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  Anti-glare ceiling fixture screenUSPTO Application #: 20060011309Title: Anti-glare ceiling fixture screen Abstract: This assembly is for a retractable and versatile screen assembly for temporary or permanent installation for shading and glare reduction of ceiling light fixtures in T-bar grid ceilings. The screen assembly securely attaches to the T-bar of a light fixture in the ceiling using an clip integral to the screen cylinder casing and a receiving S-clip receiver at the opposing side of the ceiling fixture. Operable in a manual mode, the screen assembly can be deployed while sitting at a desk, or it is attachable in a more permanent position beneath a ceiling light fixture to control the glare emitted. The screen assembly includes a stationary screen cylinder, a screen, a spring roller, and a receiver S-clip. (end of abstract) Agent: Michael A. Shippey, Ph. D. - Yorba Linda, CA, US Inventors: Dale Vicari, Chad Mast USPTO Applicaton #: 20060011309 - Class: 160024000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Flexible Or Portable Closure, Partition, Or Panel, With Hood, Canopy, Shield Storage Chamber, Or Outrigged Rigid Panel, For Roll Type, Portable The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060011309. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] This invention relates generally to the field of lighting shades, and more particularly to a guided retractable opaque screen that when deployed reduces or eliminates glare emitted as a result of artificial lighting utilized in t-bar grid ceiling fixtures. [0003] 2. Description of Related Art [0004] Interior buildings must be lit in some fashion, whether by means of artificial lights or natural lighting, for most people to conduct activities indoors. Regardless of whether the type of lighting is artificial or natural, it is essential to the conduct of human indoor activities in homes, businesses, stores, offices, schools, and so forth. In today's world, our hours of activity extend well before dawn and beyond sunset and are no longer limited by the fire-lit darkness that our ancestors faced before the advent of electricity. [0005] With light comes heat, and so in homes, stores, warehouses, offices, schools, and various other buildings, incandescent lighting is often replaced with fluorescent light fixtures that reduce heat emission and that are less expensive to make and operate. The disadvantage, however, is the increased glare that fluorescent lights create on the monitor screens of computers, which are also standard features in modern homes and businesses. This glare can cause severe eye strain, headaches, and even eye damage from prolonged exposure. [0006] Much prior art has been devoted to efforts for reducing glare. Many of these have developed covers that attach or are integrated into the computer monitor screen itself. Such devices include glare screens, electromagnetic screens, and framed opaque films. [0007] In some prior art, various means have been developed for directing light emitted from a fixture away from the computer monitor screen, which has the effect of eliminating the glare. U.S. Reg. Pat. No. 5,733,036 teaches a two-layered stacked louvered light control for a fluorescent light fixture that is suspended from a ceiling grid and that can be manufactured as part of the light fixture or used to replace the lens of such a fixture. U.S. Reg. Pat. No. 5,806,967 teaches a light fixture with a shade having an elongated down-light aperture. U.S. Reg. Pat. No. 5,954,421 teaches a reflector that is used within a light fixture to focus the light more efficiently and a cover to make it more attractive. [0008] Prior art has also developed roll-up shades that cover vertical window openings and that can be maneuvered to change the amount of light per unit area passing through the window covering. These devices include the popular horizontal mini-blinds having horizontal slats that can be raised and lowered over a window opening and when lowered can be rotated in concert with each other from a horizontal to a vertical position. U.S. Reg. Pat. No. 6,189,592 teaches a roll-up shade that provides for variations in opacity of the shade by movement of two parallel coverings with juxtaposed alternating patterns. U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,474 teaches a roll-up shade that can conform to the curve of an automobile window. [0009] The problem with the prior art is that it is expensive and difficult to manufacture, and it is complicated to install. It is complex in its various parts and operation, tending to wear and break with constant daily use. Prior art with a vertical orientation will not operate when placed in a horizontal position, such as for purposes of shading ceiling fixtures. In addition, as lighting fixtures and computer monitor screens change from year to year with improvements in technology and changes for consumer taste and design, the prior art must also be continually redesigned so that it will fit or otherwise be usable with the newest technologies. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] The present invention consists of an assembly for a retractable screen that is securable to a T-bar of a grid ceiling at one side of a lighting fixture inset into such grid ceiling. Said retractable screen being capable of being unrolled horizontally from a self-winding roller, such as a spring-loaded roller, and secured in open position by means of fitting a pull-connector into a receiver S-clip that has been in turn secured to the T-bar of the grid ceiling on the side of the inset lighting fixture opposite of the retractable screen assembly. The assembly includes a stationary film cylinder, a film screen and U-shaped pull-connector, a spring-loaded roller, a screen pull-stick, and a receiver S-clip. In one embodiment of the present invention, the retractable screen is capable of being held in a partially open position by securing the pull-connector to receiving clips, self-adhering tape, or other attachment means set at regular intervals on the ceiling grid T-bars that are along the sides of the inset lighting fixture. [0011] One object of the present invention is to provide an assembly that can be installed temporarily or permanently to cover a light source in a T-bar grid ceiling for purposes of reducing glare. [0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide an assembly that can be used on the exterior of a light fixture frame. [0013] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide for an anti-glare screen that may be operated manually to eliminate glare or to increase light as desired temporarily, or that may be attached in a permanently open position as a shade across a source of light. [0014] Further important objects of this present invention are to provide an anti-glare screen that is easy to mount onto a pre-existing T-bar grid ceiling, easy to operate and clean, inexpensive to manufacture, and durable for daily use. [0015] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0016] FIG. 1 Perspective view of present invention from upper side having retractable screen extended horizontally. [0017] FIG. 2 Perspective view of present invention from lower side having retractable screen extended horizontally. [0018] FIG. 3 Side view of screen cylinder casing of present invention having retractable screen extended horizontally. [0019] FIG. 4 Perspective view of screen cylinder casing of present invention having retractable screen retracted. [0020] FIG. 5 Side view of screen cylinder casing of present invention having retractable screen retracted. [0021] FIG. 6 End view of screen cylinder casing. Continue reading... Full patent description for Anti-glare ceiling fixture screen Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Anti-glare ceiling fixture screen patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. 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