Faucet insulation apparatus

Abstract

The faucet insulator apparatus is a device which enables one to help protect a faucet and by extension connected pipes from cold weather elements. The invention is comprised of an insulation region and a capturing recess which provide a faucet cover for protecting a faucet against inclement weather. The portion of the inner walls of the faucet insulator, which come in contact with the faucet, are configured to deform and grasp the faucet to secure the faucet insulator apparatus to portions of the faucet's surface.

Claims

1. A faucet insulation apparatus for insulating a faucet from climate outside a dwelling, wherein the faucet is configured to transport liquid from a first location to a second location, wherein the faucet includes a liquid flow control valve for controlling volume of liquid transported by the faucet, wherein the faucet further includes a spout, the faucet insulation apparatus comprising: an insulation region, and a capturing recess defined by a tapered inner surface of said insulation region; wherein said insulation region shape is cylindrical; wherein said capturing recess shape is tapered; wherein said insulation region is positioned to surround said capturing recess; wherein said capturing recess is positioned within said insulation region; wherein said capturing recess is positioned surrounding said faucet; wherein said insulation region is adapted to surround and grasp said faucet; wherein the insulation region is adapted to deform to the faucet as the tapered inner surface advances over the faucet; and wherein said insulation region adheres to said faucet via gravity and friction.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said insulation region includes a first deformation and grasping region on said tapered inner surface of said insulation region, the first deformation and grasping region being configured to deform to and grasp the faucet liquid flow control valve.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said insulation region includes a second deformation and grasping region on said tapered inner surface of said insulation region, wherein the second deformation and grasping region is configured to deform to and grasp the faucet spout.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said capturing recess has a minimum diameter of 1 inch and a maximum diameter of 4 inches.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said insulation region has a minimum diameter of 3 inches and a maximum diameter of 8 inches.

6. A faucet insulation apparatus for insulating a faucet from climate outside a dwelling, wherein the faucet is configured to transport liquid from a first location to a second location, wherein the faucet includes a liquid flow control valve for controlling volume of liquid transported by the faucet, wherein the faucet further includes a spout, the faucet insulation apparatus comprising: an insulation region, and a capturing recess defined by a tapered inner surface of said insulation region, wherein said insulation region shape is tapered; wherein said capturing recess shape is tapered; wherein said insulation region is positioned to surround said capturing recess; wherein said capturing recess is positioned within said insulation region; wherein said capturing recess is positioned surrounding said faucet; wherein said capturing recess is adapted to surround and grasp said faucet; wherein the insulation region deforms to the faucet as the tapered inner surface advances over the faucet; wherein said capturing recess has a minimum diameter of 2 inches and a maximum diameter of 4 inches; and wherein said insulation region has a minimum diameter of 3 inches and a maximum diameter of 8 inches.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said insulation region includes a first grasping and deformation region, the first grasping region being configured to deform to and grasp the faucet liquid flow control valve.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said insulation region includes a second grasping and deformation region, wherein the second grasping region is configured to deform to and grasp the faucet spout.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said insulation region comprises a circular insulation region, a base region, and a top region.

10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said insulation region is adapted to mediate the insulating effects on said faucet.

11. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said insulation region is positioned outside said capturing recess.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said base region is positioned below said circular insulation region.

13. A faucet insulation apparatus comprising: an insulation region, and a capturing recess defined by a tapered inner surface of said insulation region; wherein said insulation region is adapted to conform to a faucet, wherein the faucet is configured to transport liquid from a first location to a second location, wherein the faucet includes a liquid flow control valve for controlling volume of liquid transported by the faucet, wherein the faucet further includes a spout; wherein said insulation region shape is cylindrical; wherein said capturing recess shape is tapered; wherein said insulation region is positioned to surround said capturing recess; wherein said capturing recess is positioned within said insulation region; wherein said capturing recess is positioned surrounding said faucet; wherein said capturing recess is adapted to surround and grasp said faucet; wherein the insulation region deforms to the faucet as the tapered inner surface advances over the faucet; wherein said capturing recess has a minimum diameter of 2 inches and a maximum diameter of 4 inches; wherein said insulation region has a minimum diameter of 3 inches and a maximum diameter of 8 inches; wherein said insulation region comprises a circular insulation region, a base region, and a top region; wherein said circular insulation region is adapted to mediate the insulating effects on said faucet; wherein said circular insulation region is positioned outside said capturing recess; and wherein said insulation region includes a first deformation and grasping region on said tapered inner surface of said insulation region, the first deformation and grasping region being configured to deform to and grasp the faucet liquid flow control valve.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said insulation region includes a second deformation and grasping region formed on the tapered inner surface of the insulation region, wherein the second deformation and grasping region is configured to deform to and grasp the faucet spout.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said base region is positioned below said circular insulation region.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said circular insulation region has a minimum length of 4 inches and a maximum length of 8 inches.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said circular insulation region has a minimum thickness of 0.5 inches and a maximum thickness of 1.5 inches.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said base region comprises a base, and a base edge.

19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said insulation region is made of at least one of foil, insulation, fiberglass, polystyrene, mineral wool, cellulose, polyisocyanurate or natural fibers.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view, which shows the faucet insulator apparatus with the functional regions annotated.

(2) FIG. 2 is a top-down view of the inside of the faucet insulation apparatus showing the capturing recess for receiving the faucet.

(3) FIG. 3 is a bottom-up view of the bottom of the faucet insulator apparatus.

(4) FIG. 4 is a perspective side view of the bottom of the faucet insulator apparatus showing the base region and its subcomponents.

(5) FIG. 5 is a perspective side view of the top of the faucet insulator apparatus showing the capturing recess and its visible related components.

(6) FIG. 6 is a diagram of overall use of the invention.

(7) FIG. 7 is a depiction of a prior art faucet.

(8) FIG. 8 is an exemplary depiction of the faucet insulator apparatus according to the present invention, protecting a faucet in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) One or more different inventions may be described in the present application. Further, for one or more of the inventions described herein, numerous alternative embodiments may be described; it should be appreciated that these are presented for illustrative purposes only and are not limiting of the inventions contained herein or the claims presented herein in any way.

(10) One or more of the inventions may be widely applicable to numerous embodiments, as may be readily apparent from the disclosure. In general, embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice one or more of the inventions, and it should be appreciated that other embodiments may be utilized and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the particular inventions. Accordingly, one skilled in the art will recognize that one or more of the inventions may be practiced with various modifications and alterations. Particular features of one or more of the inventions described herein may be described with reference to one or more particular embodiments or figures that form a part of the present disclosure, and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments of one or more of the inventions. It should be appreciated, however, that such features are not limited to usage in the one or more particular embodiments or figures with reference to which they are described.

(11) The present disclosure is neither a literal description of all embodiments of one or more of the inventions nor a listing of features of one or more of the inventions that must be present in all embodiments.

(12) Headings of sections provided in this patent application and the title of this patent application are for convenience only, and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure in any way. When a single device or article is described herein, it will be readily apparent that more than one device or article may be used in place of a single device or article. Similarly, where more than one device or article is described herein, it will be readily apparent that a single device or article may be used in place of the more than one device or article.

(13) The functionality or the features of a device may be alternatively embodied by one or more other devices that are not explicitly described as having such functionality or features. Thus, other embodiments of one or more of the inventions need not include the device itself.

(14) Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, which shows a perspective view of the faucet insulator apparatus 101 with the functional regions annotated. In some embodiments, faucet insulator apparatus 101 comprises capturing recess 201 formed by an insulation region 102. In some embodiments, insulation region 102 comprises is the general insulating component which houses and encircles and encloses a faucet 700 when covered.

(15) Insulation region 102 interacts with the faucet by covering it and shielding it from outdoor elements and freezing conditions. Spatially, insulation region 102 is preferably positioned surrounding the capturing recess 201. Insulation region 102 is preferably shaped like a cylinder.

(16) Insulation region 102 is mainly thought to be composed of polyurethane, however other embodiments may be composed of any of the following: closed cell foam, ethylene-vinyl acetate, polyethylene, polystyrene, fiberglass, foil insulation, mineral wool, cellulose, polyisocyanurate, and natural fibers.

(17) In some embodiments, insulation region 102 has a preferred diameter of 4.125 inches but in some embodiments, may range from a minimum of 3 inches to a maximum diameter of 8 inches. In some embodiments, the diameter of insulation region 102 can be calculated by first determining the size of the faucet insulator apparatus 101 is attached to. In some embodiments, Insulation region 102 preferably comprises circular insulation region 103, base region 105, and finally top region 104. Circular insulation region 103 may be cylindrical in shape.

(18) In some embodiments, circular insulation region 103 is the middle region of the insulation region 102 Q: Which region has the majority of the insulation material (which in turn holds a majority of the insulation material for the faucet). Spatially, circular insulation region 103 is preferably positioned outside the capturing recess 201. In some embodiments, circular insulation region 103 has a preferred thickness of 0.75 inches, but in some embodiments, may range from a minimum of 0.5 inches to a maximum thickness of 1.5 inches.

(19) In some embodiments, circular insulation region 103 has a preferred length of 5 inches, but in some embodiments, may range from a minimum of 4 inches to a maximum length of 8 inches. The circular insulation region 103 is adapted to mediate the insulation of the faucet. In some embodiments, circular insulation region 103 comprises insulation 202 and outside wall 203.

(20) In some embodiments, top region 104 is a secure opening that fits around faucet spout 706 and liquid flow control valve 708. By fits around what is meant is that the top region 104 is an opening that is large enough to encircle faucet spout 706 and liquid flow control valve 708. In some embodiments, top region 104 is affixed to faucet 700 adjacent to the outside wall of the dwelling using faucet 700. In some embodiments, base region 105 is a flat area of the insulation region 102 which encloses the faucet insulator apparatus 101 and which ensures that the faucet is protected from cold and other elements. Spatially, base region 105 is preferably positioned below the circular insulation region 103. Base region 105 comprises edge 301 and base 204.

(21) With continued reference to FIG. 2, which shows top-down view of the inside of the faucet insulation apparatus showing the capturing recess for receiving the faucet. In some embodiments, capturing recess 201 is a secure fitting interior region that surrounds and deforms to protect the faucet. Capturing recess 201 interacts with the faucet by deforming to grasp the faucet and adhere to it via gravity and/or friction force.

(22) Spatially, capturing recess 201 is preferably positioned surrounding the faucet and within the insulation region 102. Capturing recess 201 is preferably shaped like a circle however, it is thought that in alternative embodiments that it may also be shaped like square. In some embodiments, capturing recess 201 has a preferred diameter of 2.625 inches but in some embodiments, may range from a minimum of 2 inches to a maximum diameter of 4 inches.

(23) In some embodiments, capturing recess 201 comprises inside wall 501 and inside aperture. Outside wall 203 is the outer surface which encases the insulation 202 in the insulation region 102. Outside wall 203 is preferably shaped like a cylinder however, it is thought that in alternative embodiments that it may also be shaped like square.

(24) Base 204 is the external area that covers the entire end of the insulation region 102. Base 204 is preferably shaped like circle. Base 204 is mainly thought to be composed of polyurethane. In some embodiments, base 204 has a preferred diameter of 4.125 inches but in some embodiments, may range from a minimum of 3 inches to a maximum diameter of 8 inches. One goal of base 204 is to seal the opening for the insulation 202.

(25) Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, which shows I) bottom-up view of the bottom of the faucet insulator apparatus 101, II) a perspective side view of the bottom of the faucet insulator apparatus 101 showing the base region and its subcomponents. III) a perspective side view of the top of the faucet insulator apparatus 101 showing the capturing recess and its visible related components.

(26) Referring now to FIG. 6 and FIG. 8, an ordinary use case of the invention is described. In a first step, a person identifies a faucet 700 that needs insulation. As a result, a user may determine that a faucet insulator apparatus 101 should be used and uses the faucet insulator apparatus 101 (Step 601). Next, a person fits the faucet insulator apparatus 101 around a faucet 700 by inserting faucet 700 inside faucet capturing recess 201 (Step 602). Next, a person makes sure that the faucet insulator apparatus 101 has a secure fit around the faucet 700 by twisting faucet insulator apparatus 101 in a left and right direction relative to faucet spout 706. In this way, the insulation region 102 may be incrementally moved towards the outside wall of the dwelling making use of the faucet 700 (Step 603).

(27) By secure fit, what is meant is that faucet insulator apparatus circular insulation region 103 deforms to the shape to the portion of faucet 700 contacting outside wall 203. Outside wall 203 is removable affixed to faucet 700 inside capturing recess 201. That is, faucet insulator apparatus 101 may be removed from faucet 700 in much the same way that it was installed. Particularly, faucet insulator apparatus 101 may be removed by twisting it in the direction opposite the direction used to install faucet insulator apparatus 101 on faucet 700, as descried above. To further secure the faucet insulator apparatus 101 onto faucet 700, an inner surface of outside wall 203 deforms to the shape of the portion of faucet 700 making contact with outside wall 203. For example, outside wall 203 may include an deformation and grasping region 802 for enveloping (i.e., tightly engaging) a portion of faucet handle 712. Additionally, insulation region 103 adjacent to an inner surface of outside wall 203 may include a deformation and grasping region 804 for enveloping a portion of the spout 706. Deformation and grasping regions 802 and 804 may be included on an inner surface of outside wall 203. I still another embodiment, deformation and grasping regions 802 and 804 may be positioned adjacent to insulation 202. In still another exemplary embodiment deformation and grasping regions 802 and 804 may be positioned to deform and grasp faucet handle 712 and spout 706, respectively.

(28) By grasping or deforming what is meant is that the regions 802 and 804 forms to the shape of the portion of the faucet 700 in which outside wall 203 comes in contact. For example, where outside wall 203 comes in contact with faucet handle 712, outside wall 203 will deform to the shape of faucet handle 712. By deforming to the shape of faucet handle 712, outside wall 203 may grasp faucet handle 712. Similarly, where outside wall 203 comes in contact with spout 706, outside wall 203 will deform to the shape of portion of the spout 706 contacting outside wall 203. By deforming to the shape of spout 706, outside wall 203 may grasp spout 706. Further still, when deforming and grasping regions 802 and 804 contact the faucet, such as discussed above, then faucet 700 may be secured with faucet insulating apparatus 101.