Entryway Ventilation Control Cover

Abstract

A primary cover plate for covering at least part of an entryway. A primary ventilation port included in the primary cover plate for directing airflow through the entryway. A secondary cover plate slidably carried by the primary cover plate so that the secondary cover plate can be extended and retracted to accommodate different entryway size openings. A flexible sheet carried by the primary cover plate and being extendable to cover a portion of the entryway adjacent the primary and secondary cover plates to resist air flow through the entryway.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to ventilation control of a confined space, and more particularly, to a ventilation control cover placed over an entryway that is adjustable to accommodate different size openings of entryways and which still allows ingress and egress through the entryway without having to completely remove the ventilation control cover from the entryway.

2) Description of Related Art

Ventilation of an enclosed space is of particular concern for a variety of industries and has resulted in a plethora of systems and arrangement to control airflow through a given space. In the home construction field, being able to adequately ventilate and control the flow of air through a confined attic space or crawlspace is critical to the health and safety of the workmen, as well as the homeowner. For example, when installing blown insulation in an attic, the temperature in the attic may be well over 120° F. At such temperatures, without supplemental ventilation the workmen only have minutes to work on installing the insulation before they are forced to exit the space and cool down. A few other examples of situations that typically require ventilation during the project include HVAC service and installation, painting, and spray foam insulation. These type of projects can additionally create off gassing issues and dust problems that pose health hazards to persons and animals in the area, which must be controlled. By ventilating the space, be it an attic, crawlspace, or other generic confined space such as an interior room, the workmen can complete the task more efficiently and in a safer manner.

An issue with trying to ventilate a space such as a crawlspace or attic is the installation of an appropriate airflow control system. Traditionally, a blower unit with a ventilation hose is attached to an available exterior vent. This can be problematic as the exterior of the structure is not adapted to receive the ventilation hose, which leads to problems in establishing a sufficient airflow to circulate new air into the space.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a ventilation control cover adapted to be placed over an entryway to a confined space that is adapted for receiving a ventilation hose connected to a blower unit.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a ventilation control cover that is easily installed in the entryway and can be quickly removed.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a ventilation control cover that maintains access through the entryway while the ventilation cover is in place.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a ventilation control cover that is adjustable to accommodate different size openings of entryways.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The above objectives are accomplished according to the present invention by providing an entryway ventilation control cover comprising a primary cover plate for positioning over at least part of an entryway; a primary ventilation port included in the primary cover plate for directing airflow through the entryway, wherein the primary ventilation port includes a ventilation hose connector adapted for receiving a ventilation hose to draw air through the primary ventilation port; a first side securing plate extending generally perpendicular to the primary cover plate for being secured to a first framing member defining a portion of the entryway; a secondary cover plate slidably carried by the primary cover plate so that the secondary cover plate can be extended and retracted to accommodate different entryway size openings; a second side securing plate extending generally perpendicular to the secondary cover plate for being secured to a second framing member defining a portion of the entryway; and, a flexible sheet carried by the primary cover plate and being extendable to cover a portion of the entryway adjacent the primary and secondary cover plates to resist air flow through the entryway.

In a further advantageous embodiment, at least one releasable connector is provided for securing the flexible sheet to the primary cover plate.

In a further advantageous embodiment, at least one secondary port is disposed in the primary cover plate, wherein the secondary port includes a removable port cover to resist airflow through the secondary port when not in use.

In a further advantageous embodiment, an electrical outlet is carried by the primary cover plate for providing power to electrical equipment through the entryway.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the ventilation hose connector includes a connecting collar disposed on a bottom side of the primary cover plate adapted for receiving a ventilation hose.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the ventilation hose connector includes a tapered upper collar interconnecting the connecting collar to the bottom side of the primary cover plate for funneling air from the primary ventilation port through the connecting collar.

In a further advantageous embodiment, opposing channels are disposed generally at opposite edges on a bottom side of the primary cover plate receiving the secondary cover plate in sliding engagement.

In a further advantageous embodiment, a light unit is carried by the primary cover plate for illuminating areas adjacent the ventilation control cover.

In a further advantageous embodiment, the flexible sheet includes a series of releasable connectors carried on a bottom side of the flexible sheet for cooperating with a complementary releasable connector mounted to framing members defining the entryway.

The above objectives are further accomplished according to the present invention through a system for controlling airflow through an entryway, the system comprising a primary cover plate for covering at least part of an entryway; a primary ventilation port included in the primary cover plate for directing airflow through the entryway; a ventilation hose connector disposed in the primary ventilation port; a secondary cover plate slidably carried by the primary cover plate so that the secondary cover plate can be extended and retracted to accommodate different entryway size openings; a flexible sheet carried by the primary cover plate and being extendable to cover a portion of the entryway adjacent the primary and secondary cover plates to resist air flow through the entryway; a ventilation hose releaseably secured to the ventilation hose connector; and, a blower unit connected to the ventilation hose moving air through the primary ventilation port and the ventilation hose for controlling airflow through the entryway to ventilate the area entered through the entryway.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The construction designed to carry out the invention will hereinafter be described, together with other features thereof. The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a house with an entryway disposed in a ceiling for gaining entry to an attic space and the ventilation control system of the present invention directing airflow through said entryway;

FIG. 2A shows a top perspective view of the ventilation control cover mounted to frame members defining the entryway according to the present invention;

FIG. 2B shows a bottom perspective view of the ventilation control cover mounted to frame members defining the entryway according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows an end view of the entryway ventilation control cover mounted to frame members of the entryway according to the present invention;

FIG. 4A shows a top view of the ventilation control cover with the telescoping support arms in an extended position according to the present invention;

FIG. 4B shows a top view of the ventilation control cover with the telescoping support arms in retracted position according to the present invention; and,

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the ventilation control cover according to the present invention.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that one or more aspects of this invention can meet certain objectives, while one or more other aspects can meet certain other objectives. Each objective may not apply equally, in all its respects, to every aspect of this invention. As such, the preceding objects can be viewed in the alternative with respect to any one aspect of this invention. These and other objects and features of the invention will become more fully apparent when the following detailed description is read in conjunction with the accompanying figures and examples. However, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the invention and the following detailed description are of a preferred embodiment and not restrictive of the invention or other alternate embodiments of the invention. In particular, while the invention is described herein with reference to a number of specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that the description is illustrative of the invention and is not constructed as limiting of the invention. Various modifications and applications may occur to those who are skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the drawings, the invention will now be described in more detail. Referring to FIG. 1, an entryway ventilation control cover, designated generally as 10, is illustrated being positioned over the entryway 12 to an attic space 16 for a building or house 14 to control airflow through the attic space 16. The ventilation control cover 10 includes a primary ventilation port 22 that is adapted for releasably connecting to a ventilation hose 18 that extends to a blower unit 20. Blower unit 20 can draw air through ventilation hose 18 and may include various filters for scrubbing the air to release clean area back into the environment. Accordingly, the attic air flows in direction H though primary ventilation port 22 of ventilation control cover 10, along ventilation hose 18 and is then exhausted out blower unit 20 at a remote location. In the illustrated embodiment, as the existing air in the attic space is drawn out, fresh air is drawn into attic space 16 and flows in direction C through air ducts along the edge of the roof. In order to establish this airflow pattern, ventilation control cover 10 effectively seals off the rest of entryway 12, as detailed herein below. Otherwise, air would simply be drawn up through entryway 12 and then immediately down through ventilation hose 18 such that insufficient suction would be formed to draw fresh air inward from the perimeter roof vents. This arrangement of FIG. 1 is for illustrative purposes only, as the entryway ventilation control cover 10 can be used on any number of entryways, for example, a crawlspace entryway at the foundation of the home, or even in a regular doorway. For interior rooms and spaces, the ventilation control cover 10 can be mounted vertically to a door frame. A blower unit 20 may be positioned in an adjacent interior room with a ventilation hose 18 directing air from the ventilation control cover 10 to blower unit 20. Blower unit 20 may be adapted to filter out hazards materials and gasses from the airflow, and then exhaust the air through an exhaust hose from the blower unit 20 to an exterior window of the building or home. Accordingly, there are many uses and environments in which the present invention can be utilized and the illustrated embodiment is provided as a single possible example of use.

Referring to FIGS. 2A-4A, ventilation control cover 10 comprising a primary cover plate 24 for positioning over at least part of entryway 12. A primary ventilation port 22 is included in primary cover plate 24 for directing airflow through entryway 12. The primary ventilation port 22 includes a ventilation hose connector, designated generally as 26, adapted for receiving ventilation hose 18 (FIG. 1) to draw air through primary ventilation port 22. In the illustrated embodiment, ventilation hose connector 26 includes a tapered upper collar 28 disposed on a bottom side 32 of primary cover plate 24. Ventilation hose connector 26 further includes a connecting collar 30 carried at the end of tapered upper collar 28. Tapered upper collar 28 funnels air down through the square opening at the top of primary ventilation port 22 to the rounded connecting collar 30 in the illustrated embodiment. Connecting collar 30 is adapted for receiving a circular ventilation hose 18. The square-to-round arrangement provides the most efficient use of the available space while maintaining the ease of connected to the round ventilation hoses common to the industry. However, connecting collar 30 may be provided in a square or other shape to accommodate any given hose fitting.

A first side securing plate 34 extends generally perpendicular to primary cover plate 24 for being engaging and being secured to a first framing member 36 defining a portion of entryway 12. A removable securing member, for example screw 38, may be used to securely fasten first side securing plate 34 to first framing member 36. Together, primary cover plate 24 and first side securing plate 34 form an L-shaped bracket arrangement for mounting to first framing member 36.

A secondary cover plate 40 is slidably carried by primary cover plate 24 so that secondary cover plate 40 can be extended and retracted to accommodate different entryway size openings. Referring to FIG. 5, in the illustrated embodiment, opposing channels 42a and 42b are disposed generally at opposite edges along bottom side 32 of primary cover plate 24. Channels 42a and 42b receive secondary cover plate 40 in sliding engagement to interconnect the two plates.

Referring to FIGS. 2A-2B, 3 and 5, a second side securing plate 44 extends generally perpendicular to secondary cover plate 40 for engaging and being secured to a second framing member 46 defining a portion of entryway 12. A removable securing member, for example screw 38, may be used to securely fasten second side securing plate 44 to second framing member 46. Together, secondary cover plate 40 and second securing plate 44 form an L-shaped bracket arrangement for mounting to second framing member 46. Accordingly, primary and secondary cover plates 24 and 40 span the opening of entryway 12 and are secured to the surrounding framing members by first and second side plates 34 and 44 to hold ventilation control cover 10 in place over entryway 12. By using screws 38 to secure the side plates to the framing members, the ventilation control cover 10 can be quickly installed or removed over entryway 12.

A flexible sheet 52 is carried by primary cover plate 24 and is extendable to cover a portion of entryway 12 adjacent the primary and secondary cover plates 24, 40 to resist air flow through entryway 12. Flexible sheet 52 may, for example, be a plastic sheet, a rubberized fabric, a canvas material or the like. Referring to FIG. 4A, flexible sheet 52 is shown in an extended position over entryway 12 to generally seal off the portion of entryway 12 not covered by primary cover plate 24 and secondary cover plate 40. Referring to FIG. 4B, flexible sheet 52 is shown in a retracted position allowing passage through entryway 12 without having to remove primary and secondary cover plates 24 and 40.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, at least one releasable connector 54 is provided for securing flexible sheet 52 to primary cover plate 24. In the illustrated embodiment, a series of releasable connectors 54 are provided that secure flexible sheet 52 to each of framing members 36 and 46, as well as to primary and secondary cover plates 24 and 40 to help seal off entryway 12. In a preferred embodiment, releasable connectors 54 comprise one portion of hook and loop connectors carried on the framing members and cover plates, with the complementary portion 56 carried on the bottom side of flexible sheet 52. This arrangement provides a reliable connection between the flexible sheet, the framing members and the cover plates. Further, by using releasable connectors 54, 56 in the event of an emergency, flexible sheet 52 can be quickly removed to pass through entryway 12. As shown in FIG. 2A, as an alternative or in combination with releasable connectors 54, a sandbag 63 may be used to hold flexible sheet 52 in place on the framing members of the entryway.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, in the illustrated embodiment, an arrangement of secondary ports 58a-58d are provided in primary cover plate 24. These are provided to allow various equipment hoses, cables and cords through the ventilation control cover while generally maintaining the seal over entryway 12 and the desired airflow through primary ventilation port 22. When not in use, however, secondary ports 58a-58d each include a removable port cover, designated generally as 60, to resist airflow through secondary port 58a-58d. In an alternative embodiment, the removable port covers may be replaced with an integrated flexible gate 61 with a plurality of segment panels that allow items to be pushed through the secondary ports 58a-58d while resisting excessive airflow through the ports both during and when not in use.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, in a preferred embodiment, an electrical outlet 64 is carried by primary cover plate 24 for providing power to electrical equipment through entryway 12. An power cord is plugged into the opposite bottom side electrical outlet 64 to provide power to the unit. Accordingly, various electrical equipment can be plugged into electrical outlet 64 to provide power, regardless of a lack of any power outlets in the project area.

Referring to FIG. 2A, in a further embodiment, a light unit 62 is also carried by primary cover plate 24 for illuminating areas adjacent the ventilation control cover. Preferably, light unit 62 is a battery powered unit so that in the event of a power outage or other emergency in the project area, the light will be visible to direct persons to the entryway cover to exit the space.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. An entryway ventilation control cover comprising:

a primary cover plate for positioning over at least part of an entryway;

a primary ventilation port included in said primary cover plate for directing airflow through said entryway, wherein said primary ventilation port includes a ventilation hose connector adapted for receiving a ventilation hose to draw air through said primary ventilation port;

a first side securing plate extending generally perpendicular to said primary cover plate for being secured to a first framing member defining a portion of said entryway;

a secondary cover plate slidably carried by said primary cover plate so that said secondary cover plate can be extended and retracted to accommodate different entryway size openings;

a second side securing plate extending generally perpendicular to said secondary cover plate for being secured to a second framing member defining a portion of said entryway; and,

a flexible sheet carried by said primary cover plate and being extendable to cover a portion of said entryway adjacent said primary and secondary cover plates to resist air flow through said entryway.

2. The ventilation control cover of claim 1 including at least one releasable connector securing said flexible sheet to said primary cover plate.

3. The ventilation control cover of claim 1 including at least one secondary port disposed in said primary cover plate, wherein said secondary port includes a removable port cover to resist airflow through said secondary port when not in use.

4. The ventilation control cover of claim 1 including an electrical outlet carried by said primary cover plate for providing power to electrical equipment through said entryway.

5. The ventilation control cover of claim 1 wherein said ventilation hose connector includes a connecting collar disposed on a bottom side of said primary cover plate adapted for receiving a ventilation hose.

6. The ventilation control cover of claim 5 wherein said ventilation hose connector includes a tapered upper collar interconnecting said connecting collar to said bottom side of said primary cover plate for funneling air from said primary ventilation port through said connecting collar.

7. The ventilation control cover of claim 1 including opposing channels disposed generally at opposite edges on a bottom side of said primary cover plate receiving said secondary cover plate in sliding engagement.

8. The ventilation control cover of claim 1 including a light unit carried by said primary cover plate for illuminating areas adjacent said ventilation control cover.

9. The ventilation control cover of claim 1 wherein said flexible sheet includes a series of releasable connectors carried on a bottom side of said flexible sheet for cooperating with a complementary releasable connector mounted to framing members defining said entryway.

10. An entryway ventilation control cover comprising:

a primary cover plate for covering at least part of an entryway;

a primary ventilation port included in said primary cover plate for directing airflow through said entryway;

a secondary cover plate slidably carried by said primary cover plate so that said secondary cover plate can be extended and retracted to accommodate different entryway size openings; and,

at least one secondary port disposed in said primary cover plate, wherein said secondary port includes a removable port cover to resist airflow through said secondary port when not in use.

11. The ventilation control cover of claim 10 including a flexible sheet carried by said primary cover plate and being extendable to cover a portion of said entryway adjacent said primary and secondary cover plates to resist air flow through said entryway.

12. The ventilation control cover of claim 10 wherein said primary ventilation port includes a ventilation hose connector adapted for receiving a ventilation hose to draw air through said primary ventilation port.

13. The ventilation control cover of claim 10 including a first side securing plate extending generally perpendicular to said primary cover plate for being secured to a first framing member defining a portion of said entryway.

14. The ventilation control cover of claim 13 including a second side securing plate extending generally perpendicular to said secondary cover plate for being secured to a second framing member defining a portion of said entryway.

15. The ventilation control cover of claim 10 including an electrical outlet carried by said primary cover plate for providing power to electrical equipment through said entryway.

16. The ventilation control cover of claim 10 including a light unit carried by said primary cover plate for illuminating areas adjacent said ventilation control cover.

17. The ventilation control cover of claim 10 wherein said ventilation hose connector includes a connecting collar disposed on a bottom side of said primary cover plate.

18. The ventilation control cover of claim 17 wherein said ventilation hose connector includes a tapered upper collar interconnecting said connecting collar to said bottom side of said primary cover plate for funneling air from said primary ventilation port through said connecting collar.

19. The ventilation control cover of claim 10 including opposing channels disposed generally at opposite edges on a bottom side of said primary cover plate receiving said secondary cover plate in sliding engagement.

20. A system for controlling airflow through an entryway, said system comprising:

a primary cover plate for covering at least part of an entryway;

a primary ventilation port included in said primary cover plate for directing airflow through said entryway;

a ventilation hose connector disposed in said primary ventilation port;

a secondary cover plate slidably carried by said primary cover plate so that said secondary cover plate can be extended and retracted to accommodate different entryway size openings;

a flexible sheet carried by said primary cover plate and being extendable to cover a portion of said entryway adjacent said primary and secondary cover plates to resist air flow through said entryway;

a ventilation hose releaseably secured to said ventilation hose connector; and,

a blower unit connected to said ventilation hose moving air through said primary ventilation port and said ventilation hose for controlling airflow through said entryway to ventilate the area entered through said entryway.