U.S. patent application number 12/317330 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-11 for air conditioner cover.
Invention is credited to John P. Moynihan.
Application Number | 20090145153 12/317330 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40720232 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090145153 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Moynihan; John P. |
June 11, 2009 |
Air conditioner cover
Abstract
An aesthetically pleasing decorative air conditioner cover and a
method for associating the air conditioner unit cover with an air
conditioner unit is provided, wherein the air conditioner cover
includes a front cover panel configured to associate with an end
portion of an air conditioning unit, wherein the air conditioning
unit is at least partially disposed external to a structure. The
air conditioner cover further includes a top cover panel configured
to associate with a top portion of the air conditioning unit, a
bottom cover panel configured to associate with a bottom portion of
the air conditioning unit and a plurality of side cover panels,
wherein each of the plurality of side cover panels are configured
to associate with at least one side of the air conditioning
unit.
Inventors: |
Moynihan; John P.;
(Simsbury, CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE LAW OFFICES OF STEVEN MCHUGH, LLC
46 WASHINGTON STREET
MIDDLETOWN
CT
06457
US
|
Family ID: |
40720232 |
Appl. No.: |
12/317330 |
Filed: |
December 11, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61007107 |
Dec 11, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
62/259.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 11/56 20180101;
F24F 1/58 20130101; F24F 1/62 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/259.1 |
International
Class: |
F25D 23/00 20060101
F25D023/00 |
Claims
1. An aesthetically pleasing decorative air conditioner cover,
comprising: a front cover panel configured to associate with an end
portion of an air conditioning unit, wherein the air conditioning
unit is at least partially disposed external to a structure; a top
cover panel configured to associate with a top portion of the air
conditioning unit; a bottom cover panel configured to associate
with a bottom portion of the air conditioning unit; and a plurality
of side cover panels, wherein each of the plurality of side cover
panels are configured to associate with at least one side of the
air conditioning unit.
2. The air conditioner cover of claim 1, wherein at least one of
the top cover panel, bottom cover panel and plurality of side cover
panels is configured to securingly associate with a decorative
element via a securing means.
3. The air conditioner cover of claim 2, wherein said securing
means includes at least one of a pocket, an adhesive, a magnet, a
Velcro.RTM. structure, a snap, a clip and a zipper.
4. The air conditioner cover of claim 2, wherein said decorative
element is at least one of a filtering device and a decorative
panel, wherein the decorative panel includes a 2-dimensional or
3-dimensional element.
5. The air conditioner cover of claim 1, wherein at least one of
the top cover panel, bottom cover panel and plurality of side cover
panels are removably connected to the front cover panel via a
connection device.
6. The air conditioner cover of claim 5, wherein the connection
device includes at least one of a zipper, Velcro.RTM., snap and
compressible sleeve.
7. The air conditioner cover of claim 1, wherein at least one of
the top cover panel, bottom cover panel, front cover panel and
plurality of side cover panels includes a pocket for containing a
decorative element, said decorative element being at least one of a
filtering device and a decorative panel.
8. The air conditioner cover of claim 1, wherein the top cover
panel and the bottom cover panel are configured to sealingly
associate with the plurality of side cover panels.
9. The air conditioner cover of claim 1, wherein at least one of
the front cover panel, top cover panel, bottom cover panel and
plurality of side cover panels are at least partially constructed
from at least one of a waterproof, weatherproof and sound proof
insulative material.
10. An aesthetically pleasing decorative air conditioner cover,
comprising: a front panel configured to associate with an end
portion of an air conditioning unit, wherein the air conditioning
unit is at least partially disposed external to a structure; and a
plurality of cover panels rotatably connected to the front panel,
wherein each of the plurality of cover panels are configured to
associate with at least one of the top portion, side portions, and
bottom portion of the air conditioner unit, and wherein at least
one of the front panel and plurality of cover panels are configured
to receive and securingly associate with a decorative element.
11. The air conditioner cover of claim 10, wherein at least one of
the plurality of cover panels is configured to securingly associate
with a decorative element via a securing means.
12. The air conditioner cover of claim 11, wherein said securing
means includes at least one of a pocket, an adhesive, a magnet, a
Velcro.RTM. structure, a snap, a clip and a zipper.
13. The air conditioner cover of claim 11, wherein said decorative
element is at least one of a filtering device and a decorative
panel, wherein the decorative panel includes a 2-dimensional or
3-dimensional element.
14. The air conditioner cover of claim 10, wherein at least one of
the plurality of cover panels are removably connected to the front
panel via a connection device.
15. The air conditioner cover of claim 14, wherein the connection
device includes at least one of a zipper, Velcro.RTM., snap and
compressible sleeve.
16. The air conditioner cover of claim 10, wherein at least one of
the front panel and plurality of cover panels includes a pocket for
containing a decorative element, said decorative element being at
least one of a filtering device and a decorative panel.
17. The air conditioner cover of claim 10, wherein at least a
portion of the plurality of cover panels are configured to
sealingly associate with each other.
18. The air conditioner cover of claim 10, wherein at least one of
the front panel and plurality of cover panels are at least
partially constructed from at least one of a waterproof,
weatherproof and sound proof insulative material.
19. A method for associating an air conditioner unit cover with an
air conditioner unit which is disposed at partially external to a
structure, wherein the air conditioner unit cover includes a front
cover panel, a top cover panel, a bottom cover panel and a
plurality of side cover panels, the method comprising: associating
the front cover panel with an end portion of the air conditioning
unit, said end portion being disposed external to the structure;
associating the top cover panel with a top portion of the air
conditioning unit; associating the bottom cover panel with a bottom
portion of the air conditioning unit; and associating one of the
plurality of side cover panels with one side of the air
conditioning unit and the other of the plurality of side cover
panels with the other side of the air conditioning unit.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising associated
decorative elements with at least one of the front cover panel, top
cover panel, bottom cover panel and plurality of side cover panels.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/007,107, filed Dec. 11, 2007 and entitled
"Air Conditioner Cover" the contents of which are incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to an article for covering
an apparatus and more particularly to an easily configurable
article for decoratively covering the external portion of an air
conditioner disposed in a window or wall of a building.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Window and through-wall air conditioning units are well
known and are used in a large number of buildings across the United
States. In general, these air conditioning units typically have a
front portion, which houses the unit control panel and air outlets,
and a rear portion which houses the unit motor and compressor and
which is typically covered by a metal covering which includes vents
to ventilate the motor and compressor. When these air conditioning
units are disposed in the window or wall opening, the front portion
of the conditioning unit is disposed in an interior portion of the
building and the rear portion of the air conditioning unit is
sticking out of the window or wall through-hole and thus, is
disposed exterior to the building.
[0004] Unfortunately, this has several undesirable characteristics
which need to be overcome. One undesirable characteristic involves
the appearance of the unit, which is aesthetically unpleasing. For
example, because the back of the conditioning unit sticks out of
the window or wall through-hole, an eyesore is created which
detracts from the aesthetics of the building or property. A second
undesirable characteristic involves the exposure of the unit to the
elements. This is undesirable because the rear portion of the unit
is exposed to the outside elements, such as rain, which may cause
rusting of the unit. Additionally, the rear portion includes vent
openings to ventilate the motor and compressor compartment.
Accordingly, debris such as leaves, bugs and other materials can
enter and accumulate within the motor and compressor compartment,
possibly interfering with the operation and/or ventilation of the
air conditioning unit motor and compressor. A third undesirable
characteristic involves unwanted ventilation to the building.
Because these types of units are never completely sealed, cold air
(in the summer) and warm air (in the winter) vents out into the
environment through the unit casing resulting in a waste of energy
and money.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] An aesthetically pleasing decorative air conditioner cover
is provided and includes a front cover panel configured to
associate with an end portion of an air conditioning unit, wherein
the air conditioning unit is at least partially disposed external
to a structure. The air conditioner cover further includes a top
cover panel configured to associate with a top portion of the air
conditioning unit, a bottom cover panel configured to associate
with a bottom portion of the air conditioning unit and a plurality
of side cover panels, wherein each of the plurality of side cover
panels are configured to associate with at least one side of the
air conditioning unit.
[0006] An aesthetically pleasing decorative air conditioner cover
is provided and includes a front panel configured to associate with
an end portion of an air conditioning unit, wherein the air
conditioning unit is at least partially disposed external to a
structure. The air conditioner cover further includes a plurality
of cover panels rotatably connected to the front panel, wherein
each of the plurality of cover panels are configured to associate
with at least one of the top portion, side portions, and bottom
portion of the air conditioner unit, and wherein at least one of
the front panel and plurality of cover panels are configured to
receive and securingly associate with a decorative element.
[0007] A method for associating an air conditioner unit cover with
an air conditioner unit which is disposed at partially external to
a structure is provided, wherein the air conditioner unit cover
includes a front cover panel, a top cover panel, a bottom cover
panel and a plurality of side cover panels. The method includes
associating the front cover panel with an end portion of the air
conditioning unit, the end portion being disposed external to the
structure, associating the top cover panel with a top portion of
the air conditioning unit and associating the bottom cover panel
with a bottom portion of the air conditioning unit. The method
further includes associating one of the plurality of side cover
panels with one side of the air conditioning unit and the other of
the plurality of side cover panels with the other side of the air
conditioning unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the
present invention will be more fully understood from the following
detailed description of illustrative embodiments, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like elements
are numbered alike:
[0009] FIG. 1 is an open configuration front view of an air
conditioning unit cover in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2A is a side view of the air conditioning unit cover of
FIG. 1 illustrating the axis of rotation of the top panel relative
to the face panel.
[0011] FIG. 2B is a side view of the air conditioning unit cover of
FIG. 1 illustrating the axis of rotation of the bottom panel
relative to the face panel.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a sectional side view of the air conditioning unit
cover of FIG. 1 showing the face panel, top panel and bottom panel
associated with a rear portion, a top portion and a bottom portion
of an air conditioning unit in accordance with the present
invention.
[0013] FIG. 4A is a top down view of the air conditioning unit
cover of FIG. 1 illustrating the axis of rotation of the first side
panel relative to the face panel.
[0014] FIG. 4B is a top down view of the air conditioning unit
cover of FIG. 1 illustrating the axis of rotation of the second
side panel relative to the face panel.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a sectional top down view of the air conditioning
unit cover of FIG. 1 showing the face panel, first side panel and
second side panel associated with a rear portion, a first side
portion and a second side portion of an air conditioning unit in
accordance with the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of a typical air
conditioning unit disposed in the window of a building in
accordance with the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 7 is a side view of the air conditioning unit cover of
FIG. 1 being associated with the rear portion, top portion and
bottom portion of an air conditioning unit disposed in the window
of a building, in accordance with the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 8 is a top down view of the air conditioning unit cover
of FIG. 1 being associated with the rear portion, first side
portion and second side portion of an air conditioning unit
disposed in the window of a building, in accordance with the
present invention.
[0019] FIG. 9 is an open configuration front view of an air
conditioning unit cover in accordance with a second embodiment of
the present invention illustrating sealing devices.
[0020] FIG. 10A is side view of the air conditioning unit cover
illustrating a decorative element associated with the top panel, in
accordance with the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 10B is side view of a panel of the air conditioning
unit cover in FIG. 1 and FIG. 9 illustrating a pocket for
containing a decorative sheet, in accordance with the present
invention.
[0022] FIG. 11A is a side view of a housing containing a panel of
the air conditioning unit cover, in accordance with the present
invention.
[0023] FIG. 11B is top down cross-sectional view of a housing with
a panel of the air conditioning unit cover contained therein, in
accordance with the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 11C is a side view of a panel of the air conditioning
unit cover being removed from a housing, in accordance with the
present invention.
[0025] FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a method for
implementing the air conditioning unit cover with an air
conditioning unit, in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] As disclosed herein with regards to an exemplary embodiment,
an easy to use, esthetically pleasing air conditioning unit cover
is provided in accordance with the present invention, wherein the
air conditioning unit cover allows for the ventilation and
protection of the air conditioning unit during the summer and the
sealing and protection of the air conditioning unit during the
winter. The air conditioning unit cover is configurable to include
esthetically pleasing attachments, such as a 2-dimensional or
3-dimensional panel (element) of flowers to enhance its appearance,
which attachments are easily attachable/detachable via an
attachment means, for example a pocket integrated with the panel,
Velcro.RTM., magnet, snaps, zipper, clips and/or adhesives. It is
contemplated that the panels of the air conditioning unit cover may
be constructed, at least partially, via at least one of a
waterproof or breathable material and each may be configured to be
pliable or rigid as desired. For example, the side and bottom
panels may be pliable, while the top and front panels may be
rigid.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the air conditioning
unit cover 100 in accordance with the present invention is shown
and includes a face panel 102, a top panel 104, a bottom panel 106,
a first side panel 108 and a second side panel 110. Top panel 104
is rotatably associated with face panel 102 such that top panel 104
rotates about an axis X.sub.1, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, and
bottom panel 106 is rotatably associated with face panel 102 such
that bottom panel 106 rotates about an axis X.sub.2, as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2B. As such, when the face panel 102 of air
conditioning unit cover 100 is associated with the rear portion 112
of an air conditioning unit 114, the top panel 104 is associated
with the top portion 116 of the air conditioning unit 114 and the
bottom panel 106 is associated with the bottom portion 118 of the
air conditioning unit 114, as shown in FIG. 3. It is contemplated
that all or some of the panels 102-110 may be pliable or rigid as
desired and may include venting means, such as breathable material
and/or vent openings. Alternatively, at least a portion of the air
conditioning unit cover may be constructed, at least in part, from
a waterproof, weather proof and/or sound proof insulative
material.
[0028] It should be appreciated that although not shown in FIG. 3,
the air conditioning unit cover 100 may be configured to provide a
gap or space between the air conditioning unit cover 100 and the
air conditioning unit 114. This may be accomplished via any method
or device suitable to the desired end purpose, such as via spacers
to separate the air conditioning unit cover 100 and the air
conditioning unit 114 and/or via magnets whose function would be to
secure the panels of the air conditioning unit cover 100 to the
metal air conditioning unit 114 and maintain a space between the
air conditioning unit cover 100 and the air conditioning unit 114.
Additionally, some or all of the panels, such as bottom panel 106
and/or top panel 104, may be configured to be angled so as to allow
water run off.
[0029] Similarly, the first side panel 108 is rotatably associated
with face panel 102 such that first side panel 108 rotates about an
axis Y.sub.1, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4A, and the second side panel
110 is rotatably associated with face panel 102 such that second
side panel 110 rotates about an axis Y.sub.2, as shown in FIGS. 1
and 4B. As such, when the face panel 102 of air conditioning unit
cover 100 is associated with the rear portion 112 of an air
conditioning unit 114, the first side panel 108 is associated with
a first side portion 120 of the air conditioning unit 114 and the
second side panel 110 is associated with a second side portion 122
of the air conditioning unit 114, as shown in FIG. 5. It should be
appreciated that the ability of the top panel 104, bottom panel
106, first side panel 108 and second side panel 110 to rotate about
face panel 102 allows for easy installation of the air conditioning
unit cover 100 and also allows for easy storage and shipping of the
air conditioning unit cover 100.
[0030] Accordingly, when the air conditioning unit cover 100 is
associated with the air conditioning unit 114, all four sides of
the air conditioning unit cover 100 is covered by the air
conditioning unit cover 100. This can be seen in FIGS. 6-8.
Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the face panel 102 of the air
conditioning cover 102 is associated with the rear portion 112 of
the air conditioning unit 114 and the top panel 104 is rotated to
be associated with the top portion 116 of the air conditioning
panel 114. The bottom panel 106 is also rotated to be associated
with the bottom portion 118 of the air conditioning panel 114.
Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 8, the first side panel 108 is then
associated with the first side portion 120 of the air conditioning
unit 114 and the second side panel 110 is rotated to be associated
with the second side portion 122 of the air conditioning unit 114.
At this point, all four sides 116, 118, 120, 122 and the rear
portion 112 of the air conditioning unit 114 are covered by a panel
of the air conditioning unit cover 100.
[0031] It should be appreciated that each of the face panel 102,
top panel 104, bottom panel 106, first side panel 108 and second
side panel 110 may include at least one associating device 124 (See
FIGS. 1 and 9) which allows the respective panel to securingly
adhere to its respective portion of the air conditioning unit. In
accordance with the present invention, this associating device 124
may be any associating device 124 suitable to the desired end
purpose, such as a magnet, a clip, a snap, an adhesive and/or a
Velcro.RTM. attachment device.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 9, a second embodiment of the air
conditioning unit cover 200 is shown and includes a face panel 202,
a top panel 204, a bottom panel 206, a first side panel 208 and a
second side panel 210, wherein the top panel 204, bottom panel 206,
first side panel 208 and second side panel 210 include a connecting
device 212 to connect the panels adjacent to each of the top panel
204, bottom panel 206, first side panel 208 and second side panel
210 together. For example, when the air conditioning unit cover 200
is associated with the air conditioning unit 114 as described
hereinabove, the top panel 204 and bottom panel 206 would be
sealingly connected with the first side panel 208 and second side
panel 210 via the connecting device 212. This allows the air
conditioning unit cover 200 to sealingly associate with the air
conditioning unit 114 to help prevent air leaks and to help prevent
moisture, weather and/or sound from entering the air conditioning
unit cover 200 or the structure via the air conditioning unit cover
200.
[0033] It should be appreciated that some or all of the panels of
the air conditioning unit cover 100, 200 may include a decorative
feature on the external portion of the air conditioning unit cover
100, 200 to help make the air conditioning unit 114 more
esthetically pleasing. For example, as shown in FIG. 10A, top panel
104, 204 may include or be configured to securingly associate with
a decorative addition, such as flowers that adhere to top panel
104, 204, via any method and/or device suitable to the desired end
purpose, such as an adhesive, magnet, Velcro.RTM., snaps, clips
and/or zipper. It should also be appreciated that the rotatability
of each of the panels of air conditioning unit cover 100, 200
allows the air conditioning unit cover 100, 200 to be configured
into a flat configuration to allow the air conditioning unit cover
100, 200 to be easily storable. Alternatively, if the panels of air
conditioning unit cover 100, 200 are flexible, they may be rolled
into a cylinder shaped element for easy storage.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 10B, it is further contemplated that some
or all of the panels (for illustration purposes only face panel 102
is shown) of the air conditioning unit cover 100, 200 may also
include a pocket 300 for containing a decorative panel insert 302,
wherein the pocket has a translucent or see through portion 304 to
help make the air conditioning unit 114 more esthetically pleasing.
Similarly, this pocket 300 may also be configured to contain a
filtering device for filtering the air being drawn into the air
conditioning unit 114 during use in the summer or an insulation
device for preventing heat loss from the building during the winter
months. Furthermore, pocket 300 may also be configured to contain a
decorative filtering device for ventilation to help ventilate the
air conditioning unit case. Moreover, some or all of the panels of
the air conditioning unit cover 100, 200 may also include an
attachment device (not shown), such as a snap, clip, magnet or
Velcro.RTM.), for securely retaining a decorative panel to help
make the air conditioning unit 114 more esthetically pleasing.
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 11A, 11B and 11C, a third embodiment of
the air conditioning unit cover 500 is shown and may include at
least one housing 502 for retractably retaining the panels of the
air conditioning unit cover 500 (two housings are shown for
simplicity). The housing 502 may include a spring like device 504
that allows the panels to be pulled out of and rotatably retracted
back into the housing 502 as desired via springing action of the
spring like device 504, similar to a normal window shade. For
example, referring to FIG. 11C a force F.sub.2 would be required to
pull and unroll the panel from the housing 502. Once the panel has
been unrolled from the housing 502, the panel would lock into place
(similar to a window shade). To insert the panel back into the
housing 502, the spring like device 504 (or alternatively a hand
crank device) would produce a force F.sub.1, opposite to F.sub.2,
which would cause the panel to rotatingly retract back into the
housing 502. As briefly mentioned above, in an alternative
embodiment the housing 502 may include a crank like device that
allows the panels to be pulled out of and rotatably retracted back
into the housing by manually actuating a retraction device. This
would allow the panels of the air conditioning unit cover 500 to be
safely and securely stored within the housing for future use.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 12, a block diagram illustrating a method
400 for implementing an air conditioning unit cover 100, 200, 500
is shown and includes obtaining an air conditioning unit cover 100,
200, 500 as shown in operational block 402 and associating the face
panel 102, 202 with the rear portion 112 of the air conditioning
unit 114, as shown in operational block 404. The top panel 104, 204
is associated with the top portion 116 of the air conditioning unit
114, as shown in operational block 406 and the bottom panel 106,
206 is associated with the bottom portion 118 of the air
conditioning unit 114, as shown in operational block 408. In a
similar fashion, the first side panel 108, 208 is associated with
the first side portion 120 of the air conditioning unit 114, as
shown in operational block 410 and the second side panel 110, 210
is associated with the second side portion 122 of the air
conditioning unit 114, as shown in operational block 412.
Decorative elements may be associated with the air conditioning
cover 100, 200, 500 as desired. In is contemplated that method 400
may be conducted in any order suitable to the desired end
purpose.
[0037] It should be appreciated that while the air conditioning
unit cover 100, 200, 500 is disclosed herein as including a top
panel, a bottom panel, a front panel and two side panels, the air
conditioning unit cover 100, 200, 500 may only include a portion of
select panels as desired, such as a top panel or a top and front
panel or a front and two side panels, etc. Moreover, it is
contemplated that some or all of top panel 104, bottom panel 106,
first side panel 108 and second side panel 110 may be removably
connected to the face panel 102 via a connection device, such as a
zipper, Velcro.RTM., snap or compressible sleeve. This would allow
a user to add and/or remove panels as desired.
[0038] While the invention has been described with reference to an
exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the
art that various changes, omissions and/or additions may be made
and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. In addition,
many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or
material to the teachings of the invention without departing from
the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not
be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode
contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the
invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of
the appended claims. Moreover, unless specifically stated any use
of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or
importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to
distinguish one element from another.
* * * * *