Abstract: There is disclosed a viewing panel unit, comprising: a first panel and a second panel; a drive mechanism for moving the first panel relative to the second panel; and an abutment member mounted so as to have a fixed spatial relationship relative to the second panel, wherein: the first panel comprises a coupling member; the drive mechanism comprises a drive member configured to engage with the coupling member such that rotation of the drive member imparts a linear motion to the first panel via the coupling member; and the drive mechanism is configured such that a first impact surface of the drive member is brought into contact with a surface of the abutment member to stop the drive member when the drive member is rotated through a maximum angle in a first sense.

Abstract: A viewing panel unit is disclosed, comprising: a first panel comprising one or more light transparent regions that are substantially transparent to visible light and one or more light hindering regions which substantially hinder transmission of visible light; a second panel comprising one or more light transparent regions that are substantially transparent to visible light and one or more light hindering regions which substantially hinder transmission of visible light; and an actuator (6) for moving the second panel relative to the first panel in a plane parallel to the plane of the first panel, wherein the actuator comprises: a cam (10) configured such that rotational movement of the cam causes linear movement of said second panel relative to said first panel; a shaft (8) extending through the cam; and an engaging member (15), wherein: the engaging member provides a non-rotatable connection between the shaft and the cam such that rotation of the shaft in use causes a corresponding rotation of said cam; the e

Abstract: There is disclosed a viewing panel unit, comprising: a first panel and a second panel; a drive mechanism for moving the first panel relative to the second panel; and an abutment member mounted so as to have a fixed spatial relationship relative to the second panel, wherein: the first panel comprises a coupling member; the drive mechanism comprises a drive member configured to engage with the coupling member such that rotation of the drive member imparts a linear motion to the first panel via the coupling member; and the drive mechanism is configured such that a first impact surface of the drive member is brought into contact with a surface of the abutment member to stop the drive member when the drive member is rotated through a maximum angle in a first sense.

Abstract: There is disclosed a miniature damper (17),a viewing panel unit (1, 2, 3) incorporating a miniature damper, and a method of installing a viewing panel unit (1, 2, 3). A disclosed miniature damper (17) comprises: an elongate body (14) comprising an internal cavity having a substantially constant internal cross-section over a range of longitudinal positions; a piston housed with-in said internal cavity and configured to be movable longitudinally within said range of longitudinal positions; and a rod fixedly (15) connected to said piston at one end and extending outside of said internal cavity at the other end, wherein: a width of said elongate body in at least one direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis is less than 6 mm.

Abstract: A viewing panel unit is disclosed, comprising: a first panel comprising one or more light transparent regions that are substantially transparent to visible light and one or more light hindering regions which substantially hinder transmission of visible light; a second panel comprising one or more light transparent regions that are substantially transparent to visible light and one or more light hindering regions which substantially hinder transmission of visible light; and an actuator (6) for moving the second panel relative to the first panel in a plane parallel to the plane of the first panel, wherein the actuator comprises: a cam (10) configured such that rotational movement of the cam causes linear movement of said second panel relative to said first panel; a shaft (8) extending through the cam; and an engaging member (15), wherein: the engaging member provides a non-rotatable connection between the shaft and the cam such that rotation of the shaft in use causes a corresponding rotation of said cam; the e

Abstract: A domestic viewing panel unit for a door, comprising: a first panel comprising one or more first panel light transparent regions that are substantially transparent to visible light and one or more first panel light hindering regions which substantially hinder transmission of visible light; a second panel comprising one or more second panel light transparent regions that are substantially transparent to visible light and one or more second panel light hindering regions which substantially hinder transmission of visible light; an actuator for moving the second panel relative to the first panel in a plane parallel to the plane of the first panel; wherein the first and second panels are arranged such that the amount of visible light transmitted unhindered through the domestic viewing panel is a non-linear function of the relative position of the first and second panels.

Abstract: A domestic viewing panel unit for a door, comprising: a first panel comprising one or more first panel light transparent regions that are substantially transparent to visible light and one or more first panel light hindering regions which substantially hinder transmission of visible light; a second panel comprising one or more second panel light transparent regions that are substantially transparent to visible light and one or more second panel light hindering regions which substantially hinder transmission of visible light; an actuator for moving the second panel relative to the first panel in a plane parallel to the plane of the first panel; wherein the first and second panels are arranged such that the amount of visible light transmitted unhindered through the domestic viewing panel is a non-linear function of the relative position of the first and second panels.