Patent Abstract:
An inexpensive, lightweight, reusable and detachable or removable insulation device for residential and commercial dwellings and similar heated structures. The device has an inner-portion insulating pad adapted to fit inside of a typical entrance or window unit framing. The device further has an outer-portion insulating pad adapted to overlap the window or entrance framing. The outer-portion insulating pad is provided fasteners so as to be secured to the building wall structure outside of the framing and surrounding the window or entrance framing by. During cold weather months, the present invention will greatly restrict warm air from escaping between small crevices in inept window systems by fitting firmly into window framing using a insulating material, thus creating a thermal barrier and improving the efficiency of the furnace by reducing the demand for electricity or fuel consumption.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND 
   1. Field of Invention 
   This invention relates to detachable insulating covers that are particularly suited for use in connection with windows and entrances of residential and commercial dwellings. 
   2. Prior Art 
   It is known from prior art that heat transfer through the windows and entrances of residential and commercial dwellings can be greatly reduced through the use of insulating covers. 
   Prior art has shown application of thin sheets of transparent plastic material and the like affixed to the windows and entrances. This method does offer some thermal insulation properties; however, in older dwellings with inept windows and entrances this method will have very little if any effect. In addition this application has problems with condensation build-up when in use. 
   Another solution of prior art in U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,292 (1986) suggested the use of insulated window shades and curtains. In this method window shades have a separate or detachable insulating layer behind the cloth fabric of shade or curtain. The insulating layer could be added during winter months and removed during the warmer months. This method did offer a portable way of insulating window areas; however this method did very little for drafty inept window systems for older dwellings. In cold weather months if a furnace is used to heat the dwelling, the produced warm air will rapidly escape through the drafty windows making it uncomfortable and thereby lowering the efficiency of the furnace or requiring a greater increase in fuel consumption to warrant eliminating the problem. 
   Another solution of prior art in U.S. Pat. No. 4,131,150 (1978) suggested the use of a window enclosure that is permanently mounted inside of window framing. The window enclosure used siding panels to remove or add insulating material. This method required a permanent alternation to the window framing. 
   These methods listed above are known to suffer from the following disadvantages:
         a) poor thermal protections during cold weather months, by permitting warm air to escape between small crevices in inept window systems;   (b) neither system is designed to have an insulating layer fit firmly inside the window framing while utilizing surrounding wall element for fastening without altering the window and/or framing itself.       

   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION—OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES 
   A need for a long period of time has existed for a portable window insulating system that is simple and cost effective to install at first application, which will not alter the current window or entrance framing. 
   An important object of the present invention is to enable a person to remove the cover from the window framing is a simple manner. 
   Another important object of this invention is to provide a thermal barrier which seals around the edges of the window framing with an insulating layer and which may be adjusted to overlap around window framing edges onto the adjacent wall area. 
   During cold weather months the present invention, when installed inside a dwelling, will greatly restrict warm air and radiant heat from escaping between small crevices in inept window systems by fitting firmly into window framing using an insulating material. 
   This lightweight portable and removable insulating cover is placed over the interior-side generally (or the exterior) of typical commercial and residential building windows and entrances, providing added thermal protection inside of the dwelling, whereby creating a thermal barrier. 
   The present invention could be modified to have a viewer&#39;s opening for viewing out of the window/entrance when cover is installed. The present invention can also be modified to have decorative designs or embroidery on the exterior of device that is attractive and decorative to the eye of the beholder on the interior or exterior of the house. 
   This insulating cover can also be fabricated as a solid one-piece pre-molded insulating material using various molding/casting manufacturing techniques or using various fibrous felt-type insulating materials. 
   It is still another object of this invention to provide a complete window assembly that is simple, reusable, easy and economical to maintain. 
   This invention will be better understood and appreciated from the following detailed description of one embodiment thereof, selected for purposes of illustration and shown in the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the portable insulation device of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a partial elevation view showing the installation of the present invention covering the interior side of a window unit  21  inside a building. 
       FIG. 2A  is a modified version of  FIG. 2  showing an option for the present invention wherein a viewer&#39;s opening is provided. 
       FIG. 3  is a cross sectional transverse view of a window unit showing the insulating cover insertion wherein the view is taken along lines  3 — 3  of FIG.  2 . 
       FIG. 4  is a detailed orthographic view of the portable insulation device illustrated in FIG.  1 . 
       FIG. 5  is a typical installation and application method for the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view showing the portable insulation device insertion along lines  6 — 6  of FIG.  2 . 
       FIG. 6A  is an alternative method of installing the present invention by using an extension adapter, whereby permitting the present invention to be installed over irregular, large and over-sized window units. 
       FIG. 6   b  is a perspective view of the extension adapter identified in FIG.  6 A. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     FIG. 1  shows the portable insulation device of the present invention. Shown in this view is an insulating core-element fabricated utilizing two functional sections which are the outer portion attachment pad section  01  and the inner portion insert pad section  02 . Both the outer and inner portions or pads are illustrated here as completely and individually encased in a fabric material  03 . As illustrated, the outer portion attachment pad section  01  is larger than the inner portion insert pad section in at least two dimensions, namely for example in height and width as viewed. Thus the attachment pad section effectively overlaps the insert pad section, and on this overlap segment are shown fasteners as will be further described herebelow. Said inner portion insert pad section is seen to protrude or jut out from the outer portion attachment pad section. All seams, corners, and edges of the fabric material  03  are bound together using heavy-duty nylon threading material  04 . Spaced uniformly along the topside of the inner portion pad  02  are buttons associated with threading holes  05 . Another set buttons associated with threading holes  05  is located on the backside of the outer portion pad  01 , and spaced in a manner in that they are directly aligned with buttons and threading holes  05  of the inner portion pad  02 . The buttons with threading holes  05  on both the outer portion pad  01  and the inner portion Pad  02  are illustrated as laced together by tightly drawn heavy-duty nylon threading material or lacing  04 . The tightly drawn lacing passes through both the outer portion pad  01  and the inner portion pad  02 . Along the perimeter of the outer portion pad  01  where it overlaps the inner portion pad  02  are uniformly spaced Velcro® hook and loop fasteners  06 . Besides hook and loop fasteners, these may also include any other conventional fastening means, for example, snaps or hooks. 
     FIG. 2  is a partial elevation view showing an inside building wall structure  20  with the portable insulation device installed over a window unit  21 . The inner portion of pad  02  is fitted inside of the window framing area. The Outer portion pad  01  overlaps onto building wall structure  20  along the edges of the window framing. 
     FIG. 2A  is a modified version of  FIG. 2 , which is a partial elevation view showing a building wall structure  20  with the portable insulation device installed over a window unit  21 . The inner portion pad  02  is fitted inside of the window framing area. The Outer portion pad  01  overlaps onto the building wall structure along the edges of the window framing. 
   This drawing also shows a viewer&#39;s opening  22  which allows the viewer inside a dwelling to view the environment on the outside of the dwelling when the present invention is installed. The viewer&#39;s opening shall be fabricated, for example, by providing an opening completely through the insulating cover then sealing the exposed fiberglass insulation  09  and polyester filler batting  07  by encasing them with fabric material  03 . All seams shall be bound together by using heavy duty nylon threading Material  04 . 
     FIG. 3  is a cross sectional transverse view of window unit  21  and the portable insulation device taken along  3 — 3  of FIG.  2 . The inner portion pad  02  is fitted inside of the window framing area and is seen as substantially filling said surrounding framing area. The outer portion pad  01  overlaps onto the building wall structure  20  along the edges of the window unit  21  framing. Along the perimeter of the building wall structure  20  encircling the window unit  21  are mounted fasteners  06 . These fasteners  06  are firmly attached using matching spacing to fasteners  06  attached to the topside of the outer portion pad  01 . All 
   Sides and corners of outer portion pad  01  are checked to make sure that all fasteners  06  are attached to corresponding fasteners mounted to building wall structure  20  encircling the window unit  21 . 
     FIG. 4  is a detailed orthographic and cross-sectional view of the portable insulation device. The orthographic view shows the relationship and arrangement of an embodiment of the outer portion attachment pad section  01  to the inner portion insert pad section  02 . 
   Cross-sectional view taken along lines  4 — 4  shows the internal features of an embodiment of the present Invention. The inner portion pad  02  internally may be fabricated mostly of Polyester filler Batting  07 . A sheet of general use grade aluminum foil  08  may be sandwiched between polyester filler batting  07  and fiberglass felt type insulation  09 . In this embodiment, the outer surfaces of both the outer portion pad  01  and inner portion pad  02  are completely encased in a fabric material  03 . Spaced uniformly along the topside of the inner portion pad  02  are buttons with threading holes  05 . A second set of buttons with threading holes  05  is placed on the backside of the outer portion pad  01 , which is spaced in a manner in that they are directly aligned with buttons with threading holes  05  of the inner portion pad  02 . The buttons with threading holes  05  on both the outer portion pad  01  and the inner portion pad  02  are laced together by tightly drawn heavy duty nylon threading material  04 . This sectional view shows the tightly drawn lacing passing through both the outer portion pad  01  and the inner portion pad  02 . Along a substantial portion of the perimeter of outer portion attachment pad section  01  are uniformly spaced fasteners  06 , for example Velcro® hook and loop fasteners. 
     FIG. 5  shows the portable insulation device typical installation method. The present invention is mounted over the window unit  21  with the inner portion pad  02  fitting inside window unit  21  framing. This embodiment shows an elevation view of Velcro® hook and loop type fasteners  06  installed on the building wall structure  20  which surround the Window Unit  21 . 
     FIG. 6  is a longitudinal cross-section view of the building wall structure  20  and window unit  21  taken along  6 — 6  of FIG.  2 . This view shows the insertion of the portable insulation device into the framing of window unit  21 . This cross-sectional view also shows the alignment of the fasteners  06  surrounding the window unit  21  framing and fasteners  06  attached to the top-side of outer portion pad  01 . 
     FIG. 6A  is a modified version of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6  which is a longitudinal cross-section view of the building wall structure  20  and window unit  21  taken along  6 — 6  of FIG.  2 . This view shows the insertion of the portable insulation device into the framing of window unit  21 . In addition to the features explained in  FIG. 6 , this modified version shows the present invention insertion for an over-sized window unit  21  using the extension adapter  10 . This is a bridging device to attach two insulating covers, whereby permitting the present invention to be expandable and extendable for installation over irregular, large or over-sized window unit  21 . The extension adapter  10  is rectangular and elongated in proportion with one elongated side having a fastener  06  attached to its exterior surface. The general length of the extension adapter  10  shall be proportional to the length of the joining inner port on pads  02  of the present invention. The general width of the extension adapter  10  shall be proportional to general distance between the joining inner portion pads  02  of the present invention while the joining outer portion pads  01  of the present invention are directly in contact. The elongated side of extension adapter  10  with the attaching fastener  06  shall be firmly connected to the corresponding fastener  06  attached along the common perimeter on the topside of the joining outer portion pads  01  of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6B  is a perspective view of the extension adapter  10  identified in FIG.  6 A. The extension adapter  10  includes a fiberglass felt type insulation  09  core element which is encased in fabric material  03 . All seams, corners, and edges of the Fabric Material  03  are bound together using Heavy-duty nylon threading material  04 . The extension adapter  10  is rectangular and elongated in proportion with one elongated side having a fastener  06  attached to its outer surface along its length. 
   Summary, Ramifications, and Scope 
   As previously mentioned the following reference part numerals have additional advantages in that; 
   Fabric material  03  may be made of any suitable material such as flame-retardant material, cotton, plastic, polyester, paper with aluminum foil backing, nylon, and the like. 
   The fiberglass felt-type insulation  09  may be any conventional type of insulation such as fiberglass, fiberglass sheets with aluminum foil or its equivalent, various plastic foams, foam rubber, and any conventional insulation material including flame retardant material, which can control the transfer of heat and prevent the escape of warm air from the interior of the dwelling. 
   In addition to Velcro® hook and loop fasteners  06 , other fasteners could be used such as snaps, hooks, or any other types of conventional fastening means. 
   While nylon threading material  04  has been mentioned, it will be obvious that in addition to nylon threading material  04 , snap fasteners, staples, epoxy or other glue-like material or heat seals can be used. 
   A particular advantage of the present invention lies in the fact that edge portion of the outer pad  01  proficiently seals around the edges of the window unit  21 . This seal greatly restricts the passage of warm air from inside the dwelling and is easily removable. If the fasteners  06  are appropriately spaced along the window unit framing  21 , the insulating section of the present invention will greatly improve the air tightness of the space between the window unit  21  and the insulating cover. 
   Referring to  FIG. 5  fasteners  06  are shown attached to the wall area surrounding window unit  21 . These fasteners could also be mounted directly to the window unit  21  framing. This method could benefit fixed sash commercial window units with metal framing. 
   The outer portion pad  01  could be constructed omitting the fiberglass insulation  09  shown in  FIG. 4 , thus just using a layer of fabric material  03  or vinyl and plastic-like materials. This method would provide a smooth, flush and sleek appearance inside of the dwelling, thus lending itself to various decorative and ornamental designs, patterns, pictures, textures, writings and embroidery. 
   Also an additional advantage of the present invention lies in the fact that the materials selected to manufacture this device; when used in combination could produce stain resistant, water-resistant and moisture-resistant properties which would improve the effectiveness of the device. This could include the fabric material  03 , fibrous polyester filler batting  07 , and fiberglass insulation  09 . 
   Also an additional advantage of the present invention lies in the fact that the materials selected to manufacture this device; when used in combination could make the device a bullet-proof or resistant barrier when installed at windows and entrances. This ramification could have great law enforcement and military potential. 
   Although the description above contains many specifics, these should not construed as limiting the scope of the present invention but as merely providing illustrations of the presently preferred embodiments. 
   Thus the scope of this invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4