Abstract:
A blind system comprising a plurality of slats having a ballistic resistant material; a control system operably configured to cause a change in state of the blind from an open state to a protective closed state; and a sensing system operably configured to detect a threatening event, wherein the sensing system upon sensing the threatening event triggers the control system to transition from the open state to the protective state such that in the protective state, the blinds are adapted to be resistant to penetration by high-speed ballistic objects

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/873,073, filed Sep. 3, 2013, and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    This application relates generally to a window blind system with ballistic panels to be used for window, door or other suitable coverings. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Window blinds, such as venetian blinds, and vertical blinds have found widespread use in residential and commercial applications as window coverings because of their ability to selectively vary the amount of light passing through a window, glass door, skylight, or the like, by the varying of a plurality of vanes, louvers or slats. 
         [0006]    Current ballastic systems in residential and commercial applications such as armored doors and windows are usually made of metal or a material containing at least one metal plate, and thus having an extremely high weight. Some plastic systems exist that have lower weight, but that are very flimsy and weak, and thus would provide no protection from projectiles or other forced entry into the dwelling. 
         [0007]    It would be useful to utilize the widespread use of window blinds to provide unauthorized entry protection to individuals and organizations in residential, commercial, government, federal building and mobile or any suitable application. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some example aspects described in the detailed description. 
         [0009]    In one aspect, an a blind system is disclosed herein including a control system operably configured to cause a change in state of the blind from an open state to a protective state; and a sensing system operably configured to detect a threatening event, in which the sensing system upon sensing the threatening event triggers the control system to transition to the protective state. 
         [0010]    In another aspect, a blind system is disclosed herein including a plurality of slats having a ballistic resistant material; a control system operably configured to cause a change in state of the blind from an open state to a protective closed state; and a sensing system operably configured to detect a threatening event, wherein the sensing system upon sensing the threatening event triggers the control system to transition from the open state to the protective state such that in the protective state, the blinds are adapted to be resistant to penetration by high-speed ballistic objects. 
         [0011]    In yet another aspect, a blind system is disclosed herein including a blind suspended from a rail and a blind adjustment system that is configured to transition the blinds from an open state to a closed, protective state in which the blinds are adapted to be resistant to penetration by high-speed ballistic objects. 
         [0012]    The blinds provides an anti-entry function, such as a bullet proof system characterized by light weight, high ballistic resistant vanes, louvers or slats for application in a simple, yet unconventional manner. 
         [0013]    This summary is not an extensive overview of the features and systems discussed herein. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of such features and systems. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The foregoing and other features and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention relates upon reading the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates a front view of one example embodiment of a venetian blind system. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  illustrates a detailed perspective view of an example embodiment of the blind system. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  illustrates a detail view of a head box portion an example embodiment blind system. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  illustrates an example control method for the blind system 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  illustrates an alternative example embodiment of a side view of the blind system. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  illustrates an alternative example embodiment of a perspective view of the blind system 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an example embodiment of a blind system is shown. The blind system  5  includes a plurality of members such as vanes, louvers or slats  10  resting or hanging on the rungs of one or more ladders  15 , which are movably suspended from a head, bottom or side rail  20 , which may be mounted to a window or door frame. The vanes, louvers or slats  10  could be of horizontal or vertical orientation. 
         [0022]    The slats  10  can be of conventional construction, and can be constructed of a number of different materials, including, but not limited to, the following materials: plastic, composites, wood, metal, fabric, fiberglass or any other suitable ballistic material including, but not limited to, Kevlar or Lexan or DuPont™ tensylon®, for example. In an example embodiment, the slats could also be provided as a laminate, such as steel with a carbon fiber or tensylon or fiber glass backing. Also, fabric can be treated with boron to form a ballistic resitent material. For example, a fabric can be dipped into a boron solution, then heated in an oven at more than 1000C, which changes cotton fibers in the fabric into carbon fibers, such that the carbon fibers react with the boron solution to produce boron carbide. 
         [0023]    The slats  10  could vary in shape, width and thickness to form blinds of various styles and construction, as desired. The slats  10  can be made flat or curved across their transverse dimension, they can be of any desired width, and they could be provided of different dimensions, such as, for example one, two, three, or four inches wide or any other suitable width for the desired application. The lengths of the slats can be varied according to the window or door size that they are being utilized to protect, and they could be of a length of a foot or more, up to 4 to 7 feet or more, as desired. 
         [0024]    Turning to the operation of the blind system  5 , the slats  10  can be tilted by a tilt mechanism  50  to let in partial light, such as when a tilt wand or cord  25  is used to adjust the slats  10 . The slats  10  can also be lifted or collapsed by a lift mechanism  100  (for example, to fold or accordion the slats into a compact position) to let in full or nearly full light, for example. 
         [0025]    Referring to the example embodiment of  FIG. 2 , the slats  10  are suspended by the ladder  15  which is comprised of at least two strips of cloth or string or tape  30  that allows the slats  10  to be suspended in a manner such that all slats  10  in unison can be rotated nearly 180 degrees, such as to go from an open condition (state) to a closed (protective) condition (state). The tape  30  can be made of any flexible material such as fabric, plastic, nylon, polyester, or any flexible material or the like. The ladder  15  further comprises a connector tape  35  which connect the two strips of tape  30  together. Rotating the tilt-cord  25  causes the slats  10  to rotate/tilt a longitudinal axis in order to open or close visual access to the outside from inside the room in which the blinds are installed. 
         [0026]    As an alternative to rotation, in some embodiments the slats may be opened and closed by sliding the slats or collapsing the slats together, for example. 
         [0027]    The slats  10  of the blind system  5  further comprise routed through rout holes  40 . Each slats  10  comprises at least one rout hole  40 . At least one steel rod  45  which is affixed to the head or bottom rail  20  runs through each slat  10 . The slats  10  could pivot about the steel rod  45  which is encased in the slats  10 . Pulling the lift-cord activates the lift mechanism  100  causing either the bottom rail or the top rail to rise, sequentially collecting the slats from the bottom up or the top down and compressing the entire array of slats  10  against the top-rail. 
         [0028]    Turning to  FIG. 3 , the blind system  5  may include a rotator member, or tube  60  provided for rotation of the rotator  60  within an axis provided in the head box  70 . The tilt cord  25  is fixedly attached to the rotator  60  and hangs downwardly from the head box. 
         [0029]    In an example embodiment, the slats  10  may have a groove  65  and and/or tongue  70  that may run the length of the slats  10 . While the embodiment shows the groove runs the length of the slat, it is appreciated that a groove-tongue system located at the edge of the slat  10  may suffice. The groove  65  and tongue  70  allows slats  10  to interlock when they are in a closed position for additional strength. In another example embodiment, the slats  10  can have fasteners that allow them interlock for additional strength. The fasteners could engage with the window or door sill for added strength, if desired. 
         [0030]      FIG. 4 . Illustrates an example of a control system which may be used by any of the embodiments described herein to control the blind system  5 . The control system can include a controller  202  with one or more sensors that form a sensor array  204  connected to the controller  202 , and a panic switch  206  connected to the controller  202 . The sensors may be pre-existing sensors in a home defense system or conventional after-market sensors capable of detecting ballistic signals such as sound, gun powder, gun impact, muzzle flash, temperature, and the like. The controller  202  is connected to a user interface  210  whereby a user may activate and apply settings to the blind system. The controller  202  is also connected to a motor system  208  for actuating the blind system upon receiving information indicating that a threat is present and that the blinds should be closed (i.e., put into a protective state such as a ballistic protection mode). 
         [0031]    Where a building may already have a central control system, controller  202  may utilize such a system by adding additional customized code for operating the blinds system  5 . In another example, the blinds could also utilize ground sourced radar, infrared (heat), sonar, or some other active or passive detection system. The sensor array  204  can include one or more heat sensors, infrared sensors, video sensors, audio sensors, smoke detectors, or other types of sensors, or may utilize already existing sensors of a fire or burglar system, for example. Any of the sensors in the sensor array  204 , the panic switch  206  or the user interface  210 , or any combination of these components, may be connected to the controller  202  in a wireless manner, such as by WiFi or Bluetooth, for example, and the panic switch and/or user interface could be implemented on a cell phone or tablet computer, for example. 
         [0032]    The system may be controlled by any external or internal system. For example, the blind system could be tied to an external system such as an alarm system or video cameras with analytics. The blind system could also be controlled remotely via the internet or a WiFi or Bluetooth connection by any connected device such as a tablet, computer, PDA, or a smartphone. Blinds such as disclosed herein would be very useful in a panic situation in a school or federal building. Such blinds could also be used in a lock down situation to prevent people or valuables from leaving the premises, for example. 
         [0033]    The blinds could also be adapted to sense the location of the occupants of the building and close by according to predetermined parameters such as direction of threat and the location inside the building that would be the best to return fire from. Blinds could also be controlled by facial recognition, video analytics, or by the occupants&#39; voice or any other suitable biometrics, such as for recognizing an threatening person, such as an ex-spouse, or ex-employee who has made threats or acted in a threatening manner, or otherwise recognizing a wanted criminal or an enemy soldier, for example. When the blind system  5  is activated, the slats  10  overlap each other to form the interlocking pattern discussed above so as deflect bullets, shells, or other ballistic weapons to prevent a fatal impact and/or property damage. Such blinds can protect from thrown objects as well, such as rocks, grenades, bricks, molotov cocktails, etc. Blinds could be controlled individually or together with a timing mechanism. 
         [0034]    As an example use, the blind system may be provided in an open state where the blinds are provided in an open condition (e.g., with open slats) to allow viewing through the blinds. The blind system sensor array would detect a potential intruder or the sound of gunfire using visual, auditory, or other sensed information. The system would then automatically enter a protective state, such as by closing the blinds (e.g., closing the slats) to protect the interior of the room from external entry of projectiles (e.g., bullets), for example. Or the system may detect the entry of a ballistic projectile (e.g., a bullet, rock, etc.), or threatening shouts or yells, sirens, explosions, proximity of threatening individuals, etc. in which case the blinds would be activated into a protective mode. 
         [0035]    In an alternate example embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the blind system  105  can reside between two glass panes, such as safety glass panes  135  for use in applications like automobiles, airplanes, boats or other mobile applications. The blind system  135  may also be used in stationary applications like residential and commercial applications. The safety glass panes can be made of any lightweight glass material which is useful in an armored car to reduce weight of the glass used which improves the fuel efficiency of the vehicle. 
         [0036]    In an example embodiment, the slats  110  used between the safety glass panes  135  could be a composite or laminate, such as fabric with a carbon fiber or tensylon or fiber glass backing or other ballistic resilient backing. 
         [0037]    In an example embodiment, the glass panes  135  could have a layer of safety film  140  such as, for example, Cellulose acetate film, 3M safety film, Armor guard films or the like for additional protection. The safety film can be between 4 mil to 10 mil, for example, although other thicknesses could be used. In another example embodiment, the glass panes  135  could be made of fire glass with a gel center such as manufactured by SAFTI First, for example. 
         [0038]    In an automobile application the blind system  105  could be controlled with safety in mind so that a driver does not lose all drivability at once and improving the ability to evade. For example, the blinds could have a small port hole for the driver of the vehicle to see out of to allow the driver to continue to drive toward a safer area, for example. 
         [0039]    In use for mobile applications, such as in boats, or airplanes or automobile, the blind system  105  could be configured to tilt or close the blinds based on temperature, sound, threat, geographic terrain, environmental conditions and any outer suitable factors. For example, as a vehicle goes up a hill, the blinds can be adapted to tilt so that air can get in and not bullets. 
         [0040]    The blind system  105  could also be fire rated to prevent fire from spreading to the next room or structure through the use of fire retardant or preventive materials, where the blinds can be automatically closed when a fire is detected through monitoring of temperature, light, or infrared, for example. 
         [0041]    In another example embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the blind system  305  may have a roll up blind configuration that may utilize an anti-ballistic fabric material  310 , for example, and that can be used as protective covering to protect equipment such as, for example, a radiator, or a ventilation system, or on an intake area of a jet engine, engine, radiator, or gas tank of an automobile (or other vehicle), or any other suitable protective covering applications. The roll-up blind system  305  may be made of bullet resistant fabric such as Kevlar or Lexan or DuPont™ tensylon®. 
         [0042]    In an alternate example embodiment, the roll up blind system  305  can reside between two glass panes, such as safety glass panes  135  for use in applications like automobiles, airplanes, boats or other mobile applications. 
         [0043]    The fabric blind  310  could also tilt or otherwise be operated according to the threat or terrain. The fabric blind  310  could close from the top or bottom depending on the design of the building or application. The fabric blind  310  could also run left to right, for example. The blinds could also tilt according to the threat or terrain. For example with vehicle application when the blind is used as a radiator cover, as the vehicle goes up a hill the radiator blinds tilt so air can get in and not bullets. 
         [0044]    In an alternate example embodiment, the roll up blind system  305  may be used for windows, doors, entryways, or any other desired application. The roll up blind system  305  could suspend from a rail  315  that may be disposed within a head box  320  and may be weighed down by bottom rail  325  to maintain its position. The weight of the bottom rail can vary to match the desired application. A reel cord  330  may be used to be roll up the blinds  310  or to roll down the blind  310 . The reel cord  330  may also be pneumatically or automatically driven. The lengths of the blind  310  can be varied according to the window or door size that they are being utilized to protect, and they could be of a length for the desired application. 
         [0045]    Generally, any of the blind systems provided herein will typically be provided with blinds that can be placed in an open state at the request of a user to enable viewing through the blinds, and/or to allow for airflow and/or other flow through the blinds. Such blinds can also be closed at the request of a user, in which case the blinds may also be in a protective state. Upon detection of a threatening condition, such as detection of a gunshot or a flying projectile, blinds that are in an open state will be transitioned into a closed, protective state to protect against ballistic projectiles or other threatening materials. 
         [0046]    While ample embodiments have been described using specific terms, such description is for present illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations to such embodiments, including but not limited to the substitution of equivalent features or parts, and the reversal of various features thereof, may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosed embodiments.