Cosmetic equipment shield

Abstract

Improvements in a cosmetic equipment shield that provides a cosmetic shield that can cover all of the equipment that can exist on the roof of a building is disclosed. The cosmetic shield convers the roof equipment on one or more sides to improve the visual appearance of the building. The shield allows air movement through the cosmetic shield. The metal strips are staggered, offset or otherwise configured so they prevent viewing through the metal strips or louvers, but allows air flow. The cosmetic equipment shield is secured to the roof to resist most weather conditions from rain to wind, hot temperatures and freezing temperatures. The cosmetic equipment shield is configured for nearly infinite straight walls and can also include angle brackets to change the direction of the shield to 90 degrees or 270 degrees or can be angled slightly in a curved appearance.

Claims

1. A cosmetic equipment shield comprising: at least three structural rooftop support bases directly under at least two vertical cosmetic panels that are configured to support and distribute a weight of said at least two vertical cosmetic panels; said at least three structural support bases are secured into an existing roof; said at least two vertical cosmetic panels being supported within a tubular member frame; an angle bracket being connected to two enclosed brackets that are secured to said tubular member frame within said tubular member frame; at least two support arms that extend from said angle bracket to at least two ballast stabilizers mounted to said existing roof; at least one vertical cosmetic panel includes a plurality of louvers whereby air can pass between in combination with said plurality of vertical vanes and prevent viewing through said plurality of louvers, and an inside bracket joiner that allows for joining a first of said at least two vertical cosmetic panels at a 90-degree angle to a second of said at least two vertical cosmetic panels.

2. The cosmetic equipment shield according to claim 1, wherein said at least two vertical cosmetic panels has an open air path of between 21% and 53%.

3. The cosmetic equipment shield according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of louvers are angled or bent.

4. The cosmetic equipment shield according to claim 1, wherein one of said at least three structural roof support bases is directly under a connection of said first of said at least two vertical cosmetic panels and said second of said at least two vertical cosmetic panels.

5. The cosmetic equipment shield according to claim 1, wherein said at least one of said two vertical cosmetic panels is made from a group of materials consisting of aluminum or steel.

6. The cosmetic equipment shield according to claim 1, wherein said at least one of said at least two support arms is a telescoping support.

7. The cosmetic equipment shield according to claim 6, wherein said telescoping support is adjusts a height of said at least one vertical cosmetic panel above said existing roof.

8. The cosmetic equipment shield according to claim 1, wherein said at least two ballasted stabilizers are securable to said existing roof.

9. The cosmetic equipment shield according to claim 8, wherein said at least two ballasted stabilizers includes a horizontal telescoping support that connects between at least one of said ballasted stabilizers and at least one of said at least two vertical cosmetic panel.

10. The cosmetic equipment shield according to claim 9, wherein said horizontal telescoping support connected to said angle bracket.

11. The cosmetic equipment shield according to claim 1, wherein said least three structural rooftop support bases are configured to connect to a telescoping support that connects to an exterior track of said tubular member frame.

12. The cosmetic equipment shield according to claim 1, further includes a corner clip that is configured to secure said at least two support arms on existing equipment on said existing roof.

13. The cosmetic equipment shield according to claim 12, includes at least three vertical cosmetic panels that surround at least three sides of said existing equipment.

14. The cosmetic equipment shield according to claim 12, includes at least four vertical cosmetic panels that surround at least a portion of four sides of said existing equipment.

15. The cosmetic equipment shield according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said at least two vertical cosmetic panels is a solid metal panel.

16. The cosmetic equipment shield according to claim 1, wherein said at least one of said two vertical cosmetic panel is includes sound absorbing insulation.

17. The cosmetic equipment shield according to claim 1, wherein said inside bracket joiner connects from a horizontal tube of said tubular member frame of said first of said at least two vertical cosmetic panels to a second horizontal tube of said tubular member frame of said second of said at least two vertical cosmetic panels.

18. The cosmetic equipment shield according to claim 1, wherein said inside bracket includes an arm with a first angle bracket at one end of said arm and a second angle bracket at an opposite end of said arm.

19. The cosmetic equipment shield according to claim 11, wherein each of said three structural rooftop support bases support said tubular support and allow for a vertically, a horizontally and at an angular connection.

20. The cosmetic equipment shield according to claim 11, wherein said telescoping support allows for vertical positioning of said exterior track.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

(1) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the cosmetic equipment screen shield on a roof surrounding a majority of the roof equipment.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a section of the cosmetic equipment shield.

(3) FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the cosmetic equipment shield around two sides of an air conditioning unit.

(4) FIG. 4 shows a top view of the cosmetic equipment shield on the air conditioning unit.

(5) FIG. 5 shows a corner arm.

(6) FIG. 6 shows a frame bracket for three sides of a frame.

(7) FIG. 7 shows a frame bracket for an outer side that hold two sides of a frame.

(8) FIG. 8A-8D show different contemplated louver panels.

(9) FIG. 9A-9C show different contemplated panel patterns.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(10) It will be readily understood that the components of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the drawings herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the system and method of the present invention, as represented in the drawings, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, but is merely representative of various embodiments of the invention. The illustrated embodiments of the invention will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout.

ITEM NUMBERS AND DESCRIPTION

(11) TABLE-US-00001 17 opening 18 equipment 19 roof 20 equipment screen 21 track(s) 22 panel frame 23 telescoping support 25 holes 27 enclosed bracket 28 corner clip 40 ballasted stabilizer 50 inside bracket 51 arm 52 angle bracket 53 hole(s) 54 angle bracket 55 “U” tube 56 “U” tube 57 “L” bracket 58 “U” tube 60 rooftop support base 65 angle bracket 66 angle bracket 70 panel 71 sight proof louver 72 53% open air louver 73 38% open air louver 74 sound block louver 75 sound insulation 76 louver 77 louver 78 louver 79 louver 80 R-panel 81 U-Panel 82 corrugated panel

(12) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the cosmetic equipment screen 20 shield on a roof 19 surrounding a majority of the roof equipment 18. This figure shows a specific embodiment that is configured for the roof equipment 18 shown. The roof equipment is two air conditioning units that are connected with ducting. The circular areas of the equipment are fans that draw air from the sides of the air conditioning units and blow the air vertically. It should be understood from this description that there must be some air that passes under or through the equipment screen 20 to provide proper operation of the roof equipment 18.

(13) The equipment screen 20 is shown wrapping around the majority of the roof equipment 18 and has an opening 17 for maintenance or workers to easily access the roof equipment without the need of a ladder. It is also contemplated that the equipment screen 20 can be configured with a door or access to the area within the equipment shield 20. The equipment screen 20 is shown both connected or secured to the roof equipment with telescoping supports 23 and also with ballasting stabilizer 40 and on rooftop support bases 60 that are disclosed in design patent D883,775. The equipment screen 20 provides protection of the roof equipment 18 and conceals the roof equipment 18 as viewed from a horizon or from below, such as from the ground. The equipment screen 20 is made from one or a plurality of panels that can be configured and built on-site to accommodate a particular configuration of roof equipment 18 using standard sized screen components on telescoping supports 23 that are captured on exterior tracks 21 to hold and support the panels in a desired location that can withstand environmental conditions of wind, rain and sun. The equipment screen 20 shield are configured for nearly infinite straight wall and can also include angle brackets to change the direction of the shield to 90 degrees or 270 degrees or can be formed for a curved appearance.

(14) FIG. 2 shows a section of the cosmetic equipment shield 20. The equipment shield 20 is configurable in a variety of ways to accommodate the installation. In this figure, the equipment shield 20 is configured as a free-standing screen that relies upon ballast stabilizers and rooftop support bases 60. The rooftop support base(s) 60 are disclosed in design patent D883,775 and are configurable in a number of arrangements with supports or telescoping supports 23 that are secured vertically, horizontally or at an angle on the rooftop support bases 60. While the height of the equipment shield 20 can be adjusted by the fabrication height of the panel 70, the length of the supports on the rooftop support base 60 can also be adjusted raise to panel 70. The panels 70 can be slid into variable width tracks for easy installation and removal. Raising the panel(s) 70 provides unrestricted air flow under the panel(s) 70 without allowing a view of the enclosed equipment except at an elevated location or at extended distances from the building. The rooftop support base 60 can be screwed, bonded or can simply rest on the roof 19.

(15) The ballasted stabilizers 40 are usually all placed within the perimeter of the panel(s) 70 but can also be placed on the outside of the panel(s) 70 if the cosmetic appearance is not important. The ballasted stabilizers 40 can be screwed, bonded or can simply rest on the roof 19. The ballasted stabilizers 40 are shown with telescoping supports 23 extending horizontally from the ballasted stabilizers 40 and with angle brackets 65 and 66 on telescoping supports 23 to secure the panel(s) 70 and maintain the panel(s) 70 at a desired vertical orientation. While a vertical orientation of the panel(s) 70 is shown, it is contemplated that the panel(s) 70 can be placed at an angle as desired by altering the length of the telescoping support 23.

(16) [Para 52] The quantity and location of the ballasted stabilizers 40 are selected based upon the size of the equipment screen and the expected maximum environmental conditions and building code. The ends of angle bracket 65 has enclosing bracket(s) 27 that are secured to the panel frame tubular member(s) 22. The telescoping supports 33 have a plurality of holes 25 that make adjustment and location simple with the panel(s) 70 are being erected.

(17) FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the cosmetic equipment shield 20 around two sides of an air conditioning unit and FIG. 4 shows a top view of the cosmetic equipment shield on the air conditioning unit 18. In this figure the equipment shield 20 is both secured to the roof mounted equipment and also to the roof 19. The equipment shield 20 is secured to the air conditioning unit 18 with telescoping supports 23 and with corner clips 28 that wrap around the top and a side of the air conditioning unit 18. Screws or other fasteners hold the telescoping supports 23 to the air conditioning unit 18.

(18) One or multiple support feet 60 elevate the panel(s) 70 above the roof 17 to allow for some air movement under the equipment shield 20. A set of tracks 21 surround the panel(s) to provide structural support and a thicker surface for retaining threaded fasteners or the like. Cushioning pads can be used between the air conditioning unit 18 and the telescoping supports 23 to prevent vibration. When the equipment shield 20 is assembled to makes a 90 degree bend, a corner arm 50 is used to brace the joined shield panels 70.

(19) FIG. 5 shows a corner arm 50. The corner arm 50 can be used for both joining panels 70 and for supporting panels 70 with adjustable telescoping members to the roof. The inside bracket 50 is constructed with an arm 51 that has a first angle bracket 52 on one end and a second angle bracket 54 at a second distal end if the arm 51. There is a plurality of holes 53 in each of the angle brackets 53 and 54 for securing the corner arm 50 to equipment, braces and telescoping supports to secure the panels at the desired location/position.

(20) FIG. 6 shows a frame bracket for three sides of a frame 27. This frame 27 member has two “U” tubes 55 and 56 that are joined in a perpendicular relationship. The “U” shape allows the brackets to wrap around three sides of the tracks 21 that retain the panels. There are multiple holes 53 in the brackets that allow the brackets to be secured to the tracks.

(21) FIG. 7 shows a frame bracket for an outer side that hold two sides of a frame. This frame member has a “U” tube 58 and an “L” bracket that are joined in a perpendicular relationship. The “U” shape allows the brackets to wrap around three sides of the tracks 21, while the “L” bracket 57 can be secured to an end, top or side of the track(s) 21. There are multiple holes 53 in the brackets that allow the brackets to be secured to the tracks.

(22) FIG. 8A-8D show different contemplated louver panels. These open-air louvers allow for the mechanical equipment to operate properly while being protected from damage and vandalism. The panel and cross-section of the panel shown in FIG. 8A shows a sight-proof louver with a 21% open air path for air movement through the louver 71. Within the frame are bent louvers 76 in an inverted “V” shape that are retained within the frame. This louver 71 provides a hybrid that provides both bocks vision of equipment on the other side of the louver and allows air flow through the louver 71.

(23) The panel and cross-section of the panel shown in FIG. 8B shows a louver that is 53% open to provide greater air flow through the louvers 77 with some sight through the louvers 77 at some angles.

(24) The panel and cross-section of the panel shown in FIG. 8C shows a louver with shorter spacing that is 38% open to provide air flow through the louvers 78 with some sight through the louvers 78 at some angles.

(25) The panel and cross-section of the panel shown in FIG. 8D shows a louver with sound insulation. This configuration of louver provides 38% open air movement in addition to the sound blocking placed between the louvers 79. The sound insulation 75 reduces the sound generated by the equipment within the erected panels. Sound absorbing panels are designed for building code sound requirements and meet noise requirements at the equipment or at the property line. Sound reduction can reduce sound levels up to 12 bB at street level.

(26) While a finite number of louvers with a particular shape is shown in these figures, it should be understood that the shape of the frame and louvers within the frame and the number of louvers can be more or less than the number shown in the figures.

(27) FIG. 9A-9C show different contemplated panel patterns. The solid metal panels can be made in a range of colors. The panels can be aligned horizontally or vertically to match the visual lines of a building. FIG. 9A shows an R-panel 80, FIG. 9B shows a U-Panel 81 and FIG. 9C shows a corrugated panel 82.

(28) Thus, specific embodiments of a cosmetic equipment shield have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.