Abstract:
An attic access drop panel for selectively closing a geometrically shaped attic passageway includes a rigid panel having an external periphery formed to fit within the structural elements defining the attic passageway and an insulating member on top of the rigid panel conforming to the external periphery of the rigid panel. A plurality of angle brackets are affixed about the periphery of the rigid panel wherein each bracket has a first leg affixed to the top of the rigid panel and a second leg extends upwardly from the top of the rigid panel. The second leg defines at least one protrusion engaging the insulating member and forms a bead at a top of the second leg for bearing against a structural element of the attic defining the attic passageway.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This U.S. non-provisional patent application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/942,787, filed on Feb. 21, 2014, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of building supplies used in the construction of offices, homes, and other insulated structures. More particularly, the present invention is directed to an insulated drop panel that is selectively removable from a passageway to gain access to an attic. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Modern structures today typically have several insulated spaces such as attics, crawl spaces and the like. Frequently, to gain access to these insulated spaces, a passageway or portal is provided through which an inner non-exposed region may be accessed. These passageways, or portals, are usually covered by an access panel that is movably coupled to a supporting peripheral frame of the passageway. However, there are scenarios where the access panel may become dislodged from the frame and thereby leave the passageway exposed. Some scenarios include: inadequate fitting between the access panel and the frame; improper installation; structural pressure differentials (i.e., air handlers, hurricane, tornado, thunderstorms, etc.); and combinations thereof. When the access panel becomes dislodged from the peripheral frame, undesired airflow within the structure will result and may adversely affect the thermal efficiency of the structure. 
     Additionally, even if the access panel does not become dislodged, the panel is frequently devoid of insulation material utilized in the surrounding space. The absence of insulation on the access panel provides an undesired thermal conduit through which a transfer of thermal energy occurs between the insulated space and the occupied portion of the structure. In an attempt to reduce this undesired thermal transfer, insulation may be applied to the access panel; however, previous methods of coupling the insulation to the access panel have proven problematic. 
     In one known solution, a piece of insulation is merely placed behind the access panel when reinstalling the panel. This known solution, while somewhat useful, has substantial drawbacks. As commonly experienced by homeowners, servicemen and construction workers, the handling of insulation material, especially fiberglass-based materials, causes uncomfortable itching and other undesired health effects such as the inhalation of dislodged glass fibers. This solution requires that the insulation material be handled each time the access panel is removed. Further, this solution does not secure the insulation material with respect to the panel which, in some instances, may allow the insulation material to fall into the insulated space. 
     Another known solution employs stapling/nailing the insulated material to the back face of the access panel. While this method affixes the insulation to the panel, it presents a substantial drawback. In order to staple/nail the insulated material to the panel, the insulation must be compressed to allow the staple/nail to penetrate the insulation backing and securely enter the panel surface. By compressing the insulation material the thermal efficiency (i.e., R-rating) of the material is adversely affected. Further, the more staples/nails that are used the larger the compressed surface area—resulting in an even greater loss of thermal efficiency. 
     Another frequently employed solution is to use an adhesive to bond the insulation to the access panel. This solution also has substantial drawbacks. Applying adhesive to the back face of the access panel is time consuming and, depending on the cure time of the adhesive, may delay installation of the panel. Additionally, the use of an adhesive limits coupling of an adjacent layer of insulation to the panel. Since the fibers of fiberglass insulation are readily separable from adjacent fibers, this frequently results in separation of the insulation material layers and, consequently, may reduce the thermal efficiency of the material. 
     Efforts to provide an insulated access panel that overcomes the drawbacks, disadvantages and limitations inherent in the prior art have not met with significant success to date. As a result, there is a need in the art for an insulation retainer capable of coupling a segment of insulation to an access panel that facilitates panel installation and removal without requiring a user to separately handle the insulation material, does not compress the insulation material, enhances retention of the access panel within the passageway and prevents layer separation of the insulation material. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure is generally directed to an attic access drop panel for selectively closing a geometrically shaped attic passageway defined by structural elements of the attic. The attic access drop panel includes a planar rigid panel having an external periphery formed to fit within the structural elements defining the geometrically shaped attic passageway. An insulating member is on top of and supported by the planar rigid panel wherein the insulating member substantially conforms to the extra periphery of the planar rigid panel. A plurality of retainers are affixed about the periphery of the planar rigid panel wherein each retainer has a first leg affixed to the top of the planar rigid panel and a second leg extending upwardly from the top of the planar rigid panel. The second leg defines at least one protrusion retentively engaging the insulating member. The second leg also forms a bead at a top thereof for bearing against a structural element of the attic defining the attic passageway. 
     In another aspect, the bead extends outward beyond the external periphery of the rigid panel. 
     In still another aspect, the first leg and the second leg to form an obtuse angle therebetween. 
     In yet another aspect, the obtuse angle is approximately 102 degrees. 
     In a still further aspect, the second leg is approximately 4 inches in length between the first leg and the top of the second leg. 
     In yet another aspect, the second leg forms a second bead below the bead at the top of the second leg. 
     In another aspect, the second leg defines at least two protrusions for retentively engaging the insulating member, the two protrusions are positioned between the first leg and the second bead. 
     In another aspect, the second leg defines at least two protrusions for retentively engaging the insulating member; the two protrusions are positioned between the first leg and the bead at the top of the second leg. 
     In a still further aspect, the first leg defines a groove extending therealong and positioned approximately at a midpoint of the first leg. 
     In yet another aspect, a plurality of screws are utilized to affix the plurality of retainers to the planar rigid panel, each screw engages the first leg in the defined groove. 
     In another aspect, a retainer for fixing to a periphery of a planar rigid panel to form an attic access drop panel for retaining an insulating member thereon comprises a first leg for fixing to a top surface of the planar rigid panel and a second leg extending upwardly from the first leg. The second leg defines at least one protrusion extending inwardly in a direction of the first leg for engaging an insulating member and further forms a bead proximate to a top edge thereof. 
     In still another aspect, the first leg and the second leg intersect to form an apex therebetween and further wherein the bead extends outwardly from the second leg beyond the apex. 
     In yet another aspect, the first leg and the second leg form an obtuse angle at the apex. 
     In another aspect, the obtuse angle is approximately 102 degrees. 
     In still another aspect, the second leg is approximately 4 inches in length between the apex and the top of the second leg. 
     In a further aspect, the second leg forms a second bead below the bead at the top of the second leg. 
     In yet another aspect, the bead and the second bead combine to form an undulating wave. 
     In a still further aspect, the protrusion is wedge-shaped. 
     In another aspect, the second leg defines to wedge-shaped protrusions extending inwardly in a direction of the first leg, the two wedge-shape protrusions positioned between the apex and the bead. 
     In another aspect, the first leg defines a groove extending therealong and positioned approximately at a midpoint of the first leg. 
     These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims and appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, where like numerals denote like elements and in which: 
         FIG. 1  presents an isometric view of an attic access drop panel embodying the present invention wherein an insulation layer is removed for clarity; 
         FIG. 2  presents an isometric view of a retainer of the attic access drop panel for retaining the insulation layer in the panel; 
         FIG. 3  presents a cross-sectional view of the retainer shown in  FIG. 2  and taken along the line  3 - 3 ,  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  presents an isometric view of an attic access drop panel seated in and closing an attic access passageway wherein the structure defining the attic access passageway is constructed of 2-inch×6-inch lumber; 
         FIG. 5  presents an isometric view of an attic access drop panel seated in and closing an attic access passageway wherein the structure defining the attic access passageway is constructed of 2-inch×4-inch lumber; 
         FIG. 6  presents a cross-sectional view of the attic access drop panel seated in and closing the attic access passageway of  FIG. 4  and taken along section line  6 - 6 ,  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 7  presents a cross-sectional view of the attic access drop panel seated in and closing the attic access passageway of  FIG. 5  and taken along section line  7 - 7 ,  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 8  presents an isometric view of a first retainer nested in a second retainer wherein the retainers are longitudinally translatable one with respect to the other; 
         FIG. 9  presents a cross-sectional view of the nested retainers shown in  FIG. 8  and taken along section line  9 - 9 ,  FIG. 8 ; and 
         FIG. 10  presents an implementation of the invention with an exemplary alternate configuration of the trim component of an access passageway common in some homes. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     In one exemplary implementation of the invention, an attic access drop panel  100  is shown in  FIG. 1  illustrating its various components wherein the attic access drop panel  100  is constructed of a planar rigid panel  110  having an upper surface  112  to which is fastened, utilizing a plurality of screws  106 , a plurality of retainers  120  about a periphery  114  of the planar rigid panel  110 . The planar rigid panel  110  is here shown having a rectangular plan form, however those practiced in the art will recognize that other geometric plan forms are contemplated herein. The retainers  120 , in combination with the upper surface  112  of the planar rigid panel  110 , define a cavity  102  in which an insulating member  118  ( FIGS. 6-7 ) having external dimensions approximating the external dimensions of the periphery  114  of planar rigid panel  110  is retained. The planar rigid panel  110  can be fabricated from known construction materials such as gypsum board, plywood, or the like. The insulating member  118  can be constructed of known insulating materials such as fiberglass batts, rigid foam, or the like. 
     As further illustrated in  FIGS. 2-3 , and most clearly seen in cross-section in  FIG. 3 , the retainer  120  has a first leg  122  for fastening to the top surface  112  of the rigid panel  110 . In a most preferred embodiment the first leg  122  has a width of approximately 1.0 inch, and can define on an upper surface  123  thereof, a groove  124  to facilitate the placement of screws  106  ( FIG. 1 ) for fastening the retainer  120  to the rigid panel  110 . The retainer  120  also has a second leg  132  extending upwardly from the first leg  122  such that the first leg  122  and the second leg  132  adjoin at an apex  126  defining an obtuse included angle of approximately 102°. In a most preferred embodiment the second leg  132  has a length of approximately 4.0 inches from apex  126  to a top edge  138  thereof. The second leg  132  has formed in a lower portion thereof at least one and most preferably two spaced apart, wedge-shaped protrusions  134  extending unidirectionally with the first leg  122 . Further, a top portion of the second leg  132  is formed as an undulating wave forming at least one and most preferably two spaced apart beads  136  extending away from the first leg  122 . 
     In use, and as illustrated in  FIGS. 4-7 , an attic access drop panel  100  is shown engaged in and to close an attic passageway  200 . In  FIGS. 4-5 , the insulating member  118  has been deleted for the sake of clarity. As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 6 , the passageway  200  is defined by spaced apart 2-inch×6-inch lumber segments  202 , which could be lower members of a roof truss or other similar structural assembly. Interstitial 2-inch×6-inch lumber segments  204  extend between lumber segments  202  to fully define a rectilinear periphery of the attic passageway  200 . Panels  208 , such as gypsum panel, are typically affixed to the lumber segments  202 ,  204  to form the ceiling of a room below the structure  202 ,  204  defining the passageway  200 . Typically, the attic passageway  200  will be further defined by trim segments  210  affixed to the bottom surface of panels  208  and arranged in a manner such that an inner edge of the trim segments  210  extends into the attic passageway  200  forming a lip  212 . 
     The rigid panel  110  of the attic access drop panel  100  is formed to have an outer periphery smaller than the portion of the attic passageway  200  defined by the lumber segments  202 ,  204  and larger than the inner periphery of the attic passageway  200  defined by the lip  212 . In this manner, the attic access drop panel  100  when placed in the attic passageway  200  will rest upon the lip  212 . Further, the retainers  120 , by reason of the obtuse included angle  128 , extend outwardly beyond the periphery of the rigid panel  110  in a manner such that the upper portion thereof contacts and bears upon the inner surface of structural segments  202 ,  204 . In particular, since the structural segments  202 ,  204  are 2-inch×6-inch lumber, an uppermost bead  136  of retainers  120  bear upon the structural segments  202 ,  204 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the attic passageway  200  can alternatively be defined by structural segments  205 ,  206  wherein the structural segments  205 ,  206  are fabricated from 2-inch×4-inch lumber (Note: The remaining features and construction of the attic passageway  200  are identical as those described with respect to  FIGS. 4 and 6 ). In this configuration, the uppermost of the beads  136  of retainers  120  extends above the structural elements  205 ,  206  and thus a next lower bead  136 , in turn, bears against the inner surfaces of the structural elements  205 ,  206 . 
     Therefore, regardless of the use of 2-inch×6-inch lumber or the use of 2-inch×4-inch lumber to construct the attic structure, a bead  136  of the retainers  120  will bear against the inner surface of the structure defining the attic passageway  200 , thereby providing an effective seal inhibiting airflow therethrough. Further, the installation of the attic access drop panel  100  within the attic passageway  200  as defined by the structural elements  202 ,  204  or the structural elements  205 ,  206  deforms the second leg  132  towards an interior of the attic passageway  200 . This deformation forces the wedge-shaped protrusions  134  against the edges of the insulating member  118 , thereby resulting in the positive retention of the insulating member  118  above the rigid panel  110 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8-9 , a first retainer  120  is illustrated in a nesting type relationship with an identical retainer  120 . The retainers  120  can be longitudinally translated one with respect to the other as illustrated by arrows A-A ( FIG. 8 ). In this manner, two retainers  120  can be utilized to conform to an edge dimension of the rigid panel  110  that is greater in length than a single retainer  120 . 
     Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. For example, referring now particularly to  FIG. 10 , in an alternative implementation of the invention, and alternate configuration of the trim component of an access passageway is shown, which is common in some homes. Rather than a piece of molding Moll forming the lip onto which the panel rests, some builders will wrap the edge of the opening with gypsum board and utilize the edges of the gypsum board as a supporting lip for the scuttle hatch.