U.S. patent application number 13/784678 was filed with the patent office on 2013-09-12 for insulation for attic access.
The applicant listed for this patent is Craig Allen Cook, Heidi Lorraine Cook, Kristine Nichole Cook, Amanda Lynn Stevens. Invention is credited to Craig Allen Cook, Heidi Lorraine Cook, Kristine Nichole Cook, Amanda Lynn Stevens.
Application Number | 20130232880 13/784678 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49112778 |
Filed Date | 2013-09-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130232880 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cook; Craig Allen ; et
al. |
September 12, 2013 |
INSULATION FOR ATTIC ACCESS
Abstract
An insulation device lays on top of an attic access, insulating
the access, and prevents heat loss, heat radiation and cold or hot
air from flowing into the home. Because the insulation device of
the present invention lays on top of the attic access, and
insulates all sides of the access at a consistent R-value, the
insulation device is a more complete insulation system as compared
to conventional systems that merely create a dead air space at the
attic access. The insulation device may be hingedly attached at one
end of the attic access to allow a user to easily open and close
the insulation device accurately over the opening.
Inventors: |
Cook; Craig Allen;
(Bellefontaine, OH) ; Cook; Heidi Lorraine;
(Bellefontaine, OH) ; Cook; Kristine Nichole;
(Bellefontaine, OH) ; Stevens; Amanda Lynn;
(Bellefontaine, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Cook; Craig Allen
Cook; Heidi Lorraine
Cook; Kristine Nichole
Stevens; Amanda Lynn |
Bellefontaine
Bellefontaine
Bellefontaine
Bellefontaine |
OH
OH
OH
OH |
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
49112778 |
Appl. No.: |
13/784678 |
Filed: |
March 4, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61607584 |
Mar 6, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
49/460 ; 49/463;
49/475.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E06B 5/01 20130101; E04B
1/74 20130101; E04B 9/003 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
49/460 ; 49/463;
49/475.1 |
International
Class: |
E04B 1/74 20060101
E04B001/74 |
Claims
1. An attic access covering insulation bag comprising: an
insulating material; an inner bag encasing the insulating material;
an outer bag covering the inner bag; a flap formed along one end of
the insulation bag; and a plurality of holes formed in the
flap.
2. The attic access covering insulation bag of claim 1, further
comprising a plurality of grommets disposed about the plurality of
holes.
3. The attic access covering insulation bag of claim 1, further
comprising at least one handle disposed on the outer bag opposite
the end having the flap.
4. The attic access covering insulation bag of claim 3, wherein the
at least one handle is one handle centrally disposed on the outer
bag opposite the end having the flap.
5. The attic access covering insulation bag of claim 3, wherein the
at least one handle is two handles disposed at corners of the outer
bag at corners opposite the end having the flap.
6. An attic access covering insulation bag comprising: an
insulating material; an inner bag encasing the insulating material;
an outer bag covering the inner bag; a flap formed along one end of
the insulation bag; a plurality of holes formed in the flap; a
plurality of grommets disposed about the plurality of holes; and at
least one handle disposed on the outer bag opposite the end having
the flap.
7. The attic access covering insulation bag of claim 6, wherein the
at least one handle is one handle centrally disposed on the outer
bag opposite the end having the flap.
8. The attic access covering insulation bag of claim 6, wherein the
at least one handle is two handles disposed at corners of the outer
bag at corners opposite the end having the flap.
9. An attic access opening insulation system comprising: an
insulating material; an inner bag encasing the insulating material;
an outer bag covering the inner bag; a flap formed along one end of
the insulation bag; a plurality of holes formed in the flap; and a
plurality of screw eyes having a first end attachable to attic
framing and a second end forming an eye threaded into the
holes.
10. The attic access opening insulation system of claim 9, further
comprising: a plurality of grommets disposed about the plurality of
holes; and at least one handle disposed on the outer bag opposite
the end having the flap.
11. The attic access covering insulation bag of claim 10, wherein
the at least one handle is one handle centrally disposed on the
outer bag opposite the end having the flap.
12. The attic access covering insulation bag of claim 10, wherein
the at least one handle is two handles disposed at corners of the
outer bag at corners opposite the end having the flap.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S.
provisional application No. 61/607,584, filed Mar. 6, 2012, the
contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to insulation devices and
methods and, more particularly, to insulation in a pocket of fabric
that insulates an attic access.
[0003] The attic access is a port for conditioned air inside the
home to be lost. In the winter, cold air may enter the home through
the attic access port. In the summer, heat may be radiated from the
attic access, requiring more cooling energy to be used.
[0004] Conventional attic access insulation devices aim to create a
dead air space at the access port. This method, however, does not
provide a seal with a consistent R-value, typically providing an
R-rating of 10 to 15 at most.
[0005] As can be seen, there is a need for an improved insulation
for attic access.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In one aspect of the present invention, an attic access
covering insulation bag comprises an insulating material; an inner
bag encasing the insulating material; an outer bag covering the
inner bag; a flap formed along one end of the insulation bag; and a
plurality of holes formed in the flap.
[0007] In another aspect of the present invention, an attic access
covering insulation bag comprises an insulating material; an inner
bag encasing the insulating material; an outer bag covering the
inner bag; a flap formed along one end of the insulation bag; a
plurality of holes formed in the flap; a plurality of grommets
disposed about the plurality of holes; and at least one handle
disposed on the outer bag opposite the end having the flap.
[0008] In a further aspect of the present invention, an attic
access opening insulation system comprises an insulating material;
an inner bag encasing the insulating material; an outer bag
covering the inner bag; a flap formed along one end of the
insulation bag; a plurality of holes formed in the flap; and a
plurality of screw eyes having a first end attachable to attic
framing and a second end forming an eye threaded into the
holes.
[0009] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following drawings, description and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an attic access covering
insulation bag according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention, illustrated not in use to cover an attic access;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the attic access covering
insulation bag of FIG. 1, illustrated in use covering the attic
access;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the attic access covering
insulation bag of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view showing attachment of
a flap of the attic access covering insulation bag of FIG. 1 to a
screw hook attached to attic framing;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of
FIG. 3;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of
FIG. 2; and
[0016] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an attic access covering
insulation bag according to another exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The following detailed description is of the best currently
contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the
invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense,
but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general
principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is
best defined by the appended claims.
[0018] Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides an
insulation device that lays on top of an attic access, insulating
the access, and prevents heat loss, heat radiation and cold or hot
air from flowing into the home. Because the insulation device of
the present invention lays on top of the attic access, and
insulates all sides of the access at a consistent R-value, the
insulation device is a more complete insulation system as compared
to conventional systems that merely create a dead air space at the
attic access. The insulation device may be hingedly attached at one
end of the attic access to allow a user to easily open and close
the insulation device accurately over the opening.
[0019] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 6, an insulation bag 32 may be
custom cut, or cut to a standard sized attic access opening 28. The
insulation bag 32 is typically about one inch or more larger than
the attic access opening 28 on all sides. The resulting overhang
allows the insulation bag 32 to completely cover, and insulate, the
entire attic access opening 28 even when the access is closed, and
the ladder is in place.
[0020] On one end of the insulation bag 32, there can be an excess
of one or more inches, to form a flap 26 to be used to attach the
insulation bag 32 to the attic framing 12 using screw hooks 22.
Grommets 20 can then be attached to the flap 26, allowing the screw
hooks 22 to pass through the grommets 20 to provide a hinged
connection of the insulation bag 32. In some embodiments, the flap
26 can be made from doubling over the outer bag 14 of the
insulation bag 32.
[0021] The insulation bag 32 can be designed in various
configurations. For example, a first fabric can be used to form the
bottom, sides and ends of the insulation bag 32. A second fabric,
such as a cotton or cotton blend can be sewn to the first fabric
with a nylon thread, or the like, to create the top and/or the
sides. The cotton fabric also allows for the same amount of
overhang as the first fabric. The first fabric and the second,
cotton fabric can form the outer layer 14. In some embodiments, the
outer layer 14 can be formed as a single fabric.
[0022] Once the first fabric and the cotton fabric are sewn
together with the nylon thread, they create a pocket in which an
inner bag 16, such as a plastic bag, and insulating material 18 can
be enclosed. The inner bag 16 can be cut to encase the insulating
material 18, which can then be sealed using staples, tape, heat
sealing, or the like.
[0023] Once the insulating material 18 and the inner bag 16 are
enclosed in the outer bag 14, the corners can be sewn and sealed
with the nylon thread, for example. The open end can then be either
be sewn with the nylon thread or sealed with toggles, a zipper,
buttons, snaps or the like.
[0024] A handle 24 can be sewn either in the middle (see FIG. 3),
or on the two corners (see FIG. 7) on the opposite end of the
eyelet flap 26. The handle or handles 24 can be made from the same
fabric or some other fabric or material as the outer layer 14.
[0025] The fabric of the outer layer 14 may be a durable fabric
that can stand up against wear and tear.
[0026] The inner bag 16 can be used to encase the insulation so
that the insulation does not move excessively in the fabric
encasement. The inner bag 16 also minimizes the insulation from
entering the air flow of the attic and or house.
[0027] The insulating material 18 provides a high insulation value
that essentially extends the insulation that is already existent in
the rest of the attic. The encased insulation can directly contact
the attic access and access frame, instead of creating a dead air
space like other products on the market, which allows the actual R
value of the product to be fully utilized.
[0028] The nylon thread gives extra support and strength to the
sewn seams to help prevent seam failure. The grommets 20 support
the holes made in the end flap 26 and keep the holes from tearing.
The grommets 20 can have the hook screws 22 put through them and
then attached to the wood floor, cross beams, or wood frame (attic
framing 12) to limit the movement of the entire insulation bag 32.
The handles 24 allow the product to be pulled tightly, allowing it
to lie flat.
[0029] To use the insulation device, a user can simply pull the
device up into the attic from the opposite end that the eyelets are
on. Using the screw hooks, the user can attach the insulation
device to any wood surface of the attic frame, keeping the same
amount of excess on all sides. Because attics may differ, all the
provided screw hooks may not be necessary to be used. The
insulation device can be fluffed until it lies flat, where in the
insulation is evenly distributed throughout the insulation device.
When exiting the attic, the user can simply use the handles to make
sure the insulation device is pulled down and lying flat.
[0030] While the above description describes the outer bag 14 being
made from a first fabric and a cotton fabric, in some embodiments
the fabrics may be the same material, wherein the insulation device
may be made entirely of the first fabric or entirely of the cotton
fabric, for example.
[0031] The insulation device of the present invention may be made
of various sizes, depending on its application. For example, the
insulation device may be adapted for use with an attic access that
varies from about 14 to 36 inches wide and from about 16 to about
60 inches long.
[0032] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing
relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *