Abstract:
A surface configuration obscures an object from detection by night vision devices, ultraviolet devices and infrared devices. The surface configuration is three dimensional, having spaced inner and outer surfaces. A wall defines a plurality of enclosed cells, and projections extend from the inner surface within the cells. The cells can be hexagonal, round or otherwise shaped. The projections can be flat sided or curved. The shapes of the cells and materials used provide sound muffling.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present invention is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/632,544 filed on Aug. 1, 2003; and claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/546,226 filed on Feb. 20, 2004. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates generally to camouflaging surface treatments and, more particularly, the invention relates to surfaces having reduced visibility to night vision devices and other vision enhancing devices, and surfaces providing a reduced audio signal in use.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Military and law enforcement organizations are becoming increasingly reliant on the use of night vision and other detecting devices and systems. The proven battlefield success of night vision devices has produced a large number and an increasing availability of both new and used military and consumer designed night vision devices. Consequently, it is easy for criminal organizations and individuals to obtain and use night vision devices against law enforcement agencies, fire departments or other public supported groups that may or may not have such devices. The safety of people in these groups is compromised by the availability of night vision devices to criminals and criminal organizations or groups.  
         [0004]     Virtually all armies that are equipped even moderately well have and use night vision devices regularly. Paramilitary organizations or groups, terrorists and subversives can obtain night vision devices on secondary markets with relative ease. The visibility of people and things is improved greatly through night vision devices. Peculiarly, night vision devices themselves can be highly visible through other night vision devices, and the visible signature thereof can be used by sophisticated militaries to identify the source of the device and the probable allegiance of the user based thereon. As will be further explained below, this is especially true if the night vision device is black in color. Moreover, even if the device itself is somehow camouflaged, the user of a night vision device can be identified by the patterns formed by various pieces of uncloaked components and equipment found on the user.  
         [0005]     The potential for misuse of night vision devices against law enforcement and fire departments or against friendly military organizations is high. The ability to conduct surveillance or other operations against criminals, subversives and other unfriendly groups is compromised by the availability of night vision or other vision enhancing or detecting equipment to the groups.  
         [0006]     When viewed with night vision devices, certain surfaces are more readily detected than others are. A number of factors contribute to the detectability of an object, including the material composition, surface finishes, colors, reflectivity and various other factors. Articles made from many different plastics are very visible when viewed with night vision devices. It has been found that many common hardware components, such as buckles, molded pack frames, weapon components and other plastic equipment pieces that are mission critical in both military and law enforcement engagements are seen readily with night vision devices. Consequently, even if clothing or other surrounding materials are treated to reduce visibility through night vision devices, a buckle, weapon or other article or component can reveal the location of an otherwise camouflaged and hidden individual.  
         [0007]     Even if camouflaged visually, an individual or group can be detected by sounds emanating from equipment carried or used. Muffling the sound created from equipment contacting other equipment or contacting surrounding objects can promote the undetected movement of the individual or group.  
         [0008]     Therefore, it is desirable to provide surface attributes on articles and components thereof that will reduce the visibility and signal of night vision devices, infrared devices and ultraviolet viewing devices. Also, the reduction of glare and flashing caused by reflected light is an advantageous attribute for surfaces of equipment used by police, the military and other organizations. Sound muffling, or sound and noise attenuation, of tactile equipment and other items is also desirable.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The present invention addresses the above-identified needs by providing a three-dimensional surface configuration that causes inconsistent reflectivity and varied angles of incidence and reflectivity when exposed to light sources, and which is made of materials reducing noise and cushioning the device.  
         [0010]     An advantage of the present invention is providing a surface treatment for articles and things that reduces detection by night vision devices.  
         [0011]     Another advantage of the present invention is providing a surface treatment that reduces glare and flashing caused by reflected light.  
         [0012]     Still another advantage of the present invention is providing a surface that is easy to manufacture into articles during molding of the article.  
         [0013]     A further advantage of the present invention is providing a detection-limiting surface that can be made as a discrete body attachable to other articles to modify existing devices to become less visible.  
         [0014]     A still further advantage of the present invention is providing a vision-reducing surface that also reduces noise from objects and things contacting the surface.  
         [0015]     Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description, claims and drawings in which like numerals are used to designate like features.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a surface in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the surface shown in  FIG. 1 , taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view similar to that of  FIG. 2  but of a modified form of the first embodiment; and  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
       [0020]     Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use herein of “including”, “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0021]     Referring now more specifically to the drawings and to  FIG. 1  in particular, a device or body  10  is shown having a surface configuration  12  ( FIGS. 2 and 3 ) of the present invention. Surface configuration  12  includes a plurality of formations  14  closely packed on body  10 . Only some formations  14  and the components thereof to be described hereinafter and not all formations  14  or the components thereof are labeled in  FIG. 1 , for purposes of clarity.  
         [0022]     Body  10  can be made of a variety of materials, including plastics for which the present invention is applied easily. In plastic articles, surface configurations  14  can be formed during molding of an article or thing made of the plastic, such as a buckle for a strap, a frame piece of a backpack, plastic components of weapons or tools or other articles manufactured by any of various molding processes. A mold for the plastic article can be shaped to include surface formations  14  in forms to be described hereinafter. In such devices and things, surface configuration  12  becomes an integral feature of the outer surface of the device or thing, or the part thereof including body  10 , as shown in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0023]     Alternatively, as seen best in  FIG. 2 , surface configuration  12  can be formed on one face of a relatively thin, discrete body  10 . Thereafter, adhesive  16  can be used in a layer on an opposite face of body  10  to attach body  10  to another article. In this way, the present invention can be used not only as a surface on newly manufactured devices by molding it into the surface, the present invention also can be added or applied on surfaces of other things, which may or may not be made of plastic. Articles made of other materials can be rendered less visible to night vision devices by adhering a body  10  to the existing article or thing, the body  10  having surface configuration  12  on one face thereof Further, panels of body  10  with surface configuration  12  can be placed so as to hide other things behind the panels.  
         [0024]     Surface configuration  12  includes closely adjacent, three-dimensional formations  14  defining an inner surface  18  and an outer surface  20 . Advantageously, inner surface  18  and outer surface  20  are spaced from each other by a significant distance, preferably by as much as available space and other design constraints allow in body  10 . Individual formations  14  preferably are smaller rather than larger, and are more tightly arranged rather than more loosely arranged, for more thoroughly disrupting the reflected light from the object. Formations  14  are configured and arranged to provide outer surface  20  with a small surface area relative to the size of body  10 .  
         [0025]     Each formation  14  includes a nested arrangement of an outer wall  22  and inner projection  24 . The combination of nested features provides inconsistent reflectivity of light, reducing the clarity and distinctness by which the surface is detected with night vision devices.  
         [0026]     In a preferred form, outer wall  22  is formed as a plurality of panels  26  between inner surface  18  and outer surface  20 . Panels  26  define a laterally closed cell that is open at outer surface  20 . Preferably, six panels  26  are provided to define hexagonal cells that can be tightly packed adjacent each other. Each panel  26  is wider at outer surface  20  than at inner surface  18  so that the exposed surface thereof angles inwardly in the cell defined thereby.  
         [0027]     Inner projection  24  extends outwardly from inner surface  18  and has a distal end  28 . Projection  24  preferably is shorter than outer wall  22 , and distal end  28  is located between inner surface  18  and outer surface  20 .  
         [0028]     An advantageous form of inner projection  24 , particularly useful with hexagonally shaped wall  22 , is configured with a plurality of flat surfaces  30 , preferably six flat surfaces  30 . Projection  24  is wider at inner surface  18  than at distal end  28 , tapering smoothly from inner surface  18  to distal end  28 .  
         [0029]     Hexagonally shaped walls  22  and six-sided projections  24  are one preferred arrangement of surface configuration  12 ; however, other arrangements also can be used. For example, instead of being made of flat segments, wall  22  can be continuously curved.  FIG. 4  illustrates an embodiment of the present invention in which a continuously curved wall  32  is round, and a projection  34  arranged therein is a frustum or truncated cone. In a preferred form, curved wall  32  is of greater diameter at outer surface  20  than at inner surface  18 .  
         [0030]     Other geometric arrangements are also believed to be suitable, if sufficiently closely arranged on the article or thing. To be suitable, the geometric arrangement includes surfaces arranged at various angles to provide inconsistent angles of incidence and reflection with respect to a light source shinning on the object. With each formation being relatively small, and with all formations being closely and compactly arranged, large expanses forming areas of consistent reflectivity are minimized, and the surface is less detectable to a variety of vision enhancing devices.  
         [0031]     In the preferred embodiments shown and described herein, a projection  24  or  34  is shown within each wall  22  or  32 . In some uses of the invention, it may be suitable to provide random or patterned arrangements in which not all walls  22  or  32  have a projection  24  or  34  contained there within. Further, combinations may be used in which a continuously curved wall  32  has a flat sided projection  24  therein, or a wall  22  made of flat panels  26  has a frustoconical or other curved projection  34  therein.  
         [0032]     The present invention can be combined with other light controlling features. For example, when used on plastic components, resin compounds can be formulated to include light absorbing and/or light-reflecting dyes. Features such as these can be used to reduce visibility of an object within the range of between about 300 and 3000 nanometer wavelength, and preferably in the range of about 600 to 2000 nanometers. A suitable dye for a variety of applications is Shepard 473 or 474 available from The Shepard Color Company, 4539 Dues Drive, Cincinnati Ohio 45246.  
         [0033]     Surface configurations  12  of the present invention can be used with a variety of materials for a variety of purposes, especially when device or body  10  is a discrete body configured to attachment to another structure. The material from which surface configuration  12  is formed can be relatively rigid and plate-like, or the material can have flexibility to conform to an irregularly shaped article upon which it is applied. The material can be bi-axially stretchable or uni-axially stretchable, as required for a specific application. For example, material having a surface configuration of the present invention can be applied as cushioning on the inside of vehicles, to provide padding for occupants in addition to reduced visual detectability and improved sound muffling. The cell structure can deflect or crush slightly when impacted, thereby also functioning as a cushion or padding for people and objects.  
         [0034]     In one suitable use of the present invention, thermo setting urethanes such as isocyanate urethanes are used. Materials of different durometer can be used, depending on the need for softness or stiffness of the material. A suitable material for a variety of applications is Poly 33925 available from BayOne Urethane Systems, LLC., 2700 Papin Street, St. Louis, Mo. 63103. The material can be made more or less flexible or more or less rigid by the addition or removal of various additives. Again, by way of example, fillers or reinforcing material can be added, such as glass fibers, fabric fibers, mineral fillers or nanoparticles.  
         [0035]     In a preferred configuration, the overall thickness of body  12 , as indicated by the dimensional line  40  in  FIG. 2 , is about 0.0080 inch. The depth of each cell formed therein, between inner surface  18  and outer surface  20 , as indicated by the dimensional line  42  in  FIG. 2 , is approximately 0.0060 inch. Thus, the material remaining at the bottom of each cell, as indicated by the dimensional line  44  in  FIG. 2 , has a thickness of about 0.0020 inch In general, preferred cell sizes are small at the outer surface, and relatively deep in comparison to the surface opening. Cells are closely packed, with minimal regions of material disposed along the outer surface between cells. It is preferred that ridge areas  46  between cells have a width, as indicated by the dimensional line  48  in  FIG. 2 , of between about 0.001 and 0.050 inch, and more preferably less than about 0.002 inch. As a result, the exposed area of the outer surface is kept small.  
         [0036]     The three dimensional shape and openness of the cells provides a cushioning effect that creates sound muffling when an object having the material thereon is contacted by another object or thing. Thus, normal use of equipment having the present surface configuration generates less noise than otherwise would be created. The cushioning effect can be increased by reducing the rigidity of the material, such as by using fewer fiber additives or other reinforcing techniques. However, because of the open cell structure, even relatively rigid embodiments of the present invention provide significant sound muffling.  
         [0037]     Adhesives used for attaching sheets of material having the surface configuration of the present invention can be of a variety of types. Acrylic-based as well as urethane based adhesives of different tackiness have been used advantageously. Chemical resistivity can be built into the material and/or adhesives used so that the material and adhesive are resistive to petrochemical and hydrocarbon degradation. A suitable adhesive for a variety of applications is HS00463-b available from Coating and Converting Technologies, 80 East Morris Street, Philadelphia, Pa. 19148.  
         [0038]     The pitted or open cell outer surface area further provides an improved gripping surface so that items such as weapons or other equipment are more easily grasped and held. Graspability can be further improved by forming the surface configuration of the present invention from a material such as thermoset urethanes that have a tactile or grip enhancing surface.  
         [0039]     Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present invention It is understood that the invention disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the invention and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention. The claims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.  
         [0040]     Various features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.