Patent Application
20200131762
This application relates to hide screens and, more particularly, yet not exclusively, hide screens for surveillance operations in buildings.
There exists a need for an improved hide screen for surveillance operations in an urban environment.
Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present innovations are described with reference to the following drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various figures unless otherwise specified. For a better understanding of the described innovations, reference will be made to the following Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment, which is to be read in association with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
The following briefly describes example embodiments of the invention to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This brief description is not intended as an extensive overview. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements or to delineate or otherwise narrow the scope. Its purpose is merely to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
Briefly stated, various embodiments are directed to a hide screen for surveillance operations in urban environments. The hide screen may include a netting panel, sleeves, and frame poles. One or more of the sleeves may be coupled to the netting panel. The frame poles may be insertable into the sleeves to tension the netting panel.
In some embodiments, the sleeves surround the netting panel.
In some embodiments, an adjustable anchor support may be coupled to one or more of the sleeves to removably anchor the hide screen in a building. Preferably, the adjustable anchor support includes a plurality of pockets disposed along one or more of the sleeves. In some embodiments, an anchor pole is selectively insertable into the pockets to adjust an effective height of the anchor pole.
In some embodiments, one or more of the sleeves may be curved when the frame poles are inserted into the sleeves and the netting panel is tensioned.
In some embodiments, the netting panel may be curved when the frame poles are inserted into the sleeves and the netting panel is tensioned.
In some embodiments, the netting panel may have a concave shape when the frame poles are inserted into the sleeves and the netting panel is tensioned.
In some embodiments, another netting panel may be coupled to one or more of the sleeves. Preferably, an entirety of the other netting panel may be disposed in a single plane when the frame poles are inserted into the sleeves and the netting panel and the other netting panel are tensioned.
In some embodiments, a first grommet tab may be coupled to a first sleeve in the plurality of sleeves. In one or more embodiments, the first grommet tab may have a first grommet. In some embodiments, a second grommet tab may be coupled to a second sleeve in the plurality of sleeves. In one or more embodiments, the second grommet tab may have a second grommet. In some embodiments, a frame support sleeve may be coupled to a third sleeve in the plurality of sleeves. In one or more embodiments, a frame support pole may be insertable into the frame support sleeve, the first grommet, and the second grommet to tension the netting panel.
Also, briefly stated, various embodiments are directed to a hide screen system for surveillance operations in urban environments. The hide screen system may include a first hide screen and a second hide screen. The first hide screen may include a first netting panel, first sleeves, and first frame poles. One or more of the first sleeves may be coupled to the first netting panel. The first frame poles may be insertable into the first sleeves to tension the first netting panel. The second hide screen may include a second netting panel, second sleeves, and second frame poles. One or more of the second sleeves may be coupled to the second netting panel. The second frame poles may be insertable into the second sleeves to tension the second netting panel.
In some embodiments, the second sleeves surround the second netting panel.
In some embodiments, an adjustable anchor support may be coupled to one or more of the first sleeves to removably anchor the first hide screen in a building. Preferably, the adjustable anchor support includes a plurality of pockets disposed along one or more of the first sleeves. In one or more embodiments, an anchor pole may be selectively insertable into the pockets to adjust an effective height of the anchor pole.
In some embodiments, one or more of the first sleeves may be curved when the first frame poles are inserted into the first sleeves and the first netting panel is tensioned. In one or more embodiments, each of the second sleeves are straight when the second frame poles are inserted into the second sleeves and the second netting panel is tensioned.
In some embodiments, the first netting panel may be curved when the first frame poles are inserted into the first sleeves and the first netting panel is tensioned. In one or more embodiments, an entirety of the second netting panel may be disposed in a single plane when the second frame poles are inserted into the second sleeves and the second netting panel is tensioned.
In some embodiments, the first netting panel may have a concave shape when the first frame poles are inserted into the first sleeves and the first netting panel is tensioned. In one or more embodiments, an entirety of the second netting panel may be disposed in a single plane when the second frame poles are inserted into the second sleeves and the second netting panel is tensioned.
Also, briefly stated, various embodiments are directed toward a method of using the hide screen system. The second hide screen may be removably installed at a first position in a building having a window or doorway. The first position may be spaced apart from the window or doorway and in a line of sight from the window or doorway. The first hide screen may be removably installed between the second hide screen and the window or doorway to define an observation area between the first hide screen and the second hide screen. One or more events, actions, people, or locations outside the building may be observed through the first hide screen and the window or doorway.
In some embodiments, one or more of the first sleeves may be curved based on the first frame poles being inserted into the first sleeves and the first netting panel being tensioned. In one or more embodiments, each of the second sleeves may be straight based on the second frame poles being inserted into the second sleeves and the second netting panel being tensioned.
In some embodiments, the first netting panel may be curved based on the first frame poles being inserted into the first sleeves and the first netting panel being tensioned. In one or more embodiments, an entirety of the second netting panel may be disposed in a single plane based on the second frame poles being inserted into the second sleeves and the second netting panel being tensioned.
The various embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific example embodiments by which the invention may be practiced. The embodiments may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the embodiments to those skilled in the art. Among other things, the various embodiments may be methods, systems, or devices. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
Throughout the specification and claims, the following terms take the meanings explicitly associated herein unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The phrase “in one embodiment” as used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, though it may. Furthermore, the phrase “in another embodiment” as used herein does not necessarily refer to a different embodiment, although it may. Thus, as described below, various embodiments may be readily combined, without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.
As used herein, the term “removably installed” or “removably anchor” refers to installation or anchoring that facilitates removing the installed or anchored item without damaging an object or area where the item was installed or anchored and without leaving evidence of the installation or anchoring, without the need for repairs. For example, a removably installing or anchoring a hide screen in a building refers to installing or anchoring the hide screen in a building such that the hide screen may be removed from the building without requiring repairs to the building to remove evidence of the installation or anchoring.
In addition, as used herein, the term “or” refers to a grammatical conjunction to indicate that one or more of the connected terms may be employed. For example, the phrase “one or more A, B, or C” is employed to discretely refer to each of the following: i) one or more As, ii) one or more Bs, iii) one or more Cs, iv) one or more As and one or more Bs, v) one or more As and one or more Cs, vi) one or more Bs and one or more Cs, and vii) one or more As, one or more Bs, and one or more Cs. The term “based on” is not exclusive and allows for being based on additional factors not described, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In addition, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references. Also, plural references are intended to also disclose the singular, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on.” Also, the use of “when” and “responsive to” do not imply that associated resultant actions are required to occur immediately or within a particular time period. Instead, they are used herein to indicate actions that may occur or be performed in response to one or more conditions being met, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Flat hide screen 100 includes one or more adjustable anchor supports, such as adjustable anchor support 122 disposed in sleeve 110 and adjustable anchor support 124 disposed in sleeve 112. Each adjustable anchor support includes a sleeve (for example, sleeve 126 or sleeve 132) disposed at one end portion of the adjustable anchor support and multiple fabric pockets (for example, pocket 130 or pocket 132) disposed along the adjustable anchor support, from the sleeve to the opposite end portion. Preferably, each adjustable anchor support is disposed on the interior side of flat hide screen 100 (opposite side of flat hide screen 100 from the window or doorway) to facilitate decreasing visibility of flat hide screen 100 from outside the building.
Flat hide screen 100 includes multiple poles that are insertable into the sleeves of flat hide screen 100. Frame poles 134-140 are insertable into sleeves 106-112 (see
Frame sleeves 106-112 are positioned and oriented to facilitate each of the frame support poles being transverse (for example, perpendicular) to one or more others of the frame poles to increase structural strength of flat hide screen 100. In
To install each of frame poles 134-140, the frame pole is fully inserted into the corresponding one of sleeves 106-112, the user grips the frame pole with one hand and the corresponding one of grommet tabs 114-120 with the other hand, pushes the frame pole toward the closed end portion of the sleeve while pulling on the grommet tab to shorten the effective length of the frame pole by bending the frame pole, and inserts the male end portion of the frame pole into the grommet of the grommet tab. Grommet tabs 114-120 may have ladder locks or another mechanism that facilitates adjusting the length of grommet tabs 114-120. Accordingly, when using grommet tabs with adjustable lengths, the user does not need to shorten the effective length of the frame poles and can instead lengthen the grommet tabs, insert the male end portions of the frame poles into the grommets, and shorten the lengths of the grommet tabs. Male end portions 150 and 152 of frame poles 138 and 140 are insertable into rubber stoppers 258 and 260, with rubber stoppers being disposed opposite grommet tabs 118 and 120 from sleeve 108, to facilitate increasing the friction coefficient of flat hide screen 100 against the floor. Male end portions 154 and 156 of support poles 142 and 144 are insertable into rubber stoppers 262 and 264 to facilitate increasing the friction coefficient of flat hide screen 100 and the ceiling. To remove each of frame poles 134-140, the process is reversed.
The perimeter of netting frame 102 may have one or more couplers (for example, snaps, hooks, hook-and-loop fasteners, or other couplers) that facilitate removably attaching a blackout screen (not shown) to netting frame 102 to facilitate decreasing the amount of light that passes through flat hide screen 100. The blackout screen may be sized and dimensioned the same as or slightly larger than netting 104 and may have one or more corresponding couplers (for example, snaps, holes to receive hooks, hook-and-loop fasteners, or other couplers). The blackout screen may include no-see-um netting, mosquito netting, or nontransparent fabric.
Curved hide screen 300 may be installed at a window or doorway, and flat hide screen 100 may be installed at a position that is spaced apart from curved hide screen 100 on the opposite side of curved hide screen 300 from the window or doorway, with or without the blackout screen installed. Surveillance operations (for example, surveillance, sniper observations, or others) may be conducted by operators positioned between curved hide screen 300 and flat hide screen 100, and a work area that contains electronics that emit light (for example, laptops) may be positioned opposite flat hide screen 100 from curved hide screen 300. This combination facilitates decreasing visibility of the operators' silhouettes from outside the building and decreasing visibility of light emitted by the electronics in the work area.
Curved hide screen 300 includes netting frame 302 that can be folded or otherwise compressed for portability. Netting frame 302 includes netting 304 coupled to fabric sleeves (for example, nylon sleeves), such as top sleeve 306, bottom sleeve 308, side sleeve 310, and side sleeve 312. Netting 304 may include no-see-um or mosquito netting and may be stitched to one or more portions of the sleeves. Netting 304 may include multiple netting panels, such as top netting panel 304a, curved netting panel 304b, and bottom netting panel 304c. The netting panels may be integral to or separate and distinct from each other. Each of the sleeves may be open at each end portion. Top sleeve 306 has grommet tabs 314 and 316, and bottom sleeve 308 has grommet tabs 318 and 320. Each grommet tab includes a grommet (for example, a metal grommet) disposed in a fabric tab that extends from the corresponding sleeve. The fabric tabs may include the same or different material than the sleeves.
Curved hide screen 300 includes one or more adjustable anchor supports, such as adjustable anchor support 322 or adjustable anchor support 324. Adjustable anchor supports 322 and 324 include similar components as explained regarding adjustable anchor supports 122 and 124, such as sleeves and multiple fabric pockets disposed along adjustable anchor supports 322 and 324, from the sleeves to the opposite end portions. Preferably, each adjustable anchor support is disposed on the interior side of curved hide screen 300 (opposite side of curved hide screen 300 from the window or doorway) to facilitate decreasing visibility of curved hide screen 300 from outside the building (see
Curved hide screen 300 includes multiple poles that are insertable into the sleeves of curved hide screen 300. Frame poles (for example, frame poles 542-548 in
The exterior-side perimeter of top and bottom netting panels 304a and 304c may be attached to fabric strips 342 and 344 that extend from one end portion of top and bottom sleeves 306 and 308 to the other end portion of top and bottom sleeves 306. Preferably, fabric strips 342 and 344 include the same material as the sleeves (see
Curved hide screen 300 may include one or more spanning members, such as spanning members 346-352, to facilitate retaining the frame poles in their intended position and orientation after installation (see
Because curved hide screen 300 has a curved perimeter along curved netting panel 304b and is offset back from the window or doorway, netting 304 facilitates diffusing light received into the concaved space between top and bottom netting panels 304a and 304c, rendering curved hide screen 300 less visible from outside buildings than flat netting of typical hide screens. The curved perimeter also facilitates providing coverage along the edges of the window or doorway, unlike a flat hide screen that is offset from a window or doorway.
Flat hide screen 100 and curved hide screen 300 may be provided in multiple sizes, such as slightly taller and wider than typical residential windows or doorways or slightly taller and wider than typical hotel windows or sliding double doors. Preferably, flat hide screen 100 is wider than curved hide screen 300 (for example, 8 feet wide) Flat hide screen 100 and curved hide screen 300 may each have an individual weight of less than 2 pounds. The poles of flat hide screen 100 and curved hide screen 300 may include aluminum, carbon fiber, or fiberglass. The anchor poles of flat hide screen 100 and curved hide screen 300 facilitate installing and uninstalling in buildings without leaving evidence, unlike taping or nailing typical hide screens, and also allows securing flat hide screen 100 and curved hide screen 300 in concrete buildings where nails are impractical. Where anchor poles are not practical (for example, ceiling damaged or higher than the anchor poles can reach), flat hide screen 100 or curved hide screen 300 may be zip tied to curtain rods or other structures in the building. Flat hide screen 100 and curved hide screen 300 may be installed and uninstalled in shorter periods of time than typical hide screens, thereby providing a higher likelihood that they will be employed in surveillance operations, especially where the operator must move frequently (for example, snipers).
The foregoing examples should not be construed as limiting or exhaustive, yet rather, illustrative use cases to show implementations of at least one of the various embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, although curved hide screen 300 is shown as having a perimeter with a curvature of a portion of an ellipse, curved hide screen 300 may be box-shaped, radiused like a half cylinder, or dome-shaped to eliminate corners. As another example, although curved hide screen 300 is shown as concave, curved hide screen 300 may be convex. Also, for example, curved hide screen 300 may have multiple curves along curved netting panel 304b. As another example, although curved hide screen 300 is shown with flat netting panels 304a and 304c being disposed above and below curved netting panel 304b, curved hide screen 300 may be oriented with flat netting panels 304a and 304c being vertically oriented on left and right sides of curved netting panel 304b. Thus, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the examples. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.
