US20040172893A1

US20040172893A1 - Stairseal

Info

Publication number: US20040172893A1
Application number: US10/377,547
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael Hunter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-03-03
Filing date: 2003-03-03
Publication date: 2004-09-09

Abstract

A sheet metal enclosure containing a thickness of Styrofoam Insulating material designed to slide over the plywood panel on attic stairways. A rubber seal is placed on the perimeter of the back side of the panel creating a seal between the living area and attic space reducing air transfer between the two spaces. The Styrofoam provides an amount of insulation reducing temperature transfer between the two spaces. The sheet metal panel provides for the containment of the insulating material and mounting surface for the rubber seal and reduces warping of the attic stairway plywood panel because it is held rigid within the confines of the metal enclosure containing the Styrofoam. The closure springs on the attic stairway provide the tension to hold the stairway closed and create a tight seal.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention directly relates to folding attic stairways insulating and sealing as the prevent heating and cooling losses thereby reducing utility usage and expense.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Attic stairways are often placed in homes allowing access to a buildings attic space. While the attic is normally heavily insulated to prevent heating and cooling losses, the plywood doorway on an attic stairway is not insulated or sealed in the closed position, leading to higher energy usage and costs.

What is Claimed.

Stairseal is a sheet metal panel containing within its confines an insulating panel combined with rubber seals placed along the perimeter of the mounting flanges as to form a seal on the attic doorway when in the closed position, a self adhesive foam seal is adhered to the stairseal panel on the hinge end of the attic stairway to further reduce air transfer. Preformed mounting flanges on the back or non-exposed side of the stairseal allow the unit to easily slide over the existing attic stairway plywood door and be attached with self drilling screws. Within minutes and energy waster is converted into an energy saver while improving appearance and reducing maintenance.

Legend.

1. Preformed sheet metal“C” panel.

2. Panel of insulating material placed within the confines of the preformed “C” Panel 1

3. Preformed “c” end cap for non-hinge end of Stairseal panel.

4. Sheet metal angle (90 deg) made to height of ¼ in smaller than the inside depth of the Stairseal panel , this allows the attic stairway plywood door panel to slide into the Stairseal panel from only one end, referred to as the hinge end

5 Self adhesive foam seal to be attached to 4 to reduce air transfer at the hinge area on the attic stairway.

6, 7, 8 Self adhesive rubber “p” seal for attachment to preformed mounting flanges on 1 and 3

9,10,11,12, Self drilling sheet metal screws for attaching 3 and 4 to the ends of 1

13,14,15,16, Self drilling sheet metal screws for attaching finished Stairseal unit to existing attic stairway plywood door panel.

17 Rubber grommet used to protect pull down rope from hole drilled in 1.

FIG. 1 An exploded view. [0015]
[0016] 1 Preformed sheet metal “c” panel
[0017] 2 Insulating panel
[0018] 3 Preformed sheet metal “c” trim for end of “c” panel
[0019] 4 Formed 90 deg. Angle for hinge end of “c” panel
[0020] 5 ½×½ inch self adhesive foam strip for hinge end of “c” panel
[0021] 6,7, 8, self adhesive rubber seal for mounting flanges on back of assembled stair-seal unit
[0022] 9,10,11,12, Self drilling, taping screws for attaching 3 and 4 to 1
[0023] 13,14,15,16, Self drilling, taping screws for attaching assembled stairseal unit to existing attic stairway plywood door panel
[0024] 17 Rubber grommet placed in hole drilled through 1 for protection of pull down rope
FIG. 2 Back view [0025]
[0026] 1 Preformed “c” panel
[0027] 2 Installed insulating panel
[0028] 3 installed “c” trim cap
[0029] 4 installed angle
[0030] 5 Installed foam seal
[0031] 6,7,8, installed rubber seal
[0032] 17 rubber grommet as seen through insulating panel
FIG. 3 Front View [0033]
[0034] 1 Interior view of preformed “c” panel
[0035] 3 Interior view of “c” trim cap installed
[0036] 4 Interior view of angle trim installed
[0037] 5 ½×½ foam strip installed
[0038] 9,10,11,12, Sheet metal screws attaching 3 and 4 to 1
[0039] 17 rubber grommet for protection of pull down rope
FIG. 4 VIEW OF OPEN END ALLOWING INSTALLATION [0040]
[0041] 1 Preformed sheet metal “c” panel
[0042] 2 Installed insulating panel
[0043] 3 Installed “c” trim cap
[0044] 5 ½×½ foam seal attached to end cap
[0045] 6,7,8 self adhesive rubber seal attached to “c” panel
[0046] 9,10,11,12, Sheet metal screws used to attach metal panel to stairway plywood panel to complete installation
[0047] 18,19, shows ¼ in spacing which allows stair seal to be installed over existing plywood panels on attic stairways
A preformed sheet metal enclosure containing a thickness of Styrofoam insulating material designed to slide over existing attic stairway plywood access panels, a self adhesive rubber seal is placed on the back side of the metal enclosure creating a tight seal against the attic stairway frame when in the closed position, this is accomplished with the springs that are part of the attic stairway designed to keep the stairway tightly closed when it is in the up or closed position.[0048]

Claims

What is claimed:

1. The rubber seal prevents air transfer between living areas and attic space.

2. The Styrofoam provides insulation against thermal transfer between the living and attic space.

3. The steel panel provides for containment of the insulation, mounting of the rubber seal and strengthens the plywood access panel preventing warping while sealing and insulating the attic stairway opening thereby reducing air and temperature transfer leading to reduced utility bills and power consumption.