SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR SHIELDING PROPERTY

• US 20100281783A1
• Filed: 05/11/2009
• Published: 11/11/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Armor Shield, Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Armor Shield, Ltd.
• Inventors: Harrington, Patrick
• Application Number:
  US12/463,863
• Publication Number:
  US 20100281783A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 52/2.23
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 9/14 against other dangerous influences, e.g. tornadoes, floods
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/005 Storm panels; hurricane shutters
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 7/2318 by applying over- or under-pressure, e.g. inflatable gasproof doors or windows E06B5/12; for vehicles B60J10/244
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/06 collapsible or foldable, e.g. of the bellows or lazy-tongs type bellows-type doors E06B3/94; roll-type grilles E06B9/18
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 50/00 in human health protection, e.g. against extreme weather
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7837 Direct response valves [i.e., check valve type]

Abstract

A temporary protective system provides for minimizing storm damage to selected framing systems of a structure, such as door or window openings, while also eliminating the permanent installation damage common to such structures when conventional plywood covers, shutters, or metal shielding are installed. The protective system incorporates an inflation system and an attachment or securing system for securing the inflation system relative to the selected framing or structural system without damage. The multiple proposed systems allow a user to install each protective system from a convenient position and to uninstall the system without causing structural damage for later compact storage. An additional rigid shielding member, or a series of rigid shielding members, may be incorporated to provide additional protection.

Claims

1. A protective system for providing a temporary-use protection to an opening in a framing system of a structure, said protective system comprising:

(a) a frame facing backing;

(b) an outward facing shell;

(c) an inflation subsystem including a means for inflating said inflation system;

(d) an attachment subsystem for removably securing said inflation system covering said opening in said framing system during a use, whereby said inflation system may be deflated and removed from said opening following said temporary-use protection; and

(e) a deflation subsystem for reducing pressure on said protective system in the event of contact between said protective system and an external object coming into contact therewith.

2. A protective system according to claim 1, wherein said attachment subsystem further comprises at least one strap member.

3. A protective system, according to claim 1, wherein said inflation subsystem further comprises a sealable air intake valve mounted on said outward facing shell.

4. A protective system, according to claim 1, wherein said deflation subsystem further comprises a sealable air output valve mounted on said outward facing shell.

5. A protective system, according to claim 1, wherein said deflation subsystem further comprises at least one air bleeder valve mounted on said outward facing shell.

6. A protective system, according to claim 1, wherein said deflation subsystem further comprises a plurality of air bleeder valves mounted on said outward facing shell.

7. A protective system, according to claim 6, wherein said plurality of air bleeder valves are evenly distributed about the exterior of said outward facing shell.

8. A protective system according to claim 1, further comprising:

(a) a first inner closed cell foam layer;

(b) a second inner closed cell foam layer of a density less than said first inner open cell foam layer.

9. A protective system, according to claim 1, further comprising:

(a) a first inner open cell foam layer;

(b) a second inner open cell foam layer of a density less than said first inner open cell foam layer.

10. A protective system according to claim 8, wherein:

(a) said first inner closed cell foam layer is fixedly mounted on said frame facing backing; and

(b) said second closed cell foam layer is mounted between said first inner closed cell foam layer and said outward facing shell.

11. A protective system according to claim 9, wherein:

(a) said first inner closed cell foam layer is fixedly mounted on said frame facing backing; and

(b) said first inner closed cell envelops said second closed cell foam layer such that said outward facing shell is in contact with said first inner closed cell foam layer.

12. A protective system according to claim 8, wherein:

(a) said first inner open cell foam layer is fixedly mounted on said frame facing backing; and

(b) said second open cell foam layer is mounted between said first inner open cell foam layer and said outward facing shell.

13. A protective system according to claim 9, wherein:

(a) said first inner open cell foam layer is fixedly mounted on said frame facing backing; and

(b) said first inner open cell envelops said second open cell foam layer such that said outward facing shell is in contact with said first inner open cell foam layer.

14. A protective system according to claim 1, wherein said outward facing shell and said frame facing backing are joined so as to be adaptable to said frame opening.

15. A protective kit, for providing temporary protection to an opening in a framing system of a structure comprising:

(a) inflatable means for providing a repositionably sectured temporary barrier to said opening in said framing system and wherein said inflatable means further comprises an air pressure reduction subsystem; and

(b) attachment means for removably securing said inflatable means for providing proper positioning of said protective kit relative to said opening in said framing system, thereby enabling a temporary-use protection of said protective kit to protect said opening.

16. A protective kit, according to claim 15, further comprising a decorative member;

and wherein said decorative member is affixed to an outer covering of said inflatable means for providing a repositionably secured temporary barrier, whereby said protective kit is readily adapted to a decorative display.

17. A protective kit, according to claim 15, wherein said attachment means includes at least one attachment member selected from a group comprising:

a strap member, a suction-cup member, an adjustable length strap member, and a ballast member.

18. A protective kit according to claim 15, wherein:

(a) said inflatable means includes at least one rigid member; and

(b) said attachment means includes at least said strap member, whereby said protective kit enables a protective shielding for said openings in said framing systems during said temporary-use.

19. A protective kit according to claim 15, wherein said air pressure reduction subsystem further comprises:

(a) an air input valve; and

(b) at least one air output valve.

20. A method for temporarily protecting a framing system, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an inflatable means for providing a temporary barrier to said framing system, said inflatable means further comprising at least one air bleeder valve for reducing air pressure within said inflatable means; and

(b) providing at least one attachment means for removably securing said inflatable means to said framing system.