Systems and methods for insulating attic openings
OwnerJames B. Meleskyinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A cover for closing an access opening that leads to an infrequently used space within a building, such as an attic, that generally provides an air seal, thermal insulation and/or acoustic insulation at the access opening. The cover may be in one or two portions, including a closure alone or a closure and a frame having an aperture that can be closed by engagement between the closure and the frame. When the cover is used alone it engages a frame or a wall circumscribing the access opening. The cover is sized and shaped to close a stairwell, or the opening at one end of a stairway, an opening in a generally vertical wall, a hatch, or a pull down ladder. The closure and frame are each made of one or more components.
Claims11
An insulating cover assembly comprising:
- a continuous frame having spaced side walls and spaced end walls, said frame defining a frame opening extending therethrough;
- a removable closure member, said removable closure member including:
- a depending central portion, said depending central portion being sized and shaped to fit within said frame opening when said removable closure member is positioned on said frame in a covering relationship with respect to said frame opening;
- and
- an upper portion forming flanges:
- said flanges extending laterally outward relative to said depending central portion;
- and
- said flanges being sized and shaped to engage an upper surface of each of said side walls and end walls to create a continuous seal with said frame when said removable closure member is positioned on said frame in covering relationship with respect to said opening defined by said frame;
- wherein there is an aperture through both said depending central portion and said upper portion of said removable closure member, said aperture having an aperture closure member which is configured to be completely detached from said removable closure member to allow human passage through said aperture;
- and
- wherein said closure member is completely detached from said frame when said continuous seal is broken.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.