Adjustable light-receiving window assembly

Abstract

An adjustable light-receiving window assembly includes a window and a window covering device. The window includes a window frame and at least two light-transmittable panes mounted on the window frame to define a compartment with an opening in communication with outside. The window covering device includes a light-shielding member extending into the compartment via the opening. The window covering device further includes an operative member operable to move the light-shielding member between an extended state and a folded state for selectively blocking light transmitted through the light-transmittable panes. In another example, the operative member is replaced with a controllable motor.

1 . An adjustable light-receiving window assembly comprising:
 a window including a window frame and at least two light-transmittable panes mounted on the window frame to define a compartment with an opening in communication with outside; and   a window covering device mounted adjacent to the compartment and including a light-shielding member extending into the compartment via the opening, the window covering device further including an operative member mounted above the opening, the operative member being operable to move the light-shielding member between an extended state and a folded state for selectively blocking light transmitted through said at least two light-transmittable panes.   
   
   
       2 . The adjustable light-receiving window assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the window covering device further includes a shaft to which an end of the light-shielding member is fixed, the shaft being mounted above the opening of the window and drivable by the operative member to move the light-shielding member between the extended state and the folded state. 
   
   
       3 . The adjustable light-receiving window assembly as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the window frame is substantially U-shaped and includes at least two parallel U-shaped positioning grooves in an inner side thereof, said at least two light-transmittable panes being respectively fixed in said at least two positioning grooves to define said compartment. 
   
   
       4 . The adjustable light-receiving window assembly as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the window frame includes an elongated base and two upright beams respectively extending upward in parallel from two ends of the elongated base, each said upright beam including at least two spaced, parallel positioning grooves, said at least two positioning grooves on one of the upright beams being aligned with said at least two positioning grooves on the other upright beam, said at least two light-transmittable panes being respectively fixed in said at least two positioning grooves of the upright beams to define said compartment. 
   
   
       5 . The adjustable light-receiving window assembly as claimed in  claim 2  wherein the window covering device further includes a housing mounted above the opening, the shaft being mounted in the housing and having an end outside the housing and coupled with the operative member. 
   
   
       6 . The adjustable light-receiving window assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said at least two light-transmittable panes are made of light-transmittable glass material. 
   
   
       7 . The adjustable light-receiving window assembly as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said at least two light-transmittable panes are made of light-transmittable plastic material. 
   
   
       8 . An adjustable light-receiving window assembly comprising:
 a window including a window frame and at least two light-transmittable panes mounted on the window frame to define a compartment with an opening in communication with outside; and   a window covering device mounted adjacent to the compartment and including a light-shielding member extending into the compartment via the opening, the window covering device further including a controllable motor for moving the light-shielding member between an extended state and a folded state for selectively shielding light transmitted through said at least two light-transmittable panes.   
   
   
       9 . The adjustable light-receiving window assembly as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the window covering device further includes a shaft to which an end of the light-shielding member is fixed, the shaft being mounted above the opening of the window and drivable by the motor to move the light-shielding member between the extended state and the folded state. 
   
   
       10 . The adjustable light-receiving window assembly as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the window covering device further includes a housing mounted above the opening, the motor and the shaft being mounted in the housing. 
   
   
       11 . The adjustable light-receiving window assembly as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the window covering device further includes a track aligned with the opening, a plurality of slides being slidably mounted on the track, at least one of the slides being drivable by the motor to slide along the track for selectively moving the light-shielding member between the extended state and the folded state. 
   
   
       12 . The adjustable light-receiving window assembly as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the window covering device further includes a housing mounted above the opening, the motor and the track being mounted in the housing. 
   
   
       13 . The adjustable light-receiving window assembly as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the window frame is substantially U-shaped and includes at least two parallel U-shaped positioning grooves in an inner side thereof, said at least two light-transmittable panes being respectively fixed in said at least two positioning grooves to define said compartment. 
   
   
       14 . The adjustable light-receiving window assembly as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the window frame includes an elongated base and two upright beams respectively extending upward in parallel from two ends of the elongated base, each said upright beam including at least two spaced, parallel positioning grooves, said at least two positioning grooves on one of the upright beams being aligned with said at least two positioning grooves on the other upright beam, said at least two light-transmittable panes being respectively fixed in said at least two positioning grooves of the upright beams to define said compartment. 
   
   
       15 . The adjustable light-receiving window assembly as claimed in  claim 8  wherein said at least two light-transmittable panes are made of light-transmittable glass material. 
   
   
       16 . The adjustable light-receiving window assembly as claimed in  claim 8  wherein said at least two light-transmittable panes are made of light-transmittable plastic material. 
   
   
       17 . The adjustable light-receiving window assembly as claimed in  claim 8  further including a light sensor for detecting intensity of light outside the window and for outputting a signal regarding the intensity to the motor, thereby controlling the motor to move the light-shielding member between the extended state and the folded state.