Abstract:
An air conditioner shield includes a first portion, a second portion slidably nested within the first portion, and a retention device. The first portion includes a foot at a near edge, where the foot elevates the near edge of the first portion above the surface of an air conditioner, and a first far lip at a far edge of the first portion, where the lip forms a track. The second portion includes a second near lip at a near edge of the second portion, where the second near lip elevates the near edge of the second portion above the surface of the air conditioner, and where the first lip fits within the foot of the first portion. The second portion further includes a second far lip at a far edge, where the second far lip fits within the track of the first far lip of the first portion.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to devices for protecting an air conditioner and, in particular, an adjustable shield to cover a window air conditioner. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Window air conditioners are commonly used throughout the world to provide cooling to a home on an as-needed basis. While these devices may be purchased, installed, and maintained by the resident, they are often very large and heavy, making it inconvenient to remove them once they have been installed. As a result, many window air conditioners are left in place year-round and for very long periods of time. 
         [0005]    The nature of a window air conditioner is such that at least two thirds of the device is exposed to the elements. Dust, rain, snow, hail, and other environmental conditions can affect the longevity of the air conditioner and can lead to unsightly buildups of dirt and residue. Furthermore, in urban environments where a single apartment building might have multiple air conditioners belonging to multiple tenants, in windows one above the other, runoff and condensation from air conditioners located higher in the building can fall onto those belonging to lower tenants. This runoff not only increases the amount of dirt and other material that can accumulate on and in the air conditioner, but the impact of the runoff itself can be a nuisance to the tenant. 
         [0006]    Furthermore, debris that infiltrates the air conditioner through one of the external vents can come to rest against internal moving components, which in some cases causes a clicking and/or rattling sound during operation. Debris can also break down and decay, providing a place for odor-causing bacteria and fungus to grow. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    An air conditioner shield includes a first shield portion, a second shield portion slidably nested within the first shield portion, and a retention device configured to anchor the first and second shield portion. The first shield portion includes a foot at a proximal edge of the first shield portion, said foot being configured to elevate the proximal edge of the first shield portion above the surface of an air conditioner, and a first distal lip at a distal edge of the first shield portion, said first distal lip being configured to form a track. The second shield portion includes a second proximal lip at a proximal edge of the second shield portion, said second proximal lip being configured to elevate the proximal edge of the second shield portion above the surface of the air conditioner, wherein the second proximal lip is configured to fit within the foot of the first shield portion, and a second distal lip at a distal edge of the second shield portion, said second distal lip being configured to fit within the track of the first distal lip of the first shield portion. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a top-down diagram of an air conditioner according to the present principles; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a top-down diagram of an air conditioner shield according to the present principles; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a side-view diagram of an air conditioner shield according to the present principles; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is an end-view diagram of two portions of an air conditioner shield according to the present principles; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is a bottom-up diagram of two portions of an air conditioner shield according to the present principles. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    Embodiments of the present invention provide a shield or cover that is placed over a window air conditioner to protect it from environmental conditions and to diffuse the sound of any impact from above. The present embodiments provide an adjustable shield that may be anchored to the air conditioner and the window in multiple ways, providing a secure attachment for a wide variety of air conditioner designs, even in high-wind conditions. 
         [0014]    For example, when rain, hail, or dripping condensation from units overhead fall onto the air conditioner, the sound of the impact can reverberate inside and cause a nuisance. The present embodiments furthermore decrease the noise of impact by providing an angled surface that has limited contact with the air conditioner. In addition, this provides protection against larger impacts and dust that may fall on the air conditioner from above due to, for example, a building&#39;s façade repairs. 
         [0015]    The present embodiments also humanely discourage nesting by birds. Birds and other “nesting” animals tend to seek level services when creating a nest on a manmade surface. The present embodiments include an angled surface that will encourage “nesting” animals to naturally seek another area without the use of spikes or traps. 
         [0016]    In addition, the present embodiments may increase the efficiency of window air conditioner units. The present embodiments block sunlight, shading the air conditioner to produce an increase in cooling efficiency. The entirety of the top surface of the unit may be shaded in this way, in addition to at least part of the vertical walls of the air conditioner. 
         [0017]    Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals represent the same or similar elements and initially to  FIG. 1 , a top-down view of an air conditioner  100  is shown. The air conditioner  100  is mounted in a window frame, where an upper lip  102  of the air conditioner  100  is braced against the window  104  to prevent the air conditioner  100  from falling out. The air conditioner  100  may be of any window-mounted design, and may include top-surface vents  106 . It should be noted that upper lip  102  may not be present in all air conditioners  100 . 
         [0018]    As can be seen from  FIG. 1 , the air conditioner  100  extends substantially past the walls  108 . This makes the air conditioner  100  susceptible to any weather or debris that may fall on it from above. Such debris may accumulate on the top surface of the air conditioner  100  or may even fall inside through the vents  106 . The air conditioner  100  may be any size that fits within the window frame. In one exemplary embodiment, the air conditioner  100  may be about two feet wide. 
         [0019]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a top-down view of an air conditioner shield  200  is shown over the air conditioner  100 . The shield  200  is formed from at least two telescoping portions, including at least a larger portion  202  and a smaller portion  204 . The smaller portion  204  fits within a track in the larger portion  202 , such that the smaller portion  204  can slide in or out to accommodate different air conditioner sizes. The larger portion  202  and the smaller portion  204  are wide enough such that their combined width when fully extended will cover the width of most residential air conditioning units. The larger portion  202  and the smaller portion  204  further have a fixed length that is larger than the amount of protrusion of most residential air conditioning units. This allows the shield  200  to fully cover any residential air conditioning unit  100 . 
         [0020]    A tether strap  206  is also provided. The tether strap  206  attaches to the shield outside of window  104 . The strap  206  is placed between the window  104  and the air conditioner lip  102  when installing the air conditioner  100 , such that the window  104  trapping the strap  206  in place when closed onto the air conditioner  100 . The strap  206  may be formed from any appropriately flexible and strong material, including a string, ribbon, etc. The strap  206  may further have a bob that is substantially larger than the thickness of the strap  206 . The tether strap  206  provides a secure attachment for the shield  200  in the case of high winds or other extreme weather, such that the shield  200  will not fall off or blow away if the other attachment mechanisms are overcome. If an upper lip  102  is not present, the strap  206  will be securely held between the window  104  and the air conditioner&#39;s top surface. 
         [0021]    It should be understood that the shield  200  may be formed from any appropriate material. For example, it is contemplated that the shield  200  may be formed from plastic, metal, or any other natural or synthetic material. It is specifically contemplated that the shield  200  may be formed with, e.g., rigid, injection-molded plastic. 
         [0022]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a cut-away side view of the shield  200  is shown. The larger portion  202  wraps around the smaller portion  204 , forming an attachment foot  302  and a lip  304 . The foot  302  may include one or more attachment mechanisms to anchor the attachment foot  302  to the top surface of the air conditioner  100 . Examples of such attachment mechanisms may include, e.g., an adhesive, magnets, a screw or bolt, etc. One or more optional support feet  306  may further be included. The optional support feet  306  may be positioned between the attachment foot  302  and the edge of the air conditioner  100  and may include one or more additional attachment mechanisms. As can be seen from  FIG. 3 , the shield  200  is elevated close to the window  104  and slopes down to the corner of the air conditioner  100 . This allows for drainage and dispersal of precipitation and debris might otherwise accumulate on the air conditioner  100 . The gap between shield  200  and air conditioner  100  further allows for ventilation and dispersal of heat from the air conditioner  100  through the vents  106 . 
         [0023]    Although this embodiment is depicted as provided as having a straight, planar surface, it should be understood that other shapes may be used within the scope of the present principles. For example, the larger portion  202  and smaller portion  204  may have a curved surface instead, as long as the curves are selected to maintain a sliding connection between the two. Additionally, although the embodiment of  FIG. 3  is shown without sidewalls for the sake of illustration, it should be understood that embodiments of the present invention may include complete or partial side surfaces to prevent debris from accumulating underneath the shield  200 . 
         [0024]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , an end-on view of the larger portion  202  and the smaller portion  204  is shown. This view illustrates the tether strap  206  connected to the smaller portion  204 . Because the smaller portion  204  is slidably nested within the larger portion  202 , a port  402  is provided in the surface of the larger portion  204  to allow the tether strap  206  to pass through. 
         [0025]    An attachment point  404  for the tether strap  206  may be a simple post configured to fit within port  402 , or it may be threaded to accommodate a locking lug. In the latter case, the tether strap attachment point  404  may accept a washer and nut that will lock the smaller portion  204  to the larger portion  202 , preventing the pieces from sliding with respect to one another and allowing for easy installation once a preferred size has been selected. 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a view of the bottom of larger portion  202  and smaller portion  204  is shown. As described above, the larger portion  202  includes an attachment foot  302  that includes an attachment mechanism  502 . This attachment mechanism  502  may include, for example, an adhesive, magnets, some form of mechanical attachment, or a weight that holds the larger portion  202  to the air conditioner  100 . 
         [0027]    An optional support foot  306  is formed at respective outer edges of the larger portion  202  and the smaller portion  204 . The optional support feet  306  may include any appropriate attachment mechanism or weight to help keep the shield  200  attached to the air conditioner  100 . The larger portion  202  may further include a side lip  504  that prevents the smaller portion  204  from sliding past the edge of the larger portion  202  if no optional support foot  306  is included. 
         [0028]    The larger portion  202  further includes a lip  304 . As shown above, the lip  304  of the larger portion  202  wraps around a corresponding lip  508  of the smaller portion  204  to provide a track that the smaller portion  204  slides within. The smaller portion  204  also includes a lip  506  that rests on the attachment foot  302  of the larger portion  202 , providing vertical support to the smaller portion  204 . In the present embodiments the lip  506  that rests on the attachment foot  302  is shown as being a simple vertical piece, but it should be understood that the lip  506  may have any appropriate configuration and may include, e.g., a foot similar to the attachment foot  302 . The smaller portion  204  may also have an optional support foot  306  of its own, on a side opposite the support foot  306  on the larger portion  202 . 
         [0029]    Having described preferred embodiments of an air conditioner shield (which are intended to be illustrative and not limiting), it is noted that modifications and variations can be made by persons skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that changes may be made in the particular embodiments disclosed which are within the scope of the invention as outlined by the appended claims. Having thus described aspects of the invention, with the details and particularity required by the patent laws, what is claimed and desired protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.