GB2182969A - Observation device - Google Patents
Observation device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2182969A GB2182969A GB08626761A GB8626761A GB2182969A GB 2182969 A GB2182969 A GB 2182969A GB 08626761 A GB08626761 A GB 08626761A GB 8626761 A GB8626761 A GB 8626761A GB 2182969 A GB2182969 A GB 2182969A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- coating
- observation
- film
- dispersed
- concealed
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 230000000007 visual effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 claims description 11
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 claims description 11
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000000758 substrate Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000012780 transparent material Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000002310 reflectometry Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910052709 silver Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000004332 silver Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000005507 spraying Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000001035 drying Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- SQGYOTSLMSWVJD-UHFFFAOYSA-N silver(1+) nitrate Chemical compound [Ag+].[O-]N(=O)=O SQGYOTSLMSWVJD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- VHUUQVKOLVNVRT-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ammonium hydroxide Chemical compound [NH4+].[OH-] VHUUQVKOLVNVRT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000000908 ammonium hydroxide Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920002678 cellulose Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000001913 cellulose Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000000887 face Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 210000003128 head Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003647 oxidation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007254 oxidation reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229940070721 polyacrylate Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 229920000915 polyvinyl chloride Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004800 polyvinyl chloride Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012216 screening Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910001961 silver nitrate Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002966 varnish Substances 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
- E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
- E06B7/00—Special arrangements or measures in connection with doors or windows
- E06B7/28—Other arrangements on doors or windows, e.g. door-plates, windows adapted to carry plants, hooks for window cleaners
- E06B7/30—Peep-holes; Devices for speaking through; Doors having windows
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Rear-View Mirror Devices That Are Mounted On The Exterior Of The Vehicle (AREA)
Abstract
A concealed observation device 1 for an entry door 3 comprises a two-way mirror 13A and a front plate 4 having a visual dispersed- form eg dot-form marking 15 eg the name of the occupant. Observation of a subject 16 may be effected substantially undetected. An opaque flap 11 is provided. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Observation device
The present invention relates to an observation device and in particular to a concealed observation device suitable for use on an entry door or surround.
As a result of increased crime levels and the increasing incidence of attempted admission to homes and the like by undesirable individuals there is a need for an observation device allowing scrutiny of a caller prior to opening of the door. A known device for this purpose comprises a small short-focus convex lens. On the one hand though the purpose of this device is immediately recognisable and it is moreover possible for the outsider to detect its use to a greater or lesser extent. On the other hand it provides a somewhat restricted and distorted view to the insider and is awkward to use.
It is an object of the present invention to avoid or minimise one or more of the above disadvantages.
The present invention provides a concealed observation device comprising a two-way mirror bearing a visual generally dispersed-form marking thereon occupying a substantial proportion of the area of said mirror. As used herein the expression dispersed-form markings indicates markings dispersed across an extended area but occupying only a limited part of that area having spaced apart elements separated by unmarked areas.
The generally dispersed-form markings may be pictorial, for example, a line or dot-form drawing of a heraldic crest or a pictorial view and/or alphanumeric indicating for example a name whereby the device functions as a name plate and/or any other suitable information.
With a device of the present invention the observation function of the device is effectively concealed being in part physically obscured by the dispersed-form markings whilst also presenting a distracting eye-catching image to the viewer who is under observation.
Preferably the two-way mirror comprises a transparent rear plate and a transparent front plate with a two-way reflective film sandwiched therebetween, said front plate bearing said marking thereon.
Desirably the device is provided with a screen means behind the front plate and movable between a screening position in which light transmission from behind the front plate is substantially limited and an observation position in which light transmission through the device is substantially not restricted.
Further preferred features and advantages of the invention will appear from the following detailed description given by way of example of a preferred embodiment illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:
Figure 1 is a vertical section through a device of the invention in use on a door; and
Figure 2 is a front elevation of the device of
Fig. 1.
Fig. 1 (not scale) shows an observation device 1 of the invention mounted on the outside face 2 of a door 3. The device 1 has a front plate 4 and a rear plate 5 sandwiched together inside a mounting front 6 which is bolted to the door 3 by suitable nut and bolt means 7. The device 1 is positioned across a suitable aperture 8 cut in the door 3. On the rear face 9 of the door 3 is hingedly mounted 10 a screen means in the form of a flap 11 of a suitable opaque material which is movable between a raised position permitting observation by a user 12 through the device and a lowered position in which light transmission from behind the door 3 is screened off.
The front and rear plates may be of any suitable substantially transparent material. Conveniently though the rear plate 5 is of glass.
A two-way mirror means in the form of a thin two-way reflective metallic coating or "silvering" 13A is provided on the front face 13 of the rear plate substrate 5. Various forms of two-way reflective film or coating which provide a high degree of reflection at a more highly illuminated side, with a low degree of light transmission from the other side and low reflectivity at said other side with a higher degree of light transmission from the more highly illuminated side to the other side sufficient to permit observation of the more highly illuminated side may be used. Conveniently though the reflective coating is in the form of a very thin layer of metallic silver such as may be formed by a single pass of a spraying device as described below.The silvering may be applied to the glass plate by any suitable method, for example, by spraying a mixture of aqueous silver nitrate and ammonium hydroxide brought into intimate admixture in a spraying device mixing head immediately before spraying therefrom, and quickly drying the coating at a high ambient temperature, for example, from 30 to 400C. Desirably the silvering is coated with a thin layer of clear protective material, for example, a quick-drying cellulose varnish.
The reflective coating is desirably provided with a protective film 14 of a substantially transparent material such as a clear plastics film, e.g. clear polyvinyl chloride film in order to protect the silvering against oxidation or other damage during assembly of the device.
The front plate 4 is conveniently made of a clear plastics material such as clear poly-acrylate in order to faciliate marking thereof by engraving thereof to form markings 15 on the front face 16 of the front plate.
In the embodiment shown the dispersed form markings are in the form of lettering 15 indicating the name of the occupier 12. It will be appreciated though that various other forms of dispersed-form marking may be used including line or dot form characters e.g. alphanumeric characters, or drawings applied to the front plate, either to the front or rear faces or even internally in the front plate 4, by printing or any other suitable technique.
The markings 15 serve not only to convey useful information to a visitor and disguise the principal function of the device whilst at the same time providing an optically effective visual distraction to the subject's eyes thereby further reducing the possibility of the subject becoming aware of his being observed.
With the device of the present invention an occupier 12 can readily observe an individual 16 wishing to gain entry to the occupier's residence without the individual being aware that he is under observation.
Thus the present invention also provides a concealed observation device suitable for use on an entry door which device comprises a two-way mirror means having at a front side thereof, a visual generally dispersed-form marking thereon occupying a substantial proportion of the area of said mirror.
The present invention also extends to a concealed observation device of the invention when mounted across an observation opening in a door.
Claims (12)
1. A concealed observation device suitable for use on an entry door which device comprises a two-way mirror means having at a front side thereof, a visual generally dispersedform marking thereon occupying a substantial proportion of the area of said mirror.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the two-way mirror means comprises a thin reflective film or coating on a substantially transparent substrate, which film or coating provide a high degree of reflection at a more highly illuminated side, with a low degree of light transmission from the other side and low reflectivity at said other side with a higher degree of light transmission from the more highly illuminated side to the other side sufficient to permit observation of the more highly illuminated side.
3. A device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the reflective film or coating is metallic.
4. A device as claimed in claim 3 wherein the metallic film or coating is of silver.
5. A device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the reflective film or coating is disposed on a glass or plastics substrate.
6. A device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5 wherein the reflective film or coating is provided with a protective film of a
substantially transparent material.
7. A device as claimed in claim 6 wherein the protective film is a clear plastics film.
8. A device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 7 wherein is provided a substantially transparent front plate in or on which is provided the dispersed-form marking.
9. A device as claimed in any one of the claims 1 to 8 wherein the dispersed-form marking is in the form of a plurality of alphanumeric characters.
10. A concealed observation device suitable for use on an entry door which device comprises a two-way mirror bearing a visual generally dispersed-form marking thereon occupying a substantial proportion of the area of said mirror.
11. A concealed observation device substantially described here and before with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.
12. A concealed observation device according to any one of the preceding claims when mounted across an observation opening in a door.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB858528080A GB8528080D0 (en) | 1985-11-14 | 1985-11-14 | Observation device |
Publications (3)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB8626761D0 GB8626761D0 (en) | 1986-12-10 |
| GB2182969A true GB2182969A (en) | 1987-05-28 |
| GB2182969B GB2182969B (en) | 1989-09-27 |
Family
ID=10588219
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB858528080A Pending GB8528080D0 (en) | 1985-11-14 | 1985-11-14 | Observation device |
| GB8626761A Expired GB2182969B (en) | 1985-11-14 | 1986-11-10 | Observation device |
Family Applications Before (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB858528080A Pending GB8528080D0 (en) | 1985-11-14 | 1985-11-14 | Observation device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (2) | GB8528080D0 (en) |
Cited By (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1990009506A2 (en) * | 1989-02-16 | 1990-08-23 | Associated Western Limited | Viewing assembly |
| GB2373810A (en) * | 2001-03-24 | 2002-10-02 | Diane Rushbrook | Security apparatus |
| WO2003080977A1 (en) * | 2002-03-18 | 2003-10-02 | Frenchporte, L.L.C. | Overhead garage door with decorative house facade elements |
| US7187498B2 (en) * | 2001-11-21 | 2007-03-06 | Thales Avionics, Inc. | Surveillance window |
| USD585564S1 (en) | 2007-11-29 | 2009-01-27 | Frenchporte Ip, L.L.C. | Portion of an overhead garage door facade |
| USD585563S1 (en) | 2007-11-29 | 2009-01-27 | Frenchporte Ip, L.L.C. | Portion of an overhead garage door façade |
| GB2480099A (en) * | 2010-05-07 | 2011-11-09 | Jennifer Anne Taviner | Peep hole with hinged cover |
Families Citing this family (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD490537S1 (en) | 2003-06-11 | 2004-05-25 | Frenchporte L.L.C. | Portion of an overhead garage door facade |
| USD553255S1 (en) | 2003-06-11 | 2007-10-16 | Frenchporte, L.L.C. | Portion of an overhead garage door facade |
| USD538943S1 (en) | 2004-11-23 | 2007-03-20 | Frenchporte Ip, L.L.C. | Portion of an overhead garage door facade |
| USD561911S1 (en) | 2004-11-24 | 2008-02-12 | Frenchporte Ip, L.L.C. | Portion of an overhead garage door facade |
| USD586475S1 (en) | 2008-02-12 | 2009-02-10 | Frenchporte Ip, L.L.C. | Overhead garage door façade |
Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB384512A (en) * | 1932-03-21 | 1932-12-08 | Paul Hofer | Door insert arranged to be opened and provided with an observation slot and name plat |
| GB2115865A (en) * | 1982-02-19 | 1983-09-14 | Wilfred Gwyn Weeks | Peep hole for a door |
-
1985
- 1985-11-14 GB GB858528080A patent/GB8528080D0/en active Pending
-
1986
- 1986-11-10 GB GB8626761A patent/GB2182969B/en not_active Expired
Patent Citations (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB384512A (en) * | 1932-03-21 | 1932-12-08 | Paul Hofer | Door insert arranged to be opened and provided with an observation slot and name plat |
| GB2115865A (en) * | 1982-02-19 | 1983-09-14 | Wilfred Gwyn Weeks | Peep hole for a door |
Cited By (12)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1990009506A2 (en) * | 1989-02-16 | 1990-08-23 | Associated Western Limited | Viewing assembly |
| WO1990009506A3 (en) * | 1989-02-16 | 1990-11-15 | Ass Western Ltd | Viewing assembly |
| GB2373810A (en) * | 2001-03-24 | 2002-10-02 | Diane Rushbrook | Security apparatus |
| US7187498B2 (en) * | 2001-11-21 | 2007-03-06 | Thales Avionics, Inc. | Surveillance window |
| US7286289B2 (en) | 2001-11-21 | 2007-10-23 | Thales Avionics, Inc. | Surveillance window |
| EP1451630B1 (en) * | 2001-11-26 | 2012-01-04 | Thales Avionics, Inc. | Surveillance window |
| WO2003080977A1 (en) * | 2002-03-18 | 2003-10-02 | Frenchporte, L.L.C. | Overhead garage door with decorative house facade elements |
| US6948547B2 (en) * | 2002-03-18 | 2005-09-27 | Frenchporte, L.L.C. | Overhead garage door with decorative house facade elements |
| AU2007203292B2 (en) * | 2002-03-18 | 2009-11-19 | Frenchporte, L.L.C. | Overhead garage door with decorative house facade elements |
| USD585564S1 (en) | 2007-11-29 | 2009-01-27 | Frenchporte Ip, L.L.C. | Portion of an overhead garage door facade |
| USD585563S1 (en) | 2007-11-29 | 2009-01-27 | Frenchporte Ip, L.L.C. | Portion of an overhead garage door façade |
| GB2480099A (en) * | 2010-05-07 | 2011-11-09 | Jennifer Anne Taviner | Peep hole with hinged cover |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB8626761D0 (en) | 1986-12-10 |
| GB8528080D0 (en) | 1985-12-18 |
| GB2182969B (en) | 1989-09-27 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| GB2182969A (en) | Observation device | |
| US5609938A (en) | Image display apparatus with holes for opposite side viewing | |
| US4358488A (en) | Simulated vehicle louvre applique | |
| US4070781A (en) | Windows bearing an inscription | |
| US5128659A (en) | Instrument display apparatus | |
| JP2826367B2 (en) | Rear lighting display | |
| US20040224126A1 (en) | Perforated film constructions for backlit signs | |
| CA2060716A1 (en) | Security, information document | |
| GB2304960A (en) | Illuminated sign and sign plate therefor | |
| DE4242797A1 (en) | Head=up display for motor vehicle - has holographic reflector plate with darkened backing plate to minimise sunlight effects | |
| CA2346046A1 (en) | Electrochromic mirror incorporating a third surface reflector | |
| JPH08254605A (en) | Panel | |
| US3451877A (en) | Articles for creating unidirectional vision effects | |
| GB2088613A (en) | Window display screens | |
| USH1109H (en) | Instrument display apparatus | |
| CA2023264A1 (en) | Louvered reflective head-up display for automobiles | |
| US5398134A (en) | Displaying apparatus for vehicle | |
| USD335125S (en) | Set of keyboard labels | |
| US4663869A (en) | Display for displaying images in three dimensions | |
| US4215501A (en) | Light efficient display device | |
| DE112018003338T5 (en) | Vehicle display device, imaging system and lighting device | |
| US5023451A (en) | Indicia contrast enhancement for vehicle borne infrared vision system | |
| US5935663A (en) | Silhouette cutouts for window of vehicle | |
| GB2244585A (en) | Transparent material with perforations | |
| JPH0693336B2 (en) | Anti-glare sheet for illuminated display |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 732 | Registration of transactions, instruments or events in the register (sect. 32/1977) | ||
| PCNP | Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |