Abstract:
A protective screen is provided for use with air-handling devices, including air conditioners and evaporative coolers. In one aspect the protective screen is comprised of a generally flexible mesh material. The screen is secured around the exterior of the air-handling device, closely adjacent any inlet openings. One or more drawstrings are provided to fit the screen to the air-handling device and prevent unintentional removal therefrom. The protective screen may be periodically removed and cleaned prior to reuse.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Air-handling equipment, such as air conditioners and evaporative coolers equipment, are commonly found in residential and commercial settings. Such equipment are typically comprised of units located outside of the home or business and include an exterior cover having inlet openings, that lead to an inner chamber. One or more various air-induction devices are located within the inner chamber; for drawing air through the inlet openings and into the inner chamber. Frequently, the inlet openings are merely provided with louvers or other structural members that merely prevent the passage of large objects from outside of the air-handling device to the inner chamber. Other structures, such as evaporative pads and the like are commonly positioned directly behind the inlet openings. 
         [0002]    Unfortunately, as air is drawn through the inlet openings and into the inner chamber, particulate matter including dirt, leaves, and other debris become engaged with the structures at the inlet opening. This can greatly restrict air flow into the air-handling device, limiting its efficiency and ability to run properly. Much of the debris adheres to the contoured surfaces of the louvers, evaporative pads; and the like, making it difficult to easily or effectively remove the debris from the air-handling device. Often times, the air-handling devices must be partially dismantled and cleaned from the inside out. Such activities can be quite laborious and costly when handled by third-parties. 
         [0003]    Accordingly, what is needed is novel system and method of preventing common debris from engaging and clogging structural features of air-handling devices. Such a system and method should, preferably, be relatively inexpensive, simple to manufacture and implement, and easy to maintain over a long useful life. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
         [0005]    The protective screen of the present invention is provided for use with air-handling devices, having covers with exterior surfaces, inlet openings through the cover, and inner chambers containing on or more various devices for drawing air through the inlet openings and into the inner chamber. In one aspect, the protective screen is generally comprised of a flexible mesh material. The protective screen is formed to have first and second opposing surfaces, first and second end portions, and a drawstring that is disposed at least partially within a partially enclosed channel, adjacent the first end portion of the screen. Manipulation of the drawstring permits the first end portion of the protective screen to be selectively constricted. In use, the protective screen is position with the second surface closely adjacent to the inlet openings of the air-handling device so that particulate matter in the air is substantially prevented from passing the first surface of the screen and engaging the exterior surface of the air-handling device. 
         [0006]    In one aspect, the protective screen may be formed in the shape of a closed loop with an opening defined at least at its second end portion. The opening is shaped in size to selectively pass the air-handling therethrough. The protective screen may be easily removed from the air-handling device and cleaned of any debris adhering thereto. 
         [0007]    These and other objects of the present invention will be apparent after consideration of the Detailed Description and Figures herein. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of the protective screen; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  depicts an isometric view of a drawstring and cinch stop potions of the protective screen depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  depicts the protective screen of  FIG. 1  and one contemplated method of use with an air-handling device; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  depicts one manner in which debris may be removed form a surface of the protective screen using a fluid. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. 
         [0014]    A protective screen  10  is generally provided for use with an air-handling device  12 , such as an air conditioner, evaporative cooler, or the like. Typically, a common air-handling device  12  will be generally provided within an exterior component that is positioned out of doors, adjacent to a home, business or other such structure. The exterior component is typically provided with a cover  14  having an exterior surface  16 , inlet openings  18  formed through the cover  14 , and an inner chamber  20  that contains equipment for drawing air through the inlet openings  18  and into the inner chamber  20 . Such equipment will frequently be comprised of a motor and one or more fans that are oriented to draw air into the unit in a desired fashion. Louvers  22  or other similar structures may be located within the inlet openings  18 . Evaporative pads  24 , cooling fins or other related media carrier are typically positioned within the inner chamber  20 , closely adjacent to the inlet openings  18 . 
         [0015]    The protective screen  10  is preferably comprised of a generally flexible mesh material. Such material may be derived from various synthetic or natural substances. However, it will be desirable that the material selected be capable of withstanding temperatures and other weather elements common to areas in which the invention is to be used. The, protective screen  10  will have a first surface  26  and a second closing surface  28 , a first end portion  30  and an opposite second end portion  32 . In a preferred embodiment, a first drawstring  34  is at least partially disposed within a partially enclosed channel  36  formed adjacent the first end portion  30  of the protective screen  10 . Opposite end portions of the first drawstring  34  may be left free or secured with one another. In a preferred embodiment, a cinch stop  38  is positioned to be movable along lengths of the free end portions of the first drawstring  34 . Other positive stop-type devices may be used. It is merely important that the first drawstring  34  be capable of selectively constricting the first end portion  30  of the protective screen  10 . In a preferred embodiment, a second drawstring  40  is disposed at least partially within a partially enclosed channel  42 , adjacent the second end portion  32  of the protective screen  10 . The second drawstring  40  is provided in a manner similar to that described with respect to the first drawstring  34  and may have its opposite end portions secured with one another using a cinch stop  38  or other such device. In this manner, the second end portion  32  of the protective screen  10  may be selectively constricted using the second drawstring  40  and secured in position using the cinch stop  38 . 
         [0016]    In at least one preferred embodiment, the protective screen  10  is formed with its opposite end portion secured with one another to form an endless loop with an opening  44  defined by the first end portion  30  of the protective screen  10 . Likewise, an opening  46  should be defined by the second end portion  32  of the protective screen  10 . The first drawstring  34  and second drawstring  40  should be provided to selectively constrict the openings  44  and  46  to reduce and, inversely, expand the overall size of the protective screen  10 , according to various intended uses. 
         [0017]    In use, the protective screen  10  should be positioned around the air-handling device  12  so that the second surface  28  of the protective screen  10  is positioned closely adjacent to the inlet openings  18  of the air-handling device  12 . Tension should be placed on the first drawstring  34  and second drawstring  40  (when provided) to constrict the end portions of the protective screen  10 . This will prevent the unintentional withdrawal of the air-handling device  12  from within the protective screen  10  and should keep the protective screen  10  in position, regardless of wind or other weather phenomena. Preferably, the first end portion  30  and the second end portion  32  of the protective screen  10  will extend just beyond the upper and lower end portions of the cover  14  of the air-handling device  12 . In this manner, a more secure position may be obtained for the protective screen  10 . 
         [0018]    With the protective screen  10  in position, the air-handling equipment  12  may be operated so that air is drawn through the protective screen  10  and the inlet openings  18  of the air-handling device  12 . In doing so, it is contemplated that debris, such as leaves, dirt, trash, and the like will accumulate on the first surface  26  of the protective screen  10 . Such debris accumulation can restrict through the air-handling device  12  and limit its usability. Accordingly, air-handling device  12  may be turned off while the protective screen  10  is removed therefrom. Particulate matter may then be removed from the first surface  26  of the protective screen  10 . It is contemplated that the particulate matter may be removed from the protective screen  10  by vigorously shaking the protective screen  10  or directing a fluid, such as water or air, against the protective screen  10 . Such fluids may be directed from the second surface  28  of the protective screen  10  or at an angle, against the first surface  26 . Once the protective screen  10  has been cleaned, it may simply be repositioned closely adjacent the air-handling device  12  and reused. 
         [0019]    Although the invention has been described in language that is specific to certain structures and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures and/or steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.