will become more apparent from the following detailed description
when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional
light-receiving window.
[0011] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a first embodiment
of an adjustable light-receiving window assembly in accordance with
the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating another example of
a frame of the adjustable light-receiving window assembly in
accordance with the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the first embodiment of the
adjustable light-receiving window assembly in accordance with the
present invention.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a front elevation of a second embodiment of the
adjustable light-receiving window assembly in accordance with the
present invention.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the second embodiment of the
adjustable light-receiving window assembly in accordance with the
present invention.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a schematic front elevation of a third embodiment
of the light-receiving window assembly in accordance with the
present invention.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7, wherein the slats of the
adjustable light-receiving window assembly are in a folded
state.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a front elevation of a fourth embodiment of the
adjustable light-receiving window assembly in accordance with the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] Referring to FIGS. 2 through 4, a first embodiment of an
adjustable light-receiving window assembly in accordance with the
present invention comprises a window 3 and a window covering device
4. The window 3 includes a window frame 31, a housing 32, and two
light-transmittable pane 33. Each light-transmittable pane 33 is
made of transparent glass material. The window frame 31 is
substantially U-shaped and includes two parallel U-shaped
positioning grooves 311 in an inner side thereof for respectively
positioning the panes 33. The positioning grooves 311 are spaced
from each other by a predetermined space. A substantially
parallelepiped compartment 34 is defined by the panes 33 and the
window frame 31 when the panes 33 are mounted to the positioning
grooves 311. The compartment 34 has an upper opening 341 in
communication with outside.
[0020] The window frame 31 is not limited to the above-mentioned
integrally formed U-shaped structure. In another example shown in
FIG. 3, the window frame 31 includes an elongated base 312 and two
upright beams 313 respectively extending upward in parallel from
two ends of the base 312. Each upright beam 313 includes two
spaced, parallel positioning grooves 311. The positioning grooves
311 on one of the upright beams 313 are respectively aligned with
those on the other upright beam 313. Hence, a compartment 34 with
an upper opening 341 in communication with outside is defined after
the panes 33 are mounted in the aligned positioning grooves
311.
[0021] The housing 32 is mounted on top of the window frame 31 and
seals the opening 341. The window covering device 4 has an end
fixed to the housing 32 and aligned with the opening 341. The
window covering device 4 includes a light-shielding member 41 (a
shade in this example), a shaft 43, and an operative member 42.
With reference to FIG. 2, an upper end of the light-shielding
member 41 is fixed to the shaft 43, and a lower end of the
light-shielding member 41 extends into the compartment 34 via the
opening 341. The shaft 43 is rotatably supported by the housing 32
and has an end extending out of the housing 32 and coupled with the
operative member 42.
[0022] The operative member 42 can be operated to turn the shaft
43. In this example, the operative member 42 is a hand wheel with a
spindle for driving the shaft 43 to turn. The hand wheel may
withstand considerable torque. When a user turns the operative
member 42, the light-shielding member 41 is movable in the
compartment 34 in a vertical direction between a folded position
and an extended position for winding or unwinding purposes. Hence,
a light-blocking effect is provided when the light-shielding member
41 is in the fully extended state and received in the compartment
34. The user may turn the operative member 43 in a direction to
drive the shaft 43 for moving the light-shielding member 41 upward
and winding the light-shielding member 41 around the shaft 43.
Light is not blocked by the light-shielding member 41 when the
light-shielding member 41 is in its wound state.
[0023] When the light-shielding member 41 is in the folded position
not shielding the window 3, the user may operate the operative
member 43 in a reverse direction such that the light-shielding
member 41 moves downward under gravity into the compartment 34
until the window 3 is shielded by the light-shielding member
41.
[0024] The hand wheel (i.e., the operative member 42) may withstand
considerable torque. Namely, the hand wheel can be turned to any
desired position and then retained in the position for retaining
the light-shielding member 41, thereby controlling the
light-receiving effect of the window 3. The panes 33 are not
limited to glass material. Namely, the panes 33 may be made from
other material such as acrylic or reinforced plastic material that
allows transmission of light.
[0025] As apparent from the foregoing, the light-shielding member
41 is sealed in the compartment 34 without in contact with outside.
Hence, the light-shielding member 41 is less likely to get dirty.
Furthermore, no cord is required for moving the light-shielding
member 41. The risks of malfunction of the shade resulting from
breaking of the cord and injury to the children playing nearby are
avoided.
[0026] With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, a second embodiment of the
adjustable light-receiving window assembly in accordance with the
present invention is mounted to a wall (not shown) of a building
and includes a window 3 and a window covering device 4. To avoid
redundancy, only the difference between the second embodiment and
the first embodiment is discussed. In this embodiment, the shaft 43
that moves the light-shielding member 41 is driven with electronic
control.
[0027] More specifically, the window covering device 4 includes a
controllable motor 44 for driving the operative member 42. The
motor 44 is mounted above the opening 341 and coupled with an end
of the shaft 43 for driving the shaft 43 to thereby wind or unwind
the light-shielding member 41. The motor 44 is housed in the
housing 32. A controller 440 is located outside the housing 32 and
connected to the motor 44 via a wire (not labeled). The user may
operate the controller 440 to control the rotating direction of the
motor 44 for driving the shaft 43 to thereby move the
light-shielding member 41 between the folded state and the extended
state. It is noted that the controller 440 may be replaced with a
wireless controller, which is well know in the art.
[0028] With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, a third embodiment of the
adjustable light-receiving window assembly in accordance with the
present invention is mounted to a wall (not shown) of a building
and includes a window 3 and a window covering device 4. The
difference between the third embodiment and the second embodiment
is that, in this embodiment, the window covering device 4 includes
a controllable motor 44, a track 45, a plurality of slides 46
slidably mounted on the track 45, and a light-shielding member 41
(a curtain in this example) having an upper edge fixed to the
slides 46.
[0029] The motor 44 includes a roller 441 mounted on and slidable
along the track 45. Furthermore, the motor 44 is coupled with an
outermost slide 46 adjacent to the motor 44. When the motor 44 is
turned on and moves along the track 45, the outermost slide 46 is
moved to slide along the track 45. Hence, the other slides 46 are
moved along the track 45, moving the light-shielding member 41 to
an extended state for blocking light or a collapsed state not
blocking the light.
[0030] FIG. 9 shows a fourth embodiment of the adjustable
light-receiving window assembly in accordance with the present
invention, which is substantially the same as the second
embodiment. More specifically, in this embodiment, a light sensor 5
is mounted on the window 3 and electrically connected to the motor
44. The light sensor 5 detects the change in the intensity of the
light outside the window 3 and automatically outputs a signal
regarding the intensity of the light to the motor 44 for moving the
motor 44 between the extended state and the folded state. In this
embodiment, the light sensor 5 is a photoresistor for detecting the
change in the intensity of the light outside the window. When the
light intensity exceeds a predetermined value, a signal is output
to activate the motor 44 for moving the light-shielding member 41
downward for shielding the window 3. On the other hand, when the
light source no longer exists or the light is faint, the
light-shielding member 41 is moved upward under automatic control
through the motor 44. Of course, the light-shielding member 41 may
rest at a desired level in response to various light
intensities.
[0031] In conclusion, the window assembly in accordance with the
present invention includes a window 3 with a compartment 34 defined
by a window frame 31 and a plurality of light-transmittable panes
33 as well as a light-shielding member 41 sealed in the compartment
34. The light-shielding member 41 is protected and, thus, less
likely to get dirty while allowing adjustment in the light
receiving effect. The problems resulting from the use of a cord in
the conventional designs are avoided.
[0032] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described, numerous modifications and variations are still
possible. The scope of the invention is limited by the accompanying
claims.
* * * * *