Abstract:
A window insulation having a frame with a track fixedly attached thereto and flexible impermeable sheeting having a rail member peripherally positioned and releasably mountable to said track member therein forming a window thermally insulative device that can be mounted to the wall over the window opening or mounted to the window jamb.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to windows and, more specifically, to window insulation comprising a frame having a track fixedly attached thereto and flexible impermeable sheeting, such as plastic or other material, having a rail member peripherally positioned and releasably mounted to said track member therein forming a window thermally insulative device. 
     The window insulation can be mounted to the wall over the window opening or mounted to the window jamb. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     There are other covering devices designed for windows. Typical of these is U.S. Pat. No. 1,045,132 issued to Dorsey on Nov. 26, 1912. 
     Another patent was issued to Kaplan on Oct. 15, 1935 as U.S. Pat. No. 2,017,539. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 4,103,728 was issued to Burdette on Aug. 1, 1978 and still yet another was issued on Sep. 12, 1978 to D&#39;Aragon as U.S. Pat. No. 4,112,642. 
     Another patent was issued to Loeb on Feb. 10, 1981 as U.S. Pat. No. 4,249,589. Yet another U.S. Pat. No. 4,419,982 was issued to Eckels on Dec. 13, 1983. Another was issued to Roberts on Nov. 27, 1990 as U.S. Pat. No. 4,972,896 and still yet another was issued on Feb. 19, 1991 to Golden as U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,471. 
     Another patent was issued to Westby on Jul. 19, 2005 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,918,426 and still yet another was issued on Nov. 22, 1967 to Jaster as U.K. Patent No. GB1,092,452. 
     In a device of the class described, a tent wall formed of a number of vertically arranged strips of material connected by seams, a number of strips being formed with an opening, a reinforcing strip surrounding said opening, fastening members on the interior of such reinforcing strip, screens of flexible material, each provided with a flexible reinforcing frame and with coacting fastening members at its top, sides and bottom, for detachably securing the screens to the inner surface of the strips of material, whereby the operator may, by detaching the upper fastening member, obtain access to the outside flap and the fastening members above the opening on the outside, and whereby the screen, when in position, will support the wall against movement tending to stretch the sides or the top and bottom of the openings apart, the fastening members for securing the flap on the outside in its closed position, being designed to reinforce and support the wall against upward and downward stretching. 
     In an attachment longitudinally extendible means for supporting a ventilating or similar device arranged on the inside of a window and secured to the window frame and means for removably fastening said device to said supporting means, said supporting means being longitudinally extendible to fit different sixes of windows. 
     A system for mounting thin transparent membrane material over the interior of a window to provide an insulating effect. An elongate narrow retainer molding is positioned along the peripheral frame portion of the window. This molding includes a narrow base portion having a flat surface intended for adhesive and permanent attachment to the frame. Integrally formed with the base portion are two side components which extend upwardly to a top surface which is shaped concavely to define a receiving region. Detents are formed in these side portions which extend over a centrally disposed groove. A beading of circular cross-section is urged with the peripheral portion of the membrane into the centrally disposed groove to provide a non-adhesive form of fixation of the membrane to the retainer molding. By selection of relative dimensions of the molding, the centrally disposed groove remains continuous about the entire window mounting even though the orientation of retainer molding components across corners may be transverse. 
     A temporary transparent insulating installation is disclosed for mounting on the inside of a window frame. This installation provides for increased insulation of buildings without necessitating an increased number of glazings in a window. The installation comprises a clear plastic sheet with a length greater than the height of the window frame, having a first connecting strip along a top edge. The sheet has side edges with sealing means adapted to seal with two side surfaces of the window frame. The second connecting strip is permanently attached to the top surface of the window frame and is adapted to mate with the first connecting strip along the top edge of the plastic sheet. At least one weight is provided to hold down the plastic sheet on the bottom surface of the window frame. In another installation two or more clear plastic sheets can be hung in a window frame. 
     Apparatus for mounting an environment controlling screen, sheet or membrane, is provided comprising separate frame sections secured in mutually abutting relation to the inner periphery of an opening, mutually abutting strip of Velcro hook material are affixed to each frame section, and a flexible sheet, dimensioned to fit the frame section, is affixed to the frame section by means of a strip of Velcro pile material attached to the margins of the sheet. A mosquito-proof joint is provided by the abutting Velcro material even though the frame sections are not joined directly one to the other. Quick installation and removal of the sheet material is feasible. Storage of the sheets is convenient, simple, and takes up little space. 
     An edge seal for a solar collector type flexible film material is provided for forming a generally air-tight heat insulating reusable seal around the edge of an opening in the surface of a building structure. The edge seal is formed around the film material which is sized to cover the window opening and overlap the edges of the opening. A band of magnetically permeable particles is adhered along the edge of the substrate forming the film material by a suitable adhesive. A strip of magnetic material is adhered around the edge of the opening. The permeable particles are attracted to the magnetic strip to form an effective air-tight seal between the flexible film material and the opening to essentially form a dead air space between the flexible material and the window opening. The flexible film material can be mounted similar to a window shade adjacent to the upper edge of the opening. The film material can also have a monolayer of transparent spheres adhered to one side which provide a means for concentrating solar energy striking the outer surface of the sheet material. The solar energy will be converted to heat energy and conducted through the sheet material to the interior surface so that the heat will be transferred to the interior of the building. 
     A covering apparatus is set forth to overlie an existing covered opening such as found in window and door environments. The apparatus includes a continuous elongate strip secured to a window or door frame opening with a companion strip receivable therein integrally secured and formed as a perimeter of a flexible transparent covering membrane for the window or door opening. 
     A self-attaching screen for vehicle openings comprising a flexible screen material having mounting means along its periphery, whereby the mounting means are resilient projections which temporarily entangle with the fabric surrounding the vehicle opening to form a detachable seal. The screen may be detached and reattached repeatedly without damage to said fabric and no secondary mounting means are required to be permanently attached to the vehicle. 
     The window insulating system comprises a mesh scrim sized to fit substantially completely within a window frame and substantially over all of an inside surface of a window pane and positioning and holding means for positioning and holding said mesh scrim closely adjacent the inside surface of the window pane without adhesively fixing said mesh scrim to the window pane or to the window frame with the distance between the mesh scrim and the inside surface of the window pane being between approximately 0.005 inch and approximately 0.050 inch. 
     A strip fastener comprises two separable strips  1 ,  2  of plastics material of which one is formed with at least one longitudinally extending recess and of which the other is formed with at least one longitudinally extending rib  5  comprising a head portion and neck portion, the head being adapted to enter the recess of the other strip or one of the recesses, to interlock with it when the strips are forced together face to face and in which the or each rib or at least one of the ribs has in the outer surface of its head a longitudinally extending groove  6  dividing the head into two lobes and in which the inner surface of the recess which is opposite to the groove  6  when the rib is seated in the recess lies completely outside the groove to permit the two lobes to move freely towards each other as the head is inserted in or removed from its associated recess. In other arrangements  FIGS. 2 and 3  (not shown) the head portion is rounded,  FIG. 2 , and in  FIG. 3  slotted head portions ( 31 )-( 33 ) on both strips interengage, the head portions ( 31 ) and ( 33 ) also engaging dissimilar recess wall portions ( 37 ) and ( 38 ) respectively. In a similar arrangement  FIG. 4  (not shown), the head portions and complementary portions are rounded. 
     While these window devices may be suitable for the purposes for which they were designed, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention, as hereinafter described. 
     SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide a window insulation device having a releasable and reattachable flexible impermeable sheet, such as plastic or other material, forming an air and vapor barrier. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a window insulation device comprising a frame that can be mounted to the wall over a window opening or mounted to the window jamb. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a window insulation device wherein said frame has a peripherally mounted track whereby an insulative flexible impermeable sheeting can be mounted thereto. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a window insulation device having flexible impermeable sheeting with a rail peripherally mounted thereto whereby said rail is mated to said track therein forming an insulative device for a window. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a window insulation device having a roll up housing wherein said flexible impermeable sheeting is spring biased and selectively deployable from said roll up housing. 
     Additional objects of the present invention will appear as the description proceeds. 
     The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a window insulation having a frame with a track fixedly attached thereto and flexible impermeable sheeting having a rail member peripherally positioned and releasably mountable to said track member therein forming a window thermally insulative device that can be mounted to the wall over the window opening or mounted to the window jamb. 
     The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawing, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying drawing, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
     The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       In order that the invention may be more fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: 
         FIG. 1  is assembled views of the wall mount and window jamb mount of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a front exploded view of the wall mountable window energy saver frame. 
         FIG. 3  is a front assembled view of the wall mountable window energy saver frame. 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the wall mountable window energy saver. 
         FIG. 5  is an assembled view of the wall mountable window energy saver. 
         FIG. 6  is an assembled view of the wall mountable window energy saver. 
         FIG. 7  is an assembled view of the wall mountable window energy saver. 
         FIG. 8  is a front exploded view of the window jamb mountable window energy saver. 
         FIG. 9  is a front assembled view of the window jamb mountable window energy saver. 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded view of the window jamb mountable window energy saver. 
         FIG. 11  is an assembled view of the window jamb mountable window energy saver. 
         FIG. 12  are various means of attaching the flexible impermeable sheet insulation of the present invention to its frame. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCED NUMERALS 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, the figures illustrate the Window Insulation Energy Saver of the present invention. With regard to the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used throughout the various drawing figures.
           10  Window Insulation Energy Saver of the present invention     12  wall mount energy saver     14  window jamb mount energy saver     16  wall     18  window jamb     20  frame     22  building interior     24  building exterior     26  window unit     28  top portion of  20       30  bottom portion of  20       32  left side portion of  20       34  right side portion of  20       36  threaded recess     38  recess of  28 ,  30       40  screw     42  countersunk aperture     43  mounting fasteners     44  compressible foam-like sealant     46  double faced adhesive gasket     48  attachable detachable mating fasteners     50  flexible impermeable sheeting air and vapor barrier     52  window trim     54  insulating air gap     56  roller housing     60  track     62  rail     64  adhesive     66  adhesive tape     68  zipper fastener     70  sealer     72  alignment pins       

     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention (and several variations of that embodiment). This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments, practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. For definition of the complete scope of the invention, the reader is directed to appended claims. 
       FIG. 1  is assembled views of the wall mount  12  and window jamb mount  14  of the present invention. The present invention is a window insulation energy saver  10  having frames  20  adapted to be mounted to the wall  16  over a window opening or mounted to the window jamb  18 . The window insulation energy saver  10  is mounted in the interior  22  of the building while the window  26  faces the exterior  24 . 
       FIG. 2  is a front exploded view of the wall mountable window energy saver frame  10  of the present invention  10 . The wall mountable window insulation energy saver  12  has a frame  20  with a top portion  28 , a bottom portion  30 , a right side portion  34  and a left side portion  32 . The top and bottom ends of the left side portion  32  and the right side portion  34  have threaded recesses  36  and the top and bottom portions have mating recesses  38  for receiving a screw  40  that threads into the threaded recesses  36  to hold the frame portions together and sealer  70  to prevent air leakage between the frame&#39;s abutting members. The frame portions all include countersunk apertures  42  running from the front to the back. Once installed the window insulation energy saver prevents air movement and reduces thermal transference between the interior room and the window unit covered by said window energy saver. 
       FIG. 3  is a front assembled view of the wall mountable window energy saver frame  10 . The wall mountable window insulation energy saver  12  has a frame  20  with a top portion  28 , a bottom portion  30 , a right side portion  34  and a left side portion  32 . The top and bottom ends of the left side portion  32  and the right side portion  34  have threaded recesses  36  and the top and bottom portions have mating recesses  38  for receiving a screw  40  that threads into the threaded recesses  36  to hold the frame portions together. The frame portions all include countersunk apertures  42  running from the front to the back. Once installed the window insulation energy saver prevents air movement and reduces thermal transference between the interior room and the window unit covered by said window energy saver thereby eliminating the transfer of cold exterior air and warm interior air that also prevents moisture and ice build up on the window&#39;s components thus extending the life expectancy of the window unit. 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the wall mountable window energy saver  12  of the present invention  10 . Shown is the wall mountable window insulation energy saver  12  comprising a compressible foam-like sealant  44  that is used to create an air tight seal with the wall  16 . A double faced adhesive gasket  46  for mounting the frame  20  to the compressible foam-like sealant  44  and the flexible impermeable sheet air and vapor barrier  50  that is selectively attachable and detachable from the frame  20  by means of mating peripherally positioned fasteners  48  on the flexible impermeable sheet air and vapor barrier  50  and frame  20 . Alignment pins  72  are provided to align the components which are then removed and mounting fasteners  43  are used to secure the frame  20  and related components to the wall  16 . 
       FIG. 5  is an assembled view of the wall mountable window energy saver  12  of the present invention  10 . Shown is the wall mountable window insulation energy saver  12  comprising a compressible foam-like sealant  44  that is used to create an air tight seal with the wall  16 . A double faced adhesive gasket  46  for mounting the frame  20  to the compressible foam-like sealant  44  and the flexible impermeable sheet air and vapor barrier  50  that is selectively attachable and detachable from the frame  20  by means of mating peripherally positioned fasteners  48  on the flexible impermeable sheet air and vapor barrier  50  and frame  20 . The wall mounted window insulation energy saver  12  has mounting fasteners  43  to secure it to the interior wall  16  surface to prevent air movement and water vapor movement between the interior room and the window unit  26  covered by said window energy saver. 
       FIG. 6  is an assembled view of the wall mountable window energy saver  12  of the present invention  10 . Shown is the assembled window insulation energy saver mounted to a wall over a window opening having window trim  52  around said window jamb  18  providing an insulative air gap once installed by means of a plurality of predrilled apertures  42  and provided screws  40  for mounting the window insulation energy saver to the interior wall  16  surface to prevent air movement and water vapor movement between the interior room and the window unit covered by said window energy saver. Countersunk apertures  42  are disposed in the frame  20  to receive mounting fasteners  43  for attachment to the wall  16 . 
       FIG. 7  is an assembled view of the wall mountable window energy saver  12  of the present invention  10 . Shown is the assembled window insulation energy saver having the flexible impermeable sheet air and vapor barrier  50  extendable and retractable from a roller housing  56  and secured to the frame  20  with attachable detachable mating fasteners  48 . Once extended the flexible impermeable sheet air and vapor barrier  50  provides an insulative air gap to prevent air movement and water vapor movement between the interior room and the window unit  26  covered by said window energy saver. 
       FIG. 8  is a front exploded view of the window jamb mountable window energy saver frame  14  of the present invention  10 . The jamb mountable window insulation energy saver  14  has a frame  20  with a top portion  28 , a bottom portion  30 , a right side portion  34  and a left side portion  32 . The top and bottom ends of the left side portion  32  and the right side portion  34  have threaded recesses  36  and the top and bottom portions have mating recesses  38  for receiving a screw  40  that threads into the threaded recesses  36  to hold the frame portions together and sealer  70  to prevent air leakage between the frame&#39;s abutting members. The frame portions all include countersunk apertures  42  running from the inside to the outside. Once installed the window insulation energy saver prevents air movement and reduces thermal transference between the interior room and the window unit covered by said window energy saver. 
       FIG. 9  is a front assembled view of the window jamb mountable window energy saver frame  14  of the present invention  10 . The jamb mountable window insulation energy saver  14  has a frame  20  with a top portion  28 , a bottom portion  30 , a right side portion  34  and a left side portion  32 . The top and bottom ends of the left side portion  32  and the right side portion  34  have threaded recesses  36  and the top and bottom portions have mating recesses  38  for receiving a screw  40  that threads into the threaded recesses  36  to hold the frame portions together. The frame portions all include countersunk apertures  42  running from the inside to the outside. 
       FIG. 10  is an exploded view of the window jamb mountable window energy saver  14  of the present invention  10 . Shown is the window jamb mountable window insulation energy saver  14  comprising a compressible foam-like sealant  44  that is used to create an air tight seal with the window jamb  18 . A double faced adhesive gasket  46  for mounting the frame  20  to the compressible foam-like sealant  44  and alignment pins, as shown and described in  FIG. 4 , and the flexible impermeable sheet air and vapor barrier  50  that is selectively attachable and detachable from the frame  20  by means of mating peripherally positioned fasteners  48  comprising a track  60  and a rail  62  on the flexible impermeable sheet air and vapor barrier  50  and frame  20  respectively. Alignment pins  72  are provided to align the components which are then removed and mounting fasteners  43  are used to secure the frame  20  and related components to the window jamb  18 . 
       FIG. 11  is an assembled view of the window jamb mountable window energy saver  14  of the present invention  10 . Shown is the frame  20  of the assembled window insulation energy saver mounted to a window jamb  18  of a window unit opening  26  providing an insulative air gap once installed by means of a plurality of predrilled apertures  42  and provided mounting fasteners  43  for mounting the window insulation energy saver to the window jamb  18  surface to prevent air movement and water vapor movement between the interior room and the window unit covered by the flexible impermeable sheet air and vapor barrier  50  of said window energy saver. The double faced adhesive gasket  46  and compressible foam-like sealant  44  form a seal between the frame  20  and the window jamb  18 . 
       FIG. 12  are various means of attaching the flexible impermeable sheet air and vapor barrier  50  of the present invention to its frame. Shown is a track  60  and mating rail  62  having a multiple tongue and groove configuration and secured to the frame  20  with an adhesive  64  to secure the flexible impermeable sheet air and vapor barrier  50  to the frame  20 . Other attachable detachable mating fasteners  48  include adhesive tape  66  and a zipper fastener  68 . 
     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. 
     While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 
     Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.