Patent Publication Number: US-2013232880-A1

Title: Insulation for attic access

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 61/607,584, filed Mar. 6, 2012, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to insulation devices and methods and, more particularly, to insulation in a pocket of fabric that insulates an attic access. 
     The attic access is a port for conditioned air inside the home to be lost. In the winter, cold air may enter the home through the attic access port. In the summer, heat may be radiated from the attic access, requiring more cooling energy to be used. 
     Conventional attic access insulation devices aim to create a dead air space at the access port. This method, however, does not provide a seal with a consistent R-value, typically providing an R-rating of 10 to 15 at most. 
     As can be seen, there is a need for an improved insulation for attic access. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, an attic access covering insulation bag comprises an insulating material; an inner bag encasing the insulating material; an outer bag covering the inner bag; a flap formed along one end of the insulation bag; and a plurality of holes formed in the flap. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, an attic access covering insulation bag comprises an insulating material; an inner bag encasing the insulating material; an outer bag covering the inner bag; a flap formed along one end of the insulation bag; a plurality of holes formed in the flap; a plurality of grommets disposed about the plurality of holes; and at least one handle disposed on the outer bag opposite the end having the flap. 
     In a further aspect of the present invention, an attic access opening insulation system comprises an insulating material; an inner bag encasing the insulating material; an outer bag covering the inner bag; a flap formed along one end of the insulation bag; a plurality of holes formed in the flap; and a plurality of screw eyes having a first end attachable to attic framing and a second end forming an eye threaded into the holes. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an attic access covering insulation bag according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, illustrated not in use to cover an attic access; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the attic access covering insulation bag of  FIG. 1 , illustrated in use covering the attic access; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the attic access covering insulation bag of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a detailed perspective view showing attachment of a flap of the attic access covering insulation bag of  FIG. 1  to a screw hook attached to attic framing; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 2 ; and 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an attic access covering insulation bag according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides an insulation device that lays on top of an attic access, insulating the access, and prevents heat loss, heat radiation and cold or hot air from flowing into the home. Because the insulation device of the present invention lays on top of the attic access, and insulates all sides of the access at a consistent R-value, the insulation device is a more complete insulation system as compared to conventional systems that merely create a dead air space at the attic access. The insulation device may be hingedly attached at one end of the attic access to allow a user to easily open and close the insulation device accurately over the opening. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 6 , an insulation bag  32  may be custom cut, or cut to a standard sized attic access opening  28 . The insulation bag  32  is typically about one inch or more larger than the attic access opening  28  on all sides. The resulting overhang allows the insulation bag  32  to completely cover, and insulate, the entire attic access opening  28  even when the access is closed, and the ladder is in place. 
     On one end of the insulation bag  32 , there can be an excess of one or more inches, to form a flap  26  to be used to attach the insulation bag  32  to the attic framing  12  using screw hooks  22 . Grommets  20  can then be attached to the flap  26 , allowing the screw hooks  22  to pass through the grommets  20  to provide a hinged connection of the insulation bag  32 . In some embodiments, the flap  26  can be made from doubling over the outer bag  14  of the insulation bag  32 . 
     The insulation bag  32  can be designed in various configurations. For example, a first fabric can be used to form the bottom, sides and ends of the insulation bag  32 . A second fabric, such as a cotton or cotton blend can be sewn to the first fabric with a nylon thread, or the like, to create the top and/or the sides. The cotton fabric also allows for the same amount of overhang as the first fabric. The first fabric and the second, cotton fabric can form the outer layer  14 . In some embodiments, the outer layer  14  can be formed as a single fabric. 
     Once the first fabric and the cotton fabric are sewn together with the nylon thread, they create a pocket in which an inner bag  16 , such as a plastic bag, and insulating material  18  can be enclosed. The inner bag  16  can be cut to encase the insulating material  18 , which can then be sealed using staples, tape, heat sealing, or the like. 
     Once the insulating material  18  and the inner bag  16  are enclosed in the outer bag  14 , the corners can be sewn and sealed with the nylon thread, for example. The open end can then be either be sewn with the nylon thread or sealed with toggles, a zipper, buttons, snaps or the like. 
     A handle  24  can be sewn either in the middle (see  FIG. 3 ), or on the two corners (see  FIG. 7 ) on the opposite end of the eyelet flap  26 . The handle or handles  24  can be made from the same fabric or some other fabric or material as the outer layer  14 . 
     The fabric of the outer layer  14  may be a durable fabric that can stand up against wear and tear. 
     The inner bag  16  can be used to encase the insulation so that the insulation does not move excessively in the fabric encasement. The inner bag  16  also minimizes the insulation from entering the air flow of the attic and or house. 
     The insulating material  18  provides a high insulation value that essentially extends the insulation that is already existent in the rest of the attic. The encased insulation can directly contact the attic access and access frame, instead of creating a dead air space like other products on the market, which allows the actual R value of the product to be fully utilized. 
     The nylon thread gives extra support and strength to the sewn seams to help prevent seam failure. The grommets  20  support the holes made in the end flap  26  and keep the holes from tearing. The grommets  20  can have the hook screws  22  put through them and then attached to the wood floor, cross beams, or wood frame (attic framing  12 ) to limit the movement of the entire insulation bag  32 . The handles  24  allow the product to be pulled tightly, allowing it to lie flat. 
     To use the insulation device, a user can simply pull the device up into the attic from the opposite end that the eyelets are on. Using the screw hooks, the user can attach the insulation device to any wood surface of the attic frame, keeping the same amount of excess on all sides. Because attics may differ, all the provided screw hooks may not be necessary to be used. The insulation device can be fluffed until it lies flat, where in the insulation is evenly distributed throughout the insulation device. When exiting the attic, the user can simply use the handles to make sure the insulation device is pulled down and lying flat. 
     While the above description describes the outer bag  14  being made from a first fabric and a cotton fabric, in some embodiments the fabrics may be the same material, wherein the insulation device may be made entirely of the first fabric or entirely of the cotton fabric, for example. 
     The insulation device of the present invention may be made of various sizes, depending on its application. For example, the insulation device may be adapted for use with an attic access that varies from about 14 to 36 inches wide and from about 16 to about 60 inches long. 
     It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.