USRE36975E - Attic hatchway cover - Google Patents

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Classifications

• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E06—DOORS, WINDOWS, SHUTTERS, OR ROLLER BLINDS IN GENERAL; LADDERS
  • E06B—FIXED OR MOVABLE CLOSURES FOR OPENINGS IN BUILDINGS, VEHICLES, FENCES OR LIKE ENCLOSURES IN GENERAL, e.g. DOORS, WINDOWS, BLINDS, GATES
  • E06B9/00—Screening or protective devices for wall or similar openings, with or without operating or securing mechanisms; Closures of similar construction
  • E06B9/24—Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blinds
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F11/00—Stairways, ramps, or like structures; Balustrades; Handrails
  • E04F11/02—Stairways; Layouts thereof
  • E04F11/04—Movable stairways, e.g. of loft ladders which may or may not be concealable or extensible
  • E04F11/06—Movable stairways, e.g. of loft ladders which may or may not be concealable or extensible collapsible, e.g. folding, telescopic
  • E04F11/062—Movable stairways, e.g. of loft ladders which may or may not be concealable or extensible collapsible, e.g. folding, telescopic folding
• • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
  • E04—BUILDING
  • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
  • E04F11/00—Stairways, ramps, or like structures; Balustrades; Handrails
  • E04F11/02—Stairways; Layouts thereof
  • E04F11/04—Movable stairways, e.g. of loft ladders which may or may not be concealable or extensible
  • E04F11/06—Movable stairways, e.g. of loft ladders which may or may not be concealable or extensible collapsible, e.g. folding, telescopic
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
  • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y10S160/00—Flexible or portable closure, partition, or panel
  • Y10S160/18—Zipper

Definitions

• the field of invention relates to hatchway insulative cover structure to minimize heat loss therethrough from a dwelling, and particularly to an attic hatchway cover wherein the same is arranged for ease of mounting and use relative to the hatchway opening.
• Hatchway cover structure is indicated in the prior art such as a unitary structure presented by U.S. Pat. No. 4,658,555 and the U.S. Pat. No. 4,832,153.
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,220,757 indicates a hatchway cover wherein a plate is movable between a first position and a second position to permit closure of a hatchway opening, as the structure is slidably mounted for such movement.
• U.S. Pat. No. 5,274,966 indicates a cover for a stair opening utilizing an interfitting .[.polyurathan.]. .Iadd.polyurethane .Iaddend.type housing cover.
• the attic hatchway cover of the invention includes a cover structure formed of insulative side walls, having a top wall utilizing a flexible flap, with access therethrough by utilization of a U-shaped zipper arranged to permit pivoting of the flap relative to the top wall of the hatchway cover.
• FIG. 1 is an isometric bottom view of the invention.
• FIG. 2 is an isometric top view of the invention.
• FIG. 3 is an orthographic side view of the invention.
• FIG. 4 is an orthographic top view of the invention.
• FIG. 5 is an orthographic view, taken along the line 5--5 of FIG. 3 in the direction indicated by the arrows.
• FIG. 6 is an enlarged, partial isometric illustration indicating fastener structure arranged for mounting the flanges of the side walls relative to a hatchway opening framework.
• the attic hatchway cover 20 is arranged for mounting upon a surrounding framework 12 that extends about an attic opening 11, such as indicated in FIG. 1.
• a surrounding framework 12 that extends about an attic opening 11, such as indicated in FIG. 1.
• Such attic openings 11 and the surrounding framework 12 typically mount a fold-away staircase 13, illustrated in phantom, which per se forms no part of the instant invention.
• the cover structure 10 is formed with a front wall 14 spaced from a rear wall 17 and a first side wall 15 spaced from a second side wall 16.
• a top wall 18 provides for a container assembly, such that the first side wall, the second side wall, the front wall, and the rear wall are typically of a rigid or at least semi-rigid construction, wherein the top wall 18 may be flexible in nature.
• the attic hatchway cover 10 further includes means for providing access to the attic through the attic hatchway cover 10 and the attic opening 11.
• the means for providing access to the attic includes a generally U-shaped zipper member 28 that has a first leg parallel to the first side wall 15, a second leg parallel to the front wall 14, and a third leg parallel to the second side wall 16.
• a top wall flap 27 contained within the top wall is .[.specifically.]. of flexible construction, although as an alternative may be rigid and hingedly connected to the top wall adjacent the rear wall 17, such that .[.a.]. .Iadd.the .Iaddend.U-shaped zipper .[.connector.].
• top wall flap 27 separates the top wall flap 27 relative to the top wall for access through the top wall.
• the flexible construction of the top wall flap 27 would be more manually manipulative in use, or alternatively a rigid cover that employs a flexible and hinged connection relative to the top wall between the free distal ends of the U-shaped zipper would also function to permit access through the top wall 18.
• the front wall, the first side wall, the second side wall, and the rear wall each include a lowermost continuous end spaced an equal distance relative to the top wall, such that a front wall flange 19 extends obliquely and exteriorly of the interior cavity 13 of the cover structure 10, with a first side wall flange 20 extending exteriorly of the first side wall, a second side wall flange 21 extending exteriorly of the second side wall .[.18,.]. .Iadd.16, and .Iaddend.with a rear wall flange 22 extending exteriorly of the rear wall 17.
• first side wall flange 20, second side wall flange 21, the rear wall flange 22, and the front wall flange 19 are each arranged to be secured between the framework 12 and a respective second mounting strip 24, a third mounting strip 25, a fourth mounting strip 26, and a first mounting strip 23 to engage for example the front wall flange 19, with fasteners 32 available for employment, such as illustrated in FIG. 6, to secure each respective mounting strip to the framework 12, or alternatively other fastening means may be employed such as hook and loop fasteners, clasps, and the like.
• Each wall of the cover 10 is preferably arranged to include an inner wall 29 spaced from an outer wall 30, having an insulative core 31 extending coextensively between the inner wall 29 and the outer wall 30 coextensive of a respective wall structure.
• the front wall, the rear wall, and the first and second side walls may be formed of flexible construction, such that each corner intersection may employ a stiffener rod or the like (not shown) to maintain the geometric integrity of the cover structure in use.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Architecture (AREA)
• Structural Engineering (AREA)
• Civil Engineering (AREA)
• Finishing Walls (AREA)
• Building Environments (AREA)

Abstract

Description

Claims (9)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Related Parent Applications (1)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=23334157

Family Applications (2)

Family Applications Before (1)

Country Status (1)

Cited By (16)

Families Citing this family (9)

Citations (14)

• 1994
  • 1994-11-16 US US08/340,609 patent/US5481833A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
• 1998
  • 1998-01-07 US US09/003,657 patent/USRE36975E/en not_active Expired - Lifetime

Patent Citations (14)

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