Apparatus for insulating windows and the like

Apparatus for insulating openings through building walls, the apparatus comprising:

• means for attaching the apparatus to the surface of the wall at a location adjacent to the periphery of the opening;
• shutter means secured to the attaching means for covering said opening to provide a thermal barrier;
• means for coupling said shutter means to said attaching means for selected movement relative thereto between the position covering the opening to a position displaced from said opening;
• wherein said shutter means includes:
• at least one panel having at least a core formed in an insulating configuration, which core has a surface for covering the opening and edges, at least one of which is positioned adjacent to said attaching means, and
• a frame attached adjacent the edges and extending around the periphery of the panel, said frame comprising a relatively stiff portion to which the panel is secured and a relatively soft portion for forming a seal around the opening;
• wherein the stiff portion of the frame is a substantially U-shaped channel which in cross-section has a pair of legs connected by a bight which holds the legs in spaced relation, wherein the panel is received between the pair of legs, the relatively soft portion extending over the one leg which overlies the wall when the shutter is closed, and wherein the frame includes a groove with a relatively narrow opening and an expanded cross-section for receiving a complementary projection on the coupling member, the bight having an additional soft portion thereon which effects a seal with the coupling member.

An apparatus for insulating a window positioned in an opening through the wall of a building, the apparatus being distributed in form for ultimate sizing, assembly and installation, by a user, the apparatus for a single window comprising:

• shutter means including a panel having surface area at least greater than the surface area of the window;
• said panel means comprising a core of fire resistant foam sandwiched between a pair of fabric skins, said panel being readily cut with a blade for proper sizing;
• said shutter means further including frame members for mounting around the outer periphery of the panel means, said frame members including a hard portion of substantially U-shaped configuration having first and second opposed legs separated by a bight wherein the core of the panel is received between the legs upon assembly of the frame members with the panel;
• wherein connecting means is positioned on the bight of each frame member and wherein the frame member includes a continuous projecting soft portion disposed on one leg for engaging the surface of the wall adjacent the opening to seal the opening, wherein mitering of the frame members at the ends thereof results in abutment of the continuous soft portions of adjacent frame members;
• at least one L-shaped mounting strip with a first leg having mounting screw holes therethrough at spaced intervals therealong for attachment of the strips adjacent the window and a second leg projecting perpendicular to the first leg;
• and
• hinge means pivoted on the second leg of the mounting strip for coupling with the connecting means on the frame members to couple the shutter to the mounting strip, whereby the shutter pivots about the second leg to selectively overlie either the wall or the window in the opening with the soft portion of the frame in sealing relationship with the opening.

An apparatus for insulating a window positioned in an opening through the wall of a building, the apparatus being distributed in form for ultimate sizing, assembly and installation, by a user, the apparatus for a single window comprising:

• shutter means including a panel having surface area at least greater than the surface area of the window;
• said panel means comprising a core of foilfaced paper honeycomb sandwiched between a pair of skins, said panel being readily cut with a blade for proper sizing;
• said shutter means further including duel durometer frame members for mounting around the outer periphery of the panel means, said frame members including a hard portion of substantially U-shaped configuration having first and second opposed legs separated by a bight wherein the core of the panel is received between the legs upon assembly of the frame members with the panel;
• wherein connecting means is positioned on the bight of each frame member and wherein the frame member includes a first continuous projecting soft portion disposed on one leg for sealing the opening and a second continuous projecting soft portion disposed on the bight, wherein mitering of the frame members at the ends thereof results in abutment of the continuous soft portions of adjacent frame members;
• at least one L-shaped mounting strip with a first leg having mounting screw holes therethrough at spaced intervals therealong for attachment of the strips adjacent the window and a second leg projecting perpendicular to the first leg;
• and
• hinge means pivoted on the second leg of the mounting strip for coupling with the connecting means on the frame members to couple the shutter to the mounting strip, whereby the shutter pivots about the second leg to selectively overlie either the wall or the window in the opening with the first soft portion of the frame in sealing relationship with the opening and the second soft portion sealing against the second leg of the mounting strip.