# US 5,704,168 A · Method and apparatus for thermal insulation of buildings

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- Number: US 5,704,168 A
- Document ID: US5704168A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/707,747
- Filed: 1996-09-05
- Granted: 1998-01-06
- Earliest claimed: 1996-09-05
- Inventors: Robert Barasch
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5704168A

## CPC

- E04B 1/762: {Exterior insulation of exterior walls}
- E04B 1/76: specifically with respect to heat only (heat insulation in general F16L59/00)
- Y10S 135/90: Worker or spectator shelter
- E04B: GENERAL BUILDING CONSTRUCTIONS; WALLS, e.g. PARTITIONS; ROOFS; FLOORS; CEILINGS; INSULATION OR OTHER PROTECTION OF BUILDINGS (border constructions of opening in walls, floors or ceilings E06B1/00; {electromagnetic shielding H05K9/0001})
- Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

## Abstract

Thermal insulating structure having at least two layers of a substantially gas-impervious material forming a gas-retaining enclosure having a plurality of segments. The segments are connected by non-inflatable substantially flat structure. A valve is mounted in each segment for inflating and deflating the segment. Means are provided for securing the thermal insulating structure around the perimeter of a building to be insulated.

## Claims

### Claim 1

Thermal insulating structure comprising:
at least two layers of a substantially gas-impervious material forming a gas-retaining enclosure including a plurality of segments;
a non-inflatable, substantially flat portion adapted to join segments of the enclosure;
a valve mounted in one of the at least two layers in each segment for inflating and deflating the segment; and
means for securing the thermal insulating structure around the perimeter of a building to be insulated at an interface between a foundation and a superstructure of the building.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The thermal insulating structure of claim 1 wherein the gas is air.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The thermal insulating structure of claim 1 wherein the gas-impervious material is plastic.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The thermal insulating structure of claim 3 wherein the plastic material is polyethylene.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The thermal insulating structure of claim 1 wherein the securing means comprises at least one peg to be driven into the ground.

### Claim 6

Method for insulating the interface between a foundation and the superstructure of a building comprising:
placing a multi-segmented, inflated structure into contact with the interface and overlapping at least a part of the foundation and the superstructure; and
securing the multi-segmented, inflated structure into contact with the interface.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6 wherein the structure is inflated with air.