Window insulation system

Abstract

The present invention is directed toward a window or door insulation system including an attachable trim strip, and a securable transparent sheet, to create a removable and auxiliary insulation sheet. The trim strip includes a base attachable to a surface, a cover pivotably connected to the base, and an interior strip pivotably connected to the cover and base. The cover includes a first wall, an intermediate wall transitioning from the first wall, and a second wall transitioning from the intermediate wall. The first wall is pivotably connected to a first side of the base so that the cover is configured to be an open position or a closed position. A gap is defined between the second wall of the cover and the second side of the base when in the closed position. The interior strip is configured to keep the cover opened or closed.

Claims

1. An insulation system attachable to a window or door, said insulation system comprising: a base attachable to a surface, said base comprising a first side, and a second side, said first side and said second side being located on a plane of said base; a lip including a lip base received in a channel defined in said base, said lip extends from said base and has a configuration capable of contacting a sheet; a cover having a generally open channeled cross-section comprising a first cover side and a second cover side, said cover being pivotably connected to said base so that said cover is configured to be in at least one of an open position or a closed position, in said closed position a gap is defined between said second cover side and said second side of said base; and an interior strip featuring a first strip end pivotably connected to a portion of said cover, and a second strip end pivotably connected to a portion of said base, said interior strip runs along a longitudinal length of said base and said cover; wherein said base and said cover are configured to receive an edge of said sheet therebetween, and said gap is configured to receive a portion of said sheet therethrough; wherein said second side of said base features a free end extending from said base in a direction toward said second cover side of said cover to define said gap, said free end of said second side of said base protrudes out past said lip base in a direction toward said cover when in said closed position; wherein said cover being pivotably connected to said base by way of a first pivot connection, with at least a portion of said first pivot connection being on said plane of said base.

2. The insulation system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base further comprising a base wall extending from said base away from the surface, said base wall is configured to prevent advancement of said sheet a predetermined distance when in at least said cover is in said closed position.

3. The insulation system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said cover further comprising a first wall featuring said first cover side, a second wall featuring said second cover side, and an intermediate wall transitioning between said first wall and said second wall, and wherein said first wall of said cover is pivotably connected to said first side of said base by way of said first pivot connection being a flexure bearing.

4. The insulation system as claimed in claim 3, wherein said cover further comprising a third wall extending from said intermediate wall toward said base when in said closed position, said third wall being located between said first and second walls.

5. The insulation system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said first, second and third walls of said cover are parallel, and extend toward said base when said cover is in said closed position.

6. The insulation system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said first strip end of said interior strip is pivotably connected to said third wall of said cover by way of a second pivot connection, and said second strip end of said interior strip is pivotably connected to said base wall of said base by way of a third pivot connection.

7. The insulation system as claimed in claim 6, wherein at least one of said second pivot connection, and said third pivot connection is biasedly configured to urge said cover toward one of said open position or said closed position.

8. The insulation system as claimed in claim 6, wherein at least one of said second pivot connection, and said third pivot connection is configured to position said interior strip in a predetermined position that keeps said cover in one of said open position or said closed position when said cover is pivoted a predetermined distance.

9. The insulation system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said second and third pivot connections are each a flexure bearing.

10. The insulation system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said third wall further comprising an extension end that perpendicularly extends from a free end of said third wall, said second pivot connection connects said first side strip end of said interior strip to said extension end.

11. The insulation system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lip base featuring a flat side and a width, said flat side of said lip base is received in said channel, said width of said lip base is greater than a width of a remaining portion of said lip.

12. The insulation system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said lip has a generally arcuate configuration, and is configured to deform on contact with said sheet when said cover is in said closed position.

13. The insulation system as claimed in claim 12, wherein said cover further comprising a strip received in a channel defined in said cover, said strip extends from said cover and is configured to contact said sheet when said cover is in said closed position, wherein said strip includes a strip base featuring a flat side and a width, said flat side of said strip base is received in said channel defined in said cover.

14. The insulation system as claimed in claim 13, wherein said strip includes a first strip section that extends from said strip base at a first angle, and a second strip section that extends from said first strip section at second angle different from said first angle, wherein at least said first strip section is configured to deform on contact with said sheet when said cover is in said closed position, said width of said strip base is greater than a width of said first strip section and said second strip section, and wherein a length of said strip is greater than a length of said lip.

15. The insulation system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the surface is a frame selected from the group consisting of a window, a door, a skylight, a sunroof, a hatchway, and an access port.

16. The insulation system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sheet is a substantially transparent planar sheet.

17. An insulation system comprising: a trim strip comprising: a base attachable to a surface, said base comprising a first side, a second side, a lip, and a base wall extending from said base away from the surface, said lip being received in a channel defined in said base, said lip includes a lip base featuring a flat side and a width, said flat side of said lip base being received in said channel, said width of said lip base is greater than a width of a remaining portion of said lip; a cover having a generally open channeled cross-section, said cover comprising a cover strip, a first wall, an intermediate wall transitioning from said first wall, a second wall transitioning from said intermediate wall, and a third wall extending from said intermediate wall toward said base when in said closed position, said third wall being located between said first and second walls, said first wall being pivotably connected to said first side of said base so that said cover is configured to be in at least one of an open position and a closed position, in said closed position a gap is defined between said second wall of said cover and said second side of said base, said cover strip being received in a channel defined in said cover, and wherein said cover strip includes a strip base featuring a flat side and a width, said flat side of said strip base being received in said channel defined in said cover an interior strip featuring a first side pivotably connected to said third wall of said cover by way of a second pivot connection, and a second side pivotably connected to said base wall of said base by way of a third pivot connection, said interior strip running along a longitudinal axis of said base and said cover; and a sheet removably received and secured in an interior of said trim strip between said base and said cover when in said closed position; wherein said gap is configured to receive said sheet therethrough; wherein said lip extends from said base and has a configuration capable of contacting a first side of said sheet when in said closed position, said cover strip extends from said cover and has a configuration capable of contacting a second side of said sheet when said cover is in said closed position.

18. The insulation system as claimed in claim 17, wherein said first side and said second side of said base are located on a plane of said base, wherein said second side of said base features a free end extending from said base in a direction toward said second cover side of said cover to define said gap, and wherein said first wall of said cover is pivotably connected to said first side of said base by way of a first pivot connection, with at least a portion of said first pivot connection being on said plane of said base.

19. The insulation system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said base wall is located between said first wall of said cover and said third wall of said cover when said cover is in said closed position.

20. The insulation system as claimed in claim 4, wherein said third wall features a free end having a configuration capable of defining a spaced apart relationship between said free end and said second side of said base when said cover is in said closed position, said spaced apart relationship having a configuration capable of receiving said sheet therethrough.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the window insulation system constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, with the phantom lines depicting environmental structure and forming no part of the claimed invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention in an opened position.

(5) FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention in a closed position.

(6) FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the present invention taken at section 5 in FIG. 4.

(7) The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(8) Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1-5, an embodiment of the window insulation system of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral 10.

(9) In FIG. 1, a new and improved window insulation system 10 of the present invention for insulating and protecting various openings, such as but not limited to, windows or doors 2 in buildings or vehicles is illustrated and will be described. More particularly, the window insulation system 10 has a trim piece or strip 12 permanently or removably mounted to a window or door frame 4. The trim strip 12 creates a border that removable secures a sheet 60 across the window or door 2, thereby creating an insulated barrier and zone between the window 2 and sheet 60. The sheet 60 can also act as a protection barrier from intruders or during storms to retain any broken glass or flying debris.

(10) The trim strip 12 has a longitudinal length and includes a base 14, and a cover 30 pivotably connected to the base 14 allowing the cover 30 to be in an open or closed position. The trim strip 12 is made from a material that can be cut and painted, such as but not limited to, plastics, woods, metals or composites. It can be appreciated that the trim strip 12 can be manufactured by, but not limited to, an extrusion process, and can be embossed with designs and/or decorations.

(11) The base 14 is substantially planar with a longitudinal length featuring a bottom surface that is attachable to a surface or frame 4 by way of an adhesive 16 exposed by a peel away cover 18. The base 14 has a second side or end 20, a first side or edge opposite the second side 20, and a base wall 28 extending from the base 14 in a direction away from the surface 4. The base wall 28 can be perpendicular to the base 14. It can be appreciated that the base 14 can be attached to the surface 4 by means other than the adhesive 16, such as but not limited to, fasteners, clips, snaps, magnets or separable fasteners,

(12) A channel 22 is defined along the longitudinal length of the base 14 adjacent or near the second side 20. A lip 24 has a lip base 26 which is received in the channel 22. The lip 24 extends from the base 14 in a direction away from the surface 4. The lip 24 is configured to contact the sheet 60 when installed. The lip 24 can have a straight, an arcuate or curved configuration, and can be deformable upon contact with the sheet 60 to form a tight seal thereagainst, as best illustrated in FIG. 5. The lip 24 can be made from, but not limited to, rubber, plastics, composites, foam, polymers or any deformable material.

(13) The cover 30 includes a first wall 32, an intermediate wall 34 transitioning from the first wall 32, and a second wall 38 transitioning from the intermediate wall 34. A side or edge of the first wall 32 is pivotably connected to the first side or edge of the base 14 by way of a flexure bearing or living hinge 29, thus allowing the cover 30 pivot to the open or closed position. The first wall 32 and second wall 38 are substantially parallel with each other, with the intermediate wall 34 laterally extending therebetween, thereby creating a generally C-shape with an open interior that faces the base 14 in the closed position. The intermediate wall 34 substantially runs the width of the trim strip 12, and can include an angled section 36 toward the second wall 38. The flexure bearing 29 can run the entire longitudinal length of the base 14 and cover 30. It can be appreciated that other types of hinges or pivoting means can be used in place of the flexure bearing 29, and that the flexure bearing 29 can be multiple bearings located intermitted along the base 14. It can further be appreciated that the cover 30 can be any open channel strip featuring spaced apart sides or edges and having a configuration, such as but not limited to, arcuate, V-shaped, curved, geometric or cylindrical.

(14) A cover channel 40 is defined along the longitudinal length of the angled section 36, adjacent or near the second wall 38. A cover strip 42 has a strip base 44 which is received in the cover channel 40. The cover strip 42 extends from the angled section 36 into the interior of the cover 30, and is configured to contact the sheet 60 when the cover 30 is in the closed position. The cover strip 42 can have a straight, an angled, an arcuate or curved configuration, and can be deformable upon contact with the sheet 60 to form a tight seal against a side of the sheet 60 opposite the lip 24, as best illustrated in FIG. 5. The cover strip 42 can be made from, but not limited to, rubber, plastics, composites, foam, polymers or any deformable material.

(15) The length of the second wall 38 is configured to create a gap G between the second side 20 of the base 14 and a free end of the second wall 38 when the cover 30 is in the closed position. The distance of the gap G is configured to allow the sheet 60 to pass therethrough, as best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4.

(16) The cover additionally, includes a third wall 50 that extends from the intermediate wall 34 into the interior of the cover 30, and is located between the first wall 32 and second wall 38. The third wall 50 is parallel with the first wall 32 and the second wall 38. The third wall 50 further includes an extension end 52 that perpendicularly extends from a free end of the third wall 50. The extension end 52 can be parallel with the intermediate wall 34.

(17) An interior strip 56 is located in the interior of the base 14 and the cover 30, and includes a first side or edge pivotably connected to an end of the extension end 52 by way of a flexure bearing or living hinge 54, and a second side or edge pivotably connected to an end of the base wall 28 by way of a flexure bearing or living hinge 58. The interior strip 56 runs along the longitudinal length of the base 14 and the cover 30. The interior strip 56 can have a thickness greater than the adjacent flexure bearings 54, 58, and can be made of a material different than the flexure bearings 54, 58.

(18) One of or both of the flexure bearings 54, 58 is configured to either be biased against the interior strip 56 to urge the cover 30 to the open or closed position, or can keep the cover 30 in the open or closed position by locking the interior strip 56 in a predetermined position.

(19) The sheet 60 is removably received and secured in the interior of the trim strip 12 between the base 14 and the cover 30. The sheet 60 can be a transparent, translucent or opaque sheet made from, but not limited to, acrylic, plastics, polymers, composites, metals, alloys, rubber or glass. It can be appreciated that optional means to secure the sheet 60 in the trim strip 12 can be use, such as but not limited to, adhesives, magnets, clips, fasteners, latches or friction.

(20) In use, it can now be understood that a person would measure the lengths of the frame 4 around the window or door 2, and then cut the trim strip 12 according to each measurement. The peel away cover 18 from each trim strip 12 can be removed to expose the adhesive 16 so that the trim strip 12 can then be adhered to the frame 4 by applying pressure thereagainst. The trim strips 12 should be arranged on the frame 4 so that the second side 20 of the base 14 face toward each other.

(21) The person could then measure the length and width of the window 2 or between oppositely facing base walls 28. The sheet 60 is then cut to these measurements so as to fit between the oppositely facing base walls 28.

(22) The cover 30 of each trim strip 12 can be pivoted to the open position, and the sheet 60 can then be installed within the trim strips 12. The base wall 28 can also act as a guide during installation of the sheet 60. After which, each of the covers 30 can be closed and locked in the closed position, thereby securing the sheet 60 in position. It can be appreciated that locking tabs with an angled face (not shown) can be incorporated with the base wall 28 to securely retain the sheet 60 in position against the base 14.

(23) With the sheet 60 secured and the cover 30 locked in the closed position, each lip 24 and cover strip 42 is sealed against their corresponding side of the sheet 60, thereby creating an insulated space between the window 2 and the sheet 60.

(24) To remove the sheet 60, at least one of the covers 30 are pivoted to the open position, and the sheet 60 can then be freely removed.

(25) It can be appreciated that the sheet 60 can include designs thereon to provide a more pleasing appearance. It can also be appreciated that the trim strip 14 or sheet 40 can include reinforcement members to add a level of security or protection to the window or door 2. It can further be appreciated that the trim strip 12 and the sheet 60 can be included in a kit, which can further include a user's manual, a measuring instrument, and a cutting device (not shown).

(26) While embodiments of the window insulation system have been described in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and variations thereto are possible, all of which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. For example, any suitable sturdy material such as metal, plastic, composites or a variety of wood may be used instead of the above described. And although insulating and protecting various openings in buildings or vehicles have been described, it should be appreciated that the window insulation system herein described is also suitable for providing a protective and safety barrier to window and/or door openings to deter access through the opening.

(27) Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.