Patent Publication Number: US-2007117504-A1

Title: Instant crawlspace winterization system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
      This application is closely related to and claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/730,646 filed Oct. 26, 2005. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates, in general, to a foundation crawlspace vents, and, more particularly, the present invention relates to a system which enables a user to quickly winterize a foundation crawlspace without the need to go under the building.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      There is a problem with houses that have a crawlspace under the house. These crawlspaces unless properly winterized can be subject to wet and cold weather elements which permit moisture to get in the crawlspace enabling mold and fungus to grow therein.  
      Crawlspaces generally have vents which close from the outside; however, closing the vents is not always enough to keep the cold and other weather elements out. Basically all of these foundation vents are standard sizes which is substantially 16 inches by 8 inches. Often, there is a need to open the crawlspace to add additional insulation on the inside of the vents. The cold that gets into the crawl space can cause pipes to freeze, creating higher heating costs. Moisture can also enter these areas inciting a breeding ground for mold or fungus. Plastic vents repeatedly blow open during inclement weather making additional insulation necessary. Metal foundation vents and electronically controlled foundations are not always reliable after repeated uses.  
      Thus, it would be advantageous if there were a simple system which can provide the needed protection for crawlspaces so as to provide protection from the harsh weather.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      In a first aspect the present invention provides an apparatus for winterizing a vent opening in a crawl space of a foundation in a building. The apparatus comprises a first member having each a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape and formed of a first predetermined material for sealing against an inside surface of a wall area immediately adjacent such vent opening. A cover member which has each of a second predetermined size and a second predetermined shape and formed of a second predetermined material is secured to the first member. The cover member includes a raised lip member that is disposed around an outer periphery of the cover member for engagement with an inner surface of such vent opening. A thermal insulating layer is disposed intermediate the first member and the cover member for providing a weather barrier to cold air. There is, further, a means disposed on the cover member for assisting in positioning the apparatus in such vent opening.  
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
      It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for winterization of the vent opening of a crawlspace.  
      Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus an apparatus for winterization of the vent opening of a crawlspace which is a three layered product, having a rubber layer, a thermal layer and a plastic cover.  
      Still another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for winterization of the vent opening of a crawlspace which is installed from the outside of the building.  
      Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for winterization of the vent opening of a crawlspace which is easy to install.  
      These and various other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent after a full reading of the following detailed description, particularly, when read in conjunction with the attached drawings as described below and the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1  taken across the lines of II-II.  
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the apparatus showing the first member with the insulating member on top. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION  
      Prior to proceeding with the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity, identical components which have identical functions have been designated by identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawings.  
      In a first aspect the present invention provides an apparatus, generally designated  10 , for winterizing a vent opening in a crawl space of a foundation in a building. The apparatus  10  comprises a first member  2  having each a first predetermined size and a first predetermined shape and formed of a first predetermined material for sealing against an inside surface of a wall area immediately adjacent such vent opening (not shown). A cover member  4  which has each of a second predetermined size and a second predetermined shape and formed of a second predetermined material is secured to the first member  2 . The cover member  4  includes a raised lip member  6  that is disposed around an outer periphery of the cover member  4  for engagement with an inner surface of such vent opening. A thermal insulating layer  8  is disposed intermediate the first member  2  and the cover member  4  for providing a weather barrier to cold air. There is, further, a means, generally designated  20 , disposed on the cover member  4  for assisting in positioning the apparatus  10  in such vent opening.  
      It is presently preferred that such first predetermined material for said first member is a resilient material and that such resilient material is selected from a group including natural rubber, synthetic rubber, silicone rubber and polyurethane. It is presently preferred that such first member is either synthetic rubber or silicone rubber and even more preferred that it is silicone rubber.  
      The first predetermined size of the first member  2  is sufficient to cover such vent opening and seal against such inside surface of such wall area that surrounds such vent opening. The first predetermined size is larger that the second predetermined size, that is the first member  2  is larger than the cover member  4 .  
      The predetermined material used to form the cover member  4  is a plastic material and it is preferred that such plastic material is vinyl. However, such plastic could come from a variety of plastics. It is important that the plastic be strong enough to withstand wind and be somewhat pliant for ease in placing the apparatus  10  in the vent.  
      The means  20  for assisting in positioning the apparatus  10  in such vent opening includes at least one pinch handle  12  disposed on the cover  4  for installing the apparatus  10  from outside of such foundation. When the pinch handle  12  is pulled up the apparatus bows just enough for the apparatus  10  to be forced in through the vent opening and then pulled back so that the first member  2  seals against the inner wall of the vent opening. Also the raised lip member  6  on the cover member  4  is wedged against the inner surface of the vent opening in a friction fit. Thus, the installation or winterization of the vent opening takes only a few minutes and is done completely from the outside of the building without any need for getting into the crawl space.  
      It is presently preferred that such thermal insulating barrier is selected from one of foam and fiberglass and even more preferred that such barrier is fiberglass. Such cover member  4  is secured to the first member  2  by means of an adhesive, obviously the thermal layer  8  is inserted prior to sealing the cover member  4  to the first member  2 .  
      Such first and such second predetermined shaped are substantially identical and both the shape of the first member  2  and the cover member  4  are substantially rectangular  13 . Although all of the discussion has been with vent openings which are generally a standard 16 inch by 8 inch opening, it is within the concept of the invention that if a crawlspace had a different shape vent opening such as a circular opening that the invention could be modified to adapt to the different shape without detracting from the invention.  
      Thus, the present invention provides an apparatus  10  which can provide virtually instant winterization to foundation crawlspace vents without the need for going under the home or building. Numerous covers can be installed in vents around the foundation of the home in a very short time. The apparatus adds thermal insulation to the opening and the plastic cover protects the insulation from getting wet when it rains. This three layered product provides the necessary protection from the elements. As stated previously, the apparatus is made to cover a standard vent opening which is generally a 16×8 inch rectangular opening but the apparatus can be modified to fit openings of different sizes or shapes.  
      While a presently preferred embodiment and alternate embodiments of the present invention has been described in detail above, it should be understood that various other adaptations and/or modifications of the invention can be made by those persons who are particularly skilled in the art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.