Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
BACK~ROUND OE~ THE INVENT:ION
As the years go by and the price of .fuel becomes ~
higher and hi~her, i~ becomes more important th~t the heat ~:
loss by convection through the windows of buildings. be
reduced. This is particularly true in the case of residential
buildings, where there is a grea.ter likelihood of the windows
being ill-f.itted and loose. In .the past, it has been common
practice to provide heavy,.insulated drapes over large windows
in homes, whereby a certain amount of radiant.and convective
heat loss is prevented... The ideal system is. to have a dead
air space between the interior and the exterior of the house
in the window space. .It has been a common but expens.ive
practice to provide double-thickness glass in the llghts of
residential windows, but this.still does not prevent.leakage
around the window and through cracks. While metal.shades
have the effect of red:ucing.the radiation to and from a
room ttherefore preventing. heat.loss in the winter),.;they .
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have little effect on convection loss. Various means,
such as covering the interior of the window frame wikh ~ -
a clear plastic-like film and cementing it in place
suggest themselves, but most of these are either un-
sightly or are not easily removed and stored when it is
desirable for aesthetic purposes and otherwise to expose
the window. These and other difficulties experienced
with the prior art devices have been obviated in a novel
manner by the present invention.
It is, therefore, an outstanding object of
the invention to provide window insulating apparatus
which, when in use, provides excellent sealing against
the loss of heat by convection through a window.
Another object of this invention is the pro-
15-- vision of window insulating apparatus which, when in
use, has a pleasing appearance and which, nevertheless,
may be easily stored without removing it from the window.
A further object of the present invention is
the provision of insulation apparatus which is inexpensive
to manufacture and which may be easi~ly applied by a home-
owner to a window.
It is another object of the instant invention
to provide a window insulation appara*us which is change-
able from an operative position (in which it effectively
substantially reduces convection heat loss through the
window) to a stored position in which it has a pleasing
appearance.
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With these and other objects in view, as will
be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention
resides in the combination of parts set ~orth in the
specification and covered by the claims appended hereto.
S~I~MA~Y OF r~IE I~VENTION
In general, the present invention consists
of a window insulation apparatus consisting of a plura-
lity of panels formed of low heat-transfer material,.the
sum of the areas of the panels being approximately equal
to that o~ the window opening. An extruded element is .
applied to the.upper and lower. edges of each panel, each
element having a .sealing surface which mates with a similar
sealing surface on a similar extruded element applied to
the immediately adjacent panel~
More specifically, each panel is generally :
rectangular and arranged with its length extending hori~
zontally across the window. The panels are arranged in ~:
side-by-side vertical planes and are slideable.vertic:ally
; from a side-by-side storage pos.ition at the top of the
window to an operative position in which the panels are
arranged in a step fashion. A similar extruded element
lies along each vertical edgs of each panel, the sealing ~ ~ ;
surface of each vertical extr.uded element enga~ing the
similar sealing surface on the immediately adjacent.verti-
cal extruded element.
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BRIEF :DES'CRIPTI'ON 'OF' :TH:E I~R~WIN'GS
The character of the invention, however, may
be best understood by reference to one of its struc.tural
forms, as illustrated by the accompany drawings, in which: :~
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a window
insulating apparatus embodying the pr.inciples of the
present invention shown in use with a window,
Figure 2 is a front elevational view o khe
apparatus,
Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional.view of
the apparatus taken on the line III-III of Figure:2,
Fi:gure:4 is a.vertical.sectional.view of a
: portion of the.invention taken on the l.ine IV-IV:of
Figure 2,
Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view of
. the invention taken on the line V.-V of Figure.2, and
Figure:6 is a.vertical sectional.vlew of
the invention taken on the line VI-VI of Figure:2.
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''DESCRM:TI'O~ 'OF' 'TE~E: P;R:EE'~R~D' EMB'O:DIMENT
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.20 Referring first to Figure 1, in which are :
` best.shown the general features of the inventionj the
`! window .insulating appara.tus, indic.ated generally by .the
r:eference numeral 10, is shown in use with a conventional
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double-hung residential window 11. The apparatus is
shown as consisting of four panels 12, 13, 14, and 15,
the sum of whose areas is slightly more than the total
area of the window opening. Each panel is generally
rectangular in shape and is arranged with its long dimen-
sion extending horizontally. The panels are arranged in
side-by-side planes and are slldeable vertically in the
window ~rame from an upper storage position (where the
panels lie side-by-side) to a lower operative position
(where the panels are raised in a step-like condition,
as shown in the drawing).
Referring to Figure 2, it can be seen that
the upper and lower edges of each panel are provided
with an extruded element. The upper edge of the panel 12
is provided with the extruded element 16, the upper edge
of the panel 13 is provided with the extruded element 17,
the upper edge of the panel 14 is provided with the ex-
, truded element 18, and the upper edge of the panel 15 is
` provided with an extruded element 19. The extruded elements
; 20 21, 22, 23, and 24 on the lower edges of each of these
panels are best shown in Figure 6.
Each vertical or side edge of each of the
panels is provided with an extruded element also. For
instance, the panel 12 is provided on one end with the
extruded element 33 and at the other end with an extruded
element 37. The panel 13 is provided at one end with the
extruded element 34 and at the other end with an ex-
truded element 38. The panel 14 is provided on one end
with an extruded element 35 and at the other end with
an extruded element 39. The panel 15 is provided on
one end with an extruded element 36 and the other end
with an extruded element 40.
An understanding of the shape of the horizon-
tal extruded elements can be made by an examination of
Figure 4, which shows -the area around the conjunction of
panels 12 and 13. The extr.uded element 17 is typical of
all of the horizontal extruded element and is similar wi~h
one exception to .the.vertical extruded eIem~nts. The ex-
truded element 17 includes a horizontal wall 27 which rests .
against the.edge ~surface of .the:upper.edge of.the panel 13.
It is also pro~ided with a flange wall:28.that rests
against the inwardly-directed surface of the~panel 13
adjacent.the edge and with a spaced parallel:flange wall
29 which lies against the outwardly-directed wall of the
panel 13 adjacent the edge. The flange walls. both extend .
at a right angle to the horizontal wall:27. Extending out-
wardly from the flange walls:28 and:29 are rails 31 and 32.
The rail 31 carries an inclined sealing surface:25.which is
inclined toward the flange wall 28 and forms with.it a up-
wardly-directed V-shaped grooveO In a similar manner, the
rail 32 is formed with .the inclined sealing surface 26 which ~ :
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combines with the outer wall of the flange wall 29 to
form a downwardly-directed V-shaped groove., The ~ertical
extruded members are formed with an exactly same cross-
sectional shape, except that a groove is formed in the
S outer surface of the wall which corresponds to the hori-
zontal wall 27 of the extruded element 17.
Figure 3 shows the manner in which the sides of
the apparatus are adjusted and sealed~ A wooden plate is
screwed to the side frame of the window and is provided
with a covering 42 of nylon plush. A broad ribbon-like
leaf spring 43 is inserted in the space between the rail
of the window and the plate. The vertical extruded elements
engage the plush to provide a good seal. The pressure of
the leaf spring 43 assures that proper adjustment take~
pIace. In order to cover the space between the plate'41
and the side frame of the window, a panel'44 is provided,
which panel has horizontal slots permitting sliding adjus~-
ment on screws which attach it to the outer edge of the
plate 41. The inner edge of this panel engages the seal-
ing surface of the vertical extruded element'40 of the
innermost panel 15.
Figure 5 shows particularly well the manner in
which the vertical extruded elements mate to form a good
seal. As~shown in *he drawings, the section is taken in
the over]ap area of ~he panel 14 with the panel 15. It
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shows how the ex-truded elements 39 and 40 inter-engage
with their sealing surfaces in contact. It also shows
the manner in which pegs 49 and 51 operating in grooves
48 on the vertical e~-truded elemen~s serve to guide the
panels in their up and down movement, this being in add-
ition to the guiding provided by the panel 44. A foam
pad 46 resides between the horizontal extruded element
16 and the upper horizontal portion of the window frame
at the upper edge of *he panel 12, while a similar foam
pad 47 resides between the extruded element 24 at the
bottom edge of the panel 15 and the window sill~
The operation of the invention will now be
readily understood in view of the above description. In
the drawings the panels are shown as in -their operative
position in which the passage of heat outwardly through
the window is inhibited. In this position, as is evident
in Figures 1 and 2, the panels 12, 13, 14, and 15 com-
pletely cover the window opening. When the weather is such
; that the heat saving features is not needed, the panels are
moved up into a vertical position co-extensive with the ,~
panel 12 (which never moves), so that three-quarters of
the window is available for the admission of light, the
four panels occupying only the upper one-quarter.
As is evident in Figure 6, when the panels are
moved to their downward position, the sealing surfaces ~,
are in firm engagement. As is evident in Figure 4, the
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sealing surface of the horizontal extruded element o~
the lower panel tightly engages the sealing surface of
the lower extruded element of the upper panel. Along the
sides of the panels the leaf springs 43 maintain the
panels 41 with their plush covering 42 snugly pressed
against the vertical extruded elements along the sides of
the panels. The panels 44 and 45 assist in preventing
passage of convection air through the space between the
plates 41 and the side frame o~ the window.
The advantages of the present invention can
be readily understood in view of the above description.
The present invention involves an attachment for conven-
tional windows which can be easi~ly applied by a homeowner,
or at least applied with a minimum o 1abor by the employees .
of the organization.sell.ing the apparatus. The devices pre~
sents a pleasing appearance when in.its upper.stored position;
most people:use shades on windows and the shades are nor-
. mally set.at one-quar.ter distance at the upper part of the
;-. window in any case. In other words, it will give the appear-
ance of a partially-drawn shade when in .the storage position.
When in the lower, operative position, of course, -the sur-
faces of the panels can be decorated as appears to. be
necessary and even supplied with an imaginary scene of
what might e~ist outside the window. In any case, in the
operative lower position~ the important criterion is.the
saving of heat and, parti:cularly during the winter months,
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the outer appearance o~ the landscape is not as important
as the saving heat and the expense of the fuel. The size
of the extruded elements and the panels on which they are
fitted can, of course, be varied to suit the particular
climate involved. The thickness of the insulated panel
may be greater in a colder climate, but, of course, this
thickness is limited by the depth of the window casing
available. Furthermore, the present design.lends itself
very readily to sale in "kit" form in which.the homeowner
can cut his panels to suit his particular window si.ze and
in which the standard extruded elements can easily be cut
and ce~ented in place~ The installation of the present
invention will pay for.itself in a. very short time. .It is
a positively-working shade,.it reduces air draft around
the lower window tracks and joints, it traps dead air for .
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`~ insulation purposes, and the panels provide additional in~
sulation. Particularly, when.storm windows are not closed
or are loose fitting, the present invention will:slow down ~ ;
the heat loss on colder nights. It will heIp to retain
sunny weather heat and it acts as an indoor tempera.ture
regulator, particularly in the springtime and in fall.
Also, when the apparatus is in closed or operative position, .
it will tend to reduce outside. noise. .It will lower the ` :
cost of air conditioning, not only at nighttime,. but in
the daytime also when in operative position, because it
will reflect a degree of radiant heat from the sun. It
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will prevent some of the heat ~rom entering the
room and will shade the room. It is the intent of the
present invention to provide a durable, adjustable con-
struction with a minimum of friction which is intended
to last for a considerable period of time and to save
on the cost of heating and air conditioning in such a
manner as to pay for itself in a short time. It is an
attempt to approach the heat transfer coefficient, K, of
an insulated exterior wall when used with storm windows
and ordinary inside windows, using double-hung single
`~ glass glazing. It contemplates an installation in 10 to
15 minutes by unskilled labor and it has various built-
in features for wear adjustment. There is an adjustable
friction face plate with adjustable side friction plates
together with a nylon plush surface to permit adjustment
for minor irregularities in window casing. .It allows a
- soft,. tough seal within .the outside grooves at.the.verti-
cal edges of the panel e~trusions. The plush passes
around .the rear edges of .the side friction plates.and
meets.the lower window frame to give a.seal at three
edges. .It contacts.the lower window toward the outside
- of its track and allows the movement of the lower window
wi.thout undue wear on the inside window frame:surface. ..
The cushioned edges of the ~eather seal foam at the top
and .the bottom allow a close-fit interIock to:occur.. between
. the ~ottom and the top edges of the panels. The extruded
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: elements around the edges of the panels provides a
positive vertical tracking ~or all panels and allows a
"light touch", even friction on the vertical interlocks
between the panels when the four panels are cut to the
same horizontal length. It pr.ovides frame strength to
the insulating panel, which can therefore t be composed
of a non-rigid reinforced foam low density fiberboard or
a moisture resistant paper board or polyurethane if desired.
The extrusions a:llow for a snap lock or fitted hold with
or without adhesive, depend.ing on whether a plastic or an
. aluminum extrusion is used and on the physical nature of ~:
the panel. It provides an operating hold for the movement
of the panels and it provides for a one-panel control opera-
. tion on the other pa~eIs, except.the top panel which is
fixed in place. It provides an air.seal between the panels :
when .the bottom panel.rests. on.the foam seal. .It pro~ides ~:
for a close-fit seal toward the. ends of. the ~ertical track- .
ing grooues toward the bottom edges and the ends of. each
panel when the bottom panel touches the window sill. It
- 20 provides for a no-snag guidance into the horizontal inter-
Iock because of the. chamfered and angled fitting elements.
An air seal at the edges of the panels is assured by the
serrated or combed extrusion edge which slides in the
plush fiber or bristle, while at the same time assisting
in the track because of the compensation inherent in the
fiber. At the same time, it permits a softer to:uch against
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the plush for reducing wear. ~n addi~ional fit of an
extrusion insert is allowed that will permit clear
plastic or tinted or polyerized plastic window sheeting.
The four panels can be inserted or removed as a group in
a few minutes once the screws are loosened on the face
`~ plates, if it is not desirable to use the panels during
the summer. The three lower panels may be set at any
vertical height, thus acting as a shade and the panels
then have clearance between their surfaces.
It is obvious that minor changes may be made
in the form and construction of the invention ~ithout de-
parting from the material spirit thereof. It is not,
however, desired to confine the invention to the exact
form herein shown and described, but it is desired to
include all such as properly come within the scope
cla`imed.
The invention having been thus described, what
is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent
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