Cooling unit cover

Abstract

The invention discloses an aesthetically pleasing, low cost cover for covering and a method for covering a cooler/air conditioning unit for preventing heat loss and blocking cold air from entering a home. The cover comprises an impermeable sheet capable of covering a cooler/air conditioning unit. The impermeable sheet has a first surface, a second surface and an edge extending about the perimeter of the sheet. The first surface of the sheet is capable of being positioned adjacent to a front surface of the cooler/air conditioning unit. A decorative surface is either printed on the second surface of the impermeable sheet or is a separate decorative sheet, which is secured to the second surface of the impermeable sheet. A securing system is provided for securing the edge of the impermeable sheet about the unit to prevent the escape of hot air and the entrance of cold air through the unit.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to a cooling unit cover, and, more particularly, for an aesthetically pleasing cover for a cooling unit for preventing the flow of cold air through the unit during the winter months.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A home cooling unit such as an air conditioner or water cooling unit can provide a home with welcome relief from the heat during the summer months. These units are typically mounted in a window or the wall of the house. Unfortunately, during the winter months, cold air can flow into the house through vents in the cooling unit, significantly increasing the homeowner's heating bill. In order to eliminate this increase in the heating bill, the homeowner often removes the unit from the window or wall and stores it during the winter months. This removal can be difficult, because the units are often heavy and bulky. Also, one may not have sufficient storage space for storing the unit. In order to eliminate the need for removing the unit, homeowners will sometimes cover the unit openings with plastic or cardboard. This can be unsightly and a good seal is often difficult to accomplish, allowing the cold air to still seep into the house.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,061,981 to Nieves and U.S. Pat. No. 4,389,827 to Van Valkenburg show box shaped front covers for air conditioning units. These devices have a predetermined size and thus cannot be used on all types and/or sizes of cooling units. U.S. Pat. No. 4,019,556 to Sleger and U.S. Pat. No. 4,170,880 to Lou show back covering devices that may be used to cover the back surface of the air conditioning unit and prevent the flow of cold air into the home. These devices can be difficult to install and can be subjected to severe weather, causing them to become torn and broken away from the back of the air conditioning unit.

There is a need in the art for an aesthetically pleasing cover that may be easily installed over a cooling unit. There is also a need in the art for a low-cost cover that can fit cooling units of varying sizes and shapes.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a cover and a method of covering a front surface of a cooler/air conditioning unit to prevent the escape of warm air from a home to the outside.

It is another object of the invention to provide a cover and a method of covering a front surface of a cooler/air conditioning unit to prevent the entrance of cold air from the outside entering into a heated house.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a cover and a method of covering a cooler/air conditioning unit which is easy to install and provides an aesthetically pleasing cover that can revolve around any theme and can be designed to match any decor.

It is still yet another object of the invention to provide a cover and a method of covering a cooler/air conditioning unit that is inexpensive and can be designed to fit a variety of sized and shaped units.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the invention which have been described in some specific detail above it should be noted that various other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing Figures and with the appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, and in accordance with the forgoing objectives, the invention comprises a cover for covering and a method for covering a cooler/air conditioning unit for preventing heat loss and blocking cold air from entering a home. The cover comprises an impermeable sheet having a predetermined size and shape capable of covering a cooler/air conditioning unit. The impermeable sheet has a first surface, a second surface, and an edge extending about the perimeter of the sheet. The first surface of the sheet is capable of being positioned adjacent to a front surface of the cooler/air conditioning unit. A decorative surface is either printed on the second surface of the impermeable sheet or is a separate decorative sheet, which is secured to the second surface of the impermeable sheet. Means are provided for securing the edge of the impermeable sheet about the cooler/air conditioning unit to prevent the escape of hot air and the entrance of cold air through the unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a front view of an uncovered cooler/air conditioning unit, which may be covered with the cover of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows the cover of the invention positioned over the front face of a cooler/air conditioning unit including a securing means for securing the cover over the cooler/air conditioning unit.

FIG. 3 shows a cover of the invention including an alternative securing means for securing the cover over the cooler/air conditioning unit.

FIG. 4 shows a cover of the invention including yet another alternative securing means for securing the cover over the cooler/air conditioning unit.

FIG. 5 shows the covered unit located within a room and decorated to match the decor of the room.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Prior to proceeding to a more detailed description of the invention, it should be noted that identical components having identical functions have been designated with identical reference numerals for the sake of clarity.

Referring now to the Figures, there is shown a cover, generally illustrated as 10, for covering a cooler/air conditioning unit 12, as shown in FIG. 1, for preventing heat loss and blocking cold air from entering a home. The cover comprises an impermeable sheet 14 having a predetermined size and shape capable of covering such cooler/air conditioning unit 12. The impermeable sheet 14 has a first surface 16, a second surface 18, and an edge 20 extending about the perimeter of the sheet 14. The first surface 16 is capable of being positioned adjacent to a front surface 22 of the cooler/air conditioning unit 12. The impermeable sheet may be formed from any well known material, such as vinyl or any other material that is capable of blocking the flow of air through the unit 12.

A decorative surface is either printed on the surface of the impermeable sheet 14 or comprises a decorative cloth material 24 secured to the second surface 18 of the impermeable sheet 14. The decorative cloth material 24 can be secured to the impermeable sheet 14 by any well known means such as adhesive, sewing, fusing, and the like.

Means are provided for securing the edge 20 of the impermeable sheet 14 about the cooler/air conditioning unit 12 to prevent the escape of hot air and the entrance of cold air through the unit 12.

The means for securing the edge 20 of the sheet can comprise a variety of well known securing means. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, this securing means can comprises an elastic member 26 attached to and/or sewn within at least a portion of the edge of the impermeable sheet 14. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, this securing means can comprises a drawstring member 28 extending through at least a portion of the edge 20 of the impermeable sheet 14. Yet another means for securing the cover 10 over the front surface of the cooler/air conditioning unit 12, as shown in FIG. 4, can comprise one of an adhesive material, a series of hook and loop fasteners, and/or a series of clips 29 attachable onto at least a portion of the edge 20 of the impermeable sheet 14.

The cover 10 of the invention can also include adjusting means for adjusting the predetermined size and shape of the impermeable sheet 14 to fit the cooler/air conditioning unit 12. This adjusting means 30 can comprises one of a drawstring, hook and loop strap members, or any other well known means for adjusting the size of the cover 10 to fit about the cooler/air conditioning unit 12.

As shown in the Figures, the decorative surface 24 of the cover 10 can comprise a variety of themes such as a sports theme, a character theme, a nature theme, a holiday theme, and/or a theme complimentary to the decor of such home, such as shown in FIG. 5. Due to the low cost of this cover 10 and the ease of replacement onto the unit 12, a variety of covers can be purchased and used throughout the cold weather season to fit any desired decorative theme.

The present invention is also directed to a method for covering a cooler/air conditioning unit 12 with a cover, generally illustrated as 10, for preventing heat loss and blocking cold air from entering a home. The method comprises the steps of providing an impermeable sheet 14 having a predetermined size and shape capable of covering the cooler/air conditioning unit 12. The impermeable sheet has a first surface 16, a second surface 18 and an edge 20 extending about the perimeter of the sheet 14. The first surface 16 is capable of being positioned adjacent to a front surface 22 of the cooler/air conditioning unit 12. The next step of the invention comprises providing a decorative surface either printed on the second surface 18 of the impermeable sheet 14 or providing a decorative cloth material 24 secured to the second surface of the impermeable sheet 14. As stated above, this cloth material 24 can be secured to the impermeable sheet 14 by any well known method.

The method further comprises placing the first surface 16 of the impermeable sheet adjacent to the front surface 22 of the cooler/air conditioning unit 12 and securing the edge 20 of the impermeable sheet about the cooler/air conditioning unit 12 to prevent the escape of hot air and the entrance of cold air through the unit 12.

The invention has been described in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms so as to enable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same. It should be understood that variations, modifications, equivalents and substitutions for components of the specifically described embodiments of the invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. Persons who possess such skill will also recognize that the foregoing description is merely illustrative and not intended to limit any of the ensuing claims to any particular narrow interpretation.

Claims

1. A cover for covering a cooler/air conditioning unit for preventing heat loss and blocking cold air from entering a home, said cover comprising:

(a) an impermeable sheet having a predetermined size and shape capable of covering such cooler/air conditioning unit, said impermeable sheet having a first surface, a second surface and an edge extending about the perimeter of said sheet, said first surface capable of being positioned adjacent to a front surface of such cooler/air conditioning unit;

(b) a decorative surface one of printed on said second surface of said impermeable sheet and secured to said second surface of said impermeable sheet; and

(c) means for securing said edge of said impermeable sheet about such cooler/air conditioning unit to prevent the escape of hot air and the entrance of cold air through such unit.

2. A cover as recited in claim 1 wherein said impermeable sheet is formed from a vinyl material.

3. A cover as recited in claim 1 wherein said decorative surface is formed from a decorative cloth material secured to said second surface of said impermeable sheet.

4. A cover as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for securing said edge comprises an elastic member attached to at least a portion of said edge of said impermeable sheet.

5. A cover as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for securing said edge comprises a drawstring member extending through at least a portion of said edge of said impermeable sheet.

6. A cover as recited in claim 1 wherein said means for securing said edge comprises one of an adhesive material, a series of hook and loop fasteners, and a series of clips attachable onto at least a portion of said edge of said impermeable sheet.

7. A cover as recited in claim 1 wherein said decorative surface comprises one of a sports theme, a character theme, a nature theme, a holiday theme, and a theme complimentary to the decor of such home.

8. A cover as recited in claim 1 including adjusting means for adjusting said predetermined size and shape of said impermeable sheet to fit such cooler/air conditioning unit.

9. A cover as recited in claim 8 wherein said adjusting means comprises one of a drawstring and hook and loop strap members.

10. A method for covering a cooler/air conditioning unit for preventing heat loss and blocking cold air from entering a home, said method comprising:

(a) providing an impermeable sheet having a predetermined size and shape capable of covering such cooler/air conditioning unit, said impermeable sheet having a first surface, a second surface and an edge extending about the perimeter of said sheet, said first surface capable of being positioned adjacent to a front surface of such cooler/air conditioning unit;

(b) providing a decorative surface one of printed on said second surface of said impermeable sheet and secured to said second surface of said impermeable sheet;

(c) placing said first side of said impermeable sheet adjacent to such front surface of such cooler/air conditioning unit; and

(d) securing said edge of said impermeable sheet about such cooler/air conditioning unit to prevent the escape of hot air and the entrance of cold air through such unit.

11. A method as recited in claim 10 wherein the step of providing said impermeable sheet comprises forming said impermeable sheet from a vinyl material.

12. A method as recited in claim 10 wherein said step of providing a decorative surface on said second surface of said impermeable sheet comprises securing a decorative cloth material to said second surface of said impermeable sheet.

13. A method as recited in claim 10 wherein said step of securing said edge comprises attaching an elastic member to at least a portion of said edge of said impermeable sheet.

14. A method as recited in claim 10 wherein said step of securing said edge comprises providing a drawstring member such that it extends through at least a portion of said edge of said impermeable sheet.

15. A method as recited in claim 10 wherein said step for securing said edge comprises providing one of an adhesive material, a series of hook and loop fasteners, and a series of clips attachable onto at least a portion of said edge of said impermeable sheet.

16. A method as recited in claim 10 wherein said step of providing a decorative surface comprises providing a surface surrounding one of a sports theme, a character theme, a nature theme, a holiday theme, and a theme complimentary to the decor of such home.

17. A method as recited in claim 10 including the step of providing an adjusting means for adjusting said predetermined size and shape of said impermeable sheet to fit such cooler/air conditioning unit.

18. A method as recited in claim 17 wherein said adjusting means comprises one of a drawstring and hook and loop strap members.