Energy efficient evaporative cooler cover apparatus

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates generally to a cover apparatus for evaporative cooler systems, and more particularly to an evaporative cooler cover apparatus having an oversized top insulation panel which overhangs the cooler for providing shade and four retractable side-insulating panels which can be positioned a predetermined distance away from the sides of the cooler for saving energy and increasing the quantity of cool air produced in a cooling season and retracted to a sealing position flush against the side surface of the evaporative cooler for preventing loss of heat during the heating season.

#2. Description of the Prior Art

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the evaporative cooler cover apparatus of the present invention minus the front panel;

#FIG. 2 is a partial front view partially in section, of a portion of the cover apparatus along lines 2--2 of FIG. 1;

#FIG. 3 is a sectional side view of another portion of the cover apparatus of along line 3--3 of FIG. 1;

#FIG. 1 shows the cover apparatus 11 of the present invention as it is positioned about a conventional evaporative cooler 12. The cover apparatus 11 includes an upper or top insulating panel 13 being a top surface 15, a front edge 17, a rear edge 19, a first or right side edge 21, a second or left side edge 23, and a lower surface 25 which is adapted to be operatively disposed directly on and flush against the top 26 of the evaporative cooler 12. A mounting or hold-down assembly 27 is operatively disposed on the upper surface 15 of the top panel 13 for removably securing said top panel 13 to the top 26 of the evaporative cooler or swamp cooler 12. The hold-down apparatus 27 includes a first, generally rectangular, longitudinal member 23 having its opposite ends attached to opposite ends of the top 26 of the evaporative cooler 12 by fastening means, not shown, but known in the art, and winged nuts 35, which are relatively easy to unscrew, may be used for removing the hold-down fixture 27 to remove the top panel 15, if required. A second, generally rectangular, longitudinal member 31 is connected to the top surface 15 and through the body of the top insulating panel 13 and top to opposite ends or edges of the top 26 of the evaporative cooler 12 proximate the edge thereof. Again, the opposite end portions of the member 31 are threadedly coupled or connected to the top surface 26 of the evaporative cooler 12 by threaded members, not shown, but known in the art, and hereinafter described, the threaded end connected to winged nuts 35 for ease of removing hold-down assembly 27 if desired, for removing the top panel 13.

#A cross bar or cross support member 29, which is another generally elongated, rectangular member extends between the midportions of the first and second members 33 and 31, respectively for interconnecting same. The opposite ends of the cross support bar 29 are fixedly connected to the midportions of the first and second members 33, 31, respectively, by any conventional fastening menas known in the art. In its assembled configuration, the hold-down assembly 27 has the first and second members 33 and 31, respectively positioned over opposite ends of the top surface 26 of the cooler 12 and the longitudinal axis of the members 33 and 31 being parallel to one another and to the adjacent sides of the evaporative cooler 12. The cross bar 29 has its longitudinal axis parallel with the front and rear edges of the cooler 12 and generally perpendicular to the axis of the longitudinal members 31 and 33. The hold down assembly 26 can be secured to the top panel 13 by fastener means at opposite ends of the pair of support members 31, 33, by fastening means through the cross member 29, or the like.

#It will be observed that the dimensions of the top insulative panel 13 are significantly greater than the dimensions of the top 26 of the evaporative cooler 12 so that a substantial predetermined length of the end portions of the upper insulative panel 13 extend in all directions to substantially forward a predetermined distance from the plane of the sides of the evaporative cooler 12 to provide an overhang 83, 85 for providing shade to further cool the evaporative cooler 12 by shielding it from the direct rays of the sun and the like. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the top insulative panel 13 may be any desired thickness as required for the area in which it is used by typically is a 11/2" or 2" panel composed of insulating material such as polyisocyanurate which is that manufactured by Thermal Systems or American Western. The superlative insulating properties of this material provide a relatively high K-factor and a high R-value for its thickness. Furthermore, the high isocyanurate/urethane combination makes it possible to achieve the highest degree of insulating efficiency for the lowest possible price of delivering extremely high insulation efficiency and maintaining a relatively thin panel. The material is dimensionally stable, has an unequalled low thermal conductively with an insulating value twice that of commonly used insulating materials and has a thermal resistance which means of energy efficiency. There is no degradation or desolving under normal conditions and it is unaffected by most aliphatics and aromatic solvents. The materila is extremely easy to apply since it is lightweight and easy to handle. It has a minimal moisture of permeability and a vapor barrier is needed only inextremely wet or damp atmospheres or in low temperature service. The closed cellular structure of the material makes water absorption and negligible, and since it has a high strength-to-weight ratio, its flrxural and sheer strength properties add additional structural strength to the panel. It has an extremely long life, and there is no evidence of deterioration over even long periods of time so as to provide an excellent service life with a minimum of maintenance. If is an odorless material; it does not absorb odors; and it resists most known fungus.