# US 4,382,461 A · Stand-off shield for uncovered refrigerated units > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 4,382,461 A - Document ID: US4382461A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 06/293,672 - Filed: 1981-08-17 - Granted: 1983-05-10 - Earliest claimed: 1979-05-11 - Inventors: Allan Schenker - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4382461A ## CPC - A47F 3/0469: {Details, e.g. night covers} - E06B 3/80: flexible {(upwardly folding flexible screens E06B9/262)} - A47F: SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS - E06B: FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES (shades or blinds for greenhouses A01G9/22; curtains A47H; lids for car boots or bonnets B62D25/10; skylights E04B7/18; sunshades, awnings E04F10/00) ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A shield assembly according to claim 1 wherein said stiffening means and said mounting means urge said panels away from the aperture in said refrigerated device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) A shield assembly according to claim 2 wherein said stiffening member is a generally flat piece of flexible metal. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) A shield assembly according to claim 2 wherein said stiffening member is an elongated metal bar joined to said mounting means. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A shield assembly according to claim 1 wherein said mounting means comprises a rail assembly having a guide member and a track defining an elongated slot for engaging said guide member. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) A shield assembly according to claim 5 wherein said rail assembly comprises a housing defining an opening along one side thereof and a spring member is disposed in said housing; and further wherein a cuff member having first and second flanges is attached to said first ends of said panels, said cuff member being disposed in said opening such that said first flange projects through said opening, and said spring member urges said second flange away from said opening. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A shield assembly according to claim 1 wherein said mounting means comprises: a track member of generally arcuate cross-section having a slot extending longitudinally along said track member; and a rail assembly provided with an arcuate guide member for coupling said rail assembly to said track member, said slot spanning an arc sufficient to permit said arcuate guide member to pass therethrough, whereby said rail assembly is coupled to said track member so as to permit said rail assembly to rotate a limited extent about the longitudinal axis of said track member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A shield assembly according to claim 1 wherein said maintaining means comprises an elongated railing assembly configured to selectively engage said second end of said panels. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A shield assembly according to claim 8 wherein said maintaining means further comprises means for maintaining said railing assembly a predetermined distance from said refrigerated device, adjacent said aperture. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) A shield assembly according to claim 8 wherein said railing assembly includes a first arm member for selectively engaging said panels adjacent said second end thereof. ### Claim 11 (depends on 5) A shield assembly according to claim 5 wherein said mounting means further includes means for retaining said guide member in a predetermined position, selectively engaging said panels adjacent said second end thereof. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A shield assembly according to claim 1 wherein said stiffening means is disposed in each said panel. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A shield assembly according to claim 1 wherein each said panel comprises first and second sections joined together along the length thereof, and said stiffening means is disposed along the length of the joint. ### Claim 14 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) an elongated stiffening member disposed in each said panel along the length thereof; and (c) mounting means joined to each said panel adjacent said first end thereof for joining said panels to said refrigerated device and for retaining said stiffening member such that said panels extend across said aperture and are urged outwardly from said aperture, said mounting means including a first member joined to said first end of said panel, and a second member for joining to said refrigerated device, and further wherein said mounting means is rotatable about an axis generally perpendicular to the length of said panels. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A shield assembly according to claim 14 wherein said first member of said mounting means comprises a rail assembly having a guide member, and said second member of said mounting means comprises a track defining an elongated slot for selectively engaging said guide member. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) A shield assembly according to claim 14 further including an elongated railing assembly configured to selectively engage said panels adjacent said second end thereof. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) A shield assembly according to claim 16 wherein said mounting means includes means for fixedly joining said stiffening member thereto. ### Claim 18 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. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) A refrigerated device according to claim 18 wherein said maintaining means comprises a railing assembly configured to maintain said panels a predetermined distance from said refrigerated device. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18, 19) A refrigerated device according to claim 18 or 19 wherein said joining means comprises a rail assembly joined to said panels and a track joined to said refrigerated device, said rail assembly being selectively movable in said track. ### Claim 21 (depends on 18) A refrigerated device according to claim 18 wherein said joining means comprises: a track member of generally arcuate cross-section having a slot extending longitudinally along said track member; and a rail assembly provided with an arcuate guide member, for coupling said rail assembly to said track member, said slot spanning an arc sufficient to permit said arcuate guide member to pass therethrough whereby said rail assembly is coupled to said track member so as to permit said rail assembly to rotate a limited extent about the longitudinal axis of said track member. ### Claim 22 (depends on 18) A refrigerated device according to claim 18 further including a vent assembly disposed adjacent said refrigerated device, and wherein said maintaining means is joined to said vent assembly. ### Claim 23 In a refrigerated device having an aperture, the improvement comprising a shield assembly for isolating said aperture while permitting access through said aperture, said shield assembly comprising: a plurality of resilient, substantially transparent panels having first and second ends and wherein said second end of said panels is spaced from said device so as to define an opening through which air can readily flow; means joined to said refrigerated device for disposing said panels across said aperture and tensioning each of said panels; means for urging said panels into a predetermined position adjacent said aperture; means, disposed adjacent said second end of said panels, for maintaining said panels in said predetermined position, said maintaining means including a railing joined to said refrigerated device; and wherein said refrigerated device includes vent means located adjacent said second end of said panels for directing air from said opening to a location external to said refrigerated device. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) A refrigerated device according to claim 23 further including cuff means joined to said second end of said panels for selectively engaging said railing. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23, 24) A refrigerated device according to claim 23 or 24 wherein said urging means comprises an elongated stiffening element.