Insulated attic hatch
OwnerMark Jejinainventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An attic access assembly includes an outer frame and a panel subassembly. The outer frame attaches to a ceiling and frames an attic opening. The panel subassembly includes a central panel that fits within the outer frame, and a flexible barrier that defines an insulation pocket extending upwardly from the central panel. The central panel may include an insulating foam material. The insulation pocket is used to contain an insulating material. Weatherstripping seals the panel subassembly to the outer frame. The panel subassembly may include a panel frame that fits within the outer frame, frames the central panel, and defines a groove to retain a weatherstripping seal.
Claims18
An attic access assembly comprising:
- an outer frame adapted to attach to a ceiling and frame an attic opening;
- and
- a panel subassembly comprising:
- a central panel adapted to fit within the outer frame;
- a flexible barrier defining an insulation pocket extending upwardly from the central panel, wherein the insulation pocket has a top opening having a horizontal width at least coextensive with a horizontal width of the central panel, and wherein the flexible barrier comprises plastic sheeting;
- and
- a panel frame framing the central panel and adapted to fit within the outer frame, wherein an end of the flexible barrier is inserted between the panel frame and the central panel, whereby the flexible barrier is attached to the central panel.
A panel subassembly for use in an attic access assembly comprising an outer frame framing an attic opening, the panel subassembly comprising:
- a central panel adapted to fit within the outer frame;
- a flexible barrier defining an insulation pocket extending upwardly from the central panel, wherein the insulation pocket has a top opening having a horizontal width at least coextensive with a horizontal width of the central panel, and wherein the flexible barrier comprises plastic sheeting;
- and
- a panel frame framing the central panel and adapted to fit within the outer frame, wherein an end of the flexible barrier is inserted between the panel frame and the central panel, whereby the flexible barrier is attached to the central panel.
A method of finishing an attic opening, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) attaching an outer frame to a ceiling to frame the attic opening;
- and
- (b) installing a panel subassembly comprising:
- a central panel adapted to fit within the outer frame;
- a flexible barrier defining an insulation pocket extending upwardly from the central panel, wherein the insulation pocket has a top opening having a horizontal width at least coextensive with a horizontal width of the central panel, and wherein the flexible barrier comprises plastic sheeting;
- and
- a panel frame framing the central panel and adapted to fit within the outer frame, wherein an end of the flexible barrier is inserted between the panel frame and the central panel, whereby the flexible barrier is attached to the central panel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.