CA1072401A - Window insulating apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

WINDOW INSULATING APPARATUS

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

Window insulating apparatus consisting of a plurality of low thermal conductivity panels slideably carried in a conventional window frame.

Description

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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~ tl 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 ~ :

~:at1~z~0l 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 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 , 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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_9_ 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 -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 ~ ' flt)l : 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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Claims (8)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows

1. Window insulating apparatus, comprising:
(a) a plurality of panels formed of low heat-transfer material, the sum of the areas of the panels being approximately equal to that of the window opening, each panel being generally rectangular and being arranged in the window opening with the length extending horizontally, the panels being arranged in side-by-side planes and slidable vertically from an upper storage position where the panels lie side-by-side to an operative position where the panels are arranged in a step-like condition, and (b) an extruded element applied to the upper and lower edges of each panel, each element having a sealing surface which mates with a similar sealing surface on an extruded element applied to the immediately adjacent panel, a similar extruded element extending along each vertical edge of each panel, the sealing surface on said similar extruded element of one panel engaging the sealing surface on said similar extruded element of the immediately adjacent panel, the engagement between the sealing surfaces of said similar extruded elements taking place along the entire length of the extruded elements when the panels are in the storage position and engaging along only a small portion of the length of the extruded elements when the panels are in the operative position.

2. Window insulating apparatus as recited in Claim 1, wherein a plate extends along and is spaced from each vertical side of the window and coated with plush which is engaged by the vertical extruded elements, and spring means is located in the space between each plate and its adjacent vertical frame.

3. Window insulating apparatus as recited in Claim 2, wherein a narrow vertical panel is attached to the front edge of each plate, the panel being horizontally adjustable relative to its plate to cover the said space.

4. Window insulating apparatus as recited in Claim 3, wherein a foam pad is located between the upper horizontal rail and the extruded element at the upper edge of the upper-most panel.

5. Window insulating apparatus as recited in Claim 4, wherein a foam pad is located between the window sill and the extruded element at the lower edge of the lowermost panel.

6. Window insulating apparatus as recited in Claim 5, wherein each of the vertical extruded elements is provided with a longitudinal groove, and wherein two vertically spaced pegs are mounted in each plate for engagement with the last-named groove of each of the vertical extruded elements.

7. Window insulating apparatus as recited in Claim 1, wherein each extruded element includes a horizontal wall that lies along the edge surface of the panel, a first flange wall extending at a right angle to the horizontal wall along a face surface of the panel adjacent the edge surface, and a second flange wall extending at a right angle to the horizontal wall along the other face surface of the panel adjacent the edge surface.

8. Window insulating apparatus as recited in Claim 7, wherein a rail extends outwardly from each flange wall and has an inwardly-directed inclined surface, thus providing grooves between the inclined surface and the outer surface of each adjacent flange wall, one groove opening in one direction and the other groove facing in the other direction.