Multi-purpose flexible cover with magnetic attachment

A flexible cover having magnetic attachment is provided for sealing openings in a structure such as a heating, ventilation and air conditioning duct, an automobile window, or an automobile door handle or lock. Magnets or another suitable affixing device are attached at the periphery on one side of the cover. Alternatively, the magnets may be attached to one side of the cover by sandwiching the magnets between two opposing flexible covers. Gaps between the magnets permit the flexible cover to attach to objects having a curved or angular conformation. In operation, the cover is placed over the opening preventing the transmission of air, fluid material, or particulate material through the opening.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to the sealing of spaces where air, pollutants, or other fluids may leak through, and more particularly to ventilation and duct work sealing around a filter slot or the covering or the sealing of the doors, door handles, lock key holes, and windows of a vehicle.

2. Description of the Related Art

The prevention of air, water, and other fluids from escaping from one space into another is a common problem in many fields. A wide array of cover types have been developed, from permanent to semi-permanent to temporary. Each has its own drawbacks and advantages; for example, a permanent cover may be permanently affixed to an opening through the use of glue, caulk, or some other sealant. Such a cover would be completely air-tight, provided the seal is correctly applied. However, removal of such a seal to see beneath the cover can be a long and difficult process. More temporary cover types offer ease of removal and replacement, but lack a perfectly air tight seal.

A specific area of air-leak prevention occurs in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) duct work systems, particularly around the filter slot. The filter slot area is a particular problem because the filter must be readily accessible so that it may be replaced every few months. According to the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), up to 30% of the air loss in a given residential HVAC system can occur at the furnace filter slot. Placing a permanent or semi-permanent seal over the furnace filter slot would likely cause more harm than good, as the furnace filter would then not be changed as frequently as necessary, resulting in damage to the entire system.

Further applications for fluid covers include the covering and sealing of vehicle windows. Upon the removal of a vehicle windshield or other window, it is important to prevent moisture, dust, dirt, and other particulates from entering the now-open vehicle while the glass is repaired or replaced. Additionally, if a vehicle's window has cracks, it is important to cover that window until it can be repaired in order to prevent fluid leaks. This is yet another application where the use of a permanent or semi-permanent seal is undesirable. A temporary cover that will not move when the wind blows is necessary to prevent damage to the interior of the vehicle. Currently, tarps and other large plastic sheets are used, but such devices leave large gaps between the cover and the vehicle where air may blow in dust and dirt particles, as well as moisture.

Additional further applications include covers for sealing door handles, locks, and keyholes of automobiles or other vehicles. During the winter, snow and ice can make it difficult to open a vehicle door and may even freeze the door shut or prevent the insertion of a key into a lock. Plastic sheets have been used in the past to some effect, but can be difficult to ensure that they remain affixed to the vehicle to prevent the formation of ice on the actual moving parts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main purpose of the present invention is to provide a temporary cover for a space for the prevention of fluid or particulate infiltration into or out of that space. The cover, though temporary, strives to provide an air-tight seal over the space in order to optimize the effectiveness of said cover. To facilitate this, the cover must attach itself to the object containing the space to be covered with a strong enough bond to prevent the leaking of air or other elements, while being easy to remove and replace.

The present invention employs specific attributes to obtain the best possible seal around a space to be covered, while maintaining its ability to be easily removed, moved, and replaced. A thin, flexible covering material is used so that even irregularly shaped spaces can be covered adequately. A mechanism for attaching the device to the area around the covered space is employed to facilitate a strong seal against fluid or particulate infiltration, while being easy to remove by human hand.

The present invention could be further used to prevent the accumulation of ice, snow, leaves, or other debris on a sensitive area. An outdoor condensing unit as part of an HVAC system may be covered during the off-season to prevent debris entering the device. Additionally, door handles or key-holes may be covered during cold seasons to prevent the accumulation of ice from building on the surface. Because the cover is easy to remove, but maintains a strong seal while in use, the accumulation of ice, snow, or debris would pile up on the exterior of the cover and would later be easily removed by human hands, revealing a perfectly protected space beneath.

The present invention has advantages over the prior art in several significant ways. First, the invention is very flexible and can cover a wide variety of spaces and objects. Second, the device maintains a tight seal preventing the infiltration of fluids or particulates while covering a wide array of space types. Finally, the device is easy to remove and easy to replace over the object to be covered at the whim of the user. The quality of the seal will not degrade over time.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following description, reference is made to “up” and “down,” but this is merely for convenience and clarity. It is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited in orientation, size, shape, or layout.

Referring to the drawings in more detail, the reference numeral2generally designates a flexible cover device. The device2is comprised of a flexible sheet4of plastic, rubber, or some other material. The flexible sheet includes an inner face8and an outer face10, two sides12and two ends14. Attached to the inner face8of the flexible sheet4is an array of magnets6. The magnets are placed a distance away from the sides12and ends14, creating an overlap of the sheet4. The magnets6attach the cover2to a piece of metal, such as a run of ductwork or an automobile exterior.

The magnets6may be comprised of a strip of magnetic material with adhesive backing. The adhesive is initially covered, but this cover can be peeled off revealing the adhesive, and the magnet6can be placed onto the flexible sheet4, using the adhesive and securing the two pieces together. Alternatively, the magnets6may be glued onto the flexible sheet4, or attached in any other similar fashion. The magnets6may also be placed between two flexible sheets4which will then be heated, creating a seal around the magnets and holding them in place. Additionally, the magnets6may be placed between two flexible sheets4which are then sewn together in a manner to prevent the magnets from sliding.

The focus of the present invention is to cover an air space. The flexible sheet4allows the device2to be of any shape or size. The sheet can wrap around and cover any space or item desired. The device is attached to the item being covered by the magnets6. The magnets will attach the flexible sheet4over a desired space and provide a seal preventing particulates or liquids from infiltrating the cover2. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible sheet would be made of an appropriate material which would allow the user to write the date the furnace filter was replaced on the outside surface of the strip. This allows the user to ensure that the furnace filter is changed at appropriate times to remove contaminants from the air.

FIG. 1shows a preferred embodiment of the flexible cover2. The cover contains four magnets6and can be used to cover a filter slot or other linear opening.FIGS. 3 and 4demonstrate how the cover2fits over a filter slot within a segment of ductwork. Once the cover2is in place, the magnets6hold the flexible sheet4over the filter slot and prevent air from leaking out of the run of the duct work.

FIGS. 3 and 4demonstrate how the cover2will seal a filter slot22located within a piece of duct18. The filter slot22is designed to accept a filter20. The filter is a necessary component to the HVAC system and must be replaced every few months. Typically, the filter edge24is exposed within the filter slot22. Air gaps26are located on either side of the filter edge24. This can account for a large portion of air loss in the HVAC system. The cover2is placed over the filter slot22, and each end14is folded over the top and bottom of the duct18. The magnets6located near the ends14of the cover will attach to the upper and lower faces28,30of the duct18. The magnets6located along the sides12of the cover2will attach to the front face32of the duct18wherein the filter slot22is located. The magnets6will form a seal against the duct18, and the flexible sheet4will prevent air from escaping or entering the filter slot22through the air gaps26.

FIG. 4shows the flexible sheet4engaging the duct18and fully covering the filter slot22. The magnets6engage with the face of the duct32, ensuring an air-tight seal. The air-tight seal prevents outside air from being drawn into the filter slot18, enhancing the efficiency of the HVAC system. The air-tight seal also prevents pollutants, dust, or other contaminants from entering the duct system, ensuring higher air quality and extending the life of the filter20.

FIG. 2shows an alternative embodiment of the cover2. This particular embodiment includes a flexible sheet4with an inner face8and an outer face10, as well as a series of magnets6. Between the magnets are flex spaces16, which allow the cover2to be more flexible and attach itself to uniquely shaped items, such as a curved windshield or round duct pipe, to provide a tight cover and seal.

FIGS. 5 and 6demonstrate an additional alternative embodiment of the cover comprised of multiple flexible strips.FIG. 5demonstrates a cover where a top cover strip40and a bottom cover strip42are employed to prevent air, smoke, or other undesirables from entering the duct system through the filter slot48.FIG. 5shows a piece of duct44with a filter slot48located on the top duct face52containing a filter46. The filter edge50does not completely fill the filter slot48, allowing air to inter the duct return through said filter slot. The filter slot48alternatively could be found in the side duct face56or the bottom duct face54.

The top cover strip40and bottom cover strip42contain an adhesive face58. The adhesive face is comprised of any reusable device capable of connecting the cover strips40,42to the duct44in a non-permanent manner. Such adhesive devices include, but are not limited to, magnets, reusable tacky adhesive, or double-sided tape.FIG. 4demonstrates the top cover strip40being placed onto the duct44first, an edge pulled back to allow the bottom cover strip42to be placed on the duct44and underneath of the top cover strip40.

FIG. 5demonstrates the top cover strip40overlapping the bottom cover strip42at an overlap point60. When the cover strips are fully engaged with the duct44, an air-tight seal is created which prevents outside air, smoke, or other undesirable elements from entering the return duct. The cover strips40,42cover the filter slot48and filter edge50along the top duct face52and run down onto the side duct face56to provide a complete seal. Additional cover strip s may be added for larger filter slots48.

The cover strips40,42may engage with the ductwork using a series of magnets, or by any other means for sufficiently connecting the strips to the duct in a temporary manner, while providing an air-tight seal for the duration of the engagement. It is preferable that the strips be reusable, thus the preferred embodiment includes magnets along the edge of the cover strips. The magnets may either be affixed to one side of the strip, as shown previously inFIG. 2, or they may be inserted between two thin sheets comprising the strip.

FIG. 6shows the cover strips40,42fully engaged with the duct44. A seal is formed along the top face52and side faces56. A seal is also fully formed along the overlap point60. Dust, outside air, and other contaminants are prevented from entering the return air pathway, thus increasing air quality and system efficiency.It is to be understood that the invention can be embodied in various forms, and is not to be limited to the examples discussed above. For example, the flexible sheet4may be of any shape or size, and the magnets6can be placed in any desired array in order to best fit over an item to be covered and to seal that item away from particulates or fluids. The flexible sheet4may include additional sealing mechanisms, such as reusable adhesive or a hook-and-loop interface. The sheet can be used to cover an automobile window or door handle or lock mechanism and prevent rain, snow, or ice from interfering with the vehicle.