Collision-deterrent, energy-efficient window

Abstract

A window design that includes a thin semi-transparent reflective surface that is intentionally distorted, so as to disrupt and confuse reflected images without significantly impairing transmitted viewing, thereby providing energy-efficient properties while reducing inadvertent collisions, particularly from birds. The surface can be a layer of material suspended or supported between two panes of a window or sliding glass door, or can be a coating on a pane.

1 . A collision deterrent window treatment comprising an at least semi-reflective material imbued with a reflection disruptive distortion so that when the material is arranged in proximity to a window pane, a reflection of the exterior is substantially disrupted when viewed from the exterior.  
   
   
       2 . The window treatment of  claim 1  wherein the distortion is embossed in the material.  
   
   
       3 . The window treatment of  claim 1  wherein the distortion is imposed by wrapping the material over objects.  
   
   
       4 . The window treatment of  claim 4  further comprises a plurality of spaced apart dowels mounted along a line in proximity to and substantially parallel to a window pane and the material wraps over alternate sides of the dowels, thereby giving a substantially sinusoidal cross section to the material that appears as a series of alternating light and dark bands when viewed from an exterior of a structure in which the window pane is installed.  
   
   
       5 . The window treatment of  claim 1  wherein the material is collapsible, allowing easy temporary removal and further comprising an actuator that, when activated, folds the material away from the window pane.  
   
   
       6 . The window treatment of  claim 1  wherein the material is easily rollable and further comprising a spring-loaded roller that, when activated, will selectively remove and replace the material in proximity to a window pane.  
   
   
       7 . The window treatment of  claim 1  wherein the material comprises acetate.  
   
   
       8 . The window treatment of  claim 1  wherein the material comprises Mylar®.  
   
   
       9 . The window treatment of  claim 1  comprising a composite pane with an embedded semi-reflective surface.  
   
   
       10 . The window treatment of  claim 1  comprising a first pane having a first planar surface and a first distorted surface, a second pane having a second planar surface and a second distorted surface that complements and mates with the first distorted surface, the at least semi-reflective material being mounted on one of the first and second distorted surfaces, thereby being distorted, and being sandwiched between the distorted surfaces of the first and second panes.  
   
   
       11 . A window collision deterrent method comprising providing an at least semi-reflective material, imbuing the material with a reflection disruptive distortion, and arranging the material in proximity to a window pane, thereby disrupting a reflection ordinarily visible from an exterior of a structure in which the window pane is disposed.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein imbuing comprises embossing the distortion into the material.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  wherein imbuing comprises shaping the material in situ.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein shaping includes wrapping the material over objects.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein shaping further includes mounting a plurality of spaced apart dowels in proximity to and substantially parallel to the window pane and wrapping the material over alternate sides of the dowels, thereby providing the material with a substantially sinusoidal distortion appearing as a plurality of alternating light and dark bands when viewed from a side of the window pane having substantially greater ambient light than another side of the window pane.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 11  wherein arranging comprises fixedly attaching the material to a casing of the window.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 11  wherein arranging comprises providing an actuator that selectively substantially removes the material from view.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the material is rollable and providing an actuator comprises providing a window shade roller.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17  wherein the material is predisposed toward collapsing and providing an actuator comprises connecting at least one line to a bottom edge of the material, providing a pulley, receiving the line over the pulley, and selectively lifting and lowering the bottom edge with the line, thereby selectively folding and unfolding the material.  
   
   
       20 . A collision deterrent window arrangement comprising at least two spaced-apart panes mounted in a frame, a reflection disruptive material disposed in proximity to at least one of the panes, thereby disrupting a reflection ordinarily visible from an exterior of a structure in which the window is installed.  
   
   
       21 . The arrangement of  claim 20  further comprising a plurality of dowels mounted in and across the frame substantially parallel to the panes, the material being wrapped over alternate sides of the dowels to impart a substantially sinusoidal cross section to the material.  
   
   
       22 . The arrangement of  claim 20  wherein the reflection disruptive material comprises a reflection disruptive distortion embossed thereon.  
   
   
       23 . The arrangement of  claim 20  further comprising an anti-reflection coating disposed on at least one of the panes.  
   
   
       24 . The arrangement of  claim 20  further comprising a circular polarizing material disposed in an interior of the window.  
   
   
       25 . The arrangement of  claim 20  wherein the material comprises acetate.  
   
   
       26 . The arrangement of  claim 20  wherein the material comprises Mylar®.  
   
   
       27 . The arrangement of  claim 20  further comprising a roller mounted in and across a top of the frame, a bottom edge of the material being biased toward a bottom of the arrangement, and a top edge of the material being secured to the roller so that the material can be selectively rolled and unrolled on the roller, thereby selectively moving the material substantially in and out of interposition between the panes.  
   
   
       28 . The arrangement of  claim 20  further comprising a batten mounted across a bottom edge of the material, a line connected to the batten and to a pull, and a pulley over which the line is received, so that pulling the line raises the batten and folds the material, substantially removing the material from interposition between the panes, and subsequently releasing the line lowers the batten and unfolds the material, interposing the material between the panes.  
   
   
       29 . The arrangement of  claim 28  wherein the material comprises pleats to enhance folding.