SUPPLEMENTAL WINDOW FOR FENESTRATION

• US 20140331578A1
• Filed: 06/26/2014
• Published: 11/13/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/07/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: WexEnergy LLC
• Original Assignee: WexEnergy LLC
• Inventors: Wexler, Ronald Myron, Metelsky, Alan Scott
• Granted Patent: US 9,234,381 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 52/204.62
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 1/002 with means for clear vision, e.g. anti-frost or defog panes, rain shields window heating in H05B3/84, H05B3/86
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/005 Storm panels; hurricane shutters
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/28 with additional removable glass panes or the like, framed or unframed

Abstract

A supplemental window for fenestration suitable for use with existing windows. The supplemental window, in one embodiment, comprises a frame with plastic sheet material stretched across it. An attachment mechanism secured to the frame functions to fasten the supplemental window to an existing window. The attachment mechanism can be a suction cup or adhesive for example. A seal attached to the frame functions to trap a volume of air between the window pane and the plastic sheet material. An aesthetic covering and draft inhibiting mechanism are also provided. The supplemental window is configured such that the layer of trapped air is of an optimum thickness of 0.15 to 0.75 inches to maximize thermal insulation properties of the supplemental window.

Claims

1. A supplemental window apparatus, comprising:

a contiguous frame defining a perimeter area;

a substantially non porous sheet material attached to said contiguous frame covering said perimeter area;

an attachment mechanism operative to detachably attach said contiguous frame to a window pane and to set the distance between said window pane and said substantially non porous sheet material when said supplemental window apparatus is attached to the window pane; and

a seal in contact with said contiguous frame such that when said contiguous frame is attached to the window pane a volume of gas is trapped between said window pane and said substantially non porous sheet material.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said attachment mechanism comprises a suction cup mechanism.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a material between said suction cup mechanism and said window pane.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said attachment mechanism comprises an adhesive mechanism.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said attachment mechanism comprises a dry adhesive mechanism.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said attachment mechanism is substantially hidden from view from one side of the window pane.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said attachment mechanism is substantially hidden from view from both sides of the window pane.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said seal comprises foam whereby said seal compressibly changes dimensions in a plane perpendicular to the window pane.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said seal comprises foam whereby said seal compressibly changes dimensions in a plane parallel to the window pane.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said seal comprises foam material adhered to said contiguous frame.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said seal comprises foam material held in place via spring tension against said contiguous frame.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said seal comprises substantially non porous sheet material.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said substantially non porous sheet material is selected from the group comprising transparent substantially non porous sheet material, substantially non porous infrared reflective sheet material, substantially non porous low emissivity sheet material, semi-transparent substantially non porous sheet material, translucent substantially non porous sheet material and opaque substantially non porous sheet material.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said supplemental window apparatus is adapted to be mounted to the interior portion of the window pane.

15. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said supplemental window apparatus is adapted to be mounted to the exterior portion of the window pane.

16. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an infiltration blocking mechanism secured to said contiguous frame and operative to inhibit air infiltration at sealing interfaces of non-fixed window panes.

17. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising one or more parts secured to said contiguous frame and operative to enhance the aesthetics of said supplemental window apparatus.

18. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a mechanism operative to inhibit air flow interior to the supplemental window unit.

19. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said attachment mechanism functions to set the distance between said window pane and said substantially non porous sheet material when said supplemental window apparatus is set held in place to said window frame.

20. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said frame comprises a plurality of corner members operative to set the distance between said window pane and said substantially non porous sheet material when said supplemental window apparatus is set held in place to said window frame.

21. A supplemental window apparatus, comprising:

a contiguous frame defining a perimeter area;

a substantially non porous sheet material attached to said contiguous frame covering said perimeter area;

an attachment mechanism operative to hold said contiguous frame to a window frame utilizing outward pressure against said window frame;

a seal in contact with said contiguous frame such that when said contiguous frame is attached to the window pane a volume of gas is trapped between said window pane and said substantially non porous sheet material; and

one or more spacers operative to set the distance between said window pane and said substantially non porous sheet material when said supplemental window apparatus is set held in place to said window frame.

22. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said substantially non porous sheet material is selected from the group comprising transparent substantially non porous sheet material, substantially non porous infrared reflective sheet material, substantially non porous low emissivity sheet material, semi-transparent substantially non porous sheet material, translucent substantially non porous sheet material and opaque substantially non porous sheet material.

23. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said seal comprises foam whereby said seal compressibly changes dimensions in a plane perpendicular to the window pane.

24. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said seal comprises foam whereby said seal compressibly changes dimensions in a plane parallel to the window pane.

25. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said seal comprises foam material adhered to said contiguous frame.

26. The apparatus according to claim 21, wherein said seal comprises foam material held in place via spring tension against said contiguous frame.

27. A method of providing a supplemental window, comprising:

providing a contiguous frame defining a perimeter area;

attaching substantially non porous sheet material to said contiguous frame so as to cover said perimeter area;

providing an attachment mechanism operative to detachably attach said contiguous frame to a window pane and to set the distance between said window pane and said substantially non porous sheet material when said supplemental window apparatus is attached to the window pane; and

sealing said contiguous frame such that when said contiguous frame is attached to the window pane a volume of gas is trapped between said window pane and said substantially non porous sheet material.