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Abstract

A device is disclosed which provides a skirting system for preventing the entry of pests, including insects and rodents, to the inner area/parts of air conditioners. Further, methods of using the device/system are also disclosed.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention is in the field of devices for excluding pests from voids created between surfaces of a device and the surfaces upon which the device rests.

2. Background Information

Typically air conditioners, whether indoor or out, do not provide for any means to exclude infestation of pest, which can gain entry through the bottom surface on which the air conditioner sits. In general, the tolerance of fitted parts is the only means to exclude such pests from entering such devices from ground level. As a result, pests, including rodents and insects, gain entry through separations created by such fittings, thereby obtaining access to, inter alia, the inner workings of air conditioner.

Disclosed herein is a skirting system which provides a barrier for the external surfaces of the air conditioner by blocking the void created between the external surfaces of the air conditioner and any surface upon which it sits. The system provides a physical barrier, where pests cannot gain access to the inner working of the air conditioner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a skirting system for preventing the entry of pests, including insects and rodents, to the inner area/parts of air conditioners.

In one embodiment, a device is disclosed including a first regular planar surface, where said first regular planar surface comprises first inner surfaces which delimit an open space, at least two second regular planar surfaces, where said at least two second regular planar surfaces are perpendicular and operably coupled to length delimiting ends of said first regular planar surface, and a first flat surface-area matrix operably coupled to said first planar surface, where said matrix occupies the open space created by the inner surfaces of said first planar surface, and which flat surface-area extends at right angles away from parallel second inner surfaces comprising said at least two second regular planar surfaces along a length of said first regular planar surface, where one or more top-surfaces of said first and said at least two second regular planar surfaces are adapted to be releasably coupled to one or more third surfaces which delimit one or more ends of a separate device, where said ends of said separate device create a void between an opposing fourth surface and said ends of said separate device, and wherein one or more bottom-surfaces of said first and said at least two second regular planar surfaces are adapted to contact said fourth opposing surface to cause said void to be inaccessible.

In another embodiment, a device is disclosed including conformable surfaces, where said conformable surfaces are adapted to be releasably coupled to one or more second surfaces of a separate device, wherein said second surfaces create a void between a third surface and said second surfaces of the separate device, and where one or more bottom surfaces of conformable surfaces are adapted to contact said third surface, whereby said contact causes the void to be inaccessible.

In still another embodiment, a method of excluding a pest from entering or escaping from a void created between an outer surface of a first device and a first surface upon which the first device rests is disclosed including releasably coupling a second device where the second device includes a first regular planar surface, where said first regular planar surface comprises first inner surfaces which delimit an open space, at least two second regular planar surfaces, where said at least two second regular planar surfaces are perpendicular and operably coupled to length delimiting ends of said first regular planar surface, and a first flat surface-area matrix operably coupled to said first planar surface, where said matrix occupies the open space created by the inner surfaces of said first planar surface, and which flat surface-area extends at right angles away from parallel second inner surfaces comprising said at least two second regular planar surfaces along a length of said first regular planar surface, where one or more top-surfaces of said first and said at least two second regular planar surfaces are adapted to be releasably coupled to one or more third surfaces which delimit one or more ends of said first device, where said ends of said first device create a void between an opposing fourth surface and said ends of said first device, and where one or more bottom-surfaces of said first and said at least two second regular planar surfaces are adapted to contact said fourth opposing surface to cause said void to be inaccessible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an isometric view of the skirt.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of one edge of the skirt.

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the skirt in relation to an indoor air conditioning unit.

FIG. 4 shows a skirt comprising conformable surfaces releasably attached to an indoor air conditioning unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Before the present composition, methods, and treatment methodology are described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular compositions, methods, and experimental conditions described, as such compositions, methods, and conditions may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for purposes of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention will be limited only in the appended claims.

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, references to “the method” includes one or more methods, and/or steps of the type described herein which will become apparent to those persons skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure and so forth.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring now more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown the skirt 10 having a first regular planar surface 103, wherein said first regular planar surface comprises first inner surfaces which delimit an open space 105. The figure further shows two second regular planar surfaces 102, where the at least two second regular planar surfaces 102 are perpendicular and operably coupled to length delimiting ends of said first regular planar surface 103. Also shown is a first flat surface-area matrix 101 operably coupled to said first planar surface 103.

Referring now to FIG. 2, which shows one of the two second regular planar surfaces 102 and releasable coupling which allows the first regular planar surface 103 to interface with the second regular planar surfaces 102. Further, the figure shows the coupling 104, which may be provided by magnetic interaction or mechanical fixing. In one aspect, the mechanical fixing 104 includes, but is not limited to fasteners, screws, Velcro, interlocking appendages or grooves, and a combination thereof.

In another aspect, matrix 101 includes, but is not limited to metal mesh, plastic mesh, and a combination thereof.

Referring to FIG. 3, one or more top-surfaces of said first 103 and said at least two second regular planar surfaces 102 are adapted to be releasably coupled to one or more third surfaces 106 which delimit one or more ends of a separate device 20, where said ends of said separate device 106 create a void between an opposing fourth surface and said ends of said separate device, and wherein one or more bottom-surfaces of said first 103 and said at least two second regular planar surfaces 102 are adapted to contact said fourth opposing surface to cause said void to be inaccessible.

Many variations are contemplated and, referring to FIG. 4, include a skirt 30 which includes all conformable surfaces 302, where said conformable surfaces 302 are adapted to be releasably coupled 301 to one or more second surfaces of a separate device 20, where said second surfaces create a void between a third surface and said second surfaces of the separate device 20, and wherein one or more bottom surfaces of conformable surfaces 303 are adapted to contact said third surface, whereby said contact causes the void to be inaccessible.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

i) a first regular planar surface, wherein said first regular planar surface comprises first inner surfaces which delimit an open space;

ii) at least two second regular planar surfaces, wherein said at least two second regular planar surfaces are perpendicular and operably coupled to length delimiting ends of said first regular planar surface; and

iii) a first flat surface-area matrix operably coupled to said first planar surface, wherein said matrix occupies the open space created by the inner surfaces of said first planar surface, and which flat surface-area extends at right angles away from parallel second inner surfaces comprising said at least two second regular planar surfaces along a length of said first regular planar surface,

wherein one or more top-surfaces of said first and said at least two second regular planar surfaces are adapted to be releasably coupled to one or more third surfaces which delimit one or more ends of a separate device, wherein said ends of said separate device create a void between an opposing fourth surface and said ends of said separate device, and wherein one or more bottom-surfaces of said first and said at least two second regular planar surfaces are adapted to contact said fourth opposing surface to cause said void to be inaccessible.

2. A device comprising conformable surfaces, wherein said conformable surfaces are adapted to be releasably coupled to one or more second surfaces of a separate device, wherein said second surfaces create a void between a third surface and said second surfaces of the separate device, and wherein one or more bottom surfaces of conformable surfaces are adapted to contact said third surface, whereby said contact causes the void to be inaccessible.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said at least two second regular planar surfaces are releasably coupled to said first regular planar surface.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein said coupling may be provided by magnetic interaction or mechanical fixing.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein said mechanical fixing is selected from the group consisting of fasteners, screws, Velcro, interlocking appendages or grooves, and a combination thereof.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein said matrix is selected from the group consisting of metal mesh, plastic mesh, and a combination thereof.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein said first and second regular planar surfaces are rectangular, and wherein said at least two second regular planar surfaces are shorter on their longest edges than the longest edge of said first regular planar surface.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein said at least two second regular planar surfaces comprise uncoupled distal ends, wherein the uncoupled distal ends of said at least two second regular planar surfaces are adapted to be operably coupled to a fifth surface which directly adjoins a delimiting surface of the separate device, which fifth surface is parallel to said flat surface-area of said matrix.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein said bottoms of said regular planar surface are adapted to contact said fourth opposing surface by adjusting one or more widths of said first and/or said at least two second regular planar surfaces to fit tightly against the fourth opposing surface.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein said separate device is an air conditioner.

11. A method of excluding a pest from entering or escaping from a void created between an outer surface of a first device and a first surface upon which the first device rests comprising releasably coupling a second device wherein the second device comprises:

i) a first regular planar surface, wherein said first regular planar surface comprises first inner surfaces which delimit an open space;

ii) at least two second regular planar surfaces, wherein said at least two second regular planar surfaces are perpendicular and operably coupled to length delimiting ends of said first regular planar surface; and

iii) a first flat surface-area matrix operably coupled to said first planar surface, wherein said matrix occupies the open space created by the inner surfaces of said first planar surface, and which flat surface-area extends at right angles away from parallel second inner surfaces comprising said at least two second regular planar surfaces along a length of said first regular planar surface,

wherein one or more top-surfaces of said first and said at least two second regular planar surfaces are adapted to be releasably coupled to one or more third surfaces which delimit one or more ends of said first device, wherein said ends of said first device create a void between an opposing fourth surface and said ends of said first device, and wherein one or more bottom-surfaces of said first and said at least two second regular planar surfaces are adapted to contact said fourth opposing surface to cause said void to be inaccessible.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said at least two second regular planar surfaces are releasably coupled to said first regular planar surface.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said coupling may be provided by magnetic interaction or mechanical fixing.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said mechanical fixing is selected from the group consisting of fasteners, screws, Velcro, interlocking appendages or grooves, and a combination thereof.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein said matrix is selected from the group consisting of metal mesh, plastic mesh, and a combination thereof.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein said first and second regular planar surfaces are rectangular, and wherein said at least two second regular planar surfaces are shorter on their longest edges than the longest edge of said first regular planar surface.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein said at least two second regular planar surfaces comprise uncoupled distal ends, wherein the uncoupled distal ends of said at least two second regular planar surfaces are adapted to be operably coupled to a fifth surface which directly adjoins a delimiting surface of the first device, which fifth surface is parallel to said flat surface-area of said matrix.

18. The device of claim 11, wherein said bottoms of said regular planar surface are adapted to contact said fourth opposing surface by adjusting one or more widths of said first and/or said at least two second regular planar surfaces to fit tightly against the fourth opposing surface.

19. The device of claim 11, wherein said first device is an air conditioner.

20. A method of excluding a pest from entering or escaping from a void created between an outer surface of a first device and a first surface upon which the first device rests comprising releasably coupling a second device wherein the second device comprises conformable surfaces, wherein said conformable surfaces are adapted to be releasably coupled to one or more second surfaces of the first device, wherein said second surfaces create a void between a third surface and said second surfaces of the first device, and wherein one or more bottom surfaces of conformable surfaces are adapted to contact said third surface, whereby said contact causes the void to be inaccessible.