CELL AND CLASSROOM DOOR WINDOW COVER AND METHODS FOR USING THE SAME

Apparatus and methods are disclosed for controlling inmates disposed in their cells during emergency situations. The apparatus and methods may be applied to other doors or windows to block visualization there through. For example, if a school is on lockdown, a teacher may place a window shield on the window in the door to the classroom. This may prevent a threat from seeing into a room and possibly deter the threat from even entering the classroom. The apparatus includes a flexible magnetic cover which can be used by staff as a temporary cover for prison cell or school door windows. The apparatus may include a one-way viewing portion permitting persons to look in only one direction through the window shield. The apparatus could be used in any situation where people are confined for safety and security.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to emergency preparedness for prisons, schools, hospitals, and the like. The present invention may be used as an inmate control apparatus and methods and, more particularly, to a device that may be used in prisons to cover inmate cell door windows during emergency situations. In schools and colleges, the present invention may be used as an emergency preparedness device to cover classroom door windows, and more particularly, to be used by facility staff during lockdown or other emergency procedures involving safety, security, and emergency preparedness in places of learning, for example.

In North America alone, the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics reports in 2009 that there are over 2,292,133 inmates incarcerated in U.S. prisons and jails. Emergency situations can occur inside inmate general and special housing units without notice. In the United States there are over 98,817 public schools teaching over 98,000,000 students. Emergency preparedness, training and proper tools are critical to restoring normal operations, protecting human life and property at prisons, schools, hospitals and other areas.

Twenty-first century correctional facilities design 3rdand 4thgeneration facilities with steel doors having reinforced glass built into the door without a traditional metal cover. This design prevents escape, allows for natural and artificial lighting, as well as provides for direct and indirect inmate supervision by staff. Yet, experienced correctional professional realized the limitations of a window in the cell door during emergency situations. As a result of increases in criminal, gang, and other criminal deviant behavior, schools throughout the world are developing emergency preparedness plans and procedures for hardening and or fortifying their classrooms. These plans are being developed to decrease and/or reduce the likelihood for dangerous activities within the classroom.

Compliant inmates return to their cells and watch staff through the door windows as they perform their emergency activities. Many times, staff emergency response can prompt violent and angry outburst displays from other inmates locked inside their cells. Facilities may incur property damage, additional injury, or additional unplanned use of force incidents, which may have otherwise not been necessary if the inmates were not able to witness emergency activities occurring outside their cell. When a dangerous intruder enters the school property procedures include hardening the classroom to include covering the classroom door window. Teachers currently are required to cover the window with cardboard, paper and tape. This procedure is cumbersome, and time consuming, thus wasting valuable time.

As can be seen, there is a need for apparatus and methods for limiting the ability of inmates or school intruders to view activities outside of their cell through their cell door window during emergency situations, or into classroom settings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a method for temporarily limiting visibility through a window comprises removably affixing a flexible magnetic material onto a metal periphery of the window, wherein the flexible magnetic material blocks visibility through the window.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method for limiting an inmate's/intruders visibility through a detention room door window or classroom door, during an incident comprises removably affixing a flexible magnetic material onto a metal periphery of the window, wherein the flexible magnetic material blocks visibility through the window; and removing the flexible magnetic material once the incident is over.

In a further aspect of the present invention, a method for assisting in the control of inmates during an emergency situation comprises directing inmates into their cells during the emergency situation; and blocking view outside of the cell by removably affixing a flexible magnetic material onto a metal periphery of the window. In a further aspect of the present invention a method of blocking school intruders view into class room windows or the like.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides apparatus and methods for controlling inmates disposed in their cells, and blocking visibility into class room doors during emergency situations. The apparatus of the present invention includes a flexible magnetic cover which can be used by staff as a temporary cover for prison cell and class room door windows. The apparatus may be used to help limit the inmate's visualization of prison emergency responses. Modern prison cell door and school classroom designs include a cell/classroom door window but do not include any means to block this window. The apparatus may include a one-way viewing portion permitting persons outside the cell to look into the cell, but not permitting inmates inside the cell to see outside. The apparatus can be used in other situations, such as on operating room doors, for emergency room door windows, mental hospitals, schools, universities and in other situations where temporary blocking of a window is desirable. The apparatus could be used in any situation where people are confined for safety and security.

Referring toFIG. 1A, a prison cell/classroom door10may include a long vertical central window12. Alternatively, as shown inFIG. 1B, a prison cell/classroom door14(or some other door having a window) may include a vertical offset window16. Furthermore, as shown inFIG. 1C, a prison cell/classroom door18may include a horizontal window20. In either case, the window12,16,20may not include a means to block view through the window. Prior door designs include a hinged metal barrier that may be closed over the window. However, modern prison/school door design does not include such a metal door.

Referring toFIG. 2, a temporary window shield22may be a flexible magnet adapted to magnetically attach to at least a portion of an area framing the window12,16,20. When the window shield22is in place, a person may not be able to see through the window. Such a window shield22may be especially useful where temporary blockage of a window in a metal door is beneficial. For example, the window shield22may be useful in a prison situation, where inmates inside cells may be blocked from visualizing activities outside of the cell. This may be especially useful in emergency situations, where an inmate witnessing an emergency response may respond violently. The window shield22may be used in other situations, such as on operating room doors, for emergency room door windows, in schools and universities, and in other situations where temporary blocking of a window is desirable. The window shield22can also be used in mental hospitals, where a similar door design may be used. The window shield22could be used in any situation where people are confined for safety and security.

The window shield22may be of various thicknesses, such as 10 mil, 20 mil, 30 mil, 40 mil, or other thickness. The window shield22may be, for example, made of vinyl or rubber flexible magnetic material. In some embodiments, the window shield22may be formed or one or more materials. In some embodiments, the window shield22may be formed from 100 percent isotropic magnetic material. In some embodiments, the window shield22may be formed from a non-flammable material. In some embodiments, the window shield22may contain no glues or other such components that may generate harmful fumes during heating or combustion.

Traditional vinyl materials are made from three components—magnetic rubber, glue and plastic vinyl. During a fire, glue and the colored vinyl become toxic to human inhalation. The isotropic rubber window shield22of the present invention overcomes these issues by being made from 100 percent isotropic material which, during a fire, will not ignite or produce harmful toxins. The window shield22can be manufactured without any glue or vinyl.

The window shield22may have a warning stripe24diagonally thereacross. The window shield22may be colored a dark, neutral color, whereas the warning stripe24may be colored a bright, contrasting color. For example, the window shield22may be black and the warning stripe24may be yellow.

The window shield22may include an inventory control item26, such as a space having a first black and a second blank separated by the word “of”. In this manner, the window shields22may be consecutively numbered1of100,2of100,3of100, and the like. This system may help track inventory of the window shields22in an institutional setting, for example.

The window shield22may be made by a variety of methods and of a variety of materials. In some embodiments, the color on the front of the window shield and the warming stripe24may be embossed on the flexible magnetic material. In other embodiments, the color and the warning stripe24may be a separate piece attached to the flexible magnetic material.

Referring now toFIG. 3, a window shield32may be designed similar to the window shield22, as described above, except a portion of the window shield32may be formed of a one-way viewing material38. As shown inFIG. 3, the one-way viewing material38may be disposed as a concentric rectangle in a central region of the window shield32. In other embodiments, the one-way viewing material38may be disposed in one or more locations in the window shield32and may be shaped as a square, circle, rectangle, or other geometric or non-geometric shape. The one-way viewing material38may permit a user to see through the window shield32in one direction, but not in the other direction. The one-way viewing material38may be vinyl, fabric, or any other material capable of achieving the one-way viewing property.

The window shield32may include a warning stripe34, which may be of similar size, shape, color and function as described above. The warning stripe34may be colored across the one-way viewing material38. In some embodiments, the warning stripe34may be colored across the one-way viewing material38and may be configured to provide one way viewing through the portion of the warning stripe34that passes over the one-way viewing material38. The window shield32may further include an inventory control item36, which may be of similar size, shape, color and function as described above.

The one-way viewing material38may be disposed to cover a hole in the window shield32. The one-way viewing material38may be attached to the window shield32in a variety of manners. For example, if the one-way viewing material38includes more than one layer, the one-way viewing material38may be sandwiched between the layers. In other embodiments, the one-way viewing material38may be adhered to the window shield32by a flexible adhesive. Typically, the one-way viewing material38may be flexible, similar to the window shield32itself.

The window shield22,32may be used during emergency preparedness at schools or applied to prison cell door windows to help control inmates during emergency situations. The window shield22,32may be used in methods to limit visualization through a window. The window shield22,32may, in a prison or schools situation, for example, help reduce the possibility of retaliation from inmates and staff when they witness emergency responses. The window shield22,32may help protect emergency responders, reduce property damage by spectator inmates, ensure staff and inmate privacy during emergencies, eliminate violent psychological inmate trauma, ensure privacy during high profile movements, reduce costly inmate litigation, and the like. When an emergency situation is complete, staff may simple remove the window shield22,32from the windows, stack them together, and store them for future use.

The window shield22,32may be applied to other doors or windows to block visualization therethrough. For example, if a school is on lockdown, a teacher may place a window shield22,32on the window in the door to the classroom. This may prevent a threat from seeing into a room and possibly deter the threat from even entering the classroom.