Window assembly for attachment to a flexible sheet

A window assembly is formed having a receiving member set in contact with one surface of pliant sheet, a holding member set in contact with the other surface of the pliant sheet, with the sheet held fixedly between them. A frame cover is attached to the receiving members, and a rigid transparent pane is secured fixedly between the cover and the holding member.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to the structure and method of attachment of 
a window to a flexible wall partition or enclosure and, particularly, to a 
window attached to a sheet panel for the purpose of ensuring visual field 
of lighting such as on a vinyl enclosure of a ship, a tent or a protective 
wall in a warehouse or an agricultural structure. 
PRIOR ART 
Conventionally, the normally open cabin of a pleasure boat, as shown in 
FIG. 10, is provided with a vinyl enclosure B formed of one or more 
transparent vinyl sheets D stretched around outside supporting members C. 
PROBLEMS OF THE PRIOR ART 
Generally, the surface of the vinyl sheet D is apt to be injured in use, 
and, when so injured, the vinyl sheet becomes cloudy, resulting in a 
deteriorated transparency (degree of clearness). Further, when the vinyl 
sheet D is subjected to sun rays for a long time or is exposed to sea 
breeze, it is discolored yellow so that the transparency is also 
deteriorated. In addition, the vinyl sheet D may expand or contract 
because of changes in external temperature so that is becomes strained, 
creased or deformed. For this reason, the visual field through the vinyl 
sheet D of the enclosure B becomes poor over time. If a man steers a 
cruiser A while looking at sea through a vinyl sheet D of poor visual 
field, there is the possibility that the sighting of an obstacle such as 
rubbish or buoy, etc. may be delayed. As a result, the cruiser may collide 
against the obstacle, leading to damages to the screw of the cruiser A or 
an accidental collision. This is very dangerous. 
Some enclosures B are adapted as shown in FIG. 11. Namely, window flap F of 
the same material as that of the vinyl sheet D is attached through a 
fastener E in the enclosure B so as to be opened as by winding the flap up 
or closing as by allowing the flap to fall down according to need. 
However, there is the problem that when the window flap F is repeatedly 
wound up, it has a tendency to become deformed so that the visual field 
becomes poor when the window flap F is down. 
In order to solve the various problems mentioned above, a new vinyl sheet 
would be used in place of old vinyl sheet D. However, since the quality of 
the vinyl sheet deteriorates with the passage of time, it is necessary to 
exchange it for a new vinyl sheet a second time. Eventually, the same 
procedure is repeated frequently. In addition, every time a new vinyl 
sheet is provided, considerable cost for replacement is incurred. Since 
the economical burden is great, this method cannot offer a fundamental 
solution. 
In order to essentially solve the above-mentioned problems, it has been 
found effective to employ a method of replacing vinyl sheet D of vinyl 
enclosure B by a glass window. However, it is necessary also to provide a 
specially made sash into which the window pane is fitted resulting in the 
problem that it takes considerable cost to do so. In addition, there is 
also the problem that since the above-mentioned method results in a fixed 
window system, opening and closing of the window cannot be carried out. 
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
An object of this invention is to provide a transparent window for a pliant 
sheet such as vinyl or other fabric, which can be easily attached to the 
sheet and which can ensure a satisfactory visual field for a long time. It 
is a further object to provide such a window for a vinyl enclosure for a 
boat or other vehicle but also for a tent, a curtain wall for a warehouse 
or an agricultural structure. It is yet another object to provide a method 
of attaching such a window to the sheet material. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The transparent window of this invention comprises a frame assembly having 
a receiving member set in contact with one surface of pliant sheet, a 
holding member set in contact with the other surface of the pliant sheet, 
and means to secure the receiving and holding members together with the 
sheet held fixedly between them. The assembly also includes a frame cover 
stop attached to the receiving members in a manner to secure a rigid 
transparent pane in fixed form between the cover stopper and the holding 
member. 
The method of attaching the transparent window comprises the steps of: 
providing a receiving member on the inner or outer surface of the pliant 
sheet; providing a holding member in contact with the sheet on the 
opposite side of the receiving member to define a window frame; cutting 
and removing the portion of the pliant sheet inside the window frame; 
disposing a rigid transparent pane in the opening formed as the result of 
the removal of the sheet portion; placing a cover stop member over the 
holding member in contact with the transparent pane; and holding the 
transparent pane fixed within the window frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Preferred Embodiment of This Invention 
The present invention is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 1-8 in connection 
with the case where the transparent window is attached to a pliant sheet 
such as the vinyl enclosure for a ship. 
Reference numeral 1 in FIGS. 1-4 denotes a pliant sheet of vinyl stretched 
on supporting members 7 of a cruiser A. As shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of 
window frames 4 are attached to the sheet, each containing a rigid 
transparent pane 5 held fixedly by a covering stopper member 6. 
Each window frame 4 of FIG. 1 is comprised of a receiving member 2 (FIG. 2, 
FIG. 4a) and a holder member 3 (FIG. 3, FIG. 4a). 
The receiving member 2 is comprised of a plurality of corner members 21 and 
linear members 22 as shown in FIG. 2, laid end to end in contact with the 
outer surface of the pliant sheet 1 as shown in FIG. 4a. The corner 
members 21 and linear members 22 are connected in a rectangular form to 
define a closed frame. The receiving members 2 are molded of hard plastic 
(e.g. AAS (Acrylic rubber Acrylonitrile Styrene) resin). The ends of the 
receiving member 2 are rabbeted to form thin overlapping portions 23, 24 
which cooperate with each other to form a joint as shown in FIG. 5. One of 
the overlapping portions 23, is provided with posts 25 which are 
insertable into holes 26 formed in the other overlapping portion 24. By 
inserting these posts 25 through the through holes 26, connection of the 
two end to end receiving members 2 becomes firm and is difficult to be 
broken or folded. The receiving member 2, as shown in FIG. 4a, FIG. 5 is 
formed with a plane surface 27 extending in a wide band along its length 
and adapted to be in contact with the sheet 1. A plurality of stopper 
holes 28 (FIG. 2) are formed about the periphery of the receiving member 2 
into which screws 11 are insertable at fixed intervals. Spaced interiorly 
from the holes 28 and also about the periphery of the receiving member are 
connection holes 29 (FIG. 2), into which other screws 12 are insertable. 
At the extreme inner edge in the width direction the receiving member 2 is 
rabbeted or cut down to define a contact portion 30 on which is laid the 
pane 5. The contact portion 30 is also planar but is at a step lower than 
the plane surface 27 on which the sheet 1 is laid. 
The receiving member 2 may be formed as shown in FIG. 7 so that it is 
lighter in weight than the receiving member shown in FIG. 5. To realize 
this, the entirety of the receiving member 2, shown in FIG. 7, is molded 
of hard plastic so that it is generally hollow and its wall thickness is 
thin. Further, posts 71 provided in the one overlap portion 23 are formed 
with screw holes 72. In the other overlap portion 24 there are insertion 
holes 74 for inserting connecting screws 73. The overlap portions 23 and 
24 are provided with a packing 75 molded of silicon rubber or the like 
which is compressed therebetween before being connected by connecting 
screws 73. 
Additionally, the receiving members 2 may also be formed as shown in FIG. 
9. Here, the members 21 and 22 are formed of thin, hard plastic in an open 
latticework so that it is lighter in weight as compared to the receiving 
member of FIG. 5. The opposite ends of each member 21 or 22 are formed 
with an extending dovetail groove 78 and a mating dovetail mortise 79. By 
engaging the dovetail grooves 78 and dovetail mortise 79 with each other, 
two or more receiving members 2 (two linear members 22 or corner members 
21 and linear members 22) can be easily connected to each other to form 
the frame. 
The holding member 3 is adapted to lie in contact with the pliant sheet 1 
and compress it against the receiving member 2 as shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 
4a. The holding member 3 is fixed by screws 11 inserted through the holes 
28 of the receiving member 2. Thus, sheet 1 is fixed so that it is held 
securely between the holding member 3 and the receiving member 2 as shown 
in FIG. 4b. The holding member 3 is comprised of plastic corner members 3a 
and linear members 3b so that they form a thin and elongated frame as 
shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4b. Screw holes 31 for inserting screws 11 are 
formed at fixed intervals about the periphery of the holding member 3. 
The cover stop member 6 lies on the receiving member 2, with the peripheral 
edge of the transparent pane 5 arranged as shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 4d in the 
opening 8 (FIG. 3) formed as the result of the space created by the cutout 
step portion 30, as shown in FIG. 4c. The stop member 6 is fixed to the 
receiving member 2 by screw 12, as shown in FIG. 4d. The stop member 6 is 
similarly comprised of corner members 61 and a linear members 62, as shown 
in FIG. 3. The bottom surface of the stop member 6, as shown in FIG. 4d, 
is formed with a plane surface 63 adapted to be in contact with the 
receiving member 2 at the center thereof and with a recessed portion 84 in 
contact with the holding member 3. The inner peripheral portion of the 
stop member 6 is formed with a groove 65 into which an O-ring packing 64 
fits in pressure-contact with the transparent pane 5 to form an airtight 
seal. The members 61 and 62 of the stop member 6 also have thin overlap 
portions 66, 67 by which their ends are connected to each other as shown 
in FIG. 3. It is desirable to provide overlap portions 66 with posts (not 
shown) corresponding to the posts 25 of FIG. 5 and the other overlap 
portion 67 with through holes (not shown) corresponding to the through 
holes 26 of FIG. 5. Thus, interconnection of two stop members 6 is easy, 
while being difficult to be broken or folded. 
The packing 64 may also be of a structure shown in FIG. 8. This packing 64 
is molded of silicon rubber or the like and is formed having an overall 
rectilinear cross section and with its side edge formed with an elongated 
channel 77. The slot 65, into which the packing is seated, may be formed 
by recessing the bottom surface of the stop member 6, while omitting the 
recessing of the receiving plate 2. When using this packing, the pane 5 is 
fitted into the channel 77 of the rectangular and elongated packing 64 
which is then inserted into the slot 65, as seen in FIG. 8. 
Preferably, the transparent pane 5 is rigid, plate-like and has a fixed 
form. It should have a high transparency, be light in weight, and have 
excellent impact resistance, heat resistance, cold resistance, adiabatic 
property, sound screening property, and dimensional stabilization. The 
pane 5 should also be difficult to be injured, difficult to be cracked, 
difficult to be subjected to deterioration of transparency by sea breeze, 
rain or direct sun rays, etc. and have weather resistance. It is suitable 
to use a transparent pane of polycarbonate resin for this purpose. As an 
example, there is "PAN RAITO" sheet by Teijin Kasei Kabushiki Kaisha. 
Additionally, a wiper 50 may be attached as shown in FIG. 6 so as to permit 
the outer surface of the transparent pane 5 to be cleansed. For this wiper 
50 any motor driver wiper available on the market may be used. 
The transparent window pane may be attached to the vinyl enclosure sheet as 
shown in FIGS. 3, 6. The frame assembly 4 may be attached as described to 
a small vinyl panel 40 which is provided on three sides with a zipper 
fastener 52 connected to the vinyl enclosure. When such an approach is 
employed, the fastener 52 may be operated to open the panel 40 and lift 
the window attached thereto. 
The transparent window of this invention may be attached to the outside of 
the fastener 52 separately from the opening and closing panel 40 of FIGS. 
3 and 6. 
While the receiving member 2, the holding member 3, and the stop member 6 
are all respectively divided into a plurality of corner members and linear 
members each, i.e. the receiving member 2, the holding member 3, and the 
stop member 6 may be integrally molded in a unitary frame form. Further, 
one or even two of the receiving member 2, the holding member 3, and the 
stop member 6 may be integrally molded so that it is in a unitary frame 
form while the others may be divided into corner members and linear 
members as shown. 
The outline or shape (form) of the window frame 4 is not critical and need 
not be limited to the shape shown, but may take other shapes. In this 
case, it is necessary to mold the receiving member 2, the holding member 
3, and the stop member 6 to take a form such that the window frame 
assembly 4 that is desired is obtained. 
The method for attaching the transparent window to the pliant sheet 1 (i.e. 
a vinyl boat enclosure) is described. 
The elements of the receiving members 2 are sequentially placed as shown in 
FIG. 2 and FIG. 4a, in contact with the outer surface of a whole pliant 
sheets 1, which has been stretched on, for example, the supporting members 
7 of ship as shown in FIG. 1. Corresponding holding members 3 are then 
placed in contact with the sheet 1 from the opposite side (inner surface) 
and screws 11 inserted through the holding member 3 as shown in FIG. 4b to 
fix these components to the sheet 1. The respective receiving members 2 
are connected with their end portions 23, 24 overlapping with each other 
until a rectangular window frame 4 as shown in FIG. 2 is complete. 
In this state, an edged cutting tool 53, as seen in FIG. 4b, is moved along 
the inner peripheral edge 37 of the holding member 3 to cut the inside 
portion 1a of the sheet 1 enclosed by the frame 4 so it can be removed as 
shown in FIG. 4c. 
Then, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4d, the transparent pane 5 is placed in the 
sight or opening 8 from which are portion of the sheet has been removed to 
rest on the lower platform 30 of the receiving member 2. The stop member 6 
(corner members 61, linear members 62) are then placed about the frame 4 
and fastened by screws 12 to the receiving member 2. The stop member 6 is 
provided with the seal 64 so that the transparent pane 5 is fixed firmly 
between the receiving member 2 and the stop member 6. In doing this, it is 
desirable that the position of the corner members 61 and linear members 62 
be offset, i.e. shifted, relative to the position of the corner members 21 
and the linear members 22 so that the respective joints are not overlying. 
This will strengthen the frame and make it difficult to be broken or 
folded. 
It has been described that separate elements, receiving member 2, holding 
member 3, and the cover stop member 6 which are divided into corner member 
and linear member are attached to the sheet 1, one piece at a time. 
However, this method may be replaced by one in which a predetermined 
number of corner and linear pieces are preconnected in advance into a 
predetermined frame form and shape. In this way, the connected holding 
members 3 in frame form may be attached to the similarly formed receiving 
members 2 to form the window frame assembly 4 on the sheet 1. Similarly 
connected stop members 6 may be placed over the outside of the transparent 
pane 5 and fixed to the window frame 4. 
According to the present invention, it is possible to easily attach the 
transparent rigid pane 5 at a desired location on the pliant sheet 1. In 
addition, since the pane 5 is a plate-like member having fixed form 
property (which is not deformed), there is no possibility that the window 
will difficult to see through as the result of its being expanded or 
contracted by any change in external temperature. Thus, it will not be 
creased, deformed, or become waved. Further, since the window is difficult 
to be injured, there is no possibility that it will become cloudy and lose 
its transparency. Furthermore, since it is sufficient to exchange only the 
transparent pane 5 when the transparency deteriorates, the window can be 
easily exchanged, thus reducing cost. 
In carrying out the method according to the present invention, the pliant 
sheet remains uncut and is not deformed either prior to or at the time of 
attaching the receiving member 2, and the attachment of receiving members 
2 to the sheet 1 is easy. In this connection, if a portion of sheet 1 is 
cut before receiving members 2 are attached, the remaining sheet 1 may 
contract and may be deformed. As a result, the dimension of the opening 
portion 8 (FIG. 3) and that of the receiving member 2 become in 
disagreement with each other, and the attachment or receiving members 2 
becomes difficult. 
ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION IN USE 
The enclosure having windows according this invention as the following 
advantages: 
1. Since the window assembly is comprised of receiving members 2, holding 
member 3, cover stop member 6, and rigid transparent pane 5 the structure 
is simple. 
2. In the case where the pane 5 deteriorates, it is possible to easily 
exchange only the pane 5. In addition, since the rigid pane 5 is not 
especially expensive, even if exchange is carried out every time 
transparency deteriorates, the economic burden is small. Accordingly, it 
is possible to exchange the pane 5 even before it fully deteriorates to 
always maintain satisfactory transparency. Thus, safety and comfortable 
steering of cruiser 1 can be conducted. 
3. Since receiving members 2 and holding member 3 can be attached to an 
existing flexible sheet enclosure without any special technique, even an 
amateur (e.g. owner of a cruiser) can easily attach the window. 
4. Since receiving members 2 and holding member 3 are attached to a 
flexible existing sheet 1, any harmful effect caused by blowing in a wind 
storm or vibration is absorbed so the window or sheet is difficult to 
injure. 
5. It is to be understood that while the present invention is most suitable 
for use in combination with the vinyl enclosure of a cruiser, such window 
may be attached on a tent, warehouse, or curtain wall or on an 
agricultural structure, thus making it possible to use it as an eyehole 
window or a lighting window in may structures. 
The method of attaching the transparent window of this invention has the 
following advantages: 
1. Since an approach can be employed to attached receiving members 2 and 
holding member 3 on an existing sheet without specially processing such a 
sheet, even an amateur can easily perform the work to attach them. 
2. Since receiving members 2 and holding member 3 are attached on a sheet 1 
before the sheet 1 is cut, there is no possibility that the sheet 1 may be 
deformed as in the case where the sheet 1 is cut in advance. Thus, it is 
easy to attach receiving members 2 and holding member 3 on sheet 1.