AIR CONDITIONER SHIELD
An air conditioner shield includes a first portion, a second portion slidably nested within the first portion, and a retention device. The first portion includes a foot at a near edge, where the foot elevates the near edge of the first portion above the surface of an air conditioner, and a first far lip at a far edge of the first portion, where the lip forms a track. The second portion includes a second near lip at a near edge of the second portion, where the second near lip elevates the near edge of the second portion above the surface of the air conditioner, and where the first lip fits within the foot of the first portion. The second portion further includes a second far lip at a far edge, where the second far lip fits within the track of the first far lip of the first portion.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to devices for protecting an air conditioner and, in particular, an adjustable shield to cover a window air conditioner.
2. Description of Related Art
Window air conditioners are commonly used throughout the world to provide cooling to a home on an as-needed basis. While these devices may be purchased, installed, and maintained by the resident, they are often very large and heavy, making it inconvenient to remove them once they have been installed. As a result, many window air conditioners are left in place year-round and for very long periods of time.
The nature of a window air conditioner is such that at least two thirds of the device is exposed to the elements. Dust, rain, snow, hail, and other environmental conditions can affect the longevity of the air conditioner and can lead to unsightly buildups of dirt and residue. Furthermore, in urban environments where a single apartment building might have multiple air conditioners belonging to multiple tenants, in windows one above the other, runoff and condensation from air conditioners located higher in the building can fall onto those belonging to lower tenants. This runoff not only increases the amount of dirt and other material that can accumulate on and in the air conditioner, but the impact of the runoff itself can be a nuisance to the tenant.
Furthermore, debris that infiltrates the air conditioner through one of the external vents can come to rest against internal moving components, which in some cases causes a clicking and/or rattling sound during operation. Debris can also break down and decay, providing a place for odor-causing bacteria and fungus to grow.
SUMMARYAn air conditioner shield includes a first shield portion, a second shield portion slidably nested within the first shield portion, and a retention device configured to anchor the first and second shield portion. The first shield portion includes a foot at a proximal edge of the first shield portion, said foot being configured to elevate the proximal edge of the first shield portion above the surface of an air conditioner, and a first distal lip at a distal edge of the first shield portion, said first distal lip being configured to form a track. The second shield portion includes a second proximal lip at a proximal edge of the second shield portion, said second proximal lip being configured to elevate the proximal edge of the second shield portion above the surface of the air conditioner, wherein the second proximal lip is configured to fit within the foot of the first shield portion, and a second distal lip at a distal edge of the second shield portion, said second distal lip being configured to fit within the track of the first distal lip of the first shield portion.
Embodiments of the present invention provide a shield or cover that is placed over a window air conditioner to protect it from environmental conditions and to diffuse the sound of any impact from above. The present embodiments provide an adjustable shield that may be anchored to the air conditioner and the window in multiple ways, providing a secure attachment for a wide variety of air conditioner designs, even in high-wind conditions.
For example, when rain, hail, or dripping condensation from units overhead fall onto the air conditioner, the sound of the impact can reverberate inside and cause a nuisance. The present embodiments furthermore decrease the noise of impact by providing an angled surface that has limited contact with the air conditioner. In addition, this provides protection against larger impacts and dust that may fall on the air conditioner from above due to, for example, a building's façade repairs.
The present embodiments also humanely discourage nesting by birds. Birds and other “nesting” animals tend to seek level services when creating a nest on a manmade surface. The present embodiments include an angled surface that will encourage “nesting” animals to naturally seek another area without the use of spikes or traps.
In addition, the present embodiments may increase the efficiency of window air conditioner units. The present embodiments block sunlight, shading the air conditioner to produce an increase in cooling efficiency. The entirety of the top surface of the unit may be shaded in this way, in addition to at least part of the vertical walls of the air conditioner.
Referring now to the drawings in which like numerals represent the same or similar elements and initially to
As can be seen from
Referring now to
A tether strap 206 is also provided. The tether strap 206 attaches to the shield outside of window 104. The strap 206 is placed between the window 104 and the air conditioner lip 102 when installing the air conditioner 100, such that the window 104 trapping the strap 206 in place when closed onto the air conditioner 100. The strap 206 may be formed from any appropriately flexible and strong material, including a string, ribbon, etc. The strap 206 may further have a bob that is substantially larger than the thickness of the strap 206. The tether strap 206 provides a secure attachment for the shield 200 in the case of high winds or other extreme weather, such that the shield 200 will not fall off or blow away if the other attachment mechanisms are overcome. If an upper lip 102 is not present, the strap 206 will be securely held between the window 104 and the air conditioner's top surface.
It should be understood that the shield 200 may be formed from any appropriate material. For example, it is contemplated that the shield 200 may be formed from plastic, metal, or any other natural or synthetic material. It is specifically contemplated that the shield 200 may be formed with, e.g., rigid, injection-molded plastic.
Referring now to
Although this embodiment is depicted as provided as having a straight, planar surface, it should be understood that other shapes may be used within the scope of the present principles. For example, the larger portion 202 and smaller portion 204 may have a curved surface instead, as long as the curves are selected to maintain a sliding connection between the two. Additionally, although the embodiment of
Referring now to
An attachment point 404 for the tether strap 206 may be a simple post configured to fit within port 402, or it may be threaded to accommodate a locking lug. In the latter case, the tether strap attachment point 404 may accept a washer and nut that will lock the smaller portion 204 to the larger portion 202, preventing the pieces from sliding with respect to one another and allowing for easy installation once a preferred size has been selected.
Referring now to
An optional support foot 306 is formed at respective outer edges of the larger portion 202 and the smaller portion 204. The optional support feet 306 may include any appropriate attachment mechanism or weight to help keep the shield 200 attached to the air conditioner 100. The larger portion 202 may further include a side lip 504 that prevents the smaller portion 204 from sliding past the edge of the larger portion 202 if no optional support foot 306 is included.
The larger portion 202 further includes a lip 304. As shown above, the lip 304 of the larger portion 202 wraps around a corresponding lip 508 of the smaller portion 204 to provide a track that the smaller portion 204 slides within. The smaller portion 204 also includes a lip 506 that rests on the attachment foot 302 of the larger portion 202, providing vertical support to the smaller portion 204. In the present embodiments the lip 506 that rests on the attachment foot 302 is shown as being a simple vertical piece, but it should be understood that the lip 506 may have any appropriate configuration and may include, e.g., a foot similar to the attachment foot 302. The smaller portion 204 may also have an optional support foot 306 of its own, on a side opposite the support foot 306 on the larger portion 202.
Having described preferred embodiments of an air conditioner shield (which are intended to be illustrative and not limiting), it is noted that modifications and variations can be made by persons skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that changes may be made in the particular embodiments disclosed which are within the scope of the invention as outlined by the appended claims. Having thus described aspects of the invention, with the details and particularity required by the patent laws, what is claimed and desired protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.
Claims
1. An air conditioner shield, comprising:
- a first shield portion, comprising: a foot at a proximal edge of the first shield portion, said foot being configured to elevate the proximal edge of the first shield portion above the surface of an air conditioner; and a first distal lip at a distal edge of the first shield portion, said first distal lip being configured to form a track;
- a second shield portion slidably nested within the first shield portion, comprising: a second proximal lip at a proximal edge of the second shield portion, said second proximal lip being configured to elevate the proximal edge of the second shield portion above the surface of the air conditioner, wherein the second proximal lip is configured to fit within the foot of the first shield portion; and a second distal lip at a distal edge of the second shield portion, said second distal lip being configured to fit within the track of the first distal lip of the first shield portion; and
- a retention device configured to anchor the first and second shield portion.
2. The air conditioner shield of claim 1, wherein the retention device is a flexible member comprising a bob at an end distal to the shield.
3. The air conditioner shield of claim 1, wherein the retention device is attached to the second shield portion at an attachment point and passes through a slot in the foot of the first shield portion.
4. The air conditioner shield of claim 4, wherein the attachment point comprises a locking post that, when tightened, clamps the first portion to the second portion.
5. The air conditioner shield of claim 1, wherein the foot at the proximal edge of the first shield portion comprises a means for attaching the foot to the air conditioner.
6. The air conditioner shield of claim 1, wherein the first shield portion and the second shield portion each further comprise a support foot positioned between the proximal edge and the distal edge of the respective shield portion.
7. The air conditioner shield of claim 6, wherein each support foot comprises a means for attaching the support foot to the air conditioner.
8. The air conditioner shield of claim 1, wherein the first shield portion comprises a lip on a side edge configured to block motion of the second shield portion.
9. The air conditioner shield of claim 1, wherein the shield is open on its sides to allow air to pass between the shield and the air conditioner.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 22, 2013
Publication Date: Dec 25, 2014
Inventor: Robert J. Swiderski (Woodside, NY)
Application Number: 13/924,546
International Classification: F24F 13/20 (20060101);