US 4,382,461 A · Stand-off shield for uncovered refrigerated units

Abstract

Energy losses from market refrigerated display cases, which are normally open, can be dramatically reduced by the use of the shield assembly of the present invention. The shield assembly comprises of plurality of transparent and resilient panels, each panel being adjacent to at least one another and having an overlapping relationship with the adjacent panel. The panels are mounted in a rigid frame and allow access therethrough by stretching and bending one or more of the panels along the overlap. The plurality of panels are fitted in a specifically configured mounting means such that they are held in place across an aperture of the display case. Retaining means are disposed adjacent the other end of the panels to keep the shield assembly in proper position.

Claims25

Dependent claims

A shield assembly for thermally isolating an aperture in a refrigerated device while permitting access to the aperture, comprising:

(a) a plurality of resilient, substantially transparent panels each having first and second ends, said panels arranged in a partially overlapping, side-by-side configuration and wherein said second end of said panels is spaced from said aperture so as to define an opening permitting air to flow from between said panels and said aperture to a location external to said refrigerated device;
(b) means disposed along the length of said panels, for stiffening and selectively retaining said panels in a predetermined pattern said stiffening means comprises an elongated member which extends from a first position adjacent a first end of a panel to a second position adjacent a second end of a panel;
(c) mounting means disposed adjacent said first end of said panels for mounting said panels to said refrigerated device such that said panels extend across said aperture, said mounting means being rotatable about an axis generally perpendicular to the length of said panels;
and
(d) means, disposed adjacent to and selectively engaging said second end of said panels, for maintaining said panels across said aperture.

2 more elements

In a refrigerated device having an aperture the improvement comprising a shield assembly joined to said device for substantially isolating said aperture while permitting access, said shield assembly having a plurality of resilient panels extending from a first end of said aperture to a second end thereof and wherein one end of said panels is spaced from said aperture so as to define an opening permitting air to flow from between said panels and said aperture to a location external to said refrigerated device, an elongated stiffening member disposed in each said panel along the length thereof for selectively retaining said panel in a predetermined position, means for joining one end of said panels adjacent said first end of said aperture, said joining means being rotatable about an axis generally perpendicular to the length of said panels, and means, disposed adjacent said second end of said aperture, for maintaining said panels in said predetermined position.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Stand-off shield for uncovered refrigerated units

Life of this patent

Stand-off shield for uncovered refrigerated units

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25